The climate, the beaches, the architecture, the restaurants – Barcelona made an astonishing transformation from a run-down port city to one of Europe’s or even the world’s best travel destinations.

Barcelona – The town of Gaudí and Gothic

Each year, Barcelona fascinates more than 4 million tourists with its unique harmony of tradition and modernity. Picturesque gothic churches and windy alleys can be found in the old part of the city as well as playful buildings, erected in a diversity of shapes and materials.

In the cosmopolitan trade centre, modern architecture flourished with the world famous artist Antoni Gaudí.  Tha Catalanian metropolis also presents itself as city of fashion and design, boasts several publishing companies, excellent art museums and galleries. The varied catering offers are quite impressive, too.

The Pretty One („La Guapa“), as the town is lovingly called by its residents, is not short of entertainment options, either: Shops and bars along the famous Les Rambles, an amusement park on the Tibidabo, huge cinema temples, theatre and concert stages in the old quarters which are bustling with life until late.

Airport Shuttle
The shuttle stops are located in front of the arrival halls, just follow signpost after luggage retrieval. The 70 min journey costs €12 for a single or €22 for a return trip. Busses depart according to the flight schedule from the airport to city centre (Bus Station Estació del Nord).

Population: 1.6 millions
Currency: 1 Euro = 100 cents

Opening Hours:
Usually Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1.30pm and 4.30pm to 8pm, with slight variations. Many shops operate with the same opening times on Saturdays and some open Sundays until lunchtime. Shopping Centres and many larger shops remain open for lunch/siesta.

Internet:
www.turismegirona.com
www.barcelonaturisme.com
www.bcn.es
www.spain.info Newspapers:
La Vanguardia
El Periódico
El País
El Mundo

Emergency telephone numbers:
112

Tourist Information:
Turisme de Barcelona
plaça de catalunya 17 - basement
Open daily 9am to 9pm
(closed 25.12. and 1.1.)
Tel.: +34 932 853 834

Copyright © 2010 Fastcheck AB. All rights reserved. For more information, visit: www.arrivalguides.com/en

Airport

Barcelona’s international airport is situated southeast of the town. Several bus operators offer transfer into the city. Approximately every 15 minutes all terminals are serviced by a bus into town with the destination of the centrally located Plaza de Catalunya. A single journey is charged at around €4.50. Half hourly trains offer this connection at €1.50 per journey. Taxis are available into city centre at about €17 on weekdays and around €22 at the weekend.

More information can be found at: www.aena.es

Girona airport is located around 100 kilometres from Barcelona’s centre with three options of how to get there. The bus costs €11 for a single trip or €19 for a return ticket. It stops at the bus station Estacio d’ Autobusos Barcelona Nord.

Barcelona Bus Information, Tel.: 0034 902 361 550

A taxi will cost around €120. The more convenient alternative may be to stay overnight in Girona and catch the bus on the following day.  Trains are also available from and to Barcelona but the transport between Girona town and the airport need to be added onto the equation.

Public Transport
Underground Train tickets, single trips, can be bought for €1 at information offices and tickets machines. Bus tickets can be purchased directly onboard from the driver. Barcelona’s website for public transport offers day passes for 1 to 5 days from about €10. This website also lists schedules and advice.
Internet: www.tmb.net

Taxis
Barcelona’s black – yellow taxis can be flagged down in the streets. Otherwise they can be located at bus or train stations or booked by telephone. Standard tariffs are valid Monday to Friday 6am to 10pm. Any other times, including public holidays, the rates are increased. Larger baggage items are charged extra. Remember, taxi drivers generally only carry limited amounts of change and credit cards are usually not accepted.

Ràdio Taxi Operators (travel to pick up point will also be charged)
Barnataxi - Telefon: +34 933 581 111
Fonotaxi - Telefon: +34 933 001 100
Ràdio Taxi - Telefon: +34 933 033 033

Post Offices
The postal service in Spain is called Correos (Correu in Catalanyan). Stamps are available in post offices or shops („Estancos“). The main post office at the Plaça Antoni López is open Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 9.30pm and for certain services also on Sundays 9am to 1pm. Any other post offices are typically open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 2.30pm and Saturday 9.30am to 1pm.

Pharmacy
Pharmacies in Barcelona operate and emergency on call service on a rotation basis. Each pharmacy displays the name and address of the nearest pharmacy on emergency call. Pharmacy on permanent emergency duty: Farmàcia Alvarez
Address: Passeig de Gràcia 26
Telephone: +34 933 021 124

Dentists
Amigo Robira Carmen
Address: Av. P. Asturies 42
Telephone: +34 934 159 922

Centre Dontològica de Barcelona
Large clinic with English speaking personnel
Address: C/Calàbria 251
Telephone: +34 934 394 500

Telephone prefixes
International +34
Barcelona 93
(needs to be dialled when calling from within the Barcelona area also)

Electricity supply
220 Volt (125 Volt in some older buildings)Flughafen

A lot of Barcelona’s attracion lies within the broad spectrum of sights in the town. Whether you’re interested in architecture, design, football, arts or town planning – the confident Mediterranean town has something for everyone.

Sagrada Familia
Possibly the world’s most interesting building site. Marvel over Gaudi’s genial madness. The probability that the cathedral will  never be completed, makes this experience even more intense.

Address: C. Mallorca 401
Internet: www.sagradafamilia.cat

Espai Gaudi – La Pedera
If you are unable to visit all of Gaudi’s creations, don’t miss this one. At the very top, a large Gaudi museum is located and a drink on the rooftop terrace makes you wonder about the strange decorations, which must have inspired Star Wars creator George Lucas.

Address: Avinguda d’Arístides Maillol

Nou Camp
FC Barcelona is more than just a normal football club. You would get the impression it carries the confidence of the entire nation on its shoulders. Even if you are not into football, you should pay a visit. Not just because of the large number of elegantly robed ladies, immersed in deep discussions, but also because the stadium is an architectural masterpiece.

Address: Provença 261-265

MACBA
If you would like to leave the noise of traffic behind you for a while, Barcelona’s Museum for modern art can set the scene for you.

Address: Plaça dels Àngels, 1
Internet: www.macba.es

Palau de la Música Catalana
Not quite as surreal as parts of Gaudi’s architecturebut a fine example of the modern era is this majestic concert hall, designed a hundred years ago by Domènech from Montaner. This palace of music not only celebrates the musical heritage but music in general, along with beauty, colour and joy.

Address: C/ Palau de la Música 4-6
Underground train: Urquinaona
Telephone: +34 902 442 882
Internet: www.palaumusica.org

Santa Maria del Mar
Barcelona’s most beautiful church probably is also the best existing example of Catalanian Gothic with a clearer style as usually expected from this era. The church gives a wonderful sense of space and this lightness is underlined by slim pillars and minimalistic decorations of the chapels.

Address: Plaça Santa Maria 1
Undergraound train: Jaume I

L’Aquarium de Barcelona
The sharks are the stars in this Mediterranean themed aquarium! L’Aquarium is located at the end of Las Ramblas and close to the city centre.

Address: Moll d’Espanya del Port Vell
Telephone: +34 932 217 474
Internet: www.aquariumbcn.com

Whether you’re into tapas or star chef cuisine, Barcelona will impress you with the variety of culinary joys.

CAFES
Barcelona’s coffee culture is close to Italian with simple rules: „Café con Leche“(„Café amb Llet“ in Catalanic) is served for breakfast with a sweet croissant. Later on in the day, in particular after a meal, Espresso is enjoyed, „Café solo“ („un café“ in Spanish) or a „Cortado“ („un tallat“) with a sip of milk. The two diluted versions are called Café Americano. In the afternoon or evening, a „Café solo corto“ may be ordered, which contains less water, or a Carajillo, which is espresso infused with Spanish brandy.

BARS AND NIGHTLIFE
When the rest of Europe sleeps, Barcelona awakens! The nightlife starts late – preferably in one of the many bars. As the insightful Spaniards are of the opinion that one should not drink on an empty stomach, most bars also offer meals, mostly tapas.