Information /Sources, Barcelona

Favorite thing: .

There is too much too see and experience! It's very difficult to advise what to prioritize, want are the “must sees”, as each one have it's own tastes, preferences, budget…

When planning your trip to Barcelona, I suggest you doing a little research at these sites:

- Barcelona City Council webpage: www.bcn.cat

You'll find there a complete guide to the city events, you can search at the "diary" . You can look for events in a given date, do specific searches, or just see the highlights.

In addition you have loads of interesting info about places, itineraries, etc in the "turisme" section.

- Another good website with tourist info: Barcelonaturisme

- TMB , Barcelona public transports services: TMB.net , there you have also links with suggestions of routes around the main sites of interest, transport cards, prices, etc.

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You have several TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES: where are provided all kind of services you may need such as tourist information, maps, brochures, money exchange, gift shop, etc.

Contact:
Tel. 807 117 222 (From Spain), +34 93 285 38 34 (International calls)
E-mail: teltur@barcelonaturisme.com

Main offices:

- Plaça de Catalunya, 17-S. Open every day of the year from 9 to 21 h. Closed on 25th December and 1st January. LOcated underground, in front of El Corte Inglés department store, near the corner of Portal de l'Angel/carrer de Fontanella

- Sants Railway Station. Plaça dels Paisos Catalans s/n. Opening hours: from Monday to Friday 8-20 h, Saturday, Sunday and holidays 8-14h, Summer, daily 8- 20 h. Closed on 1st Janary, 25th and 26th December.

- Plaça Sant Jaume. C/ Ciutat, 2. Opening hours: from Monday to Friday 9-20 h, Saturday 10- 20 h, Sunday and holidays 10-14 h.

CATALONIA TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE "PALAU ROBERT"

To get info about Catalonia, daytrips from Barcelona, local events, etc. have a look at Palau Robert webpage

Palau Robert is physically located at the top of Passeig de Gracia in Barcelona, and there is the "Centre de Informacio de Catalunya". You will find a tourist office, a youth information point, exhibitions, etc.

- Tel. Tourist office: Tel. 93 238 80 91 Fax. 93 292 12 70

- Tel. Youth Information Point: Tel. 93 238 40 07

Address: Passeig de Gracia, 107. Opening hours: from Monday to Saturday 10 to 19h, Sundays and Holidays 10 to 14h.

Favorite thing: In 1830-1840 Catalonia becomes the most industrially developed region of Spain. In 1860 city authorities have started re-planning the city. In 1888 there has passed the World's Exibition.
In 1890-1910 in the city there are numerous buildings in style of a catalunian modernism.
In 1929 at the Montjik hill there has passed the World's Exibition. In 1992 Olympic Games took place in Barcelona.

Favorite thing: In 711-713 moors have grasped Pyrenees, Catalunia and Barcelona. In 801 francs have expelled moors from Barcelona and have created the buffer state between Andalusia and the Franc's state. Barcelona has received final independence in 988. Catalonia declared its independence with the capital in Barcelona. This year is celebrated as a year of the birth of Barcelona.

Favorite thing: It is considered, that Barcelona was established by Hamilkar Barka - the father of Gannibal in the III-rd century before Cristmas. In the II-nd century the Carfagenian settlement was grasped by Romans who named their new colony Barcino.
The first fortifications were built in the IV-th century.

Favorite thing: As in lots of other countries in the world already smoking is generally forbidden in public places as in restaurants and bars especially. A sign that smoking is forbidden is placed in the doors of the restaurants as you can see it on the photo. But (as far as I was told, and you can see it on special signs) bars or restaurants can also buy the permission to allow smoking at their place. Then you find a similar but green sign at the entrance that allows smoking. Thought I took a photo as well, but can?t find it currently ;-)

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Favorite thing: The University of Barcelona, just like the city, is bilingual. What this means is that classes could be in Spanish, Catalan or a combination of both. Students are free to express themselves in either of the 2 languages (as long as it's not a Spanish/Catalan language class). This was a little bit intimidating at first, not knowing which language to expect a class to be in or having a lecture in one language and a discussion section in another one, but it turned out not to be too big of a problem. Teachers seem to be very understanding of foreign students.

Favorite thing: Barcelona is one of the biggest cities in Spain, but it is not what you typically think of when you think of Spain. There are no bullfights (it was banned in the city a while ago) and the only flamenco shows you'll see are the ones targetted towards tourists. Barcelona is the capital of the province of Catalonia, and since Catalonia was once an independent nation, it has retained many of its own cultural traditions. Catalan is the main language (similar to Castillian Spanish and French), and the music, dance, and food are mostly Catalan rather than Spanish. However, it is a big cosmopolitan city where many people and cultures come together, so if you don't speak Catalan or Castellano, it is not difficult to find someone who can speak English. Also, along with the city skyscrapers and unique architecture by Gaudi, there are also beaches.

Favorite thing: Here is an ideal car to rent if you wish to drive in the city. The cost vary from season to season, although through the use of internet you can easily book for the cost ranging from 60 euros per day.

Fondest memory: This vehicle which everyone calls SMART is the funnest car we had rented to drive around the city, instead of renting a mopad, we rented this vehicle called "SMART". Quite an ideal to rent for couple of days instead of walking around the city miles to see Barcelona.

Favorite thing: Hi, I discovered this new website www.takeoffguides.com, it has a travel guide of Barcelona in PDF format, really complete with pictures, travel tips, maps, I recommend it to all vt's! I am using it myself for my trip to Barcelona, and also all the tips from virtual tourist of course. Thank you.

Fondest memory: Currently travelling in Barcelona