Visit Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona travel guide since 1996. Expertise and tips for exploring Barcelona city.

Visit Barcelona

Your holiday in Barcelona

Welcome to our travel guide dedicated to Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia! It's the country's second-largest city in terms of population (1.7 million in January 2024) and number one in terms of visitors (7.8 million in 2023). There's no shortage of attractions for lovers of art, architecture, contemporary culture, gastronomy, Mediterranean traditions or simply partying.

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact our experts, who will be happy to answer them!

What to visit in Barcelona?

Among the highlights of your stay in Barcelona are monuments such as the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and Casa Milà, Gaudí's marvellous modernist jewels on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The Picasso Museum, the Joan Miró Foundation and the Antoni-Tàpies Foundation are also important museums for understanding the spirit of this city. For each of these monuments, you'll find the best-value admission tickets.

Sagrada Família

Sagrada Família

The Sagrada Família is Barcelona's most emblematic monument. Designed by the brilliant modernist architect Antoni Gaudí, the basilica will be completed in 2026.

Parc Güell

Park Güell

The garden with the dragon and the undulating mosaic bench. Park Güell, where Antoni Gaudí's boundless imagination transformed nature into a vibrant, colorful work of art.

Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló

Visit Casa Batlló, the most dreamlike of Antoni Gaudí's houses, distinguished by its polychrome facade decorated with ceramics and glass, and its undulating roof symbolising Saint George slaying the dragon.

Gothic Quarter

Gothic Quarter

A stroll through Barcelona's Gothic Quarter plunges you into the city's medieval history, as you wander through a labyrinth of picturesque alleyways.

Picasso Museum

Picasso Museum

With over 4,200 works, the Picasso Museum in Barcelona boasts the most important collection of Picasso's drawings, paintings and sculptures, from his earliest days to his blue period.

Casa Milà

Casa Milà

Also known as La Pedrera (the stone quarry). This other masterpiece by Antoni Gaudí is the quintessence of Catalan modernism, and its roof terrace will leave you breathless.

Boqueria Market

Boqueria market

A must-see on the Rambla, the Boqueria Market is the city's most famous and oldest food market. If you want to do your shopping or have lunch...

Camp Nou

Camp Nou

Barcelona's stadium!  You can visit the Camp Nou and its museum all year round, despite the current renovation work. Families come here to see the team of all Catalans, FC Barcelona!

What’s hot in Barcelona!

Visiting Barcelona takes several days. Ideally, you should stay at least 4 days, but a weekend is a good start. Here are some ideas on what to do in Barcelona in 1, 2, 3 or 4 days.
Barcelona is a great place for shopping, with typical Spanish stores such as Zara, El Corte Inglés, Custo Barcelona and Desigual, but also some very imaginative young designers.
Barcelona's signature dish is certainly "pa amb tomàquet", the tomato bread eaten at every meal. In the section on where to eat in Barcelona, we give you the best addresses for tapas, paella and fish restaurants. With an emphasis on the increasingly popular slow food restaurants.
Barcelona is also a city of nightlife, so we'll tell you where to go out in Barcelona, including our favorite bars, cocktail bars, vermuterias, the best rooftops and clubs like Opium and Razzmatazz, to name but two.
Barcelona is a relatively expensive city, with an average meal costing around €30 and a hotel €80, with big variations - up and down - that we explain in budget.

Keep up to date with the latest places we talk about in town. The latest editorial reviews:

  • Sivasdescalzo - Barcelona
    Shop

    Sivasdescalzo

    Sneakers, streetwear and limited editions...

    Not far from the Tetuan metro station, Sivasdescalzo (SVD) is the place to go for sneaker and fashion enthusiasts. An incredible selection of limited-edition trainers, re-editions of classics and one-off pieces from the hottest emerging brands.

    Eixample right - C/ de Bailèn, 18
  • Restaurant

    Casa Igor

    A Taverna de tapes just the way we like them!

    Another little neighbourhood bar just the way we like them. Casa Igor is a 7-minute walk from Gaudí's Casa Vicens. Casa Igor defines itself as a Taverna de tapes. You can share tapas with friends standing at the outside bar or indoors in a small room.

    Gracia - Carrer del Topazi, 18
  • Bielo - Barcelona
    Shop

    Bielo

    Weaving of Excellence at La Llacuna

    Just an hour's drive from Barcelona, nestled in the mountains of La Llacuna, a village of less than 900 souls, lies Bielo, a treasure trove of the European textile industry.

    Beyond Barcelona - La Llacuna, Barcelona
  • Señora Dolores - Barcelona
    Restaurant

    Señora Dolores

    Fried or raw tapas and natural wines

    In the fashionable Sant Antoni district, Señora Dolores is a friendly establishment distinguished by its retro-chic ambience and commitment to quality products, served with a bold twist. Here, everything goes through the fryer or is served raw, offering a gastronomic experience that's both authentic and innovative.

    Paralelo / Pueblo Seco - C/ del Marquès de Campo Sagrado, 27

FC Barcelona

For the Catalans, Barça, or FC Barcelona, represents much more than just a soccer club; it embodies their regional pride, cultural identity and spirit of resistance, symbolizing the unity and passion of an entire people. This 2024/2025 season, FC Barcelona's home matches will be played at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium, pending a return to the Barcelona stadium.

FC Barcelona Official tickets agent! - 2024-25 - FCBOOFM

Champions League schedule

FC Barcelona tickets - Champions League
October 1st 2024
FC Barcelona vs Young Boys
January 29th 2025
FC Barcelona vs Atalanta

La Liga schedule

FC Barcelona tickets - La Liga
September 25th 2024
FC Barcelona vs Getafe CF
October 20th 2024
FC Barcelona vs Sevilla FC
November 3rd 2024
FC Barcelona vs RCD Espanyol
December 1st 2024
FC Barcelona vs UD Las Palmas
December 15th 2024
FC Barcelona vs CD Leganés

How to get around Barcelona?

The Aerobus is the bus that provides a fast, economical transfer between the airport and the city center (35 minutes). Even more economical, the Aerobus can be combined with the "Hola Card", which offers unlimited use of all public transport in the city for 48, 72 or 120 hours. This pass includes metro, bus (TMB), urban railway (FGC, Zone 1), Montjuïc funicular, tramway (TRAM), regional railroad (Rodalies de Cataluny) + 1 return trip from the airport to the city center. Last but not least, the open-air hop-on hop-off bus is a fantastic way to get from one monument to another. Finally, you can simply buy metro tickets.

Where to stay in Barcelona?

Accommodation is the first step in preparing your trip. To help you find the perfect place to stay, we offer you the best hotels in Barcelona, Barcelona airport hotels, by central districts such as El Born, Ramblas or by categories such as the 4-star hotels.

Hotels in Barcelona City Centre

Hotels in the city centre

Our selection of the best hotels

The centre of Barcelona is called Ciutat Vella. It is the old town and its districts such as the Eixample, El Raval, El Born, El Gótico and Barceloneta. It’s for sure the ideal area to be during vacation. This guide and handmade selection of city centre hotels will help you to book according to your budget and likes.

Hotels in the Gothic Quarter Barcelona

Hotels in the Gothic Quarter Barcelona

The Gothic Quarter is an area full of history and charm, and a stay in one of its hotels will allow you to discover an authentic medieval atmosphere. Hotels in the Gothic Quarter Barcelona are an excellent choice for those looking for accommodation close to the city's main tourist attractions, such as Barcelona Cathedral, Plaça de Sant Jaume, Plaça Reial.. 

Hotels near the Sagrada Familía

Hotels near the Sagrada Familía

Discover the city on foot by staying at one of our carefully selected hotels near the Sagrada Familía. Soak up the city's lively atmosphere and explore Gaudí's architectural wonders while enjoying the ideal location of your accommodation.

Hotels by the sea in Barcelona

Barcelona Beach Hotels

Welcome sun, sand, and farniente lovers! Barcelona is a city on the Mediterranean Sea that offers beautiful and lively beaches made for you. This is our selection of hotels near the sea, near the harbour, at the Barceloneta or by seafront.

City Guide

Explore our city guide to discover the Catalan capital. Among the most practical sections to help you prepare for your stay > Airport, Car Parking, Low Emission Zone, Metro, Weather, Map, What to do in 3 days, ideas for routes by district, selected city  tours, monuments and museums and, of course, everything about Gaudí...

When is the best time to visit Barcelona?

To take advantage of the pleasant weather and avoid the tourist crowds, it's best to visit Barcelona in spring (April to June) or autumn (September to November), as these periods offer mild temperatures, interesting cultural events and fewer tourists.

weather forecasts.

Temperatures

 

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C
(°F)
13.6
(56.5)
14.2
(57.6)
15.8
(60.4)
18.6
(65.5)
21.7
(71.1)
25.9
(78.6)
28.2
(82.8)
29.0
(84.2)
26.1
(79)
22.7
(72.9)
17.6
(63.7)
14.0
(57.2)
20.6
(69.1)
Daily mean °C
(°F)
9.4
(48.9)
10.0
(50)
12.0
(53.6)
14.1
(57.4)
17.8
(64)
22.1
(71.8)
24.6
(76.3)
25.1
(77.2)
22.1
(71.8)
18.4
(65.1)
12.9
(55.2)
9.8
(49.6)
16.7
(62.1)
Average low °C
(°F)
5.2
(41.4)
5.8
(42.4)
7.9
(46.2)
10.8
(51.4)
14.1
(57.4)
18.3
(64.9)
21.0
(69.8)
21.2
(70.2)
18.3
(64.9)
14.8
(58.6)
9.3
(48.7)
5.8
(42.4)
12.7
(54.9)
Precipitation mm
(inches)
41
(1.61)
39
(1.54)
42
(1.65)
49
(1.93)
59
(2.32)
42
(1.65)
20
(0.79)
61
(2.4)
85
(3.35)
91
(3.58)
58
(2.28)
51
(2.01)
(25.2)
Avg. precipitation days 5 6 5 6 7 3 3 4 5 7 5 7 62
Mean monthly sunshine hours 149 163 200 220 244 262 310 282 219 180 146 138 2,524
Source: Wikipédia

Barcelona in figures

Where is Barcelona? Located on the Mediterranean coast, Barcelona is Spain's second-largest city after Madrid. The capital of Catalonia, known for its unique architecture, beaches, lively nightlife and rich culture, welcomes some 24 million tourists every year. Paradoxically, its 1.6 million inhabitants manage these visitors perfectly well, as the city is spread out and its tourist districts very central.

 

Profile of tourists coming to Barcelona in 2022

Gender: 36.3% women, 67.7% men
Average age: 37.6

Reason for visiting Barcelona:

  • Vacation: 67.7% 
  • business trip: 18.7%,
  • personal or other 1: 3.6%.

Means of transport:

  • Plane 62.8%,
  • private vehicle 22.3%,
  • train 10.7%,
  • other 4.2%.

Among travelers arriving at Barcelona airport:

  • 89.4% are European,
  • 2.7% African,
  • 5% American
  • 2.9% Asian.

49.7% have never been to Barcelona before,

50.3% are returning for at least the second time.

 

Tourist profile

  • 43.6% of tourists come as a couple,
  • 26.4% alone,
  • 15% with their children
  • 14.6% with friends.

Last comments

Nghia Pham - 22 Aug 2024 - 08:30
How to register a foreign vehicle for ZBE
Citat from the information page "Therefore, all foreign vehicles must be registered before they can drive in the low emission zones. Only vehicles registered in Spain are required to wear the sticker. Foreign vehicles do not require a physical sticker to be affixed to the windscreen. The online "validated" status is sufficient to prove that your vehicle is registered and authorized to circulate in the zone" How to register a foreign vehicle is not given anywhere including in the given link to https://www.amb.cat/s/web/mobilitat/mobilitat-sostenible/zbe.html
Barcelona.com - 5 Aug 2024 - 10:56
@10e
Hello 10e, In a day and a half, you can visit 3 monuments, which is already very good, the best option for you would be the Barcelona City Pass or 3 Houses of Gaudí. Both offer great flexibility and convenience for short visits. You can find all the information you need on this page. Enjoy your time in Barcelona!
Barcelona.com - 5 Aug 2024 - 10:56
@WS8 Passenger
Hello WS8 Passenger, If you're coming to collect a delayed bag from Groundforce at Terminal 1 of Barcelona-El Prat Airport, you'll need to go to their baggage service office, also known as the Lost & Found office. Please go to: The Groundforce office for delayed baggage is located in Terminal 1, near the baggage claim area. Once you enter the arrivals hall, follow signs for "Baggage Claim" and "Lost & Found." It’s advisable to check the operating hours in advance, as they may vary depending on the day. If you have any trouble finding the office, airport staff can help direct you to the right location. Safe travels, and I hope you get your bag back soon!
Barcelona.com - 5 Aug 2024 - 10:56
@Jackie
Hello Jackie, It looks like you're asking if the Aerobus in Barcelona can take you to Malgrat de Mar. Unfortunately, the Aerobus service only connects the Barcelona Airport (El Prat) with the city center of Barcelona, making stops at places like Plaça Catalunya and Plaça Espanya. It doesn't go to Malgrat de Mar, which is a town located along the coast, about 60 kilometers northeast of Barcelona. To get to Malgrat de Mar from Barcelona Airport, here are your options: Train: You can take the Renfe Cercanías (R2 Nord line) from the airport to Barcelona-Sants or Barcelona-Passeig de Gràcia, and then transfer to the R1 line, which goes directly to Malgrat de Mar. Bus: There are some intercity buses that can take you there, though they might not be direct from the airport. Taxi or Private Transfer: This is the most convenient option but also the most expensive. You can arrange a taxi or a private transfer service from the airport directly to Malgrat de Mar. For train times and more detailed travel info, the Renfe website is very helpful, or you could use Google Maps to plan your journey. Enjoy your trip!
10e - 5 Aug 2024 - 10:28
Best ticket option
If you only have a day and a half, which ticket should we buy.
WS8 Passenger - 5 Aug 2024 - 10:16
Delayed Baggage Retrieval
I am coming to collect a delayed bag from Groundforce Terminal 1. Where should I go?
Jackie - 5 Aug 2024 - 10:14
Transferb
We are going to margat de mar does the bus take you there thanks in advance
Barcelona.com - 1 Aug 2024 - 08:38
@Kostas
Hello Kostas, Contact our soccer department a: football @ barcelona.com our team will see if we can help you. thank you,
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