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Every year in June, music fans make a pilgrimage to Barcelona for the Sonar festival. Created in 1994, the festival has secured itself a reputation as one of the major events in the European music calendar. The organisation describes it as a festival of 'advanced music and multimedia art', and headline acts in recent years have ranged from Bjork to the Beastie Boys, and Grace Jones to Kraftwerk. As well as music, there are performances in every kind of media you could imagine, and probably a few that you couldn't. Expect to see audio projections, film presentations, technology demonstrations, conferences and debates as well as clothes and music fares.

The festival is split into two distinct parts, called 'Sonar by Day' and 'Sonar by Night'. Sonar by Day takes place in the Centre of Contemporary Culture and the Museum of Contemporary Art, situated alongside Las Ramblas. There are also smaller events held around El Raval and the Barri G򴩣 as well as the Centre d'Art Santa Monica. You can either buy tickets that cover the whole festival, or buy tickets for specific events to suit your individual tastes. If you're planning a family outing, it's worth noting the recent addition of a group called SonarKids, who organise workshops and classes designed for children. A day ticket gives you the opportunity to wander through the various venues, stopping to sample the wonderful sights and sounds, before heading to Barcelona's beautiful beach to watch the sun set.

Sonar by Night is held in the west of the city, and is arguably when the festival comes into its own. The events are held in the enormous Fira Gran via 2, covering more than 10,000 square metres of open air and covered space. There are four main areas which simultaneously play host to some of the biggest names in electronic dance music across each of the three nights. However, if you don't fancy dancing your nights away, then you can always use the evenings as an opportunity to sample some of the famous Catalonian cuisine.

Barcelona has always been a city synonymous with culture, and Sonar is a true celebration of Catalonia's love affair with music and art. The city is a major attraction in its own right, and Sonar is a great chance to see this vibrant and colourful area at its most exciting. This year the festival takes place on 17th to 19th of June, so stop reading this and book your flights to Spain now!