Living in Barcelona
Barcelona is one of the world’s most dynamic, cosmopolitan cities and, as some economy studies report, it figures among the top European cities in quality of life rankings. This feature is a widely recognised asset of the city.
The administrative and cultural capital of Catalonia, Barcelona is located on the privileged Mediterranean West coast, in North-Eastern Spain. It is considered a modern, tolerant and open city and offers a wide range of cultural and tourist attractions. Moreover, it is also the main city in the new and prominent Southern European Bioregion. The Bioregion of Catalonia comprises 12 universities that offer specialist training in life sciences, 3 science parks, 6 top hospitals in terms of scientific output, and a network of research centres of excellence. Furthermore, Barcelona also hosts extensive technological and scientific platforms and facilities. Moreover, Barcelona will host the new synchrotron light facility, ALBA synchrotron, now in the construction phase.
To give you an idea of the secrets that Barcelona holds and what makes it such a captivating place to live and work, in this section IRB Barcelona has compiled some of the most useful websites about the city.
Getting to know Barcelona
The Barcelona City Council website offers extensive information about the past, present, and future of Barcelona (BCN). The website includes practical information for moving around and getting to places, and an agenda with the most interesting events held in the city.
This web offers news and views from the Catalan capital.
This is a very useful website with information on student grants, the university system and the procedures for applications.
This website provides helpful information for those visiting Barcelona: accommodation, restaurants, shops, and information about its history and culture.
The tourism section of this website is organized in a quick menu and provides information such as the weather and an interactive map.
Events and Agenda
The Institute of Culture offers a preliminary programme for cultural events held in the city. The site also lists cultural venues and provides links to their websites.
Transport
Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya
The metropolitan lines provide a service within the city of Barcelona, as well as to the suburbs and outlying areas. Consult the website for more information on the FGC network and timetables.
Renfe is the Spanish railway company. It connects Barcelona to several surrounding towns and cities. Renfe also links Barcelona to the whole of Catalonia, and connects Spain with international destinations.
The Institut Metropolità del Taxi provides the telephone numbers of taxi companies, taxi stops, and other useful numbers.
Running along the Avinguda Diagonal, the Trambaix links Barcelona (Plaça Francesc Macià) to the Baix Llobregat. The Trambesós connects Barcelona to Sant Adrià del Besós via the Forum Barcelona 2004 and the Olympic Village. Both networks are linked to a number of underground and Renfe stations.
Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona
Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) is the main public transport company operating in the metropolitan area. Here you will find information on timetables and maps, as well as attractive routes though the city (Modernism, Romanesque & Gothic, Roman, and Gaudi’s route.)
Useful Adresses
City information
Barcelona informació (from Barcelona) - 010
Barcelona informació (from outside the metropolitan area) - 807 11 77 00
Police
Local police - 092
Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police force) - 088
Emergencies and road accidents - 088
National Police - 091
Courts
Duty Magistrates' Courts (24-hour service) - 93 567 31 40
Emergencies
General Emergencies - 112
Health emergencies - 061
Pharmacies on duty
24-hour duty pharmacies - 93 481 00 60
Hospitals
Hospital General de la Vall d'Hebron - 93 274 61 00
Hospital Clínic - 93 227 54 00
Hospital de Bellvitge - 93 335 90 11
Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau - 93 291 90 00
Hospital del Mar - 93 248 30 00
Hospital de Sant Joan de Déu - 93 280 40 00
Hospital de Germans Trias i Pujol (also called Can Ruti) - 93 465 12 00
Fire department
Fire brigade - 080
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