Barcelona Travel Guide (2024): How to plan perfect trip to Barcelona

Are you planning a holiday in Barcelona? Here is Barcelona travel guide and our tips for Barcelona, where you will find answers to the most common questions about travelling to Barcelona.

Table of contents

Barcelona Travel Guide
Barcelona travel guide: flights, airport, public transport, metro
Barcelona travel guide: hotels, prices, attractions
Is Barcelona expensive (prices in Barcelona)?
What to Taste in Barcelona?
What to do in the evening in Barcelona?
Map of Barcelona
More information about Barcelona

Barcelona is the capital of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia and, with 1.7 million inhabitants, the second largest city in Spain. It is known for its original architecture, sunny weather, good access to the sea, great food and the famous FC Barcelona football club.

In this guide, we’ll look at everything you need to know if you’re planning to visit Barcelona – where to book flights, how to get around the city, what the prices are, safety in Barcelona and other useful tips.

View of Plaça d'Espanya from the Arenas de Barcelona - the Venetian towers and Montjuïc behind them

Barcelona Travel Guide

Where is Barcelona?

Barcelona is located in the east of Spain near the French border. To the south, the Mediterranean Sea wraps around it and the Pyrenees Mountains are 2 hours to the north. Its location makes it more accessible to many visitors than the Spanish capital Madrid.

How do you speak in Barcelona?

Barcelona is the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia, which has its own language and culture. The official languages in Barcelona are Catalan and Spanish. In the tourist areas you can usually speak English without any problems, although sometimes in rather broken English using your hands and feet.

What is typical of Barcelona?

Barcelona is known for its unique architecture. The most famous Catalan architect was Antoni Gaudí, who designed Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló and many other buildings across Barcelona. But you’ll also find traces of other creators, which you can read more about in our article on things to do in Barcelona.

The warmth and liveliness of the local people is something that is typical of Barcelona. With small children, you’ll be welcomed with open arms everywhere you go. Local children walk everywhere with their parents, so even late at night you will see children on the streets while parents sit having dinner with friends.

When is the best time to visit Barcelona?

Barcelona is an ideal destination for a holiday or Euro-weekend all year round because of its mild Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot, winters are pleasantly warm (reminiscent of a Czech spring). Autumn to spring is ideal for sightseeing, and for swimming in the sea go from May to September (the warmest months are from July to September).
If you’re travelling on a budget, January and February are the ideal months to visit. This is also true if you want to avoid the crowds.

Barcelona travel guide: flights, airport, public transport, metro

How to get to Barcelona (flights)?

Barcelona is easily accessible from most major European and non-European airports.

How to get from El Prat Airport to Barcelona?

We’ve written an entire article on how to get from El Prat Airport to Barcelona.

Here I’ll outline the basic options:

– The Aerobús shuttle bus, which departs from both terminals every 10-30 minutes throughout the day and night. It doesn’t stop along the way, so you’re in the centre in half an hour. A one-way ticket costs €6.75 and a return €11.65. You can buy tickets in advance online, at the airport ticket machine or from a staff member at the bus stop.

– TMB bus 46 – the red bus with the TMB sign of Barcelona’s integrated transport system stops at terminal T2 and then T1. This is not a direct service, so the journey takes significantly longer than Aerobús buses. However, the advantage is the price of €2.40 per ride.

– TMB metro – the orange L9S line leaves from the airport and takes you to the Zona Universitària station, where you can transfer on to the metro. One ride will cost €5.15. You can buy your metro ticket directly from the ticket machine at the airport, where you can choose a special “airport” ticket.

– Take the suburban train RENFE (line R2N), which, although not as frequent, is fast and comfortable. The price of a one-way ticket is €4.60.

How to get around Barcelona?

Barcelona is a large city, but it’s still largely walkable – most of the sights and attractions are close together, but there are some further afield (Tibidabo, Park Güell, Montjuic).

Where you can’t walk, you can use the metro, bus, and trams around the coast.

The metro is made up of 12 colour-coded lines with route markings L1-L12. Metro stations are marked with a red M.
Buses are another popular option – there are over 100 bus routes to choose from in Barcelona, including night buses. Buses and metro are complemented by trams, suburban trains or cable cars (some cable cars have special fares).

Here you will find a detailed guide to transport in Barcelona (overview, ticket types, tips, etc.).

Casa Vicens Barcelona Sightseeing Admission / Things to do in Barcelona

Barcelona travel guide: hotels, prices, attractions

Where to stay in Barcelona?

Barcelona is incredibly popular almost all year round and accommodation supply often doesn’t keep up with demand – book well in advance, as the best value hotels or budget hotels tend to book up early.

Here are the best options for where to stay in Barcelona:
Hotel Acta Voraport – a modern and newly decorated hotel with a swimming pool, a short walk from the beach and the metro.
Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella – one of the best hotels in Barcelona, and at a good price; strategic location near the Arc de Triomphe and Ciutadella Park
Leonardo Royal Hotel – a stylish hotel with a rooftop pool at a great price and with good access to the airport
Hotel Ronda House – a cosy and modern hotel with good quality services in the city centre
Hotel ibis Styles is great value for money; ideal hotel for couples and families (family rooms and children’s play area)

Is Barcelona safe?

Barcelona is a safe city. Watch out for petty theft. These are particularly common here on the pedestrianised La Rambla, in the evening in El Raval or on public transport. Pickpockets may pose as tourists or try other tricks to rob you. Be vigilant and keep your valuables with you.

Are there beaches in Barcelona?

If you are planning to combine swimming in the sea and sightseeing, Barcelona is the ideal destination for you. Barcelona has great city beaches that are free to access. Some may not be the cleanest or have the whitest sand, but they are generally of a good standard.

Even if it’s not swimming weather, you can walk along the promenade around the beaches (there are also bike rental stations). The easiest beach to get to is La Barceloneta, which is also the most visited.
For families with children, the more remote Nova Icària or Bogatell beaches are ideal, where there are fewer people and the sand is finer.

How sockets are used in Barcelona?

In Barcelona, as in most other countries in Europe, there are 230 V type E sockets.

How to pay in Barcelona (ATMs, card payments, tips)?

Spain is part of the European Union and the local currency is the euro (€). In Barcelona you can normally pay by card. This can be a problem at smaller retailers or markets where it is better to carry cash.

It’s worth withdrawing money from ATMs rather than currency exchange offices. There are ATMs all over the city, including at the airport. Just be sure to check foreign withdrawal fees and what your bank’s exchange rates are before you travel.

As for tipping, sometimes it can be included in the price, but it’s not the rule. If you’re happy with the service, it’s about 10% of the spend.

Where to go in Barcelona with children?

Barcelona with kids is a perfect idea as there are plenty of places that kids will love. From the colourful Park Güell to the aquarium with the largest sea tunnel in Europe, where sharks, stingrays or moonfish swim around you. For more tips, read our detailed article on where to go in Barcelona with kids.

What not to miss in Barcelona?

There’s so much to see in Barcelona, even a week wouldn’t be enough. The Sagrada Famila and Park Güell must be on the list of anyone planning a trip to Barcelona. Don’t miss Gaudí’s other works too, such as Casa Batlló, La Pedrera or Casa Vicens.

But Barcelona isn’t just about Gaudí – the Palau de la Música or the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau are other breathtaking buildings. Stroll around the Arc de Triomphe or the magnificent Ciutadella Park, or wander the narrow streets of El Born and Barri Gotic.

Find inspiration in our 4-day itinerary for visiting Barcelona. Short on time? Here’s an itinerary for 3 days in Barcelona.

Sagrada Familia / things to do in Barcelona

Is Barcelona expensive (prices in Barcelona)?

Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Prices are also rising, so Barcelona is generally one of the more expensive cities. But the final amount depends on how you travel, your preferences and what time you visit.

Prices may increase during the peak tourist season (late spring to early autumn) and during major holidays.

Here are the approximate costs you can expect in Barcelona:

Street and fast food: Fast food such as sandwiches or tapas costs around €5 to €10.
Mid-range restaurants: A meal in a decent restaurant will cost around 12 to 25 euros per person.
Luxury restaurants: Expect to pay between €30 and €60 per person in luxury restaurants, especially in touristy areas.
Taxi: Basic rate 2,5 €, then approximately 1-1,5 € per kilometre.
Bicycle rentals: Daily rental fees range from 10 to 15 euros.
Food: If self-catering, expect to spend around 20 to 50 euros per week.
Water (1,5 l) – 1,77 €
Bread (500 g) – 1,43 €
Cheese (1 kg) – 12,80 €
Chicken breast (1 kg) – 7,81 €
Potato (1 kg) – 1,52 €
Tomatoes (1 kg) – 2,36 €
Bananas (1 kg) – 1,76 €

What to Taste in Barcelona?

Paella – although it originates from Valencia, paella is a staple dish in Barcelona. It is a rice dish that is usually made from seafood or a mixture of seafood and meat.
Fideuà – similar to paella, but instead of rice, it is made from short noodles. It is often prepared with seafood and served with aioli (garlic paste).
Tapas – small dishes suitable for sharing. Popular dishes include patatas bravas (spicy potatoes), gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns) and chorizo al vino (chorizo in wine).
Pan con Tomate (bread with tomatoes) – a simple but tasty Catalan classic consisting of bread smeared with tomatoes and drizzled with olive oil and salt.
Escalivada – a dish of roasted aubergines and peppers, often served with anchovies or tuna.
Suquet de Peix – a traditional Catalan fish stew made with potatoes, garlic, tomatoes and various types of fish and shellfish.
Anchovies from L’Escala – often served in salads or as a tapa.
Botifarra – a type of Catalan sausage often served grilled with white beans.
Churros with chocolate – a popular snack or breakfast, churros are long fried sticks of dough served with thick hot chocolate.
Cava – the famous Catalan sparkling wine, ideal as an aperitif or to accompany a meal.
Vermouth – wine with olives and a slice of orange.
Orxata (Horchata) – a refreshing drink made from tiger nuts, sugar and water, ideal for hot summer days.

What to do in the evening in Barcelona?

Step out into the swirl of the big city as Barcelona comes alive after the afternoon siesta. Evening is the perfect time to meet friends for dinner, which is served here between 21:00-23:00. Some restaurants are closed in the late afternoon and evening. They reopen between 18:00-20:00, so you’d better check the opening hours beforehand. In tourist areas it is usually open all the time.

We will never miss an evening walk around the sea. And not just in Barcelona. What’s more, the beaches of Barcelona are alive in the evening. Locals and tourists alike sit in the sand, playing volleyball and watching the sunset. But the waterfront is also magical early in the morning, when the sun rises above the horizon. Locals practice yoga in the sand, jog or just sit on the benches.

Walk around the monuments, which are beautifully lit up in the evening. The Sagrada Familia or Casa Batlló have their own charm in the evening. You can also visit some of the sites on an evening tour with dinner. Late-night tours are available at Casa Milà – La Pedrera. In the evenings, there are also popular flamenco shows or the light and sound show of the Magic Fountain at the foot of Montjüic Hill (the Magic Fountain has been closed since 2023).

Go for the best views of the city. And where to watch the best views of Barcelona in the evening? Montjuic is one of the most easily accessible places. Or climb the Bunkers del Carmel. These are former bunkers used during the Spanish Civil War. They are popular with young Catalans and tourists alike, who congregate for an evening of drinking or picnicking.

Map of Barcelona

HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map of Barcelona. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I mention in the Barcelona city guide. If you want to save the map, star it. For a larger version, click on the icon in the upper right corner.

Plan your trip quickly and easily. If you buy something through our links, we get a small commission. You pay nothing extra. Thank you!

This was our Barcelona travel guide and tips on how to plan the perfect trip to Barcelona. Do you have a question? We’ll be happy to answer it in the comments below. Have a safe journey!

More information about Barcelona

BARCELONA ITINERARY: Plan your trip with our 3-day itinerary for Barcelona. Check out the description and itinerary map on how to spend 4 days in Barcelona. In this article you will find out what to visit in Barcelona. In the next article we share tips on things to do in Barcelona with kids.

We have also prepared a article on how to visit the Sagrada Familia (attractions, how to avoid queues, entrance fees, etc.)

BARCELONA GUIDE: Here is a detailed guide to transport in Barcelona. We’ve put together tips on the best places to stay in Barcelona (the best areas and hotels). In the next article we share tips on how to save in Barcelona.

Here are the options for getting from Barcelona – El Prat Airport to the city centre.

SPAIN: In our list of the most beautiful places to visit in Spain, we give you tips on what to see in Spain.