Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BARCELONA'S PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
January 1
Cap d'Any, New Year's Day
January 6
Epifanía, Epiphany
Variable
Good Friday & Easter Monday
May 1
Día del Treball, May Day/Labour Day
June 24
Día de Sant Joan, St John's Day
August 15
L'Assumpció, Assumption of the Virgin
September 11
Diada Nacional, Catalan National Day
September 24
Festa de la Mercè, Our Lady of Mercy (Barcelona's patron saint)
October 12
Día de la Hispanidad, Spanish National Day
November 1
Tots Sants, All Saints' Day
December 6
Día de la Constitució, Constitution Day
December 8
La Imaculada, Immaculate Conception
December 25
Nadal, Christmas Day
December 26
Sant Esteve, St Stephen's Day
Smoking
Since 2006 smoking in public places in Spain has been regulated by law, and tougher restric-
tions introduced in 2011 mean that it's now forbidden to smoke in all public buildings and
transport facilities, plus bars, restaurants, clubs and cafés. Compared to other countries with
smoking restrictions in force, you'll find there's still some puffing going on, though the ban
is generally observed.
Taxes
Local sales tax,
IVA
, is ten percent in hotels and restaurants, and 21 percent in shops. It's
usually included in the price though not always, so some hotel or restaurant bills can come
as a bit of a surprise. Quoted prices should however always make it clear whether or not
tax is included. Note that there is also an additional tax on stays in tourist establishments in
Barcelona of €0.65-2.25 (determined by the type of property) per person per night for up to
seven days (under 16s exempt).
Telephones
Spanish
telephone numbers
have nine digits, and in Barcelona the first two digits of all
landline phone numbers are 93 (the regional prefix), which you dial even when calling from
within the city. Spanish mobile numbers begin with a 6 or 7, freephone numbers begin 900,
while other 90-plus- and 80-plus-digit numbers are nationwide standard-rate or special-rate
