Even the slightest increase in temperature and hint of sunlight brings tourists and locals to flock to their favorite spot in Barcelona…the beach. Right on the coast of the Mediterranean, Barcelona has many options for beachgoers, whether they want to swim, read a book and relax, or even attend a beach party with locals. Each one of these beaches has it´s own style and people that frequent the area so take some time to explore each one and then decide on your favorite!

Barceloneta Beach
The most popular of all Barcelona beaches, Barceloneta beach is located about a ten minute walk off of the Barceloneta stop on the metro (Yellow Line-L4) and is the closest to the Barcelona city center. Barceloneta beach is most likely going to be the most crowded, but with good reason. The Barceloneta area is filled with small beachy restaurants and cozy apartments and the beach itself is lined with bars and huts for a cool drink on a hot day. There are a medly of characters occupying this beach, including a man selling mojitos and bagels out of a cart. You´ll never have a dull moment watching the visitors on Barceloneta Beach!

Icaria Beach
Another great and perhaps more peaceful beach in Barcelona is the Icaria Beach, located off the Ciutadella Via Olimpica stop on the metro (Yellow Line-L4). From the metro just turn right and walk about 10 minutes towards the twin towers. This beach is great if you´re looking for a place to picnic with friends, read a good book, or even take windsurfing lessons!

Marbella and Bogatell Beach
Marbella and Bogatell Beach are a little farther away from the city center of Barcelona, but they are possibly the most exciting beaches in Barcelona, even having parties on the sand at night during the weekend. To get to these beaches, take the Yellow Metro Line (L4) again to Bogatell and walk about 20 minutes. There are no signs for Marbella beach so remember to take a map with you in case you get lost. A word of warning: don´t be alarmed to see some nudists on this beach! Marbella is technically an unofficial nude beach, though majority of it´s patrons choose to keep their clothes on.
Before leaving Barcelona check out all of these beaches and see the different styles exhibited by each one. Book your apartment in Barceloneta today to be right next to the water and all of the fun and excitement that comes with warm weather!

There is never a dull moment here in Barcelona, and this week is no exception. This week there are music competitions, concerts, art exhibits, and even an FC Barca game at home!

Tonight, Tuesday 23th, you should be sure not to miss:

Women taking the stage at the Espai Cultural Caja Madrid. The Sound of Lucrecia will be performing live along with the likes of Burbuja. These indie artists are sure to give an impressive, low-key show that will please any audience member. Take the night to relax and unwind to these talented women. Plus- it's only 2,5 €, so it really can't be beat!

And tomorrow, Wednesday 24th, check out the art exhibit "Life in Abstract" by Sebastian Murra. He mainly uses abstraction along with shapeless objects that he believes can create and invoke a whole range of emotions. This forward-thinker believes that through realizing ideas, one is able to change the world. If you're not convinced, check him out online, and you'll be aching to see the real deal. The show starts tomorrow at 8 and is free entrance. Swing by for some art and inspiration.

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While traveling to another country is an exciting experience, there are many things a tourist needs to know before immersing themselves in the culture. Barcelona is a thrilling place to be year round, but like all major cities, one needs to know how to be safe, especially as a tourist. While there is very little violent crime in Barcelona, because it is a very touristy city pick pocketing is a common problem. However, preventing pick pocketing is easy; just follow these tips and you´ll be sure to enjoy your trip to Barcelona without having to deal with the annoyance of missing things. 

 Keep your belongings close.
Whether you´re taking a stroll down Las Ramblas or just a trip on the Metro, it´s extremely important to watch out for pickpockets. Keep your belongings, especially money and passports in a money belt or bag close to your body, and never walk around with a purse or bag wide open. When on the Metro, be ultra aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your things, especially during rush hour. It is best to leave your most valuable things at your hotel or apartment and not to carry more money than you need in one day. Keep your camera in your bag rather than around your neck, and try not to carry a backpack unless you can keep it turned around so you are always aware of it.

Be a savy tourist, not an obvious one.
Nothing is a more obvious target to pickpockets than a tourist blindly walking around Barcelona looking at a map. While exploring the streets, try to be aware of your surroundings and duck into a café or restaurant when looking at a map. Also, be aware of pickpocket scams, and don´t let anyone distract you as they may be working in a group to take your money and belongings.  Even if you don´t know where you´re going, try to look like you do, bag snatchers love tourists that look completely distracted.

Conclusion
Don´t let our safety tips scare you away from coming to Barcelona, just by being aware of your surroundings you can avoid 99% of all petty theft. Barcelona is a great city to visit and knowing how to be a savvy tourist can make your trip that much more enjoyable.

Book your apartment today and come to Barcelona with a knowledge of how to explore the city safely!

Metro, that’s where most of the visitors are! We don´t suggest avoiding these lines, they lead to the best parts of the city, we just suggest being careful. Watch your belongings and be aware of any suspicious persons around you and don´t get distracted by a phone call, IPod or conversation on the train. While areas like the Ramblas, Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia are highly concentrated in most of the pick pocketing, there is little to no crime in the lesser known parts of the city but keep your guard up no matter what.

BOOK YOUR APARTMENT CLOS TO RAMBLAS WITH COMETOBARCELONA!

As you may know, Barcelona is divided into multiple different neighborhoods or "barrios", each with its' own vibe and defining characteristics. Depending on what you're looking to experience, a certain neighborhood is sure to provide just that.

L'Eixample is a pleasant, upscale neighborhood just outside of the middle of the city. The name means "extension" in Catalan and was originally created as a place to live for those who could not afford to live in the center of Barcelona. However, almost the opposite had happened by the end of its' creation and it is now one of the posh, wealthy areas of Barcelona. Streets are lined with stores of international designers such as Armani, Chanel, and Burberry, but there is much more to see than just these high-end shops.
Passeig de Gracia is home to two of Antonio Gaudí's works of art, Casa Batlló and Casa Mila. Also, a couple blocks further down the road is one of Gaudi's unfinished masterpieces, The Sagrada Familia. The unfinished church has been worked on by various architects throughout the years and has come to be known as one of the important symbols of Barcelona. If you're looking to experience some brilliant architecture and do some shopping, this is the place for you.

Near L'Eixample is the neighborhood Gracia, which begins at the intersection of Avingunda Diagonal and Passeig de Gracia and goes north. It was originally a village of its' own but was connected to the rest of Barcelona when L'Eixample was created. However, it has a different feel than L'Eixample, with an active community that has a more relaxed attitude.Various different plazas throughout the neighborhood help provide a sense of authenticity that the neighborhood maintains. The gem of Gracia is Park Güell, a must-see for anyone visiting Barcelona. The elaborate park features various creations of Gaudi and an experience of art unlike any other. Gracia is the place to go to experience the real sense of neighborhood here in Barcelona.

Heading in the other direction, el Born is one of the more modern neighborhoods in Barcelona. What began as a settlement for medeival fairs and celebrations has become a haven for small boutiques and excellent tapas bars. The different cafes and stores provide a relaxing way to spend the day as well as good places to go at night. El Born is also home to the Picasso Museum and the Textile Museum, as the original textile mills were located here. One of the most fascinating pieces of el Born is the church of Santa Maria del Mar, an elegant church showcasing some of the gothic architecture seen throughout the city. El Born also provides the ideal location for those looking to experience cultural aspects of the city as well as the beach. A ten minute walk to the city center and a ten minute walk to the beach make it one of the ideal places to stay in Barcelona.

For those looking to experience the beach and an exciting night scene, Barceloneta is the place to be. One of the largest beaches in Barcelona, it has over 1,000 meters of beach for one to enjoy. Frequented by tourists, Barceloneta is the perfect place to spend the day lying in the sun and eating at one of the many restaurants located on the boardwalk. The boardwalk is also home to many extravagant bars and nightclubs, with stellar views of the beach. Barceloneta provides both fun and sun.

No matter what it is you're looking for, Barcelona is bound to offer it. Pick your favorite barrio and book your apartment there now!

Start off spring with a bang and take a day trip from Barcelona to Valencia for Las Fallas this weekend! The festival is filled with fireworks and flames, the whole city being set ablaze with high-spirits. The population of the city grows to over 3 million for the next five days as people from all over Spain and the globe travel to see the unique celebration. The celebration begins with the creation of niñots, huge cardboard or plaster statues created to depict satirical scenes or current political figures. Some of the niñots are over 7 stories tall, costing over $75,000 and taking over an entire year to construct. These giant dolls remain on display until March 19th, La Crema, or the Day of the Burning. All of the streetlights in the entire city are turned off and at exactly midnight, the niñots are set afire, igniting the city with a blast of glowing light. The festival carries on into the night, the streets are lined with fireworks around literally shake the streets with a climactic explosion around 2am. Why not book your apartment in Barcelona today and get a head start on one of the most specaticular festivals in Spain!

With the sun shining and spring finally here, there´s no better way to get to know Barcelona than with a bike tour of the city. You´ll be able to see and experience parts of the city unseen by bus tours with a guide explaining the deeper insights of Barcelona and the secrets of the different neighborhoods and quarters. The bike tours are great for families and kids of all ages with plenty of stops at the city´s best restaurants and bars to grab a refreshment or snack on the way. The bike tour is a great way to see all the most famous sites in Barcelona, such as the Sagrada Familia and the sunny beaches as well as some lesser known attractions. There are a variety of tour options, varying in length and area, but each one gets you around faster than on foot and more in depth than on a tour bus.  Book your apartment in Barcelona today and sign up for a  tour to get to know the best of this amazing city!

Love is in the air this spring in Barcelona with Dia De Sant Jordi coming up on April 23rd! The Dia de Sant Jordi, or Saint George, is a holiday of romance and a day to honor the patron saint of Cataluña. The ramblas is packed with vendors selling roses and books, the traditional gifts given to women and men respectively on the holiday. By the end of the week, over 4 million roses and 400,000 books are bought in Barcelona, over half the book sales for the entire year! It´s rare to walk the streets of the city and not see a man or woman without a rose or book in hand, but singles never fear, the Dia de Sant Jordi celebrates the love between friends as well. Watch the dancing of the Sardana, a traditional Catalonian dance performed throughout the day and even join if the mood strikes, or take a coffee break in one of the many cafes and enjoy a book reading! So gather some friends or your significant other, make a reservation at a great restaurant, and join in on the love and celebration in Barcelona. Book your apartment for the weekend today with ComeToBarcelona!

Want to get to know some new friends when visiting Barcelona? Reach out to your inner child and join a game of Cops and Robbers in the Barcelona city center! There are three teams of cops and one robber, everyone equipped with a  GPS system and a cellphone. True to tradition, the robber has to complete as many tasks as possible throughout the city without getting caught by any of the cops, trying to reach the winning “one million euros.¨ This game guarantees a fun time, no matter how old you are! Book your apartment in Barcelona today and be a part of all the fun and games the city has to offer!

Next time you´re planning a day trip; consider traveling up the coast line of Spain to the picturesque landscape of Costa Brava. Take a one day excursion to the beautiful and secluded beaches, rugged cliffs, and crystal clear water. With the weather warming up, the Mediterranean coast of Spain is a great place for a relaxing weekend to swim, snorkel or catch some sunny rays. When you´re nice and relaxed, explore the quaint villages and take the age-old trail that winds between them. You´ll be able to learn a little more about Catalonia´s history while seeing old monastery ruins, olive orchards, and terraced mountain sides, losing yourself in the charming peacefulness of the charming Costa Brava villages. At the end of the day, enjoy a delicious seafood lunch by the beach or at a local mountain restaurant, and take in the sea breeze and the sun a little more before heading back to Barcelona. Book your apartment today to enjoy Barcelona and day trips down the coast of Spain.