Like a Local - Barcelona - page 43

The Sunday Feast
Sunday is typically the most peaceful day for Catalans, and a fine occasion for gathering
with family or friends over a big meal. Lunch is the main event, and many restaurants pre-
pare Sunday-only specials. Lots of places close on Sunday nights too, so it's worth lingering
over a long multicourse meal - a rich paella in Barceloneta ( Barraca , Can Ros ), followed by
a long leisurely stroll along the waterfront is always a hit.
Festivals & Other Events
One of the best ways to join in for local amusement is to come for one of the city's big fest-
ivals. During summer (June to August), Música als Parcs features 30 or so open-air concerts
at a dozen parks in Barcelona, and free concerts are held at various venues around the city.
Stop in at a tourist office for the latest schedule. Other great open-air concerts that goes
through summer include Festival Piknic Electronik and Festival Pedralbes .
Local Listings
If you can read some Spanish (Castilian), browse the latest art openings, film screenings,
concerts and other events in the Guia del Ocio ( www.guiadelocio.com ), Time Out Bar-
celona ( www.timeout.cat ) or the daily papers like La Vanguardia ( www.lavanguardia.com )
and El Periodico ( www.elperiodico.com ) . Friday papers list the weekend's events (most
with pull-out supplements), and are often worth a read even if your Spanish is limited. The
council website ( http://barcelonacultura.bcn.cat ) also lists upcoming events.
Football
FC Barcelona plays a prominent role in the city's imagination. Heading to a match at Camp
Nou is the best way to catch a bit of Barcelona fever, but watching it onscreen at a tavern
can be just as much fun depending on the crowd. For the most fervent fan base, head to Bar-
celoneta, El Raval, Gràcia or Sarrià, where you'll find lively spots to catch a game. The
daily journal Marca ( www.marca.com ) gives the latest on sporting news.