Speaking of chocolate, Oaxaca is a haven for chocoholics. Although it’s not a major growing region, Oaxaca has a love for cacao that dates back thousands of years. The ubiquitous Oaxacan hot chocolate is a drink for both special occasions and everyday life, and it’s guaranteed to warm your heart. Mayordomo and La Soledad are two chocolate institutions with stores and stands where they will grind the cacao beans for you. 

Try these and other local treats — tamales, tlayudas (sometimes called Oaxacan pizzas), chapulines (spicy grasshoppers!), quesillo string cheese, and so much more at one of the local markets in Oaxaca.

Mexican Markets

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However, if you want to have a little of each - good prices and a designed environment - we recommend you walk around and remember the names of the squares. It's for sure that one, two or more bars have established their terrace there. Good examples of this? La Plaza del Dos de Mayo, la Plaza de Olavide, la Plaza de la Platería de Martínez and the Plaza de Santa Ana.

As you can see, there are terraces for all tastes, budgets and even for all types of conversations. And it’s no exaggeration. We can guarantee that during your stay you will be able to have something in one - or several - different terraces every day.

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Terrace in a historical monument atmosphere of old Madrid

Terraces are the ideal place to chat with friends or try the local specialties. But what happens when it comes to an ornately designed one? Until recently the terraces of the simpler bars and those with more class hardly differed: round, chromed chairs and tables. So, one couldn’t enjoy the atmosphere or decoration of a café or – say the gossiping tongues - justify the raise in prices.

These days many locales have turned their terraces into areas with a studied aesthetic and distinct decoration. Some good examples can be found in streets such as Ponzano and Paseo de la Castellana or neighborhoods like Chamberí, La Latina and Malasaña (the latter, by the way, very close to our Spanish school in Madrid).

Others have gone a step further and have adapted patios, rooftops and even gardens creating the concept of a "secret terrace", successful because it unites the best of several worlds: the intimacy of an interior space, the design as an extension of the locale and the pure taste for exclusivity. Some are in places as atypical as the top floor of an accessories’ shop (Tienda Salvador Bachiller, Calle Montera, 37), in the headquarters of the Official College of Architects of Madrid (Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Madrid, Calle Hortaleza, 63) or the rooftop of the Fine Arts Circle (Círculo de Bellas Artes, Calle Alcalá, 42). Although our favorite "atypical" terrace is still the garden of the Romantic Museum (Museo Romántico, Calle San Mateo, 13), a true jewel of the 19th century!

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Exhibitions

The street program of La Mercè goes hand in hand with a cultural agenda of the most careful. So, during these festivities, you can access in its open day to historical buildings and monuments such as the Monastery of Pedralbes, the Picasso Museum or the Palau de la Generalitat. Check the schedule to find out which day is free to enter all these emblematic places of the city.

In addition, we encourage you to visit the Centro Cultural del Born, where you will find the most interesting exhibitions.

So do not hesitate, if you want to discover the city of Barcelona from the inside, we invite you to come during the best week of the year to do so. Take advantage of your stay to take any of our Spanish courses at donQuijote school, learn Spanish in Barcelona and let yourself be surprised by the festivities of La Mercè.

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During the day, Ciudadela Park will be filled with street performers specialized in theater, dance, juggling, and other disciplines. Gigantes and cabezudos (impressive costumed figures with enormous papier-mâché heads) will be roaming the city squares, and there will be no lack of typical sardana dancing and the traditional castellers (pictured above).

When the sun goes down, light and fire take over the streets. Correfocs (fire-runs) and ball de diables (devil dances) light up the night with sparks and fireworks. Plaza de Sant Jaume is one of the best places to enjoy these spectacular events. If you’re a fan of photography, don’t miss this opportunity to capture these utterly unique moments.

You can also enjoy a pyromusical show at the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. If you can’t get enough of the beach even in September, Barceloneta Beach is a good viewing point for fireworks shows all week long.

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