Must do things in Barcelona in 2017

Barcelona is the city of creativity, the city of art, the city of bohemian authors and inspiring streets. If you’re a new fish in town,  know that this is a perfect year to discover the city and all its charms. Here we suggest a little challenge, check out all these sights in one year, the greatests things to do in Barcelona this 2017:

1. Walking tour:

Barcelona is a big city, but it’s the perfect size to discover on foot. Spend a day away from the metro and the tourist bus, and take your time strolling around and stopping to recharge with some of the city’s great gastronomic options. If you’re in the mood for visiting some of the most impressive buildings and parks, you’ll want to see all the Parc de la Ciutadella has to offer as well as the Parc de Joan Miró, and the Montjuïc castle, but there’s also a Barcelona you won’t find in guidebooks. Get off the beaten path and head up to Horta, get to know the charm of the Sant Andreu district, see a lesser-known side of the Eixample and take in breathtaking panoramic views.

If your legs are more up to the task than your feet, you can also see the city by bicycle. Of the numerous ones around town, we’ve weeded out 10 routes in the city and surrounding areas for you to discover Barcelona while you pedal, whether you’re a lifelong cyclist or still wobbling about without those extra wheels in the back.

2. Get to know the real Gaudí:

Without a doubt, one of Barcelona’s top attractions for tourists (as well as for those who live here) is admiring the city’s modernist architecture, and the works of Antoni Gaudí in particular. Just walking around you’ll come across various examples of Gaudí’s work throughout the city, be they civil or religious buildings. The most famous are the

The most famous are the Sagrada Família, impressive both outside and in; Park Güell, a space that’s out of a fairy tale and emulates an English garden city; and La Pedrera. But don’t miss the opportunity to visit other Gaudí buildings that sometimes occupy smaller space in guidebooks, such as Palau Güell, Casa Batlló, Torre Bellesguard, Casa Vicens and (if you have time to venture a bit outside Barcelona) the crypt of the Colònia Güell, in Santa Coloma de Cervelló.

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3. Climbing up Montjuic

Montjuïc mountain is the perfect place for a leafy stroll with great views, but it does take a bit of legwork to get up there, so it’s less populated by tourists. But don’t let that deter you. Aside from the natural surroundings and spectacular vistas, you’ll find buildings from the 1992 Olympic Games, including the Palau Sant Jordi and the telecommunications tower designed by Santiago Calatrava. If you’re feeling full of beans and you get to the top of the hill, you can check out the Olympic stadium and the Jardi Botànic. Plaça Espanya, at the foot of Montjuïc, is the most common access point to the mountain, and where you can also visit the Pavelló Mies van der Rohe and the CaixaForum cultural center.

4. Celebrate local festivities

How long can you party non-stop? A week? Then September is a good time to visit because of the Festes de la Mercè. The celebration started life as a small religious parade but since then it has snowballed into a weeklong party celebrating Catalan culture. Performances, dazzling firework displays along the beaches, a seafront air show, exhibitions, children’s activities and free concerts (playing everything from sea shanties to hip hop) make this a celebration of Barcelona in all its splendor.

While La Mercè may be the city’s biggest party, it’s certainly not the only one. Nearly every neighborhood has its own fiesta major celebration, and one of the biggest and most attended is in Gràcia for an entire week in mid-August. One of the main attractions, and what makes the festival special, is the street decorating contest. Each year the neighbors outdo themselves, and we get the benefit, walking in awe through the depths of the sea made of recycled materials, a sparkling Disney fantasy world, or among giant papier-mâché dinosaurs. There are activities and events all day and night, including meals, family games, and late-night outdoor concerts.

And once Gràcia’s finished celebrating, it’s time for the neighborhood of Sants to take over. The setup is similar, but on a smaller scale and it’s much more a local celebration by and for the residents, and doesn’t bring in as many tourists or even residents of the rest of Barcelona. Nevertheless, it’s another weeklong excuse to have a great time.

5. Check out the night scene in the city

Once you’ve got to know Barcelona by day, it’s time to let it all hang out in the best clubs in town for an unforgettable night. You can’t go wrong at Sala Apolo, with a differently themed party every day of the week (Nasty Mondays, Crappy Tuesdays, Cupcake …)Razzmatazz has been the temple of nightlife for years, with parties and DJ sessions in it five different rooms; Sidecar is where indie rockers have been going to get their fix for 30 years, and Magic is the quintessential Barcelona rock club. If funk and hip-hop are more your thing, your best bet is Marula.

Razzmatazz has been the temple of nightlife for years, with parties and DJ sessions in it five different rooms; Sidecar is where indie rockers have been going to get their fix for 30 years, and Magic is the quintessential Barcelona rock club. If funk and hip-hop are more your thing, your best bet is Marula.