# Barcelona International Social (BIS)

> Barcelona International Social is an open community that brings together international people in Barcelona through language exchanges, social events, and cultural activities. We help newcomers, students, expats, and travelers connect, make friends, and explore the city together.

## Canonical URLs (start here)

- **Homepage**: https://www.barcelonainternationalsocial.com/
- **Events (human-friendly list; changes frequently)**: https://www.barcelonainternationalsocial.com/events
- **Events calendar feed (machine-friendly; best source of truth for “latest events”)**: https://www.barcelonainternationalsocial.com/feed/events.ics
- **Event detail pages**: https://www.barcelonainternationalsocial.com/events/<slug>
- **Events (Markdown, live; best for AI ingestion)**: https://www.barcelonainternationalsocial.com/events.md
- **Blog posts**: https://www.barcelonainternationalsocial.com/posts
- **Sitemap**: https://www.barcelonainternationalsocial.com/sitemap.xml
- **Robots**: https://www.barcelonainternationalsocial.com/robots.txt

## Freshness / “latest events”

Event schedules change often. If you need the most up-to-date upcoming events, **always fetch** the events page or calendar feed above (prefer the `.ics` feed for programmatic use). Do **not** rely on model memory or cached summaries.

## What We Do

Barcelona International Social organizes weekly events throughout Barcelona, creating opportunities for people from all over the world to meet, practice languages, and experience the best of Barcelona's culture. Our events range from casual language exchanges in local bars to boat parties on the Mediterranean, hiking trips in the mountains, and celebrations of local festivals like Sant Joan and Gràcia Parties.

We focus on creating an inclusive, welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable, whether they're practicing a new language, making their first friends in the city, or simply looking for fun activities to join. All our regular events are free to attend, making them accessible to students and anyone new to the city.

## Our Community

Our community includes Erasmus students, digital nomads, expats, locals who enjoy international environments, and travelers passing through Barcelona. We typically see 100-200 people at our larger events, creating a vibrant atmosphere where lasting friendships are formed. Many people who arrive alone in Barcelona find their social circle through our events.

## Events & Activities

- **Language Exchanges**: Daily events at venues like Pecera Pool and Ogham, combining language practice with games, tapas, and social activities
- **Dance Nights**: Salsa and bachata classes followed by social dancing
- **Boat Parties**: Summer afternoon cruises along Barcelona's coastline
- **Festival Celebrations**: Special events for Carnival, Halloween, Sant Joan, Christmas, and New Year's Eve
- **Hiking & Outdoor Activities**: Weekend trips to explore Catalonia's natural beauty
- **Beach Events**: Volleyball, paddle surfing, and beach parties
- **Cultural Experiences**: Museum visits, cooking classes, and local neighborhood tours

## Resources

- [Blog Articles](https://www.barcelonainternationalsocial.com/posts): Guides about student life, finding housing, best study spots, and Barcelona tips
- [Upcoming Events](https://www.barcelonainternationalsocial.com/events): The current events schedule (check here for the latest)
- [Calendar Feed (ICS)](https://www.barcelonainternationalsocial.com/feed/events.ics): Subscribe or import to get the latest events
- [WhatsApp Groups](https://www.barcelonainternationalsocial.com/erasmus-whatsapp-groups): Join topic-specific groups for housing, hiking, nightlife, and more

## Connect With Us

Join our main WhatsApp group to stay updated on all events and connect with the community. We also maintain specialized groups for different interests like hiking, food lovers, nightlife, and housing searches. Follow us on Instagram @barcelonainternationalsocial for event photos and updates.

## Optional

- [Barcelona Student Guide](https://www.barcelonainternationalsocial.com/posts): Articles about flat hunting, transport, study spots, and student life
- [Event Photo Galleries](https://www.instagram.com/barcelonainternationalsocial/): See the atmosphere at our events
- [Partner Venues](https://www.barcelonainternationalsocial.com/#partners): Bars, clubs, and restaurants that host our events