A Sónar Festival in Barcelona travel guide – electronic music and multimedia art in Spain’s coolest city

Europe’s leading festival of electronic music attracts the technorati for a SónarFestival holiday in Barcelona, the Catalonian city of cool. With the day festival taking place in the city centre and the night on the outskirts, it is important to choose where to book your SónarFestival hotel – even if you don’t plan on getting much sleep.

Experimental days

The elegant surroundings of Barcelona’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) make the perfectly backdrop for Sónar by Day, allowing some of the world’s biggest and most forward-looking electronic acts to showcase their talents. Book a Barcelona hotel in El Raval to be close to the heart of the action as well as some of Barcelona’s trendiest bars and restaurants.

Party nights

The Sónar by Night events take place on Fira Gran Via on the far side of Montjuïc from the centre of the city. Vast, hangar-like spaces fill with dance music until the early morning as the world’s biggest dance acts get the audience moving on three stages. Take a break from dancing at SónarCar. Where else can you play on the dodgems while rocking out to the sounds of the planet’s coolest DJs?

Where to stay

• Eixample

  Average hotel prices
  • 3 stars$83
  • 4 stars$115
  • 5 stars$210
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• Gothic Quarter

  Average hotel prices
  • 3 stars$66
  • 4 stars$118
  • 5 stars$223
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• Ciutat Vella

  Average hotel prices
  • 3 stars$68
  • 4 stars$96
  • 5 stars$214
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Professional marketplace

While many come simply to let their hair down, some come to work too. SónarPro is a meeting point for professionals in the music industry and technologies applied to audiovisual art. Taking place in MACBA, it provides a great opportunity to meet like- minded businesspeople, network and have fun while doing it.

Practical information

When: Mid-June

Where: Barcelona

Tickets: 140€ (about £125)