Welcome to Barcelona
City of Fairs and Cultural Hub of Catalonia
Capital of Catalonia, Barcelona is a dynamic cosmopolitan city, and a major economic and business centre of Mediterranean Europe. One of the earliest regions in continental Europe to begin industrialisation, it became a major centre for the production of textiles and machinery In the mid 19th century. The traditional importance in textiles is still reflected in Barcelona's importance as a major fashion centre today.
Dubbed a City of Fairs, Barcelona has managed to preserve an important cultural, architectural and monumental historic legacy. At the same time, it has a modern hotel infrastructure and boasts first rate shops and leisure, cultural and tourist attractions. The city has over four kilometres of beach and is very close to the ski resorts of the Pyrenees.
Barcelona is a major hub for direct flights from the main European cities and some of the world’s most important airports. It has air links with almost every Spanish city which has a passenger airport. Currently, the Barcelona International Airport – El Prat de Llobregat is undergoing a huge expansion, with the construction of a new terminal. It is expected to be operational by 2009.
