10 top tips for fabulous fun in Barcelona this Summer
Barcelona is undoubtedly one of the most exciting cities to visit during the summer months. Blue skies and long sandy beaches, sipping cocktails overlooking the crystal clear Mediterranean – what could be better? Whether you’re looking for total relaxation or are ready to party like there’s no tomorrow at one of the many Summer festivals, Barcelona has got it all, making it the ultimate luxury destination this summer. Here’s what to look out for:
Sónar Festival
This huge electronic music festival is back for 2015 and this year will feature the likes of The Chemical Brothers and Duran Duran. This 72-hour long music extravaganza takes place at a variety of venues across the city and is set to be bigger and better than ever!
Sant Joan
Kicking off at sunset and continuing until dawn, this huge party is an essential midsummer celebration. Head to the beach for bonfires, fireworks and great food! If the beach isn’t really your thing, many of Barcelona’s top clubs, such as Opium and Shôko, will be hosting unforgettable parties for Sant Joan.
El Grec Festival
Taking place during the entire month of July, this summer festival demonstrates the best of performing arts in the city, with outstanding dance, theatre, music and circus shows. Grec Festival is spread across multiple venues in Barcelona, including an open-air theatre on Montjuïc Hill. You can even bring the kids along to MiniGrec for family-friendly shows.
Festa Major de Gràcia
The neighbourhood of Gràcia was once a separate village, and now throws one of the biggest annual parties in Barcelona, with over a million visitors. Colourful traditions fill the streets, from extravagant parades to human towers and fire-runs. The most colourful of all is the ‘best decorated street’ contest in which 19 streets and squares across the neighbourhood compete for the prestigious top spot.
Picnic in the park
Barcelona is one of the best park-cities in the world. From the likes of Gaudí’s Park Güell to Parc de la Ciutadella there’s always something going on in Barcelona’s parks, which makes them the ideal location for a picnic during the summer months.
Vamos a la playa!
Barcelona is blessed with around 4.5km of golden sandy beaches and was even nominated the best beach city in the world by National Geographic. For a lively, family-friendly atmosphere we recommend the Bogatell stretch where you can build sandcastle with the kids and, if you’re feeling adventurous, even try your hand at a game of beach volleyball or water sports such as windsurfing and kayaking. Feeling peckish? You’re in luck! Barcelona’s seafront has some of the finest restaurants in the city and is the ideal place to grab a traditional paella or some fresh sea food.
Take a day trip
The Maresme area of Catalonia, located just 30 minutes outside of Barcelona, has some of the best beaches in Spain and is the ideal for those seeking total relaxation. Maresme is also a perfect destination for families with its water park and marine zoo.
Cool off with an ice cream
If you’re feeling hot under the sizzling summer sunshine why not cool off at one of Barcelona’s top ice cream parlours? For the finest Italian-style ice cream around, head to one of many Amorino shops. If you’re looking for something more than just ice cream, we recommend Eyescream and Friends in Barceloneta where you can personalise your dessert with toppings and a startled expression.
Boat trips and excursions
Hop aboard a boat tour along the coast of Barcelona and experience the Sagrada Família and the Torre Agbar from the sea. SkylineBCN offer a wide range of options in Barcelona from tourist boat tours, sailing trips, Jet Ski excursions and more. Boat tours in Barcelona are a unique way to explore the city’s skyline during the summer months.
Beach bars
Where better to spend your summer evenings than by the beach? Barcelona’s beaches are lined with many amazing beach bars (known as chiringuitos) where you can grab great tapas and tasty cocktails. We recommend Princesa 23 In Barceloneta. If you’re not ready to go home after the chiringuitos close, you could head to one of the beach clubs in Port Olympic. Shôko, Opium and CDLC host lively parties until the early hours of the morning.
Sandra Roig is Marketing Director at Apartment Barcelona.
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Costa del Maresme is okay indeed, but if you travel more north to the Costa Brava you’re got much nicer beachtowns. Small fishingvillages like Calella de Palafrugell, Begur, Sant Feliu de Guixols, etc. Really worth a visit. Soon in my blog!
No train, but buses available or rent a car.
Or go to Sitges, south of Barcelona.
We took a 2 hour boat cruise of the Barcelona coast line. For €15 well worth the money and boats leave frequently near port Olympic. Great way to beat the heat too and cheap drinks on board.
Love this post because it gives a good overview of the festivals and some of the beaches. We’d say that Sant Pol de Mar is definitely worth a visit…just a 90-minute train ride from Barcelona. The sand is amazing, the ambiance is Old World European and the scenery is inspiring.
Traveling there this August. We are spending 6 days and will use this information to plan a few of our days. Thanks for the info. I am looking firward to check out the beaches.
First class collection of things to do in Barcelona, of which I’ve unfortunately not been able to try all of during my few visits to the sun-drenched coastal city.
I’d highly recommend taking a picnic to the park, but only in the evening when the sun is starting to go down. Whilst it’s hot people are often hiding, but at night people really start to come out to play.