Barcelona Apartments - Akaza Holiday Apartments in Barcelona

Dear Akaza-Blog Reader,

For many people and maybe also for you the night of December 31^st is one of the most special nights of the year. Historically it is the final day of the Gregorian year. In modern Western practice, New Year's Eve is celebrated with parties and social gatherings spanning the transition of the year at midnight.

In Castilian language this day is called "Nochevieja" and in Catalan "Cap d'Any".

The Spanish celebrate this night either with friends or with family and then go out to the bars at about 1:00 am. The partying then continues until about 6:00 am.

There is an 'ancient' tradition, started by some farmers about 100 years ago when they were left with too many grapes after the harvest, of eating twelve grapes at the twelve bongs of midnight. This is a fun ritual, only spoiled by the fact that it is almost impossible to buy seedless grapes in Spain - in the rush to chomp down the dozen grapes, everyone ends up biting into a seed and pulling a silly face. But please consider: There are four chimes just before the main ones at midnight (known as 'los cuatros') that announce the start of the real ones - make sure you don't start eating your grapes too soon. The result of this ritual will be: for every grape you can eat, you will get a month's good luck.

Other traditions are to welcome the first sunrise of the year on the beach, to eat churros (a type of pastry) and drink hot chocolate or to wear red underwear as it means luck.

Where to go on New Years Eve in Barcelona?

Many hotels and clubs in Barcelona organise New Years parties. Parties often called "cotillones de nochevieja." This means that New Year's party accessories like confetti, party horns, party hats are included in the party price. One or two drinks, called "copas" are also usually included in the entrance price. New Years Eve prices vary from 15 € to 40 € for a club admission with cotillón and copas. For dinner and party the prices range from 75 € to 150 € depending on the locations. It is always a good idea to book in advance.

Most Catalans celebrate the countdown and the beginning of the New Year with their family and friends. After a big meal, they hit the streets at a bit past one. Bars and clubs will get more crowded from then on there will be also a lot of celebration on the streets such as Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas. Younger people usually decide to celebrate near the beach.

Moreover the Torre Agbar tower will have a short light show at midnight on New Years Eve, but there are usually no fireworks or music. And this is the only bad news of celebrating in Barcelona: you will look in vain for a central firework. Fireworks are usually not part of the New Year traditions (although there might be some small ones). Therefore it will be not worth to go up on a mountain in order to see a firework due to the reason that there won’t be a lot.

However after doing the traditional celebrations and drinking some cava there will be a lot of partying people on La Rambla, Plaza Catalunya, Torre Agbar and Plaza Reial. You can celebrate with them and then you can take a taxi or the metro to get to the club of your choice and celebrate until the early morning. Tickets are usually available via the clubs' website.

We would like to suggest you these two clubs in Barcelona:

Razzmatazz: This club offers 5 rooms in which they all play different kinds of music. Tickets are available via the club´s site, prices are around 30€.

Sala Razzmataz

Pamplona 88 - 1er piso

08018 Barcelona

Metro: L1 Marina, L4 Bogatell

http://www.salarazzmatazz.com/

Apolo: They will be closing the year off with a new look at the 90´s. The party will be going on in 2 rooms and the following musicians will be performing: Les Rhytmes Digitales, Daft Punk, Plus 8, Armand Van Helden, Orbital and some others. Prices are around 15€.

Sala Apolo

c/ Nou de la Rambla 111 - 113

08004 Barcelona

Metro: L3 Paral.lel

http://www.sala-apolo.com/home.asp

In addition the Barcelona Metro will be in operation all night on 31.12.2010 - 01.01.2011.

Barcelona is a nice choice to spent the beginning of the New Year, make sure to book your flights and accommodation on time, because the closer to the New Year the less available and more expensive it usually gets. It will definitely be worth staying in Barcelona and it will surely be a great and fun experience. Check out our Barcelona apartments spread out over the city. The most fun is happening downtown, near and around Ramblas, Gotico, Born, Raval and Plaza Catalunya.

Feliç Any Nou 2011!