🔥 When the sun sets on 23 June, Catalonia and the entire Mediterranean coast are transformed.
The air smells of gunpowder and freshly baked coca. The night sky lights up with colourful sparks and laughter fills the streets, squares and beaches.
It is the Verbena de Sant Joan, possibly the most anticipated and vibrant night of the year. A festival that mixes ancestral roots with overflowing joy, where fire purifies, celebration unites and wishes take centre stage.
At The Sun Places we want you to experience this magical moment in maximum comfort, staying in our Luxury Apartments in Barcelona, on the Costa Brava (Llafranc, Cadaqués, Calella) or in Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús – Marbella.
Get ready for the shortest and most special night of the year.
✨ La Verbena de Sant Joan is celebrated on the night of 23 to 24 June, marking the beginning of summer and the summer solstice.
It is a festival much loved by the people of Barcelona and by all the inhabitants of the Mediterranean coast, characterised by fire, the noise of firecrackers, traditional food and the festive atmosphere that floods the streets, squares and, above all, the beaches.
It is the night when fire purifies, water bathes and renews, and medicinal herbs reach their maximum effectiveness.
A night not to sleep, to live it in the street, on the beach or with friends and family until the sun comes up.
📜 History of the Verbena de Sant Joan: an unchanged tradition for over 500 years
The history of la Verbena de Sant Joan is as ancient as it is fascinating. The first documented reference to the festival dates back to the 15th century.
The basic elements we know today – lighting bonfires, throwing firecrackers and occupying public spaces – have remained unchanged since the Middle Ages. But its origins are even more remote.
La Noche de San Juan coincides with the summer solstice (or is very close to it), the time of year with the longest day and the shortest night.
Since time immemorial, agrarian cultures celebrated this moment with fire rituals to welcome summer, promote good harvests and fertility, and ward off evil spirits.
It was believed that fire purified and gave strength to the sun. With Christianity, the festival was linked to the birth of John the Baptist (24 June).
Tradition has it that his father lit a bonfire to announce it. Thus, the pagan rituals of fire were maintained within the new religious calendar. Until the 18th century, the popular nocturnal festival, unregulated, with fire and pyrotechnics, coexisted with a daytime, hierarchical ceremony by the authorities.
From the fall of 1714, prohibitions were unleashed on the popular celebration of the verbena, bonfires and firecrackers.
But the people of Barcelona kept it alive. And it was not until the end of the 19th century that the elements that make up the festival as we know it today were fully defined.
Sant Joan is the oldest popular festival in Barcelona. In the 15th century, bonfires, firecrackers, sea bathing and revelry in the streets were already the main features of the festival.
And all institutional attempts to intervene have ended in failure, only reinforcing the popular component even more. A chaotic festival, with thousands of people in the streets, large bonfires and firecrackers everywhere, but at the same time very civilised, with rare incidents.
For over five hundred years, the Verbena de Sant Joan has remained alive.
🍰 Las Cocas de Sant Joan: the essential sweet treat of the Verbena de Sant Joan
There is no Verbena de Sant Joan without coca. This elongated sweet, made with a brioche-like dough and decorated with candied fruits, pine nuts, cream or even savoury ingredients, is the gastronomic queen of the night.
There are multiple variations depending on the area or personal tastes, and many families still prepare their own recipes year after year. Bakeries and pastry shops offer a wide variety in the days leading up to the verbena.
Types of Cocas de Sant Joan
- Coca de frutas confitadas (candied fruit coca): The most popular of all. With its fluffy brioche-like dough, pine nuts and pieces of candied fruit, it is a recipe that has remained alive in homes and bakeries for generations.
- Coca de crema y piñones (cream and pine nut coca): A variant with a layer of custard or crema catalana, topped with pine nuts. A favourite of many.
- Coca de llardons (crackling coca): Typical of the Catalan Pyrenees. A savoury and crispy version that has won many awards in recent years.
- Coca de cabello de ángel (angel hair coca): Another sweet variant, with an angel hair filling that gives it a unique texture.
- Coca de chocolate: A more modern version that is gaining popularity.
- Creative coca: Innovative proposals such as pistachio and raspberry, or with lemon, basil and extra virgin olive oil.
The best Cocas de Sant Joan 2026
Each year, the Bakers' Guild of the province of Barcelona (Gremipa) organises the "Best Coca de Sant Joan" competition, which in 2026 has reached its eighth edition. These are this year's winners:
- Coca de llardons: First prize for Forn Saga (Granollers). Second prize: Pastisseria Faixat (Barcelona).
- Creative coca: First prize for Hofmann (Barcelona). Second prize: La Boulangerie (Barcelona).
- Traditional fruit coca: First prize for Pastisseria Tornés (Girona). Second prize: Alejandro Pastisser (Mataró).
- Cream and pineapple coca: First prize for Forn Saga (Granollers). Second prize: Arenas Molins (Molins de Rei).
- Chocolate coca: First prize for Forn de Cabrianes (Artés). Second prize: Pastisseria Tornés (Girona).
The organisation highlighted the level of proposals in this eighth edition: "We had three hundred pastries submitted, an exceptional level and an incredible exhibition of the artisan talent of Catalan baking and pastry-making".
If you are looking for a more traditional coca, you cannot miss La Colmena (Plaça de l'Àngel, 12), a pastry shop with over 150 years of history in the heart of the Gothic Quarter.
Its candied fruit and pine nut coca is "a direct journey back to childhood". Or Forn Mistral (Ronda Sant Antoni, 96), which has kept alive since 1977 the most artisanal spirit of cocas. And of course you must go to Pastelería Escribà, which is among our favourites.
🧨 Firecrackers and magic for the little ones
The Verbena de Sant Joan is also a festival for children. The youngest, and not so young, have fun throwing firecrackers to celebrate the summer solstice, the most optimistic time of the year.
They gather together to share a communal meal, with music, dancing and fireworks castles.
During the week of the verbena, many shops sell low and medium-sound firecrackers, defined as those with a noise level below the established limits to protect the most sensitive.
It is important to remember that children are exposed to burns, so adult supervision is essential.
The magic of the night also includes other rituals for the little ones: jumping over bonfires to burn away the bad and attract good luck, bathing in the sea to renew themselves, and collecting medicinal herbs, which on La Noche de San Juan reach their maximum effectiveness.
A dreamy night for children to discover the tradition and magic of the verbena.
🌙 La Noche de San Juan, the shortest night of the year: meaning and tradition
La Noche de San Juan is popularly known as "the shortest night of the year". Although astronomically the summer solstice may vary slightly in date, tradition has fixed the celebration on the night of 23 to 24 June.
It is the moment when the sun reaches its highest point, the heat intensifies and the days grow longer. That is why, since ancient times, the solstice was celebrated with fire rituals to welcome summer and celebrate life.
Fire purifies and gives strength to the sun. The shortest night symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, the beginning of a new season full of energy and vitality.
It is a night not to sleep, to live it intensely, to make wishes and to celebrate the arrival of summer with overflowing joy.
🏖️ Celebrating Sant Joan on the beach: Llafranc, Cadaqués, Calella, Barcelona and Marbella
The Verbena de Sant Joan is lived with special intensity on the beach. The combination of fire, water and sand creates a magical and unforgettable setting. At The Sun Places we propose five luxury destinations to celebrate the most special night of the year.
🌊 Llafranc (Costa Brava)
In Llafranc, one of the most picturesque villages on the Costa Brava, the Verbena de Sant Joan is celebrated with bonfires on the beach, live music and al fresco dinners with coca and cava.
The posters announcing the festival vary little from year to year: "Bonfire lighting. Al fresco dinner with coca and cava. Live music and dancing in the village square".
The best restaurants and hotels in the area join this celebration to offer exquisite dishes that highlight the delicate produce of the Costa Brava.
🎨 Cadaqués (Costa Brava)
Cadaqués, the village that inspired Salvador Dalí, fills with light, fire and tradition to celebrate the Verbena de Sant Joan.
Its beaches and coves become the perfect setting for a magical night, with bonfires, firecrackers and music echoing among its white houses.
It is the ideal place for those seeking a verbena with artistic charm and Mediterranean views.
🏄 Calella de Palafrugell (Costa Brava)
Calella de Palafrugell, another of the Costa Brava villages, celebrates the Revetlla de Sant Joan with a night full of rituals and tradition.
Its beaches become the meeting point for locals and visitors who enjoy an authentic and family-friendly verbena, with fireworks, bonfires and the essential coca de Sant Joan.
And everything is ready for the great Fiesta Mayor of Calella de Palafrugell where the Havaneres and Ron Cremat mark the beginning of the long-awaited summer in Calella de Palafrugell.
🏙️ Barcelona
In Barcelona, the verbena is celebrated on the beaches of Barceloneta, Somorrostro and Bogatell.
The City Council reinforces public transport and cleaning and security services to guarantee a festive and safe night.
The highlight of the celebration is the arrival of the Flama del Canigó to Plaça Sant Jaume, where the brazier is lit and the Castellers de Barcelona build a human tower in its honour.
It is tradition for the people of Barcelona to gather on the beaches for an al fresco dinner, throw firecrackers and bathe in the sea at midnight.
The beaches of Barcelona are open until 6 am, and information and safety points are set up on the main beaches.
🌴 Marbella
In Marbella, La Noche de San Juan is celebrated with unique luxury and exclusivity.
Puerto Banús Beaches, Nikki Beach and Lucia Summer become the setting for private parties, gourmet dinners and fireworks over the sea.
It is the perfect destination for those seeking a Verbena de Sant Joan with maximum comfort and sophistication.
✨ Where to celebrate Sant Joan with The Sun Places?
At The Sun Places we offer you luxury apartments in all these destinations so you can experience the Verbena de Sant Joan in maximum comfort.
From our terraces with sea views you can enjoy the fireworks and the magic of the shortest night of the year.
🏙️ The perfect plan with The Sun Places for the Verbena de Sant Joan
Tuesday 23 June: Arrival and preparations
- Check into your luxury apartment with The Sun Places in Barcelona, Costa Brava or Marbella
- In the afternoon, buy the Coca de Sant Joan at one of the recommended pastry shops and prepare dinner for the verbena
- At 6:00 pm, if you are in Barcelona, go to Plaça Sant Jaume to witness the arrival of the Flama del Canigó and the Castellers' human tower
Night of 23 June: La Verbena de Sant Joan
- From 10:00 pm, head to the beach to enjoy the verbena. In Barcelona, the Barceloneta and Somorrostro beaches are the main spots
- Enjoy an al fresco dinner with Coca de Sant Joan, cava and local products
- At midnight, take part in the ritual of bathing in the sea to renew yourself and make a wish. Enjoy the firecrackers, bonfires and music until dawn
Wednesday 24 June: Rest and farewell
- Wake up late after the long night. Enjoy a luxury breakfast in your apartment
- In the afternoon, take a walk along the beach to recharge and say goodbye to the magic of Sant Joan
- In the evening, dine at one of the best restaurants in the area to put the finishing touch to your getaway
✨ Ready to experience the Verbena de Sant Joan with The Sun Places?
📞 Contact us and let us organise your perfect Sant Joan getaway.
We offer you Luxury Apartments in the best locations, recommendations for the best cocas and exclusive services so you can experience the most magical night of the year in maximum comfort.
But if you prefer other destinations, The Sun Places also has these ready for you: Luxury Apartments in Madrid, Luxury Accommodation on the Costa Brava, Luxury Apartments in Seville, Luxury Apartments in Cádiz, Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús, Luxury Accommodation in Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Luxury Apartments in Córdoba.