Travel information: Barcelona fast facts A-Z

Addresses

Most apartment addresses consist of a street name followed by a street number, floor level and flat number, in that order. So, to go to C/València 246, 2º 3ª, find No.246, go to the second floor and find the door marked 3 or 3ª. Ground-floor flats are usually called baixos or bajos (often abbreviated bxs/bjos); one floor up, the entresol/entresuelo (entl), and the next is often the principal (pral). Confusingly, numbered floors start here: first, second, up to the àtic/ático at the top. Addresses occasionally point out whether a property number is on the left- or right-hand side of the street; ‘right’ is dreta/derecha (dta/dcha) and ‘left’ is esquerra/izquierda (esq/izq).

Age restrictions

• Buying/drinking alcohol 18
• Driving 18
• Smoking 18
• Sex (hetero- and homosexual) 13

Attitude & Etiquette

The Catalans are generally less guarded about personal space than people in Britain or the US. The common greeting between members of the opposite sex and between two women, even the first time that the two parties have met, is a kiss on both cheeks. Men usually greet each other by shaking hands. Don’t be surprised if people bump into you on the street, or crowd or push past you on the bus or metro without apologising: it’s not seen as rude.

Contrary to appearances, Catalans have an advanced queuing culture. They may not stand in an orderly line, but they’re normally very aware of when it’s their turn, particularly at market stalls. The standard drill is to ask when you arrive, ¿Qui es l’últim/la última? (‘Who’s last?’), and say jo (‘me’) to the next person who asks.

Business

Admin services

The gestoria, a Spanish institution is designed to lighten the weight of local bureaucracy by dealing with it for you. A combination of bookkeeper, lawyer and business adviser, a good gestor can be helpful in handling paperwork.

CMB Assessors C/Aribau
226, pral 2ª, Eixample (93 209 67 88). Metro Diagonal/FGC Gràcia. Open Oct-June 9am-2pm, 4-7pm Mon-Fri; July-Sept 9am-2pm, 4-7pm Mon-Thur; 9pm-2pm Fri. Closed 2wks Aug.
Lawyers, economists and a gestoria.

Martin Howard Associates
C/Aribau 177, entl 1ª, Eixample (93 202 25 34/www.mhasoc.com). Open Sept-July 9am-6pm Mon-Thur; 9am-2pm Fri. Aug 8am-3pm Mon-Fri.
Tax and accounts from British accountant Alex Martin.

Conventions & conferences

Barcelona Convention Bureau
Rambla Catalunya 123, pral, Eixample (93 368 97 00/www.barcelonaturisme.com). Metro Diagonal. Open Sept-mid June 9am-2.30pm, 3.30-6.30pm Mon-Thur; 9am-3pm Fri. Mid June-Aug 8am-3pm Mon-Fri.

Fira de Barcelona
Avda Reina Maria Cristina, Montjuïc (93 233 20 00/www.firabcn.es). Metro Espanya. Open Mid Sept-mid June 9am-1.30pm, 3.30-5.30pm Mon-Fri. Mid June-mid Sept 9am-2pm Mon-Fri.
One of Europe’s largest exhibition complexes.

World Trade Center
Moll de Barcelona, Port Vell (93 508 88 88/www.wtcbarcelona.com). Metro Drassanes. Open Sept-June 9am-2pm, 4-7pm Mon-Thur; 9am-3pm Fri. July, Aug 9am-3pm Mon-Fri.
130,000sq m (72,624sq ft) of office space in a modern complex.

Courier services

Estació d'Autobus Barcelona-Nord
C/Alí Bei 80, Eixample (93 232 43 29Visit: http://www.barcelonanord.com/default_eng.asp). Metro Arc de Triomf. Open 7.30am-2.30pm, 4-7.30pm Mon-Fri. No credit cards.

Missatgers Trèvol
C/Antonio Ricardos 14, La Sagrera (93 498 80 70/www.trevol.com). Metro Sagrera. Open Sept-July 8am-7.30pm Mon-Fri. Aug 8am-3pm Mon-Fri. No credit cards.

Seur
902 10 10 10/www.seur.es. Open 8am-8pm Mon-Fri; 9am-2pm Sat. No credit cards.

UPS
902 88 88 20/www.ups.com. Open 8am-8pm Mon-Fri. Credit AmEx, MC, V.

Office & computer services

See all electronics shops in Barcelona

Centro de Negocios
C/Pau Claris 97, 4º 1ª, Eixample (93 304 38 58/www.centro-negocios.com). Metro Passeig de Gràcia. Open Sept-July 8am-9pm Mon-Fri. Aug 9am-2pm Mon-Fri. No credit cards.
Desks in shared offices, mailboxes, meeting rooms, secretarial services and administrative services.

Microrent
C/Rosselló 35, Eixample (93 363 32 50/www.microrent.es). Metro Entença. Open Sept-June 9am-6pm Mon-Fri. July, Aug 8am-3pm Mon-Fri. No credit cards.
Computer equipment for rent.

Translators

For more, see www.act.es.

DUUAL
C/Ciutat 7, 2º 4ª, Barri Gòtic (93 302 29 85/www.duual.com). Metro Jaume I or Liceu. Open Sept-June 9am-2pm, 4-7pm Mon-Thur; 9am-2pm Fri.July 8.30am-3pm Mon-Fri. Closed 3wks Aug. No credit cards.

Traduit
C/Ribeira 6, 1º 2ª, Born (93 268 74 95/http://traduit.cat). Metro Jaume I. Open 9am-2pm, 4-6.30pm Mon-Fri. Credit MC, V.

Useful organisations

Ajuntament de Barcelona
Plaça Sant Miquel 4-5, Barri Gòtic (Information 010/93 402 70 00/www.bcn.cat). Metro Jaume I. Open Sept-June 8.30am-5.30pm Mon-Fri. July, Aug 8.15am-2.15pm Mon-Fri.
The city council.

Borsa de Valors de Barcelona
Passeig de Gràcia 19, Eixample (93 401 35 55/www.borsabcn.es). Metro Passeig de Gràcia. Open Reception 9am-5.30pm Mon-Fri. Library 9am-noon Mon-Fri.
The stock exchange.

Generalitat de Catalunya
Information 012/new businesses 902 20 15 20/www.gencat.cat.
The Catalan government.

Consulates

Australian Consulate
Plaça Gal.la Placidia 1, Gràcia (93 490 90 13/www.spain.embassy.gov.au). FCG Gràcia. Open 10am-noon Mon-Fri. Closed Aug.

British Consulate
Avda Diagonal 477, 13º, Eixample (93 366 62 00/http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk). Metro Hospital Clínic. Open Mid Sept-mid June 9.30am-2pm Mon-Fri. Mid June-mid Sept 8.30am-1.30pm Mon-Fri.

Canadian Consulate
C/Elisenda de Pinós 10, Sarrià (93 204 27 00/www.international.gc.ca). FGC Reina Elisenda. Open 10am-1pm Mon-Fri.

Irish Consulate
Gran Via Carles III 94, 10º, Les Corts (93 491 50 21). Metro Maria Cristina. Open 10am-1pm Mon-Fri.

New Zealand Consulate
Travessera de Gràcia 64, 2º, Gràcia (93 209 03 99). Metro Diagonal. Open 9am-2pm, 4-7pm Mon-Fri.

US Consulate
Passeig Reina Elisenda 23, Sarrià (93 280 22 27/madrid.usembassy.gov). FGC Reina Elisenda. Open 9am-1pm Mon-Fri.

Consumer

Ask for a complaint form (full de reclamació/hoja de reclamación), which many businesses and all shops, bars and restaurants are required to keep. Leave one copy with the business. Take the other forms to the consumer office.

Oficina Municipal d’Informació al Consumidor
Ronda de Sant Pau 43-45, Barri Gòtic (93 402 78 41/www.omic.bcn.es). Metro Paral·lel or Sant Antoni. Open 9am-2pm Mon-Fri.
The official centre for consumer advice and complaints follow-up.

Telèfon de Consulta del Consumidor
012. Open 9am-6pm Mon-Fri.
Consumer advice.

Customs

Custom declarations are not usually necessary if you arrive from another EU country and are carrying legal goods for personal use. The amounts given below are guidelines only: if you come close to the maximums in several categories, you may still have to explain your personal habits to an interested but sceptical customs officer.

• 800 cigarettes
• 400 small cigars
• 200 cigars or 1kg loose tobacco
• 10 litres of spirits (more than 22% alcohol), 90 litres of wine (less than 22% alcohol) or 110 litres of beer

Coming from a non-EU country or the Canary Islands, you can bring:

• 200 cigarettes
• 100 small cigars
• 50 regular cigars or 250g (8.82oz) of tobacco
• 1 litre of spirits (more than 22% alcohol) or 2 litres of wine or beer (more than 22% alcohol)
• 50g (1.76oz) of perfume
• 500g coffee; 100g tea

Visitors can also carry up to €6,000 in cash without having to declare it. Non-EU residents can reclaim VAT (IVA) on some large purchases when they leave.

Disabled

Accessible Barcelona
www.accessiblebarcelona.com.
This useful resource is run by a British expat wheelchair-user living in Barcelona. Although many sights claim to be accessible, you may still need assistance. Phoning ahead to check is always a good idea.

Institut Municipal de Persones amb Disminució
Avda Diagonal 233, Eixample (93 413 27 75/www.bcn.cat/accessible. Metro Glòries or Monumental/bus 56, 62. Open 9am-2pm Mon-Fri.
The official city organisation for the disabled has information on access to venues and transport, and can provide a map with wheelchair-friendly itineraries. It’s best to call in advance to make an appointment, rather than just turning up. There are some English speakers available.

Transport

Access for disabled people to local transport is improving but still leaves much to be desired. For wheelchair-users, buses and taxis are usually the best bet. For transport information, call TMB. Transport maps, which can be picked up from transport information offices and some metro stations, indicate wheelchair access points and adapted bus routes. For a list of accessible metro stations and bus lines, check the website click on Transport for Everyone. However, even those stations with lifts can sometimes prove inaccessible, so wheelchair-users are advised to avoid the metro altogether.

TMB
93 318 70 74 or 010/www.tmb.cat.

Buses

All the Aerobús airport buses, night buses and the open-topped tourist buses are fully accessible, though you may need assistance with the steep ramps. Adapted buses also alternate with standard buses on many daytime routes. Press the blue button with the wheelchair symbol to alert the driver before your stop.

Metro & FGC

Only L2 has lifts and ramps at all stations. On L1 and L3, some stations have lifts. There is usually a step on to the train, the size of which varies; some assistance may be required. The Montjuïc funicular railway is fully wheelchair-adapted. Accessible FGC stations include Provença, Muntaner and Avda Tibidabo. The FGC infrastructures at Catalunya and Espanya stations are accessible, but interchanges with metro lines are not.RENFE trains Sants and Plaça Catalunya stations are wheelchair-accessible, but the trains are not. If you go to the Atenció al Viajero office ahead of time, help on the platform can be arranged.

Taxis

All taxi drivers are officially required to transport wheelchairs and guide dogs for no extra charge, but cars can be small, and the willingness of drivers to co-operate varies widely. Special minibus taxis adapted for wheelchairs can be ordered from the Taxi Amic service, as well as from some general taxi services such as Servi-Taxi (93 330 03 00). You need to book at least 24-48hrs ahead.

Taxi Amic
93 420 80 88/www.taxi-amic-adaptat.com. Open 7am-11pm Mon-Fri; 9am-10pm Sat, Sun.
Fares are the same as for regular cabs, but there is a minimum fare of €12 for Barcelona city (€13.75 at weekends), and more for the surrounding areas.

Trams

All tram lines throughout Barcelona are fully accessible for wheelchair-users, with ramps that can access all platforms. Watch out for the symbol on each platform that indicates where the wheelchair-accessible doors will be situated.

Wheelchair-friendly museums & galleries

All of the below should be accessible to wheelchair users.

• CCCB
• Espai Gaudí – La Pedrera
• Fundació Joan Miró
• Fundacío Antoni Tàpies
• MNAC
• Museu Barbier-Mueller d’Art Precolombi
• Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya
• Museu de les Arts Decoratives
• Museu del Calçat
• Museu de Cera de Barcelona Museu del Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família
• Museu d’Història de Catalunya
• Museu d’Història de la Ciutat
• Museu de la Ciència – Cosmo Caixa
• Museu de la Xocolata
• Museu Frederic Marès
• Museu Picasso
• Museu Tèxtil i d’Indumentaria
• Palau de la Música
• Palau de la Virreina

Many people smoke cannabis openly in Spain, but possession or consumption in public is illegal. In private, the law is contradictory: smoking is OK, but you can be nabbed for possession or distribution. Enforcement is often not the highest of police priorities, but you could theoretically receive a fine. Larger amounts entail a fine and, in extreme cases, prison. Smoking in bars is also prohibited. Cocaine is also common in Spain, but if you are caught in possession of this or any other Class A drug, you are looking at a hefty fine, and possibly a long prison sentence.

Electricity

The standard voltage in Spain is 220V. Plugs are of the two-round-pin type. You’ll need a plug adaptor to use British-bought electrical devices. If you have US (110V) equipment, you will need a current transformer as well as an adaptor.

Emergencies

Emergency services 112.
Police, fire or ambulance.

Ambulance/Ambulància 061.
For hospitals and other health services, see below.

Fire/Bombers/Bomberos 080.

Mossos d’Esquadra 088.
Catalan police force.

Gay & lesbian

Casal Lambda 
C/Verdaguer i Callís 10, Barri Gòtic (93 319 55 50/www.lambdaweb.org). Metro Urquinaona. Open 5-9pm Mon-Fri. Closed Aug. 
Gay cultural organisation.

Coordinadora Gai-Lesbiana 
C/Violant d’Hongria Reina d’Aragó 156, Sants (93 298 00 29/www.cogailes.org). Metro Plaça de Sants. Open 7-9pm Mon-Fri. Closed Aug. 
This gay umbrella group works with the Ajuntament on concerns for the gay, bisexual and transsexual communities. Its Telèfon Rosa service (900 601 601, open 6-10pm daily) gives help or advice and is open all year round.

Front d’Alliberament Gai de Catalunya 
C/Verdi 88, Gràcia (93 217 26 69/www.fagc.org). Metro Fontana. Open 6-9pm Mon-Thur. 
A vocal group that produces the Debat Gai information bulletin.

Health

Visitors can obtain emergency care through the public health service, Servei Catalá de la Salut. EU nationals are entitled to free basic medical attention if they have the European Emergency Health Card (Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea), also known as the Health Insurance Card. This replaced the E111 form and is valid for one year. Contact the health service in your country of residence for details. If you don’t have one but can get one sent or faxed within a few days, you will be exempt from charges. 

Citizens of certain other countries that have a special agreement with Spain, among them several Latin American states, can also have access to free care.

Catalan government 24-hour health information line 902 11 14 44 (press 2 for information)

Generalitat de Catalunya
www.gencat.cat.
General details on Health care entitlement in Spain. 

Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Social 
901 50 20 50 (press 3 for information)/www.seg-social.es.

For non-emergencies, it’s usually quicker to use private travel insurance rather than the state system. Similarly, non-EU nationals with private medical insurance can also make use of state health services on a paying basis, but private clinics are simpler. 

Accident & emergency

In an emergency, call 061 for an ambulance or go to the casualty department (Urgències) of any of the main public hospitals in the city. All are open 24 hours daily. The Clínic and Perecamps (see below) are the most central.
 
Centre d’Urgències Perecamps 
Avda Drassanes 13-15, Raval (93 441 06 00). Metro Drassanes or Paral·lel.

The Clinic 
C/València 184 (93 227 93 00). Open 8.30am-10pm Mon-Fri.

Hospital Clínic 
C/Villarroel 170, Eixample (93 227 54 00). Metro Hospital Clínic.

Hospital Dos de Maig 
C/Dos de Maig 301, Eixample (93 507 27 00). Metro Hospital de Sant Pau or Cartagena.

Hospital del Mar Passeig Marítim 
25-29, Barceloneta (93 248 30 00). Metro Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica.

Hospital de Sant Pau
C/Sant Antoni Maria Claret 167, Eixample (93 291 90 00). Metro Hospital de Sant Pau. 

Complementary medicine

Integral: Centre Mèdic i de Salut 
C/Diputació 321, 1º 1ª, Eixample (93 467 74 20/www.integralcentremedic.com). Metro Girona. Open (by appointment only) 9am-9pm Mon-Fri. Closed Aug. 

Contraception

All pharmacies sell condoms (condoms/preservativos) and other forms of contraception including pills (la píndola/la píldora), which can be bought without a prescription. You’ll generally need a prescription to get the morning-after pill (la píndola del dia seguent/la píldora del día siguiente) but some CAP health centres (see below) will dispense it free. Many bars and clubs have condom vending machines. 

Centre Jove d’Anticoncepció i Sexualitat 
C/La Granja 19-21, Gràcia (93 415 10 00/www.centrejove.org). Metro Lesseps. Open Sept-mid June noon-7pm Mon-Thur; 10am-2pm Fri. Mid June-July 10am-5pm Mon-Thur; 10am-2pm Fri. Aug 10am-2pm Mon-Fri. Closed 2wks Aug. 
A family-planning centre aimed at young people (under-25s).

Dentists

Most dentistry is not covered by the Spanish public health service (to which EU citizens have access). Check the classified ads in Metropolitan (see below) for English-speaking dentists.

Institut Odontològic Calàbria 
Avda Madrid 141-145, Eixample (93 439 45 00/www.ioa.es). Metro Entença. Open 9am-1pm, 3-8pm Mon-Fri. Closed 1wk Aug. Credit DC, MC, V. 
These well-equipped clinics provide a complete range of dental services. Some staff speak English.

Other locations: Institut Odontològic Sagrada Família, C/Sardenya 319, Eixample (93  457 04 53); Institut Odontològic, C/Diputació 238, Eixample (93 342 64 00).

Doctors

A Centre d’Assistència Primària (CAP) is a local health centre (aka ambulatorio), where you should be seen fairly quickly by a doctor, but you may need an appointment. There are around 40 in Barcelona; see www.bcn.cat/english/ihome.htm for a full list of locations. 

CAP Casc Antic 
C/Rec Comtal 24, Sant Pere (93 310 14 21). Metro Arc de Triomf. Open 8am-8pm Mon-Fri; (emergencies only) 9am-5pm Sat.

CAP Doctor Lluís Sayé 
C/Torres i Amat 8, Raval (93 301 27 05). Metro Universitat. Open 8am-8pm Mon-Fri; (emergencies only) 9am-5pm Sat.

CAP Drassanes 
Avda Drassanes 17-21, Raval (93 329 44 95). Metro Drassanes. Open 8am-8pm Mon-Fri; (emergencies only) 9am-5pm Sat.

CAP Vila Olímpica 
C/Joan Miró 17, Vila Olímpica (93 221 37 85). Metro Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica or Marina. Open 8am-8.30pm Mon-Fri.

Googol Medical Centre 
Gran Via Carles III 37-39, Eixample (93 330 24 12/mobile 627 669 524/www.googolmedicalcentre.com). Metro Les Corts. Open 10am-6pm Mon-Fri.
An English-speaking clinic.

Dr Mary McCarthy 
C/Aribau 215, pral 1ª, Eixample (93 200 29 24/mobile 607 220 040). FGC Gràcia/bus 14, 58, 64. Open by appointment. 
Dr McCarthy is an internal medicine specialist from the US. 

Hospitals

See Accident & emergency.

Opticians

See all opticians in Barcelona

Pharmacies

See all pharmacies in Barcelona

STDs, HIV & AIDS

Free, anonymous blood tests for HIV and other STDs are given at the Unidad de Infección de Transmisión Sexual (93 441 46 12) at CAP Drassanes (see above). HIV tests are also available at the Coordinadora Gai-Lesbiana (see above).

Actua C/Gomis 38, Zona Alta 
(93 418 50 00/www.actua.org.es). Metro Vallcarca/bus 22, 27, 28, 73. Open (appointment only) Sept-June 9am-2pm, 4-7pm Mon-Thur; 9am-2pm Fri. July 9am-3pm. Closed Aug. 
Support group for people with HIV.

AIDS Information Line 
Freephone 900 21 22 22. Open Mid Sept-May 8am-5.30pm Mon-Thur; 8am-3pm Fri. June-mid Sept 8am-3pm Mon-Fri.

Asociació Ciutadana Antisida de Catalunya
C/Lluna 11, Raval, 93 317 05 05/www.acasc.info.
HIV tests available.

Projecte dels Noms 
C/Comte Borrell 164-166 (93 318 20 56, www.bcncheckpoint.com).
HIV tests available. The centre is closed in August.

Helplines

Alcoholics Anonymous 
93 317 77 77/www.alcoholicos-anonimos.org. Open 10am-1pm, 5-8pm Mon-Fri.

Narcotics Anonymous 
902 11 41 47/www.na-esp.org. Open hours vary.

Telèfon de l’Esperança 
93 414 48 48/www.telefonoesperanza.com. Open 24hrs daily. 
Counselling and specialist help groups, from psychiatric to legal. 

ID

From the age of 14, Spaniards are legally obliged to carry their DNI (identity card). Foreigners are also meant to carry an ID card or passport, and are in theory subject to a fine – in practice, you’re more likely to get a warning. If you don’t want to carry it around with you (wisely, given the prevalence of petty crime), it’s a good idea to carry a photocopy or a driver’s licence instead: technically, it’s not legal, but usually acceptable. 

ID is needed to check into a hotel, hire a car, pay with a card in shops and exchange or pay with travellers’ cheques. 

Insurance

For health care and EU nationals, see above. Some non-EU countries have reciprocal health-care agreements with Spain, but for most travellers, it’s usually more convenient to have private travel insurance, which will also, of course, cover you in case of theft and flight problems.

Internet

Despite relatively high costs, Spain boasts a high concentration of internet users, and there are internet centres all over Barcelona. Most libraries (see below) have free internet points and wireless access for public use, although you may have to join the library first. The city council has undertaken to bring free wi-fi access to 500 public spaces by 2010.

Bornet Internet Cafè 
C/Barra de Ferro 3, Born (93 268 15 07/www.bornet-bcn.com). Metro Jaume I. Open 10am-11pm Mon-Fri; noon-11pm Sat, Sun. Rates €2.80/hr. Credit (for payments over €5) AmEx, MC, V.

easyEverything 
La Rambla 31, Barri Gòtic (93 301 75 07/www.easyeverything.com). Metro Drassanes or Liceu. Open 8am-2am daily. No credit cards. 

Left luggage

Look for signs to the consigna.

Aeroport del Prat Terminal B 
Open 24hrs daily. Rates €4/day.

Estació d’Autobusos Barcelona-Nord 
C/Alí Bei 80, Eixample. Metro Arc de Triomf. Open 24hrs daily. Rates €3-€4.50/day.

Train stations Sants-Estació & Estació de França, Born 
Open 6am-11.45pm daily. Rates €3-€4.50/day. 
Some smaller railway stations also have left-luggage lockers.

Legal help

Consulates (see above) help tourists in emergencies, and recommend lawyers.

Marti & Associats 
Avda Diagonal 584, pral 1ª, Eixample (93 201 62 66/www.martilawyers.com). Bus 6, 7, 15, 33, 34. Open Sept-July 9am-8pm Mon-Thur; 9am-7pm Fri. Aug 9am-2pm, 4-7pm Mon-Thur, 9am-2pm Fri. 

Libraries

Public libraries

93 316 10 00/www.bcn.cat/icub/biblioteques.
There is a network of public libraries around the city that offers free internet access, some English novels and information on cultural activities. Membership is free. Opening times are generally 10am-2pm, 3.30-8.30pm Monday-Saturday and 10am-2pm Sunday.

Private libraries

These are better stocked but generally require paid membership to use their facilities.

Ateneu Barcelonès 
C/Canuda 6, Barri Gòtic (93 343 61 21/www.ateneubcn.org). Metro Catalunya. Open 9am- 11pm daily. 
The city’s best private library, plus a wonderfully peaceful interior garden patio and a quiet bar. Membership is €22.36 a month.

Biblioteca de Catalunya 
C/Hospital 56, Raval (93 270 23 00/www.bnc.cat). Metro Liceu. Open 9am-8pm Mon-Fri; 9am-2pm Sat.
The Catalan national collection is housed in the medieval Hospital de la Santa Creu. Readers’ cards are required, but free one-day research visits are allowed for over-18s (take your passport with you to prove your identity).

British Council/Institut Britànic 
C/Amigó 83, Zona Alta (93 241 97 11/www.britishcouncil.org/spain). FGC Muntaner. Open Oct-mid June 9.30am-12.30pm, 3.30-9pm Mon-Fri; 10.30am-2pm Sat. Mid June-July, Sept 9.30am-12.30pm, 4-8.30pm Mon-Fri. Aug 9.30-12.30pm Mon-Fri.
Membership is obligatory for use of the library and borrowing materials. The charge is €62 a year.

Mediateca CaixaForum
Avda Marquès de Comillas 6-8, Montjuïc (902 22 30 40/93 476 8651/www.mediatecaonline.net). Metro Espanya. Open Sept-June 10am-8pm Mon-Fri; 10am-10pm Sat. July, Aug 10am-8pm Mon, Thur, Fri; 10am-10pm Tue, Sat; 10am-11pm Wed.
You can borrow books, magazines, CDs, etc. Membership is €6 (€3 reductions). The lending desk is open 10am-7.30pm Mon-Fri.

Lost property

If you lose something at the airport, report it to the lost property centre:

Oficina d’objectes perduts/Oficina de objetos perdidos
Bloque Técnico building, between terminals B and C, 93 298 33 49). 
If you have mislaid anything on a train, look for the Atenció al Passatger/Atención al Viajero desk or Cap d’Estació office at the nearest station to where your property went astray. Call ahead to the destination station, or call station information and ask for objetos perdidos. 

Municipal Lost Property Office Oficina de Troballes
Plaça Carles Pi i Sunyer 8-10, Barri Gòtic (93 402 70 00/010). Metro Catalunya or Jaume I. Open 9am-2pm Mon-Fri.
All documentation or valuables found on city public transport and taxis, or picked up by the police in the street, should eventually find their way to this Ajuntament office, just off Avda Portal de l’Àngel.

TMB Lost Property Office 
Diagonal metro station, L5 entrance (93 318 70 74/www.tmb.cat). Open 8am-8pm Mon-Fri. 
Items found on most public transport services are sent to this office, where they are stored for seven working days. After that, they are sent to the municipal office (see below). If the item was lost on a tram, call 902 193 275; on FGC trains, 93 205 15 15; for taxis, call 93 400 50 26. 

Media

Spanish and Catalan newspapers tend to favour serious and distinctly lengthy political commentary. There are no sensationalist tabloids in Spain: for scandal, the prensa rosa (‘pink press’, or gossip magazines) is the place to look. Television channels, though, go straight for the mass market, with junk television (telebasura) prevalent. Catalan is the dominant language on both radio and TV, less so in print.

Daily newspapers

Free daily papers of reasonable quality, such as 20 Minutes and Metro, are handed out in the city centre every morning. The dailies tend to the high brow. Spanish readers can try ABC, El Mundo, El País and La Vanguardia. Those conversant in Catalan have Avui and one of the editions of El Periódico.

English language

Foreign newspapers are available at most kiosks on La Rambla and Passeig de Gràcia, along with FNAC (www.fnac.es). 

Barcelona Connect
www.barcelonaconnect.com.
A small free magazine with tips for travellers to the city.

Catalonia Today
www.cataloniatoday.cat.
English-language weekly with a round up of local news and cultural events.

Metropolitan
www.barcelona-metropolitan.com.
A free monthly magazine for English-speaking locals, distributed in bars and other anglophone hangouts.

Listings & classifieds

The main papers have daily ‘what’s on’ listings, with entertainment supplements on Fridays (most run TV schedules on Saturdays). For monthly listings, see Metropolitan or the handy Butxaca, which can be picked up in cultural information centres, such as Palau de la Virreina on La Rambla.

GO 
www.go-mag.com.
Freebie found in bars and music shops.

Guía del Ocio
www.guiadelociobcn.com.
A weekly listings magazine, published Fridays, in Spanish.

Info jobs.net
www.infojobs.net. 
A popular resource for job vacancies.

La Vanguardia classifieds
www.clasificados.es.
The best classifieds in the dailies.

Mondo Sonoro 
www.mondosonoro.com.
Handed out free.

Primeramà
www.anuntis.es.
The largest classified-ad publication.

Time Out Barcelona
www.timeout.cat.
A comprehensive weekly listings magazine in Catalan. There are plans to add a monthly pull-out section in English.

Radio

There are vast numbers of local, regional and national stations, with the Catalan language having a high profile.

• BBC World Service Is on shortwave, on different places on the dial, depending on the time of day (15485, 9410, 12095 and 6195 KHz)
• Catalunya Mùsica Mainly classical and jazz (101.5 FM)
• Flaix FM Provides news and music (105.7 FM)
• Radio Bronka For something a little more alternative (99 FM)
• Radio 3 Has a wonderfully varied music policy(98.7 FM)

Television

The emphasis of Spanish television is on mass entertainment, with Catalan channels only marginally better. Films are mainly dubbed and advertising is interminable. The best of the bunch may be Barcelona TV, which produces the city’s most groundbreaking viewing. 

Also worth a look is La2 (‘La Dos’), which is often compared to BBC2, with good late-night movies and documentaries. 

Money

Spain’s currency is the euro. Each euro (€) is divided into 100 cents (¢), known as céntims/céntimos. Notes come in denominations of €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5. Due to the increasing circulation of counterfeit notes, smaller businesses may be reluctant to accept anything larger than €50. 

Banks & currency exchanges

Banks (bancos) and savings banks (caixes d’estalvis/cajas de ahorros) usually accept euro travellers’ cheques for a commission, but they tend to refuse any kind of personal cheque except one issued by that bank. Some bureaux de change (cambios) don’t charge commission, but rates are worse. Obtaining money through ATMs (which are everywhere) with a debit or credit card is the easiest option, despite the fees often charged. 

Bank hours: Banks are normally open between 8.30am and 2pm Mon-Fri. From October to April, most branches also open between 8.30am and 1pm on Saturdays. From October to May many savings banks (normally beginning ‘Caixa’ or ‘Caja’) are also open late on Thursdays, 4.30-7.45pm. 

Out-of-hours banking: Foreign exchange offices at the airport (terminals A and B) are open 7am-11pm daily. Others in the centre open late: some on La Rambla open until midnight, later between July and September. At Sants, change money at La Caixa (8am-8pm daily), there’s another change point at Plaça Cataluñya 7. At the airport and outside some banks are automatic exchange machines that accept notes in major currencies. 

Credit & debit cards

Major credit cards are accepted in hotels, shops, restaurants and other places (metro ticket machines and pay-and-display parking machines, for instance). American Express and Diners Club cards are less accepted than MasterCard and Visa. Many debit cards from other European countries mayu also be accepted. You can withdraw cash with major cards from ATMs, and banks will also advance cash against a credit card.
 
Note: you need photographic ID (a passport, driving licence or something similar) when using a credit or debit card in a shop, but that is usually not required in a restaurant.

Lost/stolen cards

All lines have English-speaking staff and are open 24 hours daily. Maestro do not have a Spanish helpline.

American Express 902 11 11 35.
Diners Club 901 10 10 11. 
MasterCard 900 97 12 31.
Visa 900 99 11 24.

Tax

The standard rate for sales tax (IVA) is 16 per cent; this drops to seven per cent in hotels and restaurants, and four per cent on some books. IVA may or may not be included in listed prices at restaurants, and it usually isn’t included in rates quoted at hotels.

If it’s not, the expression IVA no inclòs/incluido (sales tax not included) should appear after the price. Beware of this when getting quotes on expensive items. In shops displaying a ‘Tax-Free Shopping’ sticker, non-EU residents can reclaim tax on large purchases when leaving the country.

Opening times

Most shops open from 9/10am to 1/2pm, and then 4/5pm to 8/9pm, Monday to Saturday. Many smaller businesses don’t reopen on Saturday afternoons. All-day opening (10am to 8pm or 9pm) is becoming more common, especially for larger and more central establishments. 

Markets open at 7/8am; most stalls are shut by 2pm, although many open on Fridays and Saturdays until 8pm.

Note that in summer, many of Barcelona’s shops and restaurants shut for all or part of August (we have noted this where possible). Some businesses work a shortened day from June to September, from 8am or 9am until 3pm. Many museums close one day each week, usually Mondays.

Police

Barcelona has several police forces: the Mossos d’Esquadra (in a uniform of navy and light blue with red trim), the Guàrdia Urbana (municipal police – navy and pale blue), the Policía Nacional (national police – darker blue uniforms and white shirts, or blue, combat-style gear). The Mossos are the Catalan government’s police force and are taking over from the other two police forces but the GU and the PN will keep control of certain matters, like immigration and terrorism, which are dealt with by central government.

The Guàrdia Civil is a paramilitary force with green uniforms, policing highways, customs posts, government buildings and rural areas. 

Reporting a crime

If you’re robbed or attacked, report the incident as soon as possible at the nearest police station (comisaría), or dial 112. 

Guàrdia Urbana
La Rambla 43, Barri Gòtic, 092/93 256 24 30.
This is the most convenient 24-hour station in the centre, where English-speaking officers are often on duty. They may transfer you to the Mossos d’Esquadra (see below) to report the crime formally.

Mossos d'Esquadra
C/Nou de la Rambla 76-80, Raval, 088/93 306 23 00).
To report a crime formally, you’ll need to make an official statement (denuncia). It’s highly improbable that you will recover your property, but you need the denuncia to make an insurance claim. You can also make this statement over the phone or online (902 10 21 12, www.policia.es); except for crimes involving physical violence, or if the author has been identified. You’ll still have to go to the comisaría within 72 hours to sign the denuncia, but you’ll be able to skip some queues. 

Postal services

Letters and postcards weighing up to 20g cost 31¢ within Spain; 60¢ to the rest of Europe; 78¢ to the rest of the world – though prices normally rise on 1 January. It’s usually easiest to buy stamps at estancs (see below). Mail sent abroad is slow: five to six working days in Europe, eight to ten to the USA. Postboxes in the street are yellow, sometimes with a white or blue horn insignia. 

Postal information 
902 19 71 97/www.correos.es.

Correu Central 
Plaça Antonio López, Barri Gòtic (93 486 80 50). Metro Barceloneta or Jaume I. Open 8.30am-9.30pm Mon-Fri; 8.30am-2pm Sat. 
Take a ticket from the machine as you enter and wait your turn. Apart from the typical postal services, fax-sending and receiving is offered (with the option of courier delivery in Spain, using the Burofax option). To send something express delivery, ask for urgente.

Other locations: Ronda Universitat 23 and C/Aragó 282, Eixample (both open8.30am-8.30pm Mon-Fri, 9.30am-1pm Sat); and throughout the city.

Estancs/estancos: Government-run tobacco shops, which are known as estancs/estancos (at times, just tabac) and identified by a brown-and-yellow sign, are important institutions in Spain. As well as tobacco – still popular in the country – they supply postage stamps, public transport targetes and phonecards.

Post boxes: A PO box (apartado postal) address costs €59.50 annually.

Postal Transfer 
C/Ausiàs Marc 13-17, Eixample (93 301 27 32). Metro Urquinaona. Open 8.30am-8.30pm Mon-Fri; 9.30am-1pm Sat. 
Apart from postal services, there’s Western Union money transfer, internet access, cheap international calls, fax, photocopying and banking.

Poste restante: Poste restante letters should be sent to Lista de Correos, 08080 Barcelona, Spain. Pick-up is from the main post office (see above); you’ll need your passport when coming to claim your mail. 

Religion

Muslim

Mosque Islamic Cultural Council of Catalunya 
C/Tallers 55, entl, 1, 2, Raval (93 301 08 31). Metro Catalunya. Prayers 2pm daily; phone for other times.

Roman Catholic

Parròquia Maria Rein 
Ctra d’Esplugues 103, Zona Alta (93 203 41 15). Metro Maria Cristina/bus 22, 63, 75. Mass 10.30pm Sun.
The 10.30 Sunday mass is said in English.

St George’s Church 
C/Horaci 38, Zona Alta (93 417 88 67/www.st-georges-church.com). FGC Avda Tibidabo. Main service 11am Sun.
An Anglican/Episcopalian church with a mixed congregation. Activities include the Alpha course (directed at faith-seekers), a women’s club, bridge and Sunday school.

Sinagoga de Barcelona & Comunitat Israelita de Barcelona 
C/Avenir 24, Zona Alta (93 209 31 47/www.cibonline.org). FGC Gràcia. 
Jewish Orthodox; call for times of prayers. 

Safety & security

Pickpocketing and bagsnatching are epidemic in Barcelona, with tourists a prime target. Be especially careful around the Old City, particularly La Rambla, as well as at stations and on public transport, the airport train being a favourite. However, thieves go anywhere tourists go, including parks, beaches and internet cafés. Most street crime is aimed at the inattentive, and can be avoided by taking precautions:

Safety tips

• Don’t keep wallets in accessible pockets, keep your bags closed and in front of you. When you stop, put bags down beside you (or hold them on your lap), where you can see them.
• Don’t flash wads of cash or fancy cameras. In busy streets or crowded places, keep an eye on what is happening around you. If you’re suspicious of someone, move somewhere else.
• As a rule, Barcelona street thieves tend to use stealth and surprise rather than violence. However, muggings and knife threats do sometimes occur. Avoid deserted streets in the city centre if you’re on your own at night, and offer no resistance when threatened.
• Don’t carry more money and valuables than you need: use your hotel’s safe deposit facilities, and take out travel insurance.

Smoking

One effect of the recent tightening of the tobacco law is that there are as many signs telling you that you can smoke, as there are telling you that you can’t.

Smoking is banned in banks, shops and offices; while in hotels, bars and restaurants larger than 100sq m (1,076sq ft), non-smoking zones are required by law. Those smaller than 100sq m must decide and indicate whether they are smoking or non-smoking. An increasing amount are opting for non-smoking, but with tobacco still relatively cheap and socially acceptable, it’s common to see small crowds of employees or customers puffing away on the pavement. 

Most hotels have non-smoking rooms or floors; although if you ask for a non-smoking room, some hotels may just give you a room that has had the ashtray removed. Some restaurants and a few, but growing, number of hotels, however, are completely smoke-free. Smoking bans in such places as cinemas, theatres and on public transport are widely respected.

Study

Catalonia is generally well disposed towards the European Union, and the vast majority of foreign students who come to Spain under the EU’s Erasmus scheme are studying at Catalan universities or colleges. Catalan is usually the language spoken in these universities, although some lecturers are more relaxed than others about the use of Castilian in class for the first few months.

Secretaria General de Joventut – Punt d’Informació Juvenil 
C/Calabria 147-C/Rocafort 116, Eixample (reception 93 483 83 83/information 93 483 83 84/www.gencat.net/joventut). Metro Rocafort. Open Oct-May 10am-2pm, 4-8pm Mon-Fri. June-July, Sept 10am-2pm, 4.30-8.30pm Mon-Thur, 10am-2pm Fri. Aug 9am-3pm. Closed 1wk Aug. 
Generalitat-run centre with a number of services: information for young people on travel, work and study.

Language classes

If you plan to stay in bilingual Barcelona for a while, you may want (or need) to learn some Catalan. The city is also a popular location for those coming to the country to study Spanish. See http://centrosasociados.cervantes.es for schools recommended by Spain’s official language institute, the Instituto Cervantes.

Babylon Idiomas 
C/Bruc 65, pral 1ª, Eixample (93 467 36 36/www.babylon-idiomas.com). Metro Girona. Open 9am-8pm Mon-Fri. Credit MC, V. 
Small groups (up to eight people) run at all levels of Spanish.

Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüistica 
C/Quintana 11, 1° 1ª, Barri Gòtic (93 412 72 24/www.cpnl.cat). Metro Liceu. Open Mid Sept-mid June 9am-2pm Mon-Fri. Mid June-mid Sept 9am-1pm, 4-5.30pm Mon-Thur; 9am-2pm Fri. No credit cards.
The Generalitat organisation for the promotion of the Catalan language has centres around the city offering Catalan courses for non-Spanish speakers at very low prices or even for free (level one).

Other locations: C/Mallorca 115, entl 1ª, Eixample (93 451 24 45); and throughout the city.

Escola Oficial d’Idiomes de Barcelona – Drassanes 
Avda Drassanes, Raval (93 324 93 30/www.eoibd.es). Metro Drassanes. Open Sept-June 8.30am-9pm Mon-Fri. 
This state-run school has semi-intensive four-month courses, starting in October and February (enrolment tends to be in either September or January, check the website for details), at all levels in Spanish.

Other locations: Escola Oficial, Avda del Jordà 18, Vall d’Hebrón (93 418 74 85/93 418 68 33); and throughout the city.

Estudios Hispánicos de la Universitat de Barcelona 
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 585, Eixample (information 93 403 55 19/www.eh.ub.es). Metro Universitat. Open Information (Pati de Ciències entrance) mid June-Aug 9am-2pm Mon-Fri. Sept-mid June 9am-2pm, 4-5.30pm Mon-Thur; 9am-2pm Fri. Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V.
Intensive, fortnight, three-month and year-long Spanish language and culture courses.

International House 
C/Trafalgar 14, Eixample (93 268 45 11/www.ihes.com). Metro Urquinaona. Open 8am-9pm Mon-Fri; 10am-1.30pm Sat.
Intensive Spanish courses running all year round.

Telephones

Phonecards and phone centres give cheaper call rates, especially for international calls.

Dialling & codes

Normal Spanish phone numbers have nine digits; the area code (93 in the province of Barcelona) must be dialled with all calls, both local and long-distance. Spanish mobile numbers always begin with 6. Numbers starting 900 are freephone lines, while other 90 numbers are special-rate services. Those starting with 80 are high-rate lines and can only be called from within Spain.

International & long-distance calls

To make an international call, dial 00 and then the country code, followed by the area code (omitting the first zero in UK numbers), and then the number. Country codes are as follows:

• Australia 61
• Canada 1
• Irish Republic 353
• New Zealand 64
• South Africa 27
• United Kingdom 44
• USA 1

To phone Spain from abroad, dial 00, followed by 34, followed by the number.

Mobile phones

The mobile phone, or móvil, is omnipresent in Spain. Calls are paid for either through direct debit or by using prepaid phones, topped up with vouchers. Most mobiles from other European countries can be used in Spain, but you may need to set this up before you leave. You may be charged international roaming rates even when making a local call, and you will be charged for incoming calls. Not all US handsets are GSM-compatible; check with your service provider before you leave.

If you’re staying more than a few weeks, it may work out cheaper to buy a pay-as-you-go package when you arrive, from places such as FNAC (see above), or buy a local SIM card for your own phone. These usually include a little credit, which you can then top up (from newsagents, cash machines and estancs). 

Operator services & useful phone numbers

Operators normally speak Catalan and Spanish only, except for international operators, most of whom speak English.

• General information (Barcelona) 010 (8am-10pm Mon-Sat). From outside Catalonia, but within Spain, call 807 117 700.
• International directory enquiries 11825.
• International operator for reverse charge calls Europe 1008; rest of world 1005.
• National directory enquiries 11818 (Telefónica, the cheapest) or 11888 (Yellow Pages, which is more expensive, or free on www.paginasamarillas.com), among others.
• National operator for reverse charge calls 1009. After the recorded message, press the asterisk key twice, and then 4.
• Pharmacies, postcodes, lottery 098.
• Telephone faults service (Telefónica) 1002.
• Time 093.
• Wake-up calls 096. After the message, key in the time at which you wish to be woken, in the 24hr clock, in four figures: for example, 0830 for 8.30am, 2030 for 8.30pm.
• Weather 807 170 365.

Phone centres

Phone centres (locutorios) are full of small booths where you can sit down and pay at the end. They offer cheap calls and avoid the need for change. Concentrated particularly in streets such as C/Sant Pau and C/Hospital in the Raval, and along C/Carders-C/Corders in Sant Pere, they generally offer other services too, including international money transfer, currency exchange and internet access.

Locutorio
C/Hospital 17, Raval (93 318 97 39). Metro Liceu. Open 10am-10pm daily. No credit cards.

Oftelcom 
C/Canuda 7, Barri Gòtic (93 342 73 71). Metro Catalunya. Open 9am-midnight daily. No credit cards.

Public phones

The most common type of payphone in Barcelona accepts coins (5¢ and up), phonecards and credit cards. There is a multilingual digital display (press ‘L’ to change language) and written instructions in English and other languages. Take plenty of small coins with you. For the first minute of a daytime local call, you’ll be charged around 8¢; to a mobile phone around 13¢; and to a 902 number around 20¢.

Calls to directory enquiries on 11818 are free from payphones, but you’ll usually have to insert a coin to make the call (it will be returned when you hang up). If you’re still in credit at the end of your call, you can make further calls by pushing the ‘R’ button and dialling again. Bars and cafés often have payphones, but these can be more expensive than street booths.

Telefónica phonecards (targetes telefónica/tarjetas telefónica) are sold at newsstands and estancs. Other cards sold at phone centres, shops and newsstands give cheaper rates on all but local calls. This latter type of card contains a toll-free number to call from any phone. 

Time

The local time is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, six hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time and nine hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time. Daylight saving time runs concurrently with the United Kingdom: clocks go back in October and forward in March. 

Tipping

There are no rules for tipping in Barcelona, but locals don’t tip much. It’s fair to leave five to ten per cent in restaurants, unless the service has been bad. People sometimes leave a little change in bars. In taxis, tipping is not standard, but many people round up to the nearest 50¢. It’s usual to tip hotel porters.

Toilets

The problem of people urinating in the streets of the Old City has pressed the Ajuntament into introducing more public toilets. There are 24-hour public toilets in Plaça del Teatre, just off La Rambla, and more at the top of C/dels Àngels, opposite the MACBA. Most of the main railway stations have clean toilets. Parks such as Ciutadella and Güell have a few dotted about, but you need a 20¢ coin to use them.

The beach at Barceloneta has six (heavily in demand) Portaloos; there are five further up at the beach at Sant Sebastià, and in season there are also toilets open under the boardwalk, along the beach towards the Port Olímpic. Most bar and café owners do not mind if you use their toilets (you may have to ask for the key), although some in the centre and at the beach are less amenable. Fast-food restaurants are good standbys.

Toilets are known as serveis, banys or lavabos (in Catalan) or servicios, aseos, baños or lavabos (in Spanish). 

In bars or restaurants, the ladies’ is generally denoted by a D (dones/damas), and occasionally by an M (mujeres) or S (señoras) on the door; while the men’s mostly say H (homes/hombres) or C (caballeros).

Tourist information

010 phoneline 
Open 8am-10pm Mon-Sat.
This city-run information line is aimed mainly at locals, but it does an impeccable job of answering all kinds of queries. There are sometimes English-speaking operators available. Call 807 117 700 from outside Catalonia but within Spain.

Centre d’Informació de la Virreina 
Palau de la Virreina, La Rambla 99, Barri Gòtic (93 316 10 00/www.bcn.cat/cultura). Metro Liceu. Open 10am-8pm Mon-Sat; 11am-3pm Sun. Ticket sales Virreina exhibitions 11am-8pm Tue-Sat; 11am-3pm Sun; timetable varies for other events, generally 10am-7pm Tue-Sat. 
The information office of the city’s culture department has details of shows, exhibitions and special events. 

Oficines d’Informació Turística Plaça Catalunya
Eixample (information 93 285 38 34/93 285 38 32/www.bcn.com / www.barcelonaturisme.com). Metro Catalunya. Open Office 9am-9pm daily. Call centre 9am-8pm Mon-Fri. 
The main office of the city tourist board is underground on the El Corte Inglés/south side of the square: look for the big red signs with ‘i’ superimposed in white. It has information, money exchange, a shop and a hotel booking service, and sells phonecards and tickets for shows, sights and public transport.

Other locations: C/Ciutat 2 (ground floor of Ajuntament), Barri Gòtic; C/Sardenya (opposite the Sagrada Família), Eixample; Plaça Portal Pau (opposite Monument a Colom), Port Vell; Sants station; La Rambla 115, Barri Gòtic; corner of Plaça d’Espanya and Avda Maria Cristina, Eixample; airport.

Palau Robert 
Passeig de Gràcia 107, Eixample (93 238 80 91). Metro Diagonal. Open 10am-7pm Mon-Sat; 10am-2.30pm Sun. 
The Generalitat’s centre for tourists is at the junction of Passeig de Gràcia and Avda Diagonal. It has maps and other essentials for Barcelona, but its speciality is a huge range of information in different media for attractions to be found elsewhere in Catalonia. It also sometimes hosts interesting exhibitions on local art, culture, gastronomy and nature and has a pleasant garden out back.

Other locations: Airport terminals A (93 478 47 04) and B (93 478 05 65). Open 9am-9pm daily.

Visas & immigration

Spain is one of the European Union countries that’s covered by the Schengen Agreement, which led to common visa regulations and limited border controls among member states that were signatories in the agreement. However, neither the UK nor the Republic of Ireland are signatories in this agreement; nationals of those countries will need their passports. Most European Union citizens, as well as Norwegian and Icelandic nationals, only need a national identity card.

Visas are not required for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand who are arriving for stays of up to 90 days and not for work or study. Citizens of South Africa and other countries need visas to enter Spain; approach Spanish consulates and embassies in other countries for information. Visa regulations do change, so check before leaving home.

Water

Tap water is drinkable in Barcelona, but it tastes of chlorine. Bottled water is what you will be served if you ask for un aigua/agua in a bar or restaurant; fresca is cold, natural is at room temperature. Sin gas is still water, con gas sparkling.

Working & living

Common recourses for English speakers in Barcelona are to find work in the tourist sector (often seasonal and outside the city), in a downtown bar or teaching English in the numerous language schools. For the latter, it helps to have the TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualifications; these can be gained in reputable institutions in the city as well as in your home country. Bear in mind that teaching work dries up in June until the end of summer, usually September, although it’s possible to find intensive teaching courses during July. The amount of jobs in call centres for English speakers and other foreigners has also rocketed of late. 

Queries regarding residency and legal requirements for foreigners who are working in Spain can be addressed to the Ministry of Interior’s helpline 060 (where there are English-speaking operators). 

Ministerio de Administraciones Públicas 
www.map.es. 
This website can help with residency and legal queries. Click on extranjería to see the regulations. You can also download the forms you need.

EU citizens

EU citizens living in Spain for more three months are no longer issued with a resident’s card (tarjeta de residencia) but need to have ID or passport from their own country. 

Non-EU citizens

While in Spain on a tourist visa, you are not legally allowed to work. Those wanting a work permit officially need to be made a job offer while still in their home country. The process is lengthy and not all applications are successful. If you do get lucky, you can then apply for residency at a Spanish consulate in your home country.

Our listings

While every effort and care has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this guide, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors it may contain. Before you go out of your way, we strongly advise you to phone ahead and check the particulars.

More travel information

Getting to Barcelona
Getting around Barcelona
When to go to Barcelona