Barcelona Survival

Is Barcelona in Spain or Catalunya? Do you speak Spanish, Catalan or will English get by? In reality, the city is a melting-pot of cultures. The central parts are mainly Catalan, although 15% of the people have arrived relatively recently, largely from South America, North Africa and Pakistan. Outside the centre, it's a mix of Spanish and Catalan.

Traditionally, Barcelona has been politically left-leaning and the city was run by anarchists in the early 1930s. Compared with much of Spain, the residents are not particularly religious, albeit most are nominally Catholic.

Barcelona crime

There is plenty of petty crime, particularly by pickpockets, with bag snatching among various scams aimed at tourists. Much of it is concentrated on the Ramblas, so have your wits about you. There are dodgy areas at the southern (seaward) end of the Ramblas and in parts of the Barri Gotic and El Ravel.

Barcelona history

Barcelona was founded around 500BC by the Carthaginians under Amilcar Barca - the origin of the city’s name - and became the Roman city of Barcino. The city was ruled by Moors for around 100 years before being taken by the Franks.

It was the wonderfully named Wilfred the Hairy who founded what was later called Catalonia. From around 1000 – 1200, Barcelona became one of the most important Mediterranean ports and major projects, such as the construction of the Cathedral, began. The 1400s saw influence slipping away to Castille. In 1714, Philip V of Spain conquered Catalonia and even banned writing in Catalan.

Barcelona's industrialisation in the 19th century made it Spain's leading city. The 1888 World Exhibition showed its global importance. It was a period of spectacular growth, with the Modernista architecture helping create Barcelona’s reputation as one of the most striking cities in the world.

In 1931, Catalunya declared itself independent, but 1936 saw the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War with Barcelona firmly on the Republican side before eventual defeat in 1939. Thousands of refugees were forced to flee to France.

The 1960s saw economic recovery. After the death of General Franco in 1975, Catalunya again gained some self-government. One of the city’s finest moments arrived in 1992 when it hosted the Olympic Games, resulting in a tourist boom that continues to this day.

Barcelona money

Spain's currency is the euro. Banks tend to open from 8am or 9am until 2pm and then for another three hours from 4.30pm or 5pm. ATMs are everywhere.

Barcelona telephones

The code for Spain is 34. The Barcelona code is 93 and must always be dialled even when making local calls. The international access code is 00 so, to call the UK dial 00 44 and then the UK number without its leading '0'. For international directory enquiries from Barcelona, dial 11825. For local directory enquiries, dial 11818.

Barcelona tipping

Tips are included in restaurant bills but many customers leave a small sum of around €1 per person. In bars, where is no service charge, a 10% tip is normal. Tipping taxi drivers is not normal for Spaniards but hotel porters normally get a €1 or €2 tip.

Tourist Information

The main Tourist Information Office, the Oficina d'Informació de Turisme de Barcelona, is at Plaça de Catalunya 17-S with branches at the Barri Gotic, Estació Sants and El Prat airport, Terminal B. Call 93 285 3834.