La Merce Barcelona

Barcelona is a big city and "life goes on" during La Mercè festival -if you catch my drift!- only certain places at certain times are "really busy", but the festival contains 600+ activities of all sort spread across the city: arts, culture, folk, music, etc.

We've been to la Mercè four times, and are going back this year as well.

They removed the children's "Correfoc" this year (a seriously scaled back version of the fire walk) - I was advised by a friend in Barcelona - so if you want to see the adult Correfoc, wear long sleeve cotton only and be prepared for a mind bending experience. You can position yourself away from the actual chaos and easily get a sense for it without being in danger of minor burns...ha ha ha.

As Enric (above) said, you can also opt out and focus upon the live music and dance venues all over the city. And, of course, the Castellers are something you really need to see in person just to grok the physicality of the event. Unreal. There is also a massive fireworks show at the end of the overall festival at the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. Spectacular show.

It's such a unique and positive thing, so alive and friendly. You really need to just get ready and do it as you will not regret it. Is it as crazy as Mardi Gras? I've been to both, and Mardi Gras is visual and a street party - all true. But it seems to be more about groping and showing off bodies, and getting blind drunk. Mind you this is simply my experience. Plus, due to the location, my opinion is Mercè feels authentic and populated with less "visitors", and far, far fewer flat out drunks, than Mardi Gras which draws people from the entire country. My opinion, remember. :-)

Find a rooftop bar near Via Laietana, if you can, as Correfoc usually happens along or near this large, ancient street?

Grab a cab to the funicular (Tramvia Blau) at the base of Tibidabo, and look at the City and the Mediterranean from the highest point. At sunset this is the place to see, at least once. Then, on the way down, stop for a beer at Mirablau for another stunning view - Plaça Doctor Andreu, s/n, 08035 Barcelona,

patrick

wow Patrick, that last bit is totally mistaken... the fun fair of Tibidabo was built in 1899 -many decades before the Spanish dictator had even set his claws in Catalonia, which didn't happen until his military victory in 1939.

Out of curiosity, if you like old pictures... http://bit.ly/1H0NvHt

Enric, I have edited my reply. You are, of course, correct.

I was sloppy in my recollection of a note I received from a friend, and jumbled the dates - very much so.

Sorry.

patrick

hahaha, no need to be sorry!

We arived to the festival just from the airport. Thanks God we booked taxi airport transfer in advance http://kiwitaxi.com/Spain/Barcelona+Airport
(may be useful for you as well). All I remember is firework at the festival! What better way to spend a Sunday night? Not safe and sane, but definitely fun! It is adviseable to dress in protective clothing; I didn't so I had to dodge some of the fireworks. People tend to flee and bump into other people. But it was really funny.

Just to point out: the airport is NEVER empty of taxis. There are over 12000 taxis available in the city any given day, and around 1500-2000 are stationed at the airport rank. And @robby, with all due respect, if one was to pre-book a taxi, wouldn't it be more rational to book directly a local company rather than using a company based in Russia like the one you mention?

Should anyone still be interested in pre-booking a taxi, despite as I said there's really no need for it, these are some local companies (in random order!): Taxi Class Rent tel.+34933070707 www.taxiclassrent.com ||| Barnataxi tel. +34933222222 www.barnataxi.com ||| Ràdio Taxi 033 tel.+34933033033 www.radiotaxi033.com ||| Servi-Taxi tel.+34933300300 www.servitaxi.com ||| Taxi Ecològic tel.+34932783000 http://taxiecologic.com ||| Taxi Amic tel.+34934208088 www.taxi-amic-adaptat.com ||| Fono-Taxi tel.+34933001100 http://www.fonotaxi.net/

Tourism in Barcelona - Nobody goes there any more, it's too crowded.

... sure, nobody.... the 12 million annual visitors must probably be fake :))

Surprisingly bold headline for the Economist I say, I'm a regular follower but hardly ever before I've seen it using the same tricks than the yellow press.

But hey, take it from a local (that hates crowds!)... only certain sites/areas during certain times are reeeally packed -and those many of us locals we also avoid if we can. For the most time, Barcelona is not that crowded. Well, obviously it all depends what you are comparing it to... a NYer would see it differently than a Wyomingite!