Best Places To Visit in Barcelona: Top 5 Gaudi Attractions

16 February, 2021 11 January, 2023
Nicola Sanderson
Post
Barcelona Gaudi Attractions, Barcelona Tourist Attractions, Tickets Barcelona, What to do Barcelona

Barcelona has so much to offer tourists, so where should you start? Where are the best places to visit in Barcelona? We suggest that no visit would be complete without checking out the modernist treasures left by Anthony Gaudi. His work is so iconic that not only has it shaped the skyline of the city, but his vanguard modernist flair influenced much of the architecture in Barcelona.

The diversity of his work and the stories that surround it have a lot of curb appeal. Even those who are normally more interested in the beach than culture, still want to know a little about the Sagrada Familia.

So we will start our Best Places to Visit in Barcelona, Top 5 Gaudi Attractions with the mighty church that dominates the skyline of Barcelona.

Sagrada Familia

The most famous of Barcelona’s tourist attractions is the Sagrada Familia. Also known as the ‘unfinished church’, the story around the construction of the church is as fascinating as the building itself. The church was the brainchild of the famous architect Anthony Gaudi. It was his last project before he died, and where he applied everything he had learned from previous projects, plus all of his distinctive artistic flair.

The first stone of the Sagrada Familia was laid in 1883! The planned completion date of the church is 2026, which would mark 100 years since the untimely death of Gaudi. After his death, faithful collaborators carried on working from the plans and visions he left to keep the project alive.

The sheer size of the Basilica is something that attracts Barcelona tourists to visit the space. A unique feature is its dominating height, which gives an impressive feel of vastness. Inside the columns reach up to 45m before they reach the vaults. There is an ambitious plan for the central tower to reach 172.5 meters, which will make the Barcelona Church the tallest religious building in Europe.

It is also the intricately detailed symbolism on the facades of the Sagrada Familia that makes for such an interesting visit. The 3 facades depict The Nativity, The Passion, and The Glory.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is the most visited tourist attraction in Spain and very worthy of the top spot on our Best Places to Visit in Barcelona. It is important to book your visit in advance.

Park Guell

The number 2 spot on our best Gaudi places to visit in Barcelona is Park Guell. This is a wonderful natural space in the north of the city, and another of Gaudi’s works which is a Unesco World Heritage site. The park was commissioned by Eusebi Guell, one of Gaudi’s best clients.

Gaudi was influenced by nature and curves, and he applied this to the design of the park. There are wonderful examples of his trencadis technique, which is a distinct style of mosaic work. The park is also home to one of Barcelona’s most iconic images, the Gaudi Dragon. A souvenir photo is a must here!

The park’s location allows you to enjoy one of the best views of the city. You can see across the whole of Barcelona, all the way down to the mediterranean sea.

Take a leisurely stroll around the park and enjoy it all in your own time. It is a popular Barcelona Tourist attraction and you do need tickets to access Park Guell.

To visit both Park Guell and Sagrada Familia with transport included, we have the perfect tour for you here.

Casa Batllo

Casa Batllo is undeniably one of Gaudi’s artistic masterpieces. The house sits on the famous boulevard ‘Passeig de Gracia’. It is one of a row of four buildings, by renowned modernist architects, known as the ‘Row of Discord’. Within this row, it is the eye-catching Gaudi building that really turns heads. Some locals refer to it as the ‘house of bones’ due to the skeletal feel of the balconies and supporting beams in the window frames. Casa Batllo has many of Gaudi’s distinct ‘trademarks’ such as his tribute to nature with a lack of straight lines and his use of broken tile mosaics (called Trencadis) that fills the facade of the building.

Some of the beauty of the building can be enjoyed from the exterior, but we do recommend visiting the inside. The terrace allows you to see the roof which is said to resemble the back of a dragon. The loft is also worth a visit to see the 60 catenary arches which are said to represent the ribcage of an animal.

Given the unique nature of Casa Batllo, the long queues are understandable, so we do suggest getting your ticket before!

Casa Mila

Casa Mila is also known as La Pedrera and is one of two Gaudi buildings on Passeig de Gracia. The other we just talked about! The building was commissioned in 1905 by Pere Mila and his wife Roser Segimón. The design was radical for its day and was subjected to much mocking locally.

Again Gaudi was true to the influences of nature, with the building designed as a continuous curve. A key feature of the house is the roof with its multitude of skylights, exits for stairs, chimneys, and fans. These are all highly functional architectural elements that also have merit as stand-alone sculptures. There are splashes of Gaudi’s trademark mosaic style, but much less than in other works of his. Some of the brickwork is covered in lime to achieve contrast alongside the stark twisted steel balconies.

This magnificent building is also one to add to your list of tourist attractions to visit.

The Dragon Gate of Guell Pavilions

The Guell Pavilions and gardens are one of Gaudi’s lesser-known, but no less impressive, pieces of work. It also happens to be one of our favorites, hence its place on this list of best places to visit in Barcelona. This was Gaudi’s first commission by his later patron Eusebi Guell and the first to feature his now trademark trencadis technique.

The aim of the project was for Gaudi to redesign the entrance lodges and garden to the estate owned by Eusebi Guell. Born out of this project was the awe-inspiring dragon gate. The wrought iron is twisted into a mythological serpent-like dragon, complete with a glass eye. The sculpture seems to come to life and roar at you! The gate was inspired by Greek mythology, based on a creature called Ladon, who guarded the Garden of Hesperides.

You could easily miss this gem as it is a little off the normal tourist path in Barcelona, but well worth a visit and is one of the stops on the comprehensive tourist bus routes.

Tickets to all of the above Barcelona tourist attractions are available on our ticket page here.

The Wonders of Barcelona – The Sagrada Familia

Barcelona Tours and Activities: The Sagrada Familia is one of Barcelona’s most well-known, if not the most famous of all our iconic tourist attractions. In fact, calling it a tourist attraction doesn’t really cover it. It is a wonderous piece of art, architecture, a slice of the city’s history and a story of dedication, all rolled into one.

So, what is all the fuss about? Well, when you travel to Barcelona, we thoroughly recommend that you take a look for yourself. Don’t miss a tour of the church! Whether you are visiting as an individual traveller to the city, or coming as part of a group event, or attending a corporate conference in Barcelona, it should definitely be on your agenda!

Brief History

Construction of the church began in 1882 – yes, that is a whopping 138 years ago! The project was the brainchild of Josep Maria Bocabella. He visited the basilica at Loreto during a trip to the Vatican in 1872. This ignited his inspiration to begin the church in Barcelona. The task of constructing it was first given to Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano, but after several arguments, it was time for Anthony Gaudi to step in and take over.

Did you know?

So that the unfinished church could be used for religious services, in 2010 the main nave was covered, and an organ installed. Then on the 7th of November 2010, the Sagrada Familia was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI with a congregation of 6,500 people.

The original design of Barcelona’s Anthony Gaudí’s included eighteen spires. These represent, in ascending order of height, the Twelve Apostles, The Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists, and the tallest to depict Jesus Christ.

How will it look when it’s finished? The final design of the church will have a spire representing Jesus Christ which will reach a height of 172.5 meters (566 ft), this will make the Sagrada Familia the tallest church in Europe.

Built for the hard-working construction team of the church, a school used to form part of the site.

The Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It earnt this status in 1984.

There is an end date in sight for its completion which is 2026 and will mark 100 years since the death of its designer Anthony Gaudi.

What happened to Gaudi? Well, it’s an interesting story. Gaudi was hit by a tram and met an untimely death in 1926. Due to his unkempt appearance, he was mistaken for a tramp and not given adequate medical care.

Gaudi’s tomb is within the Sagrada Familia so you can pay your respects during your visit to the church.

Why visit?

We would ask why would you not visit the Sagrada Familia during your trip to Barcelona? The church is full of interesting symbolism and intricate details that can only really be fully appreciated up close. Photos do not do it justice. You will not be disappointed by the magnitude of this unique building.

How do I book?

A visit to the Sagrada Familia is high on everyone’s list so to avoid those huge queues we do recommend booking in advance.

If you would like to book an individual visit to the church this can be carried out directly online.
Book Here

Alternatively, for group tours or a tour of Barcelona then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
SightseeingTours

info@barcelonatours.net

What to do in March in Barcelona: Classic Cars and Sweet Festivals

26 February, 2020 2 February, 2022
bcntours
Post

This blog was originally posted on February 15th 2019 and was updated for March 2020.

Barcelona begins to awaken from its winter slumber in March and spring is tapping at the windows. With temperatures rising, the days growing longer and the streets growing busier, March is a great month to dust off the cobwebs and set out for a holiday in Barcelona. Perfectly nestled between the low and high seasons, March is a window of opportunity to explore Barcelona before the crowds really start to arrive.

Read on to discover the weird and wonderful events of Barcelona in March…

Sant Medir Festival: Candy Culture

When: 3^rd March

Where: Carrer Gran de Gracia, Gracia neighbourhood

Price: Free, although you may wish to purchase a big bag.

At first glance, this festival is a little tricky to understand. Well, first glance, second glance, at all glances really, unless you also have a candy and horses festival in your town? We didn’t think so.

The Sant Medir Festival is born out of a local story of a farmer called Medir and a passing Bishop who was escaping Roman persecution. The Bishop told Medir that he was willing to die for his faith and told Medir not to lie if the Romans asked if he had seen him. Medir, who had been sowing his crop of beans, swore to tell the truth and, once the Bishop had moved on, his crop of broad beans began to grown rapidly. Unfortunately, when the Romans came and Medir told them he had seen the Bishop pass through, they took Medir, captured the Bishop, and both were executed. There is a sanctuary, the Ermita de Sant Medir, in Sant Cugat.

How does this connect to candy and horses? Well, there’s another story too (stay with us): a local baker was suffering an awful illness and made a promise that if he recovered, he would make a pilgrimage every year to the Ermita de Sant Medir. As the years went on, people joined his pilgrimage and were said to throw broad beans to the crowd that watched. Over time, broad beans were (thankfully) replaced with candy and thus the “Sweetest Festival” was born.

On 3^rd March, you can watch the procession which now not only has horses and carts, but trucks and decorated floats. You’ll want to bring a big bag or even an umbrella (turned upside, a local trick!) to catch as much candy as possible. This is a great evening of fun to share, especially if visiting with children, as they can catch candy and then follow the procession to the firework display in the Jardinets de Gracia.

Monumental Club: ¡Ay, qué rico!

When: 14^th March

Where: La Plaza Monumental de Barcelona (map link)

Price: From 5€ per person (ticket link)

Monumental Club is an event worth attending just to see the inside of one of Barcelona’s old bullrings (this activity has been banned in Catalonia since 2012; another bullring located in Plaza Espanya has been converted into a shopping centre). La Monumental still retains all its seating and the Monumental Club event takes place right in the ring in the centre. Walking in and out of the old entrances for the “matadors” and bulls alike is an awesome experience in itself, but throw in some live music, delicious food and beer and you’ve got an all-round winner.

Monumental Club takes place at least once a month in Barcelona, always with different acts and different themes, so don’t worry if you miss this March edition.

Barcelona Beer Festival

When: 13^th, 14^th and 15^th March

Where: La Farga de l’Hospitalet (Google maps link)

Price: from 7,75€ (official site)

Well, the title is pretty self-explanatory here! Take the train from Plaza Catalunya out to L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, which takes around 30 minutes and only costs a few euros, and join thousands of others in sampling the best international beers at this huge three-day festival. Tickets start from just 7,75€, which includes the booking fee, a glass that you use for sampling the beers and that you can keep after the event, a map and booklet to show you where to go and two tokens to help get you started on your tasting adventure.

If you’re new to the world of craft beers, you will find volunteers around the venue that will be more than happy to explain the origins of craft beer and also make suggestions on what to try. This is undoubtedly a must-see (and must-taste!) attraction for beer lovers; there will also be delicious gastronomic offerings to help line your stomach, so what more do you need?

The opening times on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 are from 11.00h to 23.00h – that’s right, a full 12 hours of beer drinking! Make sure you have something to eat at one of the amazing stands. On Sunday 15, it’s from 11.00h to 21.00h, but ten hours is enough for a Sunday!

Barcelona Beer pt. 2: St Patrick’s Day

When: 17^th March

Where: All over the city

Price: Varies, but at the minimum, it’s the price of a few beers!

Yes, even in Barcelona, St Patrick’s Day is now widely celebrated. It’s up to you if you want to celebrate it in the city centre with other tourists, in one of the many Irish pubs that can be found around Barcelona, or if you want to celebrate with the locals in a small bar or restaurant, we hope the luck of the Irish will bless you! Be prepared for Guiness, Irish music and even Irish dancing – and plenty of “craic” (which means “fun” in Irish slang).

Barcelona-Sitges Rally

When: 21^st, 22^nd and 23^rd March

Where: starting from Plaza Sant Jaume

Price: Free to watch

Now, we cannot stress enough how important it is not to drink and drive! But if you want to see some incredible cars after visiting the beer festival, then the Barcelona-Sitges Classic Car Rally is here to help.

Held every year since 1959, the rally sees participants race from Barcelona to Sitges, with the exit from Barcelona a highlight. Classic cars, lovingly restored by the participants (who will also dress in period-appropriate clothing), leave from Plaza San Jaume in the centre of Barcelona and travel to Sitges. Don’t worry if you don’t catch the opening ceremony, there are other spots around the city to catch the race – lookout for updates on the official website.

Also, from the 2^nd to the 21^st March, six classic cars will be on display at L’illa Diagonal Shopping Center, including a 1916 Hispano-Suiza and a 1908 Cadillac Thirty.

Festival in the Gothic Quarter

When: 20^th – 24^th March

Where: Gothic Quarter

Price: Most festivities are free.

The Festa Major del Pi, also known as the Festa de Sant Josep Oriol, takes place in the Pi area of the Gothic quarter, which consists of the church, Santa Maria del Pi, and the streets that surround it. The major features of the celebrations are the Gegants del Pi, some of the oldest Gegants in the whole of Catalonia (gegants are large paper-and-wood representations of men and women, each neighbourhood has their own). While the gegants will be used in dances and processions, there will also be theatrical demonstrations of local legends, from stories about Sant Josep Oriol to tall tales about thieves and highwaymen.

Dinner for Groups: Roots & Rolls and the Plant-Based Revolution

9 January, 2020 2 February, 2022
bcntours
Post

The popularity of plant-based diets has exploded in recent years. More and more people are reducing their consumption of meat, fish and dairy, and looking to get their nutrients from plants. People have also become more concerned about additives, such as artificial colours, flavours and preservatives in their food.

Vegan or plant-based diets may once have seemed restrictive. However, as time has gone on and restaurants have become more creative, the plant-based revolution shows no signs of slowing down.

Unique Restaurants: Impress your clients

We’re sure your clients are always looking for the new and interesting when it comes to booking group dinners in Barcelona. Host your group dinner somewhere that will get people talking and excited about plant-based food.

Enter Roots & Rolls. Opened in November 2018, Roots & Rolls is a delicious, stylish, plant-based restaurant located in the Eixample neighbourbood of Barcelona. Their original and innovative menu will satisfy carnivore, vegetarians, vegans and everyone in between, with the focus being on fresh, healthy, flavoursome food.

We are very lucky that their restaurant is located just a short walk from the BarcelonaTours office, so we have been able to sample a great deal of the menu.

The Restaurant: Group Dining in Style

Roots & Rolls is light and spacious, making it a wonderful place for group dinners and events. Decorated in black and white with wooden floors and tables, this chic venue has private dining spaces, as well space for long tables. The restaurant also has a covered patio at the front, a great spot to share some sushi and a glass of wine with friends.

The capacity of the restaurant is 120 people, so there’s plenty of space for everyone!

The Menu: Try the sushi

The stars of the Roots & Rolls menu are their incredible uramaki sushi rolls, each more creative in its flavours than the last. In their efforts to ensure that their sushi rolls are as jam-packed with flavour as their fish-featuring counterparts, Roots & Rolls went all out.

They have eight sushi rolls to choose from. You’ll be forgiven for not being able to choose which ones to try, so they have helpfully included sushi tasting platters, ranging from 20€ for 20 rolls and two varieties of nigiri, up to 75€ for 46 rolls and three varieties of nigiri.

Our personal favourites are the “Srirango” roll, composed of black rice, mango, avocado, cucumber, roasted red pepper and topped with sriracha veganaise (a sriracha-infused vegan mayonnaise which adds a delightful kick) and “Kimchi-me”, a roll of four grains, kimchi, cucumber, sesame tofu, spring onion, coriander & cashew pesto and gochujang veganaise.

Beyond sushi

The delights don’t stop at the sushi menu. The snacks (“pica pica”), starters and salads are great to share between your group, and then we come to the main dishes.

We love the rich thai red curry with sweet potato, figueres onions, courgette, portobello mushrooms, roasted red peppers, coconut milk and basmati rice, a dish sure to fill you up and warm you up in the colder months. Ramen lovers will be quick to order the tofu ramen miso, which layers up the flavours of dashi stock with shiro miso, prunes, shiitake, kombu, roasted peppers, caramelised figueres onion, portobello, sweet potato, pickled daikon, sesame, julienne veg and udon noodles.

As for the desserts, plant-based and healthy doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself! Try to the chocolate avocado brownie or the chocolate truffle symphony for a rich, indulgent treat.

Group Dinners: Menus for Groups

Roots & Rolls currently offer two group menus starting from just 25€ per person. The menus offer a great cross section of the delicious food on offer, including an appetiser, a starter, a sushi platter, a main and a dessert – everything you need for a full and happy group.

Hungry to know more? Book your group dinner in Barcelona with BarcelonaTours and choose Roots & Rolls.

The Owners: An Interview with Sandra de Jong

We wanted to know more about the restaurant, the owners, their favourite dishes and their plans for 2020. We put some questions to Sandra de Jong, one of the two owners.

What made you want to open a plant-based restaurant?

It was a combination of many things. We wanted to create a restaurant that could have a positive impact in a stylish and elegant setting. Plant-based food has a much smaller impact on the environment and is better for the planet and, of course, for the animals. We also wanted to ensure the food was healthy, and plant-based food has been proven to be a healthy addition to any diet.

Why did you choose a Japanese-inspired menu?

So many reasons! A personal love of sushi played a big part. I had tried some inventive vegan sushi elsewhere and really loved it. I saw it as an opportunity to get creative as you can put so many complimentary ingredients into one sushi roll and make a real explosion of flavour. A lot of the vegan sushi you find in Barcelona is just cucumber and rice or red pepper and rice, so there was definitely a gap in the market.

Making food that non-vegans would love was also important. The food needed to be exciting and match or exceed the variety offered by non-vegan restaurants, and Japanese food, not just sushi but curry and noodle dishes too, is highly adaptable.

I also wanted it to be something that you wouldn’t make at home. To make just one of our sushi rolls at home would take hours, so coming to visit us and being able to try multiple sushi rolls in a welcoming setting is a much better idea!

Which three-courses would you recommend to someone visiting the restaurant for the first time?

We would suggest four courses! It’s difficult to say if sushi is a starter or a main in our restaurant, but we suggest following the sushi with one of our hot dishes. This way you will experience a little bit of everything we have to offer.

“Pica-pica”/Starter: Kale chips, cauliflower popcorn and the gyozas
Sushi course: a sushi tasting platter
Main: Kari coco (we described this Thai curry in a previous paragraph)
Dessert: Chocolate avocado brownie with ice cream.

If you could pick only one sushi roll from your menu, which would it be?

This is so difficult! Our bestseller is the Jumping Jack which is made of black rice, heüra (a scarily-realistic meat substitute, similar texture to chicken), bbq jackfruit, rocket, caramelised onions, sesame, alioli & homemade hoisin sauce.

What have been some of the highlights for Roots & Rolls in 2019?

There’s been so many. I personally get a real kick out of messing with the “carnivore mindset” when it comes to plant-based food. We have so many clients who come in for their first-ever plant-based meal and they’re always stunned and thrilled with the quality of the flavours, textures and variety that we offer. This makes me really happy.

We feel that we’re still on the “edge” of things in Barcelona and it can be difficult to convince people to have a group dinner in an entirely plant-based restaurant, but thankfully things are changing. Over Christmas, we had several large groups from tech companies with lots of young employees that are more eco-conscious. It’s wonderful to see companies making these choices for their employees, to show them that you can still have a great Christmas event with no meat, fish or animal products involved. These groups were a real highlight.

Of course, we also love when we see repeat customers and we have a really high number of customers that come back again and again. People will come back with different members of their family, with friends, with visitors, it’s wonderful to see that so many people want to shout about our food and share it with others.

And finally, what does 2020 hold for Roots & Rolls?

We have so many fun things lined up. Firstly, we change the menu three times per year to fit with which vegetables are in season. We have also changed our head chef and we can’t wait to see what creativity they will bring to the table.

We will also have lots of exciting events and are collaborating with other vegan and plant-based people and businesses in Barcelona under the umbrella title “Living Plantastic”. There will be a gala event on Saturday 18^th January – red carpet, drag queen and DJ included! There will also be smaller group activities, from plant-based cooking workshops to beach trash pickups.

In general, we want to make plant-based, eco-conscious living more appealing and more exciting to the masses. If we work within mainstream channels, engaging with carnivores and herbivores alike, then we will reach more people and maybe convert more people to a eco-friendlier, more plant-based lifestyle.

We will continue to work on these ideas in 2020 and beyond, so watch this space!

Thank you Sandra!

BarcelonaTours.net: The Agency You Need for Event Planning in Barcelona

Make your group travel arrangements with BarcelonaTours.net to ensure the highest quality services. We organise hotels for groups, private transfers and group dinners in fantastic restaurants, such as Roots & Rolls!

Get in touch today for a personalised quote and start planning your event in Barcelona.

What to do in Barcelona in January: Cakes, Kings and Choirs

18 December, 2019 18 December, 2019
bcntours
Post

This was originally posted on the 22nd December 2018; it was updated 18th December 2019.

January in Barcelona is a quieter time, but that doesn’t mean that the festivities stop and the city shuts down for a month. On the contrary, as a Catholic country (officially, although many people in Cataluña are not religious), there are still two more holidays in January to be celebrated before the yuletide season comes to a close. There are also still many amazing activities taking place, and lots of fun things to see, so if you’re trying to combat the January blues with some Mediterranean merriment, let us guide you through the chilly streets and show you some of the great things you can do during January in Barcelona.

Don’t forget, visiting in low season means that all the major attractions will be less busy. January is a great month to visit Sagrada Familia and Gaudí’s other works, as well as to enjoy the emptier streets. We still suggest buying tickets in advance, just in case! If you’re visiting for a conference or a team-building, be sure to check out our Team Building Activities and Group Travel Services, and get in touch for help getting tickets to the main attractions for large groups.

Important! The average temperature in Barcelona in January is around 13 degrees, so while you might not want to go swimming, won’t need 50 layers and thermal undies to spend some time with us. Speaking of swimming…

Go to the beach: Primer bany de l’any 2020

When: 1^st January

Where: Sant Sebastia beach, just in front of the Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta

Price: Free or 3€ for access to the showers and a certificate.

As with many coastal cities, hot and cold, Barcelona holds an event to celebrate the first swim of the year and it’s called “Primer bany de l’any”. This New Year’s Day swim will certainly combat any hangover you may have acquired due to the previous evenings antics, as the Mediterranean Sea can be mighty cold in the winter. If you’re looking for a fun but frosty way to wash away the cobwebs of 2019, or even just the memories of New Year’s Eve 2019, join the hundreds of other locals and visitors as they plunge into the water.

And it’s not just hangovers, the locals will tell you, that a dip in the sea will help. All year round in Barcelona, young and old residents alike will take an invigorating dip in the water, which you will hear promotes good health and a long life. If you think you can handle the New Year’s Day shivers for a year of positive energy then bring your swimsuit along to your winter holiday.

You can either join the swimmers waiting on Sant Sebastia beach for free, or you can register as an “official” swimmer on the Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta website and have access to a hot shower and receive a diploma when you exit the water.

Concert Agenda: Concert de Nadal de l’Orfeó Català

When: 3^rd January

Where: Plaza del Rei, Gothic Quarter

Price: Free

If you’re a fan of choirs then you won’t want to miss this moving performance that takes place in the iconic Plaza del Rei. This is the square where Christopher Columbus is said to have presented the treasures he found in America to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. The Orfeón Catalán, a foundation that supports choirs in Catalonia, presents this concert, with acapella performances from the Men’s Choir and the Young Choir of the Orfeón Catalan. The music echoing off the medieval walls will fill you with festive cheer.

Plaza del Rei provides the perfect setting for these beautiful recitals. While the songs will be performed in Catalan, you don’t need to understand the words to appreciate the quality of the performances and the stunning setting. Also, you may recognise the melodies of classic Christmas carols like “Silent Night” (Santa Nit), “The First Noël” (On Aneu Pastorets) and “Oh Christmas Tree” (Oh Arbre Sant). Stay for one song or the whole evening, the enchanting voices of the choirs will help it feel like Christmas isn’t over yet.

Celebration: Día de los Reyes

When: 6^th January

Where: Beginning at Port Vell, then spreading across the city

Price: Depends what you do! But the parade is free.

Speaking of Christmas not being over yet, the Día de los Reyes, or the Day of the Kings, is the highlight of the festive period for many children. On the 6^th January, Catalan children will once again head to the Christmas tree to see what the three kings have brought them in the night. However, Barcelona’s way of celebrating this day is truly a sight to see – or should I say a sight to Sea?

On the evening of the 5^th January, head to the Port Vell in Barcelona between 4 and 4.30pm and you will see hordes of families looking out to see, waiting for something. And what are they waiting for, you ask? Why, the Three Kings of course! That’s right, a highly decorated boat carrying the Three Kings will dock in Barcelona and so begins the celebration of King’s Day. From here begins the three hour parade through the city. It is, of course, amazing and exciting for children, adults will enjoy the experience as well; it’s a great way to combine a day out with a truly local experience. Be sure to try the traditional cake too, decorated with neon coloured fruits to represent a crown.

Celebration: Las Festas de Sant Antoni

When: 17^th – 26^thJanuary

Where: Gracia

Price: Depends how much you eat and drink!

If you’re looking for something a little less Christmassy but still ready to celebrate, look no further than the street parties in the neighbourhood of Sant Antoni. These fiestas are the honour the neighbourhood’s namesake, Saint Anthony, whose Saint’s day in the Catholic calendar is the 17^th January. Of course, in true Barcelona style, only one day of parties is never enough and this week-long event is sure to combat any January blues that may have settled.

Originally a celebration on the island of Mallorca, the festivities have travelled across the sea and landed in Barcelona, when Mallorcan and Catalan traditions collide: this means plenty of Human Towers, plenty of parades featuring the statues of giants (in Catalan they are called gegants – have a look on Google or show up on the day for a surprise!) and, most excitingly, a correfoc. This word translates to “fire run” and is a pyromaniacs dream! Fireworks, fire crackers and bonfires will form a part of these amazing celebrations, with people dressed as demons roaming the streets with pitchforks covered in fireworks – not for the faint-hearted!

If you’re not here in January, fear not, correfocs are part of many other celebrations during the year.

What else is on?

Visitors during January can make the most of the quieter streets with our fantastic personalised tours of Barcelona or keep warm in the kitchen with an amazing Spanish cooking class, visit our activities pages for more information.

We hope to see you soon!

Case Study: “Onna Camp” Team Building in Barcelona

29 November, 2019 2 February, 2022
bcntours
Post

Learn about this ancient art form in Barcelona

Company name: Onna

Event date: 19 – 20th September 2019

Number of people: 60

Company details: A tech company that has employees in Barcelona, New York, North Carolina and Toulouse.

Activities provided: Photo Treasure Hunt, Basics of Mosaics, Graffiti Collective, Sangria Class, Desk Yoga class, Cava tasting, plus transport.

Event brief

Onna contacted BarcelonaTours in August to help organise some amazing team building activities for their company. The event was called “Onna Camp”. The company wanted Onna Camp to bring people together from their different offices.

This was their first global reunion, so Onna wanted to make this super fun, interactive, and inclusive. While they specifically requested to try our Graffiti Art Collective activity, they were also open to other ideas for Onna Camp.

They also informed us they had rented a villa in the city to host the event activities. wanted the activities to run concurrently, with each team member able to choose what to participate in.

What we did

We started out by providing a proposal with lots of fun and interesting ideas for the client to choose from. Onna then came back to us with a list of activities they were interested in: treasure hunt, graffiti, mosaic making, yoga, cocktail classes and our transport services too.

As Onna had already rented a space for their event, we set about organising how we could do each of their selected activities in the villa and the best rooms/areas to use for each activity. This was done through a site visit a couple of weeks before the scheduled event date. The rest of the organising was done through conference calls and emails between Onna and BarcelonaTours.

The venue chosen by Onna was called Los Tilos. This venue is available for hire for private events and has ample space for large groups.

The event

On Thursday 19th September, guests who had chosen to do so took part in the Photo Treasure Hunt. On Friday 20th September, guests could choose which activities to take part in at the event venue. A member of the BarcelonaTours team was on site for the full day to help with logistics and managing the day’s activities.

All the activities (apart from the Treasure Hunt) were held in Los Tilos and the space was a gorgeous spot for Onna Camp.

Each activity had skilled and professional instructors that brought along the materials for the activities where needed. The Sangria Class, Mosaic class and Graffiti Collective activity were done outside as the weather was great, while the other activities took place inside. You can see photos of the event below.

The activities, as well as being fun, were a mixture of educational, practical and relaxing. Desk yoga was included to teach people how to incorporate stretches and gentle movement into working day, something that is very much needed as many people spend most of the day seated at a desk; the mosaic and graffiti activities brought people together through artistic expression and creation, while giving guests the opportunity to take part in something they might never have tried and might never do again; finally, the sangria class and cava tastings were an educational look at Spanish wine and cocktails, and a delicious way to experience these drinks.

The results

Onners were very happy with the event. The Google review read: “We hired Barcelona Tours for our offsite retreat in Barcelona. They were AMAZING! We organized a scavenger hunt, sangria making class, cava tasting, graffiti workshop, mosaic building, as well as transportation throughout the city. Every activity was flawless and perfectly executed. We were super pleased with their service and will definitely work with them again.”

Activities breakdown

Photo Treasure Hunt: 30 guests took part in this activity, 3 hours in duration. We also organised transfers from the company’s office in Barcelona for this. The Treasure Hunt involves exploring the Gothic quarter and taking pictures with Polaroid cameras, which Onna then could keep as a memento of the day.

Graffiti Art Collective: organised for up to 60 guests, up to 3 hours in duration. Onna stated they wanted the theme of their art pieces to be “Barcelona” and “New York”.

Mosaics Design: organised for up to 60 guests, up to 3 hours in duration. Onna means “waves” in Catalan, so the company created a design using the colour blue and the design was then to be hung in their office after the event.

Sangria making class: organised for up to 20 guests, 1 hour of instruction. They learned how to make 3 different types of Sangria (1 traditional, 1 with cava and raspberries and 1 with white wine, green tea, mint and jasmin).

Cava tasting: organised for up to 20 guests, 1 hour of instruction with professional sommelier and a tasting of 4 different cavas.

Desk yoga: organised for up to 20 guests, 1 hour of instruction.

All the activities are adaptable to larger groups.

Would you like to book an event with BarcelonaTours.net?

Please get in touch if you would like to organise an event in Barcelona: email info@barcelonatours.net or call +34 935 00 82 26.

Top 10 Beaches in Catalonia Spain

4 September, 2019 17 December, 2019
bcntours
Post

Sink your toes and plant your umbrellas without having to travel far.

5 easily reached Beaches & 5 hidden gems near Barcelona

1 Playa de Sant Sebastià

You find this particular beach in the old town and the marina of Sitges, located in a neighborhood of seafaring tradition. It is a family beach frequented by residents of the town, with a length of over 200 meters. Relaxing on the soft sand, you can enjoy magnificent views of the old town, located on a small hill overlooking the Mediterranean. The beach has all services and is adapted for the disabled.

2 Morer Beach

Located in the northern part of the municipality of Sant Pol de Mar, this beach runs parallel to the railway line and the N-II road. It has a length of 750 meters of coarse-grained sand and golden color, and narrows as it moves eastward. Located above the highway, are the Roman ruins of Morer, a production of wine from the 1st century. The beach has a shower service, footbaths, a Red Cross point, source of drinking water and boardwalks for disabled.

3 Cala de l’Home Mort

It is a nudist beach located in a secluded corner south of the term of Sitges, formed by the Platja de l’Home Mort and Platja de Roses. The two are separated by a small rocky ravine, cutting through a bay welcoming the frequent the winds in the area. The length of both beaches is close to 300 meters, but no more than ten meters wide. The waters are shallow and the seabed is composed of small rocks and sand. There is a snack bar with terrace and rental of hammocks and parasols.

4 Platja de Sant Simo

It is located in the north of Mataro, between the Sant Simó and the municipality of Sant Andreu de Llavaneres. It has a length of 1,100 meters of white sand; it is quite narrow and loses width as seen approaching Sant Andreu de Llavaneres. The beach is divided into an area for family use which is closer to Mataro, where you find -parking toilets, showers and footbaths, hammock rental and beach huts.This sector is more interesting for those who practice diving.

5 Les Casetes del Garraf

Located in the village of Garraf, this beach has a length of 380 meters, fine sand mixed with stones and very little inclination entrance to the sea. Between the beach and the railway is the area which gives its name to the beach, a kind of marine district built almost on the sand of the beach. The log cabins, now remodeled, are old barracks that fishermen used to store their utensils. Service has showers, toilets and rescue equipment, hire of sunbeds, parasols and “pedalos”. There is also a hotel and a couple of restaurants to enjoy.

5 Beaches explored by car & off the beaten track

1 Portitxol Beach

Located between l’Escala and Sant Martí d’Empúries, Portitxol beach is a nice sandy area surrounded by a pine forest that reaches almost to the sea. The beach with calm waters and fine golden sand is protected on either side by rocky formations: on the south tip of the coves, lined by pine trees and large rocks of curious shapes that plunge into the sea; and north, ravines known as Muscleres Petites, which separate it from the neighboring beach of Les Muscleres or Convent. These formations protect Portitxol beach and generate a zone of calm, shallow waters, ideal for a calm dip.

2 Platja Illa Roja

Located in an idyllic setting of rocks and pine cove Illa Roja it is characterized by its clear waters and because it is headed by a prominent rocky islet of reddish color that gives the name. It is a quiet, uncrowded, with coarse sand and golden color with a penchant entrance to the sea quite steep. It is a nudist beach – popular among locals and tourists both. This is, truly, a little rugged oasis.

3 Platja del Castell

Castell Beach jumped to the front page of the newspaper during the first half of the 90 when the protests of the residents of Palamós first, and a popular referendum later made it possible to keep it free of developments. Since then it has become one of the last stretches of sand that remains virgin in the Costa Brava. Shaped crescent surrounded by woods and fields, and with the mouth of a right laugh in the middle, this beach remains as we saw our grandparents, with the addition of a couple of bars that are installed in summer and nudists seeking refuge behind the rocks that rise on the right side.

4 Cala Fonda

Popularly known as Waikiki Beach, this is one of the best preserved beaches of Tarragona coast. We talk about a sandpit located a few kilometers from the city of Tarragona-indeed is within the municipality Tarraconense, it is completely unspoilt with the primal aspect of how the Mediterranean was only a century ago. Cala Fonda is located in the forest of the Marchioness, one of the vegetation zones more ecological valued of this part of the coast. To access, it is necessary to walk from the Long Beach Tarragona on a road signposted towards east, surrounded by pine forests, cliffs and natural vegetation.

5 Playa del Fangar

Fangar beach is extensive and oriented NW to SE. As the Fangar Peninsula lengthens and narrows curving, up close a lot of salt water to form an inland sea known as the Puerto del Fangar. The beach, semi-deserted and untouched appearance, is one of the most unique places in the Delta del Ebro. The sand is very fine in texture and in contact with water forms a very compact mass that could explain the name of the place. The scenic walk is about 3’5 or 4 km where you can reach the viewpoint, the lighthouse or the northern end of the peninsula.

A unique way to experience the beaches in Catalonia is to hire a yacht in Barcelona and cruise along the coast! This way, you can set anchor at whichever beach looks the most attractive. We are happy to find the boat that is most suitable for your needs.

Category: Post