along the Costa Brava make this one of Spain’s most popular destinations. Now there’s even more reason to visit Barcelona – the region’s vibrant capital with its historic Gothic Quarter, La Rambla pedestrian mall and Gaudí’s famed striking art and architecture seen at the Sagrada Família Basilica and in the colorful outdoor mosaics of Park Güell.

From August until late October 2024, Barcelona will be hosting the 37th America’s Cup, one of the most prestigious sailing competitions in the world and one of the most popular sports events around the globe.

JAX FAX interviewed Mr. Mateu Hernández Maluquer, the CEO of the Barcelona Tourism Board, about the new offerings for tourists in this captivating metropolis.

Where can US travelers see the schedule, view activities and buy tickets for the America’s Cup?

One of the most interesting activities is The 37th America’s Cup Official Exhibition Center, a unique, immersive journey to the world’s most important regatta. The America’s Cup Experience is set out in three spaces that use state-of-the-art technology to make you feel the thrills and adrenaline rush of the regatta. A unique, immersive format with giant screens will delve into the history of the America’s Cup. Visitors are welcomed by the sensory immersive experience with a 360 degree 128m2-high screen, recreating the sea, the waves and the wind. Next comes the Timeline, a multimedia gallery with more than 100 different-sized, synchronized screens that surround you and tell you how the competition has evolved and changed throughout its history
The screens, placed on the wall and ceiling, create the feeling of a digital wave above your heads. You’ll travel from 1851 to 2004, 173 years of history and 37 competitions. Videos and images will showcase the competitions held over the years, the teams, the sailing techniques, the crews, boats and much more.
America’s Cup Experience: www.americascupexperience.com/en/home-english and Visit Barcelona: www.barcelonaturisme.com

Barcelona has been chosen as the city to host the 15th European Nomadic Biennial Manifesta this year. What kind of activities will there be?

Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana takes place from Sept 8th-November 11, 2024 in Barcelona and its metropolitan region. Themes such as balancing conflicts, caring and being cared for, and imagining futures will be explored and will foster a deeper understanding of the region’s cultural and artistic landscape. Pre-biennial events offer early engagement opportunities, including Teachers’ Encounters focusing on community and innovation, and a Re-reading Club at Gustavo Gili, Barcelona. Manifesta 15 is a very important event for Barcelona because it links art with people and promotes international collaboration.

Can tourists participate?

Yes, definitely. Visitors can explore exhibitions and public events with art installations, performances and talks – check the official program for dates and venues. Expert-led tours offer in-depth insights into works of art and their contexts, enriching visitors’ understanding. Hands-on workshops and interactive activities within exhibitions allow tourists to create their own art or explore different artistic techniques. Self-guided tours of the Manifesta’s 15 sites are also available to explore numerous artworks in public spaces. In addition to the main exhibitions, tourists can attend side events such as talks and film screenings to actively engage and interact with contemporary art in Barcelona’s vibrant cultural landscape.
https://manifesta15.org/

How will Barcelona be celebrating the centennial of famous artist Antoni Tàpies in 2024?

The Tàpies Foundation is holding several exhibitions and activities on this theme, all listed on our website. Antoni Tàpies was one of our most influential artists of the 20th century and a prominent figure in abstract art. This year we celebrate the centenary of his birth to honor his life and work, as well as his role as an ambassador for a culturally rich and artistically vibrant Barcelona. We have designed a self-guided tour to discover the Barcelona of Antoni Tàpies. This is in addition to the activities organized by the Tàpies Foundation, which can also be found on our website with all the details.

www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/page/5605/antoni-tapies-route.html
or www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/categorias/125/tapies-100-years.html

Is there any news about gastronomy?

Our gastronomic culture is one of the main attractions of our region. Barcelona has 37 Michelin stars in 26 restaurants, in addition to the 70 restaurants listed with various distinctions in the 2023 edition of the MICHELIN Guide Spain and Portugal. Important events include Tast a la Rambla, which brings together restaurants and producers in this iconic space of the city, the Mercat de Mercats, the gastronomic showcase of what is on offer in the city’s markets, and Slow Food Barcelona’s Mercat de la Terra.

Nautical Tourism
In addition to The America’s Cup, Nautical tourism has always been a significant presence in Catalonia – with 45 ports along its coast. This water-related tourism involves activities on the sea, in rivers, lakes and reservoirs. It can also include leisure activities on rivers, such as the Noguera Ribagorçana, the Noguera Pallaresa, the Garonne and the Segre. Visitors can go wildwater canoeing, kayaking, rafting, canyoning, rowing and paddle surfing, among others. Currently, there are six Nautical Resorts in Catalonia: Roses-Cap de Creus, L’Estartit-Illes Medes, Santa Susanna, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Costa Daurada and La Ràpita.

For those who prefer to see nature’s splendor by car: A sample of Spain’s most iconic road trips– include The Grand Tour Catalonia by car. The Grand Tour comes with its own app, a podcast and even a playlist to set the perfect backdrop.

For more information visit the Catalan Tourist Board: www.catalunya.com
Experience Catalunya: https://experience.catalunya.com and www.spain.info

Photo credit to Turisme de Barcelona