Badalona

Badalona is a city in Catalonia, north from Barcelona and part of its metropolis, along the Mediterranean sea coastline. It has a population of around 220,000 inhabitants, making it one of Catalonia's most populated cities.

Understand
Badalona is both a dormitory town and a developed city in itself. Despite being shadowed by its neighbour city Barcelona, Badalona features many cultural tourist attractions as a result of its eventful history and presents large amounts of outdoors and entertainment services. From Badalona, Barcelona's city centre is 15 to 25 minutes away by subway. Several "NightBus" buses from Barcelona also stop in Badalona. Because of this, the city is also regarded as a plan B sleeping option for travellers that are unable to find cheap accommodation in Barcelona.

During the summer one can expect to find lesser-crowded beaches in Badalona and neighbouring towns to the north, as compared to the massively crowded ones in Barcelona. Surfing, wind-surfing, kayaking and similar sports are very common among the residents.

Basketball is immensely popular in Badalona. Many pavilions and open street courts can be found around the city, and it is the most common sport among primary, middle and high schoolers. Attending several matches of friends and relatives around the main pavilions of the city is a typical weekend activity for locals.

By train
Line R1 of RENFE has a stop at Badalona's train station, located in the city centre and right by the sea.

By subway
Some subway stations of the northern far-end of Barcelona's Metro are located in Badalona. They are the following stations, mentioned from south to north for each subway line: Four stations in L1 are planned, thus extending the line northward.
 * L2: Sant Roc, Gorg, Pep Ventura and Badalona Pompeu Fabra. The latter is located right in Badalona's city centre.
 * L10: Llefià, La Salut and Gorg.
 * T5/T6: Gorg.

By car
Major highways B-20 and C-31 run south-north through Badalona with several exits in the city. They are connected to the mountain-side and seaside highway belts of Barcelona, respectively. North from Badalona, the two highways converge into C-31/C-32, which runs all the way north till France. From C-31, one can also join the national road 2 (N-II) at the north end of Badalona. N-II crosses several seaside towns and later goes into the country on its way to Girona.

By boat
Badalona has a harbour. 

Get around
Since most landmarks, cultural attractions and renowned restaurants and bars tend to be around the center and closer to the sea side of the city, most of the typical places of interest are within walking distance. A network of local and regional buses connects all points of the city.

Festivities

 * In May, in occasion of the celebration of Saint Anastasi, the patron saint of Badalona, activities and festivals are organized all around the city. The most important celebration takes place on May 10th. From 18:00-19:00 and till the night, people gather at the maritime promenade to participate in the popular Cremada del Dimoni (Devil-Burning), which is joined by a pyro-musical performance (the fireworks are launched from the beach, surrounding the devil). Many official (backed by the city hall) and unofficial (organized independently by the citizens) events take place throughout the month of May. The schedule with the official and some of the unofficial events is available at the city hall website. Notable events include:
 * Correfocs (fire-runs, Correfoc), preceded by water-runs.
 * Live music performances around the city. The most popular concert typically takes place at Turó d'en Carig (a hill next to the Màgic mall). This concert is funded by the city hall and features renowned local, national and international artists.
 * Sardanes dancing sessions at the maritime promenade.
 * Meeting and performance of Giants and Big-Heads from several local and neighbouring towns' entities.
 * Trobada dels Puntaires, where more than a thousand people from Badalona and other regions of Catalonia get together at the maritime promenade and practice bobbin lacing in public.
 * Festa Baix a Mar, which typically concludes the month of festivities, is a popular sardine-eating event that takes place on the beach.
 * The annual town's festivity is held on August 15th, and features musical events around that date. Similar events to that of the May festivities (fire-runs, sardanes, giants and big-heads...) take place, along with an official speech by a public figure and fireworks on the 15th.

Arts

 * Filmets Festival is an international short film festival that takes place every year in Teatre Principal and Teatre Zorilla (both in the center) during the month of November. The first edition was held in 1969.
 * Stand-up comedy (monòlegs) has seen a rising popularity in Badalona for the past few years. Many performances take place at many beach bars during summer, and in pubs and night-clubs such as Sarau or theater venues such as Teatre Zorilla all year round.
 * Stand-up comedy (monòlegs) has seen a rising popularity in Badalona for the past few years. Many performances take place at many beach bars during summer, and in pubs and night-clubs such as Sarau or theater venues such as Teatre Zorilla all year round.
 * Stand-up comedy (monòlegs) has seen a rising popularity in Badalona for the past few years. Many performances take place at many beach bars during summer, and in pubs and night-clubs such as Sarau or theater venues such as Teatre Zorilla all year round.

Buy
Typical products from Badalona include:
 * Anís del Mono is a popular anise brand originally from Badalona. The factory is located in front of the Pont del Petroli (by the sea street), and bottles can be bought in any supermarket.
 * Corominas chips, the most renowned chips business of the city, with more than 75 years of history and typically present in every event.

Shopping:

Go next
Day trips from Badalona include:
 * Barcelona - Capital and largest city of Catalonia.
 * Costa Brava - The coast North of Barcelona has rocky cliffs and a mix of pebble beaches and sandy beaches.
 * Figueres - Home of the most impressive Salvador Dalí museum.
 * Montserrat - Visit the monastery nestled high in the mountains to see the Black Madonna or hike in the  Montserrat Natural Park to a peak to earn a fantastic view of the surroundings.
 * Montseny Natural Park - UNESCO Biosphere Reserve 40 km northeast of Barcelona. Go there by car or bus/train