Barcelona

Barcelona is Spain's second largest city, with a population of nearly two million people and the capital of Catalonia. A major port on the northeastern Mediterranean coast of Spain, Barcelona has a wide variety of attractions that bring in tourists from around the globe. The many faces of Barcelona include the medieval Old Town and the unique street grid resulting from 19th-century urban planning. The city has long sandy beaches and green parks on the hills, pretty much side-by-side. It is also famous for a number of prominent buildings, of which the most-known are by the architect Antonio Gaudi, including his Sagrada Família, which became Barcelona's symbol to many.

Founded more than 2,000 years ago as the Roman empire|ancient Roman town Barcino, Barcelona is as historic as it is modern, with a constant flow of projects changing the face of the city and long-standing penchant for design and innovation. Thanks to the wealth of attractions, a very well-developed lodging base, a lively nightlife and a robust transportation system, Barcelona has become one of Europe's and pretty much the world's, most popular tourist destinations.

Districts

Ciutat Vella Barcelona's old town, including the medieval Barri Gòtic, La Rambla (Les Rambles), Raval and El Born (commonly called La Ribera)

Eixample Modernist quarter, central hub of the city and the area to go to find Antoni Gaudí's work.

Gràcia Formerly an independent town, it joined the city in the 20th century. Narrow streets and a cosmopolitan and young atmosphere with not too many visitors

Sants-Montjuïc Plaça Espanya and Montjuïc have been the focus of several great fairs and exhibitions. They have left behind museums, monuments and festivals for Muslim travellers to explore.

Sant Martí More beaches along the coast, but generally fewer tourists and tourism attractions.

Barcelona/Inland Suburbs Mostly residential, but there are some sights if you want to explore. It includes Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona; Tibidabo and the highest point in Barcelona; and more Gaudí architecture.

Introduction to Barcelona

Nevadabcn080310 - It rarely snows in Barcelona, but when it does it highlights the closeness of the mountain range at one end of the city to the seaside on the other

When to visit

August is probably the busiest time for tourists in Barcelona. However, many shops and restaurants are closed from early-August to early September. During this time, you will find the most expensive hotel rates (outside of conference times such as the Mobile World Congress) and the city is devoid of local residents, as the vast majority of residents go on vacation in August and leave the heat and humidity to the hordes of arriving visitors. This is also one of the highest periods of home break-ins, as criminals know that many places are unoccupied for an entire month.

While Barcelona has decent, albeit crowded beaches and the local residents will be very appreciative if visitors do not consider Barcelona a beach resort and absolutely do not wear beachwear when visiting churches, restaurants, etc. If you only want a beach and a good beach at that, head south to Costa Daurada, north to Costa Brava or out to sea for the Balearic Islands.

Barcelona is great off-season and is a lovely city even in the winter months of January and February, as long as the possibility of rain is low. Given the high humidity, 19|-|23°C is considered comfortable weather, which is the temperature from April to June and from late September to November. These are the best times to visit the city. Anything warmer than this can feel too hot.

With children

Toddler happiness is considered a public responsibility in Spain. In any public place, people around you will make every effort feasible to make your toddler happy: whenever he or she looks bored or is crying, everyone does their best to entertain or to calm them. You will find a great list of things to do with children while your Barcelona visit.

Visitor information

• Tourist office at Plaça de Catalunya Plaça de Catalunya, 17-S 41.3868027,2.1707225 Metro: L1, L3. Bus: 9, 22, 28, 42, 47, 58, 66, 67, 68. Train: R4 - Opening Hours: 08:30-20:30 This is the main tourist office in the city.

• Tourist office at Plaça de Sant Jaume Ciutat, 2 Ajuntament de Barcelona (City Hall) - Opening 08:30-20:30, Saturday 09:00-21:00, Sunday and public holidays 09:00-14:00
• Tourist office at Estació de Sants Plaça dels Països Catalans - Metro: L5,L3. Bus: 63,68 - Opening Hours: Daily 08:00-20:00
• Tourist office at Aeroport del Prat , Terminal 1 and 2. - Opening Hours: Daily 09:00-21:00

All tourist offices are closed on 1st January and 25th December. For a full list of tourist information points check the link above.

The department store El Corte Ingles publishes a free street map for tourists. You can pick a copy at the store, or at one of the many hotels in the city.

The 3/en/ Turisme de Barcelona site might be helpful.

Barcelona Card

Barcelona City Pass is a package that combines preferential skip the line tickets and transport tickets in Barcelona. This official city pass package saves you money during your must-do Barcelona visits.

• Barcelona Card , From €20 for a Barcelona Card Express (2-day), up to €60 for a 5-day card (10% discount if bought online in advance); a version for children is available as well. - This card gives free entry to more than 25 museums and other sites in Barcelona. For over 70 moresites it offers various kinds of discounts. It also includes a travel pass for public transport in Barcelona (for details see Hola BCN! card below). The card is available for purchase for periods of 2 to 5 days. If you don't plan to see lots of museums every day and then it may be cheaper to buy transport-only tickets (see below) and if you spend a lot of time in the largest museums and the Barcelona Art Passport may be better value. This card cannot be used on the cable cars or funiculars (except for Montjuïc). In general, if you plan to see only the famous highlights and don't visit museums, this card is not worth the hefty price or the hassle. Plenty of travel websites recommend and promote these kind of discount cards because they receive a commission. For transportation, get the T10 instead.

How to travel to Barcelona

Fly to Barcelona

The main airport is Barcelona El Prat (IATA Flight Code: BCN). Some low-cost carriers, notably Ryanair, use the airports of Girona (IATA Flight Code: GRO), nearly 100 km to the north, or Reus (IATA Flight Code: REU), around the same distance to the south, instead. Since Ryanair started operating at BCN, you should check carefully where your flight goes. The three-letter IATA code should be part of your booking process.

Barcelona International Airport

Main article: Barcelona El Prat Airport

Barcelona International Airport (IATA Flight Code: BCN), commonly called El Prat, is a major transport hub, with Flights from all over Europe and beyond.

Girona–Costa Brava Airport

The Barcelona Bus service runs a shuttle bus from Estació del North (which is walking distance to the Arc de Triomf metro stop) in Barcelona to Girona Airport, synchronized with various flight times. A one-way ticket costs €16 and a return ticket costs €25. The journey takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.

Reus Airport

The easiest way is to get there is to take the bus run by Hispano Igualadina from the Barcelona Sants bus station to the airport. Bus departures are synchronized with Ryanair plane departures/arrivals. One way ticket costs €13 and a return ticket costs €24. The journey takes from 1 hours 30 min to 1 hours 45 min, depending on the traffic on the motorway. Timetables are available REUS%20AIRPORT.pdf? online. A slightly cheaper, yet longer option is to take a train from Barcelona Sants station to Reus and then the local bus no. 50 to the airport. The train costs €7.25 and then the bus costs €2.5. This takes about 2½ hours. Train timetables can be checked at Renfe's website and the bus timetable is available at the L50.pdf website of Reus public transport.

Estacio Barcelona Sants - 1 - 2010-10-18 - JTCurses - Barcelona Sants train station

Travel by train to Barcelona

Barcelona is well-connected to the Spanish railway network and to the rest of Europe. High-speed trains run frequently from Sants station (in the southwest of the city) to Madrid, Seville and Malaga. There are also regular long-distance connections that partially use high-speed infrastructure to all major Spanish city's.

Barcelona Sants is the main station. The historic Estació de França now mostly serves regional trains.

Direct regular high-speed train service goes to destinations in France. In addition to two daily TGV services from Paris (travel duration ~7 hours to Barcelona) and there is a daily service from Toulouse (3 hr), a daily service from Lyon (5 hr) and a daily service from Marseille (4 hr). Prices start from €39, so even though the train could take longer than a flight, it is often a cheaper and more relaxed alternative.

The former Talgo trains from Montpellier to Barcelona and Cartagena via Portbou ceased to run when direct high speed services started. It is still feasible to travel via Cerbère/Portbou using local trains, but it's cumbersome, painfully slow and timetable coordination at the border is awful; however it may be the only alternative if all TGVs are fully booked. Also, if booked in advance, TGV can be way cheaper than using these local trains.

There is also a less-known rail line over the Pyrenees to Toulouse. There is roughly one train every 3 hours on the Spanish side and one every two or four on the French side, including an sleeper train from Paris (with a branch to Portbou which splits at Toulouse: check all timetables to see whether route is faster, it greatly depends on waiting times at the border). Purchasing tickets for this route can be tricky. The Spanish line is considered a commuter line despite being far away from Barcelona and does not appear in any global European timetable, so it is imfeasible to get an international CIV ticket, every portion must be purchased separately. Also, for southbound travel and the Latour-de-Carol station only sells SNCF tickets so the Spanish portion must be bought directly at the ticket inspector, cash only. The journey takes 7–8 hours (including transfer) and costs roughly €30.

The launch of the high-speed service spelled the end of the overnight sleeper-car service called Trenhotel between Barcelona and Paris. Trenhotels still do, however, run between Barcelona and Granada, A Coruña and Vigo.

Travel by boat to Barcelona

The city's port is one of the busiest on the Mediterranean.

Large cruise ships dock 1-2 kilometers to the southwest. Many of them offer bus-shuttles to locations at the south end of La Rambla. The ferries dock almost directly on the Ramblas.

There are regular ferry connections with the Balearic Islands (Alcúdia, Ciutadella de Menorca, Ibiza City, Sant Antoni de Portmany, Mahón, Palma de Mallorca), Italy (Savona, Genoa, Livorno, Porto Torres and Civitavecchia for Rome) and Tangier, in Morocco. From Rome (Civitavecchia) it is actually cheaper to take the ferry than a bus.

Some of the largest shipping companies includes Baleària, Grimaldi Lines and Trasmediterranea but there are several smaller companies as well.

Travel by Bus to Barcelona

All bus connections are at | Web:

• Barcelona North station (phone: +34 902 260 606). This includes national (e.g. 18 buses per day from Madrid) and international routes.

Megabus runs coach services between Barcelona Estacion del Norte and London Victoria Coach Station, via Paris and Toulouse. They also connect to Amsterdam, Cologne, Brussels and many UK city's. They can be very cheap, but be prepared for a 24-26 hour coach ride from London! There is a £0.50 booking fee. There may or may not be plug sockets or Wi-Fi on board. Megabus recommend that you be at your departure point at least 30 minutes before departure time (except London Victoria where you are required to arrive 60 minutes before departure).

How to travel to Barcelona by car

Several primary streets connect Barcelona to France and to the rest of Spain. Traffic is relatively light outside of peak hours. Free parking spaces can be found a few metro stops from the center of the city.

Blue parking spaces are paid Monday to Saturday 09:00-14:00 and 16:00-20:00. At some crossroads and the pay time starts at 08:00. Anyone can use a blue space, but they aren't that easy to find. You pay at the meter and put the ticket on the dashboard. Green parking spaces are for residents only. White parking spaces are free at all times, but there aren't any in the downtown.

City vehicle parks are found throughout the city.

How to get around in Barcelona

By public transport

The public transport in the city and the surrounding area managed by _en. Autoritat del Transport Metropolità (ATM) consortium. The whole area is covered by the Integrated Fare System, which is divided into 6 zones. This system includes the most of the public transport in the area: metro, city and intercity bus, tram and commuter trains.

The city limits of Barcelona are completely inside zone 1. The public transport in the city is mostly managed by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB). They have a separate site dedicated for tourists. The other two operators in Barcelona are Rodalies de Catalunya and Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC).

Tickets and travel cards available:

• Single ticket €2.20 - A non-integrated ticket is valid only for single mode of transport of a specific operator: either bus, metro or funicular, etc.

• Hola BCN! cards by TMB , - 2-day card €14.50 - For unlimited number of journeys for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days. They are valid for TMB metro and bus, tram, FGC and regional trains in the city and metropolitan area. You will find the T-10 and its sister cards better value.

• Integrated for a fixed number of journeys , - T-10 for Zone 1 €10.20 - T-10, T-50/30, T-70/30. These cards are multi-person for 10, 50 or 70 single journeys respectively. During each journey it's feasible to make up to three transfers. The whole duration of a journey must be no more than 1hr 15min and within zone 1. The T-10 is the best option for common tourists to the city. It's more convenient than buying single tickets. It's better value than the single tickets for more than 5 trips. It's far cheaper than the various discount cards with free transportation option. And finally, it doesn't bind one to specific routes like the hop-on-hop-off buses.

• Integrated for an unlimited number of journeys for a number of days , - T- Dia for Zone 1 €8,40 - T- Dia (1 day), T-Mes (30 days), T-Trimestre (90 days). These cards are non-transferable, i.e. they must be used by a single person.

Travel cards are excellent value in comparison with a single ticket. Be sure to look after them well as bent or damaged cards will not be read by the ticket machines. Such cards can be replaced at one of TMB's client service centres.

TMB also offers a few route planners on their website: versions for desktop, for mobile browser and mobile apps for Android and i☎. es. Another route planner is available on the ATM site.

By Metro

The Metro (subway) is an efficient way of getting around town. Operation times are 05:00–24:00 (M–Th), 05:00–02:00 (F) and continuous service from Saturday at 05:00 until Sunday at midnight. Stations are marked <M> on most maps; every station has a detailed map of exits to the city. Trains are fast, often coming in two minutes intervals. However, on holidays and weekends trains only run every 6-8 minutes and can get easily packed. Announcements are made only in Catalan, though signs and ticketing machines are generally trilingual in Catalan, Spanish and English.

Pay attention to the fact that to get from metro lines operated by TMB (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9/10 and 11) to the ones operated by FGC (6, 7 and 8), or vice versa, you need to exit and then enter through a new pay-gate. In this case, if you had a one-journey ticket, you need to get a new one. If you used a multiple journey ticket you won't be charged for a second time when changing lines as long as you are within the stated travel duration for a single journey. Also, you can't repeat operator, so you can't use a FGC ride to make a shortcut. For instance: changing to L9S to L1 via L8 using Fira and Espanya will charge you with two journeys, you should go via Torrassa instead although its way longer. All trains are air-conditioned.

Take also care when travelling to the airport: while the T-10 is valid for Renfe services, it is not accepted at Metro. If you get to the airport by metro using a T-10, you'll be forced to pay the full fare, which is €4.50 and the ticket you've used will not be refunded.

Travel by Bus to Barcelona

The bus network in Barcelona is pretty extensive. Perhaps the best option in planning your route is to consult with one of the route planners mentioned above.

A major reorganisation of bus lines was completed in November 2018, so disregard old bus schedules and recheck routes. For example, bus line 92 to Park Güell, used by many visitors to get there after a visit to the Sagrada Familia, has been suspended and a new line V15 stops there but takes a different route through the downtown (Passeig de Sant Joan).

Here are some tips for bus line codes:

• Hxx lines run parallel to the coastline, low numbers run on the high side, high numbers on the seaside.
• Vxx lines run from the beach to the hills, high numbers on the northern side (Besòs), low numbers on the southern (Llobregat).
• Dxx lines run in a somewhat diagonal path, although interestingly none of these cover neither Diagonal or Meridiana avenues and the main oblique streets.
• Mxx lines are found at the outer perimeter of metro coverage and link a metro stop to a neighbourhood lacking metro service.
• Bxx lines run on the northern area outside Barcelona or linking Barcelona to neighbouring municipalities in the metropolitan area, B stands for Besòs river.
• Lxx lines run on the southern area alike Bxx lines, L stands for Llobregat river.
• Some municipalities have lines fully inside the town limits with two letters and a digit and theses two letters are reminiscent of the town name. Examples: BDx for Badalona, LHx for L'Hospitalet...
• Nxx lines run only at night when all other lines do not run, roughly from 23:00 to 6:00.
• Cxx lines link Barcelona tho various northern coastal Maresme towns up to Mataró.
• Exx lines are express buses from / to Barcelona to various municipalities from 10 to 60 kilometers outside of the metropolitan area.
• Lines with one or two digits without any letter follow historical routes from before the H-V-D schema.
• Lines between 100 and 199 are very local lines served with low-capacity cars and poor frequency, 30' or worse. Notable cases are line 111 to the Tibidabo amusement park, line 120 through Ciutat Vella and line 150 to Olympic venues and the Montjuïc castle; others are mostly useless for tourists.
• Line numbers from 200 upwards are used for some routes going outside the metropolitan area, while some others of the same kind have no number at all.

Buses H-V-D run about every 6-12' minutes weekdays, 15-20' weekends. North buses run every 20' all nights. Other lines may run as frequent as 5' or as few as just one service per hour or less.

Take note that some lines have special fare restrictions: Barcelona cards (unlimited travel for 2 to 5 days) are valid only on Hxx, Vxx, Dxx and line numbers below 200. Any fare 1 travelcard is not valid for Cxx, Exx and line numbers above 200 - in fact, trips fully inside fare zone 1 are not permitted on these lines no matter which ticket is used, if you board any of these buses inside fare zone 1 you won't be able to get off until reaching another fare zone.

By scooter

• Mattia46, 50cc 125cc 150cc 200cc scooters for rent.
• GoCar is a two-seater, 3 wheeled vehicle that runs with a 49cc size scooter engine. It is legally classified as a scooter to drive on the roads. The GoCars were created with the purpose of being rented to tourists as a different way to see a city.
• Scooters for singles or couples are a great way to explore Barcelona at their own speed. If you are coming as a group you can get a personal tour of all the places you want to see.
• Cooltra Motos Scooter rental. You can rent a moped for 1, 2, 3 days and up to 1 month. You can also take a part in private or group tours.
• BookYourMoto Scooter and motorcycle rental in Barcelona. Cheap motorbike hire in Barcelona.

By bicycle

• Donkey Republic Bike Rental Barcelona. The orange Donkey Republic bikes are placed all around the town. Tourists can rent and unlock the bikes via the Donkey Republic app 24 hours a day. The app works to lock and unlock the bike without internet connection and bikes start from €12 per day.
• Born Bike Tours Barcelona.] Takes you to the heart of Barcelona's culture through these Bike tours: The Gothic to Modernism Bike Tour, Beach Bike Tour, Montjuïc Bike Tour (from €24), Tapas Bike Tour (from €32). Also offers bike rentals from €6. Close to Métro station "Barceloneta" (L4), Marquesa nº1, +34 93 319 00 20. Email:
• Barceloneta Bikes. Close to the harbor and the beaches, this company has different kinds of bikes you can choose to rent.
• Biking in Barcelona. Backed by Biciclot, a cooperative that promotes the use of bicycles in Barcelona.
• Budget Bikes. Quality Dutch bicycles on hire. Offers group reductions.
• e-bikerent. Electric bike rental from €7-20 per day.
• Mattia46 bikes & motos hire. Bikes and motors, 1 day (24 hr) on bike for €6.
• Terra Diversions. Big selection of city bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, road bikes and children bikes in different sizes.
• Renting Electric Bike Tours in Barcelona. Bike Day Barcelona offering an opportunity to rent an electric bike to explore the city. address: en rull 2-2 ☎ +34 634 622 122

Barcelona also has its own shared bike system, called BiCiNg. However, this appears to be only accessible for local residents.

By segway

• Barcelona Segway Day - Rull 2 08002 - +34 608 408 112 from €29 - Visit Barrio Gotic and Barceloneta.

On foot

Barcelona is a very walkable city. It takes little over an hour to walk from Port Vell at the seaside to Park Güell at the foothills of the mountain range at the northeastern end of the city and you can see a range of attractions, including La Rambla and Sagrada Família, on your way. There are opportunities all around to sit down and enjoy a drink or a meal everywhere. If you are fit, you can pretty much explore the city by foot alone, unless the heat beats you in the warmer months (and then you can always resort to the air-conditioned metro).

Rent a Car or Limousine in Barcelona

Parking around all major tourist destinations is expensive (€3/hour, €20-36/day) and the spaces are difficult to navigate, as there are several classes of public parking spaces, with complicated rules for each class. Barcelona is plagued with the same problems that plague other major European city's; massive traffic jams and extremely narrow streets in some areas, coupled with a very complicated road system. As such, driving yourself around is not recommended for tourists, especially those with no driving experience in large city's. Public transport will get you to all the major areas and you should use that as your main mode of transport.

Having a driving map is crucial - plan your route before you set off. Navigating with an average tourist map is frequently misleading: many streets are one-way; left turns are more rare than rights (and are unpredictable). As an example, Gran via de Les Corts Catalanes is actually a one-way northbound street between Espanya and Marina and the opposite direction is reserved for buses and taxis only.

Some free parking spots reported by travelers are:

• Near Moll de Sant Bertran (which is south-west from Museu Maritim) - driving at B-10, exit to WTC and make a complete round at roundabout, heading to warehouses - and park next to its employees cars.
• Somewhere near Guell Park.
• Near Font Màgica, in Plaça Espanya.

Getting around by vehicle makes sense if you plan to spend much more time driving outside the city borders than inside it - and ideally if you don't plan to park overnight at all. Otherwise, for purely in-city transportation, consider renting a scooter, or using public transportation instead.

By taxi

As of January 2019, Ride-sharing and ride-sharing services such as Uber require at least one hour's notice. For less than one hour's notice, you need to call a regular taxi.

Local Language in Barcelona

Barcelona's official languages are Catalan and Spanish phrasebook|Spanish. About a half prefer to speak Catalan, a vast majority understands it and virtually everyone knows Spanish. However, most signs are indicated only in Catalan because it is established by law as the first official language. Yet, Spanish is also widely used in public transport and other facilities. Regular announcements in the Metro are made only in Catalan, but unplanned disruptions are announced by an automated system in a wide variety of languages including English, French, Arabic and Japanese. On the other hand, FGC announcements -either regular or disruptions- will be made only in Catalan and disruption announcements on RENFE's network will be broadcasted only in Spanish. As in most other city's, any attempt by visitors to use the native languages is always appreciated. Most local residents are bilingual in Catalan and Spanish and instinctively address foreigners in Spanish. Catalan is a language, not a dialect and sounds closer to Italian, Portuguese and French in many ways. Avoid referring to Catalan as a dialect, which will offend Catalans.

You might find some local residents answer in Catalan after being asked in Spanish, that's not because they are being rude but because they assume you are bilingual, in Catalonia it's not weird to see people speaking different languages in the same conversation. In case you can't understand what they are saying, tell them you don't speak Catalan and ask them to repeat it in Spanish or English.

The main cause of Spanish and Catalan social bilingualism in modern Catalonia is a large scale immigration process from the rest of Spain which occurred over the 20th century, as Catalonia started a significant industrialization which demanded an increased workforce from elsewhere. Nowadays, 60% of the people in Catalonia use Spanish as their first language whereas 40% use Catalan. The issues regarding language, national identity and politics are like politics anywhere and there's no way to summarize them here. Some Catalans feel Spanish and some don't.

In tourist areas, almost all shops and bars have some English speaking staff. People will generally make an effort to try to help you if you speak English. If you are a local English speaker you will not have any problems as Barcelona gets lots of tourists.

What to see in Barcelona

What to see in the dark|The most stunning sights in the night are:

• Musical fountains, in Plaça d'Espanya. May-October Thursday - Sunday 20:30. Each session lasts 30 minutes, with the last one starting at 23:00.
• Casa Batlló.
• Torre Agbar office tower, highlighted F-Su 19:00-23:00.
• City views from Montjuic hill

The old city

Walk around the winding streets and hidden squares, fountains and palaces in the Barri Gòtic (Barcelona/Ciutat Vella|Ciutat Vella). Highlights include the Catedral and the Museu d'Història de Barcelona (formerly known as the Museu d'Història de la Ciutat) and Plaça Reial.

Modernist architecture

Since 1984 seven buildings by the architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926) in or near Barcelona have been listed as "Works of Antoni Gaudí" on the UNESCO World Heritage List: the basilica of Sagrada Família, Casa Milà (La Pedrera) and Casa Batlló in Eixample, Palau Güell in Ciutat Vella, Parc Güell and Casa Vicens in Gràcia and the crypt of the Church in Colònia Güell.

The works by the Catalan art nouveau architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: Palau de la Música Catalana in Ciutat Vella and Barcelona/Eixample#Further UNESCO World Heritage Listings|Hospital de Sant Pau in Eixample.

The Ruta del Modernisme run by Modernisme Centre (Pl. de Catalunya, 17, subterráneo; phone +34 933 177 652): guidebook and discount voucher book for €12. Takes you round all the best Modernisme (art nouveau) buildings in Barcelona. The main part of the route can be walked in a couple of hours, providing you don't stray too far from the main routes. The Tourist Offices offer a pack that includes discounted tickets to many attractions such as La Pedrera and La Casa Batlló. All can be seen from the outside for free.

With children

• Museum of Natural History in the Forum - Museu Blau
• CosmoCaixa: Museum of Science Amazing museum for kids from 4-5 upwards. Adults will really enjoy it also.

Park Güell 02 - View from Gaudi's Park Güell towards Barcelona's old town and seaside

Muslim Travel Tips

Barcelona Bus Turístic - Hop aboard the Bus Turístic to see all the key sights without moving a muscle

• Barcelona Bus Turístic , - 1 day ticket €27, 2 days €38; tickets can be purchased at the bus stops, some hotels, etc. or bus online with 10% discount - This bus has three routes (map provided as you board), including a northbound and a southbound line that leave from opposite sides of the Plaça de Catalunya. Each takes 1–2 hours. The hop-on/hop-off format lets you get-off at any interesting stop, see what interests you and then get back on any later bus at that or any other stop. One approach is stay on for an entire route and then continue while getting off at locations that interested you earlier. Buses are double-decked, with the open-air upper deck offering much better views... sunscreen is crucial in summer months, jackets in winter/early spring/late fall. Earphones are offered when you first get on so you can hear the commentary as you drive by significant locations. Outlets near every seat let you choose among many languages and playback volumes. The buses are very frequent. For a cheaper option with more flexibility in routes opt for the metro and the T-10.

• Aeri del Port de Barcelona - Telefèric del Port - C/ Taquígrafo Garriga, 97 – Esc.B -2º9ª 41.3710038,2.1724069 ☎ +34 934 304 716 Opening Hours: June - Aug 11:00-20:00; March - May, September - Oct 11:00-19:00; November - Feb 11:00-17:30 single €11, return €16.50; it's not a part of Barcelona's integrated fare network - Have a ride at Port Vell Aerial Tramway. Port Vell Aerial Tramway is the 1450-metre-long harbour aerial tramway with red cars connects Barcelona/Sants-Montjuïc|Montjuic and Barcelona/Ciutat_Vella#Understand|Barceloneta. It starts in Barceloneta on the top of the 78-metre-tall Torre San Sebastian tower, which has also a restaurant at its top accessible by an elevator. It has an intermediate stop at Torre Jaume I tower (close to Columbus monument), which can be visited by elevator from ground—107 metre tall tower and the second-tallest aerial tramway support tower in the world. The final point of the line is Miramar at the slopes of Montjuic hill. Overall and the whole system is quite old (built in 1929, albeit restored a couple of times) and the vehicle is packed with tourists during the daytime — particularly sensitive for a stroller or a wheelchair. But if you start from the Montjuic side and there are fewer people waiting.

• Torre Jaume I - 41.3720826, 2.1801209
• Torre San Sebastian 41.3731776,2.1877921

La Rambla 2009-06-10 - La Rambla, Barcelona's main boulevard

• Stroll along the following famous streets in Barcelona/Ciutat Vella|Ciutat Vella:
• Las Ramblas or La Rambla, a gorgeous tree-lined pedestrian walkway and the busiest and most lively street of the city. Mostly occupied by tourists, expect to pay higher prices for food. Avoid the groups of people supposedly betting on a game played on a cardboard table and they are thieves. Head off into some of the side streets for a cheaper, more local and authentic experience of Barcelona. Often called Las Ramblas, because it is a series of several different streets each called 'Rambla de ____' and the sections also have distinct feels. As you get closer to Plaça Catalunya, you find more street performers doing stunts. In the middle, you'll find street performers in costumes. Towards the pier and there are artists who will do pencil drawings, paintings, etc.
• La Plaça Catalunya. Connecting all the major streets in the city and the Plaça is known for its fountains and statues and the central location to everything in the city. A favorite meeting spot for local residents.
• El Portal de l'Àngel. Large pedestrian walkway with many new and stylish shops to browse in.
• Watch football ie soccer. The big team, globally famous, is FC Barcelona in La Liga and the top tier of Spanish football. They play at Camp Nou, capacity 98,000, 1 kilometers west of Sants the main train station. Nearest Metro is Palau Reial. Also in La Liga is RCD Espanyol: they play at RCDE Stadium, capacity 40,500, at the Western edge of the city. No metro, take bus towards Ave del Baix Llobregat.
• Cruise miles of beachfront boardwalk starting from Barceloneta or get a tan on the beach.
• Sit on a wooden bridge to Maremagnum in Barcelona/Ciutat Vella|Ciutat Vella and cool your toes at the water's edge: with a book, sandwiches or just for a short rest.
• Wander the Barri Gotic in Barcelona/Ciutat Vella|Ciutat Vella and the largely intact medieval center of the city.
• Enjoy your Sangria at La Plaça Reial in Barcelona/Ciutat Vella|Ciutat Vella, near the La Rambla Street. Great Muslim Friendly place to sit,relax and drink. While visiting La Placa Reial
• Walk in Born in Barcelona/Ciutat Vella|Ciutat Vella, a very popular area with great restaurants and places to have a few drinks. If your lodging is on Rambla, Born is a great place to escape the crowds, enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and meet off-the-beaten track travelers and non-tourist-industry local residents—especially in the evenings. El Born means jousting-field and its history and stories can fit one of those huge Books stored in old libraries and there are interesting and quirky details to uncover while walking around such as the name given to its streets and the medieval signs to brothels and remnants of the secession war by the end of the 18th century.
• Visit a Flamenco Show in a real tablao. One of the best is Tablao de Carmen in Barcelona/Sants-Montjuïc|Sants-Montjuïc. A cheaper alternative is in the jazzclub Jazz Si in Barcelona/Ciutat Vella|Ciutat Vella.
• Ride the Cable Way to get from the sea front to Montjuïc mountain in Barcelona/Sants-Montjuïc|Sants-Montjuïc
• Sit and sip on a coffee in Plaça dels Àngels in Barcelona/Ciutat Vella|Ciutat Vella, while admiring the whiteness of the MACBA and the best street skate tricks in town.
• Catch a performance at the beautiful Teatre del Liceu or the Palau de la Musica Catalana both in Barcelona/Ciutat Vella|Ciutat Vella.
• Rent a bike or join a bike tour and get to see the highlights of the city in a different way. Ride from the magic beaches of the Mediterranean, to Gaudí's modernist buildings through the medieval atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter.
• Sail 3 hours to see Barcelona from the sea.
• Mail boats serve almost all populated in Barcelona and are among the cheapest way to reach many areas, though far from the fastest or most comfortable. The government has a mailboat schedule of mailboat routes online which may or may not reflect reality.
• Sail on a classic yacht. Enjoy a day trip sailing along the Barcelona coastline on a classic yacht.

Festivals and events

Barcelona hosts a number of annual fiestas, many of which are unique to Catalonia and offer an insight into its distinctive culture.

• Sónar €52 daypass, €76 night entry, €199 festival pass on internet booking, higher fees for entrance passes An annual three-day music festival. It is described officially as a festival of Advanced Music and Multimedia Art. Music is by far the main aspect of the festival. The festival runs for three days and nights, starting on a Thursday in the third week of June. There is a day and separate night location.

• Monegros Desert Festival - , - The most famous and biggest one day/night electronic music festivals in Spain is in desert of Fraga 200 km from Barcelona. More than 40 000 people gather every July to celebrate the electronic music with the best DJs representing styles from house, electro, minimal, techno, to drum&bass, dubstep and hiphop. 20 hours nonstop, unique desert experience.

• Festes de la Mercè. Barcelona's main annual festival around 24 September, encompassing many events such as which group of 'castellers' can form the highest human tower, live music events, firework displays and processions involving wooden giants. All of this is accompanied by a heavy consumption of Cava and the national drink of Catalonia.
• Festes de Gràcia. The Festes de Gracia is a Catalonian celebration, held around 15 August each year to commemorate the Assumption. During the week of festivities that mark one of Barcelona's most important fiestas and the city of Gracia explodes with fun, excitement, color and fireworks. Many streets are decorated by the neighbours, live music, food in the street and the parties continue all night.
• Festes de Sants. Similar to Gracia's event, but smaller and later on in August. If you can't go to the Gracia's, try to go to this festival instead.
• Sant Jordi. 23 April. Considered to be like Valentine's Day. People give roses and Books around the streets. Traditionally men give women roses and women give men books. It is one of the most popular and interesting celebrations in Catalonia.

• Corpus. Late in May (Corpus Christi day). An egg is put over the fountains (most of them in the churches and decorated with flowers) and "magically dances" over the water. Most of the churches are in the town center: Gothic Church's cloister, Santa Anna, Casa de l'Ardiaca, Museu Frederic Marés and over 10 more fountains.
• Fira de Santa Llúcia. From 2/3 December to 23 December, to commemorate Sta. Llúcia (13 December). During this time, in front of the Gothic Church, Christmas objects are sold. Some places sell Christmas trees, but most of them sell elements for making the pessebres (Nativity scenes). These include small sculptures, wooden pieces and moss used to simulate grass.

13 December is the feast day of Santa Llucia, patron saint of fashion designers and blind people, who gather at the Santa Llucia chapel in the cathedral to pay their respects.

• Barcelona Jazz Festival , - Tickets prices differ for each event

A brighter way to celebrate the colder Autumn days and the annual Jazz festival has been running for nearly 50 years now and runs roughly from the last week in October and all the way through November

• Revetlla de Sant Joan. This is the midsummer solstice celebration. It is celebrated on 23 June every year and is signified by the fireworks (there are frequent and loud amateur fireworks all night long, which may make it hard to sleep) that are permanently on display during this time.

• Fira de Barcelona - There are trade events all year round in Barcelona.

• La Mercè (a few days before 24 Sept): Another day that is well known, but not that important. It is a holiday and the city offers a lot of activities to have fun. Enjoy a fountains and fireworks show at the base of the Montjuic hill.

During festivals and especially during / Mobile World Congress which is a major trade show at the Fira, lodging in Barcelona and especially near the Fira is much more difficult to find and more expensive than usual.

Study as a Muslim in Barcelona

For those wishing to make a real attempt at learning the language and there are plenty of Catalan and Spanish language schools in Barcelona.

• University of Barcelona. ☎ +34 934 035 478
• Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona ☎ +34 93 581 13 25
• Pompeu Fabra University ☎ +34 93 542 14 17
• Universitat Ramon Llull ☎ +34 93 602 22 00
• ESADE Business School
• Don Quijote You can take 4–6 hours of courses a day. All courses including beginner courses are taught entirely in Spanish.
• Linguaschools Barcelona organizes Spanish courses for Foreign Muslims. The school is open all year round. 5 min. from Plaza Catalunya.
• Olé Languages Barcelona. Av Mistral 14-16 Local 6, ☎ +34 93 185 15 18
• Versión Original Barcelona. Gran Vía / Passeig de Gracia, ☎ +34 93 412 45 76

El Corte Inglés Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya 2013 - El Corte Inglés in Plaça de Catalunya is one of the few stores in the chain that is not an eyesore to look at - and provides a good view of the Plaça as well from its top-floor restaurant

Shopping in Barcelona

Most shops and shopping malls are closed on Sundays because of law restrictions. In Ciutat Vella you will find plenty of small fashion shops, souvenir shops and small supermarkets open on Sundays.

• Secondhand English Books in Gràcia.
• Design lovers head for Gràcia.

• El Corte Inglés , - Spanning several floors and several buildings and in several locations around town, many in Eixample and Inland Suburbs and a couple also in Ciutat Vella. You can find anything and everything in this department store, from gastronomy to pneumatics. Tax return checks are made on a separate floor of the store. See review for the whole chain in the Spain Halal Travel Guide.

• La Boqueria - Mercat Sant Josep - In Ciutat Vella. Large public market with a diverse range of goods and produce. Enjoy freshly squeezed organic fruit juices for €1.5 per cup. If you go near closing time (20:00) sellers will make you a special price (2 or 3 for €2). Closed Sundays.

• Stamps are actually sold in 'Tabacs' or tobacconists. Once you know what they look like, you'll notice them on every block or so. To post your mail, you need to find one of the rare yellow letter boxes along the sidewalks.
• Records For vinyl records, try the wonderful shop Discos Revolver at 13 Carrer dels Tallers.
• Supermarkets are spread across the city. Mercadona, Consum and Dia are all supermarket chains from Spain and are a cost-effective way to purchase grocery items. There are also organic/specialty supermarkets like Casa Ametller or Veritas which are pricier. Small corner stores are the most visible on city streets, but tend to mark up prices in exchange for convenience.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Barcelona

To be updated

Smoking is not permitted in restaurants anymore.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Barcelona

Barcelona - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Barcelona, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Barcelona. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Barcelona and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Barcelona. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Barcelona. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Barcelona: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Barcelona.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Barcelona: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Barcelona, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Barcelona.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Barcelona, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Barcelona, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Barcelona and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Barcelona, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Barcelona, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Barcelona without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Barcelona is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Barcelona.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Barcelona is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Barcelona, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Barcelona Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Barcelona

eHalal Group Barcelona is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Barcelona. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Barcelona.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Barcelona ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Barcelona. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Barcelona, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Barcelona are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Ramadan Celebrations in Barcelona

Ramadan 2025 in Barcelona

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Hotel Vela (8698052023) - The sail-shaped hotel West Barcelona is one of the city's newest monuments

Barcelona offers a great range of lodgings, from cheap, nice apartments, hostels and guest-houses to five-star hotels. Every neighborhood has plenitful offerings and thanks to the efficient public transportation you can stay comfortably in any of them, depending on your budget and preferences.

• Barcelona/Ciutat Vella#Sleep|Ciutat Vella offers a mix of luxury hotels and cheerful hostels within a dense urban environment. Staying there means being at the heart of Barcelona's nightlife - which is both lively and noisy.
• Barcelona/Eixample#Sleep|Eixample and Barcelona/Gràcia#Sleep|Gràcia and Barcelona/Sants-Montjuïc#Sleep|Sants-Montjuïc are calmer, but quite as dense and popular due to closeness to attractions. You will find more mid-market properties there.
• Barcelona/Sant Martí#Sant Martí|Sant Martí contains most of Barcelona's beaches and a string of very modern hotels along the Diagonal
• Barcelona/Inland Suburbs|The suburbs are not as far away as you may think thanks to the metro and local railway. Some hillside hotels offer great views, but may be far away from public transit though.

See the neighborhood articles for detailed listings of lodging opportunities.

Telecommunications

Internet Cafe's in Barcelona

• Barcelona WiFi , - Opening Hours: Daily 08:00-01:00 Free - An internet service provided by the city council. There are more than 700 Wi-Fi hotspots in the city, mostly at various municipal buildings. The speed is limited to 256 Kbps, VoIP applications are filtered. No registration is required.

Stay safe in Barcelona

Pickpockets

Barcelona is Europe's pickpocketing capital. Never keep your wallet, cash or important documents in trouser pockets or in bag pockets: a money belt is an easy and affordable way to prevent being robbed. As always, be alert in crowded places, such as public transport, train and bus stations, La Rambla and Raval. People may approach you asking for change, or to change money. Just ignore them. If you are asked to change money and then official looking police may approach you afterwards to 'check' your wallet for ID, etc. These are not police, so be at your most vigilant or you might find they have taken a few cards or cash upon returning your wallet. If you are in a crowd of spectators watching street entertainment, beware of anyone getting suspiciously close to you.

Pickpockets use the football trick as the local specialty. At certain tourist hotspots and there are people who will try to show you a 'magic trick'. This involves tying a piece of string around your finger. While you are distracted (and your arm is effectively disabled), an accomplice will pickpocket you. It is also feasible that criminals will pose as tourists and ask directions to approach their victims. Keep your distance and be careful in tourist places.

The subway is a hotbed for pickpocketing activity, which can range from simple opportunistic thefts to coordinated attacks. Be especially wary on the subway platforms at Sants train station and Sagrada Família. A group of men will come out of seemingly nowhere while you attempt to enter a subway vehicle and block your entrance and exit in a coordinated manner, effectively pinning you against the doors while they close. They will act as if the vehicle is just crowded and they are trying to get on as well, but, in reality and they have already gone through your pockets.

Once they take stuff and they quickly return to the platform and walk off calmly while you are trapped in the departing subway as they make sure they exit just before the doors cannot be reopened. Violence in these situations is common and in most cases the goal of the thieves is to rob you undetected. Stay vigilant: do not leave anything in a back trouser pocket (except maybe a map of the city). Hold on to your bag or purse at all times. Do not leave anything unattended while you sit in a cafe or restaurant.

One guy acts like he's reading a newspaper and is about to go into the subway gate (he's scanning his target). While you insert your subway card to enter and before the gate opens, that guy instantly enters his subway card also, which causes the gate to jam and alarm sound. Immediately 3-4 other people appear and, while acting like trying to help, (pointing to the gate telling you 'the door is jam') will try to snatch your backpack or wallet while you are still surprised. Check and make sure no one tailgates on you, or, simply, just let the guy go first.

While you are at an outdoor table of a café, don't leave your smartphone on the table. Someone will try to steal it. For example, a guy babbling for change with an unreadable poster in his hands, getting closer and closer to the smartphone until he eventually picks it up, passes it to a second guy that will run away with it.

Scams in Barcelona

{{See

See also: Common scams

People in Barcelona are often very friendly and love to training their English, so don't be unfriendly. That said, you should, of course, be suspicious if someone approaches you in a tourist area speaking your language and asking you for help. This should put your guard up instantly. Do not be tempted to sign their petition, give them directions, or help them with their problem. You don't know anything about where you are, since you're a tourist, so you won't be able to help them in any case.

Professional scam artists exhibiting a high degree of coordination are active in many areas of the city. Be careful in tourist areas. A variety of common scams#Overcharging|methods are employed, including the common scams#no change trick|No-change trick. A common scam involves fake cops who will show up ask to see your passport and then take your belongings at the first opportunity. The story varies, but they are almost certainly not real ones. When it happens and the best strategy is to just walk away instead of starting any sort of conversations with them. Another trick is that one seemingly confused person will ask you for directions, diverting your attention and then suddenly fake police will appear asking for your ID. This is a co-ordinated move to divert the attention and steal whatever is feasible. If such incident happens, just walk away, without listening to any of their conversation. Stay alert, especially in busy tourist area near the Sants station and Plaça d'Espanya.

Another popular scam happens in the metro. A group of scammers (often middle-aged women) will take advantage of the fuss while people are entering the metro and surround a tourist, frantically asking for directions. Most tourists won't know what to say while one of the scammers empties their pockets. They will try to confuse the tourist while the metro stays in the platform and will get out just before the doors are closed. When you realize you've been scammed and the train will have already left and they will be safely outside with your belongings.

The bird excrement scam is also common. One or more accomplices will secretly spray or throw a smelly liquid on you. When you look up thinking a passing bird has pooped on you and they will run up to you and tell you that they saw a bird poop on you. They will offer to help you clean up and while you are cleaning they will go through your pockets and any bags you have set down. It is wise to beware of anyone who is attempting to touch a complete stranger.

A version of common scams#Three Card Monte|Three Card Monte is one of many common scams played on Les Rambles. There are also people holding petitions to install a wheelchair lift in locations with a lot of stairs. Once your signature is obtained they will then aggressively ask for a donation. Sometimes there can be crowds of children demanding money with hardly anyone else in the area, making it difficult to get away.

Football

Local club FC Barcelona is seen as a symbol of Catalan nationalism and has a very heated and politically charged rivalry with Real Madrid, which is seen as a symbol of the Spanish state and ruling establishment and violent confrontations between the supporters of both clubs have been known to occur. Avoid wearing Real Madrid jerseys while you're in Barcelona, especially on matchdays, as that could result in you being singled out for violence by local fans.

ATMs

Barcelona offers ATMs in many locations. Many provide a wide range of services (withdrawals, transfers, mobile credit recharges, ticketing, etc.) and most accept ATM/debit/credit cards of various banks. Choose an ATM in a secure or highly-public space (e.g., in a bank lobby or airport terminal) to avoid machines modified by criminals to skim/video your card data or where you might be robbed after use. Ensure early in usage that the ATM supports a language you understand. For a full discussion of safe/effective charge/debit/ATM card usage and their cost trade-offs, see Money.

Areas of caution

Be very careful in the Barcelona Sants train station where thieves prey on new arrivals, even on the platforms.

Muslima travelling alone should exercise caution while exploring the more isolated parts of Montjuïc. The city beaches, particularly the ones adjoining Barceloneta, have proven to be quite lucrative for bag snatchers. Anything that one would rather not lose is best left, locked, in one's hostel or hotel.

Men traveling alone should expect the prostitutes on Les Rambles, St. Antoni and Raval in the early hours to be very aggressive and in league with pickpockets and robbers.

Also, people need to be careful when leaving the bars of the Olympic Port late as there are many pickpockets around.

Women should be wary of wearing exposed jewelry such as Gold chains and necklaces. People walking down a street may be attacked from behind by a thief who may grab the necklace and try to rip it off the woman's neck before quickly running away, often down a convenient side street.Be especially careful of seedy looking men on bicycles as grab and snatch assaults can occur.

In the event of such a robbery, people will need to find the local police station to report the incident, especially if a travel insurance claim is going to be made. Don't expect any police action beyond the report though as these types of events are par for the course and arrests, even when made almost never lead to prosecution due to a slow, antiquated and overburdened legal system.

Parts of Barcelona are covered by closed circuit TV surveillance, but only the more popular spots.

Anti-tourism movement

Many Barcelona residents have the impression that there are too many visitors in Barcelona and that it has increased living costs, as landlords prefer to rent to tourists and not to local residents to make more profit. Also, a lot of local shops have closed to make way for souvenir spots, so many local residents feel they are being expelled from areas they have lived their whole life. In some areas, particularly the ones next to the beach where drunken tourists often stroll in swimming suits and there have been anti-tourism demonstrations by local residents, which have had the backing of the Mayor of Barcelona. It's not clear how this will evolve. If you find yourself near a demonstration against tourists, consider moving away from the area at least for several hours, to allow the situation to calm down.

Cars

Tourist drivers may attract special attention, such as common scams#Red light bag snatch|Red light bag snatch or common scams#Flat tire|Flat tire scams

Public transportation

Besides being a particular pickpocket hot spot and there are plenty of fare evaders who will stick to you when crossing a fare barrier. Do not even attempt to block their way and let them pass, as many of them can be quite aggressive. Although stations are full of surveillance cameras and they are seldom used to either enforce fare payment or as a proof for filed assault charges, except in the most severe cases. Lack of staff in many stations and few ticket inspections effectively mean carte blanche for them. The fare evasion fine is just €50 if paid on spot, no matter how many times the culprit has previously been caught and many fines remain unpaid because payment enforcement is legally way too cumbersome.

Reporting crimes

If you need to report a crime (for example, to claim on travel insurance), be prepared for the reality that in the downtown police station, officers generally do not speak English, even though the theft report form is in English, Spanish and Catalan. The police station most often used to report theft is the one underneath Plaça Catalunya beside metro station, where they have some translators for common world languages.

Muslim Friendly Hospitals

EU Muslims can get free or reduced cost medical treatment on presentation of an EHIC card and passport.

• Hospital Clinic I Provincial De Barcelona | C/ Villarroel 170 - Metro Stn Hospital Clinic (Line 5) ☎ +34 932 275 400

Consulates in Barcelona

{{flag|Angola

• Angola | Carrer del Consell de Cent, 413-415 (08009) - ☎ +34 93 245 02 73

• Argentina - Passeig de Gràcia, 11 (08007) - ☎ +34 93 304 12 00
• Australia - Avinguda Diagonal, 433 Bis, Second Floor, Door 1 (08036) - ☎ +34 93 362 3792

{{flag|Austria

• Austria | Carrer de Marià Cubí, 7 (08006) - ☎ +34 93 368 60 03

{{flag|Bangladesh

• Bangladesh | Carrer de Londres, 35 (08029) - ☎ +34 93 410 83 89

{{flag|Belgium

• Belgium | Carrer de la Diputació, 303 (08009) - ☎ +34 93 467 70 80

{{flag|Belize

• Belize | Avinguda Diagonal, 469 (08036) - ☎ +34 93 430 30 44

{{flag|Benin

• Benin - Carrer d'Aragó, 290 (08009) - ☎ +34 93 467 70 36

{{flag|Bolivia

• Bolivia - Carrer de Roger de Flor, 3 (08018) - ☎ +34 93 322 65 12

• Brazil - Avinguda Diagonal, 468 (08006) - ☎ +34 93 488 22 88

{{flag|Bulgaria

• Bulgaria | Passeig de Sant Joan, 73 (08009) - ☎ +33 93 457 41 33

{{flag|Burkina Faso

• Burkina Faso | Carrer de Muntaner, 261 (08021) - ☎ +33 93 200 99 09

{{flag|Canada

• Canada - Plaça Catalunya, 9 (08002) - ☎ +34 93 412 72 36

{{flag|France}

• France - @rcelone.org Ronda Universitat 22 bis - 4° (08007) - ☎ +34 932 703 000 +34 932 703 049
• Germany - Carrer de Marina, 16-18, 30a (08005) - ☎ +34 93 292 10 00* Greece | Carrer de Freixa, 6 (08021) - ☎ +34 93 200 20 36

{{flag|Ireland

• Ireland | Gran Via Carlos III, 94 (08028) - ☎ +34 93 491 50 21 +34 93 490 09 86 Opening 10:00-13:00

{{flag|Italy

• Italy | Carrer de Mallorca, 270 (08037) - ☎ +34 807 50 58 83

• {{Flag|Netherlands The Netherlands Avenida Diagonal, 611 (08028) ☎ +34 91 353 75 00|tollfree= Fax: +34 91 353 75 75|hours= - [[File:Flag of Norway
• Norway - Real Consulado General de Noruega, C/Balmes, 184, 5º, 2 a, 08006 Barcelona - ☎ +34 932 184 983 +34 932 380 327 Opening 10:00-13:30* United Kingdom - 13 08036, Av. Diagonal, 477, 08036 Barcelona - ☎ +34 93 366 62003 +34 93 366 6221 Opening 08:30-13:30.svg|frameless|20px|border|Norway
• Norway - Real Consulado General de Noruega, C/Balmes, 184, 5º, 2 a, 08006 Barcelona - ☎ +34 932 184 983 +34 932 380 327 Opening 10:00-13:30* United Kingdom - 13 08036, Av. Diagonal, 477, 08036 Barcelona - ☎ +34 93 366 62003 +34 93 366 6221 Opening 08:30-13:30

|link=]]

Where to go next after Barcelona

Day trips from Barcelona include:

• Costa Brava - The coast North of Barcelona has rocky cliffs and a mix of pebble beaches and sandy beaches.
• Figueres - Home of the most impressive Salvador Dalí museum.
• Montserrat (Spain) | Montserrat - Visit the monastery nestled high in the mountains to see the Black Madonna or hike to the peak to earn a fantastic view of the surroundings. 50 kilometers from Barcelona.
• Colònia Güell — is a tiny settlement famous for its modernist architecture. It is on the railway to Montserrat (Spain) | Montserrat.
• Sitges - A traditional beach side destination for the local residents. Full of fashion shops open on Sundays is a popular destination too.
• Canet de Mar - Is small enough to walk almost anywhere. See the historical centre and the churches and cathedral and visit many architectural works of Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Canet is the smallest town in Catalonia with many historical and modernist buildings. It also has a lot of blue flag beaches, recognised at the European level for their quality.
• Girona - A quiet town with an ancient Yahudi section, narrow streets, imposing walls and plenty of cafes. See directions to the north airport above.
• Pyrenees - A mountain range around 150 km north from the city.
• Sant Cugat del Valles - Has one of the most interesting Romanesque cloisters in Catalunya, with many interesting carvings. The town itself is full of expensive vilas.
• Montseny - UNESCO Biosphere Reserve 40 km northeast of Barcelona. Go there by vehicle or bus/train

Copyright 2015 - 2024. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd.
To Advertise or sponsor this Travel Guide, please visit our Media Kit and Advertising Rates.