Useful information for your visit to Barcelona

If you are about to pay a visit to Barcelona, it is important that you get informed about the region’s characteristics and habits, so that your trip can go smoothly.

Here is some useful information for your visit to Barcelona:

Barcelona’s Time Zone

Barcelona’s time zone is GMT+1.

Weather in Barcelona

Barcelona is a city with nice weather, being mostly sunny all year round. Winters can be very cold, with an average temperature of 6^oC, while temperatures in the summer can rise up to 40^ºC. It doesn’t rain too often in Barcelona, though there are periods of rain during Autumn and Winter.

Barcelona’s international telephone code

To call a number in Spain, you have to dial 0034 or +34. You will also notice that all the landline phone numbers in Barcelona start with 93, which is the city’s area code.

Related article: Useful information for your visit to Barcelona – Part II

Call a foreign number when in Barcelona

If you call foreign numbers from you cell phone while in Barcelona, the charges will, in general, be very high. The best way to communicate with people in other countries while in Barcelona is either by purchasing a 5€/10€ phone card at a magazine stand or a locutorio (places where you can go to access the internet) and call from a landline, using the code indicated on the card.

If you have access to internet, using Skype or Whatsapp to call abroad is also a good idea.

Electrical current in Spain

220 volt AC, 50Hz electrical current with two-pin electrical plugs.  

Currency in Spain

Spain’s currency is the Euro. There are 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, 1€ and 2€ coins, and 5€, 10€, 20€, 20€, 100€, 200€ and 500€ bills.

Note: If you have very large bills, ask the establishment if they will take that amount before ordering. There are stores and restaurants that do not accept 500€ bills.

Related article: Mobile Apps to visit Barcelona

Sales tax

VAT or sales tax is known in Spain as IVA. It is usually included in all your bills.

Tax Free

If you live outside the European Union, you may be eligible for Tax-Free shopping. This means you will have the 21% IVA returned to you after purchasing. Tax-Free only applies to purchases with values higher than 90.16€.

For you to be able to receive the tax value back, you have to ask for Tax Free when you are purchasing your items. If the store works with Tax Free, they will help you with the necessary paperwork.

For you to collect the tax money, take all the forms to the Customs booth at the airport, showing also your ticket and passport. Customs will want to see the items you purchased, which means you have to go through this process before checking in your luggage.

It is recommended that you don’t use your Tax Free items prior to your visit to Customs, so they have their original tags.

Looking for a place to stay in Barcelona? ShBarcelona is available to help you with all of your accommodation needs.