Barcelona rocks with Primavera Sound

Barcelona stays number one on the world pop scene with this year's addition of Primavera Sound (25-28 May).

The music will run the gamut from pop and rock to electronic to dance, always with a focus on the independent, the new, the underground, and the diverse. Bands will be local and from all over the world: from Austria, Chile, Poland, everywhere.

If you are looking for an escape from the usual and the commercial, this four-day music razzle is just right for you, and at the right price. And speaking of underground this year there will be free concerts at various Metro stops around Barcelona, close to the hotel. These concerts have become so popular they have outgrown their original home in the Park Forum and will spill into the Poble Espanyol this year.

Have kids? There is a minimusic space for children with workshops of music, collages, and biscuits.
The festive pop-music will permeate the city from 25-28 May and we at Hotel Principal will be happy to be your guides.

Beaches in Barcelona (Part 1/2)

Barcelona is a city open to the sea. The broad beaches of the Catalan capital, which extend for 4.5 km, are blessed with fine golden sand and shallow waters for bathing. They constitute one of the largest areas of leisure available to locals and visitors in Barcelona alike. They are never more than just a few minutes away from any point in the city, since they are easily reached by public transport or by bicycle. Equipped with all the necessary facilities and services, every year they are visited by around seven million people.
These are the beaches inside the city:

Barceloneta: Approximately 1,100 m long, together with the Sant Sebastià beach, Barceloneta is one of the biggest in Barcelona, and it is also one of the oldest and most traditional beach in the city. It is a favourite amongst our foreign visitors and it is commonly used by youth groups and for school activities. Due to its location and proximity to the metro and many bus lines, the majority of its users get to the beach by public transport.
Its dimensions make it a suitable beach for leisure equipment, such as volleyball courts, a table soccer area on the Eastern side, in front of the Hospital del Mar; a children's play area on the Western side of the beach, beside the Gas breakwater, where there is also a gym area.
Services: Red Cross, Local Police, beach information point, cloakroom, showers, public toilets, sun loungers, parasols, drinks and ice cream kiosks, sports facilites, sports, bicycle parking areas and restaurants.
How to get there: Metro: L4, Barceloneta. Bus: 14, 16, 17, 39, 40, 45, 51, 57, 59, 64 and 157.

Nova Icaria: The family beach. Situated in the middle of the city's coastline and 400 metres in length, this is the beach where people come to spend the longest period of time. The Nova Icària Beach is rightly considered to be a very peaceful beach, and is a popular choice for families and groups of friends. Lying very close to the Port Olímpic, it is surrounded by a great variety of restaurants and bars, as well as the most comprehensive range of facilities for sports and other activities on the entire coastline.
Services:Red Cross, Local Police, beach information point, cloakroom, showers, public toilets, sun loungers, changing rooms, parasols, drinks and ice cream kiosks, sports, sailing, bicycle parking areas and restaurants.
Barcelona Mar: Panoramic views of Barcelona from the sea on a sailing boat. Departures: Centre Municipal de Vela - CMV. Dinghy sailing, canoe and windsurfing courses by the hour with a monitor. Reservations in advance.
How to get there:Metro: L4, Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica or Bogatell. Bus: 6, 36, 41, 92 and 141. Tram (T4), Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica.

Bogatell: Barcelona's "Olympic" beach. Extending for nearly 600 metres, this is one of the beaches that was created for the 1992 Olympic Games, when Barcelona regained its seafront. It is particularly popular with the older generation. Together with Platja de la Nova Icària, it is one of the finest beaches inherited from the Olympic Games.
Services: Red Cross, Local Police, beach information point, cloakroom, showers, public toilets, sun loungers, parasols, drinks and ice cream kiosks, sports, bicycle parking areas and restaurants.
Other activities: Beach volleyball and table tennis.
How to get there: Metro: L4, Poblenou or Llacuna. Bus: 6, 36, 41, 92 and 141. Tram (T4), Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica.

Marbella: Barcelona's Mar Bella Beach is the young people's beach. This beach, which runs for about half a kilometre, is a firm favourite with young people in particular, many of whom come here every weekend when the weather is fine.
Mar Bella was created during the period when the city's coastline was redeveloped for the 1992 Olympic Games. It also has a nudist area.
Services: Red Cross, Local Police, beach information point, cloakroom, showers, public toilets, sun loungers, nudist beach, parasols, drinks and ice cream kiosks, sports, sailing, boat hire, bicycle parking areas and restaurants.
Sports and sailing: Base Nàutica Municipal de la Mar Bella. Sailing trips along the city's seafront, kayak excursions along the coastline and other activities. Catamaran excursions and beach volleyball for groups. Reservations in advance.
Complex Esportiu Municipal Mar Bella. Vanasdive Diving centre.
How to get there: Metro: L4, Poblenou or Selva de Mar. Bus: 36, 71 and 141. Tram (T4), Selva de Mar.

Nova mar beach: The women's beach. Also created when the coastline received a facelift prior to the 1992 Olympic Games. The Nova Mar Bella, which extends for 500 metres, is very popular with women, who represent more than 60% of its users. Bathers, most of whom are young people, like the beach because it is quiet.The Nova Mar Bella is one of the Barcelona's beaches with an area for people with disabilities, featuring all the necessary amenities to help people into and out of the water and make the most of their time on the beach.
Services: Red Cross, Local Police, beach information point, cloakroom, showers, public toilets, sun loungers, parasols, drinks and ice cream kiosks, sports, bicycle parking areas and restaurants.
How to get there: Metro: L4, Selva de Mar or El Maresme/Fòrum. Bus: 36, 43 and 141. Tram (T4), Selva de Mar or El Maresme.

Llevant beach: The newest beach. 380 metres in length, this beach was created in 2006. This makes it the newest beach on the coastline of the Catalan capital. Situated next to la Nova Mar Bella, it offers the most essential services and facilities.
Services: Red Cross, Local Police, beach information point, cloakroom, showers, public toilets and sun loungers.
How to get there: Metro: L4, Selva de Mar. Bus: 7, 36, 41 and 141. Tram (T4), Selva de Mar or El Maresme.

Parc del forum bathing area: This is a new concept of beach, without sand, with areas where the sea is controlled for shallow bathing. The Parc del Fòrum bathing area was created for the Universal Forum of Cultures within the Parc del Fòrum de Barcelona, a large precinct divided into different zones. The bathing area can be found in the zone closest to the sea.
Services: Red Cross, Local Police, beach information point, cloakroom, showers, public toilets, sun loungers, seawater swimming pools, parasols, changing rooms, drinks and ice cream kiosks, sports, sailing, bicycle parking areas and restaurants.
Sports, sailing and other activities:May to October: sports and sailing activities, in addition to various complementary services.
Services and activities: seawater swimming pools, boat and catamaran trips, canoe excursions, water skiing, ski bus, fly-fish, parasailing, diving centre, equipment hire.
How to get there: Metro: L4, El Maresme/Fòrum. Bus: 7, 36, 41 and 141. Tram (T4), Selva de Mar or El Maresme.

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Barcelona to the max

The skateboard Mecca of the world? Barcelona or San Francisco? Many say Barcelona has unofficially passed the “City on the Bay” and last year´s first ever Barcelona Extreme Sports Festival has had a lot to do with it. Over 40,000 overflowed the Parc del Forum to marvel at the awesome jumps, tricks, and jibes of the hundred of international stars, both pro and amateur who mouths wide open and jaws dropped.

The level of competition was extremely high and this summer´s games promise to be even better. The big stars of the International Skate Pro Series are on board; hundreds of pros and amateurs will be displaying their love of their game in the eight domains: skateboarding, BMX, inline skating, FMX, wakeboarding, skiing, snowboarding, and longboarding. Barcelona City Hall and the Institut Barcelona Esports, will again go all out with exhibitions, clinics, and guest DJs.

Let the games begin!!

You can get more info at barcelonaextreme.com and buy your tickets at servicaixa.com.

Barcelona, spring & music

Summer heat draws us to outdoor entertainment, like the Primavera Sound Festival.

If you find yourself in Barcelona May 28, 29, 30, don´t miss the concerts at the Parc Forum. Neil Young, who will be playing the city for the first time since 1987, will kick off the festivities.
For three days, the stage will be pure music, from My Bloody Valentine and Spectrum, to Joe Henry and Sleepy Sun, including Wooden Shjips, Bowerbirds, Cuzo, The Bats, Bat for Lashes, Magnolia Electri Co., Damien Jurado, Fucked Up, A Certain Ratio, DJ Kosmos, Jeremy Jay, The Lions Constellation... more than 50 groups in all.

An individual evening concert runs 15 Euros, but you can get an all day pass for 70 Euros or you can take in the complete festival for 155 Euros.

Get your tickets online at ticktackticket. Be quick!