Handy tips 

TRAVELLING

The underground operates long hours:

Sunday to Monday: starts at 5am until 12pm

Fridays: starts at 5 until 2am

Saturdays: starts at 5am and goes on all night

There is also a vast network of night buses that can take you to your destination if you miss the last underground!

For more travelling information: http://www.tmb.cat/en/home

RESTAURANTS

Most restaurants open from 1pm to 4pm, and from 8pm until 11pm. Spanish people usually have lunch between 2 and 3:30pm and dinner between 9 and 10:30pm.

Some restaurants close on Mondays. We have provided a list of restaurants that are open on Mondays: Practical info /Restaurants.

TIPS

Tipping isn’t obligatory, but people usually leave 10% if they are satisfied with the service provided.

BUSINESS HOURS

Shops have long opening hours, from 10am to 2pm and from 4.30 to 8 or 8.30pm.

In Barcelona city centre, most shops don’t close at lunchtime and large shopping centres and department stores open until 10pm in the summer. Some shops in areas considered to be tourist attractions stay open longer as well, such as Maremagnum, where many shops are open until 11pm.

SAFETY

Always keep your bags with you, especially in the city centre and at the beach. Locals never leave their belongings while they go for a swim; they take turns and make sure that there is always someone watching the bags. Barcelona is a safe city but pickpockets operate in main touristic areas as well as on public transport, so it is always good to keep an eye out.

SUMMER RECOMMENDATIONS        

As the weather can get really hot, it is very important to stay hydrated. Recommendations include wearing sunglasses and a hat to avoid excessive exposure to the sun. Sun lotion must be applied regularly in order to avoid getting burned, especially when going to the beach.

LAWS

Drinking alcohol on the street is forbidden and can be penalized by the police on the spot.

Spain’s drinking age is 18, the same age one has to be in order to buy cigarettes.

Weather

There are basically four seasons in Barcelona: autumn, cool, perfect spring, and really hot. We predict the weather for DRUID 2013 will be “quite hot”! We recommend attendees bring a light jacket and pants as nights can become cool!

Check this website for live weather forecasts:

http://www.meteo.cat/mediamb_xemec/servmet/english/index.html

Planning your visit

We have provided several websites below to help DRUID 2013 attendees conduct their own research on Barcelona and its surroundings areas. Each site will contain pictures, ideas, links, and resources that will help you plan your visit.

The City of Barcelona – http://www.bcn.cat/en/ihome.htm

Barcelona Convention Bureau -  http://professional.barcelonaturisme.com/?go=jN7uAYLx/oIJaWVUDL4eU8Tyip0BcLQMGMCia6WsywK0XYh8j7w8PJ8oMaNs6z8sFA==

Barcelona Tourism - www.barcelonaturisme.com

Catalonia Tourism - http://www.gencat.cat/turistex_nou/home_ang.htm

For guided visits, please contact: viajes_esade@viajeseci.es