SIZZLING SUMMER in
BARCELONA Summer Edition 2012
SUMMERTIME in BARCELONA Summer is undoubtedly one of the best times to visit Barcelona. As the Spanish sun beams down on this cultural hub, visitors to the Catalan capital will find a range of activities to enjoy across the city and beyond. Grab your friends and rock out at some of the biggest festivals in Europe, enjoy a romantic adventure giving you a view of Gaudí’s city like no other, or pack up the kids and hit one of the many beaches along the Mediterranean coast! Whatever you decide, Barcelona is the perfect holiday destination for everyone this summer.
SÓNAR FESTIVAL de Música June 14 -16 Be part of the biggest electronic music festival in Europe.
NIT de Sant Joan June 23 -24 See the skies of Barcelona light up with color.
GREC FESTIVAL de Barcelona June 30 -July 31 Experience the best in stage arts from around the world.
FESTA MAJOR de Gràcia Aug 15 -21 Enjoy the biggest street party in Barcelona.
APARTMENT BARCELONA
Summer Edition 2012
Apartment Barcelona Magazine
Welcome to our magazine! Here we give you the best and most up to date info for your Barcelona vacation. From cool places to see to fun activities and day trips, and from top bars and nightlife to the tastiest food in the city, follow our tips on how to get the most out of your visit to Barcelona! Plus, each month we recommend one or more great neighborhoods for your stay. Read on in our latest issue and get ready for the trip of a lifetime...
Unmissable Events this Summer in Barcelona SÓNAR FESTIVAL de Música
E
WHEN WHERE June 14-16
lectronic music fans coming to Barcelona this summer will not be disappointed as Sónar Festival 2012 is set to take over the city from June 14 –16. Barcelona’s 19th International Festival of Advanced Music and New Media Art, to give it its full name, offers visitors a three day non-stop festival, packed with some of the biggest names in the business. Deadmau5, Die Antwoord and Fatboy Slim, are just a few of the artists looking to tingle your musical taste buds this year at a variety of locations across the city, including the Barcelona Museum of Modern Art (MACBA) and the Fira Gran Via Exhibition Center. For more information on tickets, the full lineup of performers and how to get to the different venues, visit the Sónar Festival Official Website.
NIT de Sant Joan
O
WHEN June 23-24
MACBA,CCCB and Fira Gran Via (M2)
WHAT
One of the biggest electronic music and audiovisual art festivals in Europe
Sónar 2012 Barcelona: Check out the top bands at this fantastic festival
WHERE All throughout Barcelona in bars, nightclubs and city streets
WHAT A celebration in honor of Sant Joan as well as the summer solstice
n the night of June 23rd and into the early hours of June 24th, the skies of Barcelona come alive with fireworks in honor of Sant Joan and the summer solstice, marking the day with the most sunlight. The Nit de Sant Joan (Night of Saint John) is an important event in the Catalan calendar and traditionally begins with the lighting of the flame of Canigò, a holy peak in the Pyrenees Mountains. Down in Barcelona, bonfires, fire pits, and candles are lit and many people take part in fire-jumping, the burning of old possessions, and writing notes with their wishes for the year and placing them into the flames. The nightlife in Barcelona is especially wild during this special event, with bars and clubs across the city hosting parties and Sant Joan-related celebrations, so if you are visiting the city with friends this summer, don’t miss out!
GREC Festival de Barcelona
T
WHEN June 30July 31
WHERE Teatre Grec on the foothills of Montjuïc, and various outdoor locations
WHAT The largest annual dance,
theater and circus festival in Barcelona
he Barcelona GREC festival makes for a perfect family day out this summer. With amazing acts in the fields of dance, theater, music and the circus, this annual affair features both local and international performers demonstrating the best and most interesting works in stage arts. The main events of the festival will take place at the Teatre Grec on the foothills of Montjuïc in Barcelona, and with performances running throughout the entire month of July, you will be sure to catch at least one of these exciting acts on your vacation in the Catalan capital. Tickets for the GREC Festival de Barcelona are now on sale, so for details of pricing and a full list of individual events, check out the website http://grec.bcn.cat/en.
Festa Major de Gràcia
T
WHEN August 15-21
WHERE The district of
Gràcia, Barcelona
WHAT One of the most famous
street parties in Catalonia
his vibrant street party is the biggest of Barcelona’s neighborhood festivals, and on average, over one million people come to see the various events that take place in the picturesque town of Gràcia. Located just outside the city center, this usually quiet ‘barrio’ is transformed into a bustling hive of live music, parades and Catalan celebrations. Throughout this week-long fiesta you will see the ‘castellers’ (human towers), ‘sardanes’ (folk dancing) and, perhaps most excitingly, the ‘correfoc’ (fire-run), as well as many other traditional festivities. What’s more, around 19 streets and plazas are set to take part in the annual competition of “best decorated street” where neighbors cover their avenues in bright and colorful homemade decorations based on a different theme each year – definitely worth a visit this summer!
Summer Edition 2012
Something for Everyone So you’re thinking of coming to Barcelona this summer? Fantastic! Take a look at what’s in store for you this sunny season…
SERENE SITGES a Place to Relax
S There’s plenty to do and see in the beach town of Sitges
ituated less than an hour from bustling Barcelona, you will find the quaint town of Sitges. Only around 30 minutes from Barcelona by Renfe train, Sitges offers a quiet escape from the Catalan capital, and makes for a relaxing day out, one where you can soak up the sun on any of its 17 sandy beaches. With picturesque streets and historical sites such as the Church of San Bartolomé and Santa Tecla, a day trip to Sitges is ideal for those looking to experience Catalonia to the fullest this summer!
SUMMER DINING Spanish Flavors
I
t goes without saying that you cannot visit Barcelona without enjoying one of Spain’s most popular dishes: paella! Ideal for sharing with friends, this gastronomic delight originally comes from Valencia, but you will find many restaurants in Barcelona serving it up with a Catalan twist, adding monkfish to the recipe and making it extra special for visitors to the city. Enjoy this exquisite mix of rice with seafood, meat or vegetables at the beach with a pitcher of sangria! We recommend you grab a lunch table on the terrace of Sal Café, situated right on the Barceloneta Beach (Metro L4), and try their delicious ‘Arroz Negro’ (black rice paella) while looking out over the sunny shore. ¡Buen provecho! Enjoy your paella and sangria at one of Barcelona’s many beaches
Summer Edition 2012
AMAZING Hot Air Balloon Rides
L
ooking for something to make summer 2012 a little different? Why not try your very own hot air ballooning adventure on your trip to Catalonia this season. Whether it’s a romantic setting for two, or a fun family activity you’re after, viewing the famous monuments of Barcelona from the skies is certainly an unforgettable experience! You can be fully involved in all aspects of the journey, from the setting and inflation of the balloon, to launching it. Once in the air you will see the peaks of Montserrat Mountain, the Montseny Natural Park and much, much more. For more info, take a peek at www.ballooning.es/uk. Don’t forget the camera!
Try something different in Barcelona with a hot air balloon ride
JET SKI TOURS Make Some Waves
F
See Barcelona from a unique point of view with a jet ski tour
or a view of Barcelona like no other, take a jet ski tour of the city this summer! Perfect for cooling off after a morning at the beach, you don’t have to be a speed demon or an adrenaline addict to enjoy one of these incredible outings. After a full safety briefing, you can choose to rent a jet ski and create your own route of the Catalonian coastline, or gather your group for a guided tour, all the way up to the beaches of Costa Brava. You can even have a go at some water sports like wakeboarding on your trip! For more info, check out the Barcelona Jet Ski website and start planning your aquatic adventure!
BEACH LOUNGING “Chiringuitos”
N
o trip to Barcelona would be complete without spending some time at one of the top ‘chiringuito’ bars in the city! You will find these dainty yet popular venues lining the coast, from the Barceloneta Beach to the Platja de la Mar Bella. Some offer snacks and cool drinks for those feeling the heat in Barcelona, while others go all-out with extensive menus and cocktails. We recommend Xiringuito de Escribà at the Bogatell Beach (Metro L4) for some fantastically fresh seafood dishes and a great selection of wine, perfect for a dinner by the moonlit Mediterranean. Also, at night, many chiringuitos feature live DJs, so if you missed your chance for a Spanish beach experience during the daytime, be sure to head over to the sands for a fiesta-filled evening!
Relax by the Mediterranean Sea at one of Barcelona’s ‘chiringuito’ beach bars
Summer Edition 2012
Sun, sea and sand: Barcelona makes for the perfect destination this summer
APARTMENTS for your summer vacation
W
hether you plan to spend your time lazing on the beautiful beaches of Barcelona, taking a day trip to Sitges, or partying hard at the Sónar Music Festival, an essential element to your vacation is selecting the right accommodation in Barcelona. Why not choose an apartment in one of the many beach neighborhoods in Barcelona, such as Port Olímpic, Diagonal Mar or Barceloneta? With incredible Mediterranean Sea views, and all of the city’s attractions just a short walk or metro ride away, you can plunge into the splendor of summer in Barcelona, while relaxing in any one of these modern beach apartments.
Enjoy your stay in one of the many Barcelona apartments with sea views
Apartment Barcelona is an online tourist apartment agency with more than 500 Barcelona apartments to rent for both short and long-term stays. From luxury apartments in Barcelona to studios, and from Ramblas apartments to beach apartments in Barcelona, we have a great choice of accommodation in a wide variety of locations across the city.
Visit us at www.apartmentbarcelona.com Share with us Barcelona beach apartments are ideal for a summer vacation
APARTMENT BARCELONA