The streets are once again full of life, music and colour with the arrival of one of the biggest festivals of the first months of the year. Masked dancers, acrobats and anyone else who wants to join in, come together for a few days to celebrate one of the most fun and creative events in our calendar, Carnival.
Many cities join in this celebration, such as Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and one of the most important cities in Spain. But we cannot forget the towns on Costa Dorada, such as Tarragona, Cambrils, Reus and many more.
So that you can reach all these towns and cities in total comfort, we recommend you the private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, offered by Shuttle2Sun, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
Origins of Carnival
This multitudinous festival, which has managed to reach many corners of the world, has thousand-year-old origins. Some authors suggest that its first traces date back 5,000 years to the Sumerian and Egyptian civilisations.
Although others suggest that its origins lie in the festivals organised by the Roman and Greek populations, including the use of costumes, to celebrate Saturnalia, in honour of the god Saturn, or the Dionysia, in honour of Dionysus, the god of wine. These festivities took place during the months of February and March, to put an end to winter and enjoy the imminent arrival of spring and were particularly notable for their great banquets and dances.
Even so, Carnival, as we know it today, is linked to the Catholic Church, which began to organise this festival during the Middle Ages to announce the coming of Lent, a period consisting of abstinence and fasting, and the prohibition of doing fun things. This is why, to prevent people from being known during Carnival, they wore disguises and masks to cover their faces. In Spain, this Carnival festival arrived with the expansion of this celebration, also during the Middle Ages.
Barcelona dresses up on a large scale
Barcelona brings you a magnificent range of activities for you to enjoy its great Carnival to the fullest. More than a hundred events make up the programme for 2024, which takes place between the 8th and the 14th of February.
This weekend, you can enjoy a wide variety of Carnival parades in the different districts of Barcelona. For example, today, Saturday, there will be a parade in the Fort Pienc neighbourhood, including chocolate for those attending. The parade will begin at 5 p.m., starting and finishing in Plaça del Fort Pienc.
This afternoon, the Sants-Montjuïc district will also hold the parade of Sants, Hostafrancs and La Bordeta, along Carrer de Sants, and that of La Marina, through the different squares and streets of the neighbourhood. Also joining in this tradition are those of Les Corts, starting at 4.30 p.m.; Sarrià-Sant-Gervasi, at 5.30 p.m.; and Gràcia, at 6 p.m., among others.
In addition to the main parades, the different districts of the city are organising a wide variety of activities and workshops for children, such as, for example, creating your own mask, among many other proposals.
Don’t miss any of the parades taking place this weekend in Barcelona. Get to Barcelona with Shuttle2Sun‘s low-cost and sustainable private transfer services from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
Tarragona Carnival
Another of Catalonia’s cities par excellence that fills its streets with fancy dress for this time of year is Tarragona, located in the heart of Costa Dorada. Among the most outstanding events is the Crafts Parade, where the different floats and troupes will travel along Avinguda Ramón y Cajal until they reach Avinguda Catalunya. This parade takes place today, Saturday 10th of February, at 6 p.m. Throughout the night there will also be a Carnival festival, with different musical offerings and the best deejays.
And tomorrow, Sunday 11th of February, don’t miss the parade with the floats and the whole entourage of King Carnestoltes and Concubine, which will take place from 6 p.m. onwards, from Avinguda Ramón y Cajal.
So that you can enjoy the Tarragona Carnival throughout the weekend, we suggest two very well located accommodations: Hotel AC Tarragona, just a few steps from Plaça Imperial Tarraco, and Hotel Lauria, in the centre of Rambla Nova.
Reus also joins in
The capital of Baix Camp region, and one of the jewels of Catalan modernism, the city of Reus is another of the municipalities that are joining in this great celebration. One of the essential proposals of its extensive programme is the great parade, where you can meet all the participating groups, which will be held today, Saturday 10th of February, at 6 p.m.
Tomorrow, Sunday 11th of February, there will be other initiatives, such as the morning parade through the streets of the city; a vermouth dance in Plaça de la Llibertat; and, in the afternoon, the Confetti Parade. Over the next week there will also be many activities for all ages, such as parades, exhibitions and dances.
Many more proposals for an unforgettable Carnival
Other places on Costa Dorada are organising original proposals to celebrate their Carnival. One of the most striking is the Carnival at PortAventura World, the theme park par excellence in Catalonia, which until the 17th of March offers shows based on this theme.
Finally, we cannot forget the towns of Cambrils and Vila-seca, which have prepared the best parades and costumes to make you enjoy this international tradition to the fullest.
If you do not want to miss any of these proposals that we have explained in this publication, remember that, with Shuttle2Sun‘s private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, you can move to these municipalities, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
