Regional Information
COSTA BRAVA & BARCELONA
AT A GLANCE
Currency: Euro (€)
Population: Barcelona (metropolitan area) – 4.9 million
Language: Spanish (Castilian & Catalan), English widely spoken
Local Time: Irish and UK time + 1 hour
Voltage: 220-240V – continental adaptors purchased in Ireland and UK can be used
Flight Duration: Approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes
Climate: The Costa Brava has a warm Mediterranean climate with long, hot summers and mild winters. The region is cooler than the rest of Spain’s Costas, which is in fact preferable in the summer.
OVERVIEW + HIGHLIGHTS
Costa Brava
The Costa Brava is a 150 kilometre stretch of rugged Mediterranean coastline known for its considerable natural beauty, miles of sandy beaches and a superb summer climate. It is situated to the southeast of the Pyrenees and runs from the French border down to the stunning city of Barcelona. Cultural highlights include archaeological sites, monasteries, churches, bridges, fiestas and age-old celebrations that give a unique character to this area. Today, the Costa Brava offers modern holiday resorts alongside unspoilt fishing villages with rocky coves and ancient towns with medieval castles.
Girona - The city of Girona, on the route from the Pyrenees to Barcelona, is one of the most important historical sites in Spain. This quaint medieval city attracts visitors lured by the experience of walking through the old quarter, the Call, with its narrow alleyways and ancient stone houses. Inside the ancient walls are such gems as the 12th century Benedictine monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants and the 14th century cathedral built in the Catalonian Baroque style. Also of particular interest are the restored 12th century Arab baths with their central octagonal pool, and the fascinating Jewish quarter where the culture and religion flourished between the 9th and 15th centuries.
Figueras - This small town in Catalonia, near the border with France, was the birthplace of surrealist painter Salvador Dali and is now home to the fantastic Dali Theatre-Museum. Another Dali attraction worth visiting is the Gala Dali Castle, a medieval castle the painter presented to his wife, Gala, that was converted into a public museum in 1996.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and the second biggest city in Spain. It is located on the Mediterranean Coast between the mouths of the Llobregat and Besos rivers and is sheltered to the northwest by the Collserola mountain range. The Gothic Quarter is the centre of the old city with many of the buildings dating from medieval times. Modern architecture has also left an important legacy in Barcelona; some of the city's most notable landmarks include the numerous Art Nouveau-style buildings designed by Antoni Gaudi. Barcelona also boasts an impressive number of art museums, including one dedicated to Pablo Picasso.
GETTING AROUND
The Costa Brava is served by an efficient network of buses and trains. Barcelona has a clean, punctual, air-conditioned metro system that will take you to most of the major sites. However, the city centre can also be covered easily by foot. There is a bus service that serves Barcelona centre, as well as a tourist bus that covers three circuits of major sites.
HEALTH/SECURITY
It is safe for tourists to drink tap water from Barcelona and many of the major cities and tourist resorts, but travelers often choose to buy bottled water instead because they are unaccustomed to the taste of Spanish water. If travelling in remote areas, it is best to play it safe and drink bottled water. Bottled water can be purchased very cheaply from local supermarkets.
The Costa Brava is essentially a safe area, but, similar to many tourist areas, pickpockets are not uncommon. Tourists should avoid carrying large sums of cash or leaving belongings unattended.
PASSPORT/VISA
As Spain is a member of the EU, visas are not required for Irish or British citizens. A valid national passport or national identity card is required for entry.
USEFUL CONTACTS
Irish Consulate in Barcelona:
Gran Via Carlos III
94 08028 Barcelona
Tel: +34 93 491 5021, Fax: +34 93 490 09 86
Email: cons.irl@webcat.es
http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=5520
British Consulate in Barcelona:
Avda Diagonal 477 - 13
08036 Barcelona
Tel: +34 933 666 200, Fax: +34 933 666 221
Email: Barcelona.Consulate@fco.gov.uk
http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/our-offices-in-spain/consular-offices
Local Emergency Services: General emergency 112
Calling Spain from Ireland/UK: 00 + 34 + area code + the number
Calling Ireland from Spain: 00 + 353 + area code + the number
Calling the UK from Spain: 00 + 44 + area code + the number
Tourist Office, Barcelona:
Plaça de Catalunya, 17-S / Tel: +34 93 285 3834 / Fax: +34 93 285 3831
Email: info@barcelonaturisme.com
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com
USEFUL WEBSITES
http://www.costabrava.org
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain