It´s always party time in Barcelona

Whether it is being chased by fire-spitting demons or joining parades of giants strolling through the decorated streets of Barcelona’s barris (neighborhoods) with beer in your hand or crowding into a mega-concert at the Forum – Barcelona is the place to have a good time. Colorful traditions an overwhelming amount of art and culture and the beach to its feet make Barcelona to what it is. It is the second largest city in Spain in both size and population. It is also the capital of Catalonia.

Why go?
Barcelona is a year-round destination, as ideal for a long weekend city break as for a six-month sabbatical. It is a good idea to time a trip with one eye on events and the other on the weather. Many associate Barcelona with the summer sun, but August can be a poor choice – the city broils and swarms with tourists as the locals disappear to more salubrious climes. It is certainly better to come around mid-June or September. If beach time is not a priority, you can easily find sunny (if chilly) weather and fewer crowds in January and February.

When  to go?
Barcelona is blessed with a benign, Mediterranean climate. Spring and fall are ideal times to visit, especially May to June and September to October. Even in the winter, days are crisp to cold (due to its proximity to the mountains) but often sunny. Snow is rare and never lasts more than a day or two.

How to get there?
As one of the top destinations on the Mediterranean, there's no shortage of budget flights into El Prat (Barcelona's main airport). El Prat is situated 12 km southwest of Barcelona and is connected to the city centre by the A1 Aerobus which will bring you to Placa Catalunya in the heart of the city. Some budget airlines like Ryanair fly directly into Girona Airport which is about 80 km from Barcelona. Don’t let the distance put you off as all flights have connecting buses to Barcelona city centre. Just purchase your ticket from the 'Barcelona Bus' ticket counter near the baggage reclaim, hop on the bus and sit back and enjoy this pleasant drive through the countryside. The bus will drop you to Estacio del Nord bus station where you can continue your onward journey by metro or taxi. Click here for the latest airline news.

Must see?
Must sees are definitely the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia (Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family), the Museu Picasso (Picasso Museum) which holds an impressive collection of the work from this Catalonian artist. La Rambla which is always crowded with artists, living statues, salesman and tourists is the beating heart of the city. Barcelona’s restaurants and nightlife should not be missed. Discover the fresh seafood and delicious local dishes. Drink a cocktail or enjoy one of the typical Spanish tapas bars. You can´t visit the city without experiencing the atmosphere of the Razzmatazz.