Barcelona Travel Guide

City Facts

Location

Catalunya (Catalonia), northeast Spain.

Time Zone

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs are standard.

Language

To all extents and purposes, Barcelona is a bilingual city. Castellano (Castilian Spanish) is the national language of Spain and is spoken throughout the country, but Català (Catalan) is used side by side with Castilian as the official language in Catalunya (Catalonia). Catalan was used in all spheres of life in the region until the decrees of the Nova Planta (1716) made Castilian the official language of Spain and banished Catalan from public life. The language survived in the vernacular, however, and according to official estimates there are currently more than ten million speakers of Catalan in Europe. In Spain, Catalan is spoken in Catalonia, Valencia (to the south), on the Balearic Islands and in some parts of Aragon and Murcia. It is also spoken by the people of Andorra, North Catalonia (in France) and in L’Alguer on the west side of Sardinia. Phrases Yes - Sí No - No Hello - Hola Goodbye - Adios Please - Por favor Thank you - Gracias My name is ... - Me llamo ... How are you? - Qué tal estás? I’m very well Estoy muy bien I feel ill Me siento mal How much does it cost? - Cuantó es? Do you speak English? - Habla inglés?I don’t understand - No entiendo Where is ...? - Dónde está ...? Entrance - Entrada Exit - Salida Danger - Peligro Open - Abierto Closed - Cerrado Toilets - Servicios Doctor - Médico Hotel - Hotel Restaurant - Restaurante Beer - Cerveza Wine - Vino Menu - Carta Today - Hoy Tomorrow - Mañana Monday - Lunes Tuesday - Martes Wednesday - Miércoles Thursday - Jueves Friday - Viernes Saturday - Sábado Sunday - Domingo One - Un / uno / una Two - Dos / dues Three - Tres Four - Cuatro Five - Cinco Six - Seis Seven - Siete Eight - Ocho Nine - Nieve Ten - Diez Twenty - Veinte Thirty - Treinta Forty - Cuarenta Fifty - Cincuenta Sixty - Sesenta Seventy - Setenta Eighty - Ochenta Ninety - Noventa One Hundred - Cien One Thousand - Mil

Cost of Living

Special Events

Festes de Sant Medir
3 March
Religious festival with parade and choral singing.
Grácia and various other venues
Website: www.federaciodecollesdesantmedir.cat

Barcelona Marathon
March
Throughout the city
Website: www.barcelonamarato.es

Trofeo Conde de Godó de Tennis
April
‘Barcelona Open BancoSadabell' tennis championship.
Reial Club de Tennis
Website: www.barcelonaopenbancosabadell.com

Diade de Sant Jordi(St George's Day)
23 April
St George book and rose festival.
La Rambla and various venues

Formula One Grand Prix
May
Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló
Website: www.formula1.com

Corpus Christi and the dancing egg
June
Street parties and processions, and l'ou com balla (the dancing egg): a hollowed-out egg 'dances' on the spout of many of the city's water fountains, which are decorated with flowers for the event. If the egg does not break, it is said to mean good luck for the year ahead.
Barcelona Catedral and various venues

Grec Festival de Barcelona
June-August
Festival celebrating both international and national performing arts.
Various venues
Website: www.bcn.cat/grec

Fiesta de La Mercé
24 September
Parades, dancing and sporting events.
Various venues
Website: www.bcn.cat/merce

Festival Internacional de Jazz
October-November
International Jazz festival.
Various venues
Website: www.barcelonajazzfestival.com

Fiesta de Santa Llúcia
Mid-December
Christmas fairs.
Plaça de la Seu, Plaça Sant Jaume and various other venues