How long from Barcelona Airport T1 to City Centre?

31st March 2022

Visitors often ask, ‘How long does it take to get to the city centre from the Airport?’

The short answer is usually, ‘About 30 minutes’.

However, this doesn’t account for time spent in immigration, baggage claim, orientation, and wandering around trying to make sense of it all after a long flight.

What you need to know is how long does it really take to get to the city centre after landing.

I have travelled in and out of Barcelona airport more than sixty times and know how to move in, around and about the departure and arrival areas at all four passenger areas.

Realistically, the total time from touch-down at Terminal 1 to city centre is between 1 hour 45 minutes and 2 hours 15 minutes.

Sant Gervasi-La Bonanova, Sarrià—Sant Gervasi

Prosperity, Elegance and Intrigue: Sant Gervasi-La Bonanova in BARCELONA

22nd June 2023

Sant Gervasi-La Bonanova

Situated between the slopes of Tibidabo and Ronda del General Mitre, La Bonanova is one of the most prosperous barrios in the city, second only to Pedralbes in terms of wealth and influence.

Sant-Gervasi, the area below Passeig de la Bonanova, existed as an independent town between 1727 and 1897.

La Bonanova, the area above Passeig de la Bonanova, was developed by wealthy families fleeing the insanitary conditions of the inner-city during the latter half of the nineteenth century.

Initially populated with grand mansions, exclusive schools and convents set in expansive gardens, housing pressures and property speculation saw many grand houses being demolished, their footprints filled with modish apartment buildings. However, a few fine Modernista buildings survive, among them Gaudi’s Torre Bellesguard, and La Rotonda, designed by Adolf Ruiz i Casamitjana in 1918.

If interested in music history then you'll likely know that the composer and pianist, Enric Granados had an apartment, composition studio, teaching rooms, and a recital room in which he gave concerts of his works at Avinguda Tibidabo, l8.

Another curious house on Avinguda Tibidabo is Number 32 — also known as The Angel of Mist, an important setting in Carlos Ruiz Zafon's novel, The Shadow of the Wind.

I've come to know the barri quite well. I used to teach fundraising for cultural organisations at the International University of Catalunya here. A good friend lives here, so I visit the area around the Market every Thursday afternoon.

It's an intriguing part of the city. I cannot think about the barri without straightaway summoning images of an urbane and elegant Cary Grant circa 1963. I find it easy to imagine him wandering these streets, clocking every detail, before hailing a taxi to go chase shadows in Barri Gòtic. Why?

Because of the presence of consulates, diplomatic officials, politicians and international business executives the neighbourhood has long been the setting for intrigue and espionage.

During the Spanish Civil War the Soviet Union had a consulate here at Avinguda Tibidabo, 17. More sinister, however, was a building situated in what is now the public park of Jardins de la Tamarita, just across the avenue from the former consulate. The building housed a cheka, a secret prison and interrogation centre wherein Soviet agents supervised the torture of anti-Stalinists. The building is now part of Blanquerna University, though you'll be lucky to find any mention of its macabre past on their website.

During WWII Nazi agents were inserted into the barri. Their mission: strengthen trade with Franco’s Spain and disrupt the Allies’ diplomatic efforts.

One Nazi spy continued his work unmolested until 1981. A well-known figure in the area, he lived in a modest apartment above a dentist’s surgery on Carrer Muntaner. Following Nazi Germany’s defeat in 1945 he busied himself arranging the transit of Nazi SS officials, their families and their assets to Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Panama and Paraguay.

A very visible, and public, connection with the Nazis is Bar Victor, a few metres over the border in neighbouring Sarrià, at Passeig de La Bonanova, 105. The bar has a display of ephemera celebrating the Blue Division (División Azúl) — the 45,482 'volunteer' troops sent by Franco to the Eastern Front to aid Hitler's offensive against the Soviet Union.

If interested in the history of the Nazis in Barcelona tap, or click, on the link below to view two maps showing the location of Nazi (and Italian Fascist) offices and facilities, and the venues of their celebrations across the city, together with a few photographs of the period.

POSTWAR BARCELONA: NAZIS & FASCISTS

Algeria, China and Rumania have their consulates here, and there are a good many more consulates, and 'unofficial' diplomatic outposts nearby. The place is probably still abuzz with espionage. Never forget that the pilots of the planes which destroyed the Twin Towers on 9/11 obtained their passports from Barcelona.

If staying here

…you'll have a great time. There's a lot to see and do, apart from trying to spot spies in local bars and restaurants. If you need a fix of regular exercise then you're not so very far from Carretera de les Aigües — great jogging, great biking, great views. If you're excited by contemporary architecture (and you should be) then you'll want to swing by the local library on Carrer de Sant Gervasi de Cassoles.

You're only a hop and a skip from the city centre. You can use FGC trains from Avinguda Tibidabo and El Putxet or Bus V13 and Bus V15.

If staying elsewhere in the city

…then you may want to consider a trip out here to visit CosmoCaixa, the very lively, interactive science museum, complete with a chunk of Amazonian rain forest and a planetarium; and Torre Bellesguard.

People

Prize-winning writer, Eduardo Mendoza, author of The City of Marvels, lives here.

Disgraced former President of Catalunya, Jordi Pujol, has an office-apartment here at Ronda del General Mitre, 96.

Composer and concert pianist, Enric Granados lived and worked here, at Avinguda Tibidabo, 18.

Legendary FC Barcelona players, Samuel Eto’o and Carles Puyol used to live here, as did revered football manager, Pep Guardiola.

Festivities & Traditions

Festa Major:

Between the second and third week of June, with a full programme of family friendly activities including parades, music, a correfoc, castellers (human towers) and havaneres (Cuban-Spanish balladeers) — and the Bonanova festival of magic — worth checking out if you’re in the area.

La Diada:

June 19th, celebrated during the Festa Major.

Food & Drink

Tapes:

There's only one choice for serious tapes fiends — Casa Pepe, Plaça Bonanova, 4. Here's a link to their website Casa Pepe.

Culture

Cinema:

Balmes Multicine. Open every day of the year. On the boundary with neighbouring El Putxet at C/Balmes, 422—424. This modern 12 screen cinema, kitted out with 3D and Dolby Atmos surround-sound, offers most recent releases in original version with Spanish subtitles.

If you enjoy classic English and French theatre you’ll be pleased to know that they also screen Royal Shakespeare Company productions live from Stratford-on-Avon, and Comédie-Française productions live from Paris. Website: HERE

Museum:

CosmoCaixa, interactive science musem and planetarium, featuring a live chunk of Amazonian rainforest. Open every day between 10am and 8pm. C/Isaac Newton, 26. Website: HERE.

Features

The Tramvia Blau, the antique tram, in service since 1901, had a terminus here on Avinguda Tibidabo. The old Blue Tram is now out of service with no plans of it being re-introduced to regular service.

If interested in contemporary architecture then you must visit the local library, Biblioteca Joan Maragall, at Carrer de Sant Gervasi de Cassoles, 85. A few photos HERE.

Enjoy exploring Sant Gervasi–La Bonanova.

Camp d’en Grassot i Gràcia Nova

Home of Football Giant Killers: Camp d’en Grassot i Gràcia Nova in Barcelona

20th June 2023

Bar Oller, Camp d'en Grassot, Gràcia, Barcelona

This friendly, unpretentious neighbourhood forms a lively transit-zone between Vila de Gràcia, El Guinardó Baix, L’Eixample Dreta and Sagrada Familia.

It’s a bustly area with a huge range of shops, some very good inexpensive restaurants, scores of cafés, bars, two markets, a 4000 seat football stadium and a cultural centre.

The neighbourhood comprises two barris: Camp d’en Grassot and Gràcia Nova.

HERCULES at junction of Passeig de Sant Joan-C/Còrsega,

Camp d’en Grassot — between Travessera de Gràcia and Carrer de Rosselló — embraces the upper section of Passeig de Sant Joan which often hosts events such as craft food and drink markets, art exhibitions, music and dance concerts, swap meets and the occasional sopar popular and is now the temporary home of l’Abaceria Market — while the building in neighbouring Vila de Gràcia is being refurbished.

On the intersection of Carrer de Indústria and Carrer de Sicília you’ll encounter an interesting building — La Sedeta (the silk mill). Built in 1899 and in use until 1976, the mill was acquired by the Ajuntament (City Hall) in 1978 and artfully converted into a secondary school, civic and cultural centre, bar-cafeteria and recreation area.

Gràcia Nova — the more modern area above Travessera de Gràcia — hosts L’Estrella market and a Guardia Civil barracks — one of three Guardia Civil barracks within the city — and Nou Sardenya football stadium.

1996/97 Copa Catalunya final — CE Europa 3 FC Barcelona 1. With Sir Bobby Robson applauding CE Europa as the team celebrate their victory.

Demographically it’s fairly well-balanced; academics and intellectuals, journalists, lawyers and creatives rub shoulders with skilled construction workers, auto-mechanics, care workers, shop workers, labourers and off-duty bar and restaurant staff on a daily basis. Makes life interesting.

The locals are friendly and have become very adept at deploying a repertoire of hand signals and several mangled languages to explain precisely where and how far the Sagrada Familia is.

If staying here…

…then you are perfectly situated for exploring the rest of the city. Public transport connections are excellent.

Stroll 10 minutes one way and you’re at the Sagrada Familia. Stroll 10 minutes in the opposite direction and you’ll be at the heart of Vila de Gràcia.

La Pedrera and Casa Batlló are within an easy 25/30 minute stroll, and Sant Pau Recinte Modernista is one or two stops on the bus or metro. And Park Güell is one stop or two stops on the metro from Verdaguer or Joanic (Line 4) to Alfons X to connect with the free shuttle bus to the park — or a few stops on the V19 bus.

Getting to and from the Airport isa breeze — stroll to Passeig de Gràcia RENFE rail station (allow 25/35 minutes) and take the train (every half-hour) — 28 minutes later you’re at Terminal 2. OR stroll to Verdaguer metro, take L5 (Blue), four stops to RENFE Sants Estacio (6 mins) and take the Airport train from there (25 minutes) — OR, if staying in the upper part of the barri, Gràcia Nova, take the metro L4 (Yellow) from Joanic to Verdaguer (1 stop) then change to L5 (Blue) four stops to RENFE Sants Estacio (6 mins) and take the Airport train from there (25 minutes).

Equally, bus connections to the rest of the city are very good.

If staying elsewhere…

…in the city then there’s nothing that special you’d miss — nothing you really have to see — if you didn’t visit. You may find yourself strolling through our barri on your way to or from the Sagrada Familia.

Nou Sardenya football stadium — home of C.E. Europa — the pride of Gràcia.

People

I live here.

Joan Laporta, the President of FC Barcelona, grew up here — his parents used to live just across the street from our apartment. He still keeps one of his cars in the underground car-park just off Passeig de Sant Joan, and he occasionally pops into Pep’s (Bar Oller — now Junior’s), on the corner of C/Còrsega and Passeig de Sant Joan, for a swifty when visiting the neighbourhood.

Club Esportiu Europa football club has its Nou Sardenya stadium here. Established in 1907 the club was one of the founding members of La Liga in 1928. Although currently in the Second Division, locals have never forgotten the glory days of the 1990s when CE Europa twice beat FC Barcelona in the final of the Copa Catalunya.

Montesa motorcycles established their first factory here, on Carrer de Còrsega.

Montesa motorcycle factory as was on Carrer de Còrsega, Barcelona.

Festivities & Traditions

Festa Major:

From mid-June to the first weekend of July.

Food & Drink

Markets: You have a choice of two food markets:

L’Estrella, in Gràcia Nova. Here is a link.

L’Abaceria, at the top of Passeig de Sant Joan. A link to more information: HERE.

Tapes:

Ramona, on Carrer Roger de Flor, opposite Can Josep’s.

Bar Bodega Can Ros at Carrer Roger de Flor, 303. WEBSITE.

Bar-Restaurante Pirineus 1935 on the junction of Travessera de Gràcia and Carrer de Bailèn.

Lunch only:

El Pórtico — Carrer de Grassot, 15

Lunch & Dinner:

Can Josep — Carrer Roger de Flor, 237. Reservations: T: (+34) 630816565

Vegetarian & Vegan:

Dolce Pizza & Los Veganos. A link to a Spotted by Locals writeup by Cris Rosique HERE

Culture

Cinema: Although there is no cinema in the neighbourhood there are two cinemas which screen movies in original language (V.O.) close by:

Texas on Carrer de Bailèn WEBSITE. NOTE: Cinema Texas is currently closed — but there is a local campaign to help re-open it.

Phenomena on Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret. WEBSITE.

Music: The cultural centre at Centre Cívic La Sedeta hosts live music gigs most Friday evenings. The range of music presented includes tango and flamenco guitar duos, hard rock, r’n’b, rumba as well as the occasional classical gig. FREE. Current programme HERE.

Football

C.E. Europa:Known as the Escapulats (an escapulat is the Vee/Chevron form as worn on the team shirts)

Tickets: 10€. (Or, a season ticket will cost you 50€, or a half-season ticket, available in January, costs 30€)

Kick-off: Usually Sunday at 12 midday.

The club also fields a very competent female first team, and if you time your visit right you can watch a women’s game either before or after the first team matches — your ticket covers all matches played on the day.

The stadium has a good little café-bar, Chus (after the owner), serving beers (including a local craft beer — Birra de Gràcia), tea, coffee and a full range of hot and cold snacks at reasonable prices.

Some helpful lingo:

An Eskapulat is a member of the hard-core supporters group — or penya. They occupy the terrace behind the goal near the entrance on Carrer del Secretari Coloma.

A Cavaller is a member of the older, wiser group of supporters — or penya — who, quite sensibly, occupy the bar area.

A soci is a paid-up member of the club. An abonat is a season ticket holder. A gracienc is a resident of Gràcia.

Matches attract a good, family friendly crowd — and there’s never any unpleasantness EXCEPT matches against arch-rivals, U.E. Sant Andreu, when a heavy, no-nonsense, police presence can seem intimidating.

If thinking of attending a match here are some useful phrases:

Escapulats per sempre! — C.E. Europa forever.
L’orgull de Gràcia — The pride of Gràcia.
L’àrbitre és espanyol — The referee is Spanish.
L’àrbitre se drogue — The referee is on drugs.

If you enjoy quality, entertaining, meaningful football at a sensible price then you’ll find a visit to Nou Sardenya stadium will prove a wise investment of time and money.

When I took my English son-in-law to Nou Sardenya for the first time as we entered the stadium he remarked, “Well, this is all very civilised.” And it is.

The club’s website HERE.

Features

La Sedeta (the silk mill), between the intersections of Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret, Carrer de Indústria and Carrer de Sicília, is an interesting building. Built in 1899 and in use until 1976, the mill was acquired by the Ajuntament (City Hall) in 1978 and repurposed as a secondary school, civic and cultural centre, cafeteria and recreation area.

Here’s a link to La Sedeta’s webpage (en català only): La Sedeta

Enjoy exploring Camp d’en Grassot i Gràcia Nova.

Snacks

A pizza and a pint of beer for less than £5.35 in Barcelona

6th May 2022

Pizza at Lucania II, Gràcia, barcelona, Bill Sinclair

Barcelona’s restaurants and bars offer a wide and wild variety of cuisines and creative dishes.

Even the most ardent foodie will confess that grazing on tapas and dining in fine restaurants is both wearing on the wallet and bruising on the palate.

When out and about there will come a time when you want something more ordinary… a tasty, light bite.

Well… you could grab a pizza.

And, one of the best places to grab a pizza in Barcelona is LucaniaII in Vila de Gràcia.

For around the price of a Bikini (grilled ham and cheese sandwich) you can enjoy a delicious, freshly prepared pizza margarita.

Variety

25 variations — including one of my favourites: Carn Bier — minced beef cooked in beer with bacon, plus two or three daily specials.

A printed menu, describing the toppings is available in English (and català, castella and German). Here’s the current (though incomplete) list in català:

Quality

Flavour? We’re not talking over-aired, spongy, doughy, cakey bases here…we’re tasting crispy, thin, deceptively light, perfectlyseared imperfect squares of mediterranean deliciousness served with two types of olive oil — normal and extra-picante (olive oil spiced with chillies).

They’ve got a real handle on combinations that work. Pere and his team have been preparing and serving pizzas for more than 30 years, and they’re still dabbling with new recipes. Pere may even invite you to sample a new combination as you sit at the bar.

Value

Obvious. The cheapest pizza is 3,10€ — the most expensive is 4,85€.

A pint of Estrella beer is only 3,25€.

Note: There is a 15 centimos price difference between eating at the bar or seated at a table.

Ambience

It is what it is. No pretension whatsoever. No fake-o Italian frippery. No nonsense. No tablecloths. No cutlery — unless you ask. Very family friendly.

Only well-made pizzaspacked with flavour and a bar filled with appreciative and friendly customers.

Service

I don’t know how they do it — but as packed and as bustly as it often gets, it’s never too noisome, hassly or uncomfortable. You’ll never have to wait long. They’ve got the preparation and service down to pat.

In Sum…

I’m really glad this place exists, it’s a really good, reliable standby. We visit regularly, often calling in on the way to Cines Verdi to watch a movie. Or, other times I’ll call by for lunch, or later during the day when out and about doing errands. Never been disappointed.

Most recent visit:

Thursday, May 5th, 2022: 4 pizzas and 3 pints of beer = 27,45€.

Location

Carrer de Terol, 29-33, Vila de Gràcia. A few steps from Plaça de la Revolució de Setembre de 1868 at the bottom of Carrer Verdi.

Opening Hours:

Tuesday – Saturday: 1pm until 4pm & 6pm until 1130pm.

Closed Sundays & Mondays

Bon profit!

Snacks

A pizza and a pint of beer in Barcelona for less than $7

6th May 2022

Carn Bier,Espinac,Gorgonzola pizzes, Lucania ii Barcelona

Barcelona's restaurants and bars offer a wide and wild variety of cuisines and creative dishes.

Even the most ardent foodie will confess that grazing on tapas and dining in fine restaurants is both wearing on the wallet and bruising on the palate.

When out and about there will come a time when you want something more ordinary… a tasty, light bite.

Well… you could grab a pizza.

And, one of the best places to grab a pizza in Barcelona is Lucania II in Vila de Gràcia.

For less than the average price of a Bikini (grilled ham and cheese sandwich) you can enjoy a delicious, freshly prepared pizza margarita.

Variety

25 plus variations — including one of my favourites: minced beef cooked in beer with bacon, plus two or three daily specials.

Tapas

Bar Bodega Quimet in Barcelona

14th August 2020

Tapas

Best Patates Braves — Senyor Vermut in Barcelona

22nd January 2020

SENYOR VERMUT

You'll find this excellent and inexpensive tapas bar in La Nova Esquerra L'Eixample, on a corner of the intersection of Carrer de Provença and Carrer de Viladomat.

Patates Braves as served at Senyor Vermut

Price

Patates braves — 2,95€.
5 mini croquetes (incl. cheese, mushroom, cod) — 3,80€.
Regular size croquettes — 1,30€ each.
A slice of tortilla — 3,95€.
Pescadito Frito (whitebait) — 3,95€.
Mandonguilles amb sepia (meatballs with squid) 5,95€.

Choice

Excellent selection of hot and cold plates including all the usual offerings, plus a good list of conservas (canned seafood) and platters of cheese and cold cuts and delicious salads.

Croquetes i fricandó, Senyor VermutBarcelona

Mini-croquetes i fricandó at Senyor Vermut

Quality

Very good. Their croquettes are excellent and up there with the very best in the city.

mini croqutes at Senyor Vermut, La Nova Eixample Esequerra, Barcelona

Service

Very good. Even when very busy you will not have long to wait. Make a note of your place number before settling your bill/check.

Ambience

Informal and relaxed. The design of the space is modern and light and has a welcoming retroish post-industrial vibe. Never too loud for easy conversation and never too crowded to feel squeezed. There are a few outside tables.

Value

Very good. Worth your time and money if looking for quality tapes in an informal, lively, friendly, chatty atmosphere.

In Sum

Welcoming, friendly place with reliably very good tapes at very reasonable prices.

Location

In La Nova Esquerra de l'Eixample at Carrer Provença, 85 (the corner of C/Provença with C/Viladomat).

Two blocks from Hospital Clínic and two blocks from Entença metro stations — take your pick.

Opening Hours:

Monday: CLOSED

Tuesday - Wednesday: 6pm - 11pm

Thursday - 12noon - 4pm & 6pm - 11pm

Friday & Saturday - 12noon - 11pm

Sunday - 12noon - 4pm.

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Contacts & Links

Spotted by Locals write-up HERE

+34 93 453 7997

FACEBOOK PAGE

MOST RECENT VISIT: January 21st, 2020: Tuna salad; patates braves, 5 x mini-croquettes; 4 x croquettes and 3 beers = 26,10€

Bon Profit!

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Getting Around

How to use the T-Casual travel ticket in Barcelona

1st January 2020

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One of the many wonderful aspects of life in Barcelona is the public transport network.

The quantity and quality of passenger information, in Spanish, Catalan and English (and some French) is very good.

If visiting from the United States or the UK you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how clean, comfortable, convenient and reliable the local transport network is.

The best way to get around the city is to use public transport.

One of the first things to do after arriving in the city, if travelling solo, is to buy a T-Casual integrated transport ticket — it will save you a ton of money and a lot of hassle.

IMPORTANT: IF visiting as a group you will need to buy a T-Casual for every member of your group, OR buy a T-Familiar [SEE below]— you cannot share a T-Casual.

T-Casual ticket Terms & Conditions:

The T-Casual costs 11,35€.

The T-Casual is unipersonal — and can only be used by one person.

The T-Casual is good for 10 rides using a combination of up to 3 modes of transport.

Be aware that you CANNOT use the T-Casual for a metro ride to or from the Airport, however, you can use the T-Casual to get to the Airport RENFE/Rodalies rail station — from where it's five/ten minute stroll to Terminal 2, from where you can take a FREE shuttle bus to Terminal 1.

The T-Familiar:

The T-Familiar, costs 10€, is multi-personal and valid for 8 rides within a 30 day period.

So, for couples, families and small groups of friends, the T-Familiar is probably the way to go.

How to use the T-Casual on the Metro (subway), local trains (RENFE Rodalies/Cercanias and FGC) and Funiculars:

I use a T-Casual at least twice, sometimes five or six times every day during the working week. It really is quite simple, however, I can understand how visitors from an area without an integrated transport system could feel a little daunted by the process.
So, here's your guide to buying and using the T-Casual.

TMB T-casual ticket purchase machine process series 4

First, buy your ticket.

There are not any staffed ticket offices at stations where you can buy a ticket, and if you haven't already purchased your T-Casual at a tobacconists, newsagent or street news kiosk (some bakeries and other shops also sell T-Casuals) you will have to use a machine in a Metro station or at a Tram stop. These machines will be marked with the TMB logo (as in the photos below).

You can also buy a T-Casual at ticket machines at RENFE (Spanish national rail service) rail stations (these machines are coloured grey) and at FGC (Catalan national rail service) rail stations these machines are coloured orange.

You can also buy your T-Casual ticket online. However, to do so you'll first have to register with JoTMBé, a loyalty scheme which offers points and prizes for purchasing tickets online via the TMB app. If interested you can read more detail HERE and HERE.

There are also a few ticket machines near bus stops on Avinguda Diagonal, however, these machines only accept credit/debit cards, and are so few and far between, and so often out of service, that they are not worth your time looking for.

How to use a ticket machine

Search the touchscreen for the T-Casual ticket icon.
In the bottom right corner of the screen you’ll see four flag icons indicating which languages are available: Catalan, Spanish, English and French. Tap the union flag for English.
Tap the T-Casual ticket icon.
The screen will change and show you the current price (11,35€) and give you the option of buying multiple tickets by tapping the + symbol on the left of the screen.
You are also able to change the Zone by using the + and – symbols on the right of the screen.
Make sure you have the correct quantity and Zone and tap Confirm in the bottom left of the screen, (or Cancel in the bottom right of the screen if you have made a mistake).
The screen will change and show you the total cost of the the ticket(s) and how much you have to pay in red.

These three images illustrate the above:

TMB T-casual ticket purchase process series

Apologies for the quality of the images — will try and replace them at some point in the future.

BUY WITH CASH

Insert coins in the vertical slot above the screen, or insert a note (bill) up to the value of 20€ in the horizontal slot to the right of the screen, or if buying more than two T-Casual tickets, multiple notes/bills. (Please note: As at writing many machines do not accept 50€ notes/bills).

The most frequent cause of first-time users' frustration is incorrectly inserting notes/bills.

When inserting notes/bills be careful to place the note the correct way up as shown in the graphic above the slot. PLEASE NOTE: The 50€ note shown above and below is NOT crossed through with a red X — so it will accept 50€ bills.

The machine will issue change and deposit your ticket in the tray below the screen. You’re good to go.

BUY WITH CREDIT/DEBIT CARD

Find the T-Casual icon on the touchscreen.
Tap the T-Casual icon.
Select how many tickets you require and which Zone you require using the + symbol.
Place your card in the horizontal slot to the right of the touchscreen.
The machine will read your card and accept or deny it.
Then, on the card reader screen you will see the instruction to enter your PIN number using the keypad and the OK button, marked with a green tag in the bottom right of the keypad.
Then, all being well, you will see a message on the card reader screen, Mastercard (or whatever your card name is) XXXX with the amount that has been paid.
Then, you will see the instruction 'Extregui' telling you to extract your card. Remove your card.
The machine will deposit your ticket in the tray below the touchscreen.

IMPORTANT: Remember to remove your card. The machine does not emit any audible warning, as do ATMs, if you leave the card in the slot. If you do inadvertently leave your card in the machine then after 30 seconds or so the machine will swallow your card. If this happens the only way to retrieve your card is to go to the TMB customer services office in Diagonal metro station the following day. Station staff do not have any way of opening the machines they can only be opened by cash collection staff.

Ok, so you've got your ticket — now, how to use it.

There are 3 types of ticket barriers:

Turnstiles: These are the most common.
Plexiglass doors: These are usually found in recently built or refurbished stations.
Extra-wide plexiglass access points: For people in wheelchairs or electric buggies and people with child buggies or bicycles, electric scooters and/or lots of luggage.

Turnstiles

Place your T-Casual the correct way up (i.e. printed with T-Casual and green icons) with the white arrow in the bottom left corner pointing toward the slot.
Retrieve your T-Casual from the slot at the back of the machine.
Pass through the turnstile to your RIGHT as indicated by the black arrow in the photo below.

Plexiglass doors

Place your T-Casual ticket face up (i.e. printed withT-Casual and green icons) and with the white arrow in the bottom left corner pointing toward the yellow plastic horizontal slot.
Retrieve your T-Casual from the pop-up slot.
Pass through the plexiglass doors to your LEFT as indicated by the two illuminated green arrows in the photo below.

You’re on your way — now go find your platform/track.

How to use the T-Casual on the bus network:

Buy yourT-Casual as above. Bus drivers cannot sell you a T-Casual, they cannot sell you any tickets of any kind.
Get on the bus at the front of the bus, NOT the middle nor the back, (although you CAN are allowed to access the bus via the middle doors on some busses). However, as a visitor, you will likely not know which busses you can acess via the middle door — so, just hop on at the front every time.
Say ‘Hola’ to the driver and give a smile.
As you file along the gangway you’ll immediately see two ticket machines one on your left and one on your right. (Some busses have three ticket machines—two at the front of the bus and one in the middle)
Insert your T-Casual with the white arrow pointing downwards into the red slot at the top of the machine.
The machine will make a sound and tell you how many rides you have left and your ticket will pop up.
Remove your ticket, put it somewhere safe and find a seat, or shuffle along the bus.
IF your ticket is used-up or defective the machine will make a loud intermittent beep. This is when you panic, frisk yourself for another T-Casual, realise you don’t have one, and before you can decide to backtrack and get off the bus the doors are already closed and the bus is on its way to the next stop. Oh no!
IF this is the case choose an appropriate moment, dip into your pocket and find 2,40€ in change and pay the driver for a senzill/single/one-way ticket.
Say thank you/gracias to the driver and take deep breath of relief — you have just avoided a potential fine of 100€.

Remember the T-Casual is a unipersonal ticket. So, if you have no rides left on your T-Casual you will NOT be able to borrow a ride from someone else's ticket unless they have a T-Familiar — you will be obliged to buy a single/senzill/one-way ticket for 2,40€.

Here’s a photo of a ticket machine on a bus:

How to use the T-Casual on a tram:

Buy your T-Casual from a machine, tobacconist or news kiosk as described above, or from a machine at the stop.
Board the tram.
You will find a ticket validation machine (very similar to the machines on a bus) attached to poles near every door.
Insert your ticket in the slot with the white arrow pointing downwards.
The machine will make a sound (described as a ‘bip!’ in the helpful information).
That’s it — you’re on your way.

Transfers and duration of travel:

You can use your T-Casual to switch between three modes of transport on your route for up to 1 hour and 15 minutes in Zone 1 and it counts as a single journey/ride.

For example, you could take a barrio bus (local public mini-bus) to connect with a regular bus to connect with the metro, or take a tram which connects with a local train which connects with a funicular. If you do all that in one hour and fifteen minutes from the start of your journey it only debits your ticket by one journey. However, note that once you leave the metro system you will have to use another ride when re-entering the metro.

IMPORTANT: Keep your ticket flat. If the ticket gets bent or torn then it will likely not work. You can take your damaged ticket to a TMB Customer Services office (in Diagonal, La Sagrera and Universitat metro stations) and they will issue you with another ticket. You could also ask at an office in a metro station, or on a bus. If you’re patient and polite the staff can, although they are not obliged to, issue you with a new ticket credited with the correct number of journeys.

LINKS (in English):

TMB: The T-Casual

TMB: The T-Familar

TMB: Customer Services.

TMB: Metro and Tram map

TMB: Bus map

TMB: H V & D network Bus map.

Enjoy getting around Barcelona with your T-Casual.

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Happy New Year, 2020 from Barcelona

31st December 2019

Wishing you a healthy, productive and prosperous 2020. And, if you can squeeze in some happiness, all the better.

See you next year. Sincerely hope it’s a great one for you.

The illustration is by our good friend, Oscar Astromujoff â a brilliant artist and illustrator and a wonderful, warm human being.

Oscar’s work is best known locally through his regular illustrations for the newspaper, La Vanguardia and the journal, Mercurio.

Anyway, here’s wishing you all the very best for 2020.

Fins aviat!

Celebrations

FESTES DE GRÀCIA, 2019 IN BARCELONA

16th August 2019

Festes de Gràcia, 2019 — and we're off!

Agost 15, Day One:

8.15am: We set off to Plaça de la Revolució de Septembre 1868 where we met up with Miquel and Silvia.

En route we caught a passing look of Carrer de Puigmarti, where a team of locals were still hard at it.

8:46am: and the Trabucaires fire the traca and prepare to fire their very loud guns to launch the parade…. and, a few seconds later I lost the sense of hearing in my right ear.

And then…we were joined by…the Lord of the Flies himself…Beelzebub.

The cardboard bin next to me caught fire. No biggie.

And on to Plaça del Sol…and a decorated balcony…

Then off to explore the streets…

… before the hordes arrive…

Palette and brushes, Mozart, Gràcia, 2019

…before resting a while for breakfast in Plaça de la Vila

And then we wended a roundabout route home, via Carrer de Llibertat…

Eye-catching exotic crab on Carrer de Llibertat

10.30pm: We wandered out again, via Passeig de Sant Joan, Plaça Joanic and over to Carrer Verdi…I have never seen an entry line so long… so we headed up to the exit…

Carrer Verdi, Gràcia, 2019

Then we headed over to Plaça de Rovira i Trias via a packed, and lively Carrer de Providencia…

Carrer de Providencia

Providencia Mine and miner2, Gràcia, 2019

We hung out a short while in Plaça Rovira i Trias, surrounded by eerie birds, before heading over to Plaça del Nord…and the most pleasant surprise of the evening.

Every year during the festes there's always a stand out band, a band which pumps out party pleasing music and gets the crowd singing along.

The rumba band, Alma de Boquerón (Soul of Anchovy), a tight and polished 7-piece ensemble, knocked out a string of irresistible tunes before segueing into a rip-roaring version of Dick Dale's classic, Miserlou, and, then, without dropping a beat, segueing unexpectedly into a thunderous version of Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall. A rumba band playing Pink Floyd? You bet. Brilliant. And then they teased us all with the opening bars of Led Zeppelin's, Stairway to Heaven, before reverting to lively, witty, tongue in cheek contemporary rumba.

Ama de Boqueron, Plaça del Nord, Gràcia, 2019

Alma de Boquerón, Plaça del Nord, Gràcia, 2019

HERE's a LINK to their official website, where you'll find a sample compilation of tunes:HERE.

Enjoy! They are playing four more gigs during the festes.

TONIGHT (agost 16) Carrer Verdi at 11pm.

Sunday, agost 18, Passeig de Sant Joan at Midnight.

Monday, agost 20, Carrer Tordera at 11pm.

Tuesday, agost 21, Carrer Joan Blanques de Baix de Tot at 11pm.

If you get chance do try and catch them in action.

After the gig we trekked back down and along Carrer Verdi, where it was still rammed, before heading to Raïm for a mojito, and then down along Carrer Progrés, Carrer Perill and home for around 3am. Another great day in the barri.

Bones Festes!

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