Barcelona: Discover The Passion of The City and its People

Barcelona is a city of discovery and culture. The people bring passion into everything they do, and it can be seen in nearly all aspects of the Catalan hotspot. In our article today, we will guide you through some of the greatest things to enjoy on your trip to this amazing city. Overall, you can expect everything from great internet speed to beer and warm summer weather. Let’s begin!

The Barcelona Weather

As far as the weather goes, Barcelona is most pleasant in the late spring or early autumn when the temperatures remain comfortable around 21–25°C and walking the streets isn’t strenuous. However, during these seasons, Barcelona can sometimes be perfect at night when there is a chill in the air.

Summer temperatures within the city reach 28°C, but can often exceed that number. In August, especially, it’s best to avoid the city because the climate is at its worst, and many stores, bars, and restaurants close as locals leave in droves. If the prospect of rain does not bother you, you should consider taking a winter break. Despite temperatures hovering around 13° C in December, it is still warm enough to sit outside at a café.

Things to see in Barcelona

There are a variety of historical old-town neighborhoods to explore when in Barcelona. From Picasso’s home in La Ribera to funky El Raval, where cool bars, restaurants, and boutiques have sprouted around the striking contemporary art museum, MACBA. The crowded tourist neighborhoods are full of surprises, even if you think you know them well. Find tapas bars hidden down old alleyways, designer stores in gentrified areas, bargain lunches in workers’ taverns, unmarked gourmet restaurants, craft shops, restaurées of Medieval palaces, and neighborhood markets.

While Barcelona’s old-town districts are endlessly fascinating, it is so much more than that. As an example, the fortress-topped hill of Montjuic houses both the Olympic Stadium utilized for the 1992 Games and several of Barcelona’s most notable art museums, including MNAC, or Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. A variety of Catalan artists are represented, ranging from Joan Miró to Antoni Tàpies. The Eixample district of Barcelona’s uptown also contains most of Barcelona’s famous modernist architectural wonders, ranging from Gaudi’s phenomenal church to private houses.

Barcelona might seem like a lot of hard cultural work, so instead, visit its harbor, parks, gardens, and beaches for some entertainment. At times, it’s almost impossible to remember that you’re in a big city at all. For example, one stroll from Port Vell harbor takes you along the marina, through the old fishing and restaurant quarter of Barceloneta, past the tree-lined Parc de la Ciutadella, and to the beach and beachside restaurants of Port Olympic.

You can also head for the new natural science museum in the Diagonal Mar conference and exhibition district or venture into Gràcia for its charming squares, lively bars, and Gaudi’s incredible Parc Güell. Finally, those who wish to see Barcelona from an aerial view should go to Tibidabo, an amusement park elevated above the Collserola hills. In contrast, those who wish to experience nature outside the city should visit the mountain-top monastery of Montserrat, 40 km north of Barcelona.

Barcelona Drinking and Nightlife

Barcelona has it all: bohemian boozers, underground clubs, cocktail bars, summer dance palaces, techno temples, Irish pubs, and designer bars. Anything you can imagine. There are several hip, designer bars in the city and a burgeoning nightlife scene fueled by resident and guest DJs, local bands, and visiting stars.

Getting started early is rare at clubs, as they’re often barely off the ground by 3 am, most tend not to open much before midnight and stay open until 5 am. As a result, clubs, and bars stay open longer in August as opposed to restaurants.

There may be an admission charge at certain venues, but most nightspots are free before a particular time. Alternatively, you may be charged between €10 and €20, although typically, your first drink will be included, so don’t be surprised if they charge a minimum for drinks up to €10. A typical show cost is between €20 and €50, but there are cheaper shows every night of the year (€5 to €20) at a variety of smaller clubs and bars.

Enjoy Cultural Celebrations

Every Sunday at noon and every Saturday at 6 pm from Easter until the end of November, Catalonia’s national folk dance, the Sardana, is performed in front of La Seu, at Plaça de la Seu. The Catalan way of life is described as democratic, so as a sign of sharing and community, everyone in the circle holds hands; they each put something in the center, and since it is not too energetic, old and young can join in.

A traditional Catalan festival is generally centered around either a parade accompanied by religious images or a community festival with a more festive theme. For example, parades of paper mâché giants with paper heads, depicting historical or traditional figures, are famous at the main festivals of Emilia (Feb), Gràcia (Aug), and Mercè (Sept). 

Correfocs (fire runs) are also typical Catalan events, where teams of drummers, dragons, and devils wear pitchforks fitted with flares and ride them down the street. A unique traditional festival feature are Castellers, who build towers with their bodies, piling people on top of each other, feet on shoulders, to see who can create the tallest, most aesthetically pleasing one.

Festivals in Barcelona

Carnival is celebrated before Lent in the majority of Catholic countries. A parade of fancy dress floats and fireworks is held on Barcelona’s main streets between February and March to celebrate the start of the abstinence period of forty days.

September 11th marks Catalonia Day or National Day of Catalonia. Catalan culture is celebrated by tens of thousands of people wearing the Catalan flag in the streets. During recent years, independence demonstrations were held on this day, making it more lively and buzzing.

Barcelona Shopping District

When it comes to shopping in Spain, Barcelona still leads the way, even if it isn’t on the same level as Paris. From clothing and accessories to crafts and household goods, the area is known for its innovative design. Mid-January through the end of February, and then July and August are the main fashion seasons for annual sales.