The La Mercè Festival in Barcelona is the Catalan capital’s annual city festival and its most significant celebration. Officially designated as a city holiday in 1871, La Mercè commemorates the Roman Catholic feast of Our Lady of Mercy (‘La Mare de Déu de la Mercè’). While the feast day itself …
The Festa de la Fil·loxera, or Phylloxera Festival, is an annual celebration held in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia (Catalonia). This distinctive event commemorates a critical juncture in the region’s viticultural history: the phylloxera plague that devastated European vineyards in the late 19th century. Initiated in 1982, the festival serves as both …
The practice of building human towers, known as ‘castells’, represents a defining cultural tradition in Catalonia. This remarkable feat of physical endurance, cooperation and communal identity has become a symbol of Catalan heritage. Recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Castellers continue to captivate onlookers with their …
Tarragona is a charming Mediterranean port city located 100km south-west of Barcelona on the coast of Catalonia. Originally established as Tarraco by the Romans in the 3rd century BCE, Tarragona served as a key administrative and commercial hub. Today the city’s ancient Roman archaeological complex is recognised as a UNESCO …
Roman control of the Iberian Peninsula began in 218 BC during the Second Punic War when they captured territories from the Carthaginians. Over the next two centuries, the Romans gradually conquered and Romanized the region through military force and colonization. The Romans divided the peninsula into three provinces – Hispania …
Date: 1st June 2025 The Spanish Grand Prix is one of the oldest motor racing events in the world, with its origins dating back to 1913. Over the decades, it has evolved into a premier Formula One race, held at various locations across Spain before finding its permanent home at …
Date: 7th September 2025 The Catalunya MotoGP takes place at Montmeló some 20km north of Barcelona at the Circuit de Catalunya. The first international event to be held there was the 1991 Spanish Formula One Grand Prix which remains the home of this event. In 1992 the European Motorcycle Grand …
The Sagrada Familia is one of Barcelona’s most iconic landmarks and a masterpiece of architect Antoni Gaudí. As one of the most visited monuments in Spain, millions of people flock to see this extraordinary basilica each year. To avoid long queues and ensure a smooth visit, it’s highly recommended to …
There are so many things to do in Barcelona that you’ll struggle to visit them all during a short city break. The highlight is the magnificent Sagrada Familia Cathedral but there are plenty more stunning buildings designed by Antoni Gaudí including La Pedrera (also known as Casa Milà), Casa Batlló …