As an organization that sends thousands of students abroad each year, CEA has captured a list of local secrets - a collection of discoveries from our students, resident staff, as well as other locals - that make this city unique. We hope you will find the information helpful and, at the every least, an interesting read.
Las Ramblas
Like to people watch? Take an evening stroll on the Ramblas, Spain’s most famous street filled with performers, artists, kiosks and cafes. Everyone enjoys it, tourists and locals alike!
The market of la Boquería
The market of La Boqueria is one of the biggest markets of Europe. Located in the emblematic Ramblas, it’s an obliged visit to enjoy an incredible contrast between colors and activity, ideal to discover why Mediterranean cuisine is internationally known due to its ingredients. With the best offer of Catalan fresh products, La Boqueria has become one of the symbols of Barcelona today.
The market of Santa Caterina
Barcelona Santa Caterina Market reopened in 2005 after a seven-year renovation by noted architects Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue. Underneath a theatrically undulating roof with 200,000 colored tiles are dozens of stalls run by Spain’s finest vendors and one of the city’s most happening restaurants, Cuines Santa Caterina. It’s nowadays one of Barcelona’s best examples of modern architecture.
The market of Sant Antoni
The Mercat de Sant Antoni is one of the largest market halls in Barcelona still in active use. The steel-skeleton building (1872-82) by Antoni Rovira i Trias is a great architectural and historical value. It occupies the area of a complete block of streets and the market offers an extremely large choice of fruit, vegetables, fish and seafood. Around the outside of the building are stalls selling textiles, books, records, coins, stamps, etc. On Sunday from 08:00am to 3:00pm just outside the market there is a book and coin market for all the collectors out there. You will find a tremendous assortment of old books, magazines, comics and postcards. A must to see!
Sant Jordi’s day
La Diada de Sant Jordi (Saint George's day) on April 23rd is the day of the rose and the book. This tradition, which combines a rose as a symbol of love and a book as a symbol of culture, has turned April 23rd into a festive celebration which fills the streets and squares with book and flower stalls.
According to the popular tradition, Sant Jordi, patron saint of Catalonia, international knight-errant, allegedly slew a dragon about to devour a beautiful princess south of Barcelona. From the dragon's blood sprouted a rosebush, from which the hero plucked the prettiest for the princess.
The main event is the exchange of gifts between sweethearts, loved ones and respected ones. Historically, men gave women roses, and women gave men a book to celebrate the occasion. Roses have been associated with this day since medieval times, but the giving of books is a more recent tradition. In 1923, a bookseller started to promote the holiday as a way to honour the nearly simultaneous deaths of Miguel Cervantes and William Shakespeare on April 23, 1616. It is a day for walking around and enjoying the spectacle of streets turning into open-air book shops, and events and activities take place all over the city.
La Mercé Festival
The Mercè Festival marks the welcoming in of the autumn season. La Mercé is a celebration of the city's patron saint "Mare de Deu de la Mercé". The festival is a real big deal for the people of Barcelona and the still temperate weather means that, in true Mediterranean fashion, most of the fun takes place outside. Events popping up all over the city and over 3000 artists and performers on display with over 500 activities to watch or take part in. The festival first took place in 1902 with parades containing the first appearance in Catalonia of paper maché "giants" (known as "gigantes y cabezudos" in Spanish), the first Castell (human tower) competition and the importation from the Empordà region of a dance that was spreading throughout Catalonia: the Sardana. The holiday has enjoyed immense local popularity ever since and today it's a fantastic blend of tradition and innovation.
No matter whom you are or where from, you’ll be sure to find something that suits you in the program.
Santa Eulalia Festival
This festival of the city's patron saint is held in mid-February. Saint Eulàlia, co-patron saint of Barcelona. There are many events held around the city to celebrate this festivity in February 12th such as a giant parade (big figures held by people inside who represent medieval kings & queens), a sardanes concert (regional dance), castellers performance (human towers), correfocs (means fire run in English), etc.
Noche de Sant Joan
Noche de Sant Joan is a midnight street party held every year on June 23rd. In plazas throughout the city there are bonfires and fireworks, bands and dancing with people celebrating the summer solstice (the shortest night and the longest day of the year). People enjoy a traditional cake called coca, which is made of dried fruits and pine nuts.
The Festa Major de Gràcia
The Festa Major de Gràcia occurs during the second week of August. It is one of Barcelona’s most famous festivals. Locals decorate their streets outrageously and the best is awarded a prize. They have games for the children, live music and dancing, cultural activities and a parade that starts at Plaa Rius i Taulet which has giant carnival figures. The festival ends when devils setting off fireworks run through the streets. The event is free and runs August 15th through the 22nd.
