Holidays in Barcelona

Barcelona can boast what is arguably one of the highest levels of admiration among its guests: anyone who has visited Barcelona at least once wants to return there again and again. What is the secret of Barcelona’s extraordinary appeal? It is based on its inimitable local color, vibrant and rich cultural life, truly unique architecture, amazing food and wine, as well as the exceptional friendliness of the locals, without which Barcelona would not be one of the most popular cities in Europe and the world.

What You Need to Know About Barcelona

Barcelona — the capital of Catalonia and one of the main economic centers of Spain. It is a city that plays an important role in industry, trade, and transport. And, of course, it has immense cultural and tourist value: every year millions of tourists visit Barcelona, drawn by its astonishing architecture, excellent beaches, recreational complexes, and large-scale music and sports events, which are among the best in the world.

Where Barcelona Is Located

Barcelona is located in the northeastern part of the Iberian Peninsula. The boundaries of the city, which lies on five hills, are defined by the Mediterranean Sea and the coastal Collserola mountains. In terms of transport, the city is connected with other regions of Spain by regular rail, air, and bus services, and with other countries by international trains, sea routes and, of course, regular flights served by El Prat Airport.

When It’s Best to Go to Barcelona

Thanks to its advantageous Mediterranean location, Barcelona has a mild and comfortable climate, which makes it almost ideal for travel throughout the year. The local summer air temperature rarely rises above +30 °C, while in winter it stays around an average of +10 °C.

The best time to visit Barcelona’s attractions is the summer season, as well as major holiday periods (Easter, Christmas, etc.). If you are interested in the beaches, the best time is from May through September inclusive. In these same months you also have the chance to attend one of the many large and colorful local festivals. But do not forget about the peak tourist season, which falls on all the summer months (from June to August).

What to Do in Barcelona

We dare say that in Barcelona you can come up with a new way to spend your free time every day for an entire month without repeating yourself. But since far from everyone has that much time, we invite you to get acquainted with our relatively short list of activities you can devote your time to in Barcelona. Among other things, in the capital of

Catalonia you can:

• Ride the attractions in Tibidabo Amusement Park.
• Admire unique buildings designed by Antoni Gaudí.
• Visit local museums, including the famous Picasso Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the incredibly interesting science museum CosmoCaixa.
• Get to know Spanish wines and try local dishes, whose diversity will satisfy the culinary demands even of the most sophisticated gourmets.
• Bask in the sun on one of Barcelona’s beaches.
• Go to a performance at the Teatre del Liceu.
• Attend one of the football matches at FC Barça’s home stadium — Camp Nou, which are usually held from August to May.
• Visit one of Barcelona’s famous festivals, including Primavera and Sónar.
• Spend a day at the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona, where exhibitions, festivals, concerts and open-air film screenings are held on a regular basis.
• Take a walk through the huge botanical garden on Montjuïc, which is divided into themed zones with plants from different parts of the globe.
• Go shopping.

Which Hotel to Choose in Barcelona

• Hotel SB Glow 4*
  Located in the very heart of Barcelona, just under a 20-minute walk from the nearest beach, the wonderfully stylish four-star Hotel SB Glow is sure to appeal to lovers of contemporary art and sweeping panoramic views. In addition to stylishly designed rooms and viewing terraces, the hotel offers a restaurant, sauna, hammam, fitness center, rooftop bar, and an “infinity” pool.
• Hotel Ohla Barcelona 5*
  Designed in an exquisite neoclassical style, Ohla Hotel occupies a perfect location for travelers in the historic center of Barcelona. The special charm of the hotel lies in its highly personalized service, beautiful terraces with rooftop lounges and bars, as well as its focus on gastronomic delights prepared exclusively from the very best local products.
• Hotel Neri Relais & Chateaux 5*
  The five-star Neri Hotel, located not far from the charming Jewish Quarter, is housed in a picturesque building dating back to the 12th century. This elegant hotel offers an excellent lounge bar, a library, a cozy rooftop terrace, as well as a wide range of services that can be provided individually and directly in the rooms, including massages or, for example, signature cocktails served upon the guest’s request.
• Hotel 1898 4*
  The interior of Hotel 1898 captivates at first sight: once you have been here, you will never forget it. Wonderfully stylish, combining elements of contemporary design with colonial motifs, it offers numerous magnificent rooms with marble bathrooms, two swimming pools, a restaurant and a terrace with an excellent view of the city.
• Hotel España Ramblas 4*
  Executed in the style of Catalan Modernism, the bohemian Hotel España Ramblas was opened in a historic building dating back to 1859. A sunny rooftop terrace and cocktail bar, hot tubs, and a superb local-cuisine restaurant with high ceilings — this is just the “tip of the iceberg” that awaits you upon arrival at España Ramblas.
• Hotel Brummell 3*
  Hotel Brummell — the ideal choice for devotees of minimalism and fans of contemporary art: each of the well-appointed rooms is done in light, clean colors and decorated with works by young local artists. The hotel is located right in the center of Barcelona, so you can begin getting acquainted with the city’s cultural heritage directly in your room, and then rent a bike at Brummell and continue exploring the city beyond the hotel walls.

Where to Eat Well in Barcelona

In Barcelona you can eat just about anywhere and, surprisingly, it will be tasty almost everywhere. But if you still need at least some specifics, our list of the main categories of cafés and restaurants in Barcelona will help you get your bearings, compiled for all future guests of the city.

• Fine-dining restaurants in the Gothic Quarter and the Eixample district, among which there are many establishments boasting Michelin stars.
• Excellent hotel restaurants, most of which will not disappoint you.
• Restaurants with flamenco shows, in particular Flamenco Cordobes and Nervion.
• Spacious tourist cafés with quick service and local cuisine, which can be found in almost any neighborhood.
• Cafeterias and cafés “for locals,” the best of which can be recognized by the long line at the entrance.
• Tapas bars with beer, strong drinks and traditional snacks.
• Chiringuitos, open-air beach cafés with tasty and inexpensive local fast food.
• Seafood and fish restaurants in Sant Martí.
• Numerous pastry shops and coffee houses where you absolutely must try the dessert known as churros.

What to Combine a Trip to Barcelona With

Barcelona’s advantageous geographical location, as well as the wide range of transport options, makes it possible within a single trip to visit several interesting destinations at once and enrich your overall impressions with a few more vivid touches. In particular, you can combine your trip with visits to such places as:

• Resorts on Spain’s Mediterranean coast.
• The Balearic Islands, with their picturesque landscapes and excellent clubs.
• The Canary Islands, which have become famous for their exceptional conditions for a beach holiday.
• The colorful and vibrant Lisbon and Porto, which, as part of a trip to Barcelona, can become a kind of “cherry on top of the cake” :)
• Bordeaux, which can add an extra bouquet of gastronomic impressions to any food and wine tour.
• The French Riviera, ideal for both beach and cultural vacations.
• Ski resorts in the central Pyrenees, which are practically “within arm’s reach” from Barcelona.
• Morocco, an amazingly beautiful former Spanish colony in the northwestern part of Africa.