barcelona tourism department

Visit Barcelona

Professionals

• Barcelona Convention Bureau

VisitBarcelona official visitor guide

• Accessible tourism

Tast a la Rambla Barcelona’s Gastronomic Festival

Barcelona in spring Experience it to the fullest!

Water Culture Trail

Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya A summer full of Romanesque, painting, and art

Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Barcelona

A virtual shop offering more than 180 activities and tours at the click of a mouse

What's On BCN

Experience Barcelona's rich cultural scene with VisitBarcelona's agenda. From exhibitions to live music, theater, and festivals, plan your next adventure today!

BCN Uncovered

We invite you to discover Barcelona on these city routes that feature a wealth of things to see and do.

Getting around

Barcelona and its metropolitan area offer a wide range of public transport options, so you can get to where you want to go in the city easily and conveniently.

Buy your tickets

Tours, museums, leisure, entertainments, tickets… Plan your visit on VisitBarcelona Tickets. Enjoy discounts and other great offers!

This month in Barcelona

06/06/2024 - 06/08/2024 | Concerts

Tast a la Rambla

06/06/2024 - 06/09/2024 | Fairs , Food & Drink

Art Photo Bcn 2024

06/06/2024 - 06/09/2024 | Festivals , Exhibitions

Festival Meat & Fire

06/07/2024 - 06/09/2024 | Festivals , Food & Drink

Eat Gaudí - Torre Bellesguard

06/07/2024 - 06/09/2024 | Food & Drink , With the family

Gran Price Vinyl Fest 2024

06/07/2024 - 06/09/2024 | Fairs , Music

Volta Ciclista a Catalunya

06/07/2024 - 06/09/2024 | Sports , Barcelona in feminine

Share Festival Negrita 2024

06/07/2024 - 06/09/2024 | Festivals

The Science Fair

06/07/2024 - 06/09/2024 | Science and innovation , With the family

Festival Píndoles

06/07/2024 - 06/09/2024 | Festivals , Theatre and shows

Festival Embotona’t

06/08/2024 | Festivals , Music

Galván Real

06/08/2024 | Concerts

06/09/2024 | Concerts

06/11/2024 | Main Events 2024 , Concerts

Judas Priest

06/13/2024 | Concerts

Marc Anthony

Brunch Electronik x OFFSónar

06/13/2024 | Festivals , Music

Piaf! The Show

06/13/2024 - 06/16/2024 | Theatre and shows , Music

06/13/2024 - 06/15/2024 | Main Events 2024 , Festivals

Festival OffWeek

06/14/2024 - 06/15/2024 | Festivals , Music

38th Great Habanera Concert "Barcelona Facing the Sea"

06/15/2024 | Music

David Bisbal

06/15/2024 | Concerts

Món Llibre 2024

06/15/2024 - 06/16/2024 | Literature , With the family

Festival Matsuri

06/15/2024 - 06/16/2024 | Festivals

Fórmula 1 Barcelona Fan Festival

06/15/2024 - 06/22/2024 | Sports

Olivia Rodrigo

06/18/2024 | Concerts , Music

Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band

06/20/2024 - 06/22/2024 | Main Events 2024 , Concerts

Fórmula 1 AWS Gran Premio de España

06/21/2024 - 06/23/2024 | Main Events 2024 , Sports

The Verbena and the Festival of San Juan

06/23/2024 - 06/24/2024 | Popular festivals and traditions , Summer Nights

Alma - Festival Jardins de Pedralbes

06/25/2024 - 07/21/2024 | Festivals , Music

Born Street Food

06/28/2024 - 06/30/2024 | Fairs , Food & Drink

32a Mostra Internacional Films de Dones de Barcelona

05/21/2024 - 07/2024 | Festivals , Film

ACCOMODATION

RESTAURANTS

TOURS & ATRACTIONS

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Enjoy barcelona.

Barcelona: a blue city where the sea welcomes you all year round

BCN Life , Seasonal

Barcelona's endless sunny days make the entire spectrum of blues glimmer throughout the year. Barcelona has surprises in store every day, in summer and throughout the other seasons of the year.

Barcelona with women's sport

Barcelona is Mediterranean, modernisme, art, design, culture, food… you already knew that. But did you know that the city also loves sport at all levels? The Barcelona that hosted the Olympic Games in 1992 is a city where people take part in sport at amateur and professional levels and women lead the field in every sporting discipline.

23rd April, Sant Jordi. Find out why you'll want to be in Barcelona.

There's one day every year when travellers and visitors to Barcelona feel like they're on another planet. This is a day when Barcelona is suffused with a different atmosphere and it seems that everybody heads to the streets. So if you're planning on coming to Barcelona and your visit coincides with 23rd April, you're in luck! You'll experience the city on what is arguably the Barcelonians' most cherished day.

Museum Night: art in the moonlight

The Barcelona moon bears witness to thousands of magical nights. Although, if you asked it about La Nit dels Museus (Museum Night), it would say that it casts its own peculiar spell, and has a special magnetism that is hard to explain, making it into a night that nobody, whatever their age, should miss.

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Our highlights

14 May 2024 28 June 2024

Discover the city’s sights

Explore Barcelona’s streets and enjoy all they offer you: urban and natural spaces, cultural and architectural heritage, museums, recreation and leisure, study and research centres, suggestions for shopping or doing sport and plenty more.

The most sought after

• Magic Fountain
• The Laberint d’Horta Maze
• La Sagrada Família

Routes through Barcelona

Each of Barcelona’s parks and gardens has its own history and personality that make it unique.

Roma culture has left its mark in Barcelona, above all in music and dance.

True to its creative, modern and innovative spirit, Barcelona continues to reinvent its urban landscape.

Some of Barcelona’s most unique buildings are concentrated into little more than a kilometre around Les Glòries.

Barcelona has always been a city linked to design as an artistic discipline, besides being a tool for social transformation.

Crossing the city from end to end, Avinguda Diagonal allows you to sample every aspect of Barcelona in a walk bustling with life.

There are a good many novels that choose Barcelona as their central setting and which draw their readers deep inside the city through their pages.

Ever since infrastructures were created to put an end to historic periods of drought, water has been available in every nook and cranny of Barcelona. 

Barcelona has been the setting for countless Spanish, Catalan and international productions which have turned it into an outdoor stage.

Besides his world-famous creations, there are still spectacular works by Antoni Gaudí waiting to be discovered.

Routes close to Barcelona

Reconnect with nature thanks to over a hundred thousand hectares of protected spaces located a stone’s throw from the city.

Discover the landscapes of the area’s various D.O. wines and do some wine-tasting.

Mountains join legends to present an enchanting, rural landscape, with quality food and spaces for outdoor activities.

Barcelona’s counties have plenty of sites equipped for sports enthusiasts.

Barcelona’s inland counties invite you to discover hermitages, castles and historical relics surrounded by a harmonious natural environment.

A unique combination of unusual shapes, culture and religion gives rise to Catalonia’s most iconic mountain range.

A range of internationally famous golf courses await you less than an hour from Barcelona’s centre.

Visit Barcelona’s coast and enjoy the cocktail of architecture, nature and good food that come with it.

What's on

If you’re arriving to Barcelona during these days, here’s the highlighted agenda of activities. And you still haven't decided when to come to the city, go here to check out the top events of 2024 .

• Where: Plaça de Catalunya

• Where: Sortida i final plaça Catalunya

• Where: Diferents hotels de la ciutat

• Where: Torre Bellesguard Gaudí - Casa Figueres

• Where: Diversos espais de la ciutat
• See most relevant activities in the city

Reasons to come

Barcelona is ranked among the best cities in the world for quality of life, safety and equality. Boasting the typical features of a cosmopolitan and open city, its social cohesion is a reality.

Discover the different chapters in Barcelona’s history which over time have shaped the city we know today.

The city promotes a tourist model based on respect for its resources in economic, social, environmental and cultural terms, setting its sights on current and future scenarios.

Boasting a history going back over two thousand years and a unique identity, Barcelona is famous worldwide as a city bursting with culture and creativity.

Barcelona is an open, vibrant and creative city with a busy cultural, political, business and commercial life. It is a metropolis where every imaginable language can be heard, as well as a city that invites its residents and visitors alike to discover its Catalan culture and traditions .

Get moving!

Discover the most convenient and sustainable ways of getting around the city.

The city offers a tourism model based on practices that are environmentally, economically and socio-culturally friendly.

Choose the tourist establishments best suited to your needs and tastes.

Check out the options available for reaching Barcelona by land, sea and air.

Find out with ease whether your there are unlicensed tourist-use flats in your building or if you believe you may be staying in one of them.

Rules of civility in the city for harmony between tourists and local residents.

Discover the city using tourist transport and enjoy its most iconic monuments and buildings.

Barcelona has a wide network of tourist information points and offices at the service of its visitors.

People start work between 8 am and 9 am and continue up to 1.30 pm or 2 pm. They return to work from between 3 pm and 4 pm and finish between 6 pm and 7.30 pm. The normal  working week  runs from Monday to Friday and, in some sectors, Saturday as well.

Tourist information offices  open every day of the week and only close on two days of the year: 1 January and 25 December. Each office has its own opening times between 8 am and 8 pm. They have special opening times during the Christmas period.

Breakfast: between 8 and 11 am. Lunch: between 1.30 pm and 3 pm. Evening meal: between 9 pm and 11.30 pm. Despite that, restaurant opening times are flexible and you can eat at any time in lots of them.

Most retail businesses  follow the normal working week  of Monday to Saturday and close around 8 pm, except the shopping centres, which do not close at midday and stay open till 10 pm.

The city's public transport operates for much of the day, with times varying, depending on the rush hours. A full network of night buses covers most routes during the night. The metro runs throughout the night on Saturdays.

Description

The oficina de turisme de barcelona –the barcelona tourism office– is located on spacious premises of 700 sq.m. at plaça de catalunya, in the heart of the city. this information point offers complete tourist and cultural information in several languages and a number of different services: · qualified monitors provide tourist and cultural information on barcelona in several languages. · last-minute hotel booking service and sale of tourism products. · free distribution and sale of sightseeing brochures. · sale of barcelona-related gift articles (bcn original shop). · help with the tel-entrades online ticket sales service. · vat refunds. tax free global blue., information and sale of tourism products, · barcelona bus turístic (barcelona tourist bus) · barcelona card · barcelona walking tours · barcelona bus turístic de nit (barcelona night tourist bus) arqueoticket (multi-ticket to barcelona archaeology museums) catalunya bus turístic (catalonia tourist bus) visits and tours tickets and shows city transport cards.

More Information

How to get there: Metro: L1 y L3 Catalunya station.| Buses: 16, 17, 24, 41, 42, 55 y 58.| RENFE Trains: Catalunya station.| FGC Trains: Catalunya station. Opening times: Daily, 8.30 a.m - 20.30 p.m. (Dec. 26& Jan. 6, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Closed: Jan. 1 & Dec. 25.

Plaza Cataluña nº 17 08002 Barcelona Spain

932 853 834

[email protected].

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• Visit Barcelona

Professionals

• Barcelona Convention Bureau

The Turisme de Barcelona Consortium was set up in 1993 by Barcelona City Council, the Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Shipping of Barcelona and the Barcelona Promotion Foundation, with the aim of promoting tourism in Barcelona.

The mission of the Turisme de Barcelona Consortium is to promote and raise the profile of Barcelona as an international tourist destination by making its visitors aware of its culture and distinctiveness through an offer with an added value based on segmentation criteria involving the public and interests.  

As part of its mission, Turisme de Barcelona acts as a facilitating agent that boosts the visitor economy by raising the profile of an aspirational and transformative destination. A destination that offers values that enable us to live and coexist in dynamic, sustainable and responsible surroundings and is committed to sustainable development goals criteria by strengthening its brand and the tangible and intangible returns generated by visitors. 

• It does so with the aim of bringing the benefits of the visitor economy to the community as a whole and the city’s economy and its sphere of influence.
• It works to build the international reputation of the destination in accordance with the Barcelona brand.
• It encourages visitors from around the world to make the most of the destination.  
• It attracts benchmark events to generate economic activity, boost productive sectors and create well-being.  

As a facilitating agent, it helps businesses grow in line with new trends.

The vision of Turisme de Barcelona is to act as a national and international benchmark organisation in promotion and marketing at the service of the economy and tourism sector based on values of sustainability and public and private agreement. 

Our corporate values are:

• Commitment : In order to create a fairer, more socially responsible society we are firmly committed to social, environmental and economic sustainability and promoting CSR practices. This is reflected in our involvement and work with entities across the board and the social and economic fabric.
• Quality : We apply and work according to quality criteria in the running of every aspect of our organisation while guaranteeing the sustainability of the destination.
• Innovation : We promote innovation and progress in tourism-related matters. 
• Holistic vision : We fulfil our aims from a global perspective in accordance with a specific vision of the culture and region to their fullest extent.  
• Enterprise : We provide a platform for attracting and launching business initiatives by accompanying and advising them on tourism-related matters and marketing strategies.  
• Knowledge : Our experience and knowledge enables us to embark on successful new business projects and maintain high levels of loyalty.
• Excellence and expertise in managing our business and providing services to visitors and attracting meetings and leisure tourism.

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Publications

Press Office

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Barcelona City guide

Tourism and attractions guide to barcelona, barcelona city guide.

Catalonia and Barcelona  have become one of the first tourist destinations of Spain, it has everything to please the majority of visitors: with a history among the oldest in Europe, a capital, Barcelona, which never sleeps and an inland full of charm not to forget beautiful beaches in La Costa Brava. The variety of artistic treasures, the Romanesque churches and the great names in modern art and architecture,  Dali ,  Gaudi ,  Miro ,  Picasso ..

Tip> We can help you find hotels in Barcelona close to the city's main monuments.

Barcelona  "The city of Marvels"...

Barcelona sited between the sea and the mountains, has found a formidable balance: a foot in the traditional things and the other in the avant-garde. Barcelona has the reputation of being the most cosmopolitan, modern and avant-garde city in Spain and it was renewed for the 1992 Olympic Games.

Barcelona Pass Skip the lines tickets to : Sagrada Familia & Park Güell + Hop-On Hop-Off Bus + 10% discount Book it now !

Barcelona GO!

BARCELONA in Flow Motion - A fast moving short film by Rob Whitworth. Gold prize winner at Timelapse Showfest 2014

While in Barcelona take a little time to visit Catalonia:

Costa Brava owes its name of "wild coast" to the uniqueness of the sudden encounter between mountain and sea. Nature, climate and history, the picturesque of its ports and certain villages have been enough to have a worldwide reputation. Costa Dorada , in the south of Barcelona, it is the color of gold, luminous, being in the maritime littoral the reason of its name "Costa Dorada" (Golden Coast).

The headings in this chapter " Barcelona City Guide " will enable you to book Barcelona tourist attractions before your arrival.

Tip! Tip! Think of the Hop On Hop Off Barcelona ! A good way to travel all over the city without ruining yourself and without getting tired ;-)

+ Find in Barcelona Tours   Top-rated guided tours with local experts and best skip the line tickets.

  And now follow the guide for the best places to visit in Barcelona !!!

Where to eat?

Where to eat in Barcelona?  Our editor's choices to find the best restaurants in Barcelona.Visit our dining guide.

The night In Barcelona:  our best nightlife addresses to go out: bars, clubs , discos, escorts services...

Shopping in Barcelona:  This is a selection of  shops  we like in Barcelona...

Barcelona Beaches

Barcelona beaches for sun worshippers!  We tell you where the beaches are, which are our favorites, what sports to do there...

With Children

Barcelona is one of the most child-friendly cities in Europe...

Things to do in Barcelona

Off the beaten path, some ideas to visit differently.

This page gathers our favorites, practical information, tips that will allow you once in Barcelona to do, to discover and to see the city in another way. Have a good stay! 

Quick Guide

Barcelona Quick Guide . All you need for your Barcelona weekend...

City visits

City visits of Barcelona: follow the guide with our suggested itineraries!!

Festivals in Barcelona : The best music festivals and exhibitions in Barcelona  !

Car Parking

If you need to park your car in Barcelona , then we give you some recommendations and a number of options.

Gay guide of Barcelona and Gay guide of Sitges : all information for your stay: hotels, hostels, clubs, restaurants, bars...

Picasso, Miro, Tapies, Macba...

Listing of best museums in Barcelona : Picasso, Miro, Tapies, Macba...

The genius modernist architect : Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, Park Güell..

Discovering Antoni Gaudí  the genius modernist architect: Sagrada Familia, Pedrera, Park Güell, Güell Palace, Casa Calvet...

Barcelona and Catalonia practical information

Barcelona and Catalonia general information and transportation : political institutions, Parliament, language, transportation, formalities, tips, useful numbers, health, money, budget, food and drink..

Visit our beautiful Catalonia regions

Tourist guide of Catalonia - discover the Costa Brava and the Costa Dorada.. All best sightseeings

We Recommend >> Must-sees in Barcelona

These are the most recommended things to do in Barcelona for your holidays.

Barcelona Hotels

The ideal hotel for your stay.

Whether you are looking for a family or a business stay or just for a weekend, we have selected for you the best hotels in the city to choose from. All categories at all prices. But also the bargains according to your travel dates. Have a good stay!

Barcelona Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Best city tour: one single ticket, 3 routes and 45 stops.

Discover city sightseeing at your own pace with our selection of Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour tickets. An extraordinary and economic way to make the first connection with main tourist attractions.

Hola Transport Card

Unlimited access to public transport.

Enjoy unlimited access from 48 to 120 hours to Barcelona's public transport: Metro, bus (TMB), urban railway (FGC, Zone 1), Montjuïc funicular, tram (TRAM), regional railway (Rodalies de Cataluny) + 1 round trip from the airport to the city center. Only excluding NitBus, Aerobus & hop-on hop-off.

Barcelona City Pass

Incl. sagrada familia, park güell + hop-on hop-off...

The "City Pass Barcelona" our best selling pass! > Sagrada Família Fast Lane + Audioguide > Fast entrance to Park Güell + Audioguide > Hop-on Hop-off 24 or 48 hours or Casa Batlló or Casa Milà > 10% discount on other tours > Audioguide of Barcelona

37 comments

Travel - 02 wangmingru & 27 rao yujie (6 apr 2022 - 11:38).

Hi. We are students of English at Fujian University of Technology in China. In class, our teacher introduced us to the beautiful city of Barcelona and watched a video about Barcelona's scenic architecture, tourism and culture. Through the video, I learned that Barcelona is a world-renowned Mediterranean scenic tourist destination and a world-renowned historical and cultural city. I also saw that it is the most famous tourist destination in Spain, with its pleasant climate, beautiful scenery and monuments, as well as the "Pearl of the Iberian Peninsula". Everything there is artistic, the graffiti on the streets, the street food, the magnificent Romanesque buildings, and so on. Even the people of Barcelona say that "art and life are inseparable". Barcelona is full of art, and we are looking forward to it. We will come and see the beautiful city of Barcelona for ourselves some time.

Travel - linjie212,xiaopan206,ruihan231 (5 Apr 2022 - 08:36)

There's nowhere in the world like Barcelona. This city is magnetic. Food, Art, beaches, streets, buildings, and so on. Barcelona is all-inclusive. Summer is the best season to visit Barcelona because many festivals are celebrated in the summer, such as the European Music Festival. Barcelona is deeply proud of its Catalan heritage, which captivates me! Spaniards are elegant, even if they dress casually. Convenient traffic, a beautiful environment, and qualified talents are the advantages of Barcelona. As far as we know, if we have not seen the church of Barcelona, the trip to Barcelona is not complete. Therefore, this church also attracts us. Hopefully, after COVID-19 is over, we will be able to stroll through the streets of Barcelona and visit these famous churches.

travel - Yang Yinuo114 Chen Xin121 Zhou Yushu 123 (5 Apr 2022 - 08:36)

Hello, we are students from China. After browsing your website, we are interested in Barcelona. According to the information we got, Barcelona is also world famous because of Gaudi. We are very eager to have the opportunity to learn about the works left by this architectural genius, such as the famous architecture like Casa Vicens, Palau Guell, and Casa Milá. Can you offer us some suggestions for visiting these architectures? In addition, we have seen that Barcelona has a lot of delicious food and the island is surrounded by seawater, so we bet there are many desirable seafood dishes. Besides, we saw some flamenco dancing performances, which were very energetic. We hope that you will let us know about this kind of performance with Spanish passion and national spirit. I hope that we will be able to visit Barcelona after the epidemic is over.

Tavel - Yang Yinuo114 Zhou Yushu123 Chen Xin 121 (5 Apr 2022 - 08:36)

Travel - yu yunqin218 & tao kecheng222 (5 apr 2022 - 08:36).

Wow, so great! After browsing this website, we are particularly interested in Barcelona! Life in this city is really rich! In Barcelona, we can enjoy all kinds of Mediterranean cuisine and visit the art museum during the day. At night, the nightlife in Barcelona also attracts us. We can go to the bar to drink and listen to wonderful music, and we can dance in the discotheque. There are many special cultures that we really want to experience. We look forward to being here in person one day!

Travel - Linjie212 xiaopan206 ruihan231 (5 Apr 2022 - 08:36)

Travel - wang qiong 203 & xu chan221 (5 apr 2022 - 08:36).

Hello, we are Chinese students. We knew a little bit about Barcelona before. After your introduction, we have a better idea of it. Thanks to your website for giving us so many tips on visiting Barcelona. This guide is really useful for us. We have bookmarked this site and we hope we can use your guide on the day we go. We are looking forward to going to Barcelona.

comment - 08 Liu si qing 16 Wu seng ping 28 Jia mao zhen (5 Apr 2022 - 08:34)

Hello, everyone! Through this website, we have a simple and profound understanding of Barcelona. Barcelona has a long coastline. It has launched a "smoke-free beach" policy, which will better protect the environment. Besides, Catalan National Art Museum leaves a deep impression on us. There are the Renaissance and Baroque collections which attract us very much. Last but not least, music is everywhere. The Palace of Music has a stunning ornate appearance. There is a rule that photos cannot be taken during the performance. If you want to take pictures, you can do so before or after the performance. We are looking forward to going there one day.

comment - 08 Liu si qing 16 Wu sen ping 28 jia mao zhen (5 Apr 2022 - 08:34)

@zheng jiayi - barcelona.com (4 apr 2022 - 10:30).

Hello Zheng Jiayi, There is no taboo when visiting a religious place in Barcelona such as the Sagrada Família, but one must respect a dress code and have respectful behavior in the place. We find the same rules in many religious places in the world. Have a good stay in Catalonia,

Architecture - Zheng Jiayi216, Lai Xinying227 (4 Apr 2022 - 10:10)

Hi, we are Chinese students, after browsing this website, we have a further understanding of Barcelona and are deeply attracted by the ancient gorgeous architectural style of Barcelona. When we know that there are many famous artists in Barcelona, we are surprised by this kind of strong artistic atmosphere. I hope one day we can come to Barcelona and experience this atmosphere. By the way, we think many of the buildings in Barcelona have some religious elements, such as Barcelona Cathedral. However we are not very clear about religion, we wonder if there are any taboos when visiting?

Travel - Jianing224&Xiaoni226 (4 Apr 2022 - 10:08)

Costa Dorada, with its distinctive character and historical interest, is a place that I am longing for. The towns here have vineyards, olive groves, and even vegetable gardens that I would love to experience for myself. In addition, as far as we know, Barcelona has pickpockets, so the safety problem is one of our concerns. Besides, we are students who travel. The price is also something we need to consider. We are looking forward to the day of our trip to Barcelona.

living in Barca - zee (12 May 2019 - 14:12)

i am planning to live in this city ;)))

@jen harper - Barcelona.com (7 Mar 2019 - 09:20)

Hola jen harper, Barcelona is a city where people love to walk. The historical centre is not too extensive, you can visit it at any age without any problem. Of course, renting a segway or a bike makes it easier to get around. You can find some on this page of our website: https://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_city_tours/bike-tours-rentals/ Have a good journey!

Elder tourists - jen harper (7 Mar 2019 - 09:10)

How hard is the walking for elderly? Are there Segways or such to aid people?

thnks - all (18 Nov 2017 - 07:50)

from indonesia. just need visas europe . last week just trip asian. januari hope getting visas. i love BARCA

VERY HONEST TAXI DRIVER - Donna Lee (15 Nov 2017 - 08:28)

We had a great 2 week vacation in Spain but on our last night in Barcelona, we panicked when we realized that we left our luggage in the trunk of the taxi. Somehow I knew that the cab driver was a good man but we still prayed fervently that he will bring us back our luggage. ABDEL came back in 40 minutes!!! He sure reinstored our faith in the goodness of mankind. We commend ABDEL for his honesty. His cell is 691 073 391. May Abdel be blessed for his honesty.

I love tapas! - frank (18 Jul 2017 - 09:22)

can't wait to taste tapas and local natural wine... yeahhh coming soon!

food out let - jade (17 Sep 2016 - 09:34)

pls some can tell about the food outlet that available in this area when going baceolan i min tourism attraction too

barcelona - kamila (22 Jun 2016 - 09:28)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj3MdixcAjQ Barcelona- top attractions

access for disabled - abegail (3 Apr 2016 - 10:50)

I have hopes of holidaying in Barcelona this summer, but have concerns about how disabled friendly the city is? any guidance will be welcome

Statue of Pablo Casals - Carol Wilson (17 Jun 2015 - 08:54)

On my recent visit to Barcelona, I was disappointed to see that the statue of Pablo Casals near Placa de Francesc Macia has been vandalised. The cello bow has been broken off. Hope it gets fixed soon.

barcelona is safe - sheraz (17 May 2015 - 08:24)

Hi, to everyone coming to barcelona must keep in mind that barcelona is very safe city. means there is no chance of armed robbery or snatching. but to be honest pick pockiting is a common issue for those who come out of the bars really drunk and lost and it is always up to you to take care of your belongings especially in central area and las ramblas. in subways again u have such issues because pickpockets move on groups, they don't attack on you but always look for a chance to steel. A little care and nothing happens. I m living in barcelona since 2004 and I never get robbed.

confused - james franco (12 May 2015 - 08:58)

Hi, I just came back from a 6 days holiday in Barcelona 2 weeks ago. I am a 29 years old solo female traveller from Singapore. I agree that pickpocket is an issue in Barcelona. however, I would also like to add on that this is also an issue in many other countries, not just Barcelona alone. I was pretty scared at first but I did not let it stop me from going there. Barcelona is a very beautiful city with interesting cultures and delicious food. It is very convenient to explore as you can literally walk anywhere without getting lost. Just bring common sense along and carry your bag in front of you at all times. Do not bring too much cash and keep the cash separately. I did not face any problems or seen any crimes there. I can say Barcelona is a pretty safe city, and I am going back again in February 2015.

beautiful city - ronald (29 Mar 2015 - 11:04)

i have been to Barcelona a few times ,,, it changes with the years, but retains its beauty. never had a problem with any of the citizens and i did most of my touring on foot. my hats off to the city of Barcelona

Pickpockets - BarceLover (9 Dec 2014 - 09:30)

Pickpockets - nancy d. (19 nov 2014 - 08:45).

Hi, Pickpockets are an issue in Barcelona, but the police, as Tony suggested, are part of the problem. It is actually the Spanish Laws that need to be changed. Unless a thief is caught with more than €480 in cash on them, it is not consider a felony or major crime. So, within a matter of hours the thief is back on the streets. There are lots of uncover policeman now working all parts of the city, security cameras in Metro stations and on platforms and in particular a strong police presence at the most visited sites. It is Barcelona's interest to clean up this issue and there is no one who would like that more than the locals. After all, tourism is one of the biggest economic motors of this beautiful seaside city.

Barcelona Travel Video - Jay Ellard (16 Aug 2014 - 10:45)

I have just been to the beautiful city and have created a modern cinematic video of the wonderful place. The video shows the most popular places in Barcelona and some of the quiet spots. Here is the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktArVmzb38U

transfer - Les (14 Nov 2013 - 09:30)

Does any one know if there is a bus service from the Pier to the Airport? Or, if there is any kind of service for transfer with a couple of suitcases?

Pickpockets - tony (24 Oct 2013 - 08:45)

Barcelona is one of the world's great cities, it has wonderful sights & a vibrant culture, great food & drink. It's a shame it's so corrupt ! 40 years ago, I went to Barcelona & was warned about pickpockets on Las Ramblas & now after all these years it's worse than ever, not good for the city's reputation. How can this problem still exist ?? the police MUST be part of the problem, & getting a kickback from the thieves, because if they wanted the thefts to stop, they would crack down & stop, but no, the pickpockets flourish year after year, praying on tourists & locals alike, on the streets & even in the Gaudi Cathedral Shame on you.....Clean up the problem !!

Street Art in Barcelona - Unknown (30 Sep 2013 - 09:00)

Details about street art in Barcelona. A different way of seeing this amazing city: http://vimeo.com/60149775

new luggage storage near Barcelona´s Port - Amparo (3 Jul 2013 - 19:30)

there is a new luggage storage called Hastavuelo in the World Trade Center, near Barcelona´s Port. Opened everyday from 9 am to 8pm. We offer airport delivery too, so if you want to visit Barcelona without worrying about your suitcases that´s the place!!

store your luggage - Alicia (15 Mar 2013 - 09:15)

Hi everyone, If you need to store your luggage while you're spending some time in Barcelona, you can leave it in City Lockers, we're in Francesc Pujols, 7 Street, near Portal de l' Àngel. We open from 9 a.m until 9 p.m on Monday to monday. Come to visit us!

about keeping luggage - LOCKER BARCELONA (27 Oct 2012 - 10:30)

Hello Maria, there is a left luggage place at plaza catalunya (downtown) close to the main transport stations. Is located at ESTRUC 36 street, is a safety blue and green local named Locker Barcelona, check their web so, you could ask for information. :)

Information about keeping luggage - Maria (5 Jul 2012 - 06:15)

Dear all, I am a tourist from Macedonia, coming to Spain this July. I will be touring Spain by bus. So, I'd like to ask you if there is a place in Barcelona to store your luggage. Since i'm staying several hours in Barcelona, sightseeing, I 'll need some safe place to store my suitcases. Does the bus station of any other place offer such services? And what are the fees per hour? Thank you in advance

Best tapas in Barcelona! - EleanorP (21 Jun 2012 - 09:30)

Hello, We have just returned home from a evening with 'Papa Serra'. He runs cooking classes and tours of la boqueria and we joined an evening course which lasted for about 4 hours - a great evening activity. We enjoyed the tour and the class, and all the wine tasting! But the highlight was a tapa we learnt to make - chicken poached in a saffron liquid and then mixed with pine nuts and raisins and wrapped in greens. It was absolutely delicious and definitely not something we've seen in any of the tapas bars in barcelona. I would recommend the classes to anyone that loves food and wants a fun night of cooking, eating and drinking. I think they have a website but i'm not sure. Enjoy!

useful information - dr jagtesh (29 Feb 2012 - 11:15)

this page is helping me in planning my trip to barcelona this april

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• Barcelona Card
• Parks and Squares
• Image galleries
• Guided tours in the districts
• Guided tours within sights
• Tapas and gourmet tours
• Modernisme and Gaudi Tours
• Family and children's tours
• Literary and film tours
• Barcelona's dark side
• Tour proposals
• Sightseeing Tours
• Boat tours and water sports
• Cable cars in Barcelona
• Segway Tour
• Helicopter Flights
• Ferrari Ride
• Airport Transfers
• Use of public transport in Barcelona
• Cruise Port and Ferry Transfers
• Driving and parking
• Destinations outside of Barcelona
• Flamenco Shows
• Restaurants
• Concerts, Theatre, Movie
• City tours and excursions for families
• Make your own mosaic souvenir
• PortAventura amusement park
• Horseback riding
• GPS-GoCar Tours
• Luxury hotels in Barcelona
• Middle class hotels in Barcelona
• Low Budget Hotels in Barcelona
• Holiday homes in Barcelona
• Wellness Hotels in Barcelona
• Montserrat Monastery
• Dalí and the Dalinian Triangle
• Balloon Ride
• Roca Village Outlet
• Estrella Damm brewery tour
• Costa Brava
• Amusement park PortAventura
• Wine and Cava
• Formula 1 and MotoGP in Catalonia
• Pyrenees and Vall de Núria
• Cooking courses
• Mosaic course
• Cocktail course
• PADI Diving course
• Sailing courses
• Climate and travel periods
• Tourist information
• City map of Barcelona
• Barcelona currently
• Disabled people
• Catalonian recipes
• Personalities
• Luggage Storage
• Holiday information A-Z
• Camp Nou, the largest football stadium in Europe
• FC Barcelona History

Tourist information centres

Several tourist information in barcelona - opening hours and where to find.

Tourist information at airport terminal T1

At the tourist information offices, you can get free city maps and metro maps, information about events, and attractions. The free maps are usually completely sufficient to navigate around Barcelona.

The following booked products can be collected at the tourist information offices upon presentation of the voucher (printed or on your smartphone):

• Barcelona Card and Barcelona Card Express
• Tickets for the Bus Turístic (the voucher can also be redeemed on the bus)
• Hola BCN Tickets for public transportation
• Articket Museum Pass

The staff at the tourist information centers speak, in addition to Spanish and Catalan, English as a matter of course, and sometimes other languages such as French or German.

Opening hours of the Tourist Information Centers

The largest tourist information center is located at Plaça Catalunya in the basement, opposite the gray department store El Cortes Inglés (corner of Pl. Catalunya/ C. de Fontanella). There is an escalator at each entrance to access the basement.

In the shop, you'll find plenty of high-quality souvenirs: T-shirts, hats, mugs, calendars, scarves, books, and much more.

Our tip: The queues at the advisory counters can often be quite long, but with a voucher (either printed or on your smartphone), you can also collect your booked tickets and cards directly at the checkout in the shop. This way, you save yourself the waiting times.

For wheelchair users, there is a stairlift available to access the basement.

Tel.: +34 932 853 834 Metro: Catalunya (L1, L3, C1, L7, S1, S55, L6) Bus: 16, 17, 24, 41, 42, 55, and 58 FGC trains: Catalunya

Opening hours

• Daily: 08:30 - 20:30
• 24 and 31 Dec., 5 Jan.: 08:30 - 18:30
• 26. Dec. and 06 Jan.: 08:30 - 13:30
• 01 Jan.: 10:00 - 14:30
• 25. Dec.: closed

In the arrival halls of Terminals T1 and T2B, you will find a tourist information stand each.

In Terminal T1: Exit the security area and immediately turn right. After about 50 meters, you will find the Tourist Info. It is located right next to the entrance to the airport chapel.

Terminal 2B: The Tourist Info is located about 50 meters to the left of the exit from the security area in the middle of the hall.

You will also find an additional Tourist Info in the lobbies of the L9 metro station in Terminal T1.

• Airport Terminal T1 Mondays - Fridays: 8:00 - 20:30 Saturdays and Sundays: 08:30 - 20:30 24, 26 and 31 Dec., 5 Jan.: 08:30 - 13:30 25 Dez., 1 and 6 Jan.: closed
• Airport Terminal T2 Mondays - Saturdays: 08:00-20:30 Sundays: 08:30 - 20:30 24, 26 and 31 Dec., 5 and 6 Jan.: 08:30 - 13:30 1 Jan.: 10:00 - 14:30 25 Dec. closed
• Lobby Metro L9 at Terminal T1 and T2 Mondays - Sundays: 08:30 - 14:30 5 Jan.: 09:00 - 18:00 6 Jan.: 09:00 - 16:00 24, 25, 26 and 31 Dec., 1. Jan.: closed

In the heart of the Gothic Quarter, opposite the Cathedral, you will find the Tourist Info on the ground floor of the building at Pla de la Seu.

• Mondays: 09:00 - 16:00
• Tuesdays - Saturdays: 09:00 - 17:30
• Sundays: 09:00 - 14:00
• 24, 25, 26 and 31 Dec. and 1 Jan.: closed
• 05 Jan.: 09:00 - 18:00
• 06 Jan.: 09:00 - 16:00

At the Columbus Monument , you will find two tourist information centers. Both are conveniently located if you arrive by cruise ship. Mirador de Colom (basement of the monument) This is located in the basement of the monument and has a small shop. A ride to the approximately 60-meter-high viewing platform is very nice. From up there, you can see the Gothic Quarter and the Raval, Montjuïc, and the port. Downstairs, you can enjoy a wine tasting of Catalan wines. Here you can get tickets for the Monument a Colom .

Metro: Drassanes (L3)

• Daily: 08:30 - 14:30 (Last admission to the observation platform is at 13:30)
• 26, 31 Dec. and 05. Jan.: 08:30 - 13:30
• 24 and 25 Dec., 01 and 06 Jan.: closed

Cabin at the Columbus Monument and Rambla At the Columbus Monument towards the port, you'll find a tourist information booth housed in a container. This is ideal if you arrive by cruise ship. Just a few meters away, the Portbús shuttle bus stops, connecting the cruise terminals with the city center. From here, you can easily walk up La Rambla, continue with the sightseeing bus of Bus Turístic , or use the metro, where you'll enjoy free travel with the Barcelona Card .

• Daily: 08:30 - 14:30
• 25 Dec.: closed
• 26 Dec.: 08:30 - 13:30
• 31 Dec.: 08:30 - 13.30
• 05 Jan.: 08:30 - 14:30
• 06 Jan.: 08:30 - 13:30

If you arrive by bus (long-distance buses or shuttle buses to Girona Airport), you'll arrive at the Estació del Nord bus station. The tourist information is located inside the building.

• Mondays - Sundays: 08:30 - 14:00

In the middle of the Gothic Quarter, opposite the cathedral, is the "Col·legi d'Arquitectes de Catalunya", the Chamber of Architects of Catalonia. You can recognize the building by the drawings by Picasso, at the gray building.

The Tourist Info is located on the ground floor of the building at Plaça Nova, 5.

• Mondays: 10:00 - 15:00
• Tuesdays: 10:00 - 14:00
• Wednesdays - Saturdays: 10:00 - 20:00
• Sundays: 10:00 - 15:00

The information booths are located throughout the city. Vouchers cannot be redeemed here.

• Cabina Colom Address: Plaça Portal de la Pau, s/n. Opening hours: daily 08:00 - 14:30
• Cabina Plaça de Catalunya City Tour Address: Plaç de Catalunya Opening hours: daily 08:30 - 20:00
• Cabina Plaça de Catalunya Nord Address: Plaça de Catalunya, s/n (in front of the "El Corte Inglés" department store) Opening hours: Mondays and Sundays 08:30 Uhr - 14:30, Tuesdays - Saturdays 08:30 - 20:00
• Cabina Plaça de Catalunya Sud Address: Plaça de Catalunya, s/n (in front of the "El Triangle" department store) Opening hours: daily 08:30 Uhr - 20:00
• Cabina Plaça Espanya Address: Plaça Espanya/ Maria Cristina Av. Opening hours: daily 08:30 Uhr - 14:30
• Cabina Sagrada Família Address: Plaça de la Sagrada Família Opening hours: daily 08:30 Uhr - 20:00
• Cabina Sagrada Família 2 Address: Plaça de la Sagrada Família Opening hours: Mondays bis samstags 08:30 - 20:00, Sundays 08:30 - 14:30

Christmas opening times:

• 24 Dec.: 08:30 - 18:30 (Plaça Catalunya Nord & Colom, 8:30 - 14:30)
• 25 Dec.: geschlossen
• 31 Dec.: 08.30 - 13:30 (Plaça de Catalunya Sud & City Tour, 08:30 - 18:30)
• 01 Dec.: closed (Sagrada Família 2 & Colom, 10:00 - 14.30)
• 05 Jan.: 8:30 - 18:30 (Plaça de Catalunya Nord, Plaça Catalunya Sud & Colom, 08:30 - 14:30; Plaça Espanya, 08.30 - 13:30)
• 06 Jan.: 08:30 - 13:30 (Plaça Espanya, closed)

The opening hours may change due to external circumstances.

All tourist information centers are wheelchair accessible. They are usually accessible at ground level or via stairlifts.

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TURISME DE BARCELONA

Country: Spain

Website: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com

The Turisme de Barcelona Consortium was set up in 1993 by Barcelona Municipal Council, the Barcelona Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Shipping and the Barcelona Promotion Foundation. The Consortium works to promote the city as a tourist destination. Our different lines or programmes feature a range of products geared to the travel trade and individual tourists.

Barcelona Metropolis

N 130 - Apr 24 | The city of five million

Turisme i cultura després de la pandèmia.

• Culture Folder

Bernat Puigtobella is publisher of Núvol.

Park Güell. Entrance © Barcelona City Council / AL PHT Air Picture TAVISA

The debate forum “City, tourism and culture: a joint opportunity” – organised by the Department of Tourism and Creative Industries in conjunction with the Sixth Deputy Mayor’s Office for Culture, Education, Science and Community under the aegis of Barcelona City Council – has discussed proposals to improve the interaction between tourism and culture in the city. The forum, which has brought together more than one hundred experts, has been organised in focus groups around ten sessions, led by ten managers and that are summarised herein.

The COVID-19 crisis has borne a devastating impact on tourism, since visitor spending represented 15% of Barcelona’s income. The pandemic forces us to rethink a model that was already showing signs of exhaustion prior to the crisis. And here culture has a great deal to say, understood in a double sense: “That which shapes the Barcelona way of understanding the world and of managing the city itself, and that which creates, produces and disseminates content that seek to and may interest citizens from all over the world “, says the driving force behind the forum, Xavier Marcé, Councillor for Tourism and Creative Industries.

Visitors who stay in Barcelona and, above all, the 40% who come again, are receptive to the culture that is proposed. There are almost nine million tourists per year (2019 figures), a figure that shows that Barcelona is not purely a holiday destination.

The time has come to integrate the potential of visitors when putting together cultural strategies in Barcelona. It is clear that the solution is not to produce cultural content designed exclusively for visitors, nor to segregate local culture in circuits that are not of interest to visitors. Citizens and visitors must be prevented from having dissociated cultural experiences.

Barcelona must commit to the quality and not to the quantity of tourism, and must adapt the flow of visitors to the requirements of the 2030 Agenda. If we wish to foster committed, high-calibre, sustainable, resilient and, ultimately, more aspirational tourism, bridges must be built between tourism and culture.

Marta Lacambra Director-General of the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation.

There is quantity-based tourism that provides little added value, while quality-based tourism, which exists and is very significant, has not been valued enough. Finding a new tourism model would be advisable because the city of the future will inevitably be touristic. A new city model is needed following the New Lab concept that drives it into the future through creativity and culture. If, working steadfastly and rigorously, gastronomy and its first-rate creators have been placed in the imaginary that accompanies the promotion of Barcelona as a destination, why not do so in an organised but intense fashion with cultural production and heritage culture? I am very concerned about recovering Barcelona’s visitors. It will not be easy; and we do indeed have an opportunity to avoid mistakes, but I think that first of all we must develop a positive, purposeful and unifying discourse. The positive impact exerted by tourism from a social point of view must be better conveyed to citizens, since the income it generates contributes to educational and cultural programmes. And I want Barcelona to recover its ambition with a capital A to be a quality destination with a deep social commitment. No one should be left behind.

Ángel Díaz President of Advanced Leisure Services

The focus of tourist activity, traditionally divided into holiday tourism and business tourism, must be broadened to initiate discussion on visitor spending, which includes all the business generated by those who visit us, for whatever reason. Marketing and the promotion of destination content are key to enhancing the factors that set us apart, to work in tandem to comply with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development against climate change and, at the same time, to maximise the return on business for the entire destination. We wish to seek out, in any geographic market, those people who especially value what we are and what we offer and who, therefore, are willing to pay more because what they are offered has a differential value. It is essential to be clear about the imaginary, the content that we wish to promote and communicate, as well as our specific target segments to reach them using all the tools available through big data and artificial intelligence. We must identify companies and activities, many of which are private, that can be part of this imaginary and we must network and work together. A short-term vision is needed to survive, and a long-term one, to maintain the competitiveness and profitability of activity, with a view to turning the city into an attractive, responsible, sustainable, resilient and digital urban destination.

Anna Silyunas Executive director of the Russian House Foundation in Barcelona

It is important we go beyond a reductionist vision to address the tourism issue from a more cross-cutting nature and without thinking that sun and beach tourism is incompatible with cultural tourism. We must come up with new attractions, which are also adapted to the new generations. In the dynamics of continuous tourism growth, quantity is valued, but we must move to measuring quality, when what is quantified is what visitors spend. A differentiation must be made between “consuming culture”, which is what visitors do when they come to Barcelona and that encompasses a lifestyle, and “consuming cultural amenities”. There are cultural centres such as the Russian House in Barcelona that, thanks to the activities that it programmes regularly, allow many citizens to improve their knowledge of the countries that these centres represent. Their efforts yield a return that benefits the city’s cultural wealth. Barcelona does not have first-rate cultural events, such as major exhibitions like those advertised in Paris or London, capable of attracting cultural tourism, and this is a quality tourism niche that should be exploited.

“A differentiation must be made between ‘consuming culture’, which is what visitors do when they come to Barcelona and that encompasses a lifestyle, and ‘consuming cultural amenities’”.  Anna Silyunas . Russian House Foundation Barcelona.

Albert Guijarro Director of Primavera Sound

In Barcelona, cultural initiatives with a global spirit, apparently in the minority, are growing, but with solid, varied and daring programmes, with values that are highly integrated in the city and that attract people from other places, in contrast to other cities, which base their cultural programming on big museums or events that resort to big names as a tourist attraction. Festivals such as Sónar, IN-EDIT, Manga Barcelona and Primavera Sound, among many others, would be unthinkable in other Spanish cities and conceivable in not many European cities. The programmes of all of these festivals are based on values that are intrinsic to “Barcelona”, and this boosts local pride and citizens’ appreciation of their city in a reciprocal action. Visitors want to see original cities with a soul, a soul that is perceived in its way of doing things and understanding its social environment. This is how visitors partake in its contemporaneity. Only by taking local users into account is this something that can be achieved; tourists will come later. We must be able to convey authenticity as a result of developing autochthonous values and not petrified settings, of creating a dynamic city from a cultural point of view and not an empty shell. We must foster creativity and the production of new works that will be the heritage of the future without forgetting that the true protagonists of culture are citizens as creators, event organisers, curators and transmitters of values, producers and sellers.

Jordi Sellas i Ferrés Cultural manager

Barcelona is an overrated city. It is among the top ten favourite cities in the world to visit and live in on countless lists of global hits. However, every year the feeling of being part of an interchangeable product is heightened; a ranking that can result in it ceasing to be a fashionable destination and becoming a new and pleasant medium-sized city in any other part of the world. Barcelona lives off the revenue of three moments in the past: the medieval city, the late 19th-century city and the Olympic city. These are historic milestones of such a high social, economic and cultural significance that today we continue to feel their effects, since they laid the foundations for what today are its greatest cultural attractions for international visitors. However, without a new and authentic definition of who we are and how we want to be perceived, reality can end up giving us back a pile of clichés, platitudes and rehashes of past ideas. The political dynamics of the last decade have contributed to making some of the greatest cultural and creative potentialities of the city and the country invisible. It would be interesting to retrieve that old and powerful idea that defines Catalonia as a network of medium-sized cities whose capital is Barcelona. A network is not a vertical hierarchical system, but a connection of independent nodes that, each with its own potentialities, can be more solid if they work together. The cultural capital of the city of Barcelona is projected, today, on the rest of Catalonia out of inertia and not out of conviction or planning.

José Antonio Donaire Benito Professor at the University of Gerona

You cannot understand the city of the late 20th and early 21st centuries without taking tourism into account. Tourist activity has created “memory scars”, fragments, buildings, routines and activities that can only be understood from the tourism point of view. In fact, tourism is part of Barcelona’s identity just like the former industries of the Poblenou neighbourhood, the Baroque churches or the remains of medieval mansions. It is another picture in the manuscript that is the city. Tourist activity has created heritage elements that must be preserved. They will be the buildings and spaces that the tourists of the future will visit. They are memory spaces that we must begin to inventory, catalogue and, in some cases, preserve. We must defend the city’s tourism heritage. Tourism alters access to certain urban areas, making them more attractive to one profile of residents and inaccessible to others. Therefore, tourism changes the way the city and public spaces are used. Contemporary cities are not touristic or non-touristic. They are attractive or invisible. Tourism is another cog in a process of global cities, which attract residents, students, illegal immigrants, liberal professionals, conference-goers, patients and, naturally, tourists. Tourism is another derivative of globalisation processes (people, capital and ideas) in major international cities, unexpectedly disrupted by COVID-19.

Pep Salazar Executive director of the OFFF Barcelona festival

We are witnessing a despair hitherto unknown: that of citizens who see how their surroundings have suddenly been emptied of tourists and do not recognise this new “postcard” of their city. The people of Barcelona have to go back 30 years to feel this sensation of a city that is not taken over by tourists.  It is a time of shock, but also an opportunity for culture to boost local audiences and apply real innovation processes. And also to rediscover and adapt cities at a slower pace and in a more identity-oriented manner. It is time for tourism to seek its ally in culture, and not the other way around as has happened up to now.  Local citizens can also recover the city’s touristic essence. We must generate added value with culture and move to a model that sets us apart from the major hubs that attract tourism.  Today understanding the capacity of connectivity technology to have a presence in a global world is essential. Internationalising the culture produced in Barcelona, as an internal vision of the city, is an essential focal point to explain to visitors what they will find when they decide to visit the city again. In short, promoting local audiences is the prelude to international success.

Michael Goldenberg Member of the Supervisory Board of Barcelona Global

Barcelona is one of the most visited and sought-after urban destinations in the world, with the development of a highly competitive tourism sector that has contributed to improving the city’s connectivity, facilitating the development of other key sectors for the future. It has improved tax revenues and has contributed to earning its reputation in the world. To achieve a sustainable model for visitor spending, Barcelona, more than ever, needs tourism policy to be integrated into the “city policy” and for it not just to be a sectoral policy. Destination management must be consistent across all dimensions: urban planning, culture, mobility, security, cleanliness, the environment, attractiveness management, investment attraction, promotion organisation and taxation. And the involvement of all administrations, together with the commitment of the private sector, is paramount. Fiscal and investment support policy is still very much underdeveloped, despite its potential. Greater legal stability of municipal regulations is needed as well as a tax framework for when tourism recovers, with a dual objective: to adjust the particulars of ICO [Spain’s Official Credit Institute] funding for the operators most affected by the pandemic to the duration of the pandemic, which is longer than expected, and establish a taxation that encourages cultural activities and services in line with the standards of a highly competitive destination. Renewed cultural content must be offered during the less crowded months, such as the Barcelona Obertura Spring Festival, which combines international reach with quality cultural content for all audiences.

“Fiscal tools must be used to raise Barcelona’s cultural profile.” Michael Goldenberg. Barcelona Global.

Nadia Arroyo Director of the MAPFRE Barcelona Foundation

The first time we found the word tourist in a dictionary was in 1800, and it was linked to the search for a unique experience. At that time it was a solitary thing, but soon after, in 1845, the first group tour emerged, and shortly after the bourgeoisie laid the foundations for the world of work and industry to develop tourism on a large scale. Now we have the opportunity to return to a more specialised, less numerous, more demanding, more diversified tourism. This approach implies a lower influx of people, and that also entails lower economic gains. The current situation allows visitors to be looked after and for them to have a more individual relationship with the work of art. And that is what, in contact with live art, head to head, is transformative. But you have to leave room for this meeting to take place. The person, being there, experiences it, perceives it, recognises it. But to achieve this, certain conditions must be met and a certain silence and a certain solitude are necessary. At the origin of tourism, the experience happened in an attainable, unique and memorable way. The return to this search, to that experience, also calls for prior educational work that reverses current tourism and, on the way, the society in which we live.

Xavier Fina Director of ICC Consultors

The greatest challenge surrounding the joint reflection on tourism and culture is to transform the city’s imaginary. Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, there was a great contrast between the cultural experience of visitors and that of local audiences. It seemed that one content was aimed solely at tourism and that the other had no presence whatsoever. This bears several negative effects. Firstly, the disconnection between Barcelona’s citizens and some of their cultural reference points makes the cultural experience less rich and varied. But it is also a problem for amenities – especially museums –, which see the number of visitors drastically plummet when Barcelona stops receiving tourists. The pandemic can help these amenities to recover local audiences. From a cultural point of view, there are many “Barcelonas” that do not reach the visitor. With a vocation committed to diversity, strategies should be defined to reach this visitor. Barcelona and the live arts. Barcelona and reading. Barcelona and cultural rights. Barcelona and creation. Barcelona and music. Barcelona and industrial heritage. Barcelona and the public space. Barcelona and creative industries. Without leaving the fields recognised as cultural and without claiming to be exhaustive, this is a possible list to build an imaginary that complements the current one. And, to this end, you must have the involvement of bookstores, libraries, theatres, auditoriums and creation factories. This strategy will only be useful to redefine the tourism model to the extent that it is consistent and robust from the perspective of cultural policy.

Related subjects Culture and leisure Tourism Bernat Puigtobella Bernat Puigtobella is publisher of Núvol. From the issue

N 118 - Apr 21 Index

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• Sustainability

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Introduction.

The Barcelona Tourism Observatory: city and region  (OTB) is the working platform for statistical information on tourism, knowledge, and market intelligence in the city of Barcelona and the rest of Barcelona province. It is composed by the Barcelona City Council , ​​the Barcelona Regional Council , ​​the Cambra de Comerç de Barcelona and the consortium Turisme de Barcelona .

Publicly presented in June 2017, the OTB was the culmination of the joint work iniciated in 2015 by the Barcelona City Council, the Barcelona Regional Council and Turisme de Barcelona, as a result of the synergies and the desire to promote the knowledge and market intelligence in tourism of each of the institutions. Subsequently, the incorporation of the Cambra de Comerç de Barcelona into the project in 2019 provided a wider vision, reinforcing the transversal and disseminating nature of the project.

Over the last few years, the OTB has developed a fruitful work , that has led to new perspectives , serving as a tool to transfer and bring together tourism knowledge, optimising the investment of economic and human resources, with the integration of individual projects of each of the entities into larger and shared studies. In this way, the OTB offers an  integral vision of Destination Barcelona and the knowledge required to manage and promote tourism .

Our mission

To generate knowledge by providing analysis, description and evaluation of tourism activity, by monitoring it in an intelligent and transversal way

To establish common methodological criteria in the quantification and characterisation of tourism activity

To facilitate and accelarate decision-making by actively transferring the knowledge to stakeholders linked to the activity, in order to increase their competitiveness and the citizens’ life quality, from academia, public administration, private companies and citizens themselves

To contribute to the sustainability of tourism activity in all its dimensions

To promote the city and the region as an international reference in the area of sustainable tourism observation in urban areas, as well as sharing knowledge

To actively contribute to the future  Tourism Intelligence System of Catalonia

Lines of work

Monitoring and forecasting of tourism activity

Tourist Profile and Habits

Sustainable Tourism Indicators System   - SITS OTB

Specialised case studies

Tourism Online Reputation

Geographical area

The OTB has three territorial levels of data analysis:

Barcelona city

Barcelona region (Barcelona province except Barcelona city)

Destination Barcelona (Barcelona province as a whole)

ambitgeografic_1_ang.png

Organization

The OTB is a working platform which joins the four institution professional teams dedicated to the production of statistical data on tourism: the LABturisme of the Barcelona Regional Council, the Direction of Tourism, Events and Creative Industries of the Barcelona City Council, Cabinet of Economic Studies and Infrastructures of Cambra de Comerç, and the Knowledge and Research Department of Turisme de Barcelona.

Find out more about the four of the institutions

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Hola Barcelona Travel Card

This Barcelona transport pass offers unlimited journeys on metro, bus (TMB) and the other Barcelona public transport network over 2 (48 h), 3 (72 h), 4 (96 h) or 5 (120 h) consecutive days, with one ticket.

You can use your Hola Barcelona Travel Card at any time of day and get unlimited journeys over 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours from the first validation. The card is also valid for metro journeys from Barcelona Airport to the city centre and vice versa

2 day Hola Barcelona Travel Card (48h)

The 2 day travel card includes unlimited journeys on Barcelona’s public transport over 2 consecutive days.

Price : €17.50 (10% online discount)

3 day Hola Barcelona Travel Card (72h)

The 3 day travel card includes unlimited journeys on Barcelona’s public transport over 3 consecutive days.

Price : €25.50 (10% online discount)

4 day Hola Barcelona Travel Card (96h)

The 4 day travel card includes unlimited journeys on Barcelona’s public transport over 4 consecutive days.

Price : €33.30 (10% online discount)

5 day Hola Barcelona Travel Card (120h)

The 5 day travel card includes unlimited journeys on Barcelona’s public transport over 5 consecutive days.

Price : €40.80 (10% online discount)

Watch on YouTube "Hola Barcelona Travel Card, the best way to visit Barcelona" video. 1'30"

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From Carrer dels Penitents 7, Barcelona

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Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution, update may 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

Spain - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in Spain due to  terrorism  and  civil unrest .

Country Summary:  Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Spain. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

Demonstrations are common. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events.

Read the  country information page for additional information on travel in Spain.

If you decide to travel to Spain:

• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Spain.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

6 months recommended, 3 months beyond your date of departure is required

1 page per stamp

None required for less than 90 days

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Madrid Calle Serrano, 75 28006 Madrid, Spain Telephone: (34) 91-587-2200 Emergency after-hours telephone: (34) 91-587-2200  Fax: (34) 91-587-2303 E-mail: [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Barcelona Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23 08034 Barcelona, Spain Telephone: (34) 93-280-2227 Emergency after-hours telephone: (34) 91-587-2200  Fax: (34) 93-280-6175 E-mail: [email protected]

U.S. Consular Agency Fuengirola (Málaga) Avenida Juan Gómez "Juanito", 8 Edificio Lucía 1º-C 29640 Fuengirola (Málaga), Spain Telephone: (34) 95-247-4891 Fax: (34) 95-246-5189 E-mail: [email protected]

U.S. Consular Agency Las Palmas Edificio Arca Calle Los Martinez de Escobar 3, Oficina 7 35007 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain Telephone: (34) 92-827-1259 Fax: (34) 92-822-5863 E-mail:   [email protected]

U.S. Consular Agency Palma de Mallorca Edificio Reina Constanza Porto Pi, 8, 9-D 07015 Palma, Islas Baleares, Spain Telephone: (34) 97-140-3707  Fax: (34) 97-140-3971 E-mail: [email protected]

U.S. Consular Agency Seville Plaza Nueva 8-8 duplicado 2nd Floor, Office E-2 No.4 41101 Sevilla, Spain Telephone: (34) 95-421-8751 Fax: (34) 95-422-0791 E-mail:   [email protected]

U.S. Consular Agency Valencia Doctor Romagosa 1, 2-J 46002 Valencia, Spain Telephone: (34) 96-351-6973 Fax: (34) 96-352-9565 E-mail:   [email protected]

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Spain for information on U.S.-Spain relations.  

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

U.S. citizens traveling to Spain are not subject to any COVID-19 entry restrictions.

Spain is a party to the  Schengen Agreement . This means that U.S. citizens may enter Spain for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. You must have sufficient funds and a return airline ticket. Visit the  Embassy of Spain  website for the most current visa information.

Traveling Through Europe : If you are planning to visit, transit and/or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. 

• Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. If you plan on transiting a Schengen country, review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page .    
• You will need sufficient proof of funds and a return plane ticket .  
• For additional information about visas for the Schengen area, see the Schengen Visa page.

Students and athletes:  Students, prospective students, and athletes should visit the  Embassy of Spain  website for additional information on entry requirements. You should not travel to Spain as a student or for an athletic/study program without the appropriate Spanish visa. U.S. citizen students and athletes have been denied entry and held in immigration detention at Spanish airports awaiting return flights to the United States because they lacked the appropriate visa. If your coach or sponsoring program says that you do not require a visa to study, play for a sports team, or participate in a sports training program in Spain, you should confirm this information with the nearest Spanish consulate in the United States before you travel.

U.S. citizen minors living in Spain:  Spanish law mandates that all Spanish minors traveling internationally without their parents or legal guardians must have written notarized permission from a parent or guardian. The law also applies to foreign, minor residents if their country of nationality also requires parental permission. While U.S. law does not require minors traveling without a parent/guardian to have the parents’/guardians’ written permission, Spanish authorities and airlines have occasionally misinterpreted the law and stopped U.S. citizens minors from departing the country. Therefore, parents/legal guardians should consider preparing a notarized, written permission for their U.S. citizen minor children to travel abroad unaccompanied or with a third party.

HIV/AIDS restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Spain.  

Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction , and customs regulations on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorism:  Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on encouraging or conducting attacks worldwide, including within Europe. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to target crowds more effectively. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as: 

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists 
• Places of worship 
• Schools 
• Parks 
• Shopping malls and markets 
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights)  

Spain’s open borders with its Western European neighbors allow the possibility for terrorists to enter and exit the country anonymously. Additionally, Spain’s enclaves in Melilla and Ceuta on the North African coast allow for entry into Spain from the African continent. Spain has taken robust actions to guard against terrorist attacks, including arrests of suspected extremists allegedly involved in terrorist plots. Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue to plot potential attacks in Europe, including Spain.

For more information, see our Terrorism page.  

Crime:  Pickpocketing and other minor crimes, such as theft, are very common in Spain including instances where the victim is purposefully distracted to facilitate the theft. Street crimes against U.S. citizens usually occur in  tourist areas, including airports, train stations, and both urban and beach destinations .

Violent crimes, including robberies, have also been reported. Some instances have required the victim to seek medical attention. Car break-ins are also frequent in Spain.

Use common sense, awareness and the same personal security measures you would normally use in any large city or tourist destination.

Keep track of your passport at all times, including on flights and other modes of transportation. There have been reports of passports being stolen on planes en route to Spain. Do not leave bags unattended. Keep them in sight and avoid placing passports, cash, cell phones, or other valuables in the outer pockets of backpacks or purses on tables or floors, grounds in public places. Do not leave bags slung over the backs of chairs, on hotel or store counters, on top of your suitcase or travel bag, or out of your physical control in hotel lobbies, car rental locations, train stations, restaurants, and other public places. Avoid carrying your passport unless needed for travel, especially in tourist areas. Instead, carry a photocopy or photo of your passport’s biographical information page and consider leaving your passport in a secure location, such as a hotel safe. Your passport will be required to check in into any hotel in Spain and may be required for trains or tourist sites.

Sexual Assault:  The U.S. Mission in Spain has received numerous reports of sexual assaults affecting U.S. citizens, especially younger travelers, students, and exchange teachers.

Navigating the Spanish criminal justice system after surviving a sexual assault has been difficult for many U.S. citizen victims, who report feeling judged and re-victimized throughout the very lengthy process.

Although it is not required, many U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault in Spain have found it helpful to hire a local attorney to be their advocate and defend their rights during any judicial process or use the help of the local Office of Victim’s Assistance. Information about the local victim’s assistance program is given out at the police station when the report is filed.

There have been numerous reports alleging sexual assaults against U.S. citizen students by Manuel Blanco Vela, a representative of a tour operator based in Seville, Spain. Conduct research online to determine who owns and operates tour companies to make informed choices.

Many sexual assaults occur at night or during the early morning hours. In most cases, assailants take advantage of alcohol or drugs to make victims more vulnerable.

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence should call the toll-free emergency number in Spain, 016, for assistance, and the U.S. Embassy in Madrid at (34) 91-587-2200 or U.S. Consulate General Barcelona at (+34) 93-280-2227. Note that the local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

Victims of Crime:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or other violent crimes are encouraged to report crimes to the local emergency services at 112 and contact the U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or consular agency for assistance . Note that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care  
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police 
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent 
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion 
• Provide a list of local attorneys  
• Provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution 
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home 
• Replace a stolen or lost passport 

Demonstrations  occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. 

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable, avoid areas around protests  and demonstrations .  
• Past demonstrations have turned violent.   
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories. 

International Financial Scams:  See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information.

Financial scams are prevalent in Spain. Beware of anyone asking for money, particularly people who establish a “romantic” relationship online or anyone who claims the Spanish authorities are asking them for money. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include:   

• People claiming to be U.S. military personnel
• Romance/Online dating 
• Money transfers 
• Grandparent/Relative targeting 
• Free Trip/Luggage 
• Lotteries 
• Inheritance notices 
• Work permits/Job offers 

Tourism: The tourism industry is generally regulated, and rules [with regards to best practices and safety inspections] are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage, and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities prior to practicing or operating a business. 

Furthermore, some violations of laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Spain are severe and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Most cities in Spain have banned the consumption of alcohol in the street, other than in registered street cafes and bars. You could be arrested or fined if you break the law.

Local police, sometimes dressed in plain clothes, can require you to produce identification to establish your identity upon request and detain you for further questioning. Carry a photocopy of your passport with you as proof of your identity. If you are stopped by someone who claims to be a plainclothes police officer, ask to see their law enforcement identification.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police to notify the U.S. Embassy Madrid or U.S. Consulate General Barcelona immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also have to pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Department of Justice website for more information. 

Faith-Based Travelers:  See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in Spain. 

See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.  

Travelers with Disabilities: The law in Spain prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual or mental disabilities, and the law is enforced. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is as prevalent as in the United States. In general, public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure are accessible. Taxis that can accommodate wheelchairs are available, but usually must be booked in advance.

In historic areas and older areas, sidewalks can be narrow and have uneven surfaces. Take this into account when planning your visit.  There may be differences in small towns and villages, where accessibility may be more limited.

Rental, repair, replacement parts for aids/equipment/devices, or service providers, such as sign language interpreters or personal assistants are widely available in Spain.

Students:  Follow the tips below and exercise caution and good judgment to make your study-abroad experience a positive and safe one. If you are coming to Spain to participate in a sports program, please check with the  Embassy of Spain  that you have the correct visa.

Do your research before contracting a tour operator or other service provider, including coaches and organizers of sports camps, schools, and training centers.

Exercise caution when agreeing to an internship or to serve as a recruiter for a specific organization or company. Most arrests, accidents, and violent crimes U.S. citizens suffer in Spain involve excessive alcohol. Drink in moderation and stay in a group of friends when in clubs, bars, or traveling.

See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers : The U.S. Mission in Spain has received numerous reports of sexual assaults affecting U.S. citizens, especially younger travelers, students, and exchange teachers. Please see more information under Safety and Security.  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Good medical care is available in Spain. However, regulations regarding medications vary from those in the United States. Spanish regulations do not permit the international shipment of medication . Do not ship medication from the United States to Spain . Spanish customs authorities will reject and return to the shipper medication mailed from the United States. This may cause a significant delay in receiving your medications. The U.S. Embassy cannot help you retrieve medications stopped by Spanish customs.

Medications requiring prescriptions in the United States also require a local doctor’s prescription in Spain. In some instances, a medicine prescribed in the United States will not have a local equivalent. It is important that travelers research this on the  European Agency for Medication  website prior to travel.

For emergency services in Spain, dial 112. You may ask for an English-speaking attendant.

Ambulance services are widely available. 

We do not pay medical bills . Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance. Medical care is not free in Spain. If you require medical attention, you will incur expenses, even if you are treated in a public healthcare facility. Lack of payment may bar future travel to Spain.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See  our webpage  for more information on insurance overseas. Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas. We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. 

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the embassy to ensure the medication is legal in Spain. 

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)  

Air Quality:  Visit  AirNow Department of State  for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The U.S. Embassy maintains  a list of doctors and hospitals . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic. 

Health facilities in general:

• Adequate health facilities are available throughout the country. Private hospitals usually require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance or funds before admitting a patient.  Medical staff may speak little or no English. Patients may be asked to bear costs for transfer to or between hospitals. 
• Patients have to pay their medical treatment in public hospitals.

Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery:

• U.S. citizens have suffered serious complications or died during or after having cosmetic or other elective surgery.
• Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry. People seeking health care overseas should understand that medical systems operate differently from those in the United States and are not subject to the same rules and regulations. Anyone interested in traveling for medical purposes should consult with their local physician before traveling and visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information on Medical Tourism.

Pharmaceuticals: U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States. Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. Please visit the  U.S. Customs and Border Protection  and the  Food and Drug Administration  websites for more information.

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy: If you are considering traveling to Spain to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our  ART and Surrogacy Abroad page . 

Surrogacy is illegal in Spain and subject to complex local regulation. 

Adventure Travel: Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about  Adventure Travel .

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety : Road conditions in Spain can differ significantly from those in the United States. Drivers and pedestrians should exercise increased caution as traffic in Madrid and Barcelona is often faster-paced than in the United States and can be unnerving because of unfamiliar signs and traffic lights and different driving habits, including motorbikes weaving between traffic lanes.

Obey the traffic light located at your stop line, as there are separate traffic lights for each side of the intersection. Be alert when driving at night in urban areas; you may encounter drivers or pedestrians under the influence of alcohol.

Night driving in isolated rural areas can be dangerous because of farm animals and poorly marked roads.

Rural traffic is generally heavier in July and August as well as during the Christmas and Easter seasons.

Emergency services, including roadside assistance, are plentiful, competent, and can be easily accessed by dialing 112 from any phone.

Traffic Laws: You must obtain an International Driving Permit prior to your arrival if you plan to drive in Spain. The permits are only valid for one year.

It is illegal to rent a vehicle if you don’t have an International Driving Permit. Your rental car may be impounded, and you will be required to pay a fine if stopped by the police.

It is against the law to use a mobile phone without a hands-free device while driving. There is a €300 fine for violating this regulation, and you may also lose your license.

All drivers and passengers are required to buckle up (even in taxis and in the backseat) and wear a reflective vest if they need to stop on the roadside. A reflective triangle warning sign is also mandatory if you stop on the roadside.

You must have liability insurance to operate any car or motorcycle.

If you are stopped by the Spanish National Police or the Guardia Civil, they may levy fines on the spot and issue a receipt for payment. This ensures that foreigners pay their fines while still in Spain.

Public Transportation:  Public transportation in large Spanish cities is generally excellent.

Only use clearly identified cabs, ensure that taxi drivers always switch on the meter (except for fixed-fare trips originating to and from the Madrid airport), and ask for a receipt.

Private transportation companies (such as Uberor Cabify) are often used in Madrid and Barcelona but check private transportation websites for operating status before arrival.

Official taxis to and from the Madrid airport to the city center charge a €30 flat rate.  Official taxis to and from the Barcelona airport to the cruise ship terminal charge a €39 flat rate.

Rail service is comfortable and reliable but varies in quality and speed. Intercity buses are usually comfortable and inexpensive.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information. 

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Spain’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Spain’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page . 

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Spain should also check for  U.S. maritime advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted to the   U.S. Coast Guard homeport website  and the  NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Spain . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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• Travel, Tourism & Hospitality ›

Leisure Travel

Industry-specific and extensively researched technical data (partially from exclusive partnerships). A paid subscription is required for full access.

• Cities with the highest change in European tourist demand in summer 2024 vs. 2019

A 2024 global study analyzed the travel destinations that reported the highest increase in share of flight bookings from Europe between June and August 2024 compared to 2019. Overall, Munich in Germany and Tirana in Albania were the cities with the highest change in European tourist demand in the summer of 2024, each with a 0.5 percent increase compared to 2019.

Travel destinations with the highest increase in share of flight bookings from Europe between June and August 2024 vs. 2019

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Worldwide, Europe

Other statistics on the topic

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

• Monthly number of inbound tourist arrivals in Europe 2019-2024
• Change in monthly tourist arrivals in Europe 2020-2023, by region

Accommodation

• Occupancy rate of hotels in Europe 2020-2023, by month
• Share of Europeans planning to take a summer vacation 2010-2024

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Statistics on " Summer travel in Europe "

• Europeans planning leisure domestic or European trips 2024, by trip type
• Share of Europeans planning to take a summer vacation 2024, by region
• Share of Europeans planning to take a domestic summer trip 2024, by country
• Accommodation type preferred by Europeans for summer vacations 2024
• Destination type preferred by Europeans for summer vacations 2024
• Preferred travel companion by Europeans for summer vacations 2024
• Preferred mode of transport by Europeans for summer vacations 2024
• Share of Europeans planning a sun and beach holiday trip 2024, by country
• Cheapest beach destinations for family vacations in Europe 2023
• Most popular European beaches on social media 2023
• Most popular French beaches on social media 2023
• Most popular Italian beaches on social media 2023
• Most popular UK beaches on social media 2023
• Cities with the highest change in global tourist demand in summer 2024 vs. 2019
• Cities with the highest change in U.S. tourist demand in summer 2024 vs. 2019
• Share of Europeans planning trips in Europe 2023-2024, by purpose
• Attendance at selected music festivals in Europe 2023
• Impact of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France and Paris 2024 vs. 2019
• Average accommodation prices in France during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games vs. 2023
• Advertised hotel and short-term rental prices in Germany during the UEFA EURO 2024

Other statistics that may interest you Summer travel in Europe

• Basic Statistic Monthly number of inbound tourist arrivals in Europe 2019-2024
• Basic Statistic Change in monthly tourist arrivals in Europe 2020-2023, by region
• Premium Statistic Occupancy rate of hotels in Europe 2020-2023, by month
• Premium Statistic Europeans planning leisure domestic or European trips 2024, by trip type

Summer travel plans

• Basic Statistic Share of Europeans planning to take a summer vacation 2010-2024
• Basic Statistic Share of Europeans planning to take a summer vacation 2024, by region
• Premium Statistic Share of Europeans planning to take a domestic summer trip 2024, by country
• Basic Statistic Accommodation type preferred by Europeans for summer vacations 2024
• Basic Statistic Destination type preferred by Europeans for summer vacations 2024
• Basic Statistic Preferred travel companion by Europeans for summer vacations 2024
• Basic Statistic Preferred mode of transport by Europeans for summer vacations 2024

Beach tourism

• Premium Statistic Share of Europeans planning a sun and beach holiday trip 2024, by country
• Premium Statistic Cheapest beach destinations for family vacations in Europe 2023
• Premium Statistic Most popular European beaches on social media 2023
• Premium Statistic Most popular French beaches on social media 2023
• Premium Statistic Most popular Italian beaches on social media 2023
• Basic Statistic Most popular UK beaches on social media 2023

Summer travel destinations

• Premium Statistic Cities with the highest change in global tourist demand in summer 2024 vs. 2019
• Premium Statistic Cities with the highest change in European tourist demand in summer 2024 vs. 2019
• Premium Statistic Cities with the highest change in U.S. tourist demand in summer 2024 vs. 2019

Summer events in Europe

• Premium Statistic Share of Europeans planning trips in Europe 2023-2024, by purpose
• Premium Statistic Attendance at selected music festivals in Europe 2023
• Premium Statistic Impact of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France and Paris 2024 vs. 2019
• Premium Statistic Average accommodation prices in France during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games vs. 2023
• Premium Statistic Advertised hotel and short-term rental prices in Germany during the UEFA EURO 2024

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