Culture and traditions

There are 5 unmissable carnivals in the regions of Barcelona for those who enjoy dressing up, fun revolutions and excesses of all kinds. From Dijous Gras or Fat Thursday (the last Thursday before Lent) to Ash Wednesday, the only thing on everyone's mind in Vilanova, Vilafranca, Sitges, Sallent and Torelló is enjoying the annual visit of the Rei Carnestoltes (Carnival King) to the full. Are you ready to celebrate the party of parties?

Unlike in the rest of the Europe, visiting cemeteries is not a popular tourist pursuit in the regions of Barcelona, which is a shame because the ones in this area contain tombs, vaults and mausoleums that are authentic gems. Not convinced? Take a morning to marvel at the rich artistic, historical, cultural and social heritage of these veritable open-air museums.

In 2005, seven buildings designed by Antoni Gaudí were inscribed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Six of them are extremely well known: the Sagrada Família, La Pedrera, Casa Vicens, Parc Güell, Palau Güell and Casa Batlló. However, the seventh architectural gem in the list, the Crypt of the Colònia Güell, is much less famous. It’s an architectural masterpiece in which the author of impossible works tested his considerable intellect.