Barcelona in summer is loud, hot and sweaty.

While June and July are packed with visitors, August gets kinda weird: locals flee the city for holidays and suddenly the streets feel different. Lots of restaurants even close for a longer period. So make sure to check opening hours, because there nothing like a long, lazy paella lunch. Check out the dedicated seafood section here.

First rule to survive Spanish summer: skip the overpriced Sangria and order Tinto de Verano instead. Same vibe, and you'll immediately look like you know what you're doing. Find it at any local bar, usually for half the price. And if you want to go a bit fancier, enjoy the view from one of Barcelona's rooftop terraces - I'm collecting the best ones in the new Rooftop section on this blog. For a refreshment without alcohol, nothing beats a cold horchata at "Tio Che" in Poblenou, a neighbourhood classic.

If you're heading to the beach: pretty much all Barcelona beaches get packed on weekends. During the week, Bogatell or Icaria are still nice options. But for a proper beach day I'd definitely recommend hopping on a train to Playa de Castelldefels - the beach is wider and the atmosphere way more relaxed. With a car, Costa Brava is obviously the premium choice!

A reason to actually stay in the city in summer are the neighbourhood fiestas. Most Barcelona neighbourhoods celebrate their own festival at some point during the summer months. The most famous are the Fiestas de Gràcia, with elaborately decorated streets, live music and a lot of atmosphere. But Sants and Poblenou are also worth a visit and a bit more local.

Barcelona has a huge problem with mass tourism, which not only leads to an overcrowded city center but also to a transition of the city.

Try to be concious and choose local products over international brands.

Check out places in your neighbourhood that offer local food and have fair work conditions. Let's support our favourite restaurants in Barcelona!