The Catalan capital is a scorcher during the summer months but despite this, it’s always great to get involved in some activities in Barcelona with locals whether it’s the heading to an epic Barça football match or just taking in a bit of the local culture by visiting one of the city’s many art galleries. The city has a whole host of things to do during summer that everyone should take advantage of. Here are just a few favorites activities to do in Barcelona this summer.

Learn to make authentic Spanish paella

Paella is a must in Barcelona, but even better, a professional cooking class with a Spanish home cook! This is ultimately one of the best experiences you can have even if you don’t cook! Believe me, I’m no wizard in the kitchen and I can barely make ice as it is, but under the chef’s guided hands, I found myself preparing this traditional dish with great ease and entertainment in a congenial environment. Accompanied with great friends and more than one bottle of wine, this experience allows you to explore delicious local recipes and discover the culinary secrets of Spain.

Visit Barcelona’s best street market, La Boqueria

But in order to enjoy the best paella, it requires a visit to the finest street market, La Boqeruía. Spanish chefs generally choose to shop in this traditional market as one can find all ingredients imaginable to cook with and more! Filled with local foods and artisan products, La Boqueria has it all from delightful arrays of colorful sweets to fully reddened lamb’s heads fresh from the farm. Its vibrant scene truly gives you a taste (literally) of Spanish cuisine and culture as you weave your way through the bursting stands and of course, all the people!

Barceloneta at sunset

Naturally, one of the leading summer hot spots is the beach, especially Barcelona’s crowned jewel, Barceloneta. Yet to skip the crowded sands filled with sunbathers toe to toe, the best time to go is right before dark to watch the Spanish “atardecer,” or sunset! By day, Barceloneta is a lively point overflowing with people, but by night, it transforms into a quiet, beautiful oasis scented with the sea salt ocean air and set with the warm glow of the boardwalk lights. Bring a delicious picnic and some good friends to find the perfect spot on the beach to relax and watch the sky explode in color. By this time, the temperature has lowered to a reasonable degree but not low enough that you don’t hit the waves!

Learn the rhythms of Flamenco dance

Forget the Whip Nae Nae, there’s a new hot dance to try! Flamenco is a long-ridden Spanish dance deeply rooted in the heart of Spain that boasts color and flair amidst its traditional heritage. But the best way to experience the world of flamenco is to take firsthand lessons from those who know Flamenco the best: its dancers! From experts, you have the opportunity to learn the authentic choreography and style to truly spice up your summer! Don’t worry about technicalities, it’s all in the hips! And take it from me, it’s even more fun when you make a fool out of yourself.

See Barcelona from the Mediterranean Sea

Don’t try to escape the summer heat, embrace it on a private sailboat! Enjoy the beautiful coastal views and soft sea breeze for the ultimate summer hack perfect for rowdy groups of friends like mine. If you are like us and were not blessed with the knowledge of how to sail, local professionals are more than happy to take you aboard to escape the hustle and bustle of the city!

With this, put a spin on your usual travel plans and stray off the beaten path to discover a deeper Barcelona that will be worth the memories – it’ll be one for the books!

This article is written exclusively for EuroTribe by trip4real. Trip4real is a trusted community platform that connects locals with travelers from all over the world.

Photos: ©trip4real