arts-culture
Light Filtered Through the Cracks
MACBA’s exhibition looks back to when video became a tool for political intervention
miniguide
The best things to do in Barcelona, curated by locals. Events, restaurants, nightlife and the spots worth knowing – updated weekly.
Barcelona
miniguide
The best things to do in Barcelona, curated by locals. Events, restaurants, nightlife and the spots worth knowing – updated weekly.
Events
Monday, Jul 27
arts-culture
Echoes: Videos from the Han Nefkens Foundatio4n Donation
An exhibition on a donation of 18 video artworks by Han Nefkens Foundation
arts-culture
Grec Festival de Barcelona 2026
Grec Festival returns as Barcelona’s great summer celebration of performing arts
arts-culture
Shakespeare in the Park
Parking Shakespeare returns to the Parc de l'Estació del Nord
film
Cineclub 113
A film to get you in the mood, then a DJ set to carry the feeling into the night
film
Sala Montjuic 2026
Open-air cinema, live music and picnics under the starry night sky
film
Cinema Lliure a la Platja 2026
This cinema cycle brings free open-air screenings to the beach
Tuesday, Jul 28
arts-culture
Minor White
An exhibition on one of the most influential figures in 20th-century American photography
arts-culture
Declaration of Love to Lenin, Juana Dolores Romero Casanova
This incredible artist’s first exhibition held at La Virreina
arts-culture
Joaquín Tusquets de Cabirol. Eloquent Form
An exhibition on the work of the Catalan photographer whose images capture postwar life
arts-culture
Patrim’25: Look in Silence. That Blues Look
A snapshot of emerging artistic talent from the Universitat de Barcelona’s Faculty of Fine Art
film
El Mensaje 2026
Iván Fund’s lyrical road movie about faith, family and connection
film
Omaha 2026
Cole Webley's restrained road-trip drama
arts-culture
“Small, Middle and Big” Family Space
A family space for children to play, rest, read, draw and imagine together
arts-culture
TRACES: Cyanotype Workshop & Curator's Tour
Led by artist Naj Shirazi at Ha.aH art space this workshop introduces cyanotype
film
The Neon Demon
Opening Gandules at the CCCB is Nicolas Winding Refn’s The Neon Demon
Wednesday, Jul 29
fitness-wellness
Seaside Stretching at the beach
Swap your usual workout for a stretch session by the sea
music
John Butler
Australian musician John Butler comes to Sala Apolo with his Betterman Tour
fitness-wellness
The Beautery Rooftop
Beauty, music and socialising form this glamorous midweek rooftop escape
Thursday, Jul 30
film
Barcelona 2026
Whit Stillman's witty comedy explores friendship, politics and culture in early-80s Barcelona
film
Open-Air Cinema at L’illa Diagonal 2026
Open-air cinema at L’Illa Diagonal brings an easy feel to our summer calendar
Friday, Jul 31
film
By the Stream
Hong Sang-soo’s likeable drama from 2024
music
Talents Jazz a La Pedrera
Talents Jazz returns to La Pedrera every Friday with new musicians
film
Mecal Air Barcelona 2026
Mecal Air turns summer nights into relaxed open-air short-film cinema sessions
Saturday, Aug 1
fitness-wellness
Outdoor Fitness Workout
An energising group-training session at Barcelona’s seafront
Ongoing
arts-culture
Out of Focus, another Vision of Art
CaixaForum’s latest exhibition exploring blur and visual imprecision
arts-culture
Chez Matisse
CaixaForum's deep dive into Henri Matisse
arts-culture
Like a Dance of Starlings
Reflecting on MACBA’s 30-year journey through a metaphor of starling murmuration
arts-culture
Basel Abbas and Ruanne Abou-Rahme
An exhibition led by two Palestinian artists featuring songs, poetry, installations and more
film
Open-Air Cinema at the Palace 2026
El Palace’s Rooftop Garden transforms into the city’s best open-air screen
Places
food-drink
Xiringuito Escribà
The Escribà family’s beachfront paella house on Bogatell, cooking rice over wood fires since 1992 – the pastry dynasty’s savory venture.
nightlife
Hemingway
Naturally, you can sip all of Hemingway’s favorite tipples, from the simple scotch & soda to gimlets and martini.
food-drink
La Dentellière
This French-owned restaurant is perfect for romantic meals, group celebrations and those times when you need somewhere “nice but affordable.”
food-drink
Noru Bar
The unassuming Poblenou ramen restaurant taking the city by storm
food-drink
Buenos Aires
A highly ranked Argentinean steakhouse…
food-drink
El Filete Ruso
Thank (or blame) these guys for kicking off Barcelona’s gourmet burger boom.
arts-culture
Tablao de Carmen
Tablao de Carmen blends traditional Spanish food, drinks and tapas with an intimate flamenco show.
nightlife
Kælderkold
One of Barcelona’s most exciting craft beer utopias.
food-drink
NAP Antic
“Neapolitan Authentic Pizza”: thin-crust, doughy delights cooked in proper wood-fired ovens…
food-drink
Raó
Locally sourced and seasonal products are favored to create modern delights that are based on a selection of Mediterranean and traditional local dishes.
nightlife
Dr. Stravinsky
Stepping into Dr. Stravinsky is like entering the refuge of a mad old alchemist – backlit bottles on shelves, effervescent test tubes and strange concoctions fermenting in jars.
food-drink
Food Shop & Bakery Delivery
Plenty of local food shops and bakeries are delivering in Barcelona…
food-drink
Taquerías Tamarindo
Serving up some of the city’s best tacos.
food-drink
Boa-Bao
Boa-Bao takes diners on a culinary journey through flavors of Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and beyond…
food-drink
Chivuo’s
They have gained a following for their “slow” street food and craft beer.
food-drink
Garage Bar
The creators of the Vella Terra food and wine fair founded this wine bar to celebrate excellent natural wines and natural, artisanal foods.
food-drink
Chi Nanit
Head to Chi Nanit for Shanghai-style Chinese food from the same people that owned the popular Nanit on Balmes.
food-drink
Cheriff
A Barceloneta seafood house since 1959, newly refreshed – the paella the regulars swear by.
food-drink
Món Vínic
A singular reference for any wine lover who comes to Barcelona.
nightlife
Moog
The order of the night is techno.
food-drink
Xampanyet
Barcelona's legendary cava and tapas bar.
food-drink
Bar Cañete
Step inside it feels like traveling through time to Spain’s glory days…
food-drink
Maná 75
A Barceloneta paella specialist: over a dozen varieties fired off on what the house calls the longest paella line in Europe.
food-drink
Good Shit, Vegan Kebabs
Gracia’s newest vegan takeaway offering ‘street food with a little conscience’.
nightlife
Bloody Mary Cocktail Lounge
They serve no less than 10 versions of the much-loved drink.
nightlife
Nica
Casa Bonay’s space has been designed with the assistance of audiophiles Amit and Aneesh Patel, owners of London bar Brilliant Corners.
food-drink
Fat Veggies
Vegan restaurant Fat Veggies serves up barbeque and smoked vegetables
food-drink
Bar Brutal
A Born natural-wine institution – Can Cisa’s Bar Brutal pours biodynamic, sulphite-free bottles alongside sharing plates to a clued-in crowd.
food-drink
El Nacional
This high-end food court has become the talk of the town.
lgbt
Sauna Casanova
The after-hours offerings in Barcelona can be a bit hit or miss. If you’ve still not pulled by the time the lights come on at the club, heading to the Sauna Casanova is one of the best ideas.