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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%
Holiday Flat in Barcelona
Walking Tours
Airport Shuttle

Barcelona

Time Zone GMT +1, +2
during daylight-saving time
(last Sunday in March to last
Sunday in October)
Visit Gaudi's fantastic Guell Park which has been declared an artistic monument and World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Barcelona The Gateway to Spain
By Edward Kirwan

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.
This book is the best collection of beautiful photos I have ever seen. If you want a coffee table book to impress, this is the one. It is 99% full-page colour photos, with very little accompanying text, so if you're after the written word, this book is not for you. But if you want stunning photography, full colour and gorgeous detail - buy it - you won't be disappointed!
Wander back in time as you become lost in Gerona's tiny winding streets. Capture the beauty as your personal guide shares local secrets and point out the most beautiful sights. Couple this experience with a trip to the Dali Museum in Figueres and you have a tour that you simply cannot miss.
Hike through the natural park of Montserrat, home of the most emblematic sights of Catalonia. Visit the world famous Montserrat Monastery and Basilica, adding a taste of culture and history to a day of hiking in the great outdoors
Rent a Flat in Barcelona
80m from The Ramblas
Finca Fantastica Travel
for the independent traveller
Barcelona
Explore the pictures with
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Or stay in The Praktik
Hotel
from €37pp /pn
Praktik is centric, new, clean, a
fusion of the past and future,
comfortable, dynamic just as
Barcelona is today.

If you want to discover Barcelona
don’t do it alone, do it with us.
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The Praktik Hotel