Barcelona event weekends: what to do between sessions

Gaudí, beaches and a food scene that runs from market counters to tasting menus, with Montserrat and the Costa Brava within easy reach.

Events we cover in Barcelona

Arriving

Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) is 15 km southwest. The Aerobús runs every few minutes to Plaça de Catalunya in 35 minutes; metro line L9 Sud and the R2 Nord train also serve the airport. Taxis cost about 35 to 40 euros.

Where to stay

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: Generator Barcelona
• Mid-range: Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Plaza
• Splurge: Hotel Arts Barcelona

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Tours

Where to eat

• La Boqueria market Stalls and counter bars off La Rambla; go early
• Bar Cañete Tapas counter in El Raval
• Cal Pep Seafood counter in El Born; queue at opening
• El Xampanyet Cava and anchovies in a tiled bar
• La Paradeta Pick seafood by weight, fried to order
• Quimet & Quimet Tiny standing bar for montaditos in Poble-sec
• Can Solé Paella in Barceloneta since 1903
• Tickets Albert Adrià's playful tapas; book far ahead

With kids

• Barcelona Aquarium at Port Vell.
• Tibidabo amusement park on the mountain.
• CosmoCaixa science museum.

Rainy-day backups

• Picasso Museum.
• MNAC on Montjuïc.
• Casa Batlló and La Pedrera interiors.

Free things to do

• Bunkers del Carmel for the best view of the city.
• Walk the beach promenade from Barceloneta to Nova Icària.
• Magic Fountain of Montjuïc shows (check the season schedule).

Getting around

• Metro and buses run on the T-casual 10-trip card. The metro runs all night on Saturdays.
• Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is 30 km north in Montmeló: R2 Nord trains plus shuttle buses on race days.
• Uber, Cabify and Free Now work in Spanish cities. Taxis are metered and reasonable.
• Renfe high-speed AVE and Ouigo/Iryo trains link Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Málaga, Valencia and Zaragoza. Book early for event weekends.