In the heart of the city and in each of Barcelona’s ten districts, the spirit of Sant Jordi takes over the Catalan capital and turns it into a sea of book and rose stalls. It is the great city festival, to be enjoyed alone, with family or friends, which invites us to recover the city’s streets and squares as a place for strolling, transformed into gigantic bookshops. Come, stroll around, visit unique buildings, listen to a concert, enjoy a show and express your affection by giving books and roses as gifts.  

Remember, however, that although books are the main protagonists, Saint George’s Day is multidisciplinary, that is, you can enjoy it in many different ways. One way is to get to know the city better by visiting during the open-door days organised in many of the city’s unique buildings, including the Palau de la Generalitat, which opens its doors during the day, although you are required to register. There are also open days at Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau, which welcomes visitors with music and other activities, the Mies van der Rohe pavilion on Montjuïc, the magnificent building of the Biblioteca Nacional de Catalunya, the Museu d’Història de Catalunya and the Museu d’Arqueologia. More unique proposals? You can enjoy a literary and theatrical day at the Ateneu Barcelonès or you can go back to the past at the Sant Jordi Medieval Fair on the Rambla de Guipúscoa, in the district of Sant Martí. There will be market stalls with music, dance, juggling and children’s shows.

A special and very select edition of the Sant Antoni Sunday Market (22nd and 23rd) and theatrical proposals for the whole family ranging from the puppets of La Puntual, with Sant Jordi, la Princesa i el Drac (from 4th to 27th April); to a new version of the classic story at the Aquitània Teatre (Sant Jordi la Commedia. La llegenda pitjor explicada, until 5 May), are some more suggestions for the day, if you come with the family.

However, music plays an important role in a day that includes the 73rd Sardanes concert by the Colla Sardanista Sant Jordi, performed by the cobla La Principal de la Bisbal, in Plaça de Sant Jaume (7 p.m.), and the more modern sounds of the Sant Jordi Musical at Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm. There (from 12 to 8 p.m.; admission is free) you’ll have nine hours of music with bands and artists such as Alfred Garcia, Sidonie, Suu, Sofia Coll, Doctor Prats, Joana Dark, Flashy Ice Cream, Sexenni and Ginestà, among many others.

These are just some of the countless proposals that the city has to offer to celebrate Sant Jordi’s Day. Check them all out on the Sant Jordi website and… take to the streets!