Perhaps a main reason for coming to Barcelona is to experience the legendary nightlife. The clubs get going around 11pm and keep going 'til the early morn, the Spanish don't just know how to party - they invented it! Areas of interest include the very touristy Maremagnum on the waterfront, 3 floors of clubs offering a range of music styles from hip hop to Latin, no cover charge but some serious long pour cocktails. Also available, techno heads take note of Moog Club and Torres de Avila . La Terraza is an open air dance club open only in the summer months. Salsitas is a popular restaurant and dancefloor. The Faery Bar just off La Rambla towards the marina is a unique bar complete with faery grottos, mystical trees and upside down room.
Free things to do in Barcelona
Another Gaudi inspiration devoted to all things natural. The park was landscaped between 1900 and 1914 as a part of a commercial development that never took off. The colourful ceramic embedded park bench is the most ergonomic public seat to take a siesta on thanks to Gaudi's study of a man sitting in clay. The sea views and tranquillity are enhanced by the spacious layout and the occasional classical busker. Open daily 10am-6pm (Nov-Feb), 10am-9pm May-Aug, 10am-7pm (April-Sept), guided tours €1.20.
Walk up the promenade from the Metro stop to fully appreciate the features of the slope. On warm summer evenings every half hour the Font Màgica fountains perform a colourful light spectacle accompanied with music, either classical or contemporary which usually lasts about 15mins attracting huge crowds to sit on the steps leading up to the Palau Nacional art museum. The mount is also home to the 1992 Olympic stadium , an 18thC fortress , a replica Spanish village, amusement park, Fundació Jan Miró and the funicular ride between the top and the marina. Fountains operate 7pm-9pm Fri&Sat, (Oct-Apr), 8pm-12am Thu-Sun, (May-Sep).
Strict controls are now in place to ensure a high water quality and recent structural developments of a board walk, public facilities and restaurants make the Barceloneta and Icaria public beaches popular escapes from the city heat.