Basics - The Rough Guide to Barcelona - page 41

there's always time for anecdotes, diversions, workshop visits and café visits. Tour numbers
are limited to ten, and advance bookings are essential - call or email for latest information
or tailor-made requests.
RunnerBeanWalkingTour 636108776, runnerbeantours.com .Spanish-Irishcouple
Gorka and Ann-Marie, along with their team of passionate, well-versed guides, offer free
tours (donations accepted) that focus everything from Gaudí to Barcelona's spookier side.
There are also activity-packed tours for kids as well as private excursions.
Spanish Civil War Tour [e-mail] . Engrossing English-language
tours on Barcelona and the Spanish Civil War, bringing to life the city that George Orwell
knew so well. Tours are under the auspices of a local history society and led by Civil War
enthusiast Nick Lloyd. Three-hour walks around the old town or a visit to the mass grave at
Montjuïc cost €20 per person.
WATER TOURS
Catamaran Orsom 934 410 537, barcelona-orsom.com . Afternoon catamaran trips
around the port (€14.50) and jazz cruises (€16.50), with departures April/May-Oct daily
(depending on the weather). In July and Aug, there are also sunset jazz cruises (Fri-Sun,
€18.50). There's a ticket kiosk at the quayside opposite the Columbus statue, at the bottom
of the Ramblas ( Drassanes), but you should call in advance to be certain of departures.
Las Golondrinas 934 423 106, www.lasgolondrinas.com . Daily sightseeing boats de-
part from Pl. Portal de la Pau, behind the Columbus monument ( Drassanes) - trips are
either around the port (40min; €7, under-10s €2.75, under-4s free), or port and coast includ-
ing the Port Olímpic and Diagonal Mar (90min; €14.80, under-10s €5.35, under-4s free).
Departures are at least hourly June-Sept, less frequently Oct-May but still daily.
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INFORMATION
Thecitytouristboard,TurismedeBarcelona( barcelonaturisme.com ),isthebestfirst
stop for information about Barcelona, with a really useful English-language website
andofficesattheairport,BarcelonaSantsstation,PlaçadeCatalunya,PlaçaNovaand
Plaça de Sant Jaume.
There are also staffed kiosks in main tourist areas, such as on the Ramblas, outside the
SagradaFamíliaandatPlaçad'Espanya,whichdispenseinformationandsellalargearrayof
discount passes and entrance tickets for popular attractions. You can also buy tickets online
for most city museums and attractions from barcelonaturisme.com at a five- to ten-percent
discount.