Barcelona New years Eve: Ready for the party?

December 29, 2017August 6, 2020Natàlia Gibernau

Barcelona New years eve is around the corner. Where are you planning to go? Apart from the official events, like the gigantic New Year celebration at Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, there are some other great events on offer during the Barcelona New Year’s Eve festivities.

Barcelona New years Eve: Best parties in town

Poble Espanyol Complex

A fine end of year party always takes place at the Poble Espanyol complex. This year sees the 29th edition of the best Barcelona New Year’s Eve party. Start the night bringing in the new year with the 12 chimes, grapes and cava in hand, ready to start a night of fun with new musical hits and some of the songs from the past. Three spaces are prepared for the party and include Plaza Mayor, the Carpa and the VIP area, located in one of the most renowned nightclubs in the city – La Terrazzza.

Sutton Club

For some special VIP treatment and nightlife elegance, then one of the best parties in Barcelona for New Years Eve has to be the Sutton Club’s 2018 celebrations. There are 50 VIP tables and on this night, they maybe reserved from €1000 and have for the best views of the dance floors and the finest service for you and your friends. DJs on the night are Albert Martin and Carlos Ramos in the main room.

OneOcean Club & Bar

This place is a new private members club and restaurant built on the water alongside the super yachts in the heart of Barcelona’s Port Vell. It is the place to be seen for Barcelona’s social elite. It has fast become known for its fine service and marina views. Seeing in the New Year here will be nothing short of spectacular. Your ticket will include a gala dinner, live music performances, dance floor, delicious cocktails and many more surprises. You can book your place and reserve your place at €195 and celebrate your Barcelona New Year’s Eve in style.

Sala Apolo

This is one the city’s finest venues, and is more than just a dancehall. The complex located on Avinguda del Paral–lel, has music halls, a hotel, theatre, bars, gaming facilities, and offers an enviable and mixed billing every week. The site has always been a centre for entertainment for more than 80 years, and today Sala Apolo is popular with big music names as well as with emerging local and international artists. While the line-up for its end of year extravaganza is top secret, this will be one of the best Barcelona New Year’s Eve events.

Harlem Jazz Club

Credited as one of the top 10 Jazz clubs in the world by Forbes Magazine, Harlem Jazz, nestled in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, plays host to jazz, blues and swing bands from or touring in the city. Regular bands include The Big Beat Swing Band & Sax Attack, Big Mama & Tota, JV & 2 Moons and Son de la Rambla. The venue’s stage can easily house a large band and there is plenty of room to groove, with drinking tables situated close to the action. But arrive early as spaces fill quickly over Barcelona New Year’s Eve.

Aurora at Velòdrom d’Horta

If you are partying through to the first day of the year, then Barcelona New Year’s Eve celebrations don’t stop in the early hours. On the 1^st of January, a new event featuring some of the best DJs on the planet will take place for the first time and is set to be an extravaganza at the old Olympic Cycling Racing Venue situated at Velòdrom d’Horta. Superstars include US House DJ sensation Seth Troxler and rising Belgian Techno star, Amelie Lens. Gates open at 16:00 hours, so you may have some time to catch up on some much needed sleep before the party starts again!

All in all, Barcelona is a city of fiesta, and whichever Barcelona New Years Eve event takes your fancy, make sure your stay is complete by choosing one of our beautiful apartments located throughout the city. See our selection here.

Things to do in Barcelona in December

December 22, 2017August 6, 2020Natàlia Gibernau

Which are the best things to do in Barcelona in December? The Christmas agenda is jam-packed with fun and interesting things to do and see. Below we select a few things to do you can’t miss:

Things to do in Barcelona in December: Christmas Concerts

As you’d expect, Barcelona has many open-air concerts during the festive season. Plaça del Rei hosts some of the best ones on a medieval square. It is situated in the Gothic Quarter and you will also find the Palau Reial (Royal Palace), Tinell Salo, the Chapel of St. Agatha and the Torre del Rey Martí. Also most of the city’s churches have things to do in December such as traditional religious events and classical music recitals. We recommend the St. Stephen’s Day Christmas concert at the magnificent Palau de la Música concert hall in Barcelona. A beloved annual Christmas event in Barcelona by The Orfeó Català choir and other choirs.

If architecture and music is your thing during your stay, then you must include this a visit to El Palau de la Música. Designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, El Palau Música Catalana is styled in a similar theme to that of Gaudí’s work, but more functional in contrast to many other buildings built in the modernism style throughout the city. The design of the Palau is typical of Catalan modernism.

Visit the most important Christmas Markets in Barcelona

Barcelona organizes many traditional and not-so tradition Christmas Markets (Mercats de Nadal). They’re excellent places to get some great Catalan traditional gifts, Christmas themed decorations and artisan food products. They are one of the most important things to do in Barcelona in December and are open throughout the holiday period. We recommend the oldest market, Fira de Santa Llúcia at Barcelona Cathedral or the largest one, Fira de Reis a la Gran Vía, which run along this main road between its junctions with Carrer Calabria and Carrer Comte Urgell. For more information read our article about the oldest Christmas Markets in Barcelona

New Year’s Eve Celebrations

If you are lucky enough to be visiting during the city’s busy New Year Celebrations, then your things to do in Barcelona in December list must include a visit to Plaça Espanya to fully experience the Catalan New Year traditions. Get there early as the crowds will be massive as they wait for midnight to come and see in the New Year with grapes and cava – when the midnight bells toll you must eat a grape with every dong, and simultaneously take a sip of cava, 12 times in total, to ensure you have a lucky and prosperous 2018. There will also be the best fireworks show the city has to offer.

Christmas Shopping

If you are here in the search for the perfect gift for loved ones, then a visit to one of Barcelona’s shopping hotspots has to be among the things to do in Barcelona in December. We recommend the luxury shops all along the Passeig de Gràcia for top-end items. If you have time, there is the famous La Roca Shopping Village located just outside the visit for more top brands and luxury gifts at factory outlet prices. Plaça de Catalunya is also a great place to discover traditional Catalan Christmas themes and high street retail brands situated around the city’s largest square.

Barcelona Michelin Star Tapas Walking Tour

Things to do in Barcelona in December has to include Tapas, and what better way to experience the best tapas with Barcelona’s Michelin Star Tapas Experience. Your guide will take you to two very different restaurants, which are owned by Michelin-starred chefs and that represent different regions of Spain to try various tapas dishes and wines. The tour last for three hours and whilst also getting to sample some the best tapas in the city, the guide will also share some other culinary places of interest to discover during your stay.

So If you are choosing Barcelona as your Christmas destination this year, then there is no better option for your stay than renting one of our cozy apartments. Please see our selection here and book your accommodation with us.

Street Art In Barcelona – Where to find the best Street Art spots in Barcelona

November 28, 2017September 7, 2020Natàlia Gibernau

Are you willing to find Street Art in Barcelona ? Barcelona is certainly famous for its contemporary arts, especially modern street art. It is prolific throughout the city whether it’s illegal graffiti or commissioned pieces by some of the city’s famous artists like El Pez, who now tours the world painting large murals in every continent.

It’s not just spray-paint art though. Today’s street art uses anything and everything to display a message or communicate a feeling. The most common forms of Barcelona’s Street Art are just as likely to be mosaics or stencils and some even use recycled materials collected from the street’s refuse.

It changes every night too! The best place to view some of the best and more historic street art pieces on your Barcelona trip are actually on shop shutters. But they are normally only visible at night after the shops shut, or on a Sunday. Below we have suggested some areas in the city where you will see major pieces of Barcelona’s Street Art work… maybe even in action!

Recommended spots to find street Art in Barcelona

Street Art in Barcelona: El Raval

If you take a trek through this district, Barcelona’s Street Art is everywhere. A good place to start is the MACBA – the Barcelona Contemporary Museum of Modern Art – but no need to go inside, just scout around the surrounding area to see really fantastic pieces of work! There are also a lot of older pieces as you move deeper into the Raval district.

Street Art in Barcelona: Jardins de les Tres Xemeneies

Easy to find, just head to the where you see the 3 big chimneys breaking the skyline on Avinguda del Paral-lel . Art creation is actually encouraged here, so you are allowed to paint, so you should be able to see and talk with some of the artists as they paint. Head further down Paral.lel where it meets Plaça de les Drassanes, you will find another public park space called Jardí Walter Benjamin. Artists can paint legally here as well and there are always new and interesting murals on display.

Street Art in Barcleona: The Gothic & Born Quarters

Start at Carrer Ataulf (with Carrer Templars) and then head into Carrer Milans. By just walking along these two streets alone, you could potentially take hours to see all the art within them. There are also some old treasures by legendary Barcelona Street Artists El Pez, Kram & Bombzone. The Born is nearby. Just cross Via Laietana and head down to Carrer de l’Argenteria. The art is not only on the street, visit some of the local galleries that exhibit and sell work by Barcelona’s street artists.

Street Art Walking Tour

There is even a world famous Barcelona Street art walking tour – the Barcelona Street Style Tour. It has reviews by virtually every newspaper culture section on the planet. We highly recommend it! Also it’s free, but if you feel the tour gave good value, you can always donate when it ends. You would expect to pay about €8-10 for any informative and enjoyable walking tour. They even have an additional bicycle tour that takes you to Poble Nou, where some of the city’s largest murals are.

Barcelona’s Street Art brings many visitors and artists to the city every year. To make your stay more enjoyable, why not see our selection of holiday rental apartments in the areas mentioned above to be right in the middle of all the action.

Today Casa Vicens open its doors to the public

November 16, 2017August 6, 2020Natàlia Gibernau

Visits to Casa Vicens are back with half price tickets! Discover everything about Casa Vicens, the first Gaudí house:

Casa Vicens, the first home designed by Gaudí

The building is the first home designed by the great Modernist architect Antoni Gaudí. The house was finished in 1885 and has always been a family home or summer house. It was commissioned for a local merchant Manel Vicens i Montaner. After he passed away, his widow sold it to the Jover family in 1899 and they resided in it, handing it down the family through the years.

In 2014 Casa Vicens was bought by MoraBanc & Amura Capital investing €4 million to bring the building back to its former glory. The restoration process began in 2015 and fully conserves all the original features and rooms. The figure for the actual purchase of the building is undisclosed.

Casa vicens

Discover Casa Vicens

The new museum will pay homage to the famed architect and visitors will also learn more about Gaudí’s background; his life before designing Casa Vicens, his intellectual influences and his inspiration both during and after his studies.
The ceramic glaze brickwork on the exterior is influenced by Arabic and Medieval styles, also incorporating Gaudí’s personal decorative and symbolic themes. These were only discovered after removing a layer of white paint used to cover some of the original decoration and papiermache artwork.

The house retains a gallery, dining room and a smoking room which adjoin the gardens and newly installed side entrance all on the ground floor. The main façade features the reconstruction of the original fountain with its circular base for collecting the water, a main body and metal structure. As a result of various works over the years, the whole piece had disappeared, so the reconstruction of the fountain is based on photographs.

Casa vicens - interior

The first floor of Casa Vicens is home to a permanent collection of Gaudí’s papers where visitors can discover several original pieces of his thoughts on architecture. Anyone who knows Gaudí’s work will be aware that he rarely wrote about his opinions on architecture and design, so these are special treats for enthusiasts indeed.

There is also a live audiovisual projection about the architect, and depending on what time of year, there will be temporary exhibtions and other activities dedicated to different parts of Gaudí’s life and work. Apart from Gaudí’s social, cultural and artistic context, visitors will be able to find out more about his projects prior to building this house – such as school projects, his city projects, religious projects and his first building and furniture designs.

Casa Vicens - things to do in barcelona

Casa Vicens is a Unesco World Heritage Site, named among other works he designed such as the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, Park Güell, Palau Güell, Palau de la Música and Hospital de Sant Pau. It is located in the western part Gràcia and it is expected that approximately 150,000 people will visit the museum every year.

Here you can find all the information to get the tickets and prepear your visit: https://casavicens.org/

In fact, we have a wide selection of rental apartments located very close by, Check them out here

Barcelona Day Trips – a day out in Sitges

October 16, 2017March 31, 2021Natàlia Gibernau

If you spend a few days in Barcelona you can also plan several Barcelona day trips that you will love, for example a day out in Sitges.

Located just a short way outside Barcelona, to the southwest just a 40-minute journey on the local rail service either from Estació de França, Sants or Passeig de Gràcia rail stations, the romantic and historic village of Sitges is a perfect destination for Barcelona day trips.

The proximity and ease of arrival make Sitges one of the most enjoyable Barcelona day trips to do. It will cost approximately 9 EUR (day return) on the train, usually 4 trains run every hour, dropping visitors off at one of the most beautiful and fabled villages of Catalunya’s Costa Daurada. Simply alight and stroll into the town from Sitges rail station, the stunning beaches are not too far away. There is so much history here, so where do you start?

Barcelona Day Trips – Sitges

Foremost, Sitges is famous as a party town. The first ever Pacha nightclub in the world – created 10 years before Eivissa (Ibiza) – was founded here. But let’s not forget it’s annual Carnaval – one of the biggest in the world – its frequent fiestas, major film festival or the Corpus Cristi.

Going even further back in time, the Romans occupied the village and it was a major point of trade and festival. In fact, according to the Museu de Sitges, “since ancient times, the site of Sitges has been associated with a small Roman town mentioned in classical sources called Subur.” Centurions, who were paid in salt from Ses Salines in Eivissa, then took a short cruise to Sitges to spend their wages in true soldier fashion.

Pretty much, this is still what happens today, and Sitges now occupies an even more special place on the global map – the pink map to be precise. Best described as poly-sexual, Sitges is probably the world’s number one destination for the LGBT community.

Sitges’ most (in)famous street is Carrer del Pecat (Sin Street) as it is known here. Its real name is Carrer Primer de Maig de 1838, and it is here where artists such as Dali and Picasso used to meet and hang out in their younger years during the 1960’s.

The beach in Sitges which you can visit on Barcelona Day trips

At the bottom of Carrer del Pecat is the beach, one of 17. This one is called Platja de la Ribera and home to El Chiringuito… quite literally the first ever chiringuito (beach hut bar) built in Spain. Turn to the right and walk up the beachfront a little way and you will come to a fine beachfront restaurant called Pic Nic. Perfect for a fresh fish lunch and to nibble on some tapas specialties. Pulpo Gallega, sepia, patatas bravas and fresh pa amb tomàquet (bread rubbed with tomato) are always on the menu and this selection of dishes should cost about €25 per person.

After the sustenance, the energy kicks in! Use your time wisely on this Barcelona day trip and see some of the sights. Follow the path down to the bottom of the church and the old town. Take the steps up to the old quarter and you will find the magnificent church – dedicated to the town’s patron saints, Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla, or drop into the recently refurbished Cau Ferrat Museum.

A suggested route for this day trip is to follow in footsteps of Sitges’ fanciful forefather, Modernist artist and most beloved Santiago Rusiñol. Enjoy a healthy stroll high above Platja de Sant Sebastià to marvel at the graveyard and viewpoint that looks down on to Port de Sitges: Aiguadolç

The rest of your day could be spent sampling the artisanal wares of the many shops that Sitges has hidden down its back streets, with each and every one unashamedly paying homage to Sitges’ mix of maritime and melancholic glamour. Check out the numerous interior design, curiosity and antique shops, carelessly scattered between the village’s many cobbled streets.

Before you end your Barcelona day trip and make your back to the city, stop to ‘whet your whistle’ at the locals favourite watering hole, El Cable, on the corner of Carrer Barcelona with Carrer Santiago Rusiñol. The libations here are almost as famous as the town’s fearsome film festival.

Whatever your thoughts are on this historic hideaway during your Barcelona day trip, one thing’s for certain – you’ll be sure to wave it goodbye, many times again. For your stay in Barcelona, please do visit our page to see a great selection of fine apartments.

Also check here other interesting day trip guides:

5 Medieval villages in the Empordà
Day Trip to Montserrat
Day Trip to Dalí Museum from Barcelona
La Roca Village shopping day trip from Barcelona

One day in Montjuïc – Barcelona Travel Guide

October 4, 2017August 6, 2020Natàlia Gibernau

One day in Montjuïc is time well spent if you have a few days to visit Barcelona. There are many attractions on this historic site, including its castle sitting just over 180m above the city.
The castle served as the main protection for the old city harbour since circa 1640. Apart from the castle, most of the other attractions in this area were created for Barcelona’s International Exposition in 1929 with more buildings added for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, including the main stadium. 2017 marks the 25^th anniversary of the Barcelona Games.

Joan Miró Foundation (Museu Miró) – One day in Montjuïc

This space was completed in 1975 and was commissioned by Joan Miró i Ferrà, a Surrealist painter, sculptor and ceramicist from Barcelona who won international acclaim for his works. He was originally a student of business, but after a nervous breakdown, he turned to being an artist and was one of the leaders of the Catalan Fauvist Period. He wanted to create a space to encourage younger artists to create modern art – Espai 13. A good way to get to the Miró is by using the Montjuïc Funicular Railway, which leaves from Paral.lel Metro station.

Poble Espanyol – One day in Montjuïc

The complex is an array of 117 buildings themed on the “Spanish Town” and the whole area is classed as a museum that pays homage to the whole country’s architecture. It was due to be demolished after the great 1929 exposition, but after its success, the city decided to preserve it. Poble Espanyol is a magical area of Montjuïc, where you can switch between the different styles of Spain’s rich heritage of construction design. There are also exhibitions of craft, contemporary art and shops with gourmet products, concert venues, theatres and activities for children. It is a maze of small streets and squares, with the grand entrance Porta d’Àvila, located just a short walk above the Montjuïc Fountains

Palau Sant Jordi – One day in Montjuïc

Completed in 1990, this was the indoor arena for Barcelona’s Olympic Games. It is still used today for sports events and concerts, such as basketball, indoor tennis, swimming and indoor athletics. It can comfortably fit 18,000 spectators for most events depending on use of the giant floor space.

Open air Greek Amphitheatre (Teatre Grec) – One day in Montjuïc

This is a stunning recreation of a traditional Greek-style theatre, nestled in the woods on Montjuïc. It opened for performances during the 1929 exposition and hosts performances and shows during the summer months. It is a major component of the city’s annual Greek Festival, but you may visit it outside of these months.

National Art Museum of Catalunya (MNAC) – One day in Montjuïc

This is located in the National Palace, just above the fountains and Plaça Espanya, which was built for the 1929 exposition. It is an Italian-styled design and has some the finest displays of Romanesque and Gothic art collections in the world. Everybody can experience their favorite art here, as the museum exhibits historic pieces of Catalan sculpture, portraits, mural paintings, carvings and metalworks. There is also a modern art collection and a photography display.

Montjuïc really has a lot going on with a wonderful mix of must-see attractions both old and new. To really enjoy your stay more in Barcelona why not rent an apartment? We have an excellent choice of apartments all over the city to suit your needs.

La Mercè 2017, the main event on Barcelona’s festival agenda

September 22, 2017August 6, 2020Natàlia Gibernau

La Mercè 2017 is the main event on Barcelona’s festival agenda, uniting all of its neighbourhoods and serving as the city’s Festa Major. This year it aims to extend further throughout the city by adding even more new venues and activities.

Every year, Barcelona invites a city from around the world to jointly celebrate the festival. This year Icelandic capital Reykjavik has been invited to be this year’s special guest city and will be honoured throughout La Mercè.

Overall, it is a religious festival that has been celebrated since the Middle Ages and observes the holy feast day of Our Lady of Mercy. It is the biggest weeklong festival in the city and an age-old tradition, but there are very up-to-date activity items as well, such as specialty markets, art displays and musical performances for example.

Gegants & Capgrossos – La Mercè 2017

Catalunya has a great tradition for processions of giants or bigheads, which are tall, hollow structures with very large papier-mâché heads, each with a unique identity and character. They are carried on top of people’s shoulders in a parade as they dance and run at the crowds. Also, there are the Bestiari – which are figures of medieval, folkloric creatures. This parade happens on the first day of the La Mercé celebrations.

Gegants Procession, September 22, Palau de la Virreina on La Rambla, 99, at 19:00h

The Correfoc – La Mercè 2017
The famous fire run is always on September 24 – the actual saint’s day for La Mercé. Performers dressed as devils and fiery dragons dance in a long procession through the city. Hordes of “diables” hoist pitchforks, or forquilles, above their heads, with spinning fireworks attached that spray in all directions. If you’re going to get a close-up photograph, then protective clothing is advised. There is also an early fire run for children.

Correfoc (Adults), September 23, Via Laietana at 20:15h
Correfoc (Children) September 23, Via Laietana at 18:30h

Castellers – La Mercè 2017

The Catalans are very good at building human structures. In fact he last few world records – 10 persons high – have been have been set in the region. Participants, or Catsellers, climb on top of each other, interlocked into a delicate balancing act to get people to reach into the sky as far as possible. The human tower is supported by a large number of people at the bottom, and then it’s a race to reach the highest point in strict formation before the structure breaks.

Human Towers, September 23, Plaça de Sant Jaume at 11:30h
Human Towers, September 23, Plaça de Sant Jaume at 12:30h

BAM
Barcelona Acció Musical has been running for over 20 years and hosts more contemporary rock and pop music concerts. It runs in parallel to the main festival, and as Reykjavik is the partner city for this year’s La Mercé, then a contingent of its artists will perform, as well as national and internal artists. Concerts usually take place at Plaza Real, Plaza Catalunya and at the MACBA, among many other intimate places and open-air venues around the city.

BAM, September 22-25, various venues http://lameva.barcelona.cat/bam/en

AMICS DE LES ARTS CANET ROCK. FOTO: DAVID BORRAT. 04-07-15. CANET DE MAR. DIARI ARA

Piromusical – La Mercè 2017
This is a critically acclaimed, professional fireworks display that takes place on the last night of La Mercè 2017 on Avinguda reina Maria Cristina. You need to arrive early for the big finale, as thousands of people gather to watch this spectacular show.

Check the official agenda for more firework displays and digital light mapping events throughout the festival, at http://lameva.barcelona.cat/merce/en.

Piromusical, September 25, Avinguda de Reina Maria Cristina (Plaça Espanya) at 22:00h

The La Mercè Festival is a great way to see Barcelona at its best. Your stay could be much more convenient with your own apartment. Check our website for an excellent selection of short-term holiday rentals so that your stay in the city is as comfortable as possible.

Check the official agenda for more firework displays and digital light mapping events throughout the festival, at http://lameva.barcelona.cat/merce/en.

Festa Major de Gràcia, the bicentennial anniversary

August 11, 2017August 6, 2020Natàlia Gibernau

Festa Major de Gràcia is around the corner! If you haven’t been to Gràcia, then the best time to go is during the annual Festa Major, which Gràcia celebrates every August 15-21. Especially this year, as Gràcia celebrates its bi-centennial anniversary with over 1 million revelers expected to visit the celebrations this year. Spain is famous for fiesta… it’s a way of life here, and Gràcia hosts a stunning event.

6roviraitrias

The planning for Festa Major de Gràcia is delegated to around 20 different street or neighbourhood associations. They are tasked with preparing the district to hold over 600 performances and many other activities, which include children’s workshops, puppet shows and kid’s fun fair rides among many other things to see and do which are great family options.

The agenda is actually a very guarded secret, but there are programmes available to buy that have all the information from the first day. A good place to start is Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia as it is right in the centre of the all action. It’s very lively all year round with bars surrounding the square and a beautiful clock tower in the middle. Most of the main traditional events will take place there and the processions normally finish there too. Two are worthy of particular mention, the Castellers and the Correfoc.

castells_3_la_placa_mes_castellera

Castellers – the creators of human towers – compete with each other all around the country to build the highest towers. With determination triumphing over brute strength, participants climb on top of each other, interlocked into a delicate balancing act to get people to the highest point possible. The Catalans are very good at building human structures. The last few world records – 10 persons high – have been held firmly in the region. These normally take place where Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia meets Plaça Rius i Taulet.

The traditional Correfoc is fiery dance spectacular on the last night with dracs (dragons), diables (devils), pyrotechnics and loud rhythmic marching percussion, all together representing hell. It’s an age-old tradition of devils dancing in a long procession through the Festa Major de Gràcia with groups of diables hoisting their pitchforks, or forques, with spinning fireworks that spray in all directions. Unless you’e part of the procession, stay well back, as all the devils wear protective clothing and you might not.

correfoc

What sets Festa Major de Gràcia apart from others is the scenery and artwork. The work begins many months before the event, even as soon as the previous year’s event finishes. Local tradesmen and volunteers band into the associations, each representing a street or square in the neighbourhood, to become set-designers, together creating all the elaborate décor that festoons streets and squares.

There is a competition between each association – which also includes a sports contest – so local pride is at stake as each association battles it out for the best-decorated street, the most coveted prize. Over the years there have been some fantastic pieces, yet this year the standard is expected to be even higher for the Bicentennial.

7verdi

Expect themed streets with huge papier maché displays suspended along the street above the heads of all passersby. The residents don’t have to be in an association to compete either, as neighbours may also enter to win the contest for best-dressed balcony. There will be street bars, local gastronomic delights, traditional dancing, as well as the live music concerts on most of the area’s squares and streets.

There are a great number of performers, mostly local to the neighbourhood. The live music really takes off when the night draws in. In the past, Festa Major de Gràcia has even hosted guest performers like Tom Jones in Plaça del Sol, which is one of the largest squares and is famous for musical performances which will entertain you with Catalan and international sounds.

Most importantly, the Fest Major de Gràcia is about community and tradition. The people are very welcoming… the best thing to do is just take your time and take a walk through the neighbourhood, as Gràcia is easily navigable and the festival lasts for an entire week.

14081501FM SOCIETAT FESTES DE GRACIA DECORACIO ALS CARRER JOAN BLANQUES AMBIENT FESTES BARCELONA 15 08 2014 FOTO FRANCESC MELCION DIARI ARA

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Year: 2017