Maps & City Guides, Barcelona

Favorite thing: To supplement whatever retail book you buy, have a look / download at Maribel's Guides - http://maribelsguides.com

The site has free downloadable .pdf files for the major cities and regions of Spain. It's updated just about yearly. I recently used it along with Frommer's Barcelona Day by Day book on my Barcelona trip in May. I also have the DK Top 10 Barcelona app on my iPod Touch.

My frequently used guides were the real, old-school, paper ones when I am out and about. I basically used the "virtual" guide when I am in my room and I am planning out the day. The printed out Maribel city guide was great to read and refer to while on the plane.

Rick Steve's Snapshot: Barcelona is also good since it is compact, and right to the point.

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You may like to read a fiction book happening in Barcelona before, while or after your visit... Here you have a few ideas:

- "Cathedral of the Sea" ("La Catedral del Mar") by Ildefonso Falcones. I love Historic novels, provided these are well documented. This is one I really enjoyed reading. The plot takes place in 14th century, during the construction of Santa María del Mar church. You'll follow the life of an imaginary character, Arnau Estanyol, born as servant, he managed to become a wealthy man, then... (you have to read it to know!!)

- The best novel placed in Barcelona I've read so far: "The Shadow of the Wind" ("La Sombra del Viento") by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. It was a real phenomenon: the novel most sold in Spain (from a Spanish author) during two consecutive years, and well sold in other countries after translation. It is a mystery story, the action happens in Barcelona during the Franco's regime. It can be very instructive about our recent history. Most of the places that appear at the book do still exist (even there are touristy tours based on the book).

- "City of Marvels" ("La ciudad de los prodigios") by Eduardo Mendoza is quite interesting too, and it happens at the changing Barcelona at the beginning of the XX century.

- "Murder in the Central Committee" ("Asesinato en el Comite Central") by Manuel Vazquez Montalban: I don't remember much of this book as I read it too many years ago. But the adventures of the private detective Pepe Carvalho are always a pleasure to read, and you'll learn quite a lot about our eating and drinking culture!

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And a couple of classics now:

- "The Time of the Doves (Diamond's square)" ("La Plaça del Diamant") by Merce Rodoreda. To know the Barcelona during and after the Civil War. The history took place at the Gracia district, around the Plaça del Diamant (Diamond Square). This one can be a bit depressing, but really good literature.

- "The gray book" ("El Quadern Gris") by Josep Pla. Autobiographic history, from the youth years of Pla (who later became one of the best Catalan authors)

Favorite thing: Before leaving for Barcelona, take your time to read critically acclaimed The Shadow of the Wind (Spanish: La sombra del viento) from 2001. The novel is written by Spanish novelist Carlos Ruiz Zafón (born in Barcelona in 1964).

The setting of the novel is of greatest interest to Barcelona travelers; post- Spanish Civil War Barcelona. You get to walk the streets of Avenida del Tibidabo and Balmes, visit Plaza Cataluña and the beach Barceloneta, climb the mountain Montjuïc and so on. Though fiction, you get glimpses from parts of Barcelona´s history.

The young boy Daniel is taken by his father, to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a secret labyrintine library of old, forgotten titles, preserved only by a secret few. Everyone initiated to the library is obliged to take one book from it and protect it for life. Daniel selects a book and his choice will change his life.

Favorite thing: Tourism Offices:

Checking this website www.bcn.es/turisme/castella/turisme, you will find some different offices spread throughout the city.

Some other websites about tourism in general:
www.bcn.es/turisme/castella/turisme/welcome.htm
www.publispain.com/viajes/barcelona
www.barcelonaturisme.com/?go=jN7uAYLx/oIJaWVQCb4ZU93ygJVYLOpRQdvyIue/wAW6DdhyhKl0Y8JybdczumN4RSbo3CdL/o8PAtfm2w==ç

Favorite thing: During summer (I'm not sure if it is here at other times of the year) there is a tourist information centre set up on the walkway in the middle of La Rambla.

These guys and girls will help you out with any questions you have about Barcelona. There are free maps of the city and lots of guides. You can also buy the tickets for the hop on/hop off bus tours here.

My friends and I had a couple of questions about tours and the lady there was very helpful and friendly and gave us some great advice.

Favorite thing: For more photos of Barcelona, and some under the radar tips, check out this new blog on the city. It also links to some other helpful websites, and the writer is open to questions by email!

http://www.labarcelonista.blogspot.com

Favorite thing: To get an interactive online map of the city as well as very accurate directions through Barcelona, visit the bcn wepage (http://www.bcn.es/guia/welcomea.htm) . They have information in Catalan, Castellano, and English, and its all very helpful, but best of all is the 'guia.' You can get directions to a location and they will tell you the walking time and distance and metro time and distance it will take to get there. It is very helpful, especially when trying to navigate the tricky backstreets of the barri gotic or ciutat vella that sometimes aren't on the maps. All you need to do is type in the street and number and they provide you with an accurate, labeled map that can zoom in as far as the street itself or as far out as the entire city. It also includes a function that allows you to locate sights in a specific area. Very helpful.

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There is too much too see and experience! It's very difficult to advise what to prioritize, want are the “must sees”, as each one have it's own tastes, preferences, budget…

When planning your trip to Barcelona, I suggest you doing a little research at these sites:

- Barcelona City Council webpage: www.bcn.cat

You'll find there a complete guide to the city events, you can search at the "diary" . You can look for events in a given date, do specific searches, or just see the highlights.

In addition you have loads of interesting info about places, itineraries, etc in the "turisme" section.

- Another good website with tourist info: Barcelonaturisme

- TMB , Barcelona public transports services: TMB.net , there you have also links with suggestions of routes around the main sites of interest, transport cards, prices, etc.

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You have several TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES: where are provided all kind of services you may need such as tourist information, maps, brochures, money exchange, gift shop, etc.

Contact:
Tel. 807 117 222 (From Spain), +34 93 285 38 34 (International calls)
E-mail: [email protected]

Main offices:

- Plaça de Catalunya, 17-S. Open every day of the year from 9 to 21 h. Closed on 25th December and 1st January. LOcated underground, in front of El Corte Inglés department store, near the corner of Portal de l'Angel/carrer de Fontanella

- Sants Railway Station. Plaça dels Paisos Catalans s/n. Opening hours: from Monday to Friday 8-20 h, Saturday, Sunday and holidays 8-14h, Summer, daily 8- 20 h. Closed on 1st Janary, 25th and 26th December.

- Plaça Sant Jaume. C/ Ciutat, 2. Opening hours: from Monday to Friday 9-20 h, Saturday 10- 20 h, Sunday and holidays 10-14 h.

CATALONIA TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE "PALAU ROBERT"

To get info about Catalonia, daytrips from Barcelona, local events, etc. have a look at Palau Robert webpage

Palau Robert is physically located at the top of Passeig de Gracia in Barcelona, and there is the "Centre de Informacio de Catalunya". You will find a tourist office, a youth information point, exhibitions, etc.

- Tel. Tourist office: Tel. 93 238 80 91 Fax. 93 292 12 70

- Tel. Youth Information Point: Tel. 93 238 40 07

Address: Passeig de Gracia, 107. Opening hours: from Monday to Saturday 10 to 19h, Sundays and Holidays 10 to 14h.

Favorite thing: Hi, I discovered this new website www.takeoffguides.com, it has a travel guide of Barcelona in PDF format, really complete with pictures, travel tips, maps, I recommend it to all vt's! I am using it myself for my trip to Barcelona, and also all the tips from virtual tourist of course. Thank you.

Fondest memory: Currently travelling in Barcelona

Fondest memory: "La ciudad de los prodigios", a book from Eduardo Mendoza. Reading this book you learn a lot about Barcelona history in the begin of the 20th century.
(The City of Marvels - Eduardo Mendoza, 1986 - in english by: Collins, Harvill (GB))

Favorite thing: Country Address Post Code Tel. Number

ALEMANIA Pg. de Gràcia, 111, 11a 08008 93 292 10 00
ARGENTINA Pg. de Gràcia, 11 Esc B 2a 08007 93 304 12 00
AUSTRALIA Carles III, 98, 9è 08028 93 330 94 96
AUSTRIA Mallorca, 214, àtic 1a 08008 93 453 72 94
BANGLADESH Mallorca, 192, 1r 08036 93 453 44 02
BÉLGICA Diputació, 303, 1r 08009 93 467 70 80
BOLIVIA Pça. de Francesc Macià, 9, 1-2 08029 93 322 65 12
BRASIL Pg. de Gràcia, 21, pral. 08007 93 488 22 88
CANADÁ Elisenda de Pinós, 10 08034 93 204 27 00
COLOMBIA Pg. de Gràcia, 2, 4-6 08007 93 412 78 28
COREA Pau Claris, 166, baixos 08037 93 487 10 00
COSTA DE MARFIL Puig i Xoriguer, 7 08004 93 329 69 16
COSTA RICA Gran Via, 144 (Hospitalet de Llob.) 08902 93 263 20 14
CUBA Pg. de Gràcia, 34, 2-1 08007 93 487 86 61
CHAD Tusset, 5-11, 5è 08006 93 200 66 99
CHILE Gran Via, 591, 3r 08007 93 318 85 86
CHINA Avinguda Tibidabo, 34 08022 93 254 11 99
DINAMARCA Rbla. de Catalunya, 33, 3-1 08007 93 488 02 22
ECUADOR Ptge. Josep Llovera, 3, 1-1 08021 93 209 57 31
EL SALVADOR Muntaner, 260, 3-2 08021 93 209 36 58
EE UU Elisenda de Montcada, 23 08034 93 280 22 27
FILIPINAS Balmes, 211, 2-2 08006 93 451 57 67
FINLANDIA Puig i Xoriguer, 17, baixos 08004 93 443 15 98
FRANCIA Ronda Universitat, 22 B, 4t 08007 93 270 30 00
GABÓN Rosselló, 257, 4t A 08008 93 416 06 61
GRECIA Diagonal, 593, 6-2 08014 93 321 28 28
GUATEMALA Sants, 273, 1-2 08028 93 422 63 81
HOLANDA Diagonal, 601, 4 D 08028 93 410 62 10
HONDURAS Joan Güell,184-188 08028 93 430 30 06
HUNGRÍA Diagonal, 477, 19è 08036 93 405 19 50
INDIA Teodor Roviralta, 21-23 08022 93 212 09 16
INDONESIA Pau Claris, 173, 2n 2a 08037 93 487 68 84
IRLANDA Carles III, 94 , 1º 2ª 08028 93 491 50 21

Fondest memory: ISLANDIA Sardenya, 229-237, sobreàtic 3r 08013 93 232 58 10
ITALIA Mallorca, 270 08037 93 467 73 05
JAPÓ Diagonal, 662-664, 3r 08034 93 280 34 33
JORDANIA Aragó, 174, 10-4 08011 93 454 48 50
LUXEMBURG Tusset, 8-10, 8è 08006 93 292 22 66
MADAGASCAR Diagonal, 432 08037 93 415 10 06
MALASIA Ptge. Colom, 11, 3-1 08002 93 310 20 20
MARROc Rbla. de Catalunya, 78, 1r 08008 93 215 34 70
MÉXIC Diagonal, 626, 4 08021 93 201 18 22
MÓNACO Via Augusta, 158, 3-1 08006 93 209 75 88
NEPAL Aragó, 184 08011 93 451 12 21
NORUEGA Balmes, 184, 5º 2ª 08006 93 218 49 83
PANAMÁ Pg. de Gràcia, 20, 4-1 08007 93 302 00 73
PAQUISTAN Còrsega, 366, àtic 08037 93 457 42 30
PARAGUAY Av. Pau Casals, 9, 5ª 08021 93 414 76 21
PERÚ Còrsega, 270, 2-3 08008 93 415 49 99
PORTUGAL Ronda de Sant Pere, 7, 1-1 08010 93 318 81 50
REP. DOMINICANA París, 211, 3r B 08008 93 237 92 13
REP. ESLOVACA Via Augusta, 120, 3-2 08006 93 725 07 21
RUSIA Av. Pearson, 34 08034 93 280 54 32
SENEGAL Aribau, 191, 4-2 08021 93 200 97 22
SUECIA Mallorca, 279, 4-3 08037 93 488 25 01
SUISSA Gran Via de Carles III, 94, 7è 08028 93 330 92 11
TAILANDIA Diagonal, 339 bis, 4-1 08037 93 458 14 61
TOGO Aribau, 200, 6è 08036 93 209 73 44
TUNISSIA Diputació, 400, 1-4 08013 93 231 53 79
UK Diagonal, 477 08036 93 366 62 00
URUGUAY T Trafalgar, 4, 8 B 08010 93 268 31 66
VENEZUELA Provença, 278, 3-2 08008 93 488 20 12

Favorite thing:
Very USEFUL!!!:

www.bcn.es (you can choose language).)
www.barcelonaturisme.com (you can choose language).

You must visit the modernist houses of Gaudi: Casa Batlló, Casa Mitlà, etc... for the BCN's bourgeoisie and the 'Güell' Park.

Don't forget to visit the 'Ramblas'!!!

In Montjuïc you can see the modern part of the city, with some of the Olympics facilities... and the Olympic Harbour, for nightlife!

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To know what's on:

Le Cool Magazine : weekly online magazine

Favorite thing: There is a lot of things to know about Barcelona, but you'll find whatever you need on this link

www.bcn.es.

If you need assistance, just tell me. I'll help you if I can.