Welcome to Barcelona
As the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona is a convergence point for tourists and business travelers. The city, perched on the northeast corner of Spain on the Mediterranean Sea, has served as a major sea port ever since its founding as a Roman city in the Middle Ages. Today more than 5 million people live in the Barcelona metropolitan area, making it the largest metropolis on the Mediterranean and second-largest city in Spain. However, unlike most cities in the country, the main language of Barcelona is Catalan, a combination of Spanish and French. The city boasts a rich cultural heritage, top entertainment attractions and is a leading architectural destination with the works of Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner, which have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Navigating from point A to point B? The metropolitan area offers a wide range of public transport, including Metro, FGC and the Tram, which are the most convenient ways of getting around the city. There are six color-coded metro lines as well as a far-reaching bus system. Many travelers enjoy biking around Barcelona, since there are miles of bike lanes and the climate is temperate year-round. If you're in a rush, you can take one of the 11,000 taxis - a green light on the taxi's roof indicates its availability.