There are no unusual health hazards that you have to worry about while in Spain, since sanitary facilities are quite good. Tap water is clean, but you might want to buy bottled water. Many people find the water a bit distasteful because of its high mineral content. The high humidity and noticeable levels of air pollution tend to make the flu and other respiratory diseases common in Barcelona. Sunburn and sunstroke are two more problems frequently encountered during Spanish summers. Remember to apply sun-block lotion, and to drink enough liquids.
Hospitals
Centre d'Urgencies Perecamps
Avda Drassanes 13-15, Raval (93 441 06 00)
Metro Drassanes or Paral.lel/14, 20, 36, 38, 57, 59, 64,91 bus.
Located near the Rambla, this clinic specialises in primary attention for injuries and less serious emergencies.
Hospital Clinic
C/Villarroel 170, Eixample (93 227 54 00)
Metro Hospital Clinic/14, 59, 63 bus.
The main city-centre hospital, in the Eixample. The Clinic also has a first-aid centre for less serious emergencies two blocks away at C/Valencia 184 (93 227 93 00; open 9am-9pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat).
Hospital de la Creu Roja de Barcelona
C/Dos de Maig 301, Eixample (93 507 27 00)
Metro Hospital de Sant Pau/15, 19, 20, 25, 35, 45, 47, 50, 51, 92 bus.
Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
C/Sant Antoni Maria Claret 167 (93 291 90 00)
Metro Hospital de Sant Pau/15, 19, 20, 25, 35, 45, 47, 50, 51, N1, N4 bus.
Hospital del Mar
Passeig Maritim 25-29 (93 221 10 10)
Metro Ciutadella-Vila Olimpica/45, 57, 59, 157, N8 bus.
Clinics
CAP Casc Antic
C/Rec Comtal 24 (93 310 14 21/310 50 98)
Metro Arc de Triomf/39, 40, 41, 42, 51, 141 bus.
CAP Manso C/Manso 19 (93 325 28 00). Metro Paral.lel/13, 38, 57, 157 bus. Map p323 B5.
CAP Doctor Lluis Saye
C/Torres i Amat 8 (93 301 25 32/93 301 24 24)
Metro Universitat/bus all routes to Placa Universitat.
CAP Drassanes
Avda Drassanes 17-21 (93 329 44 95)
Metro Drassanes or Paral.lel/14, 20, 36, 38, 57, 59, 64, 91 bus.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies, farmacies, are signalled by large green or red crosses, often in flashing neon, and are plentiful throughout the city. They are normally open from 9am to 1.30pm and 4.30 to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1.30pm on Saturdays. At other times a duty rota is in operation: every pharmacy has a list of farmacies de guardia (duty pharmacies) for that day posted outside the door. Those listed as diurn, marked in green, are open all day from 9am to 10pm; those in the nocturn list (marked red) are open all night from 10pm to 9am, and often for the full 24 hours. This list is also given in local newspapers, and on the 010 and 098 phonelines. Note that at night, duty pharmacies often appear to be closed, and it's necessary to knock on the shutters to be served.
A growing number of pharmacies are open late or 24 hours, every day of the year; these also appear on the night duty list. Among them are the following:
Farmacia Alvarez
Passeig de Gracia 26, Eixample (93 302 11 24)
Metro Passeig de Gracia/7, 16,17, 22, 24, 28 bus. Credit MC, V.
Farmacia Clapes
La Rambla 98 (93 301 28 43)
Metro Liceu/14, 59, 91 bus. Credit MC, V.
Farmacia Vilar
(93 490 92 07)
Metro Placa de Sants/ 30, 56, 57, 215, N2, N14 bus. Open 7am-10.30pm Mon-Fri; 8am-10.30pm Sat, Sun. Credit Amex, MC, V.
In the vestibule of Sants train station.
