El Prat Airport

Barcelona's El Prat Airport is located approximately 10km from the city centre and, apart those unfortunate travellers flying with Ryanair, will be most tourists' point of arrival. Over thirty million passengers pass through the security gates ever year, and the airport is Spain's second largest after Madrid. Getting to and from the airport is easy, with an Aerobus service shuttling in between the terminals and Placa Espana and Placa Catalunya every 10 mins: journey time approx. 30 mins, tickets 4.25 euros. Otherwise you can opt for a taxi for around 25 euros, which will save you a few minutes if you're in a last ditch rush. If the driver's English is suspect either hold up a sign with 'aeropuerto de Barcelona' scribbled on it or hold your arms out wide and make some whooshing noises. You'll either end up at El Prat or the lunatic asylum.

The new terminal building by Ricardo Bofill looks really good, although Robert Hughes criticises it heavily in his book "Barcelona". I've yet to be impressed with an airport in the way that some of the world's greatest train stations astound you.