About Barcelona

Barcelona overlooks the Mediterranean and is located in a heavily populated area which is a hub of economic activity. Barcelona enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm summers. It is a coastal city and has over four kilometres of urban beaches and large areas of nearby forest. Although it is a large city, it is easy to get around on public transport and on foot. You can reach any point in the city by metro, bus and taxi. Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia. Its inhabitants are open and welcoming. People of Barcelona are bilingual, they use both Catalan, their own language, and Spanish. Many of them also speak English and French.

The first human settlements in Barcelona date back to Neolithic times. However, the city proper was founded by the Romans who established a colony there at the end of the 1st century BC. The ancient Roman city of Barcino had a population of about a thousand and was bounded by a defensive wall, the remains of which can still be seen in the old town.

Lately, it was established as a county of the Carolingian Empire. In medieval times, it was one of the main residences of the court of the Crown of Aragon and established its position as the economic and political centre of the Western Mediterranean. From the 13th to the 15th centuries, Barcelona enjoyed its period of maximum splendour, which is still evidenced today in its Gothic Quarter.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Barcelona embarked on a process of widespread urban renewal and built its signature Eixample district, which showcases some of its most characteristic modernista buildings.

Antoni Gaudí was one of the most eminent architects of the time, with works such as the Casa Milà (known as La Pedrera), the Casa Batlló and the Sagrada Família church.

Hosting the 1992 Olympic Games gave fresh impetus to the city’s potential and reaffirmed its status as a major metropolis. Barcelona’s sights are now firmly set on the Forum of Cultures 2004, an event which has reclaimed industrial zones to convert them into residential districts. 

This event, the renewed expression of Barcelona’s vocation to be an international benchmark for meetings and dialogue, has made it possible to complete the city’s seafront, and improve significantly its range of services in the field of congresses, hotels, catering and culture. The new facilities, built in the Forum are, on the seafront, can host up to 15.000 delegates and are unrivalled in Europe.

Gastronomy
Catalan cuisine is mainly based on products from the land, which adapt to the different seasons and the region's cultural and religious traditions. Olive oil, aromatic herbs, dried fruit, nuts and fresh produce are the basis of "market cuisine" which uses products found in the market during a particular season of the year in its dishes. The Boqueria, on La Rambla, is the city's flagship food market. Its colourful stalls, with their abundance of fruit, vegetables and fresh fish, are well worth stopping to admire.

Metro and buses official site: www.tmb.net
Trolley official site: www.trambcn.com

Bus
Barcelona has a fleet of 865 buses which operate on over 80 routes and connect all the city’s districts. 

Barcelona has a fleet of 865 buses which operate on over 80 routes and connect all the city’s districts. Most buses are adapted for people with reduced mobility. Transport passes can be used on the metro and city-centre lines of the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat.

A green light on top of the taxi indicates its availability. There is also a fleet of taxis adapted for people with reduced mobility. If you want to hire specific services (drivers who speak foreign languages, seven-seater vehicles, etc.) we recommend you use the telephone booking service.

The basic fare is calculated from the sum displayed on the meter and the addition, if this is the case, of the following supplements: - 2,10 € on entering and leaving the airport. - 0,85 € for luggage bigger than 55x35x35 cm. - 1,00 € for animals (dogs), service provided at the drive's discretion. - Toll at the Vallvidrera Tunnel, when the taxi is carrying passengers, to be paid by client.

No supplement will be charged for carrying the following items:
- pushchairs
- wheelchairs
- packages smaller than 55x35x35 cm
- guide dogs

Bicycles
The bicycle provides an original and different way to discover the city. Barcelona has fully integrated cycle lanes and you can cycle through the city’s open spaces and parks. These conditions and the mild climate are ideal for this alternative means of transport. You can choose from organised routes or bicycle hire.

Other transport
The city’s landmark sites also feature unique means of transport with a special charm of their own, such as the Tramvia Blau, the oldest tram in Barcelona, and the Montjuïc funicular railway. At the old harbour, the Port Vell, you can take a trip on the pleasure boats known as the Golondrinas, which travel along the city’s coastline. You can also go shopping on the Tombbus or take a ride up Tibidabo, the magic mountain, on the Tibibús.

We recommend you use public transport and alternative means of transport such as bicycles in order to get around the city. There is no better way to discover the city than by walking through its streets. If you come to the city by car your best bet is to leave your vehicle in a car park and enjoy your visit by bus, metro or taxi. 

Note: the information regarding transportation (time tables and prices) may vary from time to time. To know the latest information about it, please visit the site:
www.barcelonaturisme.com