The best Carnival destinations

Have you got your costume ready? Carnival is here, and it’s full of partying, music, atmosphere and lots of fun!

I’m sure you’ve been to a fancy dress party, a carnival party or even a parade. But have you ever travelled to celebrate Carnival in style at a special destination?

In today’s blog we encourage you to experience carnival in a totally different way, and travel to the places where it is celebrated from the top. Can’t decide on the destination? At Aerobús we’ll help you!

Rio de Janeiro Carnival, Brazil

Probably the best known carnival in the world, and the biggest event today and globally. The beginnings of this great celebration date back to 1723.

In Rio you can enjoy multiple floats, parades, colours, flashy costumes, music, dances, and so much more, which is what makes each and every visitor marvel.

Venice Carnival, Italy

It is a festival with more than 900 years of history that shines with its own splendour. You are probably already familiar with this popular carnival because of its famous Venetian masks, a characteristic symbol of the festival that has been exported around the world.

For ten days you can enjoy spectacular costume parades, elegance and great dances.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival, Canary Islands

In this destination, the carnival festival lasts for a week, transforming its streets into huge parades full of feathers, masks and euphoria, so much so that it has been declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest, and aspires to be declared a World Heritage Site.

Tenerife turns into pure colour and partying, enjoying its festivities in style and with the music turned up loud to experience a carnival of debauchery.

Carnival of Oruro, Bolivia

One of the largest and most impressive carnivals in the world, it has become the folkloric capital of Bolivia thanks to its mixture of indigenous and Spanish traditions.

Annually, during the days of celebration the streets are filled with music, dances, flavours and colours. In its beginnings it was an indigenous celebration, but today it has evolved and is closely related to the religious symbolism with the figures of Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Tío Supay (the god of the underworld), who are currently the centre of this carnival celebration.

The Carnival of Oruro was declared Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2001, and it’s no wonder, as this carnival is an obligatory stop on your trip.

Nice Carnival, France

The Nice Carnival is pure tradition, being one of the most prominent in Europe and the largest in the country. One of the highlights of the festival is the traditional Battle of Flowers, a charmingly elegant display that passes through a carpet of colour through the streets of Nice.

This festival features 6 parades, 17 floats and thousands of dancers and musicians from around the world.

Mardi Gras – New Orleans, USA

This carnival is celebrated in the city of New Orleans and its origins go back to the 17th and 18th centuries and the city’s cultural roots. New Orleans, during the days of festivities, transforms its streets into a stage full of locals and tourists, all of them dressed in colourful and daring costumes.

Mardi Gras has been celebrated on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, for more than 300 years. And at this carnival, everything is allowed! This means that there is never a shortage of crazy costumes in this city in the state of Louisiana.

Cologne Carnival, Germany

This Carnival in the well-known German city of Cologne, also known as ‘the fifth season of the year’, opens with a Women’s Carnival, where local women dress up in festive clothes for any occasion, formal or otherwise. In the late afternoon, the masked balls begin and continue into the night.

The main event of the carnival is Rose Monday, one of the largest parades in Europe, with floats, sweets and many other treats.

Remember that the Aerobús service operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, to take you to Barcelona Airport in just 35 minutes, and make your dream of experiencing Carnival in style in a completely different destination come true. As that song says… Life is one and it’s a carnival!