Mobile World Congress

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From today, until 17th of February in Plaça Espanya in Barcelona

Font: GSM website

Santa Eulalia Party from 11st to 13rd of February

Barcelona's big annual winter bash, the Laia, aims to appeal to young and old. To do so, it is offering a whole host of events and activities from 11 to 13 February, ranging from tradition to the latest urban culture.

On the first day of the festival, St Eulàlia's day, there will be a procession of giant Laia figures, which will be joined by all the city's other giants, parading down the narrow streets of the Gòtic neighbourhood. If you ask any of them what they're called, they'll say "Laia".

You've a further date with a more traditional Laia, on Sunday 13 February, with the St Eulàlia Procession, finishing at Plaça de Sant Jaume, where there will be a Dance featuring the Giantess Laia, other Giants and the Àliga de la Ciutat [City Eagle]. Immediately afterwards there will be a diada castellera or "human-tower building" competition.

There will then be the St Eulàlia Correfoc or "fire run", followed by a children's version of that consisting of little devils.

You mustn't miss the Catalan Festive Bestiary Exhibition either, where you will be able to see, besides city figures like the eagle, lion and the mule, the Pollo del Prat de Llobregat [chicken], the Vaca Xula de Vacarisses [cow] and the Ramat d'Ovelles de Canovelles [flock of sheep].

A Laia festival at its most spectacular

Circus, dance and physical theatre will be filling the festival with shows. A Circus Cabaret will be held jointly with the Catalan Circus Professionals Association on the nights of 11 and 12 February, featuring a selection of home-grown circus acts.

The festivities will include the Barcelona Total Session, Barcelona's first breakers' meeting point, where you can watch the city's and Grenoble's bboys dance.

A Laia festival at its most cultural

To mark the St Eulàlia festivities, open days are to be held at various city spaces, including City Hall, museums and the Botanical Gardens.

There will be free entry for most of these venues on Saturday 12 February, although some are likely to open on Sunday 13 February.

Many have activities specially prepared for the occasion, such as guided tours and workshops. So, for example, a solar observation has been organised at Montjuïc Castle, while legends and myths from native-American culture are to be narrated at the Museu Barbier-Mueller.

Font: Ajuntament de Barcelona

Tibidabo Park

If the views from the Castell de Monjuic are good, tose from the 550-metre heights of Mount Tibdabo- wich foms the northwestern boundary of the city- are Legendary. On of tose mythical clear days you can see across to Montserrat and the Pyreness, and out to sea even a far as Mallorca. The very name is based on this view, taken from the Temptations of the Christ in the wilderness, when Satan led him to a high place and offered him everything which could be seen: Haec omnia tibi dabo si cadens aboraberis me. (All the things Hill I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me).
At the summit there´s a modern church topped with a huge statue of Christ, and a wonderful Parc d´Atraccions, where the amusements are scattered around several leves of the mountaintop, connected by landscaped paths and gardens. It´s a good mix of tradicional rides and hightech attractions.

Getting there: Take the FGC train (Tibidabo line) or bus #17 (both from Plaza Catalunya) to Avenguda Tibidabo (the last stop).

The Horta labyrinth

The Horta labyrinth Park (El Laberinto de la Horta) garden is the oldest existing in Barcelona. The park features a neoclassical garden and a romantic garden, but the biggest attraction of the park is the labyrinth, formed by several ciprés.

It was built during the 18th century by the architect Domenico Bagutti to design a landscape for Antoni Desvalls. In 1971, the park was given to the city, as the family could no longer keep up with such a garden. It is 17 acres of romantic green gardens, waterfalls, statues, and a labryrinth in the middle.The Labryrinth has many mythological creatures around the park.

The park opens every day at 10 am until sunset. It costs 3 euros to enter, however on Sunday and Wednesday it is free.

Have you seen the film ‘Perfume’? The story is set in 18th-century France, but in fact it was shot in many different places of Barcelona, including Laberint d’Horta, and Plaça Reial, Catedral de Barcelona, Barri Gòtic, Plaça Sant Felip Neri and Poble Espanyol.

The Horta Labyrinth Park It’s located in a neighbourhood called Horta. You can get there with the green line, Mundet station.

Palau de la Musica Catalana

Not strictly within the borders of La Ribera but north of the Calle Princesa in the La Pere district, the Palau de la Música is, for many, the most outstanding contribution of the moderniste movement.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997, it was designed by Lluis Domènech i Montaner, a contemporary of Gaudí's also responsible for the magnificent Hospital Sant Pau. A riot of symbolism, the Palau de la Música Catalana, constructed between 1905 and 1908, is a feast for the senses.In 2003 local architect Oscar Tusquets completed his sensitive extension of El Palau, providing extra rehearsal space, a library, and another, underground auditorium.

It is worth checking their program when in town; concerts range from international orchestras and soloists to jazz and sometimes world music. Tickets for local acts are often very reasonably priced. If not, there are daily tours of the building . Advance purchase for these is recommended.

A wonderful place to spend a Sunday morning listening to wonderful music surounded by incredible architecture.

Address: Career de Sant Francesc de Paula 2, Barcelona
Metro station: Urquinaona

Marsella Bar

One of the city’s oldest bars, Bar Marsella opened for business in 1820, it is a small jewel in the habit of some of the greatest artists in the city, including Picasso, Dali, Gaudi, Miro and the American writer Hemingway lived.

Located on Carrer Sant Pau in Barcelona's El Raval district. One of El Raval's most distinctive bars, Bar Marsella has a charmingly tawdry and decadent bohemian atmosphere. From the dilapidated building on Sant Pau to the tiled floors, tired cabinets lined with dusty out-of-date liquor bottles, spider lamps and ancient mirrors, this bar has an antiquated, deliciously morally redundent feel.

Address : C/Sant Pau, 65
City : Barcelona - Spain
Area : El Raval
Opening hours : From 6pm to 2am.
Phone : 93 442 72 63
Metro/Bus : Liceu (L3) , Paral.lel (L2, L3)

Santa Caterina Market

Santa Caterina Market brings an orgy of colour to the otherwise austere grey of one of Barcelona's oldest districts, El Born. Santa Caterina is one of Barcelona's liveliest and most historic markets, its playful contemporary design by Enric Miralles (who were responsible for the Gas Natural Tower in Barceloneta).

The collaged roof weighs 604 tonnes, fixed into place over 109 arches of differing slopes and forms. Seen from above it's a sea of colour. Beneath the glass floor are glimpses of the original convent. attracting lovers of architecture as well as shoppers.

The market's main restaurant is an ample space lined with long benches and an industrial edge to its decor. It serves a broad range of Asian, Mediterranean food and has been included in Time Out's top ten restaurants in Barcelona. Prices are upper mid-range.
Sant Caterina Market Essential Info

Address: Avinguida Francesc Cambo 16, Born-Ribera

How to Get there: The nearest metro station is Jaume I on the yellow line. From there it's a short walk up Via Laietana.