How to enjoy Barcelona - when you can't enjoy the weather!

Barcelona is famous for its revered soccer club, but sports is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to why the city is a favourite among locals, tourists and vacationers alike. From breath taking aesthetics, to impressive architecture, culturally diverse galleries and delectable food and music that delights and tantalizes the senses.

But what if the weather isn’t as cooperative as your ambition for the day? Although Barcelona is well-known for its pleasant and mild climate, the weather can, at times, become unstable mid-season. If your sun-filled morning soon transforms into a wet and rainy afternoon, or if the weather heats up like an unbearable oven, fear not.

This guide will help you explore how to enjoy Barcelona even when you can’t enjoy the weather outdoors. Unsure of what to expect outdoors and need to plan ahead? World Weather Online provides real-time up to date forecasts to help you plan ahead.

Without further ado, below are our top picks for enjoying Barcelona when the weather is less than agreeable…

Explore Barcelona’s many museums



Barcelona is acclaimed for its beautiful streets and immaculate beaches, leaving many to forget entirely all that the city has to offer indoors. Museums house some of the world’s most cherished and stunning art, culture and more. Best of all, there is something for everyone! From romantic tours of artistic expression to kid-friendly explorations of science.

Prefer classical or modern art?



Picasso Museum: Discover Pablo Picasso in a way like no other with a visit to this museum dedicated to the life and works of one of the greats.

Miró Foundation: The world’s largest collection of the artists’ works can be found under the museum’s roofs. Enjoy its architectural décor and a selection you won’t want to miss.

National Museum of Catalan Art: Centuries of Catalan art are the hallmark of this unique art collection.

CaixaForum: A cultural centre with impressive exhibitions that will sweep you off your feet with their elegance and charm.

Contemporary art more your style?
Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art: Transport yourself to a new world brimming with creativity and expression at MACBA Barcelona Centre for Contemporary Culture: Celebrate the contemporary culture of Barcelona and the creative expression of this unique region.

Need something kid-friendly?

CosmoCaixa: Science is fun and educational at this museum that the whole family will enjoy.

Barcelona Maritime Museum: Explore the high seas and all things nautical from the comfort of land at this maritime museum.

Are you a history buff?

City’s History Museum: Turn back time and explore the rich cultural history of Barcelona on this unique tour.

Into nature?

Natural Science Museum and Aquarium: Educational and exciting, learn about local natural environments and their inhabitants.

On a budget? – how about free!

Palau Robert: Although lesser known by most tourists, the free exhibitions and gardens are a perfect place to explore and discover on a budget.

Palau de la Virrenia: Always free, take a cultural break while exploring the Ramblas.

Enjoy a flamenco show!



Seeing a show indoors is a sure-fire way to forget all about rainy, storming or oppressively hot weather outside. Although this particular style of music is traditionally known as Andalusian, the area boasts a number of places where you can catch a great show.

Options include but are not limited to:

· Tablao de Carmen in the Poble Espanyol
· Flamenco in the sublime art nouveau surroundings of Palau de la Música
· The Dalmases Palace
· The Palacio del Flamenco
· The intimate hall of Los Tarantos
· The hall of Los Tarantos
· The Feria de Abril in the spring

Shopping at La Maquinista

La Maquinista is the largest shopping centre in all of Catalonia, boasting over 242 shops all within a short walking distance and easy to manoeuvre without getting wet from the rain. The centre also features a large food court including a number of restaurants to wet your palate, take a break or enjoy a nice meal. If you’d like to make a day out of it, there is even a cinema where you can sit back and relax with a movie.

Treat yourself to a relaxing spa day


Relax, you deserve it. Get pampered by the best that Barcelona has to offer. From the luxurious Hotel Omm’s elegant and modern spa amenities to the Aire de Barcelona Ancient Baths with complimentary mint tea, you’ll feel relaxed and rejuvenated in no time.

Options Include:
· Relaxation pools
· Hot tubs
· Massages
· Oils
· Aromatherapy
· Skin treatments
· Facials
· And more

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day

Wake up to rainy weather? Take this opportunity to have a lazy morning breakfast or brunch in a cozy atmosphere.

WePudding is a local favourite, with impressive décor and child-friendly corner play area. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, Alsur Café is revered for its decadent and delectable pastries and cakes, and if you’re ready for a heavier meal, Barcelo Raval is known for its expansive buffet.

Warm-up with a Barcelona classic



With rain often comes cool brisk weather. And when things cool down there is often nothing that hits the spot like a Barcelona favourite; traditionally brewed hot chocolate.

Known locally as xocolata desfeta, or beaten chocolate in English, this drink more closely resembles melted chocolate than the hot cocoa you may be used to back home. For the more culturally adventurous you can even try a suís, which comes covered in delightfully fresh cream.

If you don’t mind a little running around – try bar or cafe hopping in El Born

El Born represents one of the most trendy neighbourhoods in all of Barcelona. As an added bonus, it’s also one of the oldest and most charming. Get captivated by old historical buildings, narrow streets and lively scene. The area is brimming with unique local bars where you can enjoy lively entertainment and company, or relax by exploring cafes in the area.

The Passeig del Born always makes for a good lift-off point, followed by the Carrer del Rec and Carrer de Montacada. From there you’re off to the races!

Let someone else do the driving - hop on a bus for a tour!



If your spirits aren’t too dampened by the weather, consider enjoying a relaxing sightseeing day from the comfort of a dry and cosy bus. Drop on and drop off buses are readily available for sightseeing, allowing you to get a taste of all the area has to offer without the stress of navigating strange streets on your own.

Let loose your culinary spirit
Ready to learn how to prepare your very own authentic Spanish paella dish or Spanish tapas? The area boasts a number of professional and amateur cookery schools and one-day cooking classes, as well as guided tours of the local food markets.

Explore all that Barcelona has to offer!



We hope that you found this guide helpful and that you have an amazing trip. Don’t forget to tell us all about it when you get back!

Photo Courtesy: All the photographs in this article are courtesy of wikipedia.org and have been borrowed under the creative commons license. Each photograph has been linked to its host page on wikipedia.org.

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Barcelona for architects, party-goers and sportsmen

The city of Barcelona, located in the northeastern region of Catalonia in Spain, is known for its architecture, its cultural landmarks and its sports. It is the place where the XXVth Olympics were celebrated, home of the famous Barcelona Football Club and a large port where many water sport competitions take place.

Football and the Olympics
The city of Barcelona is known for its sports. If you are a sport buff, do not miss the famous Camp Nou, the stadium that houses the Barcelona FC team. Guided tours are organized around the stadium. Check out the museum dedicated to the club and visit its shop, selling official merchandise.

The Olympic Village is located close to the sea, between the Icaria beach and the Barceloneta beach. Nowadays, this area is filled with offices and skyscrapers. The Olympic Port is located nearby and is known for its marina filled with yachts.

Architecture, culture and history
Barcelona’s architecture is famous all around the world. If you want to enjoy the city’s many architectural styles, take a walk along the Las Ramblas. The Ramblas is a set of main streets that crisscross the city from the centric Catalonia Square to the Christopher Columbus statue by the sea. The boulevards are filled with café terraces, flower stalls and street performers.

Walking around the city center you will find find narrow streets that lead to squares filled with medieval churches, markets and terrace bars. Do not miss the Gothic structures of the Gothic Quarter, a centric neighborhood where the city’s Seu cathedral and its cloister, filled with geese, are located. Stay in this area if you are looking for cheap accommodation in the center of Barcelona, for there are many youth hostels and apartments available for rent in this area. Another option is to stay in one of the chic boutique hotels near the Eixample neighborhood, an area with large houses. Here you will find two other buildings built by Gaudí, the Casa Battló house and the Casa Milá.

Explore Gaudí’s Barcelona
From the top of the Sagrada Familia, an unfinished masterpiece designed by Gaudí, and from the observation deck located in the Gaudiesque Parc Güell you will be able to observe the aligned streets and squares. Head to the Eixample district if you want to see several other buildings designed by Gaudí. The two main masterpieces by Gaudí that can be found here are Casa Batlló and Casa Milá. Casa Batlló has a narrow sandstone facade decorated with skull-shaped balconies and mosaic murals. The larger Casa Milá has the shape of a wave. Take an audio tour around this building, which is known for its curvy edges. There is a gallery dedicated to Gaudí on the top floor, and the rooftops offer views towards the Sagrada Familia, another masterpiece by the architect that has become the city’s symbol.

Tapas and nightlife
The city of Barcelona is famous for its nightlife. Do not miss the city’s centric El Born district, filled with chic bars, trendy lounges and a variety of nightclubs ideal for those who want to party until dawn. Foodies must visit the famous Boquería market, located close to the Ramblas. This market have several famous tapas bars, including El Quim, and stalls selling fresh, regional products.

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The bohemian beauty of Barcelona

The bohemian spirit of artists past plays a critical role in the cultural makeup of Barcelona. Wherever you venture in this beautiful Catalonian capital, their influence is always present. From the bars of El Born to the monuments of Picasso, Barcelona is a hub of bohemian beauty just waiting to be captured on camera.

A jaunt to the capital city of Spain’s autonomous community Catalonia is always going to provide shutter-happy travellers with an abundance of scenic shots and beautiful locations. From the many buildings of Gaudi to the stunning parks, there is a plethora of picturesque points to shoot from. To pick only three is near impossible, however, if you’re looking to capture the true bohemia of the city, the follow destinations cannot be missed.

There are also a range of cultural tours which combine the bohemian art, history and stories of 1990s Barcelona. If you’d rather be shown such attractions by an experienced guide, companies like Icono Cultural Tours can offer something suitable. If there is a range of tours and attractions you want to see, it is advisable to arrange these before you travel. If that requires transferring money online to international organizations, companies like Travelex can help you do this securely.

The cafés of Gràcia

Gràcia is made up of five neighbourhoods, all which contribute to the district’s stunning and notable squares. Head to either Plaça del Sol, or Plaça de Rius i Taulet and you’ll be able to sit with a coffee and enjoy the stunning setting enjoyed by many of Spain’s free spirits.

The most famous of all of Gràcia’s landmarks however, is Gaudí’s Parc Güell— a garden complex with architectural elements dotted throughout. It is one of the largest architectural works in southern Europe and boasts stunning mosaics, sculptures, and even a house which Gaudi called home from 1906 to 1926. Take a stroll through the footpaths or simply relax in the main terrace; the photographic opportunities are endless!

The alleys of El Raval
El Raval is a historical neighbourhood which borders La Rambla with Barri Gòtic. Situated in the Ciutat Vella district, it has now become a major tourist attraction, however, this in no way should deter you from experiencing the historic alleys and architecture it has become famous for.

While navigating the alleys, capturing thinly-railed balconies and historic doorways, it’s worth visiting several of the landmarks El Raval has. One of the most famous is the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, often simply referred to as La Boqueria – an impressive public market that offers a range of goods.

The Monastery of Sant Pau del Camp is a stunning, but rather mysterious monument ideal for capturing. There are no sources which can indicate when the monastery was actually built, although it is believed to have been constructed in the late 9^th century. Steeped in a violent history that saw the monks driven from it by several invading armies, its unconventional charm makes it an ideal subject for photographing.

Also worth visiting are the old wall and gate of the medieval city of Portal de Santa Madrona, Fernando Botero’s large feline statue, and Palau Güell.

The Quatre Gats
There are several locations throughout Barcelona which can claim a slice of Picasso fame. From the Llotja School, where he studied, to the many studios in which he worked. However, a trip to the Quatre Gats is a must. The café, which opened in 1897, was said to be the artist’s famed hangout during the early stages of his career.

Modeled on the Parisian café Le Chat Noir, the establishment is a true architectural and bohemian beauty.

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Fire Up For the Biggest Street Party in Barcelona (21-24 Sept)

Although it could be said that it’s always like summer in Spain, the season comes to a close in Barcelona with a street party that is worth waiting all year for. The La Mercé Festival runs for four days at the end of September and attracts thousands of visitors from all over Spain and beyond for days filled with fireworks, food, parades and even human pyramids!

Kicking off this year on the 21^st September and running until the 24^th, the La Mercé Festival welcomes in the slightly less scorching months of autumn and also serves to honor the Patron Saint of Barcelona, Mare de Deu de la Mercé. It has taken place every year since 1902 but every year is more spectacular than the rest, so you never quite know what you might see.



However there are always some staples of the La Mercé Festival that you can expect to see each year, starting with the Correfoc, or Fire Run. This colorful part of the festival is an enormous parade that winds around the streets of Barcelona, and locals dressed as devils run up and down the streets with bangers and handheld fireworks.

They will be accompanied by enormous dragon statues that ‘breathe fire’ onto the crowds, as showers of sparkles pour from their mouths, so be sure to wear protective clothing as they can be quite powerful! There is also a tamer children’s version of this parade too, which takes place before the main event.

Towers of Fun You can also expect to see Castellers, or Human Towers, for which thousands of people will pack the Plaça de Sant Jaume to witness Barcelona’s acrobats flip, spin and somersault their way into crazy formations.

The Gigantes are also an enormously important part of La Mercé – in fact, they’re just enormous! The Giants are paraded around Barcelona during the daytime, accompanied by live music, but beware – they’re known to chase people if and when they feel like it.

As well as these three thrilling aspects of the festival, you can also expect drinking, dancing and good food from morning until night, throughout the city of Barcelona. It’s certainly an event not to be missed, so why not check out low-cost airlines like Jet2.com cheap flights to Spain starting at just £29 one way including taxes.

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Barcelona: Spain’s rich cultural hub!

Barcelona, Catalonia’s capital is one of the most colourful and vibrating cities in Spain. Its unique location near the Mediterranean Sea and Gaudi’s impressive architecture are a magnet for people all over the world and contribute to the cosmopolitan charm of the city. The hotels in Barcelona add to this charm through its central locations, excellent service and luxury facilities.

A lot of tourists head to Barcelona to spend their beach holiday, but miss out on its famous tourist attractions and rich culture. The idea of this post is to throw some light on some of the rich culture of this Spanish city that is situated in the north-east part of the Iberian peninsula. First, there are the classic Joan Miro and Picasso Museums. Then the architecture of Barcelona’s most famous artist Gaudi who helped to develop a unique form of Art Nouveau. And, who can miss out on the long La Rambla Promenade.

Here is a list of places that one should visit to get closer to the city’s true culture.

Ciutat Vella (The Old Town)
The Ciutat Vella is the historical centre of Barcelona. In former times, Barcelona was only a small Roman village called Barcino, surrounded by a massive defensive wall. During the 14th and 15th century it grew rapidly and today the small winding streets, gothic buildings and medieval places still remember of Barcelona’s golden era. The best way to discover the Ciutat Vella in Barcelona is by foot – drift along the small streets and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Museu Picasso
The Museu Picasso is Barcelona's most visited museum. It's housed in three strikingly beautiful stone mansions on the Carrer de Montcada, which was, in medieval times, an approach to the port. The museum shows numerous works that trace the artist's early years, and is especially strong on his Blue Period with canvases like The Defenceless, ceramics and his early works from the 1890s. The haunting Portrait of Senyora Canals (1905), from his Pink Period is also on display.

El Raval
Raval is the original medieval name for the district left of Las Ramblas of Barcelona. Shabby apartment houses and dodgy bars can be found right next to modern museums and trendy shops in the small winding streets in this district of Barcelona– Raval is a traditional workers area that is constantly changing. Once known as poor and dangerous area, it is now growing in popularity for its central location and its shops. El Raval is the home of many immigrants and the multicultural atmosphere contributes to the charm of this district of Barcelona. Some streets in El Ravel make up the red-light district of Barcelona. 

Barri Gotic
The Barri Gotic contains a concentration of medieval Gothic buildings only a few blocks northeast of La Rambla, and is the nucleus of old Barcelona. It's a maze of interconnecting dark streets linking with squares, and there are plenty of cafes and bars, as well as the cheapest accommodation in town. Most of the buildings date from the 14th and 15th century, when Barcelona was at the height of its commercial prosperity and before it had been absorbed into Castile.

Las Ramblas
Las Ramblas is probably the most famous boulevard in Barcelona. The street is two kilometres long and right at the heart of the city. It divides the Ciutat Vella starting from the buzzing Plaça Catalunya right to the harbour of Barcelona. The wide pedestrian area in the middle of Las Ramblas is the ideal place to meet people, watch the busy traders or street performers. The numerous birds and flower stalls underline the colourful atmosphere of Las Ramblas.

La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia is truly awe-inspiring - even if you don't have much time, don't miss it. The life's work of Barcelona's favourite son, Antoni Gaudí, the magnificent spires of the unfinished cathedral imprint themselves boldly against the sky with swelling outlines inspired by the holy mountain Montserrat. They are encrusted with a tangle of sculptures that seem to breathe life into the stone.

Montjuic
The hill Montjüic (Jewish mountain) is one of the most significant landmarks of Barcelona. The huge park lies 213 metres above the harbour and is today one of the major tourist attractions in Barcelona. Montjüic hosted the World Exhibition in 1929 and the Olympic Games in 1992, remains of these big events in Barcelona can still be visited. The impressive view of Barcelona and the sporting and cultural devices on Montjüic are worth more than one visit.

La Pedrera
Another Gaudí masterpiece, La Pedrera was built between 1905 and 1910 as a combined apartment and office block. Formerly called the Casa Milà, it's better known now as La Pedrera (the quarry) because of its uneven grey stone facade that ripples around a street corner - it creates a wave effect that's further emphasized by elaborate wrought-iron balconies. Visitors can tour the building and go up to the roof, where giant multicoloured chimney pots jut up like medieval knights. On summer weekend nights, the roof is eerily lit and open for spectacular views of Barcelona. One floor below the roof is a modest museum dedicated to Gaudí's work.

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