What's on in Barcelona
Our selection of some of the most interesting things on in Barcelona in the next couple of months... not forgetting the football, of course!
Social and cultural programme, Barcelona
Taking a Spanish course with us? Our own social and cultural programme is as good a place as any to see something of what's on in Barcelona.
Among the trips this month, one to Gaudí's Park Güell (pictured, right); another to the Ciutadella Park, a trip which ends at the Estación de Francia, which was partly modeled on the Eiffel Tower.
This month's social program also takes you to places you might not get to otherwise -- the Ribera district and Santa Maria del Mar and to some of the other hidden corners of the city.
May also has our popular "Friday Club" language exchange, in the bar at International House.
You can find out exactly what's on in Barcelona this week on our new Spanish blog.
Music
Any trip to Barcelona also has to take in a visit to two of the city's most singular buildings, the richly ornate concert hall, the Palau de la Musica [ website ], and the twice burnt down Liceu Opera House [ website ]. Full programmes of what is on, plus ticket sales, available online.
The summer is music festival time here in Barcelona, starting with the Barcelona Guitar Festival (until June 8), with concerts still to come at venues including include the Palau de la Música from people like Joe Satriani (6 May); Luis Eduardo Aute (23 May) and Al Kooper (30 May).
We've then got the following festivals in Barcelona:
- Primavera Sound (May 29-31), with Portishead and Public Enemy among the many concerts on at the Parc del Fòrum
- Únicas Festival (June 2-July 7) brings female stars like Marianne Faithfull (June 2), Sinéad O'Connor (June 11) and Suzanne Vega (July 7) to the Palau de la Música
- Daydream (June 12) debuts this year with Radiohead being the big name, appearing with Bat For Lashes, Clinic, Liars and Low.
- Summercase (July 18-19) brings back the Sex Pistols for the 30th Anniversary of "Never mind the Bollocks" as well as include Blondie, Primal Scream, The Stranglers, M.I.A.
The other big concerts coming up include Alejandro Sanz (Espacio Movistar, May 28); Fatboy Slim (Espacio Movistar, May 31); Bon Jovi (Olympic Stadium, June 1); and Bruce Springsteen (Nou Camp, July 19 and 20).
Tickets for many Barcelona concerts and festivals can be purchased online via ServiCaixa or Telentrada.
Football
Barça were favourites (again) to win the Champions and the Spanish League and everything else as well when the season began. They've had a terrible season, however, and with three games left as May begins are 14 points behind Real Madrid, who have already won it.
There are just two home games left, against Valencia (weekend 3/4 May) and, on the penultimate day of the season, against Mallorca (weekend 10/11 May).
Barcelona's less fashionable Spanish first division side, Espanyol [ website ], lost an epic UEFA Cup final last season, but aren't in Europe this time.
In the Spanish league, they were doing superbly well, but have slipped to tenth, and have now hope left of a European place for next year either. The remaining home games at the Olympic Stadium are against Atlético Madrid (7 May) and, on the last day of the season, Almeria (weekend 17/18 May).
The Barça musuem [ address: Av. Arístides Maillol, s/n; website ], a visit to which includes a look inside the Barça stadium, is a must if you are bringing football crazy kids (or if you are a football crazy kid yourself!).
Encuentro Práctico
Coming up in Barcelona on December 19-20, we have the XVII Encuentro Práctico, the annual conference for Spanish teachers run by International House Barcelona, which attracts over 300 participants from around the world.
See also: Blog del Encuentro | Spanish Teacher Training
Useful links
- Barcelona Online
IH Barcelona's own online directory of information of all kinds about the city. - Street map of Barcelona
A fully interactive searchable map of the city - The official Barcelona website
The vast Barcelona City Council website, packed with information (if you can find it!) - TimeOut Barcelona
The TimeOut Barcelona guide - probably the best pocket guide to the city - TimeOut Barcelona restaurant guide
TimeOut also has an excellent guide to Barcelona's countless eating places - What's on in Barcelona (Guía del Ocio)
Barcelona's own answer to TimeOut - the weekly Guia del Ocio. - Ruta del modernisme
The "Modernisme Route" is an excellent place to start to find out more about Barcelona's amazing architecture.
Spanish in Barcelona
Further information
International House Barcelona, c/ Trafalgar 14, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
Tel: +34 93 268 4511 | Fax: +34 93 268 0239
www.ihes.com/bcn/spanish/ | spanish@bcn.ihes.com
Spanish in Spain
Spanish in Barcelona | Cordoba | Madrid | Mallorca | San Sebastian | Seville | Valencia | Vejer
IH Spain comprises the International House Spanish language schools in Barcelona,
Cordoba, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, Seville, San Sebastian, Valencia and
Vejer de la Frontera, Spain.
www.ihspain.com

