The Ultimate Travel Guide to Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the most diverse and vibrant cities I’ve ever visited. Though it’s not the capital of Spain, it might just offer a richer experience for travelers than Madrid. From its one-of-a-kind Gaudí architecture all over the city to its stunning beaches, there’s sure to be something for every type of traveler. To help you navigate your trip, I’ve written this in-depth guide to Barcelona, based on everything I learned on my trip there.

How to Get to Barcelona

Getting to the city from the airport

The trip from Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) to Barcelona is much simpler than it is in most big cities. There are several options for getting from the airport into the city. Here is a detailed guide to the different transport options between the airport and Barcelona:

1. By Metro

The Metro ensures that Barcelona is a very well-connected city. The orange line (L9) goes straight from the airport to the city (and vice versa). It is a very reliable way to travel and runs very frequently.

The metro is also relatively cheap. Tickets from the airport cost around 5-6€ – these can be bought at the machines at the airport.

You can get to the orange line from pretty much any metro station around the city – usually with a few transfers, of course. Use Google Maps to find the quickest way to get there.

If your accommodation is near a metro station, this is definitely the option I’d recommend.

Unfortunately, the metro doesn’t run between midnight and 5 AM, so if you arrive at the airport during this window, you might have to take the airport shuttle or a night bus.

2. By Bus

The bus may take a bit longer but is the cheapest option for getting from the airport to the city. It costs under 3€ for a single ticket.

Bus 46 runs from the airport to Plaça d’Espanya, a square in the heart of Spain. From here, you can easily get almost anywhere in the city.

Between 11PM and 5AM, the nightbuses N17 and N18 drive from BCN Airport to the city centre. N17 stops at Terminal 1 and N18 stops at Terminal 1 and 2.

3. By Airport Shuttle (Aerobus)

The Aerobús operates between the two airport terminals and Plaça de Catalunya. The shuttle leaves every 5-10 minutes and costs around 7€ for a single ticket.

The Aerobús is faster than other buses and is great if your accommodation is near Plaça de Catalunya.

4. By Train

The R2 Nord train is the fastest way to get to the city centre. But it only stops at Barcelona’s main train stations – Sants, Passeig de Gràcia, and El Clot-Aragó.

So, if your accommodation isn’t near one of these stations, there’s probably a better way to travel.

A single ticket costs around 5€ and can be bought right at the airport terminal.

5. By Taxi/Private Transfer/Rideshare

Traveling with a taxi or private transportation is the most comfortable way to travel. It may be the best option if you have a lot of luggage or if your accommodation is further from the city centre.

Of course, it’s the most expensive. Depending on where you’re going, it costs from 25€ upwards.

Rideshare services that are active in Spain include Uber and Cabify. I find them really useful if there aren’t any public transport options nearby. Remember to download these apps before your trip.

Getting to Barcelona by other means

If you’re adding Barcelona to a multi-stop Europe trip, you may not want to fly to the city. The best options for traveling to Barcelona include:

1. By Train

Spain’s rail system is called AVE. There are trains connecting Barcelona to many other large cities, including Madrid, Seville, and Paris.

Download the official AVE app before your visit. I’d also recommend booking your train tickets as soon as possible, to ensure you get your ticket for the cheapest price.

2. By Bus

Intercity buses also operate between many European cities, including Barcelona. They are generally cheaper, but slower than trains.

Some of the best companies are FlixBus, ALSA, and Eurolines. Cross check the different apps to find the best option for you.

Navigating the Public Transport

Public transportation is a great, efficient way to travel around Barcelona. It is inexpensive and runs all over the city. Here is a little guide to navigating the public transport of Barcelona:

The metro is usually my preferred method of traveling in the city. Trains run frequently (every 2-5 minutes) and operate at every big tourist attraction you may want to visit.

Buses operate at closer distances than the metro, and might be better if you need to get somewhere more specific. When the metro isn’t operating (between 12AM and 5AM), night buses still run. They are less frequent (10-30 minutes)and less efficient than the metro though, because they may be slowed down by traffic.

The tram system in Barcelona consists of 6 lines. They mainly operate around the outskirts of the city. They are a fantastic option to combine with the metro if you’re staying further from the city.

FGC is the local train service in Barcelona and its surrounding towns. It’s a great transport option if you’re staying in the outskirts of the city. The trains connect to the metro system and connect large stations including Plaça de Catalunya and Espanya.

Tickets

Tickets for the public transport system include access to buses, trams, the metro, and the FGC within Zone 1. You can buy them at any metro station, online, or on the TMB app. Here is a short guide to all the ticket options available in Barcelona:

• Single ticket: Valid for one trip, costs 2.40€.
• T-Casual: A ticket that can be validated for 10 journeys on public transport for 11.35€.
• T-Usual: A pass that gives you unlimited travel in Zone 1 for a whole month for about 40€.
• Hola BCN! Card: Unlimited travel for 2-5 days, starting at 16.50€.
• Barcelona Card: A pass that you can use for unlimited transport and free entrance or discounts at many tourist attractions.

What are the Best Things to do in Barcelona?

Because Barcelona is so big and diverse, there are SOOOO many things to do in the city. Some of my favourite things I did on my trip were:

• Try some local food at Mercat de la Boqueria.
• See the vertical gardens around the city.
• Go stand-up paddling at sunrise.
• Spend a day at the beach.
• Take a stroll around Park Güell.
• Take a tour of the Sagrada Familia.

For a fully detailed guide and more suggestions on the best things to do in Barcelona, check out my blog post here.

When is the Best Time to Visit Barcelona?

Like in most European cities, the busiest tourist season in Barcelona is summer (July and August). And although it’s the best time for the beach, I find the city to be unbearably hot during this time of year. The prices are generally higher as well.

Fall (September-October) and spring (April-June) are the best seasons to visit Barcelona. The weather is milder, but nearer to summer it is still warm enough for a beach day. There are fewer tourists, and the prices are also more reasonable.

Winter is the cheapest time to visit Barcelona. The crowds are also at their smallest. It’s also a great season, because of the Christmas markets and lights all over the city. But I probably wouldn’t add Barcelona as a preferred winter destination in Europe.

Foods you have to try

Spain has some of the best food I’ve tried so far. Here is my guide to some of the top foods you have to try in Barcelona:

• Tapas: These are small, sharable dishes. The most common and delicious tapas are Patatas Bravas, Croquetas, and Pimientos de Padrón.
• Paella: A rice dish cooked with seafood, meats, and/or vegetables. Most restaurants that serve paella offer it as a dish that can only be shared by at least 2 people.
• Jamón ibérico: A cured Spanish ham that is thinly sliced. It is served at many restaurants as tapas, and it’s a great food to try at La Boqueria.
• Pan con Tomate: A traditional Catalan dish, made by rubbing ripe tomatoes on toasted bread, and topping it with olive oil and salt.
• Churros con Chocolate: Deep-fried pastries with sugar that are served with a thick hot chocolate for dipping.

Where to Stay in Barcelona

Each neighbourhood in Barcelona has its own unique charm. What you’re looking for on your trip should guide where you choose to stay in Barcelona.

If you’re a bit of a history buff, you’ll love the Gothic Quarter or El Born. These are both situated close to historical landmarks in Barcelona, like Ciutadella Park and the Barcelona Cathedral.

Barceloneta and Vila Olímpica are great options if you want to be close to the beach. Barceloneta is a bit more touristy, while Vila Olímpica is perfect for families. Both of these are still close to the metro that will take you into the city centre.

For architecture enthusiasts, the best neighbourhood is Eixample. Some of Antoni Gaudí’s best work is in this area, including Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. It’s also great if you plan to do lots of shopping.

If you want a more local experience, Gràcia and Sant Antoni are the best options. Here you’ll find authentic Catalan restaurants, small shops, and great markets that aren’t flooded with tourists.

Additional Tips

• Bring a reusable water bottle. There are fountains all over the city to refill your water.
• Keep an eye on your belongings. There can be a lot of pickpocketers, especially during the busy season and around big tourist attractions.
• Remember that Siesta is a thing in Spain. Just after midday, some shops may close for 2-3 hours.
• Barcelona is a very walkable city. You don’t always have to rely on public transport alone.
• Book tickets to big tourist attractions well in advance.
• Dinner is usually quite late – only from around 9PM.