5 Best Hotels in Sagrada Familia

You can find bargains and good accommodations in the Sagrada Familia area of Barcelona. This residential district can save you money over staying in the city’s center, as many of the hotels actually are converted from apartments, with more room and features than typical hotel settings. Here are five hotels that get high marks in the area as ranked by online reviewers.

Sagrada Familia Hotel

This site is just a few flocks from Sagrada Familia and offers easy access to public transportation options. There also are plenty of good, inexpensive restaurants close to the hotel. Reviewers note the cleanliness of the rooms and helpfulness of the staff, particularly for making reservations to other places. (More from hotelsagradafamilia.com).

Hotel Hispanos 7 Suiza Apartament

One block from the Sagrada Familia, these apartments are actually set up as a hotel for tourists. Large rooms with multiple bedrooms can accommodate larger traveling parties and the location is convenient for metro and bus services to the city center. If you want to feel like you are actually living in the area, this is the place to stay.

Eric Vokel Bcn Suites

This site is a five- to 10-minute walk from the Sagrada Familia and two metro stations. Online reviewers appreciate its proximity to supermarkets and bakeries. The rooms in some suites might be a bit smaller than what you could find at other hotels, but the location cannot be beat in terms of safety and quiet. (Find them on www.ericvokel.com).

Ayre Hotel Rosellon

This four-star site is just one minute from Sagrada Familia and also is close to the metro. The site has 105 rooms, four of which are modified for people with disabilities, according to the hotel’s website. Ask for a room on a higher floor so that you can have a better view.

Hotel Sant Antoni

Ask for a room on the highest floor, which has the fewest rooms. You not only will have a spectacular view, but also a surprising amount of quiet for a hotel. You also will have a terrace with large windows from this floor. The site is a five-minute walk to Sagrada Familia. For a longer walk, head to Plaza Catalunya and La Rambla.

Las Ramblas in Barcelona

Las Ramblas is without question the busiest and most vibrant part of Barcelona and is the focal point for tourist. Expect to see everything from outdoor cafes, dozens of street entertainers, a long street lines with shops and the smell of the sea air as you reach the bottom of Las Ramblas - which takes you to the marina.



Video above of Las Ramblas in Barcelona on a busy Spring day. It is not always this crowded but it is a lovely area and one part of Barcelona you should visit if you can.

Visiting Park Guell

In a city where there are a number of fantastic parks to visit, the fact that Park Guell is my favourite gives an indication of just how much it has to offer visitors.

Park Guell was the brain child of the famous Barcelona architect Antoni Gaudi, the main who created many of the city’s most famous buildings including the cathedral and Sagrada Familia. The site was originally due to be a housing development for the rich, but as there was very little interest in it the development was scrapped. The show home became home to Gaudi himself and is a now a museum to him containing many of his original works. Depending on what time of year you visit there may be a small queue to enter the house and there is always a small fee to pay.

Park Guell is a vast green space which expands up onto different levels. From certain parts of the park there are absolutely fantastic views of the city skyline and coast, and this is one of the main reasons that people come here. Other features of the park include small scale examples of Gaudi’s architectural genius, whilst the striking entrance to the park is like something from a fairytale.

Accessing Park Guell is one of the few negative aspects of the visit due to the fact that the nearest metro station is about 15 minutes away and one must scale a large hill in order to reach it, but this does not stop millions of people visiting each year.

La Rambla at Night

La Rambla is the most famous street in Barcelona and it is like a magnet for people in the area. This applies not only to tourists who visit the area but also to anyone who has something to offer in terms of entertainment, and the good news is that the street is not only busy during the day, it is also an exciting place to visit all through the night.

All along Las Ramblas there are stalls selling various different forms of memorabilia and snack foods, and many of these stalls remain open until the early hours of the morning to cater for the people who visit the area to experience the night time atmosphere in the area as well as those who are wondering around having been to the many bars and restaurants which line the famous street as well as many of the roads branching off from it.

Whilst many of the restaurants along La Rambla close around midnight or earlier, there are certain establishments which are open for a few hours longer, whilst the bars in the area are only just kicking off at this time.

Many people do not consider their visit to Barcelona complete until they have acquired pictures of some of the famous statues and monuments of La Rambla, and acquiring these pictures at night when some are lit up gives them even more charm and provides a great souvenir to take home to remind you of the magical atmosphere on the city’s favourite street.

Visiting the Sagrada Familia

In advance of visiting Barcelona and the Sagrada Familia one reads a great deal about how the yet-to-be-completed and controversial building will evoke a strange reaction within you, but nothing can truly prepare you for the first time you summit from the nearby metro and look up for the first time. This Barcelona building is so different from anything you have ever seen before that it takes a few seconds for the brain to comprehend what it is seeing.

Looking up at the Sagrada Familia for the first time one is greeted with a distinct and unique style of architecture for which the designer and creator, Antoni Gaudi, is renowned. It is difficult to describe this style using words, other than to say it appears that the bricks are melting, creating an almost icicle like image. The structure is absolutely monumental and, for those who are willing to brave the often long queues, fabulous views can be gained of the city by climbing the stairways within. For those who wish to experience the Sagrada Familia in all its glory it is absolutely essential to gain access to the interior and marvel at its superb and intricate design. Be prepared, however, to not have an overly private experience as this building is one of the leading attractions in the city and hoards of people visit here each day.

If visiting barcelona on a budget, walking around the exterior of the Sagrada Familia is a great experience in its own right, and if you take the time to explore the area you can discover some superb vantage points from which to acquire some fantastic photos.

Interesting Facts about Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist resorts in Europe, and indeed the world, and below are some interesting things that you may not know about this historic and highly cultural city.

Many of Barcelona’s beaches are man made - Until recently Barcelona did not have a beach, indeed it was only as recently as 1992 that the beach was created as part of the preparations for the Olympic Games which were held in the city that year.

Wild boars can sometimes be spotted in the region - Boars are not something that you would generally expect to find in a major city, but it is reported that wild boars have been spotted in the Gracia district of Barcelona. This is not to say that you should expect to see hoards of them.

George Orwell wrote a book in Barcelona - One of the most celebrated authors of all times once wrote a book about the Catalan region whilst living in Barcelona. The book is called Homage to Barcelona, and I would recommend reading it before you visit the area to get you in the mood.

Cava originates in Barcelona - Drinking Cava has become part of celebratory routine all around the world, but did you know that it originated in Barcelona. When you visit you should take the opportunity to taste some genuine Cava.

Barcelona FC has roots in England - The famous colours of Barcelona FC were actually chosen by one of the founders of the club who was English and wanted to pay tribute to his old school.
A quick note just to mention that our friends at Barcelona Adventure have now just added Burlesque classes in Barcelona and these are great for individuals or hen groups, in the city. Heading to Barcelona for a stag weekend or as part of a hen group?

Great Department Stores in Barcelona

Barcelona has a thriving shopping scene in keeping with its reputation as one of the most fashionable cities in Europe. There are various different options for how and where to shop, but you should definitely take some time out to visit some of the fantastic department stores around the city. Below are some of my favourite department stores in Barcelona:

El Corte Inglés - This is the largest and possibly the most popular department store in Barcelona. It is part of a large national chain which is the biggest of its type in Europe and amongst the largest in the world. The Barcelona branch occupies a significant space on the Placa Catalunya and sells a vast amount of clothing to suit a variety of tastes, as well as home ware and food amongst other things.

Farrutx - At this modern and trendy department store you can find a whole range of fashion accessories including shoes, bags and leather. You will struggle to find a larger collection of all of these things together anywhere in the city.

FNAC - This is a fantastic electronic retail store where the consumer can find a seamlessly endless range of the latest offerings from the world’s largest names in the field. Whether you are looking for a new music system, a satellite navigation system one of the latest DVDs, you will find it all here.

3 Ways to Get to Barcelona from London

Each year thousands of people travel from London to Barcelona, both for business and leisure. There are number of travel options open to those who wish to make this journey, including the following:

By Air: A number of the airports around London offer flights to Barcelona from a range of different airlines. You can choose to travel either on luxury airlines or to make the relatively short journey on a budget, less glamorous airline. Flying by air is certainly the quickest way to travel to Barcelona as the flight takes around two hours. Don’t forget to take into account check in times and baggage reclaim when you calculate your overall journey time.

By Road: Driving to Barcelona is an attractive option for those who have time to spare as it will allow you to enjoy the countryside and sights throughout the length of France. You can stop in Paris on the way or simply head straight through. The journey time is approx 14 hours.

By Sea: Ferries depart from a number of different ports within around an hours drive from London. This is certainly not the option for anybody who is in a rush to get to Barcelona as it involves a reasonably long journey along the length of France, Spain and Portugal before sailing around to Barcelona. Sailing to Barcelona is more common as part of a cruise.

Try Some Different Parks in Barcelona

When one thinks of parks in Barcelona, immediately one’s mind turns to the famous Park Guell as it is the most famous park in Barcelona. There are, however, many other parks around the city which are offer a less high profile alternative for the tourist seeking a spot of refuge from the built up city. Below are some of the parks which you should try:

Park de la Ciudadella - This park is hugely historic and offers many attractions to entice and entertain the tourist. There are museums, mainly concerned with art and culture, a large lake which is pleasing to the eye and perfect for a boat ride and also a range of glorious architecture. As the park was initially built for royalty there are endless gardens and attention to detail.

Park Laberint - This park takes its name from the significantly sized maze which forms the centrepiece. The maze will keep you entertained for hours whilst the view over the city is breathtaking. Much of the greenery within the garden is sculptured by man and provides an inspiring and soul cleansing experience. The quaint canal adds a touch of romance and is perfect a for lunch time picnic.

Jardins del Palau Reial de Pedralbes - The building in the middle of this splendid garden used to be the Barcelona residence of the Spanish Royal family, which explains its sophistication and the spotless condition in which it is kept. Within the grounds are many museums and buildings which are used for political purposes.

5 Family Attractions in Barcelona

Whether you stay in Barcelona itself or visit on a day trip from one of the many resorts close by, there are plenty of attractions in Barcelona which are ideal for a family visit. Below are just some of the family attractions in Barcelona:

Tibidabo amusement park - With all of the hallmark rides such as the rollercoaster and water flumes, this is a high quality amusement park and a great choice for a family day out.

Beach - One of the main benefits of being located on the coast is that the city of Barcelona has 4 beaches all in easy reach of the city centre. The beaches are all pleasant in appearance and well managed. A promise of these beaches serves as perfect ammunition to persuade your kids to walk around the city.

Barcelona Aquarium - The Barcelona Aquarium, or L’Aquarium Barcelona as it is known locally, is home to some of the most fascinating species of sea life in the world. If you are with your kids you have the perfect excuse to go along. Its ok, we won’t tell anyone that you want to go along anyway!!!

Zoo - A safe choice to keep the family entertained, the zoo in the Barcelona has lots to offer in terms of presentations, shows and activities. One of the best features of the zoo is its location; it is easily within walking distance of the city centre.

Parc de La Ciutadella - This famous park is located right in the centre of Barcelona. It is a great place to chill out after a busy day around the city, but also has a range of activities such as boat rides to enjoy.

3 Gaudi attractions in Barcelona you must visit

Barcelona is a testament to the work and art of famed architect Gaudi. He is not only one of Spain's most famous architects, but one of Europe's most famous. The city of Barcelona is famed for his designs and if you visit the city, here are 3 of the best sights to see.

1. La Sagrada Familia - This famous temple is Barcelona's most famous attraction, not only because it is arguably Gaudi's best creation, but because it has taken so long to build. La Sagrada Familia first began construction in 1882, but due to delays, finances and resources the building still will not be finished for at least another 90 years. While its distinctive design makes it easy to spot in Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia split opinion when it was first announced. Today, it is incredibly popular with the tourists and has to be seen to be truly believed.

2. La Pedrera - Formerly known as Casa Mila, La Pedrera is a stunningly design block of flats that is famed throughout Spain for its 'wavy' design, coloured materials and the 'Virgin' statue atop it. The flats were originally built for the Mila family, but the building was partially destroyed by the Spanish government. If you are visiting the city during the summer, then you will be able to go on to the building's roof and enjoy a glass of wine while looking out over the city. This La Pedrera de Nit' is highly recommended and one of the attractions for Barcelona art and culture. 3. Park Guell - One of Barcelona's main parks, the Park Guell is filled with Gaudi's creations, chief among them is a massive coloured lizard. Due to its bizarre nature and location, it is incredibly popular with tourists, as is the park itself as it was Gaudi's home for the last two decades of his life.

Where to buy the best Xmas presents in Barcelona

With the festive season rapidly approaching, many people are getting their Christmas shopping and holidays sorted. If you happen to live or are going to Barcelona in the near future, and think it is the perfect opportunity to get your Christmas shopping done, then you could not have found a more perfect place than one of Europe's premier shopping cities.

Barcelona is famed for its markets and while dozens of them are held in the city each week, one of the best to visit for Christmas presents is the Mercadillo de la Plaça de Sant Josep. Packed with art, sculptures and other pieces of local culture, it is the ideal place to find something different to buy your loved ones. Other popular markets include Mercat Del Encants (which is known as the city's largest flea market) and the Sant Antoni Market (a massive food market with everything you could need).

Barcelona is also famed for its winding streets full of little stores and boutiques, so you don't need to go to the city's main shopping malls to find a bargain. A popular area to get designer brands is the famous Paseig de Gracia, which has many boutiques specialising in leather products. There are also several decent stores down Valencia Street.

If you are after fashion products from Armani and Gucci, then you will have to pay a high price, but many smaller stores specialise in similar products, even if they don't have the brand name on. If you want to do your shopping in a mall, then the large El Corte Ingls stores is extremely popular.

Sailing Trips and Lessons in Barcelona

The best way to experience Barcelona with its splendid beaches and scenic beauty is to take a sailing course or two. Barcelona is home to a wide range of sailing instruction facilities, which not only give tourists an opportunity to learn sailing on the picturesque seas of Barcelona, but also to experience the city in a unique manner.

A few months ago, I signed up for a short sailing course and took the classes while on vacation in Barcelona; if you are interested, you can do the same. I soon realised that taking a sailing course was a great way to meet local people, understand the coastal life and culture and experience the city. I cannot claim to be a sailing expert even after the sailing course I just took, but I can definitely claim to have had a great time. Besides, I have learned the rudiments of sailing on the seas of Barcelona. A few more courses and I will be confident enough to go out on my own.

You can sign up for sailing lessons in Barcelona either as an individual or as part of a group of six or eight tourists. You will learn not only about sailing, but also about the coastal geography of Barcelona, how to handle the boat in tough situations and about the weather. Besides this, you will strengthen your relationship with the others in your group. At the end of it, you will find that it was all worth the time and money invested.

If you are lucky as I was, you might also get a free entry ticket to Barcelona’s Maritime Museum, where you can learn more about boats and the history of seafaring than you ever thought you would. Even if your sailing instructors do not give you this bonus, visiting the Maritime Museum after your sailing lessons is worth it because you will find a large number of ancient boats displayed there. More events in Barcelona.

5 Reasons You Should Holiday in Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona in Spain is an excellent vacation destination for tourists because of its rich history, places of attraction, museums, churches and sunny beaches. Here are five top reasons tourists flock to Barcelona in large numbers.

1. To Enjoy the Great Weather and Beaches -The sun shines in Barcelona for most of the year, and the best time to visit Barcelona is during the months of May, June, July, August and September. Moreover, Barcelona has miles of attractive coastline and plenty of sunny beaches, the most famous of which are Barceloneta Beach, Icaria Beach, Mar Bella Beach and the Sitges Beach.

2. To See the Sagrada Familia by Antonio Gaudi – The Sagrada Familia, designed by Antonio Gaudi, is still under construction. Tourists can visit the place where Gaudi has been laid to rest and view the museum, which relates the tale of this master architect and the history of Sagrada Familia. Although exhausting to climb, the towers of the church present a splendid view of the entire city.

3. Visit the Barcelona FC Museum - Barcelona FC Museum, which attracts over 1,000,000 tourists per year, is a place that football fans simply should not skip; even people who do not like football can have a great time touring this monument. Tourists can purchase a ticket to the museum and view the stadium or they can buy a ticket, which permits them not only to view the museum, but also the changing rooms, press conference zones, VIP lounges and other interesting spots. The museum has on display trophies, statues and pictures of great football stars.Learn about buying FC Barcelona football tickets.

4. Make trip to the Barcelona Zoo - Barcelona Zoo, located in Parc de la Ciutadella, is a great attraction for animal lovers. Tourists can first visit the Ciutadella Park and then go to the zoo, which shelters a wide range of animals. Besides the animals, the Barcelona Zoo presents a restaurant, a shop, ponies, picnic area, electric cars and a mini-train. In other words, the zoo can keep the entire family happy and amused for hours.

5. Watch the Magic Fountain - Constructed in 1929 for the Universal Exhibition on Montjuic, the fountain springs to life during summer events and draws huge crowds of excited tourists. The shows which last for 15 minutes each are a delightful blend of lights, music and water. During the shows, the Palau National is also brilliantly lit. The Magic Fountain springs to life every half an hour, and the best time to view it, is in the evenings.

Barcelona’s Shopping Hubs

Barcelona is often described as ‘un gran botiga’ (one big shop!) and that’s not far off the mark. The standard of shopping here, from big name luxury boutiques to small artisan shops is astounding. Add to that two great sale seasons (July-August and January-March) when the discounts can often start at 50% and you see why visitors often return with their credit cards slightly worse for wear. To help you on your way, here are some of the city’s best shopping hubs.

Portal de l’ Angel

This wide pedestrian strip right in the city centre is equivalent to a (very long) British high street. Here you will find all the now-global Spanish brands (Zara,, Mango etc), a frightening number of shoe shops, as well as leatherwear and sporting goods stores. If there is anything you can’t find head to the giant El Corte Ingles department store at the northern end.

El Born

A bit like Covent Garden (or at least how it used to be) the tiny streets of the El Born district hold a cornucopia of fashion and design junkie fixes. You’ll see loads of designer-run boutiques, some fabulous homeware stores, quirky shoes and bags and a couple of big names such as the Swiss furniture company Vitra.

Passeig de Grácia

With its architecture by Gaudí and florid pavement tiles, the Passeig de Grácia is Barcelona’s most elegant avenue. Fitting then that is hosts the city’s biggest name boutiques: Gucci, Chanel, Vuitton, Loewe et al are all here. But at its southern end you’ll find more everyday brands such as H&M and Zara.

Raval

Shopping in the Raval is an eclectic mix of century-old mom and pop stores, cutting edge art and design (particularly around the MACBA museum) and gourmet shops near the Boqueria market. For something really different, head to the Calle Riera Baixa, Barcelona’s retro clothing hub. On Saturdays retailers wheel racks into the street, selling stock at bargain prices.

Cooling off in Barcelona’s Pools

As summer temperatures rise, every one is looking for a place to cool off. Barcelona’s municipal pools offer an alternative to the beach, where you can swim like an Olympic champion or splash around in the shallows of a converted quarry.

Piscinas Bernat Picornell, Avinguda de l'Estadi 30-38 - This is where the swimming events for the 1992 Olympic Games took place. A sleek 50-metre outdoor pool awaits you high up on the verdant hill of Montjuïc, where the air is generally a few degrees cooler than the steamy city below. There is also a smaller indoor pool that is taken over by the local nudist club on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons!

Piscinas Municipal Montjuïc, Avinguda Miramar, 31 - Located almost opposite the Piscinas Bernat Picornell, this was another Olympic-venue pool. It was used for the diving events and affords sweeping views of the city below. These days its mainly frequented by children and families and has a bar area where adults can chill.

Club Natació de la Barceloneta, Plaça del Mar s/n - Located right on the shore at Barceloneta, this pool has a beach vibe and Mediterranean vistas! There are three pools: a 25-metre outdoor pool and children’s pool (both surrounded by a terrace dotted with sunbeds) and an indoor pool with large glass windows overlooking the sea.

Parc de la Creueta del Coll, Pg. Mare de Déu del Coll, 77 - This is probably the most unusual pool you will ever come to. It is located inside the Parc de la Creueta del Coll, a public park that occupies a former quarry. In between two cliff-like walls hangs a massive claw-like sculpture by the prolific Basque artist Eduardo Chillida. But the biggest attraction is a large a splash pool which is hugely popular with local children in the summer months.

Getting your Chocolate Hit in Barcelona

Chocolate and Barcelona may not seem like an obvious pairing, but chocolate addicts will be pleased to know that there is s long history of chocolate-making in Catalunya, and local chocolate makers are some of the most respected in Europe.

When people think Spanish chocolate they generally think chocolate con churros: a cup of think dark drinking chocolate accompanied by thin, tube-like donuts. Although popular in Madrid, they are hard to find in Barcelona (especially outside the winter months) except at the emblematic Café de la Opera (Las Ramblas 74), a fin de siècle café that generally has them all year round. Instead you could opt for a suizo—a wicked cup of steaming chocolate or a Cacaolat, a light hot chocolate that comes in a bottle. Both are sold at the charming Granja Viader (C/ d'En Xuclá 4).

Barcelona’s vibrant design scene has made a happy marriage with chocolate making. For the funkiest packaging try Xocoa (shops all over the city) and for the most exquisite elaboration, head to Bubó in the hip Born neighbourhood (C / Caputxes 10).

Further afield in the upscale residential neighbourhood of Sarriá, world-renowned pastry and chocolate maker Oriol Balaguer has a minimalist chocolate boutique (Plaça Sant Gregori Taumaturg 2) where products are displayed with the reverence of fine jewellery (with prices almost to match). More down to earth is the Museu de Xocolata (Plaça Pons I Clerch, S/N, also in El Born) where you can find out all about the history of chocolate in Spain, and enjoy a treat in the museum’s café after the visit

Eating Tapas in Barcelona

Most people come to Spain with the idea that paella and tapas is available everywhere. This is only partly true; many purists would argue that the only place to eat paella is Valencia - where the dish was invented – and without doubt the great tapas capitals are in the south.

That said, there are bars in Barcelona that serve great tapas, albeit spread out over the city as opposed the ‘tapas streets’ that are a feature of many other Spanish cities. Here are a few of my favourites:

• Cervecería Catalana, Mallorca, 236 - This hectically busy, buzzing place tempts you in with a bar laden mountains of deep fried seafood, grilled gambas (prawns) and classic tapas concoctions such as Russian salad and patatas bravas.


• Taller de Tapas, Placa Sant Josep Oriol, 9 - For some of the best Barcelona food including tapas for the novice, this is one the best bets. You can order from a menu (as opposed to pointing and shouting) and if still in doubt the multilingual staff with guide you through it. Although it may look slightly touristy the tapas served here is actually of very high quality.


• Euskal Etxea, Placeta Montcada, 1-3 - Pintxos, or the Basque-style of tapas are on offer here. Pintxos are bite-sized snacks generally served on a small round on bread, held together with a toothpick. Help yourself but don’t throw the toothpicks away- the bar staff uses them to tally up your bill.


• Bodega La Palma, La Palma de Sant Just, 7 - Not tapas exactly but torrades, the Catalan version. Here you’ll find pa amb tomàquet (rustic bread topped with tomato pulp) topped with all sorts of local cheese and charcuterie.

Day Trips from Barcelona

As wonderful as the city of Barcelona is, sometimes you need to escape the crowds, especially as the tourist season reaches full swing. Here are a few suggestions for getting out of the Ciudad Condal on public transport.

About 30 minutes south of the city, Sitges is one of the most popular beach resorts, and not only with the international gay community. Fine stretches of sand, a pretty whitewashed old town and plenty of good bars and restaurants make Sitges and ideal place for families as well. Trains leave about every half hour from Sants and Pg de Gràcia stations.

Montserrat is an incredible mountain made of rock that eerily looms up over the Catalan countryside. Walking here is incredible but natural assets aside the Montserrat is also deemed the ‘spiritual heart of Catalonia’. An enormous monastery is nestled on its upper peeks, where people come to pay respects to La Moreneta, or the black effigy of the Virgin Mary, which dates from the 12th century. There are regular trains from Espanya station to the foot of the mountain, from where you can take either a funicular or cable car to the top (for the latter make sure you disembark at the ‘Montserrat Aeri’ station).

Collserolla is an expansive, natural park that cradles Barcelona over gently rolling hills. One of the most popular routes, particularly for cyclists, is the Carretera de les Aigües that you can reach by getting off at the Peu de Funicular station on the FGC train network.

The Catalan Valentine

It’s coming up to one of the most the most magical days in Barcelona. Locally, it’s simply known as ‘La Diada de Saint Jordi’, internationally as ‘International Book Day’ and casually as the ‘Catalan St. Valentine’s’. The truth is that all are pretty much correct. But first a bit of background.

Saint Jordi (or George) is the patron Saint of Catalunya and his designated Saint’s day is April 23rd. By a happy coincidence, this is also the day Shakespeare and Miguel Cervantes (writer of the classic Spanish epic Don Quixote) died.

A red rose, the symbol of the dragon-slayer’s bravery, has traditionally been given to girlfriends, mothers and female lovers on this day. But back in the 1920s, a local bookseller decided to get a bit of leverage out of the literary connection to the date, and soon women retaliated their gift of a rose with one of a book to their boyfriends/fathers/lovers.

Given all this activity, UNESCO then stepped in and declared April 23rd the ‘International Day of the Book’ though its certainly not celebrated with as much zeal anywhere as it is in Barcelona.
From early morning onwards, rose sellers set up stalls along the streets, washing them in vivid red colour, and the distinctive red and gold striped Catalan flag waves everywhere.

Booksellers also set up stalls, particularly along the Las Ramblas and the Passeig de Gràcia. Most of all, and particularly in the early evening, people just come out to enjoy their city, lovers to give each other their special gifts and whole families revelling in the warm, dappled light of Barcelona in the springtime.