Barcelona Tourist Information

Barcelona, located on the Mediterranean coast some 170 Km from the French border occupies a plain bordered by the Rivers Besós and Llobregat and the Collserola hills. Originally criss-crossed with streams feeding areas of wetlands, the plain has been occupied in stages, as you can see in the illustration.
First by Barcino, the city founded by August Caesar, on the small knoll Mons Taber; then the Gothic Quarter, Raval and Ribera districts. Finally, the city’s third walls (seen left) were demolished at the end of the XIXth Century and the outlying towns and villages engulfed by today’s city that occupies an area of 100 square kilometres.
This growth by leaps and bounds has marked the city’s character and is the reason why there are such interesting and diverse districts within the city: old industrial Poble Nou, the unique village atmospheres of Gràcia and Sarrià; the often overlooked splendour of the Ensanche; the history-steeped atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter…Each keeps it soul intact, each is an integral part of Barcelona and each proves how Barcelona’s penchant and passion for inclusion and integration –seen today in the vibrant multi-cultural life of the city– makes the whole much greater than the parts.



Barcelona is the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia (Catalunya), one of 17 such in modern Spain. While there is a central Government dealing with such matters as defence and diplomatic relations, Catalonia manages most of its internal affairs including health, transport, education, security, agriculture and public administration as provided for in the Spanish Constitution.

Below are links to pages with practical information you’ll need to move around the city comfortably, avoid the persistent pickpockets, buy discount cards, read about places of interest and more.

Maps of the City
On-line maps.

Weather
What kind of weather to expect and when. What to wear…

Language
Catalan and Castilian Spanish are spoken here…

Security, Pickpockets, Scams and Theft
Worried about street crime? Don't be. the city is not violent. Here's all you need to know to keep your valuables safe…

Health care
Accidents, emergencies, health care. Where to go. What to do.

Trivial, Fascinating Facts
Useless trivial information to bore your friends and impress bureaucrats the world over…

Back to Barcelona Tourist Information