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 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%

Barcelona

Barcelona, in the north east of Spain, is the capital of Catalonia. A
hectic modern city on the Mediterranean Sea is 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 and 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.

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.

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!

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.

Once you have your tickets to Barcelona you will arrive at the
dynamic El Prat Aeropuerto, Barcelona's International 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.
Rent a Flat in Barcelona
80m from The Ramblas
Finca Fantastica Travel
for the independent traveller
Barcelona
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Barcelona The Gateway to Spain
By Edward Kirwan
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Holiday Flat in Barcelona
The Dali Route
- Small group tour from
Barcelona
The tour starts from Hard
Rock Café at Plaza Catalunya.
You will be picked up in an air-
conditioned minivan and
accompanied by an English-
speaking guide taken 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 & €69.00