If you’re considering visiting Barcelona, you definitely won’t regret taking a trip here. The Spanish metropolis is one of Europe’s most charming and popular destinations, but, with so many things to see and do and with so much information on the city already available, planning a getaway can be a little overwhelming. Don’t worry though, as help is at hand!
To enable you to make the most of your time in the city, we’ve complied a list of vital information that you’re sure to find useful.
Flights
Without a doubt, the best way to get to Barcelona is by flying there. Numerous operators, including Monarch, run flights to the city from a wealth of UK airports -including Manchester, Birmingham and Gatwick – so you should find there is scope to get a competitively-priced deal.
It will take roughly two hours to fly from Britain to Barcelona, though your specific flight time will vary depending on where you are travelling from.
Language
Obviously, Spanish is the most widely spoken language in the city; however, as it’s the capital of the country’s Catalonia region you should expect many signs to be in Catalan. English is also spoken – especially in the most popular tourist districts and at major attractions.
Currency
Like the rest of Spain, Barcelona uses the euro and at the time of writing €1 is worth about 85p. It always pays to spend some time comparing exchange rates before your holiday to ensure you get a good deal.
Time zone
Barcelona is situated within the Central European Time region, so upon arriving here from the UK you’ll have set to your watch forward by an hour. Hopefully, this relatively small time difference means you don’t need to worry about suffering from jetlag!
Weather
As Barcelona benefits from pleasant year-round weather, there’s no bad time to visit the city. If you want to soak up some sun, come here in June and July as the average daily temperature is 23 degrees C. Even if you head to the city in January, which is when it is coldest, the average temperature of 9.4 degrees C should still be fairly comfortable.
Must-see attractions
Now that we’ve covered the basics of Barcelona, we can look at the fun stuff – namely what exciting attractions it has to offer! You’ll be spoilt for choice for amazing things to see and there are landmarks to captivate holidaymakers of all ages and interests. However, we’re going to focus on the most iconic places, among them Parc Guell.
Designed by Antonio Gaudi, this reserve contains a range of eye-catching features, including an undulating long continuous bench and intricate tile mosaics. While it was never completed, the park is a great place to take a walk and it is home to the Gaudi House Museum, where the architect lived and worked for nearly 20 years until his death in 1925.
Another quintessential Barcelona landmark is the Basilica de la Sagrada FamÃlia. Also designed by Gaudi, this mesmerising cathedral features a blend of architectural styles and dominates the city’s skyline. Although work on the building started in 1882, it remains incomplete (although it is hoped work will have finished by the midpoint of the 21st century) with only two of the three facades currently open to visitors. However, there are still plenty of interesting things to see here, including a museum which tracks how the property’s development has progressed over the years.
Football lovers, meanwhile, should head to the Camp Nou. This is where FC Barcelona play and watching a match here enables you to see one of the world’s best teams in action. Alternatively, you can go on a stadium tour where you can visit the players’ changing room and see the trophy room.
Photos: Pedro Kok
