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The national emergency number is 112, through which you can contact the policia (police), bombers (firemen) and ambulància (ambulance).

Dial 091 to call the national police (Policia Nacional), and 092 for the local police (Guàrdia Urbana). The Turisme Atenció centre, run by the Guàrdia Urbana and Turisme de Barcelona, provides advice and help to visitors who have been victims of crime.

Although petty crime is rife, more serious incidences of violence are rare. Thieves occasionally carry knives – if threatened, hand over your belongings immediately.

Leave all your valuables, including your passport, behind in a hotel safety deposit box. Take as little cash as possible and carry what you do have in a money belt hidden under clothes. Carry wallets in front pockets and ensure bags are strapped across your front. On the beach and in cafés and restaurants, always keep your belongings on your lap or tied to your person. Also be cautious of any odd or unnecessary human contact, verbal or physical, whether it’s a tap on the shoulder or someone spilling their drink at your table. Thieves often work in twos, so while one is catching your attention, the other is swiping your wallet.

Hospital de la Creu Roja de Barcelona, Hospital de la Santa Creu i de Sant Pau (Hospital de la Santa Creu i de Sant Pau) and Hospital Clinic all have 24-hour emergency rooms (called urgències ). For an ambulance, dial 061.

The tourist office can provide information on English-speaking doctors. There are numerous walk-in clinics in the city, including the Creu Blanca near Plaça de Catalunya, where there is no need to make an appointment.

EU citizens can receive free medical care with a European health insurance card, which must be obtained before travelling. Non-EU citizens are strongly advised to take out medical cover.

Dental care is not covered by the EU health service. There are numerous dental clinics in Barcelona where you can walk in and get a consultation, including the Clínica Dental Barcelona, where dentists are generally on duty 9am–midnight weekdays.

Pharmacies (farmàcies ) are marked by a large green cross, usually in neon. All chemists have trained pharmacists who can offer advice (places on and around La Rambla usually have a pharmacist who speaks English). Regular hours are generally 9am–2pm and 4:30pm–8pm. One pharmacy per neighbourhood is open all night from 9pm until 9am on a rotating basis, (information is listed on the front door of each pharmacy). A number of places, particularly on La Rambla, are open 24 hours a day.

Spain’s tap water is perfectly safe to drink. Most visitors, however, generally prefer to drink bottled water.