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City and municipality in Catalonia, Spain
Photo: Ralf Roletschek, GFDL 1.2 via Wikimedia Commons
Barcelona is Spain's second largest city, with a population of nearly two million people, and the capital of Catalonia. A major port on the northeastern Mediterranean coast of Spain, Barcelona has a wide variety of attractions that bring in tourists from around the globe. The many faces of Barcelona include the medieval Old Town, and the unique street grid resulting from 19th-century urban planning. The city has long sandy beaches and green parks on the hills, pretty much side-by-side. It is also famous for a number of prominent buildings, of which the most-known are by the architect Antoni Gaudí, including his Sagrada Família, which became Barcelona's symbol to many.
Barcelona's old town, including the medieval Barri Gòtic, La Rambla (Les Rambles), Raval, and El Born (also known as La Ribera)
Modernist quarter, central hub of the city, and the area to go to find Antoni Gaudí's work.
Formerly an independent town, it joined the city in the 20th century. Narrow streets and a cosmopolitan and young atmosphere with not too many tourists
Plaça Espanya and Montjuïc have been the focus of several great fairs and exhibitions. They have left behind museums, monuments and festivals for travellers to explore.
More beaches along the coast, but generally fewer tourists and tourist attractions.
Mostly residential, but there are some sights if you want to explore. It includes Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona; Tibidabo, the highest point in Barcelona; and more Gaudí architecture.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Operated by TMB with blue-and-red buses, it has three routes (map provided as you board), including a northbound and a southbound line that leave from opposite sides of the Plaça de Catalunya. Each takes 1–2 hours. The hop-on/hop-off format lets you get-off at any interesting stop, see what interests you, then get back on any later bus at that or any other stop. One approach is stay on for an entire route, then continue while getting off at locations that interested you earlier. Buses are double-decked, with the open-air upper deck offering much better views – but sunscreen is essential in summer months, jackets in winter, early spring and late autumn. Earphones are offered when you first get on so you can hear the commentary as you drive by significant locations. Outlets near every seat let you choose among many languages and playback volumes. The buses are very frequent. For a cheaper option with more flexibility in routes opt for the metro and the T-casual.
Operated by Moventis with red buses, it has two routes: the northbound green route that goes by the beaches and Barceloneta, as well as important landmarks like Plaça de Catalunya, Hospital de Sant Pau, and Parc Güell; as well as the southbound orange route that runs over the Montjuïc mountain and passes by the Sagrada Família and the Camp Nou football stadium.
Visit Barrio Gotic and Barceloneta.
Tibidabo is a popular attraction with stunning vistas, an historic amusement park, and the iconic Sagrat Cor church.
Ride the Cable Way to get from the sea front to Montjuïc mountain in Sants-Montjuïc.
City and day tours of Barcelona and Catalonia led by a professional archaeologist.
Walking tour of Barcelona visiting key sites relating to the Spanish Civil War, covering themes such as Anarchism, the International Brigades, George Orwell and the realities of daily life and bombing during the war.
An annual three-day music festival. It is described officially as a festival of Advanced Music and Multimedia Art. Music is by far the main aspect of the festival. The festival runs for three days and nights, usually starting on a Thursday in the third week of June. There is a day location and a night location.
The most famous and biggest one day/night electronic music festivals in Spain is in the desert of Fraga, 200 km from Barcelona. More than 40,000 people gather every July to celebrate electronic music with the best DJs representing styles from house, electro, minimal, techno, to drum&bass, dubstep, and hiphop. 20 hours non-stop, it is a unique desert experience.
Barcelona's main annual festival around 24 September, encompassing many events such as human towers (castellers), free live music events on the streets, firework displays, and processions of wooden giants. It is a holiday and the city offers a lot of activities to have fun. Enjoy a fountains and fireworks show at the base of the Montjuïc hill.
The Festes de Gracia is a Catalonian celebration, held around 15 August each year to commemorate the Assumption. During the week of festivities that mark one of Barcelona's most important fiestas, the city of Gracia explodes with fun, excitement, colour, and fireworks. Many streets are decorated by neighbours, and there is live music, food in the streets, and the parties continue all night.
Similar to Gracia's event, but smaller and later on in August. If you can't go to Gracia's event, try to go to this festival.
23 April. Considered to be like Valentine's Day. People give roses and books around the streets. Traditionally, men give women roses and women give men books. It is one of the most popular and interesting celebrations in Catalonia.
Late in May (Corpus Christi day). An egg shell is placed over the jet of water coming out of various fountains such that the egg "magically dances" over the water. These fountains typically are beautifully decorated with flowers and are mostly at churches, most of which are located in the city centre: Cathedral's cloister, Santa Anna, Casa de l'Ardiaca, Museu Frederic Marés, and a dozen other fountains.
From 2/3 December to 23 December, to commemorate St. Llúcia (13 December). During this time, in front of the Cathedral, Christmas objects are sold. Some places sell Christmas trees, but most of them sell elements for making the pessebres (Nativity scenes). These include small sculptures, wooden pieces, and moss used to simulate grass. 13 December is the feast day of Santa Llucia, patron saint of fashion designers and blind people, who gather at the Santa Llucia chapel in the cathedral to pay their respects.
A brighter way to celebrate the colder Autumn days, the annual Jazz festival has been running for nearly 50 years now and runs roughly from the last week in October and all the way through November
This is the midsummer solstice celebration. It is celebrated on 23 June every year and is signified by the fireworks (there are frequent and loud amateur fireworks all night long, which may make it hard to sleep) that are permanently on display during this time.
There are trade events all year round in Barcelona.
A family-owned business that showcases the best of Catalan gastronomy in off-the-beaten districts of Barcelona.
Shares free vegan food.
Three locations, in Eixample and Gràcia. Excellent mid-range Catalan meals. Allow about €20 per person, although you could get out of there for half of that if you let the price dictate your choice of dishes.
Located near Plaça d’Espanya. Casual Italian street-food spot specialising in panini and handmade meatballs. Expect bold flavours and quick counter service, with a few sidewalk benches for eating in. Allow about €10–15 per person depending on your choice.
Spanning several floors and several buildings, and in several locations around town, many in Eixample and Inland Suburbs and a couple also in Ciutat Vella. You can find anything and everything in this department store, from food to pneumatics. Tax return checks are made on a separate floor of the store. See review for the whole chain in the Spain article.
Mercat Sant Josep
In Ciutat Vella. Large public market with a diverse range of goods and produce. Enjoy freshly squeezed organic fruit juices for €1.5 per cup. If you go near closing time (20:00) sellers will make you a special price (2 or 3 for €2). Closed Sundays.
By train
Barcelona is well-connected to the Spanish railway network, and to the rest of Europe.
By boat
The city's port is one of the busiest on the Mediterranean.
By bus
Barcelona Nord is the station for all long-distance buses. It's on Carrer de Nàpols near Arc de Triomf metro and railway stations. Buses may also pick up / drop off at Barcelona Sants railway station.
By car
Several main roads connect Barcelona to France and to the rest of Spain. Traffic is usually relatively light outside of peak hours.
By scooter
Except for deliveries, electric scooters are forbidden on sidewalks and all pedestrian walks throughout Barcelona.
By bicycle
Barcelona also has its own shared bike system, called BiCiNg. However, this is only accessible to locals.
By segway
On foot
Barcelona is a very walkable city.
By car
Parking around all major tourist destinations is expensive (€3/hour, €20-36/day) and the spaces are difficult to navigate, as there are several classes of public parking spaces, with complicated…
By taxi
As of January 2019, ride-sharing services such as Uber require at least one hour's notice. For less than one hour's notice, you need to call a regular taxi.
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