Barcelona travel information

The city of Barcelona is the second-largest city in Spain, in terms of both size and population, and the capital of Catalonia, one of the 18 autonomous communities that make up Spain. It is a strikingly lovely city, filled with elegant, art nouveau buildings, and it offers a multitude of cultural attractions, plus a vibrant party scene. Here are some basic tips to be aware of while travelling in Barcelona.

• Barcelona is not an immensely dangerous city, but pickpocketing and bag-snatching is a problem on the Ramblas, at rail stations, on the beaches and on the metro, so be particularly careful in these areas.

• At night, avoid the Raval area, parts of Barri Xines, and the southern end of the Ramblas, as well as any small, dark streets.

• Barcelona is famous for its spectacular Gaudi and ‘modernista’ buildings. If you are an architectural enthusiast, be sure to check out the Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera and the ‘Block of Discord’.

• The dress code in Barcelona is generally laid-back and casual, but the only exceptions are sleeveless t-shirts and occasionally trainers, which may cause you some difficulties with getting into clubs and bars.

• If you wish to make an international phone call from Barcelona, the most cost effective way to go about it is to purchase a calling card from a tobacconist (Tabac).

• The subway is the quickest and easiest way to get around the city.

• Coffee shops and chocolateria line the streets of the Barri Gothic, and a great way to start off your day is with a creamy cup of hot chocolate and some sugary churros to dip in your drink.

• Things get started late in Barcelona, so pace yourself. Don’t go out early - no one eats before 21:00, so things only get begin moving around an hour later.

Useful travel tips resources

Footprint Guides - Barcelona
Travel site with useful advice for destinations worldwide.
http://www.footprintguides.com/

Wordtravels
Comprehensive travel site encompassing a wide variety of destinations.
http://news24.wordtravels.com/Cities/Spain/Barcelona/Basics

Barcelona tourist guide
Basic information and travel tips for Barcelona.
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/specialist/barcelona-basic-facts.html

More topics on this site…
Barcelona maps and geography
Spain travel information
Spain travel tips
Spain health and safety
Spain maps and geography

Barcelona Trip Planner
Barcelona Accommodation
Barcelona Arts and Entertainment
Barcelona Bars and Clubs
Barcelona Eating And Drinking
Barcelona Festivals And Events
Barcelona Gay and Lesbian
Barcelona Getting Around
Barcelona Getting There
Barcelona History and Background
Barcelona Shopping
Barcelona Sports
Barcelona Tours and Attractions
Subregions of Barcelona

Essentials

Visas: Most nationalities do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days
Season: May – June, September
Money: Euro
Language: Spanish, with Catalan, Basque and Galician in certain areas. English is widely understood.
Emergency #: Police - 091; Fire / Ambulance (Bomberas) - 085

Spain