Barcelona art scene during Barcelona Gallery Weekend.

This October in Barcelona we celebrate the 5th edition of Barcelona Gallery Weekend, reaffirming its engagement with the Barcelona art and culture scene of the city.

If you are an arts lover and if you are in Barcelona on October 10 to 13, most probably I bring good news from you. Take a look on Barcelona Gallery Weekend program and draw your route to Barcelona art & culture life.

To make an idea, 27 galleries and 5 public places will exhibit the works of more than 50 national and international artists, from the historical avant-garde to the latest trends in contemporary art.

*the full list of galleries: 3 Punts Gallery, ADN Gallery,  Alalimón Gallery , ÀMBIT Art Gallery, Ana Mas Projects, Angels Barcelona, Aurora Art Gallery, Artur Ramon Art, Bombon projects, Dieecke Santiago Barcelona, Dilalica, Espai Tactel, etHALL, Galeria, Carles Taché, Contrast Barcelona Gallery, Joan Prats Gallery, Marc Domènech Gallery,  Toni Tàpies Gallery, L&B gallery, Mayoral, NoguerasBlanchard, Palmadotze Art Gallery, Pigment Gallery, Rocio Santa Cruz, Sala Parés, Victor Lope Arte Contemporaneo,Galería Zielinsky

* Public spaces: Barcelona Nautical club, Itinerant-  Ciutadella  Park, Colon Monument,  Manufactures Passage, Pandere bridge in

You have several ways to discover and enjoy the Barcelona art scene this long weekend of artistic interventions in public spaces, offering the local and international public free guided tours, special events and a complete program of activities.

Barcelona art during Barcelona gallery Weekend

Check the Activities Agenda of this Barcelona art and culture event this October 2019.

The 1st activity will be on Wednesday October 9th from 17:00 to 21:00; Symposium: Towards new role of the curator: challenges and limits on Espronceda Center for Art & Culture. From Thursday October 10th  starting with 12:30 until Sunday 13th you can participate on guided tours, presentations, inaugurations, conversations, see more here.

Highlights in our opinion:

– Inauguration of the exhibitions in the participating galleries: Artur Ramon Art, L&B Gallery y Galería Zielinsky – Thursday at 18:30

–        Diogo Pimentão performance in RocioSantaCruz- Thursday at 19:00

–        “The Tempest Society” projection and conversation between Bouchra Khalili and Carles Guerra at Antoni Tapie foundation on Friday at 16:30

–        Performance “Poetic action” by Cynthia Fusillo on Contract Gallery on Saturday at 12:00

–        Brunch y visitas a las exposiciones: Ana Mas Projects, etHall, NouguerasBlanchard fron 12 to 16 on Saturday

–        Performance by Itziar Okariz at etHall, Saturday at 18:00

–        Jazz concert and guided visit by Rocio Verdejo on Saturday at 19:00 to 20:30

Another way to enjoy this Barcelona art and culture event is by Artévete program.

During the Barcelona Gallery Weekend celebratio Artévete offer a program of meetings and guided tours. They aim is to bring the art world closer to all those interested in art and its purchase. They want to fall apart the concept that art is only for rich people. That´s why during them tours you can hear the stories of art collectors and you can see private or public art collections. If you want to take part, feel free to submit your request here

Also you can have a look in their program.

And the 3rd way of enjoying this Barcelona art event is by participating on ARCO Gallery Walk on Saturday and/or Sunday. Previous inscription required.

On Saturday October 12th you can choose for 10 different tour in all Barcelona, Metropolitan zone, Eixample (4 different routes), Gracia quarter, Poble Nou quarter and Ciutatvella.

If you are a morning person at 11:00 AM start the first tour on Metropolitan area. Prepare yourself for 2 and half hours of walking in 6 art gallery; this is the biggest route in the program. If you like to enjoy your morning don´t worry as you´ll has different tours options starting at 12:00 / 15:00 / 16:00 / 18:00. Most of them have a 2 hours duration and you´ll visit 3 or 4 galleries.

Sunday October 13th will gives you the opportunity to repeat a tour in case you love it so much or see another one if the day before didn´t allowed you. Today we have 6 tours options to do in Metropolitan area, Eixampele, Ciutatvella, Gracia and Poble Nou quarters.

Check the full program with the tours. And don´t forget is mandatory your previous inscription by mailing at: office@artbarcelona.es

photo walking tours barcelona

And if you want to meet a local photographer, take our personalized photography tour with Andrei.

We are a small family business who wants to provide a personalized service for all photography lovers. Working with small groups allows us to create intimacy, comfort and privacy for our guests. No matter your photography level. You will improve your holiday photos for sure. Take a look in our TripAdvisor and AirBnB reviews.

For a 20% discount, contact us and will send you the discount cod that you can apply it on our webpage.

La Mercè ´19, Barcelona biggest street festival.

La Mercè is an iconic street Festival that celebrates Barcelona culture and art with a lot of free events. The most expected street events arrive in Barcelona one more year. This year even stronger than ever! Expect to see 60 stages in 15 public spaces of Barcelona that will host 100 concerts and 147 performing arts shows.

Beirut is the guest city for La Mercè this year. The capital of Lebanon will share with Barcelona the culture and art scene thanks to a program where you can enjoy artists from these cities. This is the case, for example, of the Night of Beirut, which will have a place every night from Friday 20 to Monday 23 September in the Ciutadella Park. Also, the performances of Alexandre Paulikevitch and the cabaret Metro Al Madina are highly recommend it among many others.

Barcelona culture and art shows main stages:

Ciutadella Park – you can see: Acrobat Basket show (from France); Jazzbtwen Live (a new jazz culture that mix hip-hop and urban dance), Broads Bros (an urban dance company from Barcelona), “Sara y Manuel” (an organization that works for the integral development of people with disabilities through the arts) or you can see a mix of humor, poetry, song and dance in “Concordance” which I highly recommend, not just because we are friends but also they are talented

Palauet Albeniz – here also are a lot of performances that can improve your day with some extra laughter. In Slapstick, the Mar Gomez choreographer translates from a short film by Charles Chaplin to a street art language. Or you can play in “Escape Caravan” where a crime has been committed…How is the murderer?

In Antiga Fabrica Estrella Damm are a lot of nice activites for kids but also you can enjoy concert like: North State ( Cataluña pop), Say Yes Dog (Netherlands, electro-pop) or Honolulu (France, dance-pop)

Castell de Montjuic welcomes us doing magic in a humorous place. Here you can enjoy Circus shows from France, Finland, Belgium and Barcelona or participating in different workshops

Culture Highlights: Castellers, Correfocs, Gegants

Have you ever seen a Human Tower? Here, in Cataluña, the human tower is an important element on the traditional culture. It is about the traditions, roots and community support. This year the Castellers of Barcelona celebrate their 50th anniversary with an exhibition and a spectacular human tower, on Sunday, 22 at 12:00 and Tuesday 24 at 13:00, in both cases the show take place in Sant Jaume Square.

*Tips: arrive with some time ahead to pick a good spot. Here is the full schedule with their shows in all Cataluña.

The Correfoc or Fire-run is a must to do activity during this popular street festival in Barcelona. Is an authentic element of Barcelona culture and art making show with fireworks. They are part of each main event marking the starter and / or the end of the ceremony. For La Mercè you can watch them on Via Laietana on  Saturday 21 at 18:30 the 1st show is for kids followed by the one for adults at 19:45.

*Tips: wear long sleeve clothes and a hat / hood / something for your hair protection; so you will be dressed appropriately to play with sparks

The Giants are another important element of Barcelona´s culture, you can see them in a nice procession in downtown Barcelona. The kids love them. Giants´s Procession have place on September 24th at 11:45 AM starting from Placa Jauma going on Ferran street, reaching the famos La Rambla, Pintor Fortuny, Anlges and Montalegre streets.

*Tips: If you want to avoid the crowded street during entire Festival you can see the Giants exhibition with more calm in the Pati Manning (Montalegre street, 5)

The Street Concerts are one of the main attractions, you can bring your kids also. The important part is to be part of it.

BAM, the BAM Cultura Viva and Música Mercè, will host the 100 concerts that the organizers have scheduled for this year. They are groups of sixteen different countries.

As for the Spanish bands, the public can enjoy La Casa Azul, Dorian or Oques Grasses, which will take place at Bogatell Beach on Friday, September 20, or the Sticker, also in that same place, or Arnau Griso, Gertrudis or Miki Nuñez in Maria Cristina.

Also, some international artists will be Whales, a Portugal rock – electronic young band.

The famous Jay Jay Johanson, more than 20 years of making music. His show transmit a lot of emotions and melancholy thru his music but the visuals are very important too.

If you want to meet some Turkey influence Gaye Su Akyol is a show you want to see as she mix from turkey folk at electronics, rock and grunge.

If you want to meet a local artist that can helps you to capture all the event beauty check more details here: Take Photos Like a PRO

photo walking tours barcelona

Gracia Festival, one of the most photogenic spots in Barcelona, from August 15th until 21st.

I´m saying this is a very good photo opportunity as this colorful street festival offers you an amount of photogenic spots in Barcelona.

Every year, for 1 week, starting on August 15th, Gracia district is transforming and converting in a graphic storyteller. Their streets are decorated with beautiful figures created by neighbors  during months of handwork using recycled materials. The annual Gracia  Festival, together with La Merce Festival (in September) are the biggest and important street parties in Barcelona. All the decorations are unique; every street tells you a different story and all are handmade by neighbors. It is all about joy, community and beauty; that´s why it makes it a unique photogenic spot in Barcelona.

Basically entire quarter is a playground for street photography.

Gracia Festival has the origins date back to the 19th century, are already over 200 years old since this crazy happy event started to happen. This popular party is known for its huge decorations of the streets made by neighbors and receives hundreds of people that enjoy it – prepare yourself for crowded small Spanish streets and squares.

The concept of Gràcia festival is that the streets in the neighborhood compete to win the prize of being the best decorated street. You need to be prepared also to find party and live concerts. Every night you find different concerts from blues and swing, to rock and reggae.

It is a very nice party for family too as you have a lot of workshops during the day. Some of them are for kids, some are open to adults to. You can try different types of dance classes as Bollywood, Lindy Hop, Creative dance or Swing. Or,if you don´t like to move your body and prefer another types of activity… well… you can participate at painting workshops, building a 3D tower (1st Antonio Gaudi chimney) T-shirt handmade, soap foam fight, Yoga open class.

Yes, is a big popular party with a lot of activities for all tastes. Here you can find the full program, unfortunately is not translate in English but a Google Translation does a great job.

As I love the surprises, I´ll not reveal all the secrets of this Festival, you need to discover something by yourself tJJ. But will look over our 3 most photogenic spot in Barcelona during this big festival.

1.Photogenic spots in Barcelona during Grarcia Festival, 1st proposal – wondering on these beautiful streets. Take your camera and start to play. Here you have plenty of decorations ready to be in your photos.

You can capture the details:

Or the street atmosphere:

Or just do funny photos with your friends

2. Photogenic spots in Barcelona during Gracia Festival, 2nd proposal – parades. You have 5 parades to choose from: Mati de Festa Major; Cercavila de Festa Major; Cercavila de Sant Roc; Cerrcavia de la Convidada and Giants Parade.

TIPS: Find a good spot in front of the parade. Helps if you arrive a little earlier

3. Photogenic spots in Barcelona during Gracia Festival, 3rd proposal – Fire Run or “correfocs”. You will see dragons made from papier-mâché which bring out flame and the devils will spread thousands of sparkling fireworks.

TIP: Bring with you long sleeves blouse, cover your hair and your camera lens. Are fireworks all over the place and is better to be protected.

What to expect from Gracia district? Gracia is an area of up-town Barcelona famous for its bohemian atmosphere, bustling squares and vibrant local place.

You can reach it by Metro (Fontana station – green line L3 & Joanic station – yellow line L4).

And if you want to find elementary photo tips that make the difference in your photos, check more details here: Take Photos Like a PRO

Barcelona photography route, summer 2019.

As for some of us the summer doesn’t mean just beach and cocktails we came with Barcelona photography route proposal for these month. You have the chance to see: contemporary photographers, famous artist in the working environment or how Barcelona changed in the last years.

In that case if you are a photography freak visiting Barcelona this summer, here is the Barcelona photography route for you.

We start our Barcelona photography route with one of the most famous Spanish artist.

Do you want to immerse yourself into Pablo Picasso´s universe? If so, this photography exhibition “Picasso, the Photographer´s Gaze” will ride you in his universe. There you can see diverse facets of a creator who is at the same time author, model, witness and spectator of his work and life. This photographic tour from studio to studio aims to show the multidisciplinary richness of Picasso´s work. You have a chronological journey based on thematic focuses; sculpture, painting and drawing in relation with photography.  This exhibition presents more than a hundred vintage photo prints.

The price from temporary exhibition in 6,50 euro and you can visit it on:

Mondays- from 10 AM to 5 PM

Tuesday to Sunday – from 9 AM to 8:30 PM

Thursday – from 9Am to 9:30 PM

Here you have the entire information about this “Picasso, the Photographer´s Gaze”

Our second proposal from Barcelona photography route is about a contemporary artist born in United Kingdom in 1966. On Mapfre Foundation you can see a very nice photo exhibition that combines tradition and contemporary on the same photography “Richard Learoyd. The Silence of the Camea Obscura”

Richard Learoyd creates unique and captivating photos offering as a very personal approach. His photos are the result of an artisan process with an obscure camera built by him. His work makes multiple references and winks to classic painting, which undoubtedly fans of art History will enjoy discover. Richard Learoyd (UK, 1966) is one of the most well-known contemporary photographers working today. The exhibition includes 51 works from the last 10 years and all are part of important public and private collections. Richard Leoaryd´s work mainly consists of portraits of clothed or nude models but also he worked with other topics like: animal, landscap or dark mirror photography.

The exhibition end in Barcelona on September 8 and here you have detailed info about “Richard Learoyd. The Silence of the Camera Obscura”

Barcelona photography route proposal no 3 option is FotoColectania with “The Beauty of Lines” exhibition, where you enjoy a selection of masterpieces from the history of photography.

The visitor is invited to experience the power of the photographic line through these sublime works. The collection is present in 3 sections: Straight lines – From the controlled to the spontaneous line; Curved lines – The essence of bodies and of the line; Abstract – The line in its purest form. You have the chance to see photographs by Robert Adams, Walker Evans, Rineke Dijkstra, Man Ray, Berenie Abbott and Lee Friedlander, among other.

First Sunday of the month – Free admission

Shared ticket 5 euros to visit the exhibition “Richard Learoyd. The Silence of the Camera Obscura” of Mapfre Foundation and “The Beauty of lines” – check more details Foto Colectania Foundation

The 4rd stop on Barcelona photography route for this summer is Palau de la Virreina we have a photo exhibition that talks about Barcelona nowadays and how is transforming it. “New Angles: Scenes of the Renovation of Plaҫa de la Gardunya, Barcelona; 2005-2018” is a complex project that tracks the transformation process on Plaҫa de la Gardunya.”

As the title indicates, the idea of a progressive and temporal organization is inspired by Walter benjamin´s “angle of story”. The exhibition start with the arrival of the first inhabitants of the flat in 2017 and 2018 and ends with the oldest picture of the behind the market in 2005.

The exhibition in FREE of charge.

Palau de la Virreina is placed on Las Rambla, near plaҫa Boqueria, click on the current exhibition for more info.

On MANC (Museum Nacional D´Art de Catalunya) you have the chance to see the first major retrospective exhibition of the work of Barcelona photographer Oriol Maspons; 1949-1995 “Oriol Maspons, Useful Photography”.

This photographic journey present more than 40 years of intense activity in multiple field like reportage, portrait, fashion and advertising. Oriol Maspons played an important role in the renewal of photographic language in Spain in the 1950s and 1960s.

You can visit it for FREE every Sunday after 15:00 or with the ticket every other day, you can buy it from MNAC

 “Different Trains” is the temporary exhibition that you will find on Miro Foundation until October 6th. In 1988, the North American Steve Reich, one of the leading figures of minimalism, composed piece about the Jewish Holocaust. Almost thirty years later, this video work by Beatriz Caravaggio confers visual life on the score interpreted by the Kronos quarter.

Free admission with the general ticket to the Joan Miro Foundation

Last but not list in our Barcelona photography route is Art Santa Monica cultural center that you´ll find just on the main street Las Rambla. Art Santa Monica host this summer 3 photo and video exhibitions:

A parallel word” commissioned by Joan Fontcuberta will be available until September 15th

Echo images. Isaki Laucesta” commissioned by Carme Sais you can see it until September 15th

AUTOGEO” a photo video installation by Matei Glass will be in Barcelona until September 8th

If you want to meet an artist in flesh and bones with all his ideas and expertise; you are welcome to meet Andrei Farcasanu photographer. He runs our photo experience in Gothic quarter “Take Photos Like a PRO” where shows you basics techniques that will make the difference in your photos. As our clients told us on TripAdvisor or AirBnB that tour is: personal, fun, no previous experience need “more than I expected”.

Contact us for your 10% discount & Free admission for kids under 12.

Alternative plans to do in Barcelona July 2019

The summer is already here, the Barcelona beaches are crowded, on the streets you can find all kind of people but also Barcelona welcomes us with plenty of Festivals, Concerts, Free movies in open air spaces. Following you will find alternative plans of what to do in Barcelona July 2019, perfect to be captured in your photos holidays.

Some event are FREE of charge; Next you can see which ones are free and also you can see the prices for the others.

Plans to do in Barcelona July 2019, some of them are for FREE

☑ From 2nd to 18 th July – Els Vespres festival at Barcelona University Garden.

Festival in a budget. Every Tuesday and Thursday from 18:00 to 23:30.

Free admission.

☑ From 3rd to 6 th July – Cruilla Festival at Park Forum. Full program and prices here.

4 days full with music (Garbage remembers me of my adolescence, ZAZ of my first days at office and  Seu Jorge of my 1st friend I made in Barcelona), activities, talks (storytelling “Historical Women”; Khalida Popal – the 1st women´s football team of Afganistan; MaceloD2 and comedy shows  – how to fight populism with culture) and comedy (Friday 4th from 18:45 to 2:00 and Saturday 6th from 19:00 to 1:45)

☑ From 4 th to 7 th July we have rock and roll in Barcelona. Rock Festival Barcelona brings us famous names and rock legends like ZZT, Leo Jimenez and much more.

Here is the full program. You can purchase 1 Day ticket or passes for all 4 days. For those that have 4 day passes and want to get the wristband before, they can do it on Fnac starting with Tuesday July 2nd from 10:30 to 20:30.

☑ From 18 th to 20 th July; Music, Creativity and Technology on Sonar Festival.

The 26th edition of Sonar Festival arrives in Barcelona this summer with the most on trend DJ. Here is the full program.

After the sun goes down on Sónar by Day the action continues across town at the epic venue for Sónar by Night, where the best producers and Dj’s in the world keep the party going until the sun comes up again. 

Also you have the chance to attend a FREE show, part of the festival, underground, at Arc de Triomf metro station on Friday 5th July at 8 PM. This year’s show will be performed by the Barcelona producer MANS O, playing a number of tracks from his recent triple album “Three Stages of Change Appreciation”.

☑ From 11th to 28th July, on MNAC you can play, dance and perform on White Bouncy Castle. You are invited to the museum to enjoy the White Bouncy Castle (a white inflatable castle, 45 m long), a choreographic object designed by dancers and choreographers William Forsythe and Dana Caspersen.

The installation inevitably gets visitors involved in the kinetic idiosyncrasy of the White Bouncy Castle, a place where there are no spectators, only participants. The choreography that appears, accompanied by Joel Ryan’ssoundtrack, is the result of complete physical destabilization and the resulting social absurdity, the euphoria of the contagious and, in some cases, addictive situation.

Admission: 2 euros

☑ From 4th to 14th July 2019 Barcelona will experience the world’s largest event comprising all the world championship roller sports disciplines as regulated by the World Skate international federation – World Roller Games Barcelona 2019.

During eleven days intensive competition, the World Roller Games will see more than 4,000 athletes in action and will crown the world’s best in eleven very diverse disciplines such as Alpine, Artistic, Roller Freestyle, Downhill, Inline Freestyle, Inline Hockey, Rink Hockey, Roller Derby, Scooter, Speed and Skateboarding. Check the website for full program and prices.

☑ From 21st July until 27th September you can listen as much Blues as you want at Poble Español at “Noches de Blues”. Starting from 21st July, if you are a blues lover, every Thursday you can listen different artists on Poble Español, here the list with all the details.

This month we have 2 popular parties: Raval quarter & Poble Sec.

☑ From 12th to 16th July we have Raval Quarter PartyFesta Major Del Raval.

These celebrations are made in honor of the Virgen del Carmen, patron of the main parish of the neighborhood. During 4 days the streets will be full with activities and events. There will be music, dance, children´s activities, popular meals, giant, devils, and theater.

Free admission

☑ From 19th to 28th July we have another popular celebration, the Poble Sec neighborhood annual party – Festa Major Del PobleSec. The Poble Sec is a popular quarter of Barcelona belonging to the district Sants-Montjuïc and is located between the Plaça d’Espanya, the Avinguda del Parallel and Ronda del Litoral.  At this event you can enjoy all kinds of activities; from Castellers – a catalan culture symbol until live music, concert, workshops and popular diner.

Free admission

Cinema on Open Air

This summer you have 3 options to enjoy a nice movie in a cool and nice atmosphere.

☑ On Saturdays starting from 29th June until 23rd September we have Mecal Air Festivals at the Design Museum.

This is the longest-running outdoor cinema and this is the 11th edition. On Mecal Air you can see some of the best short films of this year, on each night will be different themed sessions as Voyage Voyage, Comedy, Erotic and Horror.

For full program check the link.

Free admission

 

☑ From 28th June until 2nd August – Open-air cinema at the Montjuic castle. This open-air cinema is already a classical in Barcelona agenda as is at his 9th season. Live music, short films, program variety, accessible price, beautiful location are some of this event highlights

For full program and prices check here.

 

☑ From 27th June until 1st August every Thursday you can enjoy a movie on Barcelona beach. Bring some snacks, a towel, your bath suite and a good company as durring Thursdays starting at 21:00 you have planes on Sant Sebastia beach in Barcelona. You can see alternatives movies produced in Spain, France, USA and Russia. For full program and details check this.

Free admission

And if you want to meet a local artist and learn from him how to improve your holidays photos here it is our Take Photos with a PRO experience

To do in Barcelona June 2019

Beside of nice weather and the first days of summer, in Barcelona this month you will have plenty of events where you can take unforgettable photos and capture unique moments.

Bellow you can learn all about what to do in Barcelona this June 2019.

An inside view of what you can do in Barcelona JUNE 2019, once of them are FREE

6th to 10th June – foodie festival Tast a Las Rambla.

The culinary festival Tast a La Rambla celebrates its sixth edition from 6th  to 10th of June, consolidated as a must for all gastronomy fans. The fair will feature the participation of the best stoves in the city. About fifty restaurants scattered in different areas on the Rambla de Santa Mónica: signature cuisine, traditional cuisine, tapas and dishes and pastry shops.

Ticket: FREE

8th to 9th June;  Matsuri Traditional Japanese Festival in Barcelona.

If you want to taste Japanese culture and tradition come at the Moll de la Fusta between 12 noon and 9 pm; you can get close to Japanese culture without leaving Barcelona. Enjoy live music and traditional Japanese dances as well as its gastronomy, fashion and traditional toys. A festival for all ages and a good photo opportunity for you!

Artists who will participate in the 2019 edition:

Natsuko Sugano (drummer of the group Sado ga Shimai).

Chieko Kojima (popular Japanese dances).

Naito Tetsuro and Tomoko Takeda (from the Dongara Tomorou group, they will play the Taiko).

Ako Tomine (traditional Japanese folk songs accompanied by accordion).

Rai Tateishi (will play the Shinobue and the Nôkan, which are transverse flutes).

Shogo Yoshii (specialist in Taiko drum, flute Fue and violin Kokyu).

Ticket: FREE

8th  June; Fifty years of the Castellers of Barcelona.

Come to see how the famous Human Tower is built. Don´t forget to bring your camera!

On June 8th  Barcelona will celebrate exactly half a century of the first pillar of quarter red rose in the Vendrell. And this very day the Castellers of Barcelona will celebrate it with a commemorative festival in the Plaza de Sant Jaume (6:00 pm). If you are interested to see with your own eyes one of the most important Catalan tradition, be at the City Hall square with half an hour ahead as will be crowded.

Ticket: FREE

8th to 10th June – Los Cors Muts

3 days full of color and party in Barceloneta and Raval quarter.

If you like to take street photography and funny situations, here is the place to be with your camera.

Every year for Pentecost, you can see humorous groupings parade through the streets of Barceloneta disguised and bland objects of an excessive size. The members of the coral dance through the streets of the neighborhood wearing the emblem of their group under a rain of confetti.

 You can see them Saturday 8th in the morning (from 8 AM to 12PM) and Monday afternoon (starting with 5 PM).

 Ticket: FREE

14th to 16th JUNE – Moto GP

As every year you can enjoy a spectacular motorbike race at Circuit de Barcelona, in the town of Montmelo – 25 km north of Barcelona. Here you can buy your ticket for 1 or 3 days, also you have discount for seniors and packs for families.

20th to 23rd JUNE – Corpus Christi and “Ou com Balla

The Corpus Christi is dating from 14th century making it one of the oldest known celebrations in Barcelona. It takes place 60 days after Easter Sunday and this year we´ll be celebrated from 20th to 23 th of June. Sunday, in front of the Cathedral, you can be part of the mass following by a main parade where you´lll find the paper-mache Giants and Beasts dancing. But the most unusual and popular event when we celebrate Corpus in Barcelona is Ou com balla translated to “the dancing egg”. The Cathedral fountain is decorated with flowers and cherries and at the top of the spurting water it is an egg that you will see it dancing joyfully during these 4 full days.

Ticket: FREE

23rd June – Sant Joan´s Night

As every year, The night of San JuanSummer Solstice – will be held in the city with all kinds of activities, parties and, above all, many fireworks and fireworks. We can say that is one of the craziest nights of the summer season as thousands of firecrackers will explode every minute all night long. A classic option is to go to the beaches of Barcelona, ​​where thousands of people celebrate San Juan until the sun rises.

Beside all that noise and party also we celebrate Sant Joan night with massive bonfire that symbolizes the renewal and purification. Is not a single bonfire, normally are several, each neighborhood organize his own bonfire but, one more time, on Barceloneta are the most impressive one.

As we are crazy with pastry, obvious we have a special one for this celebration called Coca de Sant Joan, normally we eat it on the night of the 23rd.

Ticket: FREE

If you have an expensive camera, think twice if you´ll take it with you, as you never know how this night will end.

28th to 29th –   Barcelona Gay Pride

A event full of color, diversity and fun. This year´s edition is dedicated to families as LOVE is the concept that transpires.

The Pride Parade will take place on Saturday 9th and start at 6 PM from Jardins de les Tres Xemeneis going to Av Parallel and ends at Plaza Espanya. Everyone can join it! Also are a lot of activities for kids (if you travel with your family). On the program you have also concerts, games, water fights and a lot of parties.

Ticket: FREE

Last but not list; have a look in our photo tour Take Photos Like a PRO if you want to take unforgettable photos in Barcelona.

What to do and visit in Barcelona in May?

A list full with Barcelona activities, festivals and Internationals days; ones of them are FREE of charge, for another you need to pay a fee.

What I can say about May in Barcelona – It´s about poetry, experimental events, racing, Spanish culture (flamenco) and one of the best Festivals in town.

From 10-16 MAYBarcelona Poetry and International Poetry Festival

In May, Barcelona is poetry.

Readings, performances, debates, concerts and, even battles of verses in a ring; I think are interesting and alternatives thinks to do in Barcelona this month.

Here you can find the full activities schedule (unfortunately is not English version but Google will be happy to translate for you, just make sure you allowed him to translate that pages).

Featured activities:

Poetry workshops from 8 to 14 May, the School of Writing of the Ateneu Barcelonès proposes seven samples of the resources and the most relevant poetic techniques of the moment to enjoy a good reading or to learn to create own poetic texts. FREE activity

Mushaira Intercultural: Asia en Barcelona on 8th May. At 20:00 on Verger Del Museum Frederic Mares.  The Mushaira (مشاعرہ) are meetings in which the poets share their verses in Urdu and their ghazals. Conceived as a forum for free expression, they have the interaction of the public, which encourages poets. FREE activity

Sound Nights on 10th May. A day for the experimental text, from 11:00 to 19:00 you can visit the exhibition on Arts Santa Monica (on Las Ramblas 7) and from 19:00 to 21:00 you have 4 performance to enjoy: a. Opus26_Sprechgesang – songs and readings of the poems of Pia Sommer (Osorno, Chile, 1981) accompanied by the experimental duo Meandering Tear; b. AR Poetry Readings and another scenic poetries with Belen Gache – Scenic poems in which he makes use of technologies such as augmented reality, the hypertextual remix or the Second Life 3D environments; c. abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwx by Jörg Piringer – techno text poetry and images generated automatically through software that takes the microphone waves and take them a new dynamic form; 4. the night will end with sound artist Enrique Doza and an experimental session made only from acoustic material from sound poetry. FREE activity

Great Pathetic Mass by Leo Bassi comedian on 11th May at Jardi Interior de la Casa de la Misericordia at 18:00. The clown Leo Bassi offer us a buffoonish mass where he play with the intellectual vacuum of the consumer society. FREE activity

On 11 May Gastronomic Fair Sant Ponç 

It is on Hospital Street, downtown Barcelona, Raval quarter, next to Las Ramblas and Boqueria Market. This is a great opportunity for you to buy really good honey and fresh green herbals.  A street market held in honor of the patron saint of beekeepers and herbalists, and ablaze with candied fruit, fresh herbs, natural infusions, honey and honeycomb, most of it straight off the farmer’s cart. You´ll see small family business, the producers himself that sails their goods. Nice atmosphere and nice smells, recommend it! FREE activity

From 10 to 12 MayF1 Spanish Grand Prix.

This 16 turn car and motorcycle track has been hosting the MotoGP Catalunya and the Spanish Grand Prix since 1992. It has a capacity of 140,700. The Catalunya circuit itself is divided into 3 tracks: the Grand Prix track (F1), a 4655 m track completed in 64 laps. The Circuit National is a 3067 meter track used for the MotoGP race. Finally, the Circuit ‘practice track‘ (Circuit de la Escuela) measures 1703 m.

Check here the full price list.

From 11 to 12 May Primera Persona Festival/ First Person Festival.

This year the festival is even bigger, with more performances, shows, concerts and monologues than in the two previous editions. For a full description and the prices list please check here

On 18 MayThe Night of the Museums.

In this especial night all the museums in the city celebrate the International Museums Day opening their doors to everyone from 7PM to 1AM. Prepare your legs for a nice walk and your patience for the long lines that you´ll find all over the town. You´ll have the opportunity to visit the main Barcelona attraction for free but, more than that, are plenty of activities to keep you entertained as music, theater, circus shows.

Here is the full activity list, for the moment just in Catalan but you can click on each museum to see the details, and here is the downloadable program.

From 16 to 31 MayFestival Ciutat Flamenco/  Flamenco City celebrates

It is the twenty-sixth edition in 2019, maintaining its commitment to the creation, innovation and the history of a musical culture rooted in the city since its inception. For all this, Flamenco City has been not only the exhibitor of the great names and the most interesting proposals that have marked the evolution of flamenco in the 21st century, but as an impeller of new projects and challenges in accordance with the cultural fabric and social of a city in permanent transformation.

You can enjoy a large list of shows but also you can be part of flamenco classes and discussions in the Flamenco Congress, a parallel activity of Festival.

 

From 15 to 26 MayDocsBarcelona International Documentary Film Festival.

If you have a passion for documentary films maybe is a good idea to spend some time on cinema. This 22nd edition offers an extraordinary sample of the best documentary productions worldwide. This year in Barcelona you can see awarded documentary films like Honeyland (winner of 3 awards in Sundance), Cochada (Audience Award at SXSW), Los Reyes (Special Jury Award – Best Documentary at IDFA) or What Walaa Wants (Special Jury Award DSG – Best Canadian Documentary).

Here the list of what you can see.

 

To 27 May until June 1st –  Primavera Sound Festival on Parc del Forum.

This six-stage music festival is one of the best in Spain. There are rafts of electronica acts, DJs and local bands, plus a record fair and the Soundtrack Film Festival. Have a look on their 2019 Line-up

Also if you want to improve your holiday pictures, our local photographer Andrei can help you. Have a look in our Take Photos Like a PRO experience! You´ll discover hidden places in Gothic quarter and you´ll learn skills to build a story with your photos.

Photos opportunities on Easter time if you are in Barcelona.

You decide to spend the Ester holidays in Barcelona because normally of its  nice weather, maybe to experience the Catholic celebrating spirit of the city or you just want to have fun and to do great photos as the sun helps you to put some sparkle on it. Well, next you have a list with EVENTS happening on Holy Week (or Semana Santa) this year.

As sometimes the people get confused between Barcelona Cathedral and Sagrada Familia Basilica in this article you get the public mass’ schedule for both of them.

April 18th Mass of the Lord’s Supper, you can be part of it on Barcelona Cathedral (Pla de la Seu) starting at 19:30 or on  Sagrada Familia (Carrer Mallorca 401) at 20:00. This mass remembers Jesus’ last supper and how he washed his disciples’ feet.

April 19th Good Friday. The Friday before Easter Sunday. It is a public holiday in Barcelona. You will find that a large majority of the shops are closed. There are processions throughout the day. This is the moment to find good spots to take good street photography shoots. Don´t be scared about the Ku Klux Klan looking like characters, you’ve just participate at the Easter procession in Spanish Style. Downtown, known as Ciutat Vella, you have 2 options:

Sant Jaume church, on Ferran street, no 28.

From 18:30 to 22:00

Route: 18:30 Sant Jaume church, 19:00 Ramblas, 19:45 Plaza del Pi, 20:30 Avinguda de la Catedral, 21:00 Carrer Bisbe, 22:00 Plaza de Sant Jaume, 22:30 Parroquia de Sant Jaume

Sant Agustí Church, on Plaza Sant Agustí, no 2

From 17:00 to 23:00

Rout: 17:00 Pl. Sant Agustí, 17:15 Hospital, 17:30 Pla de la Boqueria, 17:45 La Rambla, 18:30 Santa Anna, 19:00 Av. Portal de l’Àngel, 19:30 Arcs, 20:00 Av. Catedral, 20:30 Trobada, 20:30 Boters, 21:15 Carrer del Pi, 21:30 Pl. del Pi, 21:45 Cardenal Casañas, 22:00 Pl. de la Boqueria, 22:15 Hospital, 22:30 Pl. Sant Agustí

Mass of Celebration of the Lord’s death and Via Crucis, on Barcelona Cathedral start at 17:00 and on Sagrada Familia at 19:00.  

In front of Sagrada Familia at 21:00 will be a Via Crucis on the Passion façade, with illumination of the sculpture groups and music. There will be an area with chairs on Carrer Sardenya but space will be limited. Be there early to take your best spot for photos!

* For Sagrada Familia if you’re in a group of 25 or more you’ll have to fill out the form on they website

April 20th Easter Vigil the mass on Barcelona Cathedral start at 22:00 and on Sagrada Familia at 21:00. 

 *during the day everything runs as normal. The shops and markets are open and are busy with people getting stocked up for the next three days.

April 21st the first Easter procession take place in the Ciutat Vella at 12:00. El Paso de la Borriquita (the route of the donkey) commemorates the arrival of Jesus to Jerusalem. Here you see the traditional bleached palm leaves and a nice procession ready to be captured by you as your holiday photos.

The route: Plaza San Agustín, Hospital, La Rambla, Santa Ana, Portal del Ángel,
Cucurulla, Portaferrisa, La Rambla, Hospital y Plaza San Agustín

April 22nd. On Easter Monday everyone have a nice cake called Mona de Pascua; “Mona” means Gift & “Pascua” – Ester, the godparents give this cake to the children. Traditional “mona” was round with hard boiled eggs in it where each egg represents a year of the child´s life from 2 to 12.Traditional it wasn´t a sweet cake. Nowadays this cake has evolved and you can find interesting chocolate decorations adorning it. If you don´t want to have a sweet one you can pick with meat or langoustine. This “Mona de Pascua” could be order from bakeries on Easter Sunday and consumed on Easter Monday.

Practical Advice for Travelers on Easter Period in Barcelona.

As it is a long holiday weekend, many locals will leave the city for mini holidays, but, on the other hand, many tourists will steep I so, that´s why a good planning could help (if you want a special restaurant make the reservation with time and also pre-book your tickets online for the main attractions).

Transportation: Friday April 19th: the Metro closes at 2:00 AM, Saturday April 20th: the Metro OPENS all night, Sunday April 21st, the Metro Closes at 00:00 (midnight) , Monday 22nd, the Metro Closes at 00:00 (midnight).

City buses and night buses run regularly.

The main Barcelona attraction like the: Sagrada Familila, Casa Batllo, La Pedrera, Park Guell, Camp Nou, El Aquarium, Zoo have the same schedule.

The Picasso Museum is closed on Easter Monday (April 22nd)

The Magic Fountain show will run on: Friday, and Saturday from 9:00-10:00 pm. For Easter 2019 there will be no show on Sunday or Monday

The famous Boqueria Market placed on Las Ramblas is closed most of the period (April 19th, 21st and 22nd) is OPEN just on Saturday April 20th

If you plan to shop, be aware that shops are closed on Goof Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. You have open the Maremagnum Shopping Center (with plenty of stores) placed at the port area, near to Columbus statue.

Visiting Barcelona In APRIL

What to do in Barcelona in April: events, exhibitions, activities

Barcelona has to offer a big range of alternatives planes in April 2019; we have all kind of festivals, from Comics to Flowers and Independent movies. Also on the art scene we have show openings, World Press Photo exhibition, installations and performances.

So put your comfortable shoes on and let´s have a walk into Must to See on April in Barcelona.

4-7 April: Pecatta Mundi, an installation by Antoni Miralda host on National Museum of Art of Cataluña with Free entry. The Lamb of the Apocalypse, the 18×15 meters tapestry-bedspread recreates the Agnus Dei of the Romanesques mural of Sant Climent de Taull, part of the Honeymoon Project (986-19992), for the wedding between the Statue of Libert and the Columbus Monument. The installation is completed with a selection of drawings and multiple works by Miralda. If you are in town this weekend I think it is a great opportunity to see.

5-7 April: we have the 37th edition a Comic Barcelona Fair. Prepare  yourself for a great walking moment as you have 52.000 meters to trail it. You have 3 full days to immerse yourself in the Comic universe. Fira Barcelona Montjuic host this event (like the other years) but this time the National Museum of Art of Cataluña (MNAC) will host 2 exhibitions – the new adventures of Corto Maltés, by Juan Díaz Canales and Rubén Pellejeroeo & Underground comic exhibitions that celebrate the 40th annivrsary of the “El Vibora” magazine.

8 April: we celebrate the International Gipsy Day (beside of my B-day J but as I´m not international my event will be just something quiet and private). Well, for the International Gipsy Day the city offers various official and festive events to make known to the whole world the reality and the rich and diverse culture of the gypsy people. In front of the Cathedral, on Plaza Nova (our 1st stop in our photo walking tour) between 18:00-20:00 will have Concert & Flamenco Shows where you can see different local artist. If you decide to make a tour on Magical Fountain the show between 21:00 and 22:00 will be decorated with gypsy music and them flag colors will be reflected in the lights.

All the month and until Jun 9th: On Abortion, photo exhibition by Laila Abril. We meet Laila Abril on the inauguration day (March 28th) at Foto Colectania. Her photo exhibition is impacting, “On abortion” is the 1st chapter from an ongoing project call the “ A History of Misogyny”, a visual investigation about the misogynistic made by comparing history facts with contemporaries one. She documents and conceptualizes the dangers and damages caused to women due to their lack of access to abortion in a legal, safe and freeway. Seeing the exhibition, I got the chicken skin, weird sensations surprised me several times. I remembered the stories that, probably, most of our mothers have lived it.

7 April- Free admission at Foto Colectaniafirst Sunday of each month

9 April – 24 September:  Quantica CCCB. Exhibition that gives us the keys to understand the principles of fundamental physics and does so through the joint creative work of scientists, disseminators and artists. The project invites the public to browse freely, to awaken their curiosity and to critic the new paradigms of modern science. The inauguration takes place on Tuesday, 9 April at 19:00 on CCCB.

11 April – 24 September: Christian Marclay: Compositions on MACBA. This exhibition will examine Marclay´s work through his engagement with composition, understood as the ordering of sounds in time and space, but also a visual composition. Marclay has consistently focused on the relationship between sound and vision, exploring the ways that sound can be manifested visually. The inauguration takes place on Thursday 11 April at 20:00 on MACBA

until 14 April: MECAL, International Festival of Short Film and Animation of Barcelona. Veteran festival committed to the dissemination of the short film genre that celebrates its 21st edition in full form. More than 350 short films from 400 different countries. 5 euros daily pass, 25 euros Festival Pass at the Box Offices: 25€

movies walking barcelona

19- 22 April: Festival of Flowers and Gardens in Poble Español. During of these 4 days attendees can enjoy floral decorations on the streets, alleys and squares of Poble Epañol. Also is a large list of activities for the whole family: orchids exhibition, a sample of bonsai, workshop of fat plants and cactus. Adult 1 day: € 6 advance online / € 7 at the box office Child 1 day: € 6 advance online / € 7 at box office. This is a place where you can take good photos at flowers, you can play with macro camera settings

21 April: Easter. For Easter will have a different Post specially made for it. Stay tune!

23 April:  Sant Jordi is just right after the Easter this year. This holiday is pretty unique and also is an important Catalan symbol, is like a local Valentine’s Day. In this day the boy receives flowers and the girl books. The streets are full with flower kiosks (most of them roses) and Las Ramblas is the place to be for buying a book. Maybe you can meet your favorite writer as are a lot of book signature.:) If you are in Barcelona this day it is a great photo opportunity for you as the street atmosphere is really special. My advice: go out and find the stories to shoot.

26 April – 5 May: Feria de Abril on Forum. If you want to have a taste of Spanish culture, Flamengo, music, colorful dresses and tasty food this is place for you to be. Ok, is not Seville but if you are in Barcelona is an opportunity that you don´t want to miss. You will find different tents, each one with his music, people dancing and how else: a lot of dots and colors.

March is a great month for PHOTOS in BARCELONA.

If you are in Barcelona this March and you are interested in: portrait photography, urban photography, nature photography, black and with, analog photography and meeting emerging or established artists this is the place to be for you.

As we are photography lovers we will start with a must to see photo exhibition that is on show till May 19th on MAPFRE Foundation in Barcelona.

PHOTS BARCELONA

An American photographer, Berenice Abbott (1898-1991) was a central figure in and important bridge between the photographic circles and cultural hubs of Paris and New York.

She is best known for her portraits of between-the-wars, 20th century cultural figures, New York architecture photography (´30s) and science interpretation (´40s).

In this complex collection you will have the opportunity to see a sample of all of her work stages.

First we step is in to her Portrait period. In 1921 she left America for Paris where she continues her study of sculpture there. In Paris, she became Man Ray’s photographic assistant. There, she saw Eugène Atget’s photographs. Her first solo show was at the gallery Le Sacre du Printemps in Paris in 1926 and featured portraits of the Parisian avant-garde, a practice she continued throughout her years in Paris.

We fell in love at the texture that she gives to her portraits. When we looked closely appeared the sensation that the figures are coming to lives.

You have know the opportunity to see in Barcelona an important sample of her Changing New York project. Your eye can capture her interest in skyscrapers, train stations and working class neighborhoods.

Arriving back in New York in 1929, Abbott was struck by the rapid transformation of the built landscape. On the eve of the Great Depression she began a series of documentary photographs of the city that, with the support of the Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project from 1935 to 1939. During 1929-38, her photography documented urban material culture and the build environment of New York; took photos of the old before that was torn down and after when the new construction replace it.

We fell in love with the light she captures in her urban photography. We travel into the time and we imagined we are under those bridges or in that train station.

And on the last part of her collection in Barcelona you meet her work that combine the photography with the science. The science images offer art historians a chance to see the body of Abbott’s work afresh.

photos in Barcelona

Abbott’s photograph of a bouncing ball used to depict gravity appeared on the cover.

As Abbott explained: ‘The science made its own design, but just patterns and just beautiful design wasn’t it at all. The principle had to come through first and foremost’. She collaborative nature of this ‘big’ photography agreed with Abbott and she called her time working on these photographs as ‘the happiest years of my life’ (Abbott & Mitchell, 1979).

We felt in love with her sensibility that she transmits; everything is organic, equilibrated and natural.

We recommend seeing this exhibition in Barcelona as you will have the opportunity to see a good view through Abbott´s carrier, all photos are black and with.

Also our photographer Andrei Farcasanu is exhibiting in Valid Foto gallery this month. If you are in Barcelona go and see his works part of the Llama exhibition.

You will discover a selection of his most famous  projects “Timeless Intervention” and “The quiet sense of Nature” exhibited there. He claim that Andrei Tarkovsky quote “A poet is someone who uses an image to express a universal message.” it is representative for his work.

Timeless Interventions is a limited series of photographic installations, which incite an interruption in consciousness and a whispered memory of the future. Imperishable in context and material in form, this series of lith printed analogue photographs, surfaces from the depths of the ethereal. With images small enough to be held in the intimate space of a hand, a quiet universe where a story unfolds, these works are vastly small, and conjure precious manifestations of the sublime.

Here is a constructed iconography, with complex and archetypal elements of our natural world, performing as an immutable testament to the underlying sensibilities infused within it. Each mini-sequence emerges as a collection of phrases, reordered and disseminated in a parlance between the artist, chance, and a cognizant intervention of movement and tethering, which buoys in and out of our perception.

Until April 9th you can see it on Valid Foto Gallery. At it is in a gallery is no fee admission and if you are interested to see or ask more about Andrei fell free to ask the personal gallery. Have in account that the “siesta” hour is between 14:00 and 17:00.

Up Coming Photo Exhibitions on March 23th at LaVirreina: Photography from People of the 20th Century (1st flat) and Womankind (Miserachs space).

Last Friday, march 22, we went on the great opening on La Virreina Centre De La Imatge where we had the pleasure to see WOMANKIND exhibition and PHOTOGRAPHS FROM “PEOPLE OF THE 20TH CENTURY”

WOMANKIND shows us the image of the woman in photography. Maria Maria Acha-Kutschher (Lima 1968) gives a new meaning to those images that, during the time, have constructed a discriminatory icon of women since the invention of photography in that paternalistic ambient. This exhibition is a long-term project that brings together various series of works under the title Womankind (2010-2015).

Her working method consists of signifying several archive images from different sources and then introducing subtle formal changes into these.

On the exhibition you can find eighteen photographic collages and the photo installation 365 Days which design a sequence of images in the form of a yearlong diary.

Les Spectaulaires, the colorful collages, portrait woman as “abnormal” by the clinical system at the time, seen as monsters and displayed in circus shows (in which the freak show was one of their overriding episodes). These women exemplify the processes of persecution based on difference and therapize.

On the other hand we have a characterization of the “feminine universe” where the beauty and the elegance are principal roles, where the woman is in a perpetual state of unproductive daydreams.

The exhibition is Free of charge

Free guided tours: Tuesday at 6 PM, Saturday and Sunday at noon

PHOTOGRAPHS FROM “PEOPLE OF THE 20TH CENTURY” held in collaboration with the August Sander Archiv belonging to Die Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur in Cologne. This is the most comprehensive exhibition ever staged in Spain on August Sander´s project of the same name (another reason for must to see this in Barcelona).

In this photo exhibition Sander decide to include in his series “Studies- The Human Being”, in addition to the 187 photos that regularly show, some photos dedicated to details of his models gestures, looks, postures and especially to hands. That has rarely been presented in international museum´s context until today.

August Sander (17 November 1876 – 20 April 1964) was a German portrait and documentary photographer, occupies an absolutely tutelary position in the history of photography.

People of the 20th Century is his most legendary project, a huge archive of professional and topological portraits that reflect the industrial German society from 1910 to 1950.

In La Virreina Centre de la Imagea you can see the rural but also the urban atmosphere, the women portrait in her family stereotype and also the women/ man roll in the industrial times (factory workers, bakers or weaving, laundrywoman).

Free entrance

Free guided tours: Tuesday at 6 PM, Saturday and Sunday at noon

Guided tours by curator (Valentin Roma): April 25th, May 16 th, June 13th at 6 PM

Call now