Barcelona Dress Code

Barcelona is one of Europe's trendsetting cities and many people are very fashion conscious, especially when going out in the evening. Whether or not you wish to join the ranks by making a fashion statement is entirely up to you, but remember: this is a Mediterranean city and temperatures can be warm or even hot, so pack accordingly. Conversely, a winter visit can be a chilly experience, especially when the wind is blowing down from the snow-capped Pyrenees, so it is advisable to take something warm.

Greeting Someone in Barcelona

The Spanish greet each other with a great deal of kissing and handshaking. You've no need to join in with this, but a handshake is essential, both socially and in the world of commerce.

Barcelona Business Hours and Banking

Most government offices in Spain are open weekdays from 09:00 to 14:00 only. Businesses will operate longer hours, with some closing for a couple of hours in the afternoon. This varies from company to company. Banks are generally open weekdays from 09:00 to 14:00 and Saturday from 08:30 to 13:00. In the summer, most banks close at 13:00 on weekdays and stay closed on Saturday.

Barcelona Smoking

Spanish restaurants are keen to offer areas that cater for those who smoke and those who don't, with some operating complete no-smoking policies. In business, it is advisable to refrain and take cues from the host.