The Spanish Grand Prix is the fifth Grand Prix in the 2010 Formula 1 World Championship season and is due to take place on the weekend of the 7th to the 9th of May 2010 at the Circuit de Catalunya, in Montmelo, near Barcelona. If you’re planning to head out to Spain to see the race, here is some information about the Circuit de Catalunya and the surrounding area.
Barcelona Overview
Barcelona, Spain’s second largest city, is situated in the northeast of the country, on the Mediterranean Coast, and is the capital of Catalonia. It’s known as a city of culture and is famous for being the home of the Picasso Museum and many of Gaudi’s buildings. It also has some excellent restaurants and shopping areas.
Getting to Barcelona
The city’s main airport is Barcelona International Airport, also known as El Prat Airport, which is about 11 miles from the centre of Barcelona. Many different airlines operate international flights to and from Barcelona International Airport and you can get to the city centre from the airport easily by hire car, bus, taxi or train.
Circuit de Catalunya
The Circuit de Catalunya is situated in Montmelo, about half an hour’s drive from the centre of Barcelona. It opened in September 1991 and hosted its first F1 Grand Prix later that month. The circuit is also used for a range of other motorsports events.
You can get to the Circuit de Catalunya from Barcelona by train. On the Grand Prix weekend, there are shuttle buses which will transport you from the station at Montmelo to the circuit. Alternatively, you can drive there in your Barcelona hire car – leave the AP-7 highway and take exit 13, 14 or 15 to get to the circuit.
Barcelona Hotels
If you’re heading to Barcelona for the F1 Spanish Grand Prix, you’ll find many hotels to choose from. For a touch of luxury, try Le Meridien Barcelona, a 5-star hotel on the city’s famous Las Ramblas. It has 233 rooms and suites, a restaurant and a bar, and claims that many celebrities have stayed there. It’s within easy reach of many of Barcelona’s main attractions.
Other hotels in Barcelona include: The Princesa Sofia Hotel, the Hotel Rivoli Ramblas and the Grand Hotel Central.
Attractions in Barcelona
Barcelona is packed with attractions, so if you’re travelling to the city to see the F1 Spanish Grand Prix, it’s worth extending your stay so that you can explore it.
The city is particularly well known for being the home of some of Antoni Gaudi’s most beautiful buildings, the most famous of which is the Sagrada Familia, the Catholic church which Gaudi began in 1883 and which still remains incomplete. You can see Gaudi’s work at a number of other locations within Barcelona, including Parc Guell. Another must-see attraction for anyone interested in the arts is the city’s Picasso Museum.
Take a stroll around the city’s Gothic Quarter, take a tour of Camp Nou (the home ground of F.C Barcelona) and explore Las Ramblas (whilst making sure that you keep an eye on your wallet), before trying out some of the city’s excellent clubs, bars and restaurants in the evening.
Essential Information
Barcelona is one hour ahead of the U.K. The currency used is the euro.
Image: Mutari
Tags: 2010 Formula 1 World Championship, Barcelona, Barcelona International Airport, Camp Nou, Circuit de Catalunya, El Prat Airport, F.C. Barcelona, Gaudi, Grand Hotel Central, hire car, Hotel Rivoli Ramblas, Las Ramblas, Le Meriden Barcelona, Montmelo, Parc Guell, Picasso Museum, Sagrada Familia, Spain, Spanish Grand Prix, The Princesa Sofia Hotel
