Gracia Festival, Barcelona

This time last week I was still (!) recovering from a very big night out in Barca. In the district of Gracia to be precise. Gracia is popular with the bohemian/hipster set – so I fitted right in, natch – and is jam packed with cool little bars and boutiques. The Gracia festival, known as Festa Major, is completely free and takes place in the streets of the Gracia district of Barcelona over the course a week every August. The streets of the barrio compete to win a prize for the best decorated street (and boy do they make a cracking effort – my photos only tell half the story!) and on almost every corner there’s a stage with something going on. We saw a Zumba lesson, some really excellent bands and even had a pop at swing dancing.

And even better – you can buy cervezas and mojitos until you’re full to the brim from the dozens of little pop-up bars set up on the streets. Being the last night of the festival, last Saturday was a massive street party which lasted until the very early hours. I collapsed at around 4.30am, but there was still plenty partying going on outside!