film
Sitges Film Festival 2026
The 59th edition of the fantasy, horror and cult films-focused festival
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
Thursday, Oct 8
arts-culture
Festa Major of Esquerra de l'Eixample 2026
One of the city’s biggest neighbourhoods celebrates its festa major
arts-culture
Seat: Factory of Transformations
Castell de Montjuïc’s exhibition uses car company SEAT to tell a story about Barcelona
arts-culture
Light Filtered Through the Cracks
MACBA’s exhibition looks back to when video became a tool for political intervention.
arts-culture
Pere Portabella
A program of screenings drawn from this Catalan filmmaker’s repertoire.
arts-culture
Declaration of Love to Lenin, Juana Dolores Romero Casanova
This incredible artist’s first exhibition held at La Virreina.
arts-culture
After The Kiss
Taiwanese artist Attilio Chien comes with a solo exhibition devoted to the kiss
arts-culture
Echoes: Videos from the Han Nefkens Foundation Donation
An exhibition on a donation of 18 video artworks by Han Nefkens Foundation.
arts-culture
Elisava
A sun-soaked photography project capturing the Poblenou coastline.
arts-culture
Josep Maria de Sucre, Activist and Visionary Artist
A new exhibition on the work of Catalan visionary artist Josep Maria de Sucre
film
What's Up, Doc?
Peter Bogdanovich’s classic screwball comedy
film
Hard Eight (Sydney)
Paul Thomas Anderson’s coolly controlled debut feature
film
NAZA
A chilling investigation into the systems behind civilian deaths in Gaza
film
IndiFest Film Festival
Barcelona Indigenous Film Festival returns with films dedicated to Indigenous stories
music
GRLS
Mexican alt-pop pair arrive on tour
film
Transhumant Film Festival 2026
The socially committed film and photojournalism festival returns
music
BCN Shag Fest 2026
Fast feet and vintage swing take over for the return of Barcelona Shag Festival
Friday, Oct 9
style-design
Nativa Feria
NATIVA brings together contemporary design, artisan ceramics and floral art
music
Christina Vantzou
Much-loved Brussels-based ambient musician arrives on tour
Saturday, Oct 10
fitness-wellness
Outdoor Fitness Workout
An energizing group-training session at Barcelona’s seafront.
Sunday, Oct 11
arts-culture
Art & Coffee Oil Painting Workshop
Slow down, get creative and enjoy something a bit off the beaten track
film
Boogie Nights
Paul Thomas Anderson's tale of the rise and fall of a California porn star
Ongoing
arts-culture
The Cult of Beauty
The CCCB’s latest exhibition delves into one of the most loaded ideas in culture.
Places
food-drink
Xiringuito Escribà
The Escribà family’s Bogatell-beach paella house, cooking over wood fires since 1992.
food-drink
La Querida
The menu is full of delights like tapas, burgers, pasta dishes and wok-based treats – all sure to put a smile on the face of the fussiest of eaters.
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.
nightlife
Foxy
Good music, strong cocktails and lots of locals at this Raval dive bar.
food-drink
El Tianguis
The tacos, micheladas and margaritas leave no doubt this is a Mexican must.
nightlife
El Diset
Named for the 17°C wine is best served at – Catalan bottles by the glass, in Born.
food-drink
Copasetic
Vintage comfort food in the Eixample – Barcelona’s deepest gluten-free brunch.
food-drink
Bocanariz
The newest wine bar in town, head to Bocanariz and indulge in some of the best wines of the region and abroad.
food-drink
El Tío Ché
This centenarian horchatería is loved for its artisanal icy treats.
music
JazzSí
A tiny Raval live-music room run with the Taller de Músics school next door.
food-drink
CruiX
Chef Miquel Pardo’s Bib Gourmand tasting menu runs through creative tapas and lands on a shared paella with socarrat in every serving.
food-drink
Lluritu
Ocean-fresh, seasonal seafood takes center stage at Lluritu. More than that, they want, by their own admission, to “make seafood sexy.”
food-drink
El Celler d’en Frank Peterssein
Armando pours house vermouth in a Raval bodega with old Singer-base tables.
romance
Oops!
The city’s best-known swingers club – discreet, stylish and not remotely seedy.
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
La Mar Salada
Down towards Barceloneta’s beach, you’ll come across a place that serves what is arguably the best paella in the city: La Mar Salada.
nightlife
Ølgod
Revered Danish craft beer bar Kælderkold now has a younger sister.
food-drink
Arroseria Xàtiva
A Gràcia rice specialist serving 25+ paellas made with bomba rice and seawater.
food-drink
Takeaway & Delivery Picks
Good news in having some restaurants jumping back into action with takeaway and home delivery services.
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.”
nightlife
Bloody Mary Cocktail Lounge
They serve no less than 10 versions of the much-loved drink.
food-drink
Bacaro
A low-key trattoria that balances warmth and charm in a way that only Italians can.
food-drink
Sésamo
Hofmann-trained chef Alfredo has made this vegetarian restaurant his culinary playground.
food-drink
Kibuka
Two Gràcia sushi restaurants trading tradition for inventive fusion rolls.
food-drink
Koh-ndal Thai Bistro
Sant Gervasi Thai with a Mediterranean twist, from its French-Catalan owners.
food-drink
Gallo Santo
Spain’s first fully plant-based Mexican eatery.
food-drink
Les Filles
Lovers of interiors will find nirvana here, as well as a breakfast menu of hipster greatest hits and a European lunch menu.
food-drink
Ceviche 103
Bridging the gap between homely Peruvian eateries and upscale locales.
food-drink
Parking Pizza
Neapolitan pizza meets Mediterranean cuisine.
food-drink
Anita Gelato
Anita’s handmade gelato runs past 150 flavors, from pistachio to halva, scooped fresh all day.