Key informationBarcelonais the capital city of theautonomous communityofCataloniainSpainand the country's second largest city, with a population of 1.6 million within its administrative limits. Itsurban areaextends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of around 4.5 million people, being thesixth-most populous urban areain theEuropean UnionafterParis,London,Madrid, theRuhr areaandMilan. About five million people live in theBarcelona metropolitan area.It is the largest metropolis on theMediterranean Sea, located on the coast between the mouths of the riversLlobregatandBess, and bounded to the west by theSerra de Collserolamountain range, the tallest peak of which is 512 metres (1,680ft) high.Barcelona is one of the world's leading tourist, economic, trade fair and cultural centres, and its influence in commerce, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of theworld's major global cities.It is a major cultural and economic centre insouthwestern Europe, 24th in the world (beforeZrich, afterFrankfurt) and a financial centre.ClimateBarcelona has aMediterranean climatewith mild, humid winters and warm, dry summers.Its average annual temperature is 20C during the day and 11C at night. In the coldest month January, the temperature typically ranges from 7 to 17C during the day, 2 to 10C at night. In the warmest month August, the typical temperature ranges from 25 to 31C during the day, about 20C at night.Generally the summer / "holiday" season lasts about six months, from May to October. Two months April and November are transitional; sometimes the temperature exceeds 20C with an average temperature of 1718C during the day and 89C at night. Barcelona averages several rainy days per month ( 1mm), and annual average relative humidity is 72%, ranging from 69% in July to 75% in October.

SightseeingSagrada Famliais a largeRoman Catholicchurch inBarcelona designed by Catalan architectAntoni Gaud. Construction of Sagrada Famlia had commenced in1882and Gaud became involved in 1883,[taking over the project and transforming it with his architectural and engineering style. Sagrada Famlia's construction progressed slowly, as it relied on private donations and was interrupted by theSpanish Civil War, only to resume intermittent progress in the 1950s.Describing Sagrada Famlia, art critic Rainer Zerbst said, "It is probably impossible to find a church building anything like it in the entire history of artandPaul Goldbergercalled it, "The most extraordinary personal interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages."

TransportBarcelona is served byBarcelona-El Prat Airport, about 17km (11mi) from the centre of Barcelona. It is the second-largest airport in Spain, and the largest on theMediterraneancoast, which handles above 37.5 million passengers per yearThePort of Barcelonahas a 2000-year old history and a great contemporary commercial importance. It is Europe's ninth largestcontainerport,The Barcelona harbour is the leading European cruiser port and a most important Mediterranean tournaround base.Barcelona lies on three international routes, includingEuropean route E15that follows the Mediterranean coast,European route E90to Madrid and Lisbon, andEuropean route E09to Paris.Barcelona is served by a comprehensive local public transport network that includes ametro, abusnetwork, two separate modern tram networks, a separate historic tram line, and several funiculars andaerial cable cars.

EntertainmentLa Ramblais a street in centralBarcelona, popular with tourists and locals alike. A tree-lined pedestrianmall, it stretches for 1.2 kilometres (0.75mi) connectingPlaa de Catalunyain the centre with theChristopher Columbus MonumentatPort Vell. La Rambla forms the boundary between the quarters ofBarri Gtic, to the east, andEl Raval, to the west.[1][2]La Rambla can be crowded, especially during the height of the tourist season. Its popularity with tourists has affected the character of the street, with a move to pavement cafes and souvenir kiosks. The Spanish poetFederico Garca Lorcaonce said that La Rambla was "the only street in the world which I wish would never end."Barcelona has many venues forlive musicand theatre, including the world-renownedGran Teatre del Liceuopera house, theTeatre Nacional de Catalunya, theTeatre Lliureand thePalau de la Msica Catalanaconcert hall.

Food and drinkTypically a Barcelona food day starts with something light like a caf con leche (large cup of coffee with milk) with a piece of toast or biscuits.At about 11h it is time for real breakfast, normally a sandwich or croissant, something to keep you going for a few hours.Lunch is then at around 14h 15h and normally consists of a starter, main course and desert.Supper time is normally between 21h and 22h but at times can be even later.But don't worry in Barcelona you can almost always eat any of these meals at the times you usually do at home.... but if you do you will be eating with other tourists.A good piece of advice, to make the wait between lunch and dinner easier, do what the locals do....Grab a bite to eat at around 17h30 and then at 19h30 have a few tapas in one of the many bars.Tapas, famous throughout the world and everyone's favorite.Look out for the Men del da (Menu of the day), these are usually great value for money. For about 10-12 you get 3 courses (first course, main course and desert) with bread and a drink (wine or beer or water or a soft drink), but remember coffee is not included.Wine is present in almost all meals and there are many great Spanish wines to choose from. In Barcelona the standard beer is Estrella made by Damm, a company that was established by Alsatian immigrants