BARCELONA is one of the most dynamic cities in the world and on this site we bring you the very best of Barcelona culture. Barcelona’s reputation as a world centre for art, architecture and design is growing yearly with a plethora of cultural activities on offer. As if it needed confirming, in 1999 the entire city was awarded a Royal Gold Medal for Architecture from the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Barcelona is today one of the world's leading tourist, economic and cultural centers, and its influences in commerce, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities a Barcelona breaks will be memorable for you and your family .
Museums
Barcelona houses a great number of museums, which cover different areas and eras. The City History Museum, situated in a medieval building that used to be a royal residence, explains the story of the city, and includes a visit to the Roman ruins in the museum's basement. It also comprises the Museum-Monastery of Pedralbes, one of the best examples of Catalan Gothic architecture, the Museum-House Verdaguer, dedicated to poet Jacint Verdaguer, the Park Güell Interpretation Centre and several other minor sites.
Libraries and archives
The National Library of Catalonia is the central library in the city, but there's a large network of public services and cultural centers scattered around the city which is owned by the Diputació de Barcelona, as well as many private libraries and libraries belonging to institutions such as universities.
Performing arts
Barcelona is home to the Sónar Music Festival as well as the Primavera Sound Festival which both take place around May and June every year. Sónar is an electronica music festival split into three days with two main events on each day (Sónar By Night and Sónar by Day). Sónar by day is held close to Les Rambles, whereas Sonar by night takes place in a complex just outside the main city. Primavera Sound is more focused on a broader programming with also guitar rock and indie rock related music. This festival is held in Parc del Fòrum and the black/blue triangled building of the Auditorium straight across where Sónar is held.
Live music & concerts
Large-scale rock and pop concerts by international stars can be heard at the Palau Sant Jordi, the Estadi Olímpic and Camp Nou. The best mid-sized venue is Zeleste, Carrer Almogàvers 122, in Poble Nou, which hosts Spanish and international pop and rock groups. Harlem Jazz Club, Carrer Comtesa de Sobradiel 8, hosts jazz and other live music until 0400 daily. Jamboree on the Plaça Reial is a long-standing and popular jazz, blues and funk venue next door to Los Tarantos. Traditional folk music from Catalonia, Spain and the rest of Europe is on offer at the Centre Artesà Tradicionarius, Sant Antoni 6-8, which hosts concerts on Thursday and Friday evenings.
A Night Out in Barcelona>>
