Travel Barcelona Guide

Some years ago, not many tourists would have thought of Barcelona as an attractive destination for their holidays or adventurous expeditions. However, nowadays, things have changed for the better for this city. Since 1992, when Barcelona became the center of the Olympic Games, the city has turned into an appealing tourist town for foreigners to visit and enjoy the many things Barcelona has to offer. This sport event brought to the city different kinds of benefits such as architectural developments and other important investments.

The city is famous for its traditional architecture and its many modern buildings and structures which attract architectural design lovers. One example of the city’s most majestic constructions is the “Sagrada Familia” whose creator is the architect Antoni Gaudi. His style is present all around the city. An important characteristic of the city is that it combines structural designs of different styles and periods. The new buildings have not hindered the beauty and magnificence of old ones.

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and it is the second city of Spain. It is located in the northeast of Spain, close to the French border. It extends 13,2 kilometers over the Mediterranean coastline. It has 4,875 kilometers of beaches and there are 4,077 kilometers of forest. It has a population of 4.2 million. Both colorful and Gothic, and well-loved by young and old alike, Barcelona is a city of great diversity. It is the vibrancy and life of the city which makes it so easy to love.

Barcelona is vital for the economic development of the country and is characterized by a high level of industrialization. The principal industries of the city are textiles, manufacture, electronics and tourism.

The city is characterized by having a mild Mediterranean climate. Summers (June-August) are hot and humid and temperatures of 30C are not rare. Winters (December-February) are mild and sunny. Rainfalls occur mostly during autumn and spring. The annual average temperature is 15.8ºC, the average maximum is 19.4ºC and the minimum is 12.1ºC. The humidity is an important climate factor that turns summer days into sticky ones and winter days into real chilly ones. The best time of the year is the beginning of summer (May and June) because the humidity is not severe yet. September (autumn) is also a good time to go there. The weather during this period starts getting a bit colder.

The city houses an international airport, Prat; two universities, lots of high schools, and many museums. In Barcelona there are 5 districts: Gotic, La Ribera, El Eixample, the Avenue La Rambla and The Montjuic.

In Barcelona two languages are spoken: Spanish and Catalan. Although Catalan is the principal language, Spanish is widely spoken as well. In tourist areas, some people also speak English but this language is not as common as one would expect in such a cosmopolitan city.

For those visitors who are going to spend some time in the city it may be interesting and useful to know some details regarding different aspects of Barcelona daily life.

• If you need to use your electric razor, hair dryer or any other kind of electric device it is vital to know that the standard power supply is 220 V 50 hz. Transformers and adaptors can be obtained in hotel shops and electrical stores.

• Even though the Government has tried to implement some measures against smoking in public places, people still smoke everywhere. In most restaurants and shops smoking is allowed. So the only smoke free places are public transports.

• Another important aspect is how to deal with currency and exchange. You can exchange your currency for euros (€) in banks and in change establishments most of which are located around the Ramblas. Apart from exchanging money, you can also transfer money and make international calls. Banks are open from 8.30 in the morning to 2.00 pm in the afternoon from Monday to Friday. The general opening hours in Barcelona for most establishments are from 9 a.m. to 1.30 or 2.00 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. others establishments, especially official government offices and services, have different office hours. Shopping malls and large stores do not close at lunch time. The same occurs in tourist areas where most shops stay open until 11.00 p.m.

• If you go to Barcelona you should know that there is a Spanish law that requires people to carry with them photographic identification. It can be a passport, a driving license or an identity card.

• As in every city, in Barcelona there is a dress code. People wear casual clothes; jeans and t-shirts are the items of clothes most widely worn. If you are dressed in casual clothes you will be able to go to every restaurant except for those that are elite. Wearing sleeveless T-shirts and trainers can cause you problems, especially in expensive night clubs.

• If you want to make international phone calls the cheapest way is to buy a calling card. You can get one of this at internet café’s and other shops. The cost of the card is of 6 € approximately and you can talk for several hours either using a private telephone or a public telephone box. There are different types of card and the rates differ from one to the other. The cards have a telephone number on them which you have to dial and then you need to select the language in which you will hear the instructions.

• There is an association called Tourism of Barcelona which is supported by public and private funds. This association administered tourist information centers that are located at Plaza Catalonia and Sants Station. These establishments are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day of the year. Apart from getting tourist information you can take advantage of other services such as currency exchange, accommodation information, public transport and local entertainment information. There are also government offices in charge of tourist information.

La Rambla is the main street in Barcelona, running through the most beautiful and popular parts of the city all the way to the beach. Along La Rambla you will find the famous mural by Miró, the Opera house and many art galleries. This pedestrian thoroughfare is packed year-round and, in addition to the observers, the street is filled with mimes, performing artists and musicians; making the walk an experience in itself.

Off of La Rambla you will find Barcelona's famous Gothic quarter; Barri Gotic. Most of the well-preserved buildings here were built in the 14th and 15th Century and it is home to one of Barcelona's most famous buildings, the great Cathedral, as well as remnants of the ancient city walls. There are numerous cafés, bars and affordable accommodations to be found on the winding, dark streets of this unique neighborhood.

Pablo Picasso spent some of his most creative and prolific years in Barcelona, and the Picasso museum there has many of his great works on display. Specializing in his Barcelona period, from 1895-1904, the museum houses original paintings and sketches as well as photographs of the artist himself.

Recently beautified and cleaned, the beaches of Barcelona's coastline are better than ever. Barcelona the city has 4 Kilometers of coastline which attract millions of visitors each year. The beaches offer all the amenities of family bathing beaches including changing rooms, cafés, water-sport rentals and a new marine park. The beaches are kept pristine and the lovely weather and proximity to the city make these beaches ideal.

The Spanish are well known for their late nights. The traditional afternoon siesta means dinner at 9 or 10 at night followed by the club until the early hours of the morning. Barcelona comes alive at night with a wealth of discos, live music bars, dance clubs and even karaoke. For a quieter night, visit one of Barcelona's many live theater venues, or simply take your time at an outdoor café after a late dinner.

Barcelona is Spain's second largest city, in population and size. This special city is truly an amalgamation of all that is great about Spain.

Spanish Language Schools - If you are in Spain and looking for a Spanish language school or are planning on coming to Spain to learn the language and become acquainted with the Spanish culture, this is the section where you will find the information you need.

Rabbie's Adventures'  organizes day-trips in Catalonia. We travel in small groups to give to our clients a more personal service. We give them the opportunity to visit and stop in places that other tours cannot, giving them plenty of time off the bus so they can explore and experience the culture, history and scenery of Catalonia. We offer tours to Montserrat & the Cavas cellars, to the Pyrenees, to Girona and the Costa Brava, to Tarragona and much more…Check our website for more information about us and our tours.

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