The weather is gorgeous and there is a feeling of festivity in the air. From the 22nd to the 25th of September we are celebrating La Mercè 2017, the festival of festivals in Barcelona. It is in honour of one of the patron-saints of the city: our Lady of the Mercy. All of you lucky…
Gracia Festival 2017: programme and activities
Barcelona loves Summer celebrations. The annual Gracia Festival is, together with La Mercè Festival in September, one of the main ones of the city. Every August, the streets of this charming neighbourhood change colour and it welcomes visitors to its delightful squares. In 2017 it will take place from the 14th to the 21st of…
What to do in Barcelona in February: An insider’s view
I wish I received a euro for every time I get asked the question When is a quiet time to go to Barcelona? If you are willing to put up with a bit of chilly weather, this month can be a great time to drop by our beautiful city. Let’s go through what to expect…
What to do for New Year’s Eve in Barcelona 2016-2017
When I spent my first New Year’s Eve in Barcelona, people told me that this night is traditionally spent in families’ homes and that the party only gets started some time after midnight. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that there is certainly no lack of merriment on the streets if you know where…
A traditional Catalan Christmas and New Year in Barcelona
On a crisp winter morning at the end of November, as I was guiding the Gothic Quarter Free Tour, we passed through the Christmas Fair of Saint Lucy. I got many a curious question as to who was that figurine defecating near the nativity scene, why children were beating a huge piece of wood with…
Introducing our new video!
Finally! We have a video for our company… and we love it! A great way to show what we do to the world in a quick less-than-a-minute short film. Here it is, enjoy! Runner Bean Tours on Vimeo.
Barcelona Free Museums Day 2017: The Night of the Museums
One of my favourite nights of the year in Barcelona is fast approaching: The Night of the Museums. This free late night viewing of exhibitions is not only exclusive to my city but is part of a wider initiative across Europe. It doesn’t matter if you are a local or a visitor. It is a…
Family friendly restaurants in Barcelona
Coming to Barcelona with a young family? Scratching your head about what family friendly restaurants in Barcelona you should go to? Well, put your worries aside, relax and let me give you the same tips I give to parents on my Kids and Family tours. It should make for a fun and stress-free meal with…
Where to see human towers in Barcelona: calendar of events
Ever since we wrote the post about The Catalan Festival that occurs each year in the summer, our readers keep asking us where to see human towers in Barcelona. The main “castells” season is from April to October but you can find them all year around depending on festival dates. We have decided to create…
Christmas activities in Barcelona for families with kids
It’s that exciting time of year again. On these crisp mornings on my way to work I pass through the Santa Llúcia Christmas Market, and there’s nothing like it to get you into the holiday mood. The Christmas lights are on, the markets are packed, and there is a real buzz around the city. If…
