However, on January 2nd 2011, Spain introduced a new Smoking Ban (‘Ley Antitabaco’ in Spanish), much tougher [...]]]> In January 2006 Spain introducted a smoking ban, however bar and restaurant owners could decide whether or not smoking was allowed depending on the size of their premises. Large bars and restaurants had to have a designated smoking area.

However, on January 2nd 2011, Spain introduced a new Smoking Ban (‘Ley Antitabaco’ in Spanish), much tougher than the one introduced in 2006. The objective of this ban is not only to protect non-smokers but also smokers within their workplaces. Therefore from January 2nd 2011 it is not possible to smoke in bars and restaurants.

Similar bans have been already implemented by most of other UE counties. However Spain’s ban is even tougher as it prohibits smoking in some open spaces like children’s playgrounds, and access points to schools and hospitals.

Fines for breaking the ban range from €30 to €600,000.

This means that most people in Spain (and in the rest of Europe) will be able to enjoy an extra [...]]]> Clocks will go back an hour at 3am on Sunday 31st of October, so at 3am it will be 2am. The idea behind this change is to save hours of daylight and therefore reduce energy consumption.

This means that most people in Spain (and in the rest of Europe) will be able to enjoy an extra hour in bed when clocks go back an hour to mardk the start of Winter time.

Future time changes:

2011 – Sunday 27th of March and Sunday 30th of October
2012 – Sunday 25th of March and Sunday 28th of October

Don’t forget to set your clocks back by one hour on Sunday 31st October

For those people visiting or staying in Barcelona during the month of August, there are some nice and interesting activities to enjoy their visit to Barcelona. One of these activities would be the well-known Festes de Gracia.

From mid August and for 9 days, the Gracia area is filled with joy, music and [...]]]>

For those people visiting or staying in Barcelona during the month of August, there are some nice and interesting activities to enjoy their visit to Barcelona. One of these activities would be the well-known Festes de Gracia.

From mid August and for 9 days, the Gracia area is filled with joy, music and party all the time. Since many many years , streets are decorated by neighbours in search of becoming the most beautiful and attractive street of the whole area. This would be one of the biggest Barcelona traditions.

Gracia Area is located at the north side of Barcelona, at the end of Paseo de Gracia. The closest Metro stations are Fontana (L3 line) and Joanic (L2 line).

This year, and after a difficult decision, Verdi Street was coronated as the best coronated street and it looked like this:

Gracia are not the only ‘Fiestas’ holded in August in Barcelona as when Gracia are ended, ’Fiestas de Sants’ starts. Sants Area can be reached by Metro at stations: Sants Estació (L5 and L3 line) and Plaça de Sants (L5 and L1 lines).

The main reason for this, is that a large amount of business are closed in August so people are “forced” to take holidays. Locals normally leave Barcelona in August to go to the [...]]]> In my opinion it definitely is, as the city is less crowded so you have more “space” for you to enjoy your vacation.

The main reason for this, is that a large amount of business are closed in August so people are “forced” to take holidays. Locals normally leave Barcelona in August to go to the beach or the mountain so the city gets less crowded, but just to certain extent, don’t think the city gets empty as this is definitely not the case.

Of course some shops and restaurants will be closed but mainly at “local level” in non-touristic areas. City centre and the main tourist attractions will remain open so you will not miss anything.

Of course it is probably the warmest month of the year which could be hard for people coming from the UK or Ireland for example, but it is not as bad as the south of Spain, so just try avoiding outdoor activities during between 12 and 17h and use suncreen products.

For those of you who enjoy the sun, barcelona has several beaches easily accessible using public transport. If you go to the beach, just remember to apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes prior to sun exposure.

Anoter positive thing is that in August there are less queues for restaurants, museums, nightclubs, … so it is easier to get a table in a restaurant or get a taxi to get back to your hotel.

On the down side, sport activities really slow down so you will not be able to watch any F.C. Barcelona game as the football season does not start until the first week of September.

This free WiFi Internet access service is limited in terms of time and bandwith, although it depends on the WiFi hotspot you are connected. Once connected you will get a pop-up [...]]]> Barcelona City Council has just launched a project to provide free WiFi internet connection in Barcelona. This service is completely free and available to everybody.

This free WiFi Internet access service is limited in terms of time and bandwith, although it depends on the WiFi hotspot you are connected. Once connected you will get a pop-up screen informing you of time (normally 1 hour) and bandwith availability (normally 200Kbits/s).

This free wireless Internet service does not allow access to ethically unacceptable websites such as internet gambling and gaming, pornographic sites, IP telephony, file sharing or videoconferencing.

There are currently 170 WiFi hotspots although there will be 500 all over Barcelona by the end of 2010. Most of the hotspots are located in municipal amenities (libraries, civic centres, sports centres, museums, …). Click here for a list of the different hotspots.

The wireless network name is ‘Barcelona WIFI’ so the easiest option would be to do a refresh on the wireless networks and if you see the network Barcelona WIFI in range, just connect to it.

Click here for further information regarding this service, unfortunately, this information is just available in Spanish or Catalan.

Reus airport is located just 3km from Reus, 13km from Tarragona and 110km to Barcelona.

However, don’t panic as Ryanair in conjunction [...]]]> If you are travelling to Barcelona with Ryanair, be aware that you are not flying directly to Barcelona airport but to either Reus or Girona which in fact are more than 100km away from Barcelona.

Reus airport is located just 3km from Reus, 13km from Tarragona and 110km to Barcelona.

However, don’t panic as Ryanair in conjunction with Hispano Igualadina organize a direct bus service between Reus Airport and Barcelona (Estació de Sants) so each single Ryanair flight is covered by this bus service. The journey from Reus to Barcelona is 1:30h.

Once you get to Estació de Sants you can use public transport (metro L1 – Sants Estació or taxi) to go wherever you accommodation is.

Click here for further information regarding .

Ticket prices:

* Tickets are paid directly to the driver.