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Barcelona: Catalonia's proud capital
The only city of its size on the Mediterranean, Barcelona really has it all. Golden beaches, terrific weather, mountains and a history dating back to the ancient third-century settlement of Barcino, it’s also the capital of Catalonia. As such, it has a proud and independent spirit, with a formidable cultural heritage including Catalan Gothic buildings from the Middle Ages, and the modernist architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries –
typified by the work of Barcelona’s favourite son, Antoni Gaudí.
His most iconic building, the unfinished La Sagrada Família, epitomises the city: courageous, imaginative and without its like. Add some of Spain’s best museums and Barcelona’s world-famous cuisine, and you have the ultimate European city break destination.
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Top 10 sights in Barcelona

Sagrada Família
08013 Barcelona
Spain
Tel: 93 198 0705
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-2000
Only part-finished on Gaudí’s death in 1926, Sagrada Família has been a work in progress ever since. Whether the 18 towers will ever be complete is part of its allure, but the fantastical spires and ornately sculpted stone already make it Europe’s most unique church.
Catedral de Barcelona (La Seu)
08002 Barcelona
Spain
Tel: 93 342 8262
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Opening times:
Daily 0800-1930
With a suitably Gothic-looking exterior for a church originally built between 1298 and 1450, the cathedral’s facade was in fact not finished until a century ago. Dark and mysterious inside, it is richly decorated with sculptures and reliefs.
Casa Milà (La Pedrera)
08008 Barcelona
Spain
Tel: 902 202 138
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-2000 (Mar-Oct)
0900-1830 (Nov-Feb)
Much loathed by neighbours when it was built in 1910, the surreal building of melting stone is one of Gaudí’s most impressive. Don’t miss the chimney sculptures on the roof.
Casa Batlló
08007 Barcelona
Spain
Tel: 93 216 0306
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-2100
Modernism meets fantasy with this mind-bending Gaudí creation built in 1906. The scaly tiles and colourful stone spine of the roof give the impression that the amorphous building is a living, breathing creature.
Plaça Catalunya
08002 Barcelona
Spain
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The most important square in Barcelona is where the Old Town and modern Eixample District converge. Its handsome fountains, immaculate garden and statues make it a popular stop.
Park Güell
Barcelona
Spain
Tel: 902 200 302
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Opening times:
Daily 0800-2100 (May-Oct)
0830-1800 (Nov-Mar)
0800-2000 (Apr)
A wonderland of brightly coloured mosaics and dreamlike stone lizards set upon Greek columns, the park designed by Gaudí for his patron, Count Eusebi Güell, is one of Barcelona’s must-sees.
Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar
08003 Barcelona
Spain
Tel: 93 310 2390
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Opening times:
Mon-Sat 0900-1330 and 1630-2000
Sun 1030-1330 and 1630-2000
Built in the 14th century, this breathtaking church is the only surviving example of the Catalan Gothic style with original stained glass and medieval tombs.
MNAC and Montjuïc
08038 Barcelona
Spain
Tel: 93 622 0360
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Opening times:
Tue-Sat 1000-2000
Sun 1000-1500 (May-Sep)
Tue-Sat 1000-1800
Sun 1000-1500 (Oct-Apr)
Amongst the highlights of the seafront mountain of Montjuïc is Catalonia’s National Museum of Art (MNAC) featuring an expensive collection of 19th and 20th-century works. The highlight is the Romanesque section of frescoes and altarpieces rescued from crumbling Catalan churches.
Tibidabo
08035 Barcelona
Spain
Tel: 93 211 7942
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Opening times:
Daily from noon
(closing times vary; see website for details)
Topped by a 20th-century neo-Gothic church, the mountain of Tibidabo offers views of the whole city, including Sir Norman Foster’s Torre de Collserola.
Camp Nou
08028 Barcelona
Spain
Tel: 902 189 900
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Opening times:
Daily 1000-1800
Securing tickets for El Clásico – the fabled contest between Barcelona and Real Madrid – may be tricky, but just walking into this enormous football stadium is worth it.
Flight and accommodation
Country Information
Country overview
Spain is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. Endless beaches, brilliant sunshine and azure waters draw beach lovers to the Mediterranean coast, and the Balearic and Canary Islands. But visitors also flock to see the historical architecture of cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Leon, Seville and Segovia.
If you want to experience the real Spain, don’t go to bed too early. In these parts, people stroll the city squares and dine out late into the night.
Geography
Spain accounts for roughly four-fifths of the Iberian Peninsula, with Portugal, Andorra and Gibraltar occupying the remainder. In the northeast, the Pyrenees form a natural frontier to France. The state territory also encompasses the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera) located southeast of Barcelona, in the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa. Ceuta, Chafarinas, Melilla and Ladu are tiny Spanish exclaves in North Africa, relics of the former Spanish Empire.
Spain is a mountainous country. The Pyrenees extend for 400 kilometers from the Basque Country in the northwest to the Mediterranean. Some peaks rise more than 3000 meters above sea level; the highest elevation here is the Pico de Aneto at 3404 meters above sea level. The country’s interior consists of a vast plateau, the Meseta, which is intersected by a number of mountain ranges.
In the north and northwest, the Meseta is bordered by the Cantabrian Mountains and the Iberian Mountains, and in the South by the Sierra Morena, beyond which lies the Guadalquivir Valley. Galicia’s mountainous landscape runs along the jagged Atlantic coast. The extreme south is also mountainous; the Sierra Nevada southeast of Granada belongs to the Betic Cordilleras, which run parallel to the Mediterranean and include the highest mountain on the Spanish mainland, the Mulhacén (3481 meters above sea level). The highest elevation on Spanish territory is the Pico del Teide (3718 meters above sea level) on Tenerife.
Spain has just under 5000 kilometers of coastline. The Mediterranean coast extends from the French border to the Rock of Gibraltar. The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and divides Spain from North Africa.
General Information
Key facts
Population: 46.33 million (2017)
Capital: Madrid.
Language
The official language is Spanish (Castellano, Castilian). In the Autonomous Communities of the Basque region, Galicia, Catalonia, Valencia, Navarra and the Balearic Islands, the relevant regional languages are also used as second official languages according to the Statutes of Autonomy. In tourist areas, English and German are commonly spoken foreign languages.
Electricity
220 V, 50 Hz (sometimes 110/125 V in older buildings in smaller places)
Currency
1 euro = 100 cents
Currency sign/abbreviation: €, EUR (ISO code). Banknotes are available in the values 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, coins, in the nominal values 1 and 2 euros, as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.
Public holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2019 – December 2020 period. Please note
Please note
a) Several regional public holidays also exist.
b) It is usual for public holidays which fall on a Sunday to be substituted by work-free days on subsequent weekdays.
* not in all parts of the country
2019
Año Nuevo (New Year’s): 1 January 2019
Epifanía (Epiphany): 6 January 2019
Día de San José (St. Joseph’s Day): 19 March 2019*
Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 18 April 2019*
Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 19 April 2019
Domingo de Resurrección (Easter Sunday): 21 April 2019
Día del Trabajo (Labor Day): 1 May 2019
Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption Day): 15 August 2019
Fiesta Nacional de España (Spanish National Day): 12 October 2019
Fiesta de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day): 1 November 2019
Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day): 6 December 2019
La Inmaculada (Feast of the Immaculate Conception): 8 and 9 December 2019
Navidad (Christmas): 25 December 2019
2020
Año Nuevo (New Year’s): 1 January 2020
Epifanía (Epiphany): 6 January 2020
Día de San José (St. Joseph’s Day): 19 March 2020*
Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 9 April 2020*
Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 10 April 2020
Domingo de Resurrección (Easter Sunday): 12 April 2020
Día del Trabajo (Labor Day): 1 May 2020
Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption Day): 15 August 2020
Fiesta Nacional de España (Spanish National Day): 12 October 2020
Fiesta de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day): 1 and 2 November 2020*
Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day): 6 December 2020
La Inmaculada (Feast of the Immaculate Conception): 8 December 2020
Navidad (Christmas): 25 December 2020
Information subject to error.
Flight and accommodation
Getting around
Public Transport
Barcelona’s superb public transport system is operated by TMB (www.tmb.cat/es). The integrated ticketing system covers the metro, bus, tram and railway, with tickets available from metro stations, tram stops and some kiosks. There are many different types of passes for single, one, two or three-day tickets, as well as the T10, valid for 10 journeys.
Taxis
No matter the time nor place, you won’t have any problem hailing a taxi in Barcelona. There are also lanes reserved for taxis and buses so you don’t get stuck in traffic. If you want to be extra sure, book over the phone or internet 24 hours a day with Radio Taxi Barcelona (tel: 902 222 111; www.radiotaxibarcelona.com).
Flight and accommodation
Nightlife in Barcelona
One of the nation’s party capitals, Barcelona is a city that has it all when it comes to nightlife from the vast seafront discotecas, to the traditional taverns and tables sprawling across lively plazas.
Monvínic
08007 Barcelona
Spain
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Aiming to have one of the best ranges of bottles from all over the world, this sleek wine bar was designed by Sergi Ferrer-Salat.
La Bolsa
08006 Barcelona
Spain
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In this novel bar, drink prices fluctuate depending on demand, like a boozy stock market.
Jamboree
08002 Barcelona
Spain
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This jazz venue with a history dating back half a century is a local institution.
Fàbrica Moritz
08011 Barcelona
Spain
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This brewery serves different craft beers from the iconic Moritz brand, with a history dating back 150 years.
Antic Teatre
08003 Barcelona
Spain
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An alternative locale with recycled furniture and a lovely green patio.
Flight and accommodation
Restaurants in Barcelona
With plenty of fresh fish on the menu, Barcelona is one of the best gastronomical cities in the world.
Tourists come to try the food as much as anything else, with its mix of contemporary wizardry and classic Catalan cooking.
Windsor
08008 Barcelona
Spain
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Price: Expensive
Set in an impressive Catalan Modernist building, the super-elegant Windsor offers updated takes on Catalan cuisine.
4Gats
08002 Barcelona
Spain
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Price: Moderate
An old haunt of artists through the decades including Picasso, this legendary café and restaurant is worth it just for the bohemian atmosphere.
Tickets Bar
08015 Barcelona
Spain
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Price: Moderate
Brainchild of El Bulli legend Ferran Adrià’s brother, Albert, this fun, lively tapas bar and restaurant is styled on an old ticket booth.
La Fonda
08002 Barcelona
Spain
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Price: Moderate
This classy but reasonably priced restaurant serves very typical Catalan food.
La Tasqueta de Blai
08004 Barcelona
Spain
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Price: Cheap
A buzzy nook of a bar on a popular street for tapas; sizable delicious snacks and glasses of beer alike are €1.
Flight and accommodation
Calendar of events
Three Kings Parade (Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos)
January 2019
Venue: Various streets in central Barcelona.
On 5 January every year, the evening before Twelfth Night (Epiphany, 6 January) the Three Kings (or Three Wise Men of the New Testament) arrive by boat at the waterfront of Barcelona (Moll de la Fusta) to be greeted by the Mayor of the city and conducted to the nearby park of Ciutadella. From there the Three Kings depart in their carriages, the principal part of a grand parade that proceeds slowly through the streets and avenues of the centre towards the Olympic Stadium. The Kings and other participants in the parade throw barley sugar sweets and other sweets to the children lining the route. There are many stalls along the way, especially along Gran Via. The days leading up to the parade allow the opportunity for children to inspect the Three Kings’ boat and carriages, and to leave messages requesting gifts, which they (and adults, too) receive, traditionally, on 6 January.
Festes de Sant Medir
3 March 2019
Venue: Grácia and various other venues
In the neighbourhood of Gràcia, the religious festival of Sant Medir is celebrated in full vigour as its streets convert into a carnival for the day. Celebrations are in the form of street parties and parades with colourful floats. Sant Medir was an honest farmer who experienced a miracle after displaying loyalty to the Catholic Church, this day was therefore commemorated to celebrate his faith.
Barcelona Marathon
10 March 2019
Website
Venue: Streets of Barcelona.
Thousands of runners from around the world take to the streets of Barcelona for this big sporting event. The route, which changes every year, leads them past many of the main historical landmarks of the city. Locals turn up in even greater numbers to show their support to those taking part. The aim is to finish the 42km (26 miles) race in less than six hours.
Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell
20 – 28 April 2019
Website
Venue: Reial Club de Tennis
The thrilling tennis tournament is held annually at the Trofeo Conde de Godo de Tennis on the ATP circuit between some of the world’s best and up-and-coming players. Spain’s oldest tennis club provides a brilliant atmosphere for this hotly contested tournament.
La Diada de Sant Jordi (Lover's Day)
23 April 2019
Venue: Streets and squares in Barcelona
One of the most celebrated events in Barcelona, Dia de Sant Jordi commemorates the death of the city’s patron saint, Sant Jordi (St George). Celebrations are reminiscent of Valentine’s Day but with a twist: Men give women roses while women give men a book in tribute to Cervantes who died on this day in 1616. The best place to celebrate this event in Barcelona is along La Rambla, which transforms into a massive flower market and book stall.
Spanish Grand Prix (Formula 1)
10 – 12 May 2019
Website
Venue: Circuit de Catalunya of Montmelo
Otherwise known as the ‘Gran Premio de Espana de Formula One’, the world’s best 20 drivers compete here in one of the most important races of the year. All the action can be seen from the stands and on the 17 giant screens – not a skid nor a pit-stop need be missed. The Circuit de Catalunya of Montmelo has improved its facilities for spectators, now offering 14 grandstands, three of them under cover. This is considered to be a particularly well-designed circuit. The capacity for spectators is 104,000 and there are facilities for camping and car parking, as well as food and drink within the circuit complex. There are two days of practice and qualifying sessions before the big race on 13 May.
Sonar Music Festival
18 – 20 July 2019
Website
Venue: Various locations in Barcelona
The annual Sonar International Festival of Advanced Music and New Media Art is an event that attracts over 80,000 people to the city with a mix of new musical talent and international artists. The event is divided between ‘Sonar by Day’ which is a mix of concerts and exhibitions of new talent and ‘Sonar by Night’ which is mainly concerts and shows with well known international acts headlining.
Barcelona Summer Festival (Grec)
July 2019
Website
Venue: Teatre Grec and various theatres in Barcelona
Barcelona’s Summer Festival is one of the reasons why summer is the best time to visit the city. Popularly known as the ‘The Grec’, the festival offers a great mix of entertainment with musical highlights from previous years including Joss Stone, Brian Wilson, Craig David and Marianne Faithful. Each year the organisers aim to bring something new and different to the international audiences who attend the festival. Most of the 45 events of the Barcelona Summer Festival of theatre, music and dance are performed at Teatre Grec, a Greek-style amphitheatre on the hill of Montjuic.
Fiesta de La Mercé
September 2019
Website
Venue: Various venues.
The Fiesta de la Mercé promises to be the biggest party of the year, involving plenty of live music, spectacular fireworks and Catalonia’s national drink, cava (champagne). Numerous events take place during these three days of celebrations including parades featuring giant wooden figures and human pyramid competitions where groups of castellers stack up and compete to form the highest human tower. For the full programme of events, enquire at the main tourist office at Plaça de Catalunya.
Festival Internacional de Jazz
October – December 2019
Website
Venue: Various venues.
Playing host to one of the most important jazz festivals in the world, Barcelona sets you in the mood for jazz every winter. The festival features heavyweight artists as well as up-and-coming names in the jazz industry. It takes place in venues all over Barcelona, ranging from the grand Palau de la Musica to bars like Jamboree. Each event requires individual tickets. Previous performers include Wayne Shorter, Jimmy Cobb, Marcus Miller, Jamie Cullum and Charles Lloyd.
Fira de Santa Llúcia
November – December 2019
Website
Venue: Various other venues.
The festivities to the “queen of light” begin with a noisy procession through the old town in which the narrow streets ring with the sound of thundercrackers before the evening ends with a modest firework display. The following day sees the pilgrimage to the ermita of Santa Llúcia on top of the small hill above the old town for a special mass and a short procession with the images of Santa Llúcia and Santa Barbara.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
Flight and accommodation
Hotels in Barcelona
The Mediterranean metropolis has a vast array of options, with seaside hotels, vast luxury towers and boutiques based out of historic buildings.
With its year-round popularity, prices can be eye-watering but there is plenty of budget lodging too.
Hesperia Tower
08907 Barcelona
Spain
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Category: Expensive
This Richard Rogers-designed building is 107m (350ft) high with 280 stylish rooms and excellent views of the city.
Granados 83
08008 Barcelona
Spain
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Category: Expensive
Comfortable and sophisticated, Granados 83 is a handsome hotel in the Eixample District.
Chic & Basic Born
08003 Barcelona
Spain
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Category: Moderate
Contemporary chic with lots of eclectic touches, this hotel is ideally placed in the El Born barrio.
Abba Rambla
08001 Barcelona
Spain
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Category: Moderate
In the heart of the up-and-coming Raval area, this buzzy hotel is all about location.
Wilson Boutique Hotel
08021 Barcelona
Spain
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Category: Cheap
One of the best value options in the affluent Eixample neighbourhood, Wilson Boutique Hotel is based out of an impressive 1930s building.
Flight and accommodation
A Ravel renaissance

For centuries, this Barcelona neighborhood was considered “a lost cause.” Then cooks, artists, designers and other creative types discovered it.
Ravel is now experiencing a second heyday.
Dos Palillos
08001 Barcelona
Spain
Tel. +34- 93/3040513
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Albert Raurich is one of the city’s best chefs, but although his Dos Palillos restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star in early 2013, some Barcelona gourmets still refuse to frequent Raurich’s place on principle. “Many people from fancier neighborhoods wouldn’t dream of setting foot around here,” says the 43-year-old creative chef, “even though Ravel is not only a pretty safe place now, but also open-minded, easygoing and bubbling with life.”
Raurich was determined to open his restaurant here despite Ravel’s persistent reputation as the city’s roughest neighborhood and a catch basin for criminals, prostitutes, immigrants – and anyone else who fate had relegated to the fringes of society. Even in the late 20th century, travel guides still warned visitors not to stray into the area directly bordering the famous Ramblas promenade.
MACBA
08001 Barcelona
Spain
Tel. +34-93/4120810
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“Those days are gone,” says Raurich. And he’s right: Wandering through Ravel, you find yourself in a vibrant neighborhood with bars, cafés and clubs, countless tattoo studios, record stores and art galleries. Skaters practice their maneuvers in front of the brilliant white building housing the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA). Few buildings symbolize more eloquently Ravel’s transformation than the 25-million-euro art museum.
MuchaFibra
08001 Barcelona
Spain
Tel. +34-93/5665157
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Over the years, Ravel has undergone radical change more than once. The first wave of change arrived in the 1990s, bringing with it students and artistic types, fearless people who were attracted rather than repelled by the neighborhood’s rough charm. One of these was Virginie Verrier, a French designer of elegant business attire for women. “It was a colorful mix of very different people and cultures, all respectful of otherness,” says the 42-year-old.
At the time, the city of Barcelona also reassumed responsibility for what had been considered a “lost neighborhood.” It moved cultural centers and museums, such as MACBA, into the area, and built squares and promenades like the Rambla del Ravel. The neighborhood’s new inhabitants pitched in as well. Virginie Verrier started MuchaFibra, a non-profit initiative to support young fashion design talent. “Designers who don’t have their own studio can rent space from us,” she explains. MuchaFibra provides sewing machines and cutting tables, and has an adjoining salesroom, too. The organization is also active in the community, offering sewing courses to students and retired people, say, – or to prostitutes looking for a new career perspective.
VilaWeb
08001 Barcelona
Spain
Tel. +34-93/4426439
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It’s the community spirit that lends Ravel its appeal. Vicent Partal, editor-in-chief of the news website VilaWeb, has also found a way to reach out. Three years ago, VilaWeb moved into new editorial offices in Ravel; today, Partal regularly hosts film screenings in the building’s TV studio. “We discussed the pros and cons of moving here very carefully,” the 53-year-old journalist admits, “but if you want to support integration, you have to be prepared to go into the ghetto yourself.”
Partal thinks Ravel is moving in the right direction now and has some ambitious plans to help it on its way: “We’re considering the possibility of opening a café, where guests will be able to observe our editors while they work. You have to show people what you’re doing, be visible, here in Ravel.”
Flight and accommodation
Best time to visit
Today: Friday, 06.12.2019 06:00 UTC

cloudy
temperature
11°C
wind direction
northwestwind speed
2.5 mphhumidity
91%7 days forecast
Saturday
07.12.2019
15°C / 8°C
Sunday
08.12.2019
14°C / 8°C
Monday
09.12.2019
16°C / 10°C
Tuesday
10.12.2019
9°C / 5°C
Wednesday
11.12.2019
10°C / 6°C
Thursday
12.12.2019
8°C / 5°C
Friday
13.12.2019
5°C / 4°C
Climate & best time to visit Spain
The Spanish climate varies from region to region, spanning moderate in the north to Mediterranean in the south, and even subtropical on the Canary Islands.
The best times to visit Spain are generally in the spring and the fall, when temperatures are agreeable. In most parts of the country, it is very hot at the height of summer, but sea breezes on the coast keep it bearable; the interior is best avoided in July and August. The climate on the Atlantic coast and in all of Galicia is pleasant even in summer. In winter, you can enjoy winter sports in the Pyrenean Mountains or agreeably warm days on the south and southeast coast, as well as on the Canary Islands.
Climate and best time to visit Barcelona
Barcelona’s ideal Mediterranean climate is one of the city’s biggest attractions, and its seafront is flooded with tourists during the summer. But there’s much more to do in this glorious ancient city than languish on the beaches, and for exploring its architecture, museums and parks, high summer is too hot and crowded; August is also the month that Spanish people holiday, adding to numbers in the city. Temperatures are good in May, with less visitors; Barcelona also hosts the popular music festival Primavera Sound in the same month. The weather is still great in September, which is also the time of Festes de la Mercè, the city’s most important festival in honour of its patron saint, with parades, outdoor concerts and numerous events.
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absolute max | absolute min | Ø absolute max | Ø absolute min | relative humidity | Ø precipitation | days with deposit > 1mm | sunshine duration | |
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Jan | 22 °C | -4 °C | 12 °C | 5 °C | 72 % | 40 mm | 5 | 4.8 h |
Feb | 25 °C | -6 °C | 12 °C | 6 °C | 68 % | 31 mm | 4 | 5.9 h |
Mar | 26 °C | 0 °C | 14 °C | 7 °C | 70 % | 53 mm | 5 | 5.8 h |
Apr | 27 °C | -1 °C | 16 °C | 9 °C | 69 % | 50 mm | 5 | 7.1 h |
May | 34 °C | 4 °C | 19 °C | 12 °C | 69 % | 57 mm | 6 | 8.2 h |
Jun | 35 °C | 9 °C | 23 °C | 15 °C | 69 % | 37 mm | 4 | 8.9 h |
Jul | 36 °C | 12 °C | 26 °C | 19 °C | 68 % | 35 mm | 2 | 10.1 h |
Aug | 36 °C | 13 °C | 26 °C | 19 °C | 71 % | 55 mm | 5 | 8.6 h |
Sep | 34 °C | 6 °C | 24 °C | 17 °C | 74 % | 98 mm | 6 | 6.6 h |
Oct | 30 °C | 2 °C | 19 °C | 13 °C | 76 % | 101 mm | 6 | 5.6 h |
Nov | 26 °C | 0 °C | 15 °C | 9 °C | 74 % | 57 mm | 5 | 4.9 h |
Dec | 23 °C | -3 °C | 12 °C | 6 °C | 70 % | 54 mm | 5 | 4.3 h |
year | 36 °C | -6 °C | 18 °C | 12 °C | 71 % | 668 mm | 58 | 6.7 h |
Flight and accommodation
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code: +34
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages.
For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Flight and accommodation
Shopping in Barcelona
Key Areas
Designer shops and high-street brands are clustered around the golden highway that is Passeig de Gràcia, one of Barcelona’s main streets. Important modernist architecture hosts the likes of Armani and Chanel.
Markets
Near the Sant Antoni metro station, Mercat de Sant Antoni is a flea market taking place every Sunday morning. It’s full of old records, music and film posters, second-hand books, and lots of kids perusing the comic book stands and making football card swaps.
Els Encants is another market next to Glòries metro, with second-hand clothes and antiques (open Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat). Finally, El Mercat de La Boqueria on the famous Las Ramblas promenade is unmissable with a wide range of Spanish hams, cheeses and more.
Shopping Centres
By the port, Maremagnum is the most popular mall in the city. In Plaça Espanya, the Arenas shopping centre is based out of an old bullfighting ring with rooftop restaurants offering great views of Barcelona’s mountains.
Flight and accommodation
My Barcelona
I love to go down to the harbor, where Barcelona’s hottest nightlife can be found, for instance at the Barcelona Pipa Club. The area also has several typically Catalonian restaurants, like the Agua, and some very cozy tapas bars, like the Mochima Bar and the Tapac 24. At the Moo (in the Omm design hotel), you can enjoy Catalonian cuisine in a very special way – in the pool bar on the roof terrace, where the atmosphere is particularly romantic in the evening.

Daniela Schröder, flight attendant
Flight and accommodation
Traveller etiquette
Social Conventions
It is polite in Spain to shake hands in greeting. The usual courtesies should be observed. If you are invited to someone’s home, your host will appreciate a small gift. Flowers are given only on special occasions.
Clothing
Casual dress is appropriate almost everywhere, although some hotels and restaurants require men to wear a jacket and tie; evening dress is only required for particularly formal occasions. Swimwear belongs without exception on the beach.
Smoking
A smoking ban applies in all public institutions, on public transportation, in telephone booths and in rooms containing ATMs, as well as in children’s playgrounds and schoolyards. The smoking ban also applies to all bars, cafés and restaurants. Smoking areas inside bars and restaurants are no longer permitted.
Tipping
Tips are generally included in hotel and restaurant bills. It is nevertheless usual to leave a small tip for the service staff. Porters receive a small sum per item of luggage. The usual amount tipped in restaurants is between 10 and 15 percent. When the waiter brings your change, you leave some as the tip. It is considered extremely rude, however, to leave two- or five-cent pieces. When tipping your taxi driver, simply round up the fare.
Flight and accommodation
Health
Emergency telephone number: 112
Lyme disease, TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) and leishmaniosis are all diseases which are passed on by ticks and mosquitoes and also occur in Spain. Clothing that covers the skin and insect repellents provide protection.
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur all over Spain. A hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended. Visitors planning an extended stay and close contact with the local population, and generally with children and young people, should also have a hepatitis B vaccination.
Measles and whooping cough occur in Spain. Before traveling to Spain, visitors should definitely check whether their vaccinations are up to date and if necessary, get a booster shot.
Epidemic outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis occur in Spain. Visitors should seek protection by getting a vaccination and avoiding large crowds. Children and young people, in particular, should be vaccinated. According to the latest recommendations, the vaccination applies as required travel vaccination for extended stays for certain groups of people (teenagers, school and university students). Visitors should consult their physician regarding the need for vaccination in the light of recommendations in the country of destination.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Günther, KurtClinica Diagonal
C/Sant Mateu 24-26
08950 – Esplugnes d. LI Barcelona
Spain
Tel. +34-93-2053213
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment.
Flight and accommodation
Visa & Immigration
IATA Travel Centre
The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.