With over 100 kilometres of blue Mediterranean coastline, it is easy to understand why the municipalities of Costa Barcelona have such a close relationship with the sea. The origins of many villages, towns and cities in Maresme, Barcelonès, Baix Llobregat and Garraf, lie in fishing, maritime trade and shipbuilding – origins that for many of these places are by no means a distant memory. Along this stretch of coastline, fishing remains one of the main industries – a fact that you can see for yourself, if you visit any of the seafood auctions that take place on the region's quaysides every day.

In the regions of Barcelona, the first heat of summer holds no fear for us. On the contrary, we like it so much that we welcome it with bonfires, music and dishes made with the best produce from the land and Mediterranean Sea. From the eve of the Festival of Saint John, we enjoy getting together with family and friends, and sharing culinary delicacies from a province that is so rich in produce that it provides us with everything we need. Whether we are under the stars on the shores of the sea or in the shade of the oak trees in the forest, we enjoy being in the open air and eating wonderful food. Here are some fresh, tasty and easy ideas to help you achieve perfection with your summer meals.

If you want to know everything about the world of cava, the town of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia has a cava centre, where you can expand your knowledge and hear lots of anecdotes. Cava Centre, a former distillery built in 1814, now offers a fascinating journey through the kingdom of the bubbly elixir – a drink that has demolished the boundaries of the regions of Barcelona.

Barcelona is the land of wines. More than 2,500 years ago, the Romans and Iberians cultivated vines to produce the favourite drink of the gods, a drink that has shaped the landscape and culture of the regions of Barcelona. Just a stone’s throw from the city, you can enjoy three DO (Designation of Origin) wine areas that offer such a wide range of activities and experiences that you’ll want to keep coming back to try them all.

In ancient times, when Vella Quaresma (Old Lady Lent) arrived with her seven legs poking out from under her skirt, everyone knew what it meant: it was time for fasting and abstinence! After all the excesses encouraged by the Carnestoltes (Carnival King), it was time to go on a diet, forsaking meat, eggs and milk in preparation for Easter. However, these restrictions didn’t mean that dishes were plain or basic; not by a long chalk! Our ancestors knew how to make the most of the ingredients that were allowed in order to carry on enjoying good cuisine; traditional dishes that are still made today in homes across Catalonia or at the culinary get-togethers held over the seven weeks of Lent.

When the warm weather arrives, new colours are added to the palette of the regions of Barcelona's gastronomic landscape. The ochres, browns and blacks of winter dishes give way to more vivid colours, with green taking on a leading role. Greet spring with some of the healthiest and most nutritious foods in the Mediterranean diet.