International country code: 34
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs
are standard.
Government
Parliamentary monarchy
Population
Barcelona: 1,605,602
Religion
Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs
are standard.
Government
Parliamentary monarchy
Population
Barcelona: 1,605,602
Religion
Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%
Barcelona |
Once you have your tickets to Barcelona you will
arrive at the dynamic El Prat Aeropuerto,
Barcelona's Inter-national Airport. It is 13km from
the city and if you are using a hire car head for
Autovia C-246 by Castelldefels.
A taxi to the center of Barcelona will cost around
€15 and the journey time is approximately 15
minutes.
Barcelona airport transfers can be arranged in
advance or alternatively the train and bus services
are regular and reliable.
arrive at the dynamic El Prat Aeropuerto,
Barcelona's Inter-national Airport. It is 13km from
the city and if you are using a hire car head for
Autovia C-246 by Castelldefels.
A taxi to the center of Barcelona will cost around
€15 and the journey time is approximately 15
minutes.
Barcelona airport transfers can be arranged in
advance or alternatively the train and bus services
are regular and reliable.
| Finca Fantastica Travel for the independent traveller |
| Barcelona |
| Copyright © 2006-2010 fincafantastica.biz All Rights Reserved. About Us Contact Info Privacy Statement. Site Map |
Barcelona The Gateway to Spain
By Edward Kirwan
By Edward Kirwan
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| Use this drop-down-menu to find your way |
| Car Hire |
| Holiday Homes in Barcelona |
| Barcelona Card |
Powered by
When booking Barcelona hotels or 'hostals' be sure to
check the area as some are a little less desirable than
others. You can get more information through one of the
Barcelona travel guides. Make a note that a 'hostal' in
Spain is a hotel but normally a family run establishment.
You will still find good accommodation and meals , so
don't think it is a youth hostel!
check the area as some are a little less desirable than
others. You can get more information through one of the
Barcelona travel guides. Make a note that a 'hostal' in
Spain is a hotel but normally a family run establishment.
You will still find good accommodation and meals , so
don't think it is a youth hostel!
Moving along, the Rambla del Centre is where the
Liceu, the famous opera house can be found and
opposite is another popular meeting place, the Café
de l'Opera. With plenty of time on your hands a small
diversion to the Placa del Pi is worthwhile. The small
surrounding alleys and side streets are brimming with
antique, art and craft shops. Pass the floor mural of
Joan Miro (he pops up everywhere) and you enter the
next section of the Rambla.
Barcelona's main market, the spectacular Boqueria,
borders one side of this part of the Rambla de las
Flors while opposite is the Palau de la Virreina. The
Boqueria is a huge open market teeming with life,
fragrances and colour. Innumerable types of meats,
fish, fruits and vegetables are sold daily from the
packed stalls to the nonstop throng of noisy
customers. This is a wonderful experience.
The Ramblas del Estudis is for the ever popular
booksellers. Competition is keen so the prices are very
reasonable but you would be hard pushed to find
much for sale in any language other than Catalan or
Spanish. The Palau Moja and the Betlem Church are in
this area and worth perusing.
The final part of the Rambla includes the Font de las
Canaletes where the aficionados gather to discuss the
plight of their beloved Barcelona football team. The
Café Zurich at the head of the Rambla is a great place
to rest if you walked this far. Handily the metro station
is conveniently situated here for your onward or return
journey!
To get away from the hubbub of the city centre,
Ciutadella Park is where you will find the Barcelona
Zoo, The Aquarium, botanical gardens and the Museum
of Modern Art (Museu d'Art Modern). Ciutadella Park is
a large peaceful area to the northeast of the port.
South of the park is Barceloneta which has a
somewhat small town feel to it as you walk under the
billowing washing hung out to dry. Being so close to
the port and the coast the aromas of both fresh and
cooking fish mingle in the salt air. The once neglected
beaches of Barcelona are here and now restored, are
once again very popular.
When visiting Barcelona it would be a shame to miss
the most famous work of the city's most famous son.
Antoni Gaudi's work can be seen all over Barcelona but
to the north of the city is Greull Park and the
incomplete cathedral, El Temple Expiatori de la
Sagrada Familia (The Expiatory Temple of the Holy
Family). The park's colourful mosaic entrance is much
photographed as are the sculptures found there and
the cathederal is a spectacular monument to its
creator.
The restaurants in Barcelona are as varied as locals
and visitors themselves. Apart form the typical regional
dishes you can find exactly what your heart desires
from Japanese to Mexican, from pizzarias to haute
cuisine. Of course the Catalan dishes are prominent
and Basque dishes are to be recommended for the
hearty eaters. Accompany this with the wide wine
selctions of the region and you will be ready to
experience Barcelona's lively nightlife.
The weather in Barcelona is reliable warm from spring
to autumn with summer temperatures averaging 25C.
Occasionally a strong wind can come in and a sudden
downpour may drown you but generally these
phenomena do not last long and it's back to bright
sunshine quite quickly.
Liceu, the famous opera house can be found and
opposite is another popular meeting place, the Café
de l'Opera. With plenty of time on your hands a small
diversion to the Placa del Pi is worthwhile. The small
surrounding alleys and side streets are brimming with
antique, art and craft shops. Pass the floor mural of
Joan Miro (he pops up everywhere) and you enter the
next section of the Rambla.
Barcelona's main market, the spectacular Boqueria,
borders one side of this part of the Rambla de las
Flors while opposite is the Palau de la Virreina. The
Boqueria is a huge open market teeming with life,
fragrances and colour. Innumerable types of meats,
fish, fruits and vegetables are sold daily from the
packed stalls to the nonstop throng of noisy
customers. This is a wonderful experience.
The Ramblas del Estudis is for the ever popular
booksellers. Competition is keen so the prices are very
reasonable but you would be hard pushed to find
much for sale in any language other than Catalan or
Spanish. The Palau Moja and the Betlem Church are in
this area and worth perusing.
The final part of the Rambla includes the Font de las
Canaletes where the aficionados gather to discuss the
plight of their beloved Barcelona football team. The
Café Zurich at the head of the Rambla is a great place
to rest if you walked this far. Handily the metro station
is conveniently situated here for your onward or return
journey!
To get away from the hubbub of the city centre,
Ciutadella Park is where you will find the Barcelona
Zoo, The Aquarium, botanical gardens and the Museum
of Modern Art (Museu d'Art Modern). Ciutadella Park is
a large peaceful area to the northeast of the port.
South of the park is Barceloneta which has a
somewhat small town feel to it as you walk under the
billowing washing hung out to dry. Being so close to
the port and the coast the aromas of both fresh and
cooking fish mingle in the salt air. The once neglected
beaches of Barcelona are here and now restored, are
once again very popular.
When visiting Barcelona it would be a shame to miss
the most famous work of the city's most famous son.
Antoni Gaudi's work can be seen all over Barcelona but
to the north of the city is Greull Park and the
incomplete cathedral, El Temple Expiatori de la
Sagrada Familia (The Expiatory Temple of the Holy
Family). The park's colourful mosaic entrance is much
photographed as are the sculptures found there and
the cathederal is a spectacular monument to its
creator.
The restaurants in Barcelona are as varied as locals
and visitors themselves. Apart form the typical regional
dishes you can find exactly what your heart desires
from Japanese to Mexican, from pizzarias to haute
cuisine. Of course the Catalan dishes are prominent
and Basque dishes are to be recommended for the
hearty eaters. Accompany this with the wide wine
selctions of the region and you will be ready to
experience Barcelona's lively nightlife.
The weather in Barcelona is reliable warm from spring
to autumn with summer temperatures averaging 25C.
Occasionally a strong wind can come in and a sudden
downpour may drown you but generally these
phenomena do not last long and it's back to bright
sunshine quite quickly.
From the port of Barcelona you can catch a ferry to
the beautiful Balearic Islands: Mallorca, Ibiza,
Menorca and Formentera.
Barcelona, in the north east of Spain, is the capital
of Catalonia. A hectic modern city on the
Mediterranean Sea considered by many as Europe's
gateway to Spain.
It is bilingual as both Catalan and Castilian Spanish
are its official languages and it enjoys a large
degree of autonomy.
the beautiful Balearic Islands: Mallorca, Ibiza,
Menorca and Formentera.
Barcelona, in the north east of Spain, is the capital
of Catalonia. A hectic modern city on the
Mediterranean Sea considered by many as Europe's
gateway to Spain.
It is bilingual as both Catalan and Castilian Spanish
are its official languages and it enjoys a large
degree of autonomy.
Particularly famous for Antoni Gaudi's unique and
radical style of architecture, Barcelona has also
produced great artists of note. Among them Pablo
Casals, Josep Carreras & Joan Miro whose work is
celebrated in the park named after him.
Pablo Picasso, although a native of Malaga, spent
much time here and his works can be seen at the
Picasso Museum northeast of the magnificent port.
This collection focuses on his early works.
The port itself can be viewed from Barcelona's
sea-front hill, Montjuic which was also the principal site
of the 1992 Olympic site. Montjuic with its Majic
Fountains and amusement Park can be accessed by
cable car from the port. The hill attracts many visitors
not merely for the far reaching views but the old
fortress, the Museum of Catalan Art, the
Archaeological Museum, the Miro Foundation and
Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol) are all very popular.
From Montjuic you can pick out the Columbus Column
at the foot of Las Ramblas. This famous mile-long, tree
lined pedestrian street is the hub of Barcelona. You
can idle away hours wandering its length passing
book sellers, beautiful flower stall and all manner of
street vendors along the way.
.
The Rambla is divided into sections and has many
meeting places along the way. A popular place at the
foot of the Rambla is the Placa Reial where there is a
colourful collection of café's and bars. Enjoy a beer
with a tapa of calamres (squid), patatas brava (spicy,
hot potatoes) or whatever takes your fancy. A word of
warning, this is not a good place to be at night and
beware thieves at all times.
radical style of architecture, Barcelona has also
produced great artists of note. Among them Pablo
Casals, Josep Carreras & Joan Miro whose work is
celebrated in the park named after him.
Pablo Picasso, although a native of Malaga, spent
much time here and his works can be seen at the
Picasso Museum northeast of the magnificent port.
This collection focuses on his early works.
The port itself can be viewed from Barcelona's
sea-front hill, Montjuic which was also the principal site
of the 1992 Olympic site. Montjuic with its Majic
Fountains and amusement Park can be accessed by
cable car from the port. The hill attracts many visitors
not merely for the far reaching views but the old
fortress, the Museum of Catalan Art, the
Archaeological Museum, the Miro Foundation and
Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol) are all very popular.
From Montjuic you can pick out the Columbus Column
at the foot of Las Ramblas. This famous mile-long, tree
lined pedestrian street is the hub of Barcelona. You
can idle away hours wandering its length passing
book sellers, beautiful flower stall and all manner of
street vendors along the way.
.
The Rambla is divided into sections and has many
meeting places along the way. A popular place at the
foot of the Rambla is the Placa Reial where there is a
colourful collection of café's and bars. Enjoy a beer
with a tapa of calamres (squid), patatas brava (spicy,
hot potatoes) or whatever takes your fancy. A word of
warning, this is not a good place to be at night and
beware thieves at all times.
| Things To Do in Barcelona |
| The Dali Route Small group tour from Barcelona |
You will be picked up in an
airconditioned minivan & accompanied
by an English- speaking to Figueres,
the birthplace of legendary surrealist
painter Salvador Dali & home to the
world famous Dali Museum- Theatre.
See the place where he was born on
Monturiol Street, just off the popular
La Rambla. Visit the Dali Museum,
designed by Dali himself and home to
one of the largest collections of his
work. Even the building itself is a work
of art and like no other you would
have seen before.
11 ½ hours & €75.00
airconditioned minivan & accompanied
by an English- speaking to Figueres,
the birthplace of legendary surrealist
painter Salvador Dali & home to the
world famous Dali Museum- Theatre.
See the place where he was born on
Monturiol Street, just off the popular
La Rambla. Visit the Dali Museum,
designed by Dali himself and home to
one of the largest collections of his
work. Even the building itself is a work
of art and like no other you would
have seen before.
11 ½ hours & €75.00
| Barcelona |
| Find a Cruise from |
FC Barcelona Football Tickets
Barcelona Airport - El Prat Aeropuerto
(International airport)
Airport code: BCN
Barcelona Airport ranks the second
Airport in Spain in terms of passenger
traffic. It serves destinations including
Barcelona City itself and all points along
the Costa Brava.
Barcelona Airport is located only 13 kms
from the City centre and is a hugely
popular short break destination.
(International airport)
Airport code: BCN
Barcelona Airport ranks the second
Airport in Spain in terms of passenger
traffic. It serves destinations including
Barcelona City itself and all points along
the Costa Brava.
Barcelona Airport is located only 13 kms
from the City centre and is a hugely
popular short break destination.
