BARCELONA EXPERIENCES
A live soundtrack complements any summer night. This year’s edition of Summer Nights at La Pedrera presents a series of soirees with the best of Barcelona’s young jazz talent. The evening includes a free visit to the Espai Gaudí and a tour of the house, followed by a glass of cava on the roof terrace while the music plays.
If your guests’ interests lie further into the cosmos, you can impress them with a trip to the Fabra Observatory. In addition to gazing at stars and constellations from a vantage point with less light pollution, you can have dinner beneath them. These celestial evenings, Sopars amb estrelles, start at 8.30pm, with a delicious, but pricey, meal on the observatory’s terrace. There are different menu options to choose from, priced between €71 and €125.50 for adults, and €35.50 and €42 for children. You are then invited inside the observatory for the chance to look through its telescope, one of the oldest and largest still in use in Europe.
Música als Parcs features 50 free concerts by promising young musicians, performed in green spaces around Barcelona. The series started 15 years ago with the aim of offering quality music for all and of building on the potential of the city’s parks as recreational and community spaces. Pack a picnic and relax as you listen to either jazz, blues, classical or choral music depending on the programme.
Cactus garden
If your visitors are the adventurous type, let them loose on Montjuïc to discover its many hidden corners, such as the Jardins Mossèn Costa i Llobera. This curious botanical garden on the edge of the hill specialises in cacti. With fantastic views of the port and more than six hectares of towering cacti from around the world, it’s a great place for a more unusual walk on a lazy summer’s day.
Jardins de la Torre de les Aigües
If the real thing is too crowded, take your guests to the Eixample’s very own urban beach. Open throughout the summer, the Jardins de la Torre de les Aigües was, in 1987, the first interior patio in the neighbourhood to be converted into a public space. Walk through a short tunnel and you enter an area purpose-designed for hot summer days. If your visitors have kids in tow, they will thank you for this slice of local life. There’s a sandy area to lay your towel and even make a little sand castle, and surrounding the original water tower from 1897 are two shallow pools where you can take a cooling dip.
DAY TRIPS
Tarragona
About an hour away by train, you’ll find this historic port city on the Costa Daurada. While there are some great beaches nearby, the Roman ruins of Tarraco are what make present-day Tarragona so fascinating. You can walk along the old Roman walls—notice the change in building material halfway up and figure out what it represents—and visit the well-preserved amphitheatre, Roman circus and Necropolis. If you’ve travelled by car, drive the three kilometres inland to the Pont del Diable, where part of the Roman aqueduct that supplied water to the ancient city still stands.
Sitges
Sitges is a great place to take city-weary guests in need of a change of scenery. From August 18th to the 26th, the town hosts its festa major. Celebrations begin with El Pregó (the official opening speech) and incorporate all the usual characters: dragons, devils, folk dancers, gegants and capgrossos. To fill up the hours between festivities, check out one of Sitges’ museums. Museu Maricel has an unbeatable waterfront location and houses the art collection of Dr. Perez-Rosales, with works from different periods and styles. Fundació Stämpfli exhibits more than 70 works from contemporary artists from 21 countries, and Museu Cau Ferrat was painter and writer Santiago Rusiñol’s home studio from 1861 to 1931. The town also has ties to the brand Bacardi. Learn about the history of the spirits brand and its founder, Facundo Bacardi, who was born in Sitges and emigrated to Santiago de Cuba in 1830, at Casa Bacardí.
Girona
North of Barcelona, Girona was built on the banks of the river Onyar. The imposing Catedral de Girona will catch your eye upon arrival, but as you follow the narrow cobblestone streets you’ll discover the real charm of the ancient city. Girona also had some spectacular cameos in season six of the HBO hit drama Game of Thrones. Sit on Carrer del Bisbe Josep Cartañà where a blind Arya Stark begged in episode one, or walk the stairs of the cathedral where Jaime Lannister had a showdown with the High Sparrow in episode six.
Tossa de Mar
For a taste of summer on the Costa Brava, Tossa de Mar is the perfect day trip. The pretty town is overlooked by a stone castle, which was built on the highest point of Mount Guardí and functions today as a lighthouse. To get better views of the rugged coastline, take the Camí de Ronda footpath from the centre to Cala Pola. The hour-long walk is not flat and you have to skirt the cliff at some points, making it better suited for hikers and good walkers. It’s also possible to walk short stretches of the route, which still provide spectacular panoramic views of the Mediterranean.
An hour-and-a-half drive down the coast from Barcelona, PortAventura World expanded this year to include Ferrari Land, a dream day out for Formula 1 fans in search of a speedy thrill. Back at the original PortAventura park, wander around the areas of the Caribbean, Polynesia, Mexico, China and the Far West, each offering themed shows, food and rides. Add in the Caribe Aquatic Park to make a weekend of it. Package deals that include on-site hotel and access to the different parks are available on the website.
DINING OUT
Photo courtesy of Milk
For brunch: Milk is a favourite among foreign residents because of its substantial English breakfast and tasty American pancakes. It’s one of the cosiest brunch places in the city, but it doesn’t take reservations, so if you go at the weekend be prepared to wait for a table. Gignàs 21.
For vegetarians: La Cerería has a bohemian vibe and simple yet delicious vegetarian fare. Try to go on a night when there’s live music to make it an even more memorable experience for your visitors. Baixada de Sant Miquel 3.
For tapas: Cal Pep offers more than 70 freshly prepared, seasonal tapas. There’s no menu here, which may be slightly off-putting for your friends and family, but trust your waiter and you won’t be disappointed. Most of the seating is in the bar area—don’t be surprised if you have to stand behind diners waiting for a seat to become available. Plaça de les Olles 8.
For paella: Xiringuito Escribà sits right on Platja del Bogatell. Started by Joan Escribà, whose brother runs the famous Pastisseria Escribà on Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, this restaurant serves some of the best paella in the city. There are 10 rice dishes to choose from (including vegetarian options), with the fish paella priced at €21.50 per person and the Valencia-style paella priced at €19.50 per person. Reservations are essential. Avda. del Litoral 62.
For fine dining: Roca Moo is one of several Michelin-starred restaurants from celebrated chefs the Roca Brothers. Within the stylish space of Hotel Omm and under the direction of chef Juan Pretel, Roca Moo offers scrumptious Catalan food with a haute cuisine twist. Rosselló 265.
Led by a team of chefs who trained at world-renowned elBulli, Disfrutar received its first Michelin star in 2015. Enjoy the avant-garde tasting menu inspired by the Mediterranean. Villaroel 163.