Sónar 2013

Posted on May 15, 2013 by justbarcelona

If there is one festival which keeps getting better and better every year, it is Sónar. This year it is going to celebrate it’s twentieth anniversary with another great line-up of the best DJs, groups and producers both past and present playing live in front of more than 90,000 people over three days in Barcelona on the 13, 14 and 15 of June.

Sónar 2013 kicks off on Thursday the 13^th with Sónar Day, this year the green grass of Macba has moved locations to the Feria in Plaza Espanya. A move not without controversy amongst some long time Sónar regulars, who prefer the intimate and familiar surroundings of Macba to the open more impersonal spaces of the proposed new space. Following the inaugural day of action Sónar officially gets underway with the inaugural concert by British duo the Pet Shop Boys on the Thursday night.

What follows is two full days of the best electronic music in two great locations, the new Sónar Day location and the existing Sónar Night locations. Once again the organisers have outdone themselves for this special 20^th edition of Sónar. They have managed to attract not only some of the biggest names in the electronic music industry but also some of the pioneers. Apart from the aforementioned Pet Shop Boys, electronic music geniuses and one of the most influential names in the music industry, Kraftwerk will be bringing their new show 3-D to Sónar 2013. Other artists appearing at Sónar 2103 are Skrillex, Richie Hawtin, Two Door Cinema Club, Laurent Garnier, Jamie Lidell, Hot Chip and Gold Panda. For full listing of all Concerts and DJs click here.

It promises to be one of the best editions of ever. Will we see you there?

Best Chinese Restaurants in Barcelona

Posted on May 6, 2013 by justbarcelona

Coming to Barcelona you might just want a break from the typical Catalan foods of pa amb tomaque, paella and jamon. They are great foods but if you are here for a few days or weeks you might get tired of always ordering the same so why not try some Chinese Food. Ok, so as you may have noticed there are quite a few Chinese Restaurants in Barcelona and not all of them are great so we have narrowed down the list to give you the Best Chinese Restaurants in Barcelona.

Si Chuan- An absolutely delicious selection of some of the finest Chinese dishes available Peking Duck among them. Large servings and a good quality to price ratio make this a favourite amongst Barcelona locals and Chinese visitors. Where: C/ Benet Mateu 48-50. Price: 20€-40€. Tel: 93 203 6048

Hai Cheng- According to local legend this is where many Chinese chefs go to eat once they have finished work, means it must be good. Fresh produce direct from the market is transformed into mouth watering cuisine. Fondues, seafood and abundant vegetable dishes abound. Where: C/ Girona, 170. Price: 10€-20€. Tel: 93 207 5563

Memorias de China- Beautiful Ancient Imperial China inspired décor, an open kitchen and excellent food make this Chinese Restaurant in Barcelona one of the best. Order from a selection of feasts including Canton and Hong Kong, or order of the extensive menu. A little more upmarket than your normal Chinese Restaurant. Where: C/ Lincoln, 17. Price: 20€-40€ Tel: 93 415 7602

Son Hao- Chinese and Taiwanese cuisine is served in this very popular Chinese Restaurant in Barcelona. The Braised beef noodle soup is of a standard only to equalled in Taiwan,. Owners are friendly but can be a little pushy in a light hearted way. This restaurant is popular with visiting tour groups from China and Taiwan. Where: C/ Muntaner, 66. Price: 20€-40€ Tel: 93 453 8303

Cuina Maria- Whilst the name might not sound Chinese, this is a great little restaurant serving traditional Chinese dishes. Open for almost two years this Chinese Restaurant has developed a cult following among the local Chinese community. Generous servings are a signature of this Chinese restaurant in Barcelona. Where: C/ Ausiàs March, 56. Price: 10€-15€ Tel: 93 246 4261

If there are any other Chinese Restaurants in Barcelona which you think should be included on the list please leave a comment and let us know.

Spanish Grand Prix: Formula 1 Returns to Catalonia

Posted on April 29, 2013 by justbarcelona

This year’s Formula 1 Championship has gotten off to a flying and emotional start with three different winners from the four races contested so far. Vettel currently leads the championship with Räikkönen, Hamilton and Alonso not far behind. The Spanish Formula 1 on the 10-12 of May 2013 promises to be an action packed weekend of racing accompanied by the smell of burning rubber and the screaming sound of the engines.

Spanish favourite Fernando Alonso will be looking to put the problems of the Bahrain Grand Prix behind him. A problem with the DRS caused him to make two unscheduled pit stops and he was unable to make use of the DRS during the race. Despite these problems he still managed to finish among the points, but on his home turf he will be looking to finish higher up in the rankings. With this year’s Ferrari ,Alonso must be considered as one of the favourites to win the championship and the Montmelo circuit is the perfect place from which to start.

Red Bull Team mates Vettel and Webber seem to have buried the hatchet after Vettel defied team orders and overtook Webber to win the Malaysian Grand Prix something which didn’t sit well with Webber. Have they really put their problems behind them, no one knows but the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix offers the perfect opportunity to see this new sporting rivalry between team mates. Other contenders for the race include Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel of Mercedes and Lotus driver Räikkönen.

We all know that anything is possible in motor racing and the best place to catch all the action from the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix is live from the Catalunya Circuit. It promises to be a fantastic race. Don’t miss it!

Pedralbes Gardens Music Festival in Barcelona

Posted on April 18, 2013 by justbarcelona

There is a new music festival in Barcelona’s already hectic summer music festival agenda, the Pedralbes Garden Music Festival. The inaugural festival will take place in the gardens of Palau Reial in Pedralbes from the 20^th of June to the 7^th of July 2013.

Organisers have managed to bring some big names in the music industry to the inaugural Pedralbes Gardens Music Festival. Opening the festival will be world renowned tenor Josep Carreras accompanied by soprano Gladys Rossi and the Symphony Orchestra of Girona. Carreras will be performing classic songs from Broadway and cinema from such composers as Rodgers and Hammerstein, Gershwin, Lloyd Weber and Mancini. Carreras will be performing on the 20^th of June at 10pm.

Following Carreras will be Spain’s biggest crooner, Julio Iglesias who will be performing his biggest hits on the 26^th of June. Iglesias’ charisma, good looks and voice have made him an international star. Testament to the fact is the more than 300 million sold over his career.

Also appearing at the festival are Antony and the Johnsons, who will be performing his only show in Spain. The “She’s So Blue”show in collaboration with musical director Steve Bernstein will showcase the works of composers who have inspired him, among them Leonard Cohen and The Velvet Underground. Antonyand the Johnsons will be taking to the stage on the 28^th of June.

Rounding out the Pedralbes Garden Music Festival are Natalie Cole performing “Once in a Lifetime”, Rodger Hodgson lead singer and composer of Supertramp performing many of the songs which made him famous and disco stalwarts Earth, Wind and Fire performing their danceable fusion of funk, soul and rock.

The final act of the festival will be one of the greatest American groups of all time, the legendary Crosby, Stills and Nash (unfortunately without Young) back in Barcelona after an eight year absence. They will be performing some of their biggest hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s. An opportunity not to be missed to see three music industry legends performing on the 8^th of July at the Pedralbes Gardens Music Festival.

For tickets and further information visit the official website.

Primavera Sound 2013

Posted on March 21, 2013 by justbarcelona

After a long cold winter the spring is slowly making its presence felt inBarcelona, the days are getting slowly longer and warmer, people are shedding their winter layers, and there is a different vibe in the city, an air of excitement as spring and summer is festival time inBarcelona. Leading the festival charge this year is Primavera Sound with an artistic line up marked by pop, rock and underground dance tendencies. Primavera Sound will take place in Parc del Forum from the 22-26 of May 2013.

Primavera Sound gets underway on the Wednesday with concerts by The Bots, The Vaccines, Guards and Delorean in Parc del Forum and in Apolo Theatre Cheatahs, John Talabot andVeronicaFallshowever it isn’t until Thursday that Primavera Sound truly gets underway with numerous concerts lasting until the early hours of Friday morning. There is hardly enough time to get some rest before it starts all over again, Friday and Saturday nights are the big nights at Primavera Sound when this year headlining acts Blur, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Wu-Tang Clan and Hot Chip perform.

Primavera Sound 2013 is not just about music, it is continual catwalk of new and emerging fashion. What sunglasses, dresses, shorts, shirts, and hair styles will attendees to Primavera Sound be wearing this year? The best way to find out is to attend the Primavera Sound Festival.

If you are thinking of coming to Primavera Sound you should start looking for your accommodation in Barcelona now.

For the full Primavera Sound line-up and more information visit the official website.

Practical Information

Where: Parc del Forum,Barcelona

When: 22-26 May 2013

Tickets: Full Tickets Sold Out, Day Tickets 80€.

Getting There: Bus, 43, 7, 36, 141 and 41

Metro, Line 4 Maresme-Forum Station

Tram, Trambesos (T4 Line) Forum Station.

Authentic Japanese in Barcelona

Posted on March 8, 2013 by justbarcelona

In Barcelona, it would appear as though there is a Sushi restaurant on almost every corner, but how many of these restaurants are authentic? The sad truth is not many, but there are many authentic Japanese restaurants in Barcelona and here is a guide to a few of them.

Ramen-Ya Hiro- Judging by the line outside this restaurant Chef Hiro is doing something right, big steaming bowls of Ramen complete with home made noodles served with your choice of chicken, bamboo shoots, egg, algae plus much more. The restaurant is very small and you can’t reserve a table so get in early. Where: C/ Girona, 164. Barcelona. Price: 15€

Bouzu- If you are hankering for the authentic taste of Japanese Tapas, then head down to Bouzu. Try the maguro no tataki, a semi cooked tuna fillet, or kakiage, an absolutely mouth watering vegetable tempura with prawns. Adding to the authentic Japanese experience is the house selection of fine Japanese music being piped through the restaurant. An excellent place to spend time with friends. Where: Ronda Sant Antoni, 26. Barcelona. Price: 20€

La Cuina de l’Uribou- With a typical Catalan name you wouldn-t expect this restaurant to serve Japanese food, but it does and excellent food at that. The Sushi Combi just can’t be beaten for taste or price. Try a set menu to experience the full range of flavours of Japanese cooking. Where: C/ Taquigraf Serra 26, Barcelona. Price: €30

Kuo- A small intimate and welcoming Japanese Tavern, the extensive menu is sure to please evn the most demanding Japanese food lover. Their speciality is Teppenyaki, the sirloin with yakiniku sauce and mushrooms is to die for. If you prefer Sushi, the sushi to sashimi no moriawase is what you are looking for, 18 pieces of sushi consisting of 6 maki, 3 nigiri and 9 sashimi is sure to keep you coming back for more. Where: C/ Madrazo 135. Barcelona. Price: €30

Una mica de Japó- Not as glamourous as other Japanese Restaurants in Barcelonabut judging by the Japanese clientele, this family run restaurant is as authentic as it gets. Expect no sushi here; their specialities are Bento, Katsudon and Gyoza. A little piece of Japanin Barcelona. Where: C/ Aragó 104, Barcelona. Price: 25€

If you discover any authentic Japanese Restaurants in Barcelona, leave a comment and let us know. Douzo meshiagare..

Nasty Mondays:Barcelona’s Craziest Night Out

Posted on March 1, 2013 by justbarcelona

It is Monday night and you don’t know what to do, you feel like going out, but it is Monday surely everything will be shut after a typical Barcelona weekend with parties going on long into the morning. So it gets to midnight and you decide to call it a night and you are on your way back to your accommodation when in the distance you see a long line of young people patiently waiting outside some kind of club.

Hmmm, this looks very interesting indeed. Getting closer you have get a good look at the people in the line, dodgy looking moustaches, tattoos, some very attractive people, the odd skateboard here and there and an unbelievably good vibe. You ask one of the people in the line “What are you all lining up for?” With a wry grin he turns and answers “Only the best party night in Barcelona, Nasty Mondays”.

Intrigued you join the slowly moving line and before you know it you find yourself walking up the stairs in the Apolo nightclub, music blaring it is a mix of grunge, 50’s rock n roll, hits from the 80’s, 90’s, indie and electro. A bit of everything, the crowd is really pumped the drinks are flowing, this is AWESOME. You feel a hand on your shoulder, you turn and it is the guy from the line, he leans in to make himself heard over the thundering music and shouts only inches from your face “Welcome to Nasty Mondays”.

The rest of the night passes in a blur, one minute you are dancing in the middle of an excited bunch of twenty somethings, the next you are up on stage behind the DJ’s having your photograph taken for what you find out later is the Sh**ty Sessions, hopefully the photos aren’t too nasty. Before you know it you are walking out the door into the weak morning sunshine, WOW, what a detour. Feeling a little nasty after such a great night out you head back to your accommodation safe in the knowledge that Apolo has a Crappy Tuesday and if it is anything like Nasty Mondays, it is destined to be another great night out in Barcelona.

Where: Apolo Theatre Nou dela Rambla 113

When: Monday nights from 12am onwards

Admission: 14€ with a drink.

Can Maño: Fresh Seafood in la Barceloneta

Posted on February 4, 2013 by justbarcelona

Built on a thin finger of land between Port Vell and the Mediterranean Sea is the neighbourhood of la Barceloneta, once home to fishermen and dockside workers it is today one of the most visited and popular neighbourhoods in Barcelona thanks mostly in part to the tourists flocking to the beach in the summer months. Despite the changes la Barceloneta still manages to conserve much of its charm and sense of community, the narrow streets lined with drying laundry, local residents sit outside in the street catching up on the local gossip whilst the kids play football in the streets and squares.

Located down one of la Barceloneta’s side streets close to the market is Can Maño, a great little restaurant serving fresh cooked seafood in a great atmosphere. There is very little to show exactly where the restaurant is or in fact that it is a restaurant, only a laminated piece of paper with the words Can Maño on it tacked to a shutter, there is no other identifiable signage . The best way to help you find this typical restaurant and testament to its popularity is to look for the crowds of people waiting out the front for a table.

The décor of the restaurant harks back to many a year ago, simple Formica topped tables and matching chairs, a board stuck on the wall showing the offers and menu and a few photos showing what la Barceloneta was like before the Olympics came to town and not forgetting the singing Bass. The food and atmosphere is what makes this place, fresh prawns grilled with garlic and parsley, sardines, boquerones, calamari and octopus, all fresh and cooked to perfection. The noise of happy diners munching their way through all this fresh seafood interrupted by a group of Gypsy buskers bursting through the door singing and playing the guitar at full volume before disappearing as quick as they had arrived.

For an authentic Barcelona experience Can Maño can’t be beaten, good food at a reasonable price washed down with a cheap house wine in a great atmosphere. Just don’t tell your friends we don’t want it becoming too popular.

Museum of World Cultures in Barcelona

Posted on November 22, 2012 by justbarcelona

Barcelona is nothing if not multicultural. In fact, only 62% of inhabitants were born in the surrounding region, although 85.5% are of Spanish origin. It should come as no surprise, then, that in 2014 the city is set to open its new Museum of World Cultures (“Museo de Culturas del Mundo”). The opening date was recently set as June 2014.

The Museum aims to provide pieces of art from four world continents – Asia, Africa, America and Oceana, which will all be more or less equally represented among the 700 pieces on show. Cultures from all over the world, from New Guinea and the Pacific Islands to the Olmec and Maya will be represented. In the African section, there’ll be a special exhibition dedicated to Fang culture.

The Museum of World Cultures is aiming big, with its sights set on forming relationships with similar international organisations and becoming as well-known as established centres such as Paris’ Quai de Branly and the non-Occidental collections of the British Museum or the MoMA.

Pieces will mostly come from the Folch Collection’s 2,300 work strong base, as well as the Ethnological Museum of Barcelona and private collections. The City Hall’s Director of Heritage, Museums and Archives, Josep Alay, was quoted as saying that “This will be a way to be able to tour the world through art”.

The budget for the museum will run to €5m, and construction will take place in the adjoining Gothic Nadal Palace and Marqués de Llio Palace, both on c/ Montcada, in the heart of Barcelona’s old quarter. And with so many people from all over the world passing through the street outside, we wouldn’t be at all surprised if the Museum of World Cultures were to be a hit.

Christmas 2012 in Barcelona

Posted on November 16, 2012 by justbarcelona

Barcelona is not the only city that’ll be celebrating Christmas 2012, but it’s one of the nicest. With lights, late shopping hours, Christmas markets and all kinds of traditions, if you’re lucky enough to be spending Christmas 2012 in Barcelona, here are a few ideas of things to do.

Go ice skating - The Plaça de Catalunya, in the centre of town, will be opening up its special open-air ice rink once again, giving you a chance to see the centre of Barcelona as it whizzes past from two wheels. After threats that it was going to close after making a loss last year (despite popular success, running costs were very high), the ice rink has raised its prices to €6 for half an hour or €9 for an hour.

Go shopping in a Christmas market - There’s several Christmas markets in Barcelona, although the biggest is the Santa Llúcia Christmas Market, held on the Avinguda de la Catedral from the 26^th November to the 23^rd December 2012. The market will feature traditional Christmas handicrafts, as well as present ideas.

Barcelona Shopping Night - This coming 22^nd of November, the shops will be open in a late-night present-buying special. Expect discounts, free drinks for customers and makeover sessions in Barcelona’s glamorous Passeig de Gràcia, open until 1 am.

See the Christmas lights - The 2012 Christmas lights in Barcelona are being switched on on the 22^nd November. The lights will be up all over the centre of town, including the Plaça Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia, Las Ramblas and the Portal de l’Àngel.

Nativity Scenes - The city’s main nativity scene is normally set up in the Plaça Sant Jaume. It’s worth a visit if you’re in the area, although frankly it often pales in comparison with Barcelona’s other Christmas attractions.

Most shops and major tourist attractions will be closed on public holidays – Christmas Day, Boxing Day , New Year’s Day and Epiphany (Jan. 6^th). Have a very merry Christmas 2012 in Barcelona!

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