Barcelona - Host City

Located at the extreme north-east of the Iberian Peninsula, Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and also the capital of Catalonia, an autonomous region and one of the most ancient communities in Spain and in Europe. Fabulous architecture, world class museums, history, culture, fine foods and wines, fashionable shopping – Barcelona has it all. About four million people live in and around the city. Catalans are known for their independent spirit, creativity, hard-working disposition, peaceful and open-minded personality, and sense of humour.
Since its founding over two thousand years ago, Barcelona has been the traditional gateway to Spain. Three periods in particular have molded Barcelona’s distinctive cityscape in its history: the Roman period, extensive remains of which are present beneath the medieval town center; the Gothic age, during which the medieval old town around the Cathedral was developed; and the late nineteenth century, when pioneering industrial activities resulted in economic prosperity and made possible the rapid construction of a planned new town. As Spain remained neutral in both world wars, and the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) did not result in large areas of destruction, Barcelona has survived well architecturally. The city is now the center of an important industrial zone. Metal industry, textiles, machinery and automobile manufacture are at the top of the list. The port is one of the most actives of the Mediterranean. Commerce far outweighs industry, both wholesale and retail trading. The service sector has developed into one of enormous significance in the last decades.

The Barcelona we enjoy today is a new Barcelona, a vibrant and captivating European capital shaped by the ’92 Olympics, Mediterranean in keeping with its traditions, with its face to the sea and its arms open to other cultures and peoples Moreover, Barcelona is the only European capital with over four kilometres of beaches where you can enjoy the most modern amenities, the beaches are not far form Barcelona's historical and cultural landmarks, and they have opened up our modern and cosmopolitan city to the sea.

Access to Barcelona

By air: More than 80 European cities have direct flights to Barcelona, with a daily frequency in many cases. There are also flights from many cities of North and South America, Africa and Asia. The Barcelona-El Prat International Airport is at a short distance from Barcelona. It is linked to the city centre by rail ( Sants and Catalunya Stations), every 30 minutes, and by bus, every 15 minutes, with several stops in the city, including Plaça d’Espanya, which is in front of Barcelona Plaza Hotel, Symposium venue.

By rail: International direct lines to Barcelona-Sants Station come from the main European cities. There are also many trains from Madrid (AVE), some of them overnight.

By road: Motorway A-17/7 from La Junquera (at the French border) links up with the French motorway network. Motorway A-7 to the west and south connects Barcelona with the rest of Spain. Motorway A-2 connects motorway A-7 with the south entrance to Barcelona: Diagonal Avenue.

Taxi service: Taxi service is available 24 hours a day and it is located at the exit of the airport main building and also out of the train station. Taxis in Barcelona are easily recognizable by their colours (yellow and black). They are equipped with official taximeters and fares are charged in Spanish pesetas. There is usually a supplement for luggage loaded in the back trunk of the car. A taxi from the airport costs an approximate amount of 20-25,00 €, depending on the traffic conditions.

Transportation within the city

Barcelona enjoys an excellent public transport system, served by a network of buses, the metropolitan subway and a large number of taxis. The nearest subway station to Bartcelona Plaza Hotel (Symposium venue) is Plaça d’Espanya, (line 3 – green and line 1 - red).

Restaurant and Tourist Information

There will be ample information on restaurants at the Secretariat desk. During your stay here, you should try Barcelona’s cuisine, which is a blend of Mediterranean culinary traditions. Also, you should taste the splendid wines and cavas of the region.

The Secretariat desk will also offer information on cultural events as a service to all participants.

Climate

Barcelona enjoys a mild climate and an average annual temperature of 17ºC. The sun shines on most of days of the year. Average temperatures in November: 13º C / 56º F.

Business opening hours, sale taxes, and tips

In general, shops in Barcelona open in the morning from 10h to 14h and in the afternoon from 17h to 20h. Some shops do not close for lunch and others (mainly in the center) do not close on Saturday afternoon. Sunday is the rest day. Nearly all museums close on Mondays.

Value Added Tax (in Spanish IVA) for general goods (16%) and hotels and restaurants (7%) is charged on the consumption of products in the European Union, and only visitors resident in other countries are therefore exempt, when the purchase exceeds €90.15 in the same shop. A Tax-Free sticker is displayed in more than 700 establishments in the city’s main shopping areas, including the airport. Ask for details for reimbursement when you make your purchase.

Because the service charge is normally included in most bills, tipping is not compulsory, but it is customary to leave a small additional amount when you are happy with the service. Tip taxis up to five percent of the total fare. Tip hotel porters for assistance with bags, and room service attendants for their assistance.

Currency

The currency in Spain is the Euro (€). The banknotes circulate in denominations of €5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 and the coins are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, €1 and €2. Except in small businesses, credit cards are widely accepted in almost every restaurant and shop in Barcelona. Business is transacted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Friday. Money can be exchanged in banks, airport, major railway stations, and exchange offices displaying a “Cambio/Canvi” sign. You can also use cash-points to withdraw money, since most of them are connected to national and international networks.

Power supply

220 V. Frequency 50 Hz.

Telephone calls

Pay phones are available all over the city for local and long distance calls. Public phone boots are light blue or grey. They operate with coins or cards. For international calls dial 00, then, dial the country and area codes.