Casa Batlló, built between 1904 and 1906 in the heart of the city, is the most emblematic work of the brilliant Catalan architect. 

Gaudí gave Casa Batlló a facade that is original, fantastical and full of imagination. He replaced the original facade with a new composition of stone and glass. He ordered the external walls to be redesigned to give them a wavy shape, which was then plastered with lime mortar and covered with a mosaic of fragments of coloured glass and ceramic discs.

The work as a whole is a marvel of ornamental design thanks to its use of emerging trades. Gaudí worked with the most highly skilled craftsmen in every profession. The transformation of wrought iron, in which curves are not only for rhetorical and aesthetic purposes, but also provide structural support; undulating works in wood such as three-dimensional doors with surprising embossed patterns; colourful stained-glass windows which filter the natural light; raised ceramic tiles; decorative pieces of masonry made from Montjuic sandstone: all of these elements are testament to the skill of the craftsmen of the period.

The building consists of a ground floor, a main floor with a courtyard, four further self-contained floors, a loft and a roof terrace. There is private access to the noble floor (the main floor), and a communal stairwell set within the building well which has been expanded and artistically tiled as though it were part of the exterior facade. The Coach Houses are accessed from the street, at street level, and these occupy the area below the courtyard of the Noble Floor, and from here you gain access to the Coal Cellars below.

In total, the house has a surface area of more than 5,000 m². The front of the building looks out onto Passeig de Gràcia, and the back faces the inner courtyard of the building.

Be sure to check this out, it will be worth your time! And enjoy our special offers with your check-in at Be Hostels.
 
Barcelona is a never ending dream!

Here you’ve got some information about what to wear at your parties in Barcelona!

The dress code is a set of rules that specify adopted socially correct way to dress in certain situations. For example, it is not the same dress for a wedding, for a cocktail party or to visit us at Be Hostels.

Most of these rules are not written, but often are common sense. For example, You will never go in bathing suit to a wedding, unless it is in Tarifa and the priest is on a surfboard. Although there are other rules, contained in the protocol and etiquette manuals.

Even in some offices have their own dress code (jeans or sports forbidden) or at events like weddings or special parties, where the invitations specify the dress code (such as going black in a graduation, or white for a summer party).

The main Dress Codes are:
 

- Casual dress
- Dress down
- Dress suit
- Dress up or dress label (depending on holidays)
- Formal dress
- Party dress

 
If you have questions about what clothing is most suitable for a particular time or in a different culture, there are thousands of pages on Internet that will give all the answers. One of the most interesting is Dress Code Guide, where you can select which country you are and what to wear in cold weather, heat, or depending on time of day.

This year the King’s Cup Basketball is held in our city, Barcelona on 16,17 and 18 February at The Palau Sant Jordi.

The tournament will compete for the top eight teams in the league ACB 2011-2012, at the end of the first round of the regular season. Only three teams repeated over last year’s Cup, FC Regal Barcelona, Real Madrid and Caja.
The rest, Civic Banking Sevilla, Alicante Lucentum, Basketball Fuenlabrada, Lagun Aro and Unicaja Malaga were not present.

Do not miss the chance to see this final series of the King’s Cup basketball, as always promises to be very interesting!
See you on Be Hostels to encourage your team during the day and sleep with us at night!

Tickets for the entire series was sold from the 110 €, but don’t worry, with the money you save sleeping at Be Hostels, you can afford it!

Reserve your bed from 9€ Here!

A hug for all behostelers!
 

It`s a festival of arts and entertainment that originated on the island of Mallorca which is part of the balearic islands.

Gràcia’s plazas fill with colourful processions and red devils. Everyone gathers around open bonfires and dance to Malloran folk instruments.

On Friday, concerts begin at 10pm in the Centre Artesá Tradicionarius (CAT) with unique performances from some traditional Mallorcan groups. The festivals main events take place from 11am on the 30th with artisan markets, typical food and drink, castellers (towering over the crowds), lively parades, carrefocs and customary dances. The bonfire is finally lit at 11pm and the celebrations continue on into the night. In addition, until 28 February, the CAT and the Ayuntamiento de Gràcia show a collective exhibition combining the work of 30 new and established Mallorcan artists

Palau Olimpic of Badalona will receive Pitbull thanks to Europa FM. The radio station has announced that the concert will also feature two other artists who will be unveiled in the coming days. Superconcierto Europa FM 2012 ensures a night of music and fun.

The concert will take place in Badalona, ​​on January 26th at 19:30 h at the Palau Olimpic of Badalona. The general admission price is about 26 € but there is the possibility of buying a VIP ticket that includes:

• The best seats in the venue.
• Catering with drinks.
• Full access to the conert track and the Front Stage.
• Gift memorial.

Pitbull was born on January 14, 1981. He is a Cuban music producer who entered the world of music through Dirty Rap. He is now more focused on Electro-House, Hip-House and Dance-Pop. It is well known for his collaborations, which include artists such as Paulina Rubio, Jennifer López, Enrique Iglesias, T. Pain, Pharrell, Akon and Lil ‘Jon.

Getting to Pitbull concert

The address of Palau Olimpic of Badalona is: Alfnons XIII Avenue s/n, Badalona (Gorg metro, L2).

Where to stay for Pitbull concert

Be Dream Hostel is a Young and modern accommodation. If you are looking for accommodation to stay during PitBull Concert, Be Dream Hostel is the perfect place. Just 6 minutes walk from Palau Olimpic de Badalona, ​​offers you the opportunity to relax after enjoying the best music.

Tibidabo is a mountain located in the back of the town, and is also the highest point in the town (512 m above the ocean). Tibidabo is a natural park full of paths to get lost and enjoy the view of Barcelona at your feet.
 

The essence of Tibidabo is without a doubt “El Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor”, a cathedral on the top, which you can actually see from all over Barcelona. With its amazing statues, work of mosaic and the INCREDIBLE view from the top floor (after you’ve climbed all the stairs), this temple is absolutely one of the most important must-do in whole Barcelona. Right beside the temple is an old fashioned amusement park with different kinds of rides, paris wheels, roller coasters, etc. Tibidabo offer things to do for everyone!!
 

To go there you can always use the bus that goes from the town center (Plaça Catalunya) all the way up to the top. You can also take the local subway, and afterwards an old style tram and then use a gondola all way up. However, if you, like me, prefer the challenge and the natural experience you “simply” walk by foot (3 hours from city center). Like this you can enjoy the natural park and you see more of the amazing spanish nature and when you reach the top you´ll really feel that you’ve accomplished something during the day.
 

From the highest point of Barcelona you’re able to see everything in a bigger and mightier perspective than any other place in town. If it sounds good to you, do go to Tibidabo!
 

 

In terms of food markets, it’s a good idea to take a look at the Santa Caterina market in Born, in the East of the city. I’d also recommend the Market of Sant Antoni, in the West on the Ronda Sant Pau. It’s like La Boqueria, but bigger and more spacious.
 

If you have a taste for art, a very interesting little Catalan art market appears every weekend in the Plaza Sant Josep de Oriol, just off La Rambla.
 
My personal favourite, and by far the biggest, is the Mercat del Encants at the Placa dels Glories Catalanes. It’s a flea market, and sells almost anything, old and new.
 

It can take a while sifting through all the junk (though that trash may be the next man’s treasure), but you can find some real gems. Never pay the asking price though, bartering is expected. It takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 8:30am. Some stalls carry on into the afternoon, but many pack up at around 1:00pm. For this reason, the best bargains can be found at 12:00, when the goods fall in price.
 
Barcelona Markets are just a fun way to shop, and you are likely to be able to find something a bit different either for yourself or for an original present. Also I find markets give you a real sense of where you are, when you hear the vendors shouting in Catalan and the people all haggling, I love it. I hope you do too.

New Years Eve Barcelona 2011. NYE Parties and events in Barcelona. Feliç Any Nou 2011! Happy New Year! The 31/12 is called “nochevieja” or “Fin de Año” in Spanish and “Cap d’Any” in Catalan. There are many New Year Parties in Barcelona at all top clubs and many hotels. The biggest New Year parties in Barcelona is at the Fin de Año at Poble Espanyol – Barcelona’s Spanish Village on the plaza of Poble Espanyol. You can find another big dance party at Badalona just north of Barcelona called the Matinee Winter Festival.

New Year parties in Spain are often called “cotillones de nochevieja.” The Spanish word “cotillón” is the collective name for party paraphernalia like confetti, party horns, party hats and so on. You often see the word “cotillón” on restaurants and club party posters. This means that New Year’s party accessories are included in the party price. One or two drinks, called “copas,” are also usually included in the entrance price. NYE party prices vary from 15 euros to 40 for a club admission with cotillón and copas. For dinner and party the prices range from 75 to 150 euros depending on the locations. It is always a good idea to book in advance.

When the clock reaches midnight, everyone eats 12 grapes, one for each chime, and a toast with cava or champagne. In Barcelona you can follow this tradition either at home, in a restaurant, or outdoors. Placa Catalunya usually hosts an event to celebrate the countdown, and a lot of people go there to count together and eat these 12 lucky grapes.

Probably the most important day here is the day of 5th of January, when so called Three Kings come to the city to give presents. On 5 January every year, the evening before Twelfth Night (Epiphany, 6 January) the Thee Kings (or Three Wise Men of the New Testament) arrive by boat at the waterfront of Barcelona (Moll de la Fusta) to be greeted by the Mayor of the city and conducted to the nearby park of Ciutadella. From there the Three Kings depart in their carriages, the principal part of a grand parade that proceeds slowly through the streets and avenues of the centre towards the Olympic Stadium. The Kings and other participants in the parade throw barley sugar sweets and other sweets to the children lining the route. There are many stalls along the way, especially along Gran Via. The days leading up to the parade allow the opportunity for children to inspect the Three Kings’ boat and carriages, and to leave messages requesting gifts, which they (and adults, too) receive, traditionally, on 6 January.

And of course, besides parties, there are a lot of other things to do in Barcelona this time.

BARGELONA – In heart of the Barcelona, at Plaza Catalunya there is a huge ice rink so you can check out your skating skills. With 1,200m2 of ice and a 350 person capacity, this ice rink is covered by a semi-transparent dome which they will be projecting images onto at night. The rink also has a café where you can warm yourself with some delicious hot chocolate and churros. Where: Plaza Catalunya. When: The 2nd of December to the 8th of January from 10am to 9pm Sunday to Thursday, and 10am to 11pm Friday and Saturday. Price: 30 minutes 6 euro, 1 hour 8 euro.

You also should check out the lovely CHRISTMAS MARKETS around the city.

There are few christmas events, that became traditional here. For example CHRISTMAS WALK on 18th of December and yearly CHRISTMAS SWIM on 25th of December.

You can always find things to do in Barcelona. Enjoy this magic time here, have fun and stay with Be Hostels!