Barcelona Insider

Gadget enthusiasts in Barcelona will be able to use their laptops, internet-enabled mobile devices and PDAs to access a number of wireless internet hotspots that have been opened up across the city.

Free Wi-Fi coming to Barcelona

Mayor Jordi Hereu described the high-tech initiative as “Barcelona’s ambition applied to 21st-century systems”.

The network is up and running now and provides free internet access at 170 hotspots around the city, which are clearly marked by ‘W’ signs. The number of access points will increase to 300 before the end of the year and is hoped to reach 500 by the end of 2010.

Ramon Garcia-Bragado, Barcelona’s deputy mayor for urban planning, said: “This is not a commercial or professional service, but rather a public one.”

Visitors will be able to access the internet at a number of public facilities, including museums, markets, libraries and sports centres.

The service could prove particularly useful for tourists looking for information on events and attractions around the city.

The retail centres and shopping streets of Barcelona will be more popular than ever over the coming months as the city hosts its summer sales.

The summer sales get under way in Barcelona

Stores launched their summer discount season at the beginning of July and will continue to offer low prices until August 31st.

According to the Barcelona city council, shoppers will be offered price reductions of between 50 and 70 per cent at some outlets.

This summer, there is set to be a wide range of stock to choose from following the poor weather and economic difficulties that hampered the spring shopping season.

Clothing and footwear are expected to be among the most popular consumer items, as well as holiday equipment and furniture.

There are many areas in Barcelona where visitors can search for a bargain, such as the Passeig de Gracia, Avinguda Diagonal and the El Corte Ingles shopping centre.

If you’re thinking of heading over to grab yourself a few bargains, why not make the most of it and get yourself a hotel in Barlcelona for a few days.

Barcelona will be launching a bid to make itself the “world’s yellowest city” to celebrate its involvement in the Tour de France.

Tour de France comes to Barcelona

On July 9th, the sixth stage of the famous cycle race will arrive in Barcelona, departing the city the following day to head to Andorra.

The Barcelona city council said that it would be receiving the Tour de France with “the world’s largest yellow wave”, which will provide a bright route for the cyclists to follow as they approach the finishing line.

To create the wave, spectators will be given yellow sheets to raise in the air as the cyclists pass by.

The convoy that travels with the Tour de France is expected to arrive in Barcelona at around 15:00 on July 9th, with the competitors due to follow at 17:00.

After covering a distance of some 3,500km, the race will come to an end on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on July 26th.

The Barcelona city council has announced that the cliff of Montjuic will be turned into a nature reserve in 2011.

Montjuic cable cars

Montjuic is one of Barcelona’s richest areas with regards to biodiversity, providing a habitat for various species of flora and fauna.

It is also one of the most significant areas of prehistoric, open-cast mining in Catalonia.

In order to protect the area and maintain its natural state, the city council announced that, when its current term of office ends in 2011, the 400-metre-wide cliff would be classed as a nature reserve.

Montjuic is a particularly significant location for ornithologists owing to the fact that it provides a habitat for several species of birds of prey, including kestrels, owls and falcons.

There are many other parks and outdoor locations that holidaymakers can visit in Barcelona, such as Parc de la Ciutadella, which is home to several museums, sculptures and other attractions.

Music fans staying in Barcelona will be able to visit Poble Espanyol this summer to see a varied programme of gigs.

Jeff Beck - one of many acts due to perform at Poble Espanyol

Located in the Montjuic area of Barcelona, Poble Espanyol is regarded as one of the city’s leading venues for summer concerts.

The highlights of its 2009 season will include an appearance by Jeff Beck, who will perform at the venue on July 22nd.

Beck was one of three well-known guitarists to have played with the Yardbirds, the other two being Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page.

Taking to the stage on July 24th will be Orishas, a hip-hop group originating from Havana, Cuba.

Other highlights of Poble Espanyol’s 2009 summer season will include gigs by jazz musician George Benson (July 5th) and pop rock group Amaral (July 10th).

Poble Espanyol is worth a visit at any time of the year. It serves as an open-air architectural museum that brings together the style and culture of various locations from across Spain.