Dance barcelona: Sardana: Catalan Dancing in Barcelona

Sardana: Catalan Dancing in Barcelona

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This page will give you an overview of one tradition of Catalan culture – the Sardana. This Barcelona Catalan dance is a symbol of Catalan unity and pride. You will learn why this Catalan dancing is so important as a symbol, an explanation of the dance, and where you will be able to see the Sardana.

Catalan dancing Barcelona

Throughout the region of Catalunya you may have come across a curious but enthralling spectacle of Catalan dancing. People join their hands together and dance in circles with small precise steps. The circle goes slowly round, and round whilst more people join to make the circle bigger. This is the Sardana: the traditional national dance of Catalunya.

Sardana Dancing – Musicians

It is important to the Catalans – not only does it bring the people of Catalunya together; it is a symbol of their national pride and identity. To understand the meaning behind the dance, it is important to look at the historical context behind this supposedly simplistic idea of Catalan dancing.

The Catalans are a proud and patriotic people with distinct traditions and culture that set them aside from Castellan Spain. Many Catalans consider the region of Catalunya to be distinct from Spain and even though it is within Spain, there has been much campaigning for an independent Catalunya for over 150 years.

Franco, the Spanish dictator who ruled for 30 years from the late 1940s to 1975, saw the Catalans as a threat – their desire for independence and their great national pride was considered by Franco to be insolent, arrogant and a personal affront. His dislike for the Catalans was such that he enforced many crippling laws in an attempt to remove the traditions and language of the Catalan culture and thus make Spain a uniform state. Among other rules he enforced, he banned Catalan being spoken as well as any of the Catalan traditions, one of the main being, of course, the Sardana.

Catalan unity

The Sardana therefore, is considered by Catalans to be a powerful symbol of national unity and identity, which captures the spirit of Catalunya. Even under tyrannical rule, the true nature of the Catalans remained, and this is captured perfectly through the Catalan dancing of the Sardana; people dancing, united together, from all different walks of life and ages, casting their differences aside and proudly saying, with their hands and heads raised high that they are Catalans and proud to be.

So, what is involved in the dance you ask? Circles of people join together- it can either be of the same sex, mixed or with couples. For pure authentication, no formal wear is worn, normal attire is usual, and all ages and classes join in. Dancers hold hands with raised arms and follow a leader who leads the movements and timing.

Sardana steps

The steps are meticulous and precise, one false move and you can put the whole circle out of step. You are advised, therefore, to watch rather than join in- the dancers can get more than a little peeved if a bumbling tourist cleaves in and messes the dance steps up! It is also considered bad etiquette if you join a circle that is just made up of couples. When a circle becomes too big, more circles are formed, and the final spectacle, with maybe four or five circles dancing, is wonderful to watch.

The Catalan dancing is complemented by a ‘cobla’ a small group of musicians accompanying the dance with a selection of brass instruments and lead by the ‘flaviol’ a type of flute whilst the tambourine sets the rhythm.

The best times to see an authentic Sardana are at a festival. The Focs de Sant Joan festival on the 24 June is one such example. Visit a Catalan village outside of Barcelona to capture the dance in authentic surroundings.

Sardana steps

You can also see this type of traditional Catalan dancing throughout the summer months in the sunlit early evenings starting around 18:00 to 18:30. Within Barcelona, hot spots include plaza Jaume I on Sunday Evenings as well as the nearby grounds of Catedral de Barcelona on Saturday evenings.

Map showing location of Barcelona Cathedral

Barcelona History Museum
Plaça del Rei

Via Laietana

Plaça Urquinaona

Palau de la Musica Catalana
Carrer Palau de la Musica, 4 – 6

Gaudí Casa Calvet
Carrer de Casp, 48

Arc de Triomf Metro

SABA Lluis Companys Car Park

Museum d’ Història de Catalunya
Plaça de Pau Vila, 3

Jaume I Metro

Franca Station

Parc Cuitadella

Plaça Sant Jaume

Erotica Museum
La Rambla, 96

SABA BAMSA Rambla Catalunya Car Park

Passeig de Gràcia Metro

La Rambla

Santa Maria del Mar
Plaça de Santa Maria, 1

Picasso Museum
Carrer Montcada, 15-23

Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi
Plaça del Pi, 7

Plaça Reial

Plaça de Catalunya

Barcelona Cathedral
Plaça de la Seu, 3

La Boqueria Market
La Rambla, 91

Barceloneta Metro

Urquinaona Metro

Liceu Metro

Catalunya Metro

SABA Catedral Car Park

BSM Moll de la Fusta Car Park

NN Palau de La Muscia Car Park

SABA BAMSA Francesc Cambo Car Park

Laietana Princesa Car Park

SABA Plaça de Catalunya Car Park

NN Bonsucces Car Park

SABA Plaça Urquinaona Car Park

This map is copyright registered and protected and may not be copied.

The 15 Best Places for Dancing in Barcelona

Created by Foursquare Lists Published On: April 17, 2023

Joaquin Arteaga Percusion: Buenisimo para bailar ! Excelentes cockteles!

Guillem Fernàndez: La mejor pista de baile de Barcelona. Puedes bailar Salsa y Bachata los jueves y sábados, bailes de salón los viernes y Lindy Hop y Bailboa (Swing) los domingos.

Joaquin Arteaga Percusion: Buen ambiente, excelente pista y amplia para bailar salsa, bachata, swing, Los mejores Mojitos de Canela y de Fresa ! y chicas guapísimas ! Que mas puedes pedir? descuentos especiales? tambien !

Sos OrzaStudio: One of the best locations within the city. Located at the beach features this spot several dancefloors. Relax outside before you start dancing inside.

Fabio: Great party! Just orther a lot of Grey Goose… Awesome people, full of energy. Get a VIP place n dance all the eay to 5 in yhe morning. Barza!!!!

Özlem: Perfect location but very poor dance music

Jordi Varela: Clases de baile de todo tipo con profesores geniales y muy buen rollo. El precio es un poco elevado, pero sin duda merece la pena.

Adolfo Tavizon: Excelente academia de baile y los sábados el mejor lugar para bailar salsa

Marc Farran Marin: Buen sitio para aprender a bailar Salsa y otros estilos musicales de salón

A B: beautiful ‘singing and dancing’ fountains. perfect place for a romantic date on a summer night. but beware of pickpockets!

Oh-Barcelona.com: Rocking around the Magic Fountain! Until January 5th you can see the Magic Fountains dance to the sound of Christmas music at the weekends! Don’t miss out!

C0_okie: Come here after 8pm – every 30min (5min break between) fountain starts singing and dancing 🙂 Must-see place in Barcelona. Hundreds of dancing and filming people around.

noreservation: Good for salsa, but on Mon night only small bar open & not enough room to dance. Make sure to ask for the SMALL mojito for €3, o/wise some staff will be sneaky & make a large & charge double for it.

Eva Gomez: Amazing cocktails and amazing food!! Really good dancing music but not enough space to dance 🙂

Simon Stewart: Salsa dancing!

Jessica Rae: You can’t go wrong at this dance party: a differently themed party every day of the week (Nasty Mondays, Crappy Tuesdays, Midnight Call

TheRAMR0D: A decent place for teenagers. 15€ entrance, but one drink included. No where to sit, or smoke, it’s actually a dance pole, and a bar. Music too commercial, the security guys are rough and not polite.

Sarit M: So much dance.

Sertext Camisetas Publicitarias: Escuela de baile donde podrás aprender danza, bachata, salsa, hip hop, danza del vientre, yoga, danza para niños. Todos los profesores son grandes maestros docentes y grandes bailarines.

Lobah Soul: Excelente escuela de baile con una variedad de profes y estilos urbanos y latinos. 🙂

Chico Tóxico: Clases de baile de muchos estilos y de todos los niveles

Luxos Magazine: One of the hottest nighttime venues in Barcelona. Football stars, Spanish celebrities, and top models frequent the Chinese inspired lounge bar and dance club… Read more.

Sa Know: Great place. One of the best i’ve ever been. Nice dancing on the stage in the main restaurant. Don’t forget to make a reservation.

AB Apartment Barcelona: CDLC is perfect for a night of dinner then dancing! There is a delicious menu including sushi, sashimi, fresh fish and amazing signature cocktails: Mojitos, Margheritas and Caipirinhas

Edson Mesquita: Nice dirty dancing nigth in the last wednesday! I love that DJ!!!Vive la révolution et la résistance**

luis abundes: brotip: dance like no ones watching, bitches love that

Jackie Mucilli: Great place to catch a show and dance with your friends. HUGE venue. Lots of people. Expensive drinks, but one is included with your cover charge.

Becky Clingenpeel: Sunday afternoons enjoy traditional Catalan folk dancing

Christoffer Levak: Sunday afternoon folk dance

@Jorgecist: Los fines de semana hay música fuera de la catedral de barcelona, bailes típicos y feria de antigüedades.

Josephyne H: Outstanding music, superb dance floors, and some of the best instructors from around the world!!!!

Katya Ryabova: Wow this place is huge! Ten classrooms spread over three floors and two buildings. Arrive a bit early to locate yours, if that’s your first time.

Jenn Ash: Hip Hop class on Friday nights is a workout! So good with french teacher Jana.

E L: Show is kinda too long. But they danced real well.

Elif Özge Kuyumcu: You won’t see just a Flemencoin here, you’ll see the passion of this dance on the stage. It was a great show and unforgettable experience for me ♥️

Homa Shirani: Amazing show wonderfull area, professional dancers , singers, players, very nice explain about the dance before show, i’ll never forget Antonio

Gerardo: One of the Best indie dance place you can find in Spain

Gerardo: Best indie and alternative rock to dance in Barcelona

Nacho Ruiz: The Soaks protagonizan el cartel del Dance to the Underground de Abril (by Wookie)

Olga Lavreniuk: Disgusting Flamenco Show, awful costumes, full absence of dance!

Deniz Ozturk: Dont miss this flamenco show, especially if it has “Jesus Fernandez” in it, he is great dancer who dances with his soul, it is a pleasure to watch him.

Özkal Arayıcı: Great dance,only cash , one person is 42 euros, must see in my opinion

Connie Chiu: EDM inside, hip hop outside. Right on the beachfront. Great music.

Rafael Reed: Great dancing place. Drinks are expensive though, but even so it’s a must

Jackie Mucilli: Super awesome club on the beach. Really great for dancing!

Sardana: Catalan dancing in Barcelona

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Author: Romilie Turner

This article briefly describes one of the traditions of Catalan culture – the sardana. This Barcelona and Catalan dance represents the pride and unity of the Catalan people. You will learn why this Catalan dance is so important, as a symbol, what goes into it and where you can see the sardana.

Catalan dancing in Barcelona

In Catalonia or in Barcelona itself, you might have come across a curious and exciting spectacle – Catalan dances. People stand in a circle, hold hands, raise them up and with small, but measured steps, begin to dance while other people join them, increasing the circle of dancers in size. This is the sardana, the traditional national dance of Catalonia.

Sardana dance – musicians

It is of great importance for the Catalans, this dance not only brings the Catalans together, but is also a symbol of their national pride and identity. To understand the meaning of the dance, it is important to first look at the historical context of this seemingly simple Catalan dance.

Catalans are very proud and patriotic people, they differ from Castilian Spain in their traditions and culture. Many Catalans consider Catalonia a separate state from Spain, and although it is part of Spain, there has been a campaign for the separation of Catalonia for 150 years.

Franco, the Spanish dictator who was in power for 30 years, from the late 1940s until 1975, saw the Catalans as a threat. Their desire to become independent and deep national pride he considered arrogant and arrogant, and viewed this as a personal insult. His dislike of the Catalans was so strong that he issued many destructive laws in an attempt to suppress the traditions and language of Catalan culture, making Spain uniform. Among other things, he introduced a ban on communication in the Catalan language, as well as on Catalan traditions, and one of the main ones, of course, was the sardana dance.

Unity of the Catalan people

Thus, the sardana is regarded by the Catalans as a powerful symbol of national unity and identity, which reflects the spirit of Catalonia. Even under tyranny, the Catalans retained their true spirit, and this is wonderfully reflected in the Catalan sardana dance. People of all ages and professions, forget about differences, dance all together, and proudly say, raising their hands and heads high, that they are Catalans and proud of it.

So what is this dance? People become in a circle. It can be a circle of only men or only of women, or there may be people of both sexes or couples in love. In the real dance, people participate in casual clothes, people of all ages join the dance. In the dance, they hold hands and raise them up, following the leader, who sets the movement and rhythm.

Steps in sardane

The movements in the dance are very precise and done with great care, one wrong step and you will throw the whole circle out of rhythm! Therefore, it is recommended to observe rather than participate. Dancers can get really pissed off if a clumsy tourist walks into the circle and ruins the whole beat! In addition, it is considered indecent to join a circle that consists of pairs of lovers. When the circle becomes too large, other circles are formed, and at the end one can observe a wonderful picture of four or five round dances.

The Catalan dance is accompanied by the so-called “cobla”, a small group of musicians with bass instruments and the leading flute “flaviol”, the rhythm of which is set by the tambourine.

The best opportunity to see the real sardana is the festivals. One such festival, Focs de Sant Joan, takes place on June 24th. Drive to a Catalan village near Barcelona to see this dance in an authentic setting.

Sardana steps

This Catalan dance can also be seen in the summer, in the evenings at 18:00 or 18:30. The main places are Piazza Jaume I on Sunday evenings, as well as around the Barcelona Cathedral on Sunday evenings.

Map showing the exact location of car parks near the Cathedral of Barcelona

Barcelona History Museum
Plaça del Rei

Via Laietana

Plaça Urquinaona

Palau de la Musica Catalana
Carrer Palau de la Musica, 4 – 6

Gaudi Casa Calvet
Carrer de Casp, 48

Arc de Triomf Metro

Parking SABA Lluis Companys

Museum d’Historia de Catalunya
Plaça de Pau Vila, 3

Jaume I Metro

Station Franca

Parc Cuitadella

Plaza Sant Jaume

Museum of Erotica
La Rambla, 96

Parking SABA BAMSA Rambla Catalunya

Passeig de Gràcia Metro

La Rambla

Santa Maria del Mar
Plaça de Santa Maria, 1

Picasso Museum
Carrer Montcada, 15-23

Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi
Plaça del Pi, 7

Plaça Real

Plaza Catalunya

Barcelona Cathedral
Plaça de la Seu, 3

La Boqueria Market
La Rambla, 91

Barceloneta Metro

Urquinaona Metro

Liceu Metro

Catalunya Metro

Parking SABA Catedral

Parking BSM Moll de la Fusta

Parking NN Palau de La Muscia

Parking SABA BAMSA Francesc Cambo

Parking Laietana Princesa

Parking SABA Plaça Catalunya

Parking NN Bonsucces

Parking SABA Plaça Urquinaona

This map is copyrighted and protected, copying is prohibited.

Dance of Barcelona: all about the Catalan sardane

Sardana – Barcelona dance which is an important part of the culture of Catalonia. It reflects the identity, unity and pride of the people. Why is dancing so important all of a sudden? Where to enjoy a sardana in Barcelona? All the necessary information with interesting facts in between cases – further.

Dance of Barcelona: what a sardana is like

Walking the streets or visiting cultural venues, it’s easy to come across Catalan dances. The participants form a circle, take each other’s hands, raise them and begin to dance at a measured pace.

Dance of Barcelona: what is a sardana

Gradually the number of people is increasing. By these signs, it is easy to recognize the sardana – a dance that is treated with great honor in Barcelona.

It is seen not just as an opportunity to unite the Catalans, but as a kind of symbol of identity. Barcelona and the cities closest to it are hard to imagine without a regular sardane. It is possible to understand the significance of dance by studying the history of its appearance.

Why is the sardane so cherished in Barcelona?

The Catalans have a feature that is noticeable to the naked eye – they are patriots to the bone and marrow, they were proud, proud and will be proud of their culture. Locals perceive Catalonia as an independent state, not wanting to be part of Spain and feed its underdeveloped lands by sending money and resources from Barcelona.

Under Franco’s dictatorship, which lasted from the 40s of the last century until the mid-70s, the attitude towards the inhabitants of Barcelona and other Catalan cities was far from being the most friendly. Francisco detested them for their desire for sovereignty and national pride, interpreting these traits as unjustified arrogance. The hatred for the people was so strong that Franco signed a series of laws aimed at eliminating the cultural traditions of the Catalans, including the dance of Barcelona. The dictator saw the creation of a unified Spain as his ultimate goal. Francisco Franco tried to ban Catalan, he also wanted to completely cleanse the country of dance.

Sardana symbolizes the national unification of Barcelona, reflects the rebellious nature of the people, their willingness to fight to the end for their values. Even under conditions of tyranny, the Catalans were able to maintain their cultural traditions, which can be seen in the example of dance. People with different views on things are ready to leave the contradictions aside for the sake of uniting and performing the sardana.

Barcelona dance: how to move correctly

What does dancing look like in practice? At the first stage, the participants line up in a circle. It can be formed both by representatives of only one sex, and different, consist only of couples in love. In Barcelona, there is often a picture of how it is performed by people of all ages in casual clothes. Holding hands and raising them, the participants follow the leader, who determines the main aspects of the Barcelona dance.

The sardana must be performed clearly, as any erroneous movement disrupts the circle. You have to learn to calibrate every step. Advice for vacationers in Barcelona: do not join the dance without experience in performing it. The awkward movements of visitors, destroying the whole process, will not be to the liking of the Catalans. When there are too many people in the dance, additional circles are formed.

Dance of Barcelona is performed to the accompaniment

Dance of Barcelona is performed to the accompaniment of a small group of musicians who carry bass instruments and solo flute. The tambourine is also used to set the rhythm.

Dance of Barcelona: where to appreciate in the capital of Catalonia

The best way to enjoy the beauty of the Sardana is at festivals. For example, the Focs de Sant Joan is organized at the end of June. The program includes a dance performance in a small village near Barcelona.

It is possible to taste the sardane in the summer evenings – 18:00 and 18:30. Most often, the dance of Barcelona is observed on Jaume I Square on weekends.

The Cathedral is another popular landmark for dancers and spectators. Schedule adjustments are made every few months. In this area of Barcelona, you can enjoy watching another equally interesting dance – Flamenco. Follow the link to reserve your seat.

How to avoid queues at Barcelona attractions. Tickets for the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell skip the line.
How not to be deceived by local taxi drivers. Order a taxi in advance with fixed rates online. The most reliable service for ordering a taxi is KiwiTaxi .
Excursions in Barcelona with locals will help you get to know this city for real. The best way to get comfortable in an unfamiliar city is to walk around it with a person who has lived here for many years.
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