Mural of Biggie Small in Barcelona; credit Kwesi Phillips
Barcelona Travel Tips
Facts
Official Languages: Spanish and Catalan.
Currency: Euro
Time Zone: Central European Time (6 Hours ahead of EST)
Population: 3,160,000 metro area
Barcelona Travel Tips
Passports are required for U.S. citizens.
Barcelona is a Mediterranean port city with prominent architecture dominated by Antonio Gaudi.
First built by Romans, it has evolved into the capital of an autonomous district within Spain called “Catalonia.”
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain in both size and population.
The currency is the Euro with major credit cards accepted by most establishments.
Some locals speak English.
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Post office hours are 8:15 am-7:00 pm (Monday-Saturday).
Banks are from 8:30 am-2:00 pm Monday-Friday and 8:30 am-1:00 pm Saturday.
ATMs are plentiful and the most convenient way to get Euros.
Most large stores open 4:00 pm-7:30 pm (Monday), 10 am-1 pm, and 4:00 pm -7:30 pm (Tuesday-Saturday).
AVE high-speed train travel between Madrid and Barcelona in only 2 hours & 40 minutes.
Most museums open 9:30 am-2:00 pm and 4 pm-7 pm and are closed one day a week, usually Monday, but opening hours vary.
Store hours are 10 am-1:30 pm and 5 pm-8 pm. Most shops close mid-day, except for the big department store chain, El Corte Inglés. Most shops are closed Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday, except for El Corte Inglés.
Electricity is different than in the U.S., so bring an adapter to re-charge your laptop/smartphone
The major holidays in Barcelona are Dos de Mayo (2nd of May), San Isidro (15th of May), Fiesta of the Virgin of La Paloma (15th of August), and Christmas.
