A weekend in Barcelona
BEFORE YOU GO ... allow us to point out some easy ways to get more out of your city trip to Barcelona. As is so often the case, the secret lies in the preparation. When should you go? What’s the best way to get there? Where should you stay? Which items are indispensable in your luggage? This particular piece of advice may not suit the Spanish mentality, but we’re convinced that the more you plan in advance, the more relaxed your city trip will be!
When to go? Let’s start by stating the obvious: there is no bad time to go to Barcelona! Located about 1,000 kilometres south of the United Kingdom, the city is always in a bit of a summer mood. Yet, in terms of weather, the best time to head to Catalonia is in spring or autumn, when the temperatures are delightfully soft. If you prefer 30 degrees and up, summer is the perfect time to go, but beware: the city can be packed with tourists during July and August, so prepare to queue everywhere you go. Another less8
than-ideal time to visit is during the last week of February, when the Mobile World Congress hits the city. As modern-day tech-gods such as Mark Zuckerberg travel to Barcelona for the event, hotel fares, unsurprisingly, tend to skyrocket.
Arc de Triomf.
thunderstorm every few weeks – but the sun usually shows itself for a good number of hours every day. Perhaps also bring a burglar-proof backpack or a bum bag with you. In the European capital of pickpocketing, you had better keep an eye on that phone and wallet of yours.
What to pack? Forgive us the optimism, but sunscreen and sunglasses are musthaves when travelling to Barcelona, regardless of when you go. The city may have the occasional gloomy day – or, in summer, an inferno-like
What to book? To avoid queues and the waiting time, it is wise to book a couple of activities in advance. To visit the Sagrada Familia or Park Güell, you need to make an appointment. The