Group of friends raising a New Year toast, with champagne and sparklers

New Years Eve in Barcelona

By Jo Cooke

From Christmas markets to traditional ‘Three Kings’ Day’ celebrations on January 5th, the Catalan capital fizzes with festive spirit. But is it jumping on December 31st? You betcha. Wondering what to do on New Year’s Eve in Barcelona? Whether you’re looking for New Year fireworks or Flamenco dancing, the coolest clubs or typical Catalan cuisine, we’ve got the low down on the best high spots to ring in the New Year.

Spanish New Year traditions

new-years-eve-in-barcelona

Spanish New Year traditions

You won’t see quite so much sunshine at New Year in Barcelona (though typical seasonal highs of 16 degrees are by no means chilly) but winter is a good time to visit Spain as you won’t see so many tourists either. La Nochevieja (‘the old night’ in Spanish) is a time when families and friends gather to enjoy a late meal - the last one of the year - before hitting some parties. So, before you decide where to celebrate, be sure to make like the locals by being aware of a few Spanish traditions...

  • Las doce uvas de la suerte (The Twelve Grapes of Good Luck).
    In Barcelona - and in families and market squares across Spain - it’s traditional to eat 12 grapes, one on each of the chimes as the clock strikes midnight, to ensure good luck for the next twelve months.
  • Cupid’s underwear
    If your New Year’s resolution is to fall in love, the Spanish think that wearing new red underwear is the answer! In some parts of Spain this only works if the underwear is a gift. In other places the tradition is to give your festive undergarments away before the end of the night for the love charm to work!
  • Gold in your glass
    Placing a golden coin or an item of gold jewellery in your glass of Cava is believed to bring not only good fortune but an actual fortune in the coming year!

Lucky lunch
Eating a bowl of black eyed peas or lentils for lunch on New Year’s Day is not only a good way to keep warm, but is also believed to bring wealth, with each one representing a coin.

Barcelona New Year fireworks

new years eve in barcelona

Barcelona New Year fireworks

Placa Espanya
Now you know all the local secrets it’s time to celebrate and, as in any city, the midnight sky will be lit with dazzling fireworks. For Barcelona’s best fireworks display - and a family friendly music, light and laser show - head to Plaça Espanya. With typically over 80,000 spectators in attendance be sure to get there early for the Magic Fountain display around 9.30pm. Twelve chimes countdown to the midnight fireworks and offer the perfect timing to consume your twelve good-luck grapes and make a wish.


Plaça Catalunya
In the city’s buzzing main square you’ll find live music, entertainers and more fireworks to see in the New Year. Rather more alarmingly a space is cleared at midnight for a traditional bottle toss, when people throw their wine bottles into the square. It’s quite a sight but quite a dangerous one so stand well back for this smashing experience before the local crowds disperse to dance the night away.

Best clubs and bars in Barcelona for New Year

new years eve in barcelona

Best clubs and bars in Barcelona for New Year

Talking of dancing, for those looking for a lively start to the New Year, Barcelona knows how to party hard, though be sure to book tickets in advance. Whatever you’re into there’ll be live music and international DJs covering sets for every scene until the sun comes up on New Year’s Day.
Day or night La Rambla is always a happening place to be, with street performers enthralling the crowds and restaurants crowded with tourists out for tapas. Nearby Plaza Real is home to famous clubs like Sidecar and Jamboree which features two separate rooms playing dance, hip hop, funk and much more.

For more authentic local venues head to the Barrio Gótico for stylish cocktail corners or El Born for trendy and less touristy cafes and bars. Clubhaus is a bar-restaurant with an adult playcentre (think karaoke and table tennis) and nightclub across three rooms and two storeys. Boho lovers and skater kids hang out in El Raval where you’ll also find legendary clubs like Moog (famous for tech/minimal DJs) and Sala Apolo.

new years eve in barcelona

Over in Eixample in the newer end of town, Belushi’s bar off Plaça Catalunya attracts an international crowd. Or sip a cocktail at stylish Slow Barcelona, then sashay upstairs to their ultra cool club. Other big name clubs for the Catalan set include Sutton Club, Otto Zutz and - for those into electro-tech, Sala Becool.

Barna’s biggest and best known nightclub is Sala Razzmatazz. From the techno temple of The Loft, frequented by famous international DJs - to the cheesiest rock, pop and disco - five frenetic rooms and over 10 DJs, will see you through until dawn. New Year packages typically include party accessories, Tshirts, lucky New Year grapes and a glass of bubbles.

If you’re really feeling upmarket, dress to impress and jump in a cab to the Barcelona beach clubs around Port Olimpic. There’s nothing cooler than the Ice Bar where the icy decor and glasses look great on the ‘gram. This is also where you’ll find all-night hot spots that keep rocking until 6am. Famous club chain Pacha boasts big leather couches and VIP rooms accompanied by a beachside breeze. Opium has been billed as the city’s best club (and it also has a chocolate fountain!)

 

Fiesta

new years eve in barcelona

Fiesta

Poble Espanyol

One of the biggest and most affordable New Year parties in Barcelona takes place at this created Spanish village, featuring recreations of traditional buildings, craft shops, workshops and even a museum. It’s renowned for summer festivals like Primavera but it’s no less throbbing at New Year, with three party pavilions. The central space sees around 5,000 people dancing to retro hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s, with smaller stages for 1,500+ electro music fans. Get down there and get down!

 

Spanish Flamenco show

new years eve in barcelona

Spanish Flamenco show

If nightclubs are not a bit of you, what better way to celebrate the local culture than with a flavor of Flamenco? Grab your castanets and stamp your feet as the gypsy guitars set the mood and the skirts whirl faster and faster. At Palacio del Flamenco you can welcome the New Year in style with cocktails, a gourmet Catalan dinner and a spectacular performance featuring over 14 dancers, singers and musicians. Be sure to book in advance though or you’ll be stamping your feet for all the wrong reasons.

Catch some Catalan cuisine

new years eve in barcelona

Catch some Catalan cuisine

Or, to escape the crowded city streets, simply relax over dinner. Traditional Catalan food for New Year includes stuffed chicken, roasted lamb and escudella amb carn d’olla, a strong meat broth with sausage, meatballs and snail-shaped pasta shells. Of course no Spanish celebration would be complete without Cava or turrón (a type of nougat).

If you’re dining out you definitely need to make a booking and be aware that most restaurants offer only set menus on NYE. Els Quatre Gats and Enigmatium are both well known for Catalan cuisine and special New Year performances. Bodega Joan, one of the oldest family restaurants in Barcelona, offers a budget set menu with traditional dishes and family entertainment.

 

What to do on New Year’s Day

The Metro runs all night on New Year’s Eve to help people get around the city’s celebrations. But remember that January 1st is a Spanish public holiday, so many places will be closed.

After a night of celebrating you might want to head to Barceloneta beach the next day to join in the traditional First Bath of the Year! El Primer Bany de l’Any takes place at 12 noon so, if you’re up for the challenge, take a dip with the locals who believe this to be the best way to start the New Year. You can certainly chill in the knowledge that it’s the first day of an exciting new year of adventures, with Go City. So grab a Barcelona pass and save while you sightsee!

Jo Cooke
Go City Travel Expert

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Sagrada Familia

Gaudí is one of the world's most famous architects. Such was his influence at the beginning of the 20th-century, you'll find his work all over his native Barcelona. His greatest achievement is undoubtedly La Sagrada Familia, a huge monument to Gaudí's faith. So, let's take a deep dive into La Sagrada Familia, and discover why it absolutely has to be on your itinerary! What is La Sagrada Familia? To put it simply, La Sagrada Familia is a temple that was designed by world-famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. It was considered his Magnum Opus, but he was unable to finish it before his death more than 100 years ago. To this day, the monument has yet to be finished, and work continues to this day. Who was Antoni Gaudí? Antoni Gaudí i Cornet was a Catalan architect born in 1852. His unique style, characterized by the marriage of neo-Gothic art, Oriental art techniques, and a fascination with nature and the human body, led the Catalan Modernism movement. A Barcelona local, his creations are found predominantly in the city. Rather than working from sketches, Gaudí preferred creating detailed 3D models of his would-be buildings before construction. This often meant more time spent in pre-production than many other architects of his time, but is likely part of the reason his works remain so unique to this day. History of La Sagrada Família The idea for La Sagrada Familia was conceived in 1872, after bookseller and prominent religious organizer Josep Maria Bocabella returned from the Vatican. After seeing the Basilica Della Santa Casa, or Basilica of the Holy House), he wanted to create a similar church in Barcelona. Josep approached famed Catalan architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, who planned to create an authentic Gothic revival church. Work began in 1882, but Villar only oversaw the creation of the apse crypt before resigning from his position in 1883. That's when our man Gaudí stepped in. After radically redesigning the building, work continued, and he was appointed architect director one year later. But Gaudí knew his design would take many years to come to fruition. Thankfully, Josep didn't mind this; the work, and the time it would take to finish it, would speak for itself. However, nearly forty years later, only 20% of the work was complete. And worse yet, Gaudí soon passed away, leaving his understudy Domènec Sugrañes i Gras to carry on in his stead. In fact, both Gaudí and Maria Bocabella are the only two people to be laid to rest in the crypt. Then, tragedy struck. The Spanish Civil War led to parts of the building being destroyed and the plans being badly burnt. Therefore, once the war was over, it took over 15 years to reconstruct his original plans from early concepts and undamaged sections. In the years since, many architects have taken control of the project. And now, nearly 150 years after the project was conceived, it's almost complete. La Sagrada Familia design and influences Every inch of the church is symbolic of important elements of Christianity. Originally, eighteen spires were planned, symbolizing Jesus, his twelve disciples, the Virgin Mary, and the four Evangelists (Luke, Mathew, John, and Mark). However, to date, only nine have been completed. A religious man himself, Gaudí insisted that the largest spire, dedicated to Jesus, be shorter than Montjuïc Hill, so as not to surpass divine creation. The three grand façades are similarly dedicated to important moments in the faith; the Nativity represents the birth of Jesus and life itself, the Passion of his sacrifice, and the Glory of his everlasting reign. Each has its fair share of iconic imagery, ranging from life-affirming to torment. The interior of the church is a feast for the eyes, with geometric shapes intersecting throughout the pillars and the ceiling. No single surface is flat, as abstract shapes undulate with curves, twists, and jagged edges. Gaudí's style influenced the Cubism movement, and you can see as much in the church's design. Visiting La Sagrada Familia La Sagrada Familia is easily one of Barcelona's most prominent tourist spots, with thousands of people visiting the breathtaking building every year. And the best way to see it is by taking a guided tour. Your experienced guide will give you insight into every exciting part of its design, from inside to out. They'll unravel every hidden element of symbolism not covered above, and leave you with a newfound appreciation for Gaudí's work. However, as one of the city's most visited places, you have to book ahead if you want to get a spot. And expect to be among crowds, which has taken on a whole new meaning after recent events! If you'd rather skip all that and see the church from a different perspective, why not take a Virtual 360 tour of the building without even setting a foot inside? Thanks to the power of virtual reality technology, you can explore every surface up close, all while standing outdoors, away from the hustle and bustle of the church's innards! What would Gaudí think about that? We're sure he'd be impressed. Other Gaudí Highlights Of course, La Sagrada Familia is just one of Gaudí's many creations in Barcelona! You could stroll around Park Güell and see his many unique creations, including the salamander mosaic El Drac, and ascend the rib-like staircase to the Porter's Lodge. Why not visit Casa Batlló? It's a homestead turned tourist attraction that's often considered the epitome of Gaudí's finished works. Or, take a trip to the ghoulish-looking La Pedrera, with its limestone-chiseled walls mimicking bleached bone. Alternatively, go back to where it all began at Casa Vicens, Gaudí's first-ever architectural work. Perhaps this all seems a bit pedestrian? If you want to see Gaudí's creations through a different lens, head to the Gaudí Experience 4D and take a breathtaking digital ride through his life, times, and influences. If getting to all of these on your vacation seems a struggle, board a hop-on hop-off bus tour and get to them all in a single day! And that's everything you need to know about La Sagrada Familia!
Dom Bewley
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Things to do in The Gothic Quarter Barcelona

Vacationing in Barcelona this year? Why not sample the cultural delights of the city's Gothic Quarter? There are so many things to do in Barcelona's older areas, so get reading and get picking! Here's our guide to the best things to do in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. Including: Check out the Cathedral Take a walking tour of the area A taste of the Jewish Quarter Eating out Watering holes and more! Cathedral de Barcelona Let's kick off this historical and cultural extravaganza with one of Barcelona's most grandiose landmarks. Barcelona Cathedral, or 'Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia' to its friends, is a gothic cathedral that towers over the Gothic Quarter like some kind of cathedral. Dedicated to one of the two patron saints of Barcelona, Eulalia of Barcelona, who it's said became a martyr during the Roman occupation of the city. Both outside and in, it's hard to deny its beauty. After you've admired all that Middle Ages architecture, you can head to the top of the cloister for some of the best views in the city. Just make sure you're on your best behavior when you visit. As one of Catalonia's most sacred places, any hijinks will be heavily frowned upon. Oh, and dress appropriately. God doesn't like skin on show, it seems. Gothic Quarter Walking Tour If you want to get your bearings, explore the Gothic Quarter, and learn all about its history, why not take a guided tour? With over 2000 years of history dripping from each corner of the neighborhood, you'll need a well-versed guide to make the most of it! Learn about the Plaza del Rey and its Palace of Viceroy, as well as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Mar. Walk up the bustling Ramblas and sample the Catalan delicacies within the famous Boqueria Market. We recommend tucking into some cured Iberian ham, paired with a refreshing glass of cava. But really, all of the market's offerings are available to you, so pick what you please. Not only will this tour give you the lay of the land, but you'll pass plenty of hidden bars and local restaurants you can go back to once the tour's concluded. Easily one of the best things to do in The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, especially for newbies! Old Jewish Quarter Experience The Jewish have a rich history in Barcelona, dating back hundreds of years. In fact, there's a neighborhood of the city named after them. Why not take your exploration of the past into the future with a 3D Virtual Reality Tour of the Old Jewish Quarter? Head to the "Call Barcelona Shop" and take a trip back to the Golden Age. Exchange your voucher at the meeting point to visit the Major Synagogue, the oldest one in Spain, and learn about its history. Then, use the self-guided map to explore the Jewish Quarter's most remarkable sites. Plaça Sant Felip Neri As with many locales, some of the best cultural landmarks can be found off the beaten path. So take the road less traveled by tourists, and visit Plaça Sant Felip Neri. It's a residential square that may seem pretty eventless but, in fact, is quite the opposite. During the Second World War, a bomb detonated in the Plaça Sant Felip Neri, killing 42 people, most of whom were children. In fact, you can still see the shrapnel damage present at the bottom of the nearby church's walls. Nowadays, this cozy area has a fountain, school, and a hotel with an upmarket restaurant inside. How things have changed. Plaça de la Generalitat While you're in the area, why not check out the beating heart of Barcelona's political scene? At the Plaça de la Generalitat, you'll find Barcelona's City Hall, as well as the Catalan government palace. On Sundays, you can even venture into City Hall and explore it for yourself. And, if you're lucky, you may catch a group dance performance or other types of street performers in the big square in front of the building. Grab a bite to eat If all that exploring has given you hunger prangs, then you're in luck. Barcelona's Gothic Quarter has some fantastic restaurants to discover. At L'Antic Bocoi del Gòtic, you can chow down on delicious authentic Catalan dishes made with locally-sourced produce from the nearby markets. Sitting down to eat within its stone walls is quite the delight. Or, if you're in the market for Tapas, head to Gourmet Sensi. With a wide variety of tapas dishes featuring meat, fish, or vegan options, as well as the welcoming, English-speaking staff, it's a great place to sit for a bite to eat if you don't want to embarrass yourself with your broken Spanglish. Alternatively, if you'd rather go meat-free, check out La Cereria. Tucked away off the beaten path, you'll find a world of vegetarian and vegan delights waiting to be sampled, all surrounded by the quirky decor and a brilliant drinks menu. And get a drink while you're at it! And if you want a nightcap to put a bow on the evening, or simply want to explore the Gothic Quarter's brilliant bar scene, check out our recommendations below! If you're in the mood for a snug, romantic cocktail bar, check out Sub Rosa. This cozy joint has fashionable red lighting, a Mediterranean take on speakeasy decor, and a host of well-made cocktails to choose from. If you want something a little bigger, louder, and less refined, go visit Bar Manchester. This British-themed bar has a whole host of cheap beers on draft, happy hour deals, and a playlist of 80s and 90s British indie rock on rotation. And finally, if you like a little entertainment with your drinks, head to Craft Barcelona. Along with bar snacks and a burgeoning beer menu, you can also sit down and enjoy live music from local artists, as well as the occasional comedy show if you fancy a tickle. And that's our guide to the best things to do in The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona!
Dom Bewley
montserrat
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Montserrat Barcelona

Heading to Barcelona for your vacation and wondering what adventures lie outside the city? How does scaling a holy mountain and exploring its history sound? Montserrat's the name, and stunning views, beautiful architecture, and opportunities to explore is its game. So, grab your hiking boots, pack plenty of water, and get ready to climb! Here we'll tell you everything you need to know about Montserrat - how to get there, what you'll find, and why it's one of Barcelona's most beautiful destinations! Enjoy! Including: What is Montserrat Why you should visit Montserrat How to get to Montserrat from Barcelona What to do in Montserrat What is Monsterrat? Montserrat is a mountain range near Barcelona. They both reside in the Catalonia region of Spain, which has a unique language, culture, and customs. Due to the mountain's jagged appearance, the range was coined Montserrat, or 'saw mountain'. The mountain holds religious significance to the particularly Catholic Catalonia, thanks to the Santa Maria de Montserrat - a Benedictine monastery that sits atop it. Why visit Montserrat? Whether you're religious or not, the views you'll see at the peak of Montserrat are unsurpassed. You can see for miles, including the Barcelona skyline and the surrounding lands. It's truly breathtaking, and almost demands to be pictured. Also, if you're adept at hiking and want to get your sweat on, feel free to challenge yourself to climb it on foot. It's not the easiest way to the top, but it's surely the most rewarding! However, at over 4000ft high, you need to be prepared, both physically and materially, to scale it. A thick set of boots, plenty of water, and a map will do you a world of good! Getting to Montserrat from Barcelona Assuming you're staying in the center of Barcelona, there are a few ways to get to Montserrat. Firstly, you can hire a car and make the hour-long journey at your own pace. Easy enough. Or, if you fancy a drive but don't fancy getting behind the wheel, why not try an Amigo Tours bus tour from the city? The air-conditioned bus ensures you'll have a pleasant journey, and there will be plenty of photo ops from your seat as you make the climb. Alternatively, you can make the trip by train. Simply take the R5 line from Placa Espanya to Monistrol de Montserrat for an hour, change onto the Cremallera train (it's green, you can't miss it), and that'll take you to the top. Or, for the daring hikers among you, take the train to Monistrol de Montserrat and walk the winding trails up to the mountaintop. It's about a half-hour walk, but as it's a climb, it'll likely feel like you've walked a lot longer! Just be sure you've got gas in the tank and the body to handle it; the last thing you want is to get halfway up and realize you can't finish the journey! And finally, perhaps the most memorable trip would be by cable car. Like above, you get the train from Placa Espanya, but this time get off one stop early at Aeri de Montserrat. From there, you can hop in the cable car and enjoy some of the greatest views on Earth as you ascend. Things to do in Montserrat Once you've made the trip - however you've chosen to do so - you'll find plenty of things to do on Montserrat! Let's start with the views. My god, the views. Rolling mountains as far as the eye can see, the Catalan metropolis of Barcelona in the distance, and where the stunning blue sky meets the mountaintops. If you're the photo type, you'll be all over this. Then, there's Santa Maria de Montserrat, the Benedictine monastery that draws many a pilgrimage from the surrounding area. At well over a thousand years old, it's suitably ancient in its design, yet remarkable it's still standing! You can head inside and look around, though, given its popularity, you may be waiting some time unless you get there early. You can also visit the Montserrat Museum, which opened at the beginning of the 20th-century. Inside, you'll learn all about the mountain's history, discover artifacts from ancient cultures, and enjoy artwork from the likes of Monet and Degas. By the museum, you'll find Mirador Restaurant, where you can get a tasty 3-course meal for a reasonable price. And, if you're looking for some stunning sculpture to snap, right next door to the restaurant, you'll find the Stairway to Heaven. This set of 9 concrete blocks ascends towards the heavens like a staircase, hence the name, and represents the climb pilgrims make to reach this holy place, as well as their eventual climb to the heavens. And no, you can't climb on it. At least not anymore, as a fence has been erected to deter would-be spelunkers from falling to their death. You could visit the Santa Cova Chapel, a beautiful holy place built into the mountain that's about an hour's round trip from the monastery. It's here where the revered Virgin of Montserrat, a thousand-year-old Byzantine statue of the Mary and Jesus, was housed. Miracles of healing have been attributed to her, though you'll not be able to test those on yourself! From the chapel, you can make your way around the mountain to another of Montserrat's picture-perfect landmarks - Sant Miquel's Cross. This towering monument to Christianity also has great views of the lands below, so ideal for your socials! If you dare to climb higher, leave the touristy stuff behind and attempt to ascend Sant Jeroni. It's Montserrat's highest peak, so it's no small feat. if that sounds like your idea of fun, head to the Funicular Se Dant Joan, climb the stair to the observation deck, and get hiking! And that's everything you need to know about Montserrat! Looking for more fun in Barcelona? We've got tons of articles all about the city's best bits, from Beaches to Museums and everything in between. So get reading and make the most of your precious vacation time!
Dom Bewley

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