Barcelona

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• Spain - Mainland: Barcelona

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, after Madrid, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits. About five million people live in the Barcelona metropolitan area. It is also the largest metropolis on the Mediterranean Sea. It is located on the Mediterranean coast between the mouths of the rivers Llobregat and Besòs and is bounded to the west by the Serra de Collserola ridge.

Barcelona has a rich cultural heritage and is today an important cultural centre and a major tourist destination. Particularly renowned are the architectural works of Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner, which have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean is located in Barcelona. The city is known for hosting the 1992 Summer Olympics as well as world-class conferences and expositions and also many international sport tournaments.

• Public holidays

  National Holidays

  • 01st January New Year's Day
  • 06th January Epiphany
  • Good Friday & Easter Monday (March / April)
  • 01st May Labour day
  • 15th August Assumption Day
  • 12th October Columbus' Day or National Day of Spain
  • 01st November All Saints day
  • 06th December Constitution' Day
  • 08th December Day of the Immaculate Conception
  • 25th December Christmas Day
  • 26th December Boxing Day or Saint Stephen's Day

  Regional holidays

  • 28th May Whitsun or Pentecost
  • 24th June St. John's Day festival - Otherwise known as Sant Joan -fireworks, bonfires and beach parties are the order of the day.
  • 11th September National Day of Catalonia
  • 24th September La Mercè festival - The biggest, most colourful and wild festival in Barcelona.

• Top things to do

  • Park Güell (designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built in the years 1900 to 1914. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí".)
  • Palau Güell (a mansion designed by Antoni Gaudí for the Catalan industrial tycoon Eusebi Güell.)
  • Casa Batlló (a building restored by Antoni Gaudí and Josep Maria Jujol, built in 1877; located at Passeig de Gràcia, part of the Illa de la Discòrdia, the "Block of Discord")
  • Casa Milà (better known as La Pedrera, meaning the 'The Quarry', is a building designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built during the years 1905–1910. It is located at Passeig de Gràcia)
  • Golondrinas (Barcelona's harbour and coast sightseeing)
  • Sagrada Familia (a large Roman Catholic church, designed by Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926). Although incomplete, the CHurch is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in November 2010 was consecrated and proclaimed a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI)
  • Palau de la Música Catalana (a concert hall in Barcelona. Designed in the Catalan modernista style by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, it was built between 1905 and 1908)
  • Montjuic Cable Car (enjoy panoramic views of Barcelona) 
  • The Barri Gòtic (Catalan for "Gothic Quarter", the centre of the old city of Barcelona)
  • La Rambla (A tree-lined pedestrian mall, it stretches for 1.2 km between Barri Gòtic and El Raval, connecting Plaça de Catalunya in the centre with the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell)

• Touristic Barcelona Tax

  Category	Barcelona City Tax	Rest of Catalonia Tax
  5*	2,5 €	2,5 €
  4*	1,25 €	1 €
  3*	0,75 €	0,5 €

  • The tourist rate is per person, maximum 2 pax being applicable per room. That is, in a triple room for 3 pax adults, only pay the rate for 2, the third would be exempt.
  • Maximum of 7 nights. If it was 8, the last would be exempt from taxation.
  • People aged 16 years or less are exempt from taxation.
  • The amount is different if the hotel is 5 *, 4 * or less than 4 *, also differs among hotels in Barcelona city and the rest of Catalonia (ratio in the table above).
  • The application rate from November 1, 2012.

• Getting there

  Documentation
  If you are a citizen of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein: you will need a valid passport or ID card. If you come from another country: The maximum stay in Spain is 90 days. There are a number of countries whose citizens are required to have a valid current visa in order to enter Spain. Given that conditions may vary, we suggest that you contact the Spanish Embassy or Consulate to verify these requirements before you start your trip.

  Vaccinations
  No special vaccinations required.

  Climate
  Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate with mild, humid winters and warm, dry summers.

  Medical Care
  If you come from an EU member state, you will require your European Health Card (EHC). With the European Health Card you will receive the same temporary healthcare services as any other Spanish citizen. It is available from the relevant healthcare organization in your country of origin. If you forget your European Health Card (EHC), you will have to pay any hospital, medical or pharmaceutical bills in advance, and then seek reimbursement from the relevant organization in your country of origin, providing all receipts. Countries that have community regulations: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, you have the same health regulations as the rest of the member states. Countries with bilateral agreements with Spain: Andorra, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Paraguay, you can also receive free medical and hospital attention in case of emergency due to illness or accident. For this you must issue the certificate corresponding to your country. In any case, you should contact the relevant office in your country for further details regarding current requirements to receive medical care in Spain.

  Currency
  The currency in Spain is the euro, the same as in other European Union countries. You can exchange foreign currency at all bank offices, open to the public Monday through Friday, from 8.30 to 14.00 h. It is also available at currency exchange shops as well as selected hotels. Payment using recognized international credit cards is also commonly available in shops. When you make a payment you should show your passport or ID card.

  Tipping
  In every establishment service is included within the price of the meal or drink. However, tipping is a common practice at bars and restaurants, hotels, and taxis, depending on the total price for the service, and on the generosity of the client. It is usually around five to ten percent of the total price.

  Value added Tax
  If the purchaser's residence is outside the European Union, then you can claim back the tax on any purchases totaling over €90.15. In order to do so, you must ask for the Tax Free check in the shop or business.
  There are various companies in Spain authorized to process the reimbursement of I.V.A. (Value Added Tax) for tourists.

• Did you know...?

  • Barcelona is considered the “best beach city” in the world by National Geographic, but their beaches weren’t used for leisure until 1992.
  • Barcelona contains sixty-eight municipal parks, of which twelve are historic parks, five are thematic (botanical) parks, forty-five are urban parks and six are forest parks.
  • Barcelona beach was listed as number one in a list of the top ten city beaches in the world according to National Geographic and Discovery Channel.
  • Barcelona’s most famous road strip is La Rambla. This is a pedestrian zone between Placa Catalunya and the seaside. The road is packed with artists, terraces, tourists and locals, therefore it is known as one of the most lively places in Spain.
  • Saint Georges Day is the national feast day in the region and on this day it is a tradition to present your near and dear ones with roses and books. This was the inspiration for the UNESCO to declare April 23rd as the International Day of Books.
  • The Most Walked Street in Spain: the Portal de l’Àngel if you want to walk down the most walked down street in Spain and you will be one among approximately 3500 others who throng the street every hour.

• Trips, Tours & Activities

  • We offer guided tours and private vehicles.
  • We have regular tours.
  • We have city breaks to anywhere for one or two nights.
  • Train Tours for individuals from 4 to 15 days.
  • Fly and drive tours.
  • Wine tours.

  With Golocio you can find the most exciting packages with the best modern and attractive tours in various fields, like culture, gastronomy, history, leisure… and much more.

• Accommodation

  • Hotel Casa Fuster 5*
  • Hotel W Barcelona 5*
  • Hotel St Moritz 4*
  • Ayre Caspe 4*
  • Silken Ramblas 4*
  • HCC Montbalnc 4*

• Transfers

  We offer private transfers as well as transportation between cities in modern and comfortable vehicles for individuals and for groups.

• Meetings and events

  We prepare all types of meetings and events that you need. We provide conference rooms, assistance, transfers, excursions, visits.

• What we recommended

  Restaurants

  • Xalet de Monjuic
  • Can Cortada
  • Tablao de Carmen (Flamenco Show)
  • Marina Monchos
  • Gran Café

  Shops

  • Diagonal Mar
  • L´illa Diagonal
  • Paseo de Gracia y Rambla de Catalunya

  Shows

  • Flamenco shows (Tablao de Carmen)

  Visit wineries

  • Codorniu Winery (A historical winery in Esplugues de Llobregat with cavernous Cava cellars, expansive vineyards, beautiful gardens and Art Nouveau buildings)
  • Marfil Alella (The last standing urban winery in Spain can be found just 14km up the road from Barcelona, the cellars are all built in the characteristic Modernista style of the early 20th century)
  • Freixenet (Freixenet vineyards adhere to a rigorous quality control established by the D.O. Cava regulatory board).

• Special events

  Sports

  • FC Barcelona football games (Golocio offers VIP tickets)
  • Formula 1 & Moto GP (is held in Montmelo, just outside Barcelona)

  Cultural

  • Sónar Festival (June, annual three-day music festivalt, focus on electronic music)
  • Primavera Sound Festival (May or June, annual music festival,focus on independent music)

  Social

  • The Brandery (urban fashion show, is held twice a year, summer & winter)

  Venues for live music and theatre

  • Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house
  • Teatre Nacional de Catalunya
  • Teatre Lliure
  • Palau de la Música Catalana concert hall
  • Auditorium ("l'Auditori", it performs around 75 concerts per season)

  Religious

  • Semana Santa (Holy Week) - Easter