Welcome to Barcelona!
The city of Barcelona is on the Mediterranean Sea, located in the northeastern corner of the Iberian Peninsula.
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and has a population of about 1.6 million inhabitants, which makes it the second most populated city in Spain and the tenth in Europe.
Barcelona today is the result of more than 2,000 years of history and is well-known as a friendly city that has developed thanks to the contributions of people from different places and backgrounds.
The presence of new residents from around the world has increased the city's cultural diversity and has made it a place for meetings, dialogue and interaction between neighbours of Barcelona from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.
You are invited to be a part of all the neighbours living in Barcelona, and to get to know the resources available to you in the city.
In order to enjoy your right to the city, you are invited to explore cultural, sociological and political characteristics that will also be helpful when relating to your neighbours.
Take a look at the city
Barcelona consists of 10 boroughs or districts that are, in turn, organised in neighbourhoods.
- Ciutat Vella
- Eixample
- Sants-Montjuïc
- Les Corts
- Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
- Gràcia
- Horta-Guinardó
- Nou Barris
- Sant Andreu
- Sant Martí
Access to basic resources for residents is organised according to proximity criteria.
Residents should contact services nearest to their home address, such as the school or Primary Healthcare Centre in their neighbourhood.
Channels for general information
The city provides services and resources of general interest. These are available for information and use according to your needs through the following channels.
In each district you will find a Citizen Help and Information Office .
For general information and services in the city of Barcelona. Telephone number 010: Citizen Information at Barcelona City Council
On the Internet, you can browse https://www.barcelona.cat/en/
Other telephone numbers of interest
- 112: A single telephone number for emergency response. 24-hour permanent service. Free of charge. Health emergencies, firefighting and rescue services, public safety and civil protection.
- 092: Local city police
- 112: Police service of Catalonia
- 061: Health emergencies
- 080: Firefighters
Living together in Barcelona
- Living together in harmony in the city is everyone's responsibility. This is why we must respect the freedom, dignity and rights of all people, both in public spaces as well as in all private spaces.
- It is important to attend meetings with neighbours in your building in order to find out about rules and regulations.
- We must respect our neighbours' rest periods at night and ensure that we don't make noise between 10 pm and 8 am.
- The recommended time for taking out household rubbish is from 8 pm to 10 pm.
- Each neighbourhood has an assigned day for collecting furniture and old junk. This must be left outside the main entrance to your building between 8 pm and 10 pm.
- Be respectful of street furniture and equipment, and use the litter bins.
- Show care and consideration for people who need it most, given their circumstances.
- Take part in neighbourhood activities.
- When organising events for a period of time in city streets, city regulations must be respected and permission must be requested from City Council.
- Improper use of public spaces may be penalised. For example, petty gambling, drinking alcohol, illegal street vending, graffiti and spray painting, urinating and spitting in the street, and so on.
Learning the languages
There are two official languages in Catalonia: Catalan and Spanish. Both languages coexist in a bilingual environment. Learning the native languages will provide easier access to social inclusion and employment in the city.
Knowledge of Catalonia's official languages, both Catalan and Spanish, is indispensable in order to obtain the social settlement report. This is also true for access to certain jobs.
- You can filter your search at the Reception Network browser and find organisations that provide resources for learning Catalan and Spanish.
Where can one learn Catalan?
- Consorci per la Normalització Lingüística (CPNL): The Consortium for Language Standardisation (CPNL) provides Catalan language courses, language support, volunteers for language, and expert linguistic consulting, among other services.
- Adult education centres and learning venues.
- Barcelona Libraries provide materials for self-study language courses.
- Virtual learning space. Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüistica: Parla.cat
- Learning materials: ORALPHA. Catalan literacy and oral communication method. Learning guide | Activity handbook
Where can one learn Spanish?
- Adult education centres and learning venues.
- Barcelona Libraries provide materials for self-study language courses.
- Learning materials: ORALPHA. Relevant Spanish and Catalan literacy and oral communication method. Learning guide | Activity handbook
Culture, leisure and sports
You can consult all the information on Barcelona and culture at: https://www.barcelona.cat/barcelonacultura/en
Barcelona City Library Network
The library is a local public social centre open to everyone. Libraries in the city provide loan services, home reading, Internet and Wi-Fi access, specialised collections, book clubs and specific courses in multimedia areas. Also available are materials and activities for learning Catalan and Spanish, as well as a variety of cultural events.
- You can consult all the information on city libraries at: http://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/biblioteques/ca
Community centres
Public facilities open to everyone for promoting community life, interaction between neighbours and creativity. An ongoing programme of cultural events and workshops is available, as well as information about the neighbourhood, Internet access, and so on. For further information about Community Centres and their resources centres cívics.
Neighbourhood Centres
These are meeting and interaction centres in Barcelona's neighbourhoods where local residents can get involved in matters of common interest, and take part in cultural and leisure activities. All events are planned and organised at the local level.
- For further information on resources at Neighbourhood Centres casals de barri.
Sports Facilities
The city has a network of public facilities for all kinds of sports activities.
- For further information about sports resources and facilities, according to your interests https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/esports/en
Community-based Organisations
Barcelona has a wide range of socio-cultural, sports and leisure organisations.
- For further information, see www.bcn.cat and the Citizen Help and Information Office (OAC) in your neighbourhood.