BARCELONA

Advantages of living in Barcelona

• Barcelona is one of the most active cities of Spain, because of its economically and cosmopolitan image.

• It is a very modern city, which follows the latest international tendencies, or are sometimes even ahead of them.

• In Barcelona there are two official languages spoken: Catalan, and Spanish.


Food and Drinks

• The best know dishes of Barcelona are "Arroz a la cazuela", a dish similar to the famous "Paella Valenciana", "Cocido con judias blancas", which is made of Butifarra (a typical regional sausage), Pilota (a preparation of beef), bread, eggs and white beans, "La escudella i carn d'olla", made of vegetables, rice, noodles and potatoes, "Faves a la catalana" and "La escudella i carn d'olla", made of vegetables, rice, noodles and potatoes,

• Typical desserts of Barcelona and the region are "Crema Catalana", "Mel i mato" (of curds and honey), and the "Postre del Musico" ("dessert of the musician") with pine-kernels and raisins.

• The wines which are from villages near Barcelona in the province of Catalonia, are the white wines from Penedés and of course the famous Cava (sparkling wine). The red wines are from Peralada, Tarragona Alella and Priorat.


Sights

• Barcelona has an old history, with monuments of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance periods.

• There are many sights and monuments in the second largest city of Spain. Some examples are the Sagrada Familia church, the Catherdral, the City Hall (dates from the 14th century), Santa María del Mar Basilica (church), Santa Cruz Hospital (gothic building of the 15th /16th century), etc.

• Barcelona has been the center of Modernist Architecture which has been especially distinguished by the works of the genial Antoní Gaudí.

• There are many modernist buildings in Barcelona like the Casa Serra, Casa Milá and the "Block of Discord" which contains the Casa Lleo Morera, Casa Amatller and Casa Batlló.

• Las Ramblas is a long street in Barcelona which is connected by 7 streets with different surroundings and different names.


Nightlife

• Barcelona has a very good nightlife, because there are a lot of foreigners, tourists and students.

• Barcelona has a large choice of bars, cafes, clubs, discotheques with techno music to jazz. You can choose between many different tastes.

• To enjoy the nightlife of Barcelona, it is best to go out after 0.00. But be aware that most bars generally close at 3.00 a.m.


Weather

• Barcelona has typical Mediterranean climate with cool winters and hot summers.

• In May, June and September you can expect good weather, which is not too hot and also not too cold.

• The coldest temperature of 13°C are in January and the hottest in August with a temperature of 29°C.

• Most of the year Barcelona enjoys good weather.

• Barcelona has over 4 kilometers of sandy golden beaches.

• There are 4 main beach areas: Barceloneta Beach, Icaria Beach, Mar Bella Beach and Bogatell Beach.

• Barcelona has good highway connections, train connections, and an international airport. But also in the city you can go easy from one part of the town to the other, by using the metros.


Property

• Property in Barcelona is very popular, because people will live in a big city and close to the beach.

• Barcelona has not the lowest prices in properties, but in comparison to other big European cities, the costs of living in Barcelona is very low.

• There is a growing number of international entrepreneurs who are opening their company in Barcelona which will have a good effect to non-Spanish people to have their property in Barcelona and whose chances on the job market are growing.