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Barcelona, Spain

In and Out of El Prat de Llobregat (BCN) or “El Prat”:

1. Taxi: Expect to pay around 25 Euros for the journey into the centre from Terminal 2 and 30 euros for your journey from Terminal 1. All official Barcelona taxis are black and yellow and are required to charge you only the value on the meter (Plus any surcharge. Surcharges include a supplement for travelling from the Airport, or to or from the port and also for each suitcase, all surcharge rates are displayed in the back of the taxi).
    
   We recommend the taxi as a convenient, not too expensive mode of transportation in Barcelona.
    
2. Aerobus: The Aerobus service is an express bus service that links Barcelona airport to the city centre. This service normally runs every 15 mins within its fixed hours of operation.  You can catch the Aerobus from outside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and it will then take you to the city centre where you can alight either at Placa Espanya or Placa de Catalunya.
   
   Tickets cost 4.25 to 5 Euro depending on your terminal of arrival/departure and are cheaper if you buy a round trip.
     
3. Train and Bus: While trains and buses to leave regularly for the city, we believe the Aerobus is an easier, more convenient way of using mass transit if a little more expensive.  Also note that trains, not the metro, leave from the airport.

Neighborhoods:

Barcelona is a walking-friendly city that an fit person would be able to cover most of in one day if they put their mind to it.  That being said, Barcelona is a strolling town that should be enjoyed at a leisurely place!

1. Barri Gotic: The “Gothic Quarter” is the oldest part of the city and has many sights including churches and the winding streets themselves.  A most central area that one can find well priced accommodation or an expensive view of Las Ramblas.
2. L’Eixample: Pronounced le-SHOM-pluh, is home to posh residences and the best hotels in Barcelona.  Home to great avenues and shopping, this is also a very central location.
3. La Barceloneta and Port Olympic: Side-by-side areas with the feel of an ancient New Jersey Shore with a giant boardwalk and shops surrounded by an old, yet improving area.  If you like the beach, don’t forget Barcelona is home to long, beautiful shorelines and they are in this area.
4. Gracia: A bohemian area with boutique shops that are fun to stroll through.  This area can be a cheaper area to stay because it is less central, but it’s not far from everything either.
5. Montjuic and Tibidabo: Two neighborhoods on mountains West and South of city-center are less within walking distance, but can provide you with cheaper places to stay and amazing views of the city.

Top 10 Barcelona Sights:

1. Las Ramblas: A street that is a destination within itself.  Make sure to take at least one stroll down this avenue to people-watch, check out the shops and performers.  This is one of the most exciting streets in Europe.
2. La Sagrada Familia: We will later discuss Gaudi’s works throughout Barcelona, but this is his most majestic, a supremely unique cathedral soaring above the surrounding city.  Make sure you climb up its bell tower for great views and an amazing experience.
3. Parc Guell: This is another Gaudi masterpiece in the form of a park on the side of a large hill.  Start at the entrance at the bottom and climb the hill on winding trails surrounded by his artwork and finish on top of the hill overlooking the city.
4. Beaches: In Barceloneta and Port Olympic you can find out favorite beaches in the city with a boardwalk and relaxing places to sit and have a drink all along that boardwalk.
5. The Rest of Gaudi’s Barcelona: La Pedrera and Casa Batllo are two shining jewels of architecture in a city infused with Gaudi’s spirit.  Don’t forget to look up when walking around to be surprised by amazing pieces of art.
6. La Boqueria: Love food?  This is the place to go for everything fresh.  Make sure to have a lunch in this market made right in front of your eyes.  In fact, you get to pick your lunch out for yourself.
7. The Food: Yes, the food is an awe-inspiring feat within itself.  This city seems to have anything and everything you could possibly like.  Think Spanish + Mediterranean = YUMMY!  Also, remember the locals don’t eat dinner until 10 PM or later so don’t forget Tapas!
8. Catedral la Seu: Your “run-of-the-mill” AMAZING European cathedral.
9. Eglesia de Santa Maria del Mar: The church sea-going men would visit before they went out to sea, this is a uniquely wide-open church that gives you a nice perspective of yourself.
10. Parc de la Ciutadella: An expansive park within walking distance of the ocean, take a slow walk here and take in all of the architecture, artwork and landscaping that went into it.