Plaça d'Espanya lit up in the evening

3 Days in Barcelona

By Robert Heaney

While a city with such a huge footprint as Barcelona may be intimidating at first glance, it’s more than possible to experience the highlights on a short whirlwind visit.

Whether you’re hoping to take a weekend city break or simply to briefly pass through, 3 days in Barcelona gives you plenty of time to see the sights and sample the local cuisine. With our suggested itinerary below, you’re guaranteed to see a great deal of what the Catalan capital has to offer.

Our itinerary includes a mix of sightseeing, museums and shopping. Feel free to take our suggestions as inspiration and mix-and-match them with the attractions and activities that most interest you. Use our recommended timings to help you decide how best to organize out your trip.

Day 1 – Sightseeing

Image of Church, Landmark, La Sagrada Familia,

What better way to acquaint yourself with Barcelona than by packing your first day full of the city’s best sights? As a city famous for its mix of gothic and modernist architecture along with the unique labyrinthine design of its streets, it’s only fitting that you get a taste of these right away.

Park Güell – One of renowned modernist architect Antoni Gaudí’s most famous works, this park is most well-known for its central Monumental Zone. From the mosaic salamander at its entrance to the sea serpent bench encircling the main terrace, this eccentric space is a perfect place to start your day.

Recommended visit: 1h – 2h

Sagrada Familia – The Belle of Barcelona’s ball, this yet unfinished basilica is truly a sight to behold. Take some time to explore the rich architectural mastery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site on your own, or book onto a guided tour for a full insight into the site’s artistic, cultural and historic significance.

Recommended visit: 1h – 1h30

Avinguda Diagonal – One of Barcelona’s most popular and important streets, Avinguda Diagonal runs diagonally right through the city, cutting it in two. A vast array of stores and restaurants are dotted throughout the length of the avenue.

Recommended visit: 45m

Casa Milà – Also known as La Pedrera (‘the stone quarry’), this modernist building was the final residence designed by renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. As per its nickname, it’s most famous for its rough-hewn exterior façade, somewhat resembling an open stone quarry.

Recommended visit: 15m – 1h30

Casa Batlló, Casa Amatller and Casa Lleó i Morera – This trio of modernist buildings are widely considered the most important on Barcelona’s famous Illa de la Discòrdia, or ‘Block of Discord’. Showcasing the masterpieces of Barcelona’s prominent modernist architects Antoni Gaudi, Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Lluís Domènech i Montaner, these buildings ooze eccentric design both inside and out.

Recommended visit: 15m – 2h

Plaça de Catalunya – Considered to be Barcelona’s most central point and the meeting point of both the old and modern city, this square is a favorite for social gatherings thanks to its wealth of shopping outlets and restaurants.

Recommended visit: 15m – 2h

La Rambla – Perhaps the city’s most famous street, La Rambla spans from Plaça de Catalunya all the way to the Columbus Monument on the seafront. You’ll find a vast array of streetside cafés and souvenir stands across the length of the street.

Recommended visit : 30m – 2h

Mercat de la Boqueria – Often considered one of the best markets in the world, this historical market houses all sorts of fresh, local produce along with stands to get yourself a hearty lunch while on the go.

Recommended visit: 45m

Plaça Reial – Particularly popular in the evening, this square is home to a whole host of bars, restaurants and some of Barcelona’s most famous nightclubs. Why not finish your day here with some fresh Catalan cuisine and a glass or two of the local region’s renowned wines?

Recommended visit: As long as you want

Day 2 – History & Culture

Image of City, Road, Street, Urban, Alley, Arch, Path,

Your second day in Barcelona – should you choose to follow our itinerary – will take you on a cultural tour of the city and the local region. If art, history and music are up your alley, then the following are sure to give you a real kick.

Palau de la Musica Catalana – A true marvel of modernist architecture, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been host to a magnificent array of musical performances since its opening in 1908. Bask in its colorful exterior from outside, book onto a guided tour of the venue, or even attend one of its legendary musical performances for yourself.

Recommended visit: 1h – 3h

Gothic Quarter – Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter sits immediately north of La Rambla and houses a number of the city’s best sights. It’s worth spending a decent period of time here to explore everything its historic streets have to offer.

Some popular attractions within the Gothic Quarter include Barcelona Cathedral, the Museu Frederic Marès and the Museu d'Història de Barcelona.

Recommended visit: 3h – 5h

Museu Picasso – This museum possesses one of the world’s most complete collections of Pablo Picasso's artworks, housing over 4,000 of the renowned painter's famous pieces

Recommended visit: 2h

Carrer de Sant Domenec del Call – Replete with charming bars, restaurants and cafés, this street at the heart of the Gothic quarter is a perfect rest stop to draw your day to a close.

Recommended visit: As long as you want

Day 3 – Montjuïc

Image of Person, Plant,

Day three of our itinerary will take you up Montjuïc, a prominent hill by the Barcelona harbor overlooking much of the city. The surrounding park is rich with popular attractions and cultural sites, such that it would be difficult to visit them all in just one day.

We’ve listed some of the most noteworthy sites atop and around Montjuïc. Feel free to pick and choose those which seem most worthwhile for your own visit.

Montjuïc Castle – On the peak of the hill sits Montjuïc Castle, a former military fortress dating back to the 17th Century. Offering both insights into the region’s history and stellar views over the entire city, you can ride the cable car up here to start your day or set it as your end destination and make the climb yourself.

Recommended visit: 1h30

Museu d'Art de Catalunya – Housed within the impressive halls of the Palau Nacional, this museum exhibits one thousand years of visual art pieces from throughout the Catalonia region.

Recommended visit: 2h

Fundació Joan Miró – This modern art museum honors the works of local contemporary artist Joan Miró, offering rich insights into both his art and his life, alongside those of comparable artists of the 20th and 21st Centuries.

Recommended visit: 1h30

Olympic Ring – Host to the 1992 Olympic Games, this park now serves as a monument to the event and to Barcelona sports as a whole. Sporting fans can also spend some time at the on-site Olympic and Sports Museum.

Recommended visit: 2h

Poble Espanyol – Translated literally as the ‘Spanish Village’, this open-air architectural museum is made up of replica buildings from across the country and serves to emulate a genuine Spanish town.

Complete with charming traditional stores, restaurants and cafés, the Poble Espanyol aims to provide you with a near-authentic experience of traditional Spanish life.

Recommended visit: 2h

Las Arenas de Barcelona – Built into a former bullfighting arena, this commercial center offers an impressive selection of stores and restaurants, along with 360-degree views of Barcelona from the rooftop.

Recommended visit: 2h30

Magic Fountain of Montjuïc – Located at the base of Montjuïc, the Magic Fountain is most renowned for its spectacular light shows in the evening. See out your tour of Barcelona’s highlights in style by catching one of its famed displays for yourself.

Recommended visit: As long as you want

Getting Around

Our recommended attractions are listed in such an order to allow you to easily walk from one to the other, though most are also within short walking distance of transport hubs should you prefer to take public transport. Alternatively, a Bus Turístic will also allow you to hop on and off along a similar route while offering an audio commentary of the sights along the way.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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The Palau Nacional viewed from the Magic Fountain
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Free Things to do in Barcelona

Any trip to Barcelona is bound to be jam-packed with sightseeing, cultural activities and all the fresh Catalan cuisine you can stomach. While that’s exactly what many consider to be the best way to experience the city, it isn’t always too kind on the wallet. For those that are more budget-minded or would simply like to complete their itinerary with some cheaper and more laid-back activities, the city can still deliver. There are plenty of free things to do in Barcelona for just about every type of visitor. Parks Galore For a city as metropolitan and bustling as Barcelona, it’s surprising just how many open green spaces it manages to sneak in. Well over a dozen parks are dotted throughout, ranging from small dog parks to many-hectares-large social spots. Park Güell By far the most renowned and popular of Barcelona’s attractions is Park Güell. Second only to the Sagrada Familia in terms of the sheer volume of visitors it receives each day, Park Güell is most well known for its interior Monumental Zone designed by modernist architect Antoni Gaudi. While you will need to pay to book a visit to the Monumental Zone, this area constitutes just a tiny portion of the park as a whole. If you don’t mind missing it, you can very easily sink a couple of hours of your day into exploring or relaxing in the rest of the park. Ciutadella Park Offering over 17 hectares of green space, Ciutadella Park is the largest park in Barcelona, and it does plenty with that space. It’s so large, in fact, that it houses not only the Barcelona Zoo and its more than 2,000 resident animals, but also the Parliament of Catalonia. A number of street performers, dancers and musicians are often dotted throughout the park, adding to its relaxed and jovial atmosphere. Take a chance to sit back and relax, watch the rowboats go by on the lake, explore the space’s many monuments and take a selfie with the park’s very own wooly mammoth. Montjuïc Park For the very best views over the city, get yourself over to Montjuïc Park. This hill to the south of the city is jam-packed with some of Barcelona’s best attractions, and is also simply a fantastic place to relax with a panoramic view of the Catalan capital. Entry to the park by foot is entirely free, and you’ll be able to take all the time you need to explore the likes of Montjuïc Castle, the Magic Fountain and the Olympic Ring. There is also a cable car to take you directly to the top of the hill by the castle, but you will of course need to pay for this. Museums Barcelona is a city brimming with culture, and it’s no coincidence that it also hosts a great many museums for visitors to explore. While it’s no secret that many of Barcelona’s museums charge fairly hefty admission, many offer free entry on the first Sunday of each month, and often at select times throughout the week. The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya is housed within the beautiful Palau Nacional and exhibits hundreds of thousands of visual art pieces from throughout the Catalonia region, dating back as far as a thousand years. As the biggest and most important museum in Barcelona, the MNAC typically charges admission, but can be visited for free on Saturday afternoons. The Museu Picasso offers the most complete collection of the surrealist Spanish artist’s paintings in the world. Thursday evenings will allow you to view the more than 4,000 pieces free of charge. Montjuïc Castle sits atop Montjuïc Mountain and originally served as a military fortress, dating back to 1640. The castle is now open for visitors to explore its halls, and offers free entry every Sunday evening. Gothic Quarter The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona offers a labyrinth of medieval streets in which you’ll find all manner of attractions, quaint restaurants and local retailers. While this area may house some of the pricier pastimes of the city, it also offers many of the best free things to do in Barcelona. Perhaps one of the biggest selling points of the Barri Gòtic is its wide selection of charming squares. The likes of Plaça Reial, Plaça Prim and Plaça Sant Felip Neri offer relaxed and open spaces to sit and socialize, often along with a handful of cafés and restaurants to grab a coffee or a bite to eat. These cobbled alleyways also house some of Barcelona’s most notable historic sites. You can visit the Barcelona Cathedral and Basílica de Santa Maria for free between certain times each day. The Jewish Quarter at the heart of the Gothic Quarter is an entire fragment of history in itself, offering some of the most gorgeous architecture in the area. If that isn’t quite enough to sate your historical hunger, then you can also retrace Barcelona’s ancient Roman past. Walk the perimeter of the old city wall, visit the remains of the Roman aqueduct and necropolis and explore the impressive remaining columns of the Temple of Augustus. Wrapping Up While the aforementioned attractions may be considered some of the best budget-friendly ways to pass your time, they are by no means the only free things to do in Barcelona. Throughout the year, there are always a number of events, workshops, gigs, exhibitions and tours on offer free of charge for any who may be interested. As bustling and metropolitan as Barcelona may be, it doesn’t have to be reserved only for those with the cash to splash on every single attraction. The more savvy, budget-minded traveler can fill their itinerary with all manner of rewarding activities without having to spend a penny more than their flights, accommodation and meal costs.
Robert Heaney
Firework display over the Font Magica de Montjuïc on New Year's Eve
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Barcelona in January

When planning a trip to Barcelona, your mind likely goes straight to summer, when the city sees its peak tourism. However, should you find yourself looking to take a trip in winter, you may see a side to the Catalan capital that most outsiders rarely do. Barcelona in January may be quieter than during the rest of the year, but that makes it a fantastic time to see the city in its most authentic state. What's more, should you be partial to a party or two, there's plenty of festivity to get you through the month. Tourism in January So long as you’re prepared to pack a raincoat and put your ideas of a beach holiday on the backburner, visiting Barcelona in January may prove a real treat. Throughout the wee months of the new year, the city sees its lowest rates of tourism, which for the most part should work very much in your favor. In the absence of the bustling droves of summer tourists, Barcelona is as tranquil as it gets come January. That means those choosing to visit in this period will get the pick of the litter when it comes to hotels, with the added benefit of comparatively lower prices. What that also means for you in your winter wanderlust is that you’ll get to experience everything that the city has to offer without much hassle at all. With fewer crowds, you won’t have to book attractions as early as you might in summer, with some often even available to book on the day. Take yourself on a tour of Barcelona’s attractions without having to fight for the sights. Bask in the awe-inspiring architecture of the Sagrada Familia, and explore the city’s ancient markets like a local. And if you’re an early riser, why not catch the sunrise over at Park Güell, too? That isn’t to say Barcelona is devoid of any tourism throughout this period, though. On the contrary, there’s often still a very healthy buzz to the city around this time. In place of the usual tourist crowds, you’ll find many more locals frequenting bars and restaurants in the center than most other times of the year, giving the city a real authentic buzz. Ski Season With the local ski season in full swing, a good portion of visitors to Barcelona in January are naturally there to take advantage of its prime location. With as many as 14 fantastic alpine resorts within a few hours’ drive from the city, Barcelona serves as a perfect hub for skiing enthusiasts. Take a day or two to gear up before a week's trip to one of the nearby resorts, or embrace the best of both worlds in skiing through the day and returning to Barcelona in the evening. New Year’s Eve Right from the get-go, both visitors and locals to Barcelona come together to see in the new year in style. Known as as Nochevieja in Spanish, New Year’s Eve celebrations take place throughout the city, with the most notable celebration taking place on Plaça d'Espanya by the Font Magica on Montjuïc, complete with the obligatory countdown and firework display. In the leadup to the countdown, one of the biggest parties takes place at the Poble Español close by, offering various different music zones for fans of all genres. Up to a thousand people typically come from the world over to party until dawn. Down in the city, many others still gather on Plaça Catalunya, often with a bottle of Cava in hand. At the stroke of midnight, many will then collectively throw their bottles into the street in celebration – much to the dismay of those who have to clean up in the morning! Kings’ Day The rest of January isn’t without its fair share of festivity either. Right away, just as the streets have been cleared up after New Year’s Eve, the city celebrates Kings’ Day. In tribute to the day that the Three Kings visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, Barcelona welcomes their ceremonial arrival on the evening of 5 January. The Three Kings arrive by boat before beginning their annual procession through the streets of Barcelona. Traditionally, children in Spain write letters to the kings in place of Santa Claus, and on Kings’ Day they receive their gifts. If you happen to be visiting around Kings’ Day, be sure to catch the parade and take part in some of the many local festivities. Locals are likely to be throwing parties, and stores and bakeries will be full of festive sweet treats to try out, such as Tortells de Reis, or Kings’ Cakes. La Festa dels Tres Tombs Kids and animal lovers alike are bound to get a kick out of this Catalan celebration. The Festa Major de Sant Antoni is celebrated on 17 January in honor of Saint Anthony, who was said to have used his healing capabilities to save a number of animals. On the first Saturday following this feast, La Festa dels Tres Tombs sees a procession of animals such as horses and donkeys parade through the streets around the Escola Pia de Sant Antoni. Alongside the parade, you can also expect to find the streets lined with stalls selling various treats and local crafts. Wrapping Up Barcelona in January may not typically top everyone’s bucket list, but that doesn’t mean you should rule it out. The beginning of the new year is a perfect time to experience all that the heart of Catalonia has to offer without having to battle the summer crowds. Whether you’re an avid skier, a fiend for festivities or simply want to see Barcelona at its most tranquil, January is a fantastic time to plan a visit. Just be sure to pack for the weather!
Robert Heaney
Multiple fireworks exploding in the sky above Barcelona
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Festivals in Barcelona

  If you love to party then Barcelona is the place to be. As well as being home to increasingly popular international music festivals, the city's seasonal traditions and saints’ days will have you whirling through the streets all year long. From parades, costumes, music and dancing to more unlikely spectacles like human pyramids, papier måché giants and fire-runs, there’s nothing the Catalan people like more than a celebration. Whatever time of year you plan to visit, we've everything you need to know about some of Barcelona's biggest festivals including: • Festival traditions • Summer music festivals like: - Primavera Sound - The Sónar - The Grec - Cruïlla de Cultures • Barcelona festivals including: - Epiphany (January) - Carnival (February/March) - Sant Jordi (April) - Sant Joan (June) - Neighbourhood festivals - Feste de la Merce (September)   Barcelona festival traditions ‘Festes’ (in Catalan - or ‘fiestas’ in Spanish) are a part of daily life in Barcelona. Some have Pagan or Roman origins, others were adopted as Christian festivals. Either way, since every barrio (neighbourhood) celebrates its own saints' days with processions and street parties, you’ll often find a carnival atmosphere around town.   Fire One theme common to many festivals is fire. Feel the glow of bonfires, fireworks or the ‘correfoc’ (fire run) when ‘devils’ parade through the streets waving pitchforks that release firecrackers and shower sparks.   Giants Giants - or gegants - are another feature of many festivals. Larger-than-life characters with papier måché heads bob through the streets alongside fantastic animals and Capgros (big heads). They originated in the Middle Ages when theatrical figures and animals were used to demonstrate Bible stories to an illiterate public. When they’re not on parade, drop in and see them for yourself at the super quirky (and free) La Casa dels Entremesos (Giant Museum) in the old town.   Castells Also look out for human towers - or castells. Originating in the 18th century, individual groups (or colles) compete to build hair-raising towers of people (castellers) up to nine levels high. In 2010 the sport (or art, depending on who you ask) was declared an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO.   Barcelona music festivals But before we get lost in too many time-honoured traditions, let’s first lose ourselves in music, because, from baroque to techno, Barcelona boasts some of the best music festivals in Europe. The Primavera Sound Festival is one of the most hotly anticipated festivals on the international circuit. Whatever you’re into, groove on down to the Parc del Forum where, for one week in spring, you’ll find big names and independent artists across diverse genres - from folk to jazz to hip hop, though mainly rock, pop and electro. Also keep your eyes on the side programme of gigs and performances taking place in clubs and public spaces across the city.   Hot on its heels is the Sónar Festival, one of the oldest and most well-known European music festivals, which attracts fans of electronic and experimental music from across the continent. Over a weekend in mid-June you can experience Sónar de Dia (day time performances) or catch some of the biggest names in the electronic scene as Sónar de Noche takes the event into the evening. Sónar+D offers an accompanying programme of creative technology experiences including digital workshops, and virtual-reality activities. From June to August The Grec Festival (which began in the seventies in the Grec (Greek) Theatre) brings together the best of theatre, music, dance and circus in a lively series of events that have become a huge summer attraction.   Or you can celebrate multiculturalism at Cruïlla de Cultures. As well as a music festival for genres as varied as ska, pop, hip-hop, reggae, folk and rock, it has grown to be a wider meeting of cultures, involving immigrant associations and neighbourhood groups. Don’t miss the series of open-air concerts that take place throughout July, when the clubs and public spaces of Poble Espanyol play host to national and international artists.   Get ready to mosh as Rock Fest Barcelona attracts rock and heavy metal bands from across Europe. Or grab your castanets as the De Cajón! Flamenco Festival gets the city whirling and stamping. Meanwhile the Barcelona Guitar Festival welcomes Spanish and foreign artists to celebrate that versatile instrument for a month every springtime. It’s official - whatever your music vibe, Barcelona is where it’s at!   Barcelona festival calendarEpiphany (January) The first big event in the traditional festival year is Epiphany. On 6th January, Spaniards and Catalans exchange gifts, whilst commemorating the gifts given to the baby Jesus by the three wise men (or magi). The evening of 5th January is a great time to be in the city, as the wise men arrive by boat at Port Vell. The extravagantly dressed kings then set off on the ‘Cavalcada del Reis’, a parade of floats, which travels from Parc de la Ciutella, through the city streets, with clowns, elves and acrobats distributing sweets to children along the route.   Carnival (February/March) Or, if you time your visit just a few weeks later you can kick back at Carnival, both a religious celebration and a popular party, featuring more floats, fancy dress and lots of fun. Lent is observed across much of the world as a period of abstinence in the 40 days leading up to Easter and, in Spain, rather than ‘Mardi Gras’, it is ‘Carnaval’ (or Carnestoltes in Catalan) that traditionally marks the last party before the fast and frugality. If you’re lucky enough to be in Barcelona on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday, don’t miss the many local parades that honour the arrival of the Rei Carnestoltes (Carnival King) who rouses the crowd to mischief and laughter. Since food is fundamental to festivities, many local markets also organise tortilla-making competitions!   On the Sunday the streets of the city turn orange for the Taronjada, a colourful ‘battle’ that takes place on the Plaça Comercial in El Born. In the past the public would throw actual oranges at one another but today you can just revel in a riot of orange balloons and confetti. Join adults and children that evening in traditional dancing at the Sarau, a grand masquerade ball. The celebrations come to an end on Ash Wednesday with (weirdly) the ‘Burial of the Sardine’ signifying farewell to fun and feasting and the beginning of Lent. The Carnival King is also symbolically condemned to death. Switch your bright colours for black and head to nearby Sitges where drag-queens and glamorous ‘widows’ mourn the death of the party - all night long!   Sant Medir (March) If you love sweets you might want to join the crowds in the Gràcia district on 3rd March for the dolça festa (sweet festival) dedicated to Sant Medir. According to legend the ancient saint’s broad beans flourished immediately after they were planted (though he was subsequently taken prisoner and martyred). In the 1830s a baker from the district made a pilgrimage in his honour, throwing beans to the public along the way. Today the beans have been replaced with tons of sweets and toffees, thrown from a parade of floats and horse carriages that take to the streets in the afternoon after the traditional pilgrimage. To make like a local take along a bag, bucket or open umbrella to catch your own share of treats!   Sant Jordi (April) Not content with slaying dragons to become the patron saint of England, busy St George is also patron saint of Catalonia. Apparently he saved a princess by taking on another dragon there, from whose blood grew a red rose... Consequently the custom is for gentlemen to purchase roses for their own damsel. In return ladies bought a book, although, in these enlightened days, it’s now usual for either partner to buy both! Even though it’s not a national holiday, join the Catalan people in taking to the streets to celebrate. Watch sardanas (traditional dances) and castells (human towers), take part in literary activities like workshops and signings; and stroll the stalls on La Rambla and Paseo, laden with books and colourful blooms.   Sant Joan (June) Don’t miss the mad midsummer celebrations on Sant Joan (St John’s Eve), one of the biggest events of the year, when incredible firework displays light up the shortest night and beer and sangria flow freely. Often known as the Nit del Foc (Night of Fire), locals welcome summer with fireworks and bonfires in the street. Join them as they eat pastries decorated with candied fruit and pine nuts and drink Cava all night long! Because June 24th is a national holiday it feels like the whole city hits the street or beach to party until sunrise.   Neighbourhood festivals (July - September) Whilst the bigger festivals are celebrated all over town, some are local to particular districts or barrios. The edgy El Raval neighbourhood is a great place to explore and, in July, the Festa Major del Raval celebrates its multi-cultural roots. Stroll among ethnic food stalls and flea markets, dance to world music and marvel at the obligatory procession of papier-måché giants. You can see more parading giants, human towers and fire devils later in July at the Festa Major de Poble Sec Or join the throngs of people who pack the bars for singing and Sangria for a week in August, at the Festa Major de Gràcia, one of the most famous barrio festivals. Amid the giants, correfocs, coloured lanterns, dancing and music, the neighbourhood streets compete to be the best decorated. And, should you miss that, The Sants Festival follows immediately afterwards with more decorated streets, performances and Catalan traditions.   Sala Montjuïc (July/August) Whilst not strictly a festival, you can make the most of Barcelona’s balmy summer weather at one of the picnic concerts or open-air cinema showings at Montjuïc castle. Maybe spend the day exploring the mountain on foot or by cable car. Then load your hamper with cava and jamon and treat yourself to a night of classic cinema. We recommend you buy a ticket in advance and get there early for a good spot.   Sant Roc (August) You an even bring your four-legged friend to help celebrate the Festival of Sant Roc, held on Plaça Nova, in the Gothic Quarter and one of August’s largest festival events. Legend maintains that Sant Roc was saved by a dog that brought him food whilst he was suffering from the plague, so locals bring their own dogs to join the festivities. Our advice is to spectate but not attempt another attraction of this festival - La Cucaña, a greasy pole that partygoers must cross to win a prize.   Feste de la Mercé Barcelona’s patron saints day - Feste de la Merce - marks the end of summer and sees one of Europe’s biggest street parties. The city has two patron saints - Santa Eulalia (for whom the cathedral is named) and the Mare de Déu de la Mercè (Our Lady of Mercy), also known simply as La Mercè. Having originally appeared to Catalan King Jaume 1 in 1218 and encouraged him to found a religious order, the Virgin allegedly reappeared in 1687 to save the city from a troublesome plague of locusts. It’s said that it always rains on 24th September as Sant Eulalia sheds tears of jealousy over the appointment of her ‘co-patron’.   Nevertheless 24 September is a national holiday so, if you’re lucky enough to be in the city, look out for performances, street art, live music, open air concerts and the city traditions of castells, devils, fire-runs and parades of gegants and Capgrossos. Then see the festival season out with a bang, with light shows in Ciutadella Park, laser displays on the facade of the city hall, pyrotechnics on Barceloneta beach and the awesome firework finale beside Montjuïc’s Magic Fountains. As we’ve seen, with festivals all year round, it’s always a good time to visit Barcelona. And an All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass will ensure you can make the most of your time whilst making savings on your sight-seeing. So get ready to party because, with Go City, there’s always something to celebrate.
Jo Cooke

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