About the city

Culture

Catalonians are very proud of their heritage and there is a movement for independence from the rest of Spain, similar to that of the Basque Country and a few other northern regions in Spain. You can can feel the pride Catalonians have in their region everywhere you go in Barcelona and it's quite easy to see why they are so proud. Music, folk dance and art in all forms are a major part of the culture of Barcelona. From the celebrated works of Gaudí that can be found all over Barcelona to the Picasso Museum to the Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona’s major sights are indicative of the celebration of art that Barcelona is.

People

The people of Barcelona are generally welcoming and open to the masses of tourists that visit the city. Natives of Barcelona inhabit all parts of the city. Barcelona relies on tourism as a major source of commerce and therefore has adapted to accommodate the demand in many ways.

Work

Depending on what you are looking for, it is possible to find work in Barcelona. Your ease of finding work also depends on your legal status.

Prices

Barcelona is a moderately priced city. Depending on the lifestyle you want to lead while in Barcelona, it is possible to live on a variety of budgets. To live in Barcelona you can expect to pay anywhere from €300 – 600 per person for an apartment. It is important to figure out your budget before coming to the city so you are able to fully enjoy your time here and live within your means. Nightlife in Barcelona is priced comparably to that of other major cities.

Food

Barcelona is said to have some of the best food in Spain, though if you ask people from other regions, they will most certainly declare that theirs reigns supreme. Barcelona has a wide variety of ethnic restaurants (some are more authentic than others), in addition to many typical Catalan and Spanish restaurants and tapas bars.

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Languages

English - If you don’t know any Spanish and are planning a trip to Spain, you might want to make Barcelona one of the cities in which you stay the longest. It is common in many cities in Spain to have a hard time finding someone that speaks English, but this is not the case in Barcelona. Most locals have basic English and many speak semi-fluently.
 
Catalan - Catalan is the native language of Catalunya and Barcelona shares a 50/50 divide between Castellano (Spanish) and Catalan speakers. The language itself it a mixture of Spanish and French and when written Catalan appears to be a mix of Spanish, Italian and French. Many of the words are similar to Castellano but differ in pronunciation.

Government

Spain is a constitutional monarchy headed by King Juan Carlos I, who came to the throne in 1975. He appoints the prime minister from the party which has a majority in the Cortes (parliament). This has a Chamber of Deputies (Lower House) with 350 member elected by proportional representation every four years. The 14 Autonomous Regions (of which Barcelona is one) elect 49 members to the Senate (Upper House). The Autonomous region of Catalonia is governed by the Generalitat in Barcelona, opposite which is the Ajuntament (Town Hall), where the mayor and the city council preside.

Economy

Catalonia, and in particular Barcelona, is of outstanding economic importance to the Spanish state. It has 25 percent of the nation’s industry, and supplies nearly 20 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. In European terms, the economy of Catalonia has a greater turnover than Portugal or Ireland. Foreign investment has increased in recent years, a reflection of confidence in Catalonia as a progressive and dynamic region. The modern economy of Barcelona was built on two pillars: commerce (both regional and international) and industry, particularly textiles. Both sectors continue to be important along with the high increase in tourism, particularly in Barcelona, in recent years.

Entry Regulations

With a Schengen visa, you may enter one country and travel freely throughout the Schengen zone. Internal border controls have disappeared; there are no more few stops and checks. This means that internal air, road and train travel are handled as domestic trips, similar to travel from one US state to another. If you do not have a Schengen visa or citizenship a passport is required. U.S. citizens can stay without a visa for a tourist/business stay of up to 90 days. That period begins when you enter any of the Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. Animal quarantine: There are no regulations in Spain but you will need health certificates before you bring your own animal into the country: regulations vary according to country of origin; the airline with which you are traveling should be able to provide the information required.

Orientation

Barcelona's picturesque coastline runs North-East to South-West and most of the streets are parallel or perpendicular to this. Montjuïc and Tibidabo, the two major hills in Barcelona, provide good landmarks for orientation. La Rambla is the focal point of Barcelona, a 1.25km (0.75mi) boulevard running North-West and slightly uphill from Port Vell (Old Harbour) to Plaça de Catalunya. The Plaza is the boundary between Ciutat Vella (Old Town) and the more recent additions further inland. L'Eixample, the city's 19th-century answer to overcrowding, stretches 1.5km (1mi) North, East and West of Plaza de Catalunya. Montjuïc begins about 700m (763yd) South-West of the South-Eastern end of La Rambla. Tibidabo, with a landmark television tower and golden Christ statue, is 6km (4mi) North-West of the city.

How to get to the city center

Barcelona is a relatively easy city to figure out as most of it is laid out in a grid form with several major avenues running north to south and east to west. Avenida Diagonal splits the city in half (on a diagonal); the upper portion is known as Zone Alta. Public transportation is great and will take you just about anywhere you’d like to go in Barcelona. Plaza Catalunya is generally referred to as Barcelona´s center and every metro line runs through it or within walking distance.

From the airport

To get from Barcelona airport to the Plaza Catalunya, you have 3 main options. You may take a bus, train or taxi. The bus and train options are the least expensive (around €5) but take longer. Taxis cost a bit more (from €15-20) but are of course, more comfortable and typically faster.

When to go

The best time to go to Barcelona depends on the type of experience in which you’re interested. Summer in Barcelona, from June through August, is when the city is most crowded with visitors and is considered to be the height of travel season. Many locals leave the city in July/August for their month-long vacation, though by no means is Barcelona empty. The spring is beautiful and also a great time to visit. Fall and winter are mild in Barcelona and are also good visiting times.

What to bring

In Barcelona, Catalan men and women dress elegantly, though men rarely wear ties. In July and August cotton and loose-fitting garments are necessary. Respect local traditions: bathing costumes and bikinis are strictly for Barcelona´s beaches. Fashionable shorts are fine, especially for men, but avoid really short shorts. A light jacket is useful any time of the year. In winter, bring a warm jacket which can accommodate various layers, especially in January and February, when the wind blows. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes – Barcelona is a very walkable city.

Safety

Barcelona is a safe city with almost no violent crime. Like any major city, petty crime is an issue of which you need to be aware. This means keeping your bag or wallet in sight at all times and not leaving anything sitting open on a table or internet café. Be aware of pickpockets in Barcelona!

In the past, certain neighborhoods in Barcelona were thought to be less safe than others. This is rarely still the case, though, like any major city it is important to be aware of your surroundings. If you feel uncomfortable somewhere then it is probably a good idea to move to another location.

If you pay by credit card or withdraw money from an ATM, make sure you keep your receipt or shred it before you dispose of it. Often, receipts will display the entire credit card number and expiration date.

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