About Barcelona
Barcelona is a city squeezed between the Mediterranean and the Collserola hills, and that geography explains much of its character: a dense old town by the port, a vast nineteenth-century grid stretching inland, and beaches that were only properly opened up for the 1992 Olympic Games. As the capital of Catalonia it has its own language, Catalan, heard on street signs and in markets alongside Spanish, and a fierce pride in its own culture, from the human towers called castells to the sardana circle dance.
What draws most visitors is the architecture of Catalan Modernisme, above all the work of Antoni Gaudí. The Sagrada Família basilica, under construction since 1882, the undulating Casa Batlló and Casa Milà on Passeig de Gràcia, and the mosaic terraces of Park Güell are all UNESCO-listed. Between them lie Gothic cloisters, the medieval lanes of El Born, the Picasso Museum and the Boqueria market, where breakfast at a counter bar is a local institution.
Our three guides help you choose a district to stay in, prioritise the sights that need advance booking, and handle the practical side of Barcelona, from the airport bus to the tourist tax and the city's notorious pickpockets.
Barcelona city guides
- Where to stay in Barcelona
Barcelona's districts differ sharply in mood. The old town is atmospheric but crowded, the Eixample elegant and central, Gràcia feels like a village and the waterfront areas are made for beach days. Here is how to choose. The Gothic Quarter is the medieval core around the cathedral, Plaça Sant Jaume and the Roman walls that still show up in Plaça Ramon Berenguer el Gran. You can walk everywhere from here: La Rambla, the port and El Born are minutes away. Streets are narrow and atmospheric, and there are many small hotels in converted palaces. Downsides include noise from late bars and crowds by day, and some rooms are dark due to the tight streets. East of Via Laietana, El Born is the stylish half of the old town. Its landmarks are the soaring Gothic church of Santa Maria del Mar, the Picasso Museum spread across five medieval mansions on Carrer de Montcada, and the El Born Centre de Cultura, an old market hall that shelters excavated streets from 1714. Boutiques, cocktail bars and the Parc de la Ciutadella make it a favourite for couples. It is close to the beach at Barceloneta, too.
- Things to do in Barcelona
Barcelona is one of the few cities where a single architect defines the itinerary. Start with Gaudí, then broaden out to Gothic churches, hilltop museums, markets and the sea. Gaudí worked on the basilica for over forty years until his death in 1926, and construction continues, funded by visitors. The central Tower of Jesus Christ is designed to make it the tallest church in the world when complete, at 172.5 metres. Inside, the columns branch like trees and the stained glass throws blue and green light on the east side in the morning and red and orange on the west side in the afternoon. Tickets are timed and sell out, so book online days or weeks ahead. Tower access is an extra. On Passeig de Gràcia, Casa Batlló's facade of bone-like balconies and a dragon-scale roof is often linked to the legend of Saint George. A few blocks up, Casa Milà, nicknamed La Pedrera (the stone quarry), has a rooftop of chimney "warriors" and an attic exhibition explaining Gaudí's catenary arches. Both offer night visits with music in summer.
- Practical tips for visiting Barcelona
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) is about 12 kilometres south-west of the city. The Aerobús runs every 5 to 10 minutes from both terminals to Plaça de Catalunya, taking about 35 minutes. Metro line L9 Sud connects both terminals with the network, but it requires a special airport ticket that standard 10-journey cards do not cover. The R2 Nord commuter train runs from Terminal 2 to Sants, Passeig de Gràcia and Clot. A taxi to the centre costs roughly €35 to €45 including the airport supplement. Barcelona's metro has eight main numbered lines run by TMB plus FGC suburban lines. The T-casual card gives 10 journeys on metro, bus and tram within zone 1; it is personal, so each traveller in a group needs their own card, while the T-familiar allows 8 trips shared by several people over 30 days. The Hola Barcelona travel card offers unlimited rides for 2 to 5 days, including the airport metro. The city is pleasant to walk, especially the flat Eixample, and there are extensive cycle lanes, though the Bicing public bikes are for residents; tourists can rent bikes privately. Late May, June and September are the sweet spot: sea warm enough to swim, long days and fewer crowds than July and August. Summer is hot and humid, around 28 to 30°C, with packed beaches. Autumn brings La Mercè, the city's biggest festival, in late September with castells, correfocs (fire runs) and free concerts. Winter is mild, rarely below 8°C during the day, and good for museums. Sant Jordi on 23 April is a lovely day to visit, when Catalans exchange roses and books.
Destination overview · Barcelona
Stays via Hotellook
Flights via Aviasales
Partner 718768
This site contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through our partners — at no extra cost to you.
See our Affiliate Disclaimer.
What to see in Barcelona
Famous attractions and neighbourhoods — pair them with stays near the action.
What to do
Experiences that make a short break feel complete — with links to stay nearby.
Places to stay in Barcelona
Compare hotels and apartments via Hotellook (Travelpayouts). Deep links include partner marker
718768. Optional dashboard widgets can be pasted in config.
Get there · Flights to Barcelona
Aviasales search with affiliate marker. Enter origin IATA (e.g. RIX, LHR) and destination IATA.