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GLOBAL SHORT RENTALS

ONLY BE BARCELONIAN

Only-Be Barcelonian

080 Barcelona Fashion

080 Barcelona Fashion

Laura Buil

Fashion will once again take Barcelona by storm from February 2 to 5 at the hands of the 15th edition of 080 Barcelona Fashion. The city will become a walkway for the designs of 34 designers and internationally renowned brands such as Sita Murt, Custo Barcelona, Mango and Desigual. For the first time, the Maritime Museum-Drassanes (Pl. Portal de la Pau, 1) will serve as the stage for the newest trends for the 2015-2016 Fall-Winter season. For the 15th edition of the 080 Barcelona, 34 models from 22 firms and 12 prestigious brands over the course of four intense days where fashion is the focus. Also this year fashion names like Paul Erroz, Who or Rita Row debut in the old Gaudí catwalk. Companies like Scorpion, Naulover, Yerse, Celia Vela, Justicia Ruano or Krizia Robustella will be there too. We will, however, greatly miss designer Sita Murt, who recently passed away due to illness, at the 080 Barcelona Fashion this year. A posthumous tribute will likely take place. 080 Barcelona Fashion will kick off with the collection of debut designer Paul Erroz on February 2 at 4 pm, followed by Celia Vela, Brain&Beast, and Mango. The second day will start at 10:30 am on February 3 with works by CND by Condor, although the most anticipated collections will not arrive until 7 pm with Sita Murt works followed by Desigual. February 4 will feature the Catalan designer Custo Dalmau, who will present his 2015-2016 Fall-Winter collection starting at 9 pm. Finally, the 15th edition of the 080 Barcelona Fashion will bid farewell to the city on February 5 with...
Miradocs Documentary Film Festival in Barcelona

Miradocs Documentary Film Festival in Barcelona

Laura Buil

Tired of the stereotypical image of Barcelona in the movies? The Miradocs Documentary Film Festival returns to Barcelona to try to change this view, focusing the camera on the Barcelona of Barcelonians. At Casa Elizalde (C / Valencia 302) from January 14 to 23, 2015, Miradocs presents an alternative look at a city famous for its visitors and not as much for its inhabitants. With topics such as the exportation of the Barcelona tourism model to the neighborhood struggle in the Barceloneta neighborhood, the fifth edition of this film festival will screen from Tuesday to Friday at 7:30 pm, with free entrance for all. One of the highlights of the cycle is the Master’s class given by producer and director Lluís Miñarro on January 20, which is titled “Com dir-te adéu,” and that each film will feature a discussion with the corresponding director following the screening. Director María Aguilera Reche will open the curtain of Miradocs 2015 with her documentary ¡A un dólar, a un dólar!, on the international impact of the Barcelona tourism paradigm. On January 15, there are the productions Huellas de ausencia y Mala llet, introduced by the School of Cinema and Audiovisual de Catalunya (ESCAC) and whose storylines revolve around family relationships. On Friday, January 16, the documentary El barri s’ha de defensar, a retrospective of neighborhood quarrels between the inhabitants of the Barceloneta last summer and on January 21, filmmaker David Batlle presents his films A conserveira y Port Trade Portrait, about a cannery and the old port of Barcelona, respectively. The actress and director Silvia Munt is responsible for closing the 2015 Miradocs with her documentary Mones com...
Barcelona, City of Second-Hand Goods

Barcelona, City of Second-Hand Goods

Mónica Boixeda

It´s time to shop around the flea markets, one alternative to the usual trade that in addition to being economical is also useful in finding real bargains or unique pieces.

La Mercè 2014: Music, Art and Tradition in Barcelona

La Mercè 2014: Music, Art and Tradition in Barcelona

Mónica Boixeda

September is the Catalan month of the calendar. Between September 11 and “la Mercè” (September 24), locals take to the streets to fight their post-holiday depression with parties and concerts. “La Mercè” is the star of these celebrations. As the feast day of the patron saint of Barcelona, it has been held since 1902 and considered year after year to be the best summer farewell party. With a program of activities ranging from children´s workshops, parades of the big heads and giants, correfocs (“fire runs”), concerts for all tastes and, of course, the famous human towers, this festival manages to keep alive Catalan tradition while also showcasing the cosmopolitan and intercultural potential of the capital of Catalonia. Here are some of the activities you shouldn’t miss at the 2014 Mercè: Free concerts: The city is filled with settings, and a variety of artists are invited to liven up these festive nights. The main locations for this year include: the Joan Corominas plaza, the Moll de la Fusta, the Fòrum, the Plaça dels Angels and the Antigua Fábrica Damm (a former factory), where you can enjoy the performances of Mishima, Flamingo Tours, SR.WILSON & The Blackstarliners, Mariam the Believer orKlaxons, among others. You can find the entire program and the detailed schedule here: http://www.bcn.cat/bam/ca/index.html Street art: The Festival Mercè Arts de Carrer (MAC) is a great opportunity to discover new talent and original ideas in the field of dance, theater and circus arts. There are three main stages: the Ciudadela Park, Montjuic Castle and the Albéniz palace, where several technological shows will also take place. Kids activities: Children are definitely...
Summer Festival in Spain

Summer Festival in Spain

Mónica Boixeda

In summer, neighborhoods and towns in Spain are busy organizing their festivals, which are full of outdoor activities that reinforce a sense of community and invite you to enjoy the magic of summer nights. Concerts, competitions, and races are just some of things one can expect at each location, and these offerings are expanding each year, attracting both locals and tourists to celebrations. We would like to let you know about the some of the most important of these popular festivals. And then get ready to go, because these will festivals will get you moving. FIESTAS DE GRACIA, BARCELONA August 15 – 21 The Fiesta Mayor de Gracia is definitely one of the biggest attractions in Barcelona during the summer season. Famous for its balcony and street decorating contests, thousands of visitors come every year during the week-long festivities to take part in the parades, concerts, workshops, sports activities, or local dining and theater events. FIESTA MAYOR DE EL PORT DE LA SELVA, GIRONA August 3-5 This festival is dedicated to the Virgen de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows), patron of the town’s fiesta. During these three days notable sports events, including swimming and a 10K race, complement an extensive program of traditional events like the Sardanas, a sandcastle competition, the foam party, or evening concerts on the Plaza Mayor. HORSE RACING, SAN LÚCAR DE BARRAMEDA First cycle: August 7, 8 and 9 Second Cycle: August 21, 22, and 23 Declared “Fiestas of International Tourist Interest,” these are some of the most important cultural and sporting events in Spain. For three consecutive days, the city hosts spectacular...
Colored Asphalt and Others Ways to Beat the Heat

Colored Asphalt and Others Ways to Beat the Heat

Mónica Boixeda

There are people who love the sun in summer while others avoid it like the plague. And one certainly cannot compare a hot, sunny day on the beach somewhere in the Mediterranean with the experience of waiting in line for over an hour in the full sun to get into the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. This is why many people choose to avoid southern European countries during the summer months, and it’s not a bad idea. Nevertheless, there are ways to avoid getting sunburned or heat stroke while waiting in long lines or walking on the beach of Barceloneta. If you are planning on spending a few days in one of our apartments in Barcelona this summer, we will show you some ideas on how to beat the heat as well as an original idea that comes from the United States. Schedules You don’t need to be a genius to realize that the sun is more intense between 12 noon and 5pm. That is why when planning your trip, it’s a good idea to schedule more indoor activities during this time to avoid spending too much time in the sun, arrive either before or after the long lines at monuments or museums, or simply go for a walk along the sea. In Barcelona, the breeze at the beach or on a terrace can make the heat more tolerable. Light-colored clothing It´s crazy to see people walking around with black or dark-colored shirts or other clothing in the middle of summer in Barcelona. Okay, so you might not see the sweat as easily, but the truth is that dark colors...
Spring in Barcelona

Spring in Barcelona

Mónica Boixeda

Knowing the best time to travel to a city can be the deciding factor between a successful trip and a complete disaster. One has to take into account not only the weather but also the influx of tourists, activities, etc. That´s why I’m going to tell you today about the best time of year to visit Barcelona. I bet if you ask any Barcelona native, everyone will tell you the same thing: spring. Why? Keep reading. There are several reasons why Barcelona shines in spring. Here’s a list: Warm but not hot Visiting a sunny city with temperatures above 30° C and walking everywhere can be an ordeal. Barcelona has many outdoor places to visit, but the sun can take away any desire to go on to the spot. In the spring, temperatures in Barcelona are mild, near 20 ° C, and the sun isn’t at its peak so it’s much more comfortable. Walking in the Parc Güell or along the Passeig de Gràcia at 30° C is much different than at a moderate 20° C. Of course, there might be an odd shower but nothing you cannot solve by stopping in at a cafe to wait it out with a good mel i mató or churros with hot chocolate. Less tourists Barcelona is one of the most important tourist centers of Europe, which means there’s an influx of people coming from all over to see this beautiful city. This can get uncomfortable—queues, crowds in the center and higher housing prices make summers in Barcelona more complicated for those with little patience. There are tourists in the spring as...
Barcelona – A City for Everyone

Barcelona – A City for Everyone

Diana Rodríguez Pretel

Choosing your next holiday destination is not easy. But let´s be honest, it’s a rather pleasurable ‘problem’ to have, and looking into all the different possibilities is not exactly an ordeal. We would like to recommend the city of Barcelona, a city for everyone. Whether traveling with your partner, friends or family and whether you’re into culture or partying, Barcelona has it all. Couples / Romance Barcelona is the perfect city for couples who want to spend a few days somewhere romantic but without the expenses of other romantic destinations like Paris or Venice. The Catalan capital has many places to take a romantic stroll along the beach, on the mountain of Montjuïc or in the old town. There are also many restaurants near the harbor where you can dine with views of the sea and the beach, enjoying exquisite dishes in an intimate atmosphere.   Friends Barcelona is most certainly one of Europe’s best party cities. Groups of friends from around the world travel to Barcelona to enjoy the nightlife, the many bars and clubs. And there’s something for everyone, from the sophisticated Shôko y Opium to classics like Sala Apollo or City Hall. And in the Eixample district there are many gay bars that would interest tourists searching for a city with LGBT scene. Drinking in Barcelona is cheap, and the good thing is you can sleep it off on the beach the next day. Fantastic! Family Taking your children when traveling is not a problem in Barcelona. For starters, many of the city streets are pedestrian-only so you don’t have to worry about cars as much....