Barcelona
General information about your trip to Barcelona
Time zone
Barcelona, Spain
Central European Summer Time Zone: UTC/GMT +2 hours
Banking, currency and exchange rates
Spain is in the Eurozone and the euro is its official currency. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks (Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 14:00) and at exchange offices also open daily in Barcelona City Centre, the main railway stations, the Estació del Nord bus station, and at the airport, where they have extended opening hours.
Electricity
In Spain the power plugs and sockets are of type F. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. You can find electrical adapters at the airport and in most shops in the tourist area.
Business hours
Most shops in Barcelona open at 09:30 to 10:00 in the morning. Big shopping brand chains and malls do not close for lunch, but smaller shops and shops outside the city center often close for two hours between 13:00 to 17:00. Almost all shops and shopping centers in Barcelona are closed Sundays.
Tips and restaurants
Wait staff in Spain earn a relatively decent salary, but a tip between 7% and 10% for good service (more at fine dining establishments) is always appreciated. Do not feel obligated to tip for unsatisfactory service or food.
Ground transportation
We recommend using public transportation for travel through the city. You can also walk between most popular tourist attractions.
AEROBÚS is the official shuttle bus service that connects Barcelona Airport (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) with the city center (Pl. Catalunya) in 35 minutes. Stops at the most strategic points in Barcelona (Pl. Espanya, Gran Via-Urgell, Pl. Universidad) run every day of the year with departures every five minutes. Fares start at €5.90.
Emergency Number: 112
Visa information
Nationals of certain countries need a visa to enter Spain. Foreign participants should contact the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in their home country as soon as possible to confirm their visa requirements.
We encourage participants from countries that require a visa to apply as early as possible.
Visa Invitation Letters
Personal invitation letters will only be issued to registered participants, after payment of the registration fee has been received.
If you need a personal invitation letter, please contact faceahead@aocmf.org. You must present a copy of the paid invoice for your registration at FACE AHEAD 2020. Visa invitation letters will only be processed once proof of registration payment has been made.
Visa invitation letters will be issued free of charge.