Annebeth Vis has lived in Barcelona for over five years. She works as a freelance journalist for Dutch online and printed media. For Like-a-Local she takes tourists on the Avantgarde Shopping Tour. Annebeth shares a flat in the centre of the city, just off the famous Ramblas.

It’s getting hotter and Barcelona is preparing for summertime. To me, the night of San Joan marks the beginning of that season. All over the catholic world places can be found where San Joan, San Juan or Saint John is celebrated, but the party can no where be as big as in Barcelona. Its inhabitants have created their own version of the Scandinavian Midsummernight. Location: the beach. Ingredients: fireworks, good music and enough alcoholic drinks!
On the night of the 23rd of june young people, elderly persons and children all gather together to enjoy the seaside of the city. Beach bars play loud music. Families have picnics on the sand. Couples and groups of friends walk by the boulevard enjoying the many little concerts. And although all Spanish cities are carefull about botellónes these days – the famous drinking parties in public areas –, San Joan is an exception. If you’re looking for a real summer fiesta, San Joan is among the biggest beach parties in the world.
I spend my San Joan night with a group of friends from different countries at the first chiringuito on the Barceloneta beach, owned by a Colombian whose nickname is El Turco (The Turkish). We drank, we talked, we danced and enjoyed. It’s a magic feeling to live in a place where the ultimate beach holiday feeling is just a few minutes away from the vibrating city centre!
For those who cannot wait untill next year’s San Joan no worries: during the rest of the summer beach parties can be found from friday till sunday at different bars next by the sea. The sundaynight Marbella beach is highly recommended for those with a big party spirit.

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