CaixaForum
CaixaForum, the Cultural and Social centre of La Caixas Community Projects, is housed in what was once a factory, designed in the Art-Nouveau style by the architect Puig i Cadafalch. It has become one of Barcelonas most dynamic, active and lively cultural centres. Through visits to the building, a gem of Barcelonas industrial legacy, and to the exhibitions devoted to artists such as Dalí, Rodin, Freud, Turner, Fragonard, Hogarth and Cartier-Bresson, and thanks also to the concerts, lectures, literary events, multimedia art and many other activities put on there, CaixaForum has become a prominent beacon in the life of Barcelona. . For more information on the CaixaForum building, please visit http://obrasocial.lacaixa.es/nuestroscentros/english/caixaforumbarcelona/caixaforumbarcelona_en.html. You will have an opportunity to sign up for a guided tour through the building.
About Barcelona
Barcelona is Spain's most cosmopolitan city and one of the Mediterranean's busiest ports. It is the capital of Catalonia, a region with its own language, character and history. It is the 4th most visited city in Europe and the most popular tourist destination in Spain. Its old city centre constitutes one of the greatest concentrations of Gothic architecture in Europe and it has some of the best public art in the world. It is the only major European metropolis with five kilometres of city beachfront. Barcelona enjoys a mild climate which is pleasant all the year round.
Time Zone
The standard time zone for Barcelona, Spain is UTC/GMT + 1 hour. For more detailed information, please visit: Timeanddate.com.
Currency
Spain uses the EUR. The official exchange rate is available at http://finance.yahoo.com/currency.
Electricity
http://users.telenet.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm
Barcelona Convention Bureau
www.barcelonaconventionbureau.com
Barcelona Airport (BCN)
http://www.barcelona-airport.com/
Ground Transportation
Taxi
A taxi from the airport to Plaza España where CaixaForum and the recommended hotels are located will cost approximately EUR 15.
Aerobus - Express bus service to Barcelona city center from the airport
The Aerobus service is an express bus service that links Barcelona airport to the city centre. This service normally runs between 6 and 15 mins within its fixed hours of operation (see official website below for the exact timetable for the Aerobus). You can catch the Aerobus from outside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The Aerobus will then take you to the city centre where you can alight either at Placa Espanya or Placa de Catalunya (there are other stops but we recommend you refer to the official Aerobus website - link given below). From there you can catch the metro underground. Click here for the Barcelona Metro Map. Tickets to both T1 and T2 cost 5.05 euros for a single and 8.65 euros for a return (return ticket valid for 9 days). The Barcelona Card will entitle you to discount on the tickets for the Aerobus running from both terminals. There is a discount of 20%. For times of the Aerobus to T1 click here and for times of the Aerobus to T2 click here. Click here for our in-depth information page on the Barcelona airport Aerobus service.
NOTE: It is important to remember that both Aerobuses for Terminal 1 and for Terminal 2 stop at the same bus stops in the city centre. If you are making your way to Barcelona Airport, make sure that you take the right Aerobus. Both buses look the same, however the bus to T1 is the A1 and the bus to T2 is the A2.
