Booking Tickets: Barcelona is easily accessible from just about anywhere in the world via dozens of major airlines. These days, most of the big online travel sites are extremely competitive (meaning the prices are very similar), so we recommend you pick a favorite booking site and find a flight that meets your needs.

Commonly used airfare sites:

• Kayak.com
• Travelocity.com
• Expedia.com

Barcelona-El Prat Airport

Barcelona Airport (BCN): There is just one airport in Barcelona, El Prat, so all flights with Barcelona as the destination will land here. The airport is about a 25-minute drive from the city center, and there are three options to get into town, all of which are very easy and do not require advanced booking.

How to get into the city:

• Aerobus Barcelona: The Aerobus runs every day from 5am to 1am and costs 5,90€ one-way. It is surprisingly fast, comfortable, and cost-effective. From the moment you exit the airport, you can be on the bus and on your way to the city in less than 10 minutes. We highly recommend this transportation option.

• Metro: The L9 (orange line) connects the airport to the city. Passengers usually have to switch lines and take either the L1, L3, or L5 to reach their accommodation. A one-way ride from the airport to the city via metro costs 4,50€. The Metro runs from 5am to midnight every day, except for Friday night when it runs until 2am, and Saturday night when it runs for 24 hours. The problem with this option is the route is very long and roundabout, so allow for as much as two hours to get to your destination. The Metro is safe, clean, and reliable, but undeniably slow.

• Taxi: Taxis are available 24/7 at the terminal. Taxis are all safe and metered. Cost varies depending on the time of day and traffic, but expect to pay 30€ to 35€ on average to get to most destinations. Credit cards are accepted.

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Barcelona has accommodation options to fit just about any budget, from rented rooms in shared apartments to 5-star hotels. The only thing to keep in mind is that the city is an extremely popular travel destination, so things do fill up. Book early or you’ll have less options. We’ve compiled a list of resources to make the process easier and help you find the perfect space to stay during the course.

Money: Credit cards and debit cards are accepted pretty much everywhere in the city, including most fresh markets. For cash, you’ll usually get the best rate if you withdraw from cashpoints/ATM machines rather than bringing in foreign currency and exchanging it at the airport. All cashpoints/ATM machines will accept cards from around the world and support multiple languages.

For current exchange rates, please visit www.xe.com. (Note: These are best market rates; the actual rate you’ll get is never this good.)

Typical expenses/costs:

• Metro. Very convenient, clean, and easy. With a T-Mobilitat, you pay about 1€ per ride. You can purchase a card at any station. Alternatively, if you prefer unlimited travel within Barcelona, you can buy a 5-day travel card in advance.

• Bus. Buses go everywhere, but they can be slower and more crowded than the Metro. City buses work on the same system as the Metro, so if you have a Metro card, you can also use it on the bus. Note: You cannot buy Metro cards on the bus, only one-off rides (which are more expensive), so it’s best if you pick up a Metro card at the beginning of your trip to have handy.

• Taxi. Taxis are safe, fairly clean, and relatively inexpensive in Barcelona. Most rides within the city center are 6€ to 12€. There are numerous booking apps you can use, but most people just hail taxis from the sidewalk.

• Food. A typical menú del día (set lunch menu) costs 9€ to 14€ and a dinner might set you back 20€ to 30€. Cheap eats are easy to find, too. Grocery stores and fresh markets are everywhere, and ready-made (fresh daily) food shops are also common.

Barcelona’s waterfront and promenade

Culture: Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain (after Madrid) and is situated on the Mediterranean Sea, with very close proximity to the Pyrenees mountain range, Andorra, and France. There are people in the city who consider themselves Catalan, Spanish, or both. There is a strong Catalan independence movement that is very polarizing and political, and it’s common to see Catalan and Spanish flags hanging from balconies—a sign of political affiliations. People in Barcelona are friendly, but tend to be more reserved than in southern areas of Spain and often keep to themselves. Catalunya has a rich tradition of food, wine, and architecture. Beach and seaside activities are also very important to local residents.

Language: Barcelona is one of the few truly bilingual cities in the world, with both Catalan and Spanish used fluidly in most settings. In schools, both languages are taught. On street signs, Catalan is obligatory. It’s worth mentioning that Catalan is not a dialect; it is a language unique to this region and spoken by some 10 million people. At times, it sounds very close to Spanish; at other times, not at all. It’s often described as Spanish meets French. Everyone who speaks Catalan understands and speaks Spanish, but not all Spanish speakers understand or speak Catalan. Immigrants from all over the world, and even other parts of Spain, usually learn and use Spanish, not Catalan, so you’ll hear both languages throughout your time here. In shops and restaurants, people switch between languages without missing a beat. It’s not something people talk or think about, it’s just part of the culture.

The average level of English-language understanding is surprisingly high, but many people are reluctant to speak it—often because they don’t have much experience or practice. Speaking only English, most travelers don’t run into any problems. The closer you are to the city center, the higher the average level of English. Younger generations also speak and understand English at a higher level. Barcelona is a major destination for tourism, so there is never a problem using English or being a foreigner, there are foreigners everywhere.

Food: Barcelona is a foodie’s paradise, with a myriad of outdoor cafes, tapas bars, and seaside dining options. Over the past few years, the gastronomic scene has expanded to include every type of dietary restriction under the sun. Food here is simple, yet tasty, and moderately priced. A typical breakfast always includes coffee and then possibly something light to eat, such as a croissant. Throughout the work week, lunch is often a sandwich or a menú del día (for those with an extended lunch break) and dinner is eaten at home. On weekends, however, the midday meal is the biggest of the day, featuring multiple courses and a leisurely schedule, usually starting at around 1pm and ending around 3pm.

Easy to find:

• Bakeries
• Fresh produce
• Outdoor markets
• Supermarkets
• Sandwiches
• Great selection of fruit
• Chicken, ham, and sausage
• Seafood
• Rice dishes
• Tapas
• Fried foods

More difficult to find (it just takes some research):

• A decent salad
• Variety (typical tapas bars are everywhere)
• Fresh juices/smoothies

Typical Barcelona eating times:

• 7am to 8am: Coffee
• 10am: Something small
• 1pm: Lunch (as late as 3.30pm is not uncommon)
• 8pm to 10pm: Dinner (as late as 11pm on weekends)

Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter

Neighborhoods: Barcelona had lots of neighborhoods to consider, whether to eat, explore, or rent an apartment and live like a local during your stay.

• Eixample. This large, well-planned section of the city offers the most options. Apartments tend to be larger and in many cases, more recently renovated. It’s a great neighborhood in which to stay and go out to eat.

• The Gothic Quarter and Born. These are beautiful, old neighborhoods and also the peak tourist areas of the city. Despite the crowds, both have really lovely options for restaurants and accommodation and you’re very close to the sea, which is a big advantage. The most important things to consider about these neighborhoods are evening noise and crowds at bars. Both neighborhoods are safe, but in the evenings they can be party zones.

• Gràcia. This densely-packed neighborhood is close to everything, but maintains it’s own village feel. The streets are narrow, there are a lot of boutiques and health food shops, and it’s a great place to get lost. That being said, there are not many hotels and the apartments tend to be older, smaller, and more run down than in other parts of the city.

GETTING AROUND: Barcelona is a very compact city, so it’s extremely easy to move around. The weather is great, so walking, cycling, buses, Metro, and taxi are all feasible options. If you like to cycle, renting a bike is a great idea. If you’re a walker, most destinations are less than 30 minutes from wherever you happen to be.

Plaça Sant Jaume and the Ajuntament de Barcelona (Barcelona City Hall)

Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, is defined by quirky art and architecture, imaginative food, and vibrant street life. It has medieval roots, seen in the labyrinthine streets and squares of the Gothic Quarter, but a modernist personality represented by the fantastical buildings of Antoni Gaudí, Josep Puig i Cadafalch, and Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Its restaurant scene, anchored by La Boqueria (the central market), ranges from fine dining to tiny tapas bars.

La Rambla