BCN Off Track
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Barcelona became an increasingly The 19th century saw the city host its In political terms, Barcelona was the Republic (1931-1939). Following important city during the medieval first World Fair, which took place at headquarters of the Commonwealth Franco’s coup in 1936, the city was period, when it became a hub for Parc de la Ciutadella in 1888. of Municipalities from 1914, and of bombed on numerous occasions. political and commercial power. It hosted the Fair for a second time in the restored Generalitat de With the victory of the fascist side, Centuries later, with the Industrial 1929, which led to the urbanisation Catalunya –Government of both the city and the Catalan Revolution, the city became the and remodelling of the Montjuïc area. Catalonia- during the Second culture were severely repressed 1 Collserola and Tibidabo park 4 Sitges driver of Spain’s economic growth. throughout the whole dictatorship. Natural park next to Barcelona. Seaside town previously known for This is a good place to visit if you being a cultural hub for modernist After the Transition, the city once enjoy hiking with great views of the intellectuals. Reachable by public again became the headquarters of city and surrounding areas. transport: R2S Barcelona is a world-renowned city the institutions of the government of Reachable by public transport: Colònia Güell FGC trains S1 and S2 5 with hundreds of years of history Catalonia. There was a considerable Modernist industrial colony surge in tourism in Barcelona in the + Funicular railway + Bus designed by architect Antoni behind it. Some legends say that it If you go around the city, you will soon notice that in 2 Montserrat Monastery Gaudí. Reachable by public was founded by the Carthaginians 90s, particularly after the 1992 Barcelona there is a local language called Catalan. Sanctuary located on the transport: FGC trains S3 and S8 and that its name comes from the Olympic Games. Catalan is a romance language spoken by 10 million mountain of Montserrat. Reus – Tarragona Barca family. Over the years, it has people. Its linguistic area ranges over Catalonia, We highly recommend a visit. 6 Nowadays, Barcelona is an open, Two neighbouring cities which are been home to various civilisations, Valencia, the Balearic Islands, the eastern strip of Reachable by public transport: multicultural city, full of activities and of great cultural interest thanks to including the Iberians, Romans, Aragon, Andorra, Northern Catalonia (France) and the FGC train R5 events to suit all tastes. Its captiva- their cultural heritage. Reachable Arabs and Christians, which have While this growth was under way, city of Alghero (Sardinia, Italy). 3 Girona by public transport: R2S ting history, culture and architecture shaped today’s city. Barcelona became one of the key Medieval city located 1 hour from 7 Vic cities in the Labour Movement, have made it one of the preferred Barcelona. Reachable by public One of Catalonia’s inland cities, destinations for many travellers. transport: AVE high-speed trains, particularly of an anarchist nature. with an old town combining The workers’ uprising during Tragic Bus and Medium-distance trains. medieval style and modernist buildings. Reachable by public Week earned the city the name You will find below a small glossary of basic conversation and typical idiomatic “Rose of Fire”. Alternative transport: R3 expressions that you can use when communicating with locals: guide of Barcelona Barcelona Metro map Catalan English Hola! Hi! Adéu Goodbye TOURIST INFO Addresses, phone numbers and Com estàs? How are you? basic information for tourists. Em dic... My name is... Tourist information offices Underground/Metro Vinc de... I’m from... Plaça Catalunya, no. 17 Monday–Thursday: 3 Plaça de Sant Jaume, no. 1 5:00 a.m.–midnight 7 D’on ets? Where are you from? Plaça Portal de la Pau Friday and days before public La Rambla, no. 51-59 holidays: until 2:00 a.m. The lifestyle, weather, food, leisure and cultural On és...? Where is...? Plaça Nova, no. 5 Saturday: all-night service Rambla de les Flors, no. 88 2 activities on offer have made Barcelona an Com es diu ...? How do you say..? Sunday and mid-week public extremely attractive tourist destination. This Tourist Information office holidays: until midnight situation often leads to areas of mass tourism. If Quant costa...? How much is...? of Catalonia FGC trains 5 Palau Robert. Passeig de Gràcia, 107 you don’t want to be just another tourist in the On puc comprar…? Where can I buy…? Monday–Thursday: 1 crowd, this guide will give you advice for moving 932388091 4:50 a.m.–11:50 p.m. 4 around the city like a local, and will save you from Em pots ajudar? Can you help me? Phone numbers Friday: 4:50 a.m.–2:12 a.m. falling into the typical tourist traps. Emergency Services – 112 Saturday and public holidays: 6 M’agrada/No m’agrada I like it/I don’t like it Barcelona City Council – 010 5:45 a.m.–2:12 a.m. Government of Catalonia – 012 Menjar/beure Food/drink Typical opening hours Renfe trains Most shops open from 10:00 a.m. Guai! Great! Monday–Friday: until 8:00 p.m. 5:30 a.m.–11:50 p.m. Em poses una cervesa? Could you serve me a beer? Saturday and Sunday: Quina calda/rasca! It’s so hot/cold! 6:00 a.m.–11:50 p.m. Gràcies Thanks Perdó Sorry Avoid the city’s main streets and lose Barcelona’s good weather is a items, you will be immediately plan on staying for some days make yourself in the side streets. Many of permanent invitation to have a drink recognised as a guiri – a stereotypical sure you buy the T-10 card, which will Déu n’hi do Wow! these are much more charming than on a terrace. If you want a change tourist. It is also a good idea to avoid make your metro journeys cheaper. Estic/Estem perdut/s I am/We are lost the main streets, plus you can walk from the typical beer or sangria, try a the typical I Barcelona t-shirts. more freely. local drink instead, such as ratafia If you want to take photos, make sure Estàs de broma? Are you kidding? Find a course in one of the 147 centres across Catalonia: cpnl.cat (traditional Catalan liqueur) or Bicycles are an excellent way to not to stop in the middle of the street Quina sort That was lucky! Practice your speaking skills: vxl.cat vermut (Catalan-style vermouth). If travel around the city, but if you are when other people are trying to get it’s a special occasion, order some not into pedaling Barcelona has an past, and be careful not to hit anyone No importa It doesn’t matter Join an online course: parla.cat extensive metro network that will with your selfie stick! Learn more at: cava (sparkling white wine). If you Fer el got Go for a drink llengua.gencat.cat/learn want to say “cheers” like a local, the allow you to go everywhere. If you words to use are txin txin (“chin Parles anglès? Do you speak English? chin”) or salut. Hòstia! Jeez! If you are charged more than €3 for a Això és una merda! This sucks! standard beer on a terrace, you are Quin desastre! What a mess! probably in a bar where only tourists go. This is also the case if patates S’ha acabat el bròquil The game is up Don’t let them take you for a ride! braves cost more than €6. The city has some great food at great prices. If you eat on the main Fashion tip: no one in Barcelona The people of Barcelona appreciate morning), gràcies (thank you) and streets, such as Les Rambles, you are wears socks with sandals, or when visitors make an effort to adéu (goodbye). By using these likely to find yourself eating low-qua- sombreros. If you wear any of these speak to them in Catalan. If you are words, you are likely to bring a smile lity food at sky-high prices. See the staying in the city for a few days, it to the faces of the people of “Eat like a local” section for recom- would be a good idea to learn a few Barcelona* (Reference to “Speak like mendations. words, such as: bon dia (good a local” section). MUST-SEE SIGHTS 4 Eixample de la Barceloneta WHERE TO EAT 2 BARCELONETA 1 Museum of Catalan History Stroll and enjoy the old town 1 La Fresca AND BORN SUD Discover the history and see of Barcelona’s fishing district. Set lunch menu €11.95 and à la examples of Catalonia’s cultural 5 Born Cultural and Memorial carte options. These are probably the most heritage. €4.50 Centre 3 Mon–Sun 11:00 a.m.–midnight 7 5 well-known areas of Barcelona. Tues–Sat: 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., This is the old Born market, which has been transformed 2 Bastaix 2 Sant Andreu Even so, you can still find spots Sun: 10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Traditional tapas dinners. 6 4 where you can enjoy the into a historical memorial centre. 2 MUHBA Free. Some exhibitions have an Mon–Thurs: 5:30 p.m.–1:30 a.m. 2 neighbourhood without feeling Located in different additional cost. Fri–Sun: 11:00 a.m.–1:30 a.m. too overwhelmed. Barceloneta is neighbourhoods, the Barcelona Winter opening hours: 3 El Petra SA Barcelona’s old fishing district, City History Museum lets you Set menu €12.50 and à la carte reconstruct the city’s history from Tues–Sat: 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., and is near the beach of the Sun: 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.