edit this guide Barcelona Travel Guide

• Gaudi architecture, including the Parc Güell, the still unfinished Sagrada Família and the houses; La Pedrera/Casa Milà and La Casa Batlló
• La Rambla (also known as Las Ramblas), the most famous boulevard in Barcelona.
• La Plaça Reial is located next to La Rambla and is considered to be one of the most beautiful squares in the world. Also look at the Gaudi streetlights!

Barcelona's official languages are Catalan and Spanish. Most signs are indicated in Catalan, although Spanish and English are also widely used. Most inhabitants speak both Catalan and Spanish, although many also speak English and/or French. As in most European countries any attempt by visitors to use the native language, in this case Catalan, is always appreciated. While Catalan is very prevalent in the city, the majority of Catalans instinctively address foreigners in Spanish.

To avoid giving offence, never refer to Catalan as a dialect, which is an offshoot of another language. Catalan is a language in the same way that French, Portuguese, Italian etc are. Remember that the sense of Catalan national identity is very strong, and the language is intricately linked with this. Showing an interest in this subject will gain you many friends.

By plane

Barcelona International Airport (IATA: BCN), also known as El Prat, is a major transport hub and fields flights from all over Europe and beyond. There are three terminals, A, B and C, all within fairly easy walking distance of each other.

By train

Several trains per day (including overnight hotel trains) from other parts of Europe (via France) are regular & reliable.

The long-delayed AVE high-speed train line is finally expected to reach Sant Joan Despí station, on the outskirts of Barcelona, by the end of 2007. Travel time from Madrid is expected to be around 3 hours, compared to 5 hours by normal train.

By car

By bus

By boat

You can arrive to Barcelona by boat from the Balearic Islands, from Genoa and from Rome. For further information, check http://www.gnv.it and http://www.grimaldi-ferries.com.

By Bus

The Bus Turístic (http://www.tmb.net/en_US/turistes/busturistic/busturistic.jsp) links all of the Barcelona tourist sites you could possibly want to visit. It has three routes, including a northbound and a southbound line which leave from opposite sides of the Plaça de Catalunya. You can buy tickets valid for one day (€19) or two consecutive days (€23).

By Metro

The metro can take you to many places. A one-journey ticket cost €1.25, so it's probably best to buy a multiperson 10-ride ticket for €6.90 (called a T-10) or a personal 50-ride monthly ticket for €27.55. These tickets are also valid on the buses and trams. More information. 1- to 5-day public transport tickets are available which allow unlimited travel on the metro and bus networks (9.6 Euro for two days). These are excellent value but be sure to look after them well as bent or damaged cards will not be read by the ticket machines (although such cards can easily be replaced by visiting one of TMB's customer service centers and requesting a replacement).

By Foot

By Bike

If you would like to explore the city by bike you might want to check out Fat Tire Bike Tours. You can either rent a bike from them or take one of their tours. The tour charge is around €22. More information Another option is Budget Bikes.

Police

Fire Department

Hospitals

EU citizens can get free or reduced cost medical treatment on presentation of an EHIC card and passport.

Crime

Barcelona is a friendly city, there are few violent crimes. However, many tourists and even experienced travellers and residents get pickpocketed in Barcelona, therefore sometimes called the "capital of pickpockets". This is the biggest risk you will face. Crowded places and metro/busses and areas such as Raval and the famous Rambles are still the most likely places to get pickpocketed, but if you are just arriving be aware of pickpockets at the bus terminal Estació del Nord and train station Sants Estació.

Smoking

• The souvenir shopping scattered throughout the Barri Gotic (the old city) and all along La Rambla are tourist traps, none of them sells catalan or spanish products but the typical array of chinese general souvenirs, they should be avoided.
• La Gauche Divine - An incredible multiconcept store near La Rambla. An example of the Catalan design is the decoration of the shop with an exclusive combination of furniture from the sixties and paintings and sculptures all around. The shop includes a little corner where you can have a drink while watching the latest trend publications and an inner patio with plants and sculptures They have a lot of clothes and accessories for men and women, the most original pieces you can find in Barcelona Don't miss the courreges mini dresses brought from Japan and the catwalks and special events they organize every month.
• Vinçon - This is a place modern design lovers simply must visit. It has everything from little household objects to furniture.
• El Corte Inglés - Multiple buildings, several floors, you can find anything in a wide range and stocks. It sells almost everything, from gastronomy to pneumatics.
• Fnac - Sells books, music, games, and many other interesting items. Fnac is located in the El Triangle shopping center in Plaza Catalunya (Opposite El Corte Inglés).
• Cacao Sampaka (C/. Consell de Cent, 292), Xocoa or The Chocolate Factory are must for chocolate lovers. There's a Chocolate Museum in Carrer Comerç, 36.
• Designers and chic fashion clothes are widely avaliable in Born (Jaume I Metro station).
• Casa Amatller, by Puig i Cadafalch, is a fine work of Modernisme, but also has a shop which sells fine chocolate (the Amatller family made its money out of cocoa).
• There is a lovely shop in Carrer Bisbe selling crafts including miniature versions of the dracs (dragons) and gigants (giants) that feature in Catalan processions and fiestas. El Ingenio, in Carrer Raurich, sells the real ones and is worth a visit just to look - you can also buy confetti, jokes, rubber snakes and other amusements.
• FC Barcelona Tickets, Barcelona Football Club. Official Ticket agent for FC Barcelona Tickets. It is a little overpriced than in the stadium but you skip long queues and asure the seats you want.

• Figueres - home of the impressive Salvador Dalí museum
• Montserrat - visit the monastery nestled high in the mountains to see the Black Madonna or hike to the peak to earn a fantastic view of the surroundings.
• Sitges - a traditional beach side destination for the locals.
• Girona - a quiet town with an ancient Jewish section, narrow streets, imposing walls and plenty of cafes. See directions to the north Airport above.
• Pyrenees - A mountain range around 150 km north from the city.
• San Cugat del Valles - has one of the most interesting Romanesque cloisters in Catalunya, with many interesting carvings.