As we talked about paper stuff, housing, transport and many unpleasant things that we have to do while moving to Barcelona, I think it is the moment to talk about much more pleasant things. Let’s talk about culture, things to do and the way you can really enjoy this beautiful city.
I was talking about culture and traditions in one of my previous post:
HOW TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN BARCELONA?
It is true, that it is mostly about Christmas traditions. So, today I will specify the other traditions from the rest of the year.
TRADITIONS
Diada de Sant Jordi
St George, locally known as Sant Jordi, is the patron saint of Catalonia. Catalans celebrate his feast day on 23 April by exchanging books and roses. On this day, Barcelona’s main shopping streets are filled with book and rose stalls decorated with the Catalan colours of red and yellow.
On La Diada de Sant Jordi, men and women traditionally give each other a book (for him) and a red rose (for her) although some modern couples might get both.
Revetlla de Sant Joan
On 23 June, the eve of the Feast Day of St John or Midsummer’s Eve, Catalans celebrate the summer solstice with bonfires, fireworks, cava (the Catalan sparkling wine par excellence) and a traditional pastry called coca de Sant Joan.
La Diada
The Catalan Parliament declared 11 September to be a Catalan national holiday, and on that day events are organised in the streets and the Catalans display flags on their balconies.
La Mercè Festival
24 September – highlights include the correfoc or fire run, featuring costumed devils and fire breathing dragons, and the fireworks display near the Montjuïc fountain.
Then more about Christmas holidays,you can read the previous post.
DISHES
When talking about culture, you cannot miss the cuisine. About the cuisine I talked as well on one of my previous post:
CATALAN DISHES TO ENJOY WHILE IN BARCELONA.
Here just to mention, that Catalans give much importance to their food, with many of its books receiving international acclaim.
MUSEUMS
Museums – this is my favorite part of this beautiful city. There are so many possibilities to enjoy the city with those. Barcelona has so many places to go, that you can plan each weekend to enjoy a museum.
The museums in Barcelona stay open all year long. Some museums offer free entrance on the first Sunday of every month, and most of them are free every Sunday from 3.00 p.m. to closing time. Isn’t it cool?
CaixaForum – A private cultural centre that features changing exhibitions of art and photography.
Castell de Montjuïc – The Castle is located on top of Montjuïc hill. It has superb views of Barcelona and its surroundings. We went there several times before having kids, as it is quite far from our home. And once having kids, we went for night cinema there, and it was splendid.
Cosmocaixa– Barcelona’s science museum with many interesting exhibits and hands-on activities for children and adults.This is our favorite, and here is one of the posts dedicated to them:
Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera (Sala d’Exposicions de La Pedrera) La Pedrera building on Passeig de Gràcia.
CASA MILÀ ( LA PEDRERA) EXPERIENCE
Fundació Joan Miró- This museum on Montjuïc hill has the most important collection of this Catalan artist’s work.
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) – This museum is dedicated to the various art movements of the second half of the 20th century. I went here alone, as neither one of my family wanted to visit it. I enjoyed it, but I think that every person has their own thoughts about art.
Museu del Disseny de Barcelona – This museum is quite new, it opened their doors in 2013, when the place had some big architectural changes. This museum hosts collections of
decorative arts, ceramics, industrial design, textiles, clothing and graphic arts, as well as temporary exhibits.
Casa-Museu Gaudí – You can enjoy the place, once visiting Parc Güell. Here lived the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí for 20 years.
Museu Marítim de Barcelona – It has the Royal Shipyards of Barcelona, a Gothic architecture ensemble dating from the late 13th century. I really want to visit this museum one day.
Museu Picasso– This museum speaks for itself. And it is not difficult to understand that there is always a queue to enter it. I went there several years ago, and it was an amazing experience. If you find a moment, I really recommend it.
And dear friends, there are still so many museums I can speak about, but these are the most important.
MUSIC
I will write very little, as I do not have any experience in this in Barcelona. But, many people talked to me as a great experience.
L’Auditori – a concert hall that is dedicated to Barcelona Symphony and Catalonia National Orchestra. It also hosts visiting classical and contemporary artists.
Gran Teatre del Liceu – another amazing place to listen to grand opera, the season begins in October and ends in June.
Palau de la Música Catalana – it is one of the most beautiful concert halls, designed in the Catalan Modernist style by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When talking about music, we cannot miss the music festivals that happen in Barcelona.
Sónar – the International Festival of Advanced Music and New Media Art.
Primavera Sound is one of the key musical events of the Barcelona calendar.
Cruïlla – Barcelona Summer Festival Cruïlla is Barcelona’s top summer festival.
Grec – Festival of Barcelona Starting in June, and lasting almost all summer, the Grec Festival brings together the best in theater, music, dance and circus in venues all over the city.
And for today, I finish writing my post, but I will continue this post with more activities that you can do in Barcelona city. This was just the first part.