arts-culture
Pere Portabella
A programme of screenings drawn from this Catalan filmmaker’s repertoire
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
Sunday, Aug 9
arts-culture
Light Filtered Through the Cracks
MACBA’s exhibition looks back to when video became a tool for political intervention
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
Joaquín Tusquets de Cabirol. Eloquent Form
An exhibition on the work of the Catalan photographer whose images capture postwar life
arts-culture
Declaration of Love to Lenin, Juana Dolores Romero Casanova
This incredible artist’s first exhibition held at La Virreina
arts-culture
Minor White
An exhibition on one of the most influential figures in 20th-century American photography
arts-culture
“Small, Middle and Big” Family Space
A family space for children to play, rest, read, draw and imagine together
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
arts-culture
Opening of the Baluard Garden
Soak up some of the city’s history at the Jardí del Baluard
arts-culture
Elisava
A sun-soaked photography project capturing the Poblenou coastline
music
Brunch Electronik Fest
Three full days of DJs and brunchers come to Parc del Fòrum
lgbt
Circuit Festival 2026
One of the world’s biggest LGBTQIA+ party gatherings returns
film
Cinema Lliure a la Platja 2026
This cinema cycle brings free open-air screenings to the beach
Monday, Aug 10
arts-culture
Women Will Come 2026
An exhibition retelling the city’s history through women and their fight for change
arts-culture
Summer Nights at Casa Amatller 2026
Discover Casa Amatller at night with an audio guide and glass of cava
film
Cineclub 113
A film to get you in the mood, then a DJ set to carry the feeling into the night
Wednesday, Aug 12
fitness-wellness
The Beautery Rooftop
Beauty, music and socialising form this glamorous midweek rooftop escape
Thursday, Aug 13
style-design
Hidden Boutiques of Barcelona: A Curated Shopping Tour
Discover the city through its independent boutique scene
Friday, Aug 14
film
Mecal Air Barcelona 2026
Mecal Air turns summer nights into relaxed open-air short-film cinema sessions
Saturday, Aug 15
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
The Cult of Beauty
The CCCB’s latest exhibition delves into one of the most loaded ideas in culture
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
arts-culture
Kapwani Kiwanga
Fundació Joan Miró shows the work of artist Kapwani Kiwanga
Places
food-drink
Bonsai
A matcha-obsessed Eixample café sourcing first-harvest ceremonial powder from Japan, stone-ground to order – with proper coffee alongside.
food-drink
Xiringuito Escribà
The Escribà family’s Bogatell-beach paella house, cooking over wood fires since 1992.
arts-culture
Monastery of Pedralbes
Visit this masterpiece of Catalan Gothic architecture for free on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm during the “magic hour.”
food-drink
Koh-i-noor
This family-run restaurant has set itself up as a jewel in the Barcelona curry scene.
lgbt
La Monroe
Delicate combinations of flavor mixed with exquisite presentation and an upbeat, welcoming vibe.
food-drink
Buenos Aires
An Argentinean steakhouse importing Black Angus, Nebraska beef and New Zealand lamb.
food-drink
Morro Fi
A foodie blog turned successful vermouth spot.
lgbt
Bar Rufián
This gay dive bar throws a VermuParty one Sunday a month.
romance
La Paloma
A perfect short-term Raval retreat with that special someone.
food-drink
Bloome by Sasha
A healthy café on Passeig de Sant Joan, with a second branch on Via Laietana.
food-drink
Acai&Me El Born
Açaí&Me does the three B’s: breakfast, brunch and bowls, piled high in a sunny corner worth lingering in.
arts-culture
Terranova
A publishing house turned bookstore and gallery space in Sant Antoni.
arts-culture
Casa Vicens
Gaudí’s first Modernist jewel in Barcelona, completed in 1883, is among the pioneer buildings in Europe’s Art Nouveau.
arts-culture
Camp Nou Experience
The Barça museum, with a viewing platform over the stadium being rebuilt around it.
fitness-wellness
El Ciclo
Rent a bike, take a tour or buy second-hand.
food-drink
Mescladís
Mescladís (“mixed” in Catalan) is a non-profit organization that works towards social cohesion and the betterment of local relations.
arts-culture
Espronceda
An innovative contemporary art center, exhibition hall and workspace in Poblenou.
food-drink
Boa-Bao
Boa-Bao takes diners on a culinary journey through flavors of Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and beyond.
food-drink
UMA House Trafalgar
UMA House Trafalgar’s seventh-floor pool terrace, with a 360-degree read on the city’s rooftops, spires and the ridge behind them.
food-drink
Cala del Vermut
Fernando Puerta founded the original spot to rescue vermouth from the dustbin of history.
food-drink
Roast Club Cafe
Italian barista Iker pours every cup with obsessive care at this snug café – single-origin espresso and filter for those who taste the difference.
nightlife
33|45
Electro music, great cocktails and a fun vibe combine at this bar-slash-gallery.
style-design
Lady Green
Stay home with flowers during the lockdown with flower delivery from this Born-based florist.
nightlife
Big Bang Bar
Big Bang Bar has long been a mecca for local musicians and traveling tunesmiths looking to share music on an intimate stage.
food-drink
Koku Kitchen
A purposefully unflashy little ramen place hidden down a tatty side street.
nightlife
14 de la Rosa
This hidden cocktail bar in Gràcia offers coffee in the morning, vermouth in the afternoon and a killer cocktail by night.
food-drink
Holly's Ice Cream
The team at Holly’s craft the gnarliest ice cream sandwiches this side of the Atlantic.
arts-culture
Tablao de Carmen
Tablao de Carmen blends traditional Spanish food, drinks and tapas with an intimate flamenco show.
nightlife
Paradiso
Paradiso serves up unusual and creative cocktails.
food-drink
Chivuo’s
They have gained a following for their “slow” street food and craft beer.