I have visited Barcelona twice now, as I just love this city and it's ways.
If you are planning a trip to Spain, I recommend including Barcelona: it's an energetic city alive with art, culture, history, diverse architecture,
festivals aplenty and friendly people. Like any city, the more time you spend the better you really get to know it but if you are visiting for a brief time,
I have started to make a list of my favourite things to see and do that I am sure would please anyone. I will keep adding more as I find the time, and as I stumble across new places.
Rose's Top Spots in Barcelona - Part One (Written December 2007)
If you are planning a trip to Barcelona, timing it with one of their yearly festivals would be a major bonus. They are an amazing sight to see and to be a part of - the unique activities, mass of friendly people, pleasant nighttime temperatures and the energy of the city all helps to make them such a delight! Here are two festivals I have been lucky enough to experience:
Festa Major de Gracia
http://www.festamajordegracia.cat/
Around the 15th of August each year, the popular neighborhood of Gracia holds a week-long party in their streets.
Each street plans for months to dress up their street for a competition.
The streets are then filled with tables and bars for eating and drinking during the day accompanied by live music,
and in the evenings each street is filled with more live music, dancing, more drinking and fireworks.
Festes de la Merce
http://www.bcn.cat/merce/english/home.shtml
Around the 24th of September Barcelona celebrates the city's patron saint (The Virgin de la Merce) and the farewell to summer.
This is Barcelona's biggest festival of the year. For around 3 or 4 days there are continuous events held throughout the city.
The events include human towers, dancing giants, fire runs, spectacular fireworks each night, live concerts, sports events, activities by the sea, street theatre and much more.
Segrada Familia & other Gaudi masterpieces - click here
Tibidabo Amusement Park - click here
Montjuic's Magic Fountain - click here
Festivals in Barcelona - click here
Mercat Dels Encants - click here
Cerveceria el Vaso de oro - click here
Taking a stroll in Barcelona - click here
Barcelona football stadium - click here
Labyrinth Park -