Maybe I'm a little prejudiced because I've lived here for five months, but something I'm pretty sure about is that Barcelona is one of the most amazing cities I've visited! It offers a combination of culture, nature, an amazing cuisine and everyday you'll see something great happening on the streets. So in this guide I will give you all of the information you'll need for a trip to one of the biggest cities of Spain! 🇪🇸
Many sources will tell you that the best time to visit Barcelona is from April till September. It can get quite hot during the summer months, so if you're looking for a sunny city break, this is the ideal period. Especially since Barcelona also has some amazing beaches, you'll get to enjoy the sun the fullest! If you love to have a temperature between 16-20 degree, I would recommend visiting the city in autumn or spring. This period is also a lot less crowded than during the summer, which makes it the perfect time to visit.
How to get there?
Obviously, the easiest way to get to Barcelona is by plane. This city has one international airport, El Prat. However, it has two terminals, located 10 km from each other. From the airport, there's several ways to get to the city. The easiest way is by taking the Aerobus (A1/A2) which costs € 6,75. A cheaper option is by using public transportation. The L9 metro stops at both terminals. A much faster way is to take the train (R2N) to the airport, however, this is only possible if you fly to/from terminal 2. There's also the possibility to take the bus, but this will take you a little longer. A more expensive option is to take a taxi, which is also really easy from both terminals.
How to get around?
Barcelona has an extensive network of public transportation, so this is undoubtedly the best way of getting around the city. If you buy the Hola Barcelona pass, you will get everything you'll need. The card covers tickets for the busses, metros and suburban trains. In some parts of the city there's also a tram, for which the Hola Barcelona pass can also be used. The benefit of this card is that it also covers the surcharge you have to pay to take the train to the airport.
You can choose between a 48, 72, 96, or 120-hour pass. If you're planning to stay longer, I recommend buying regular 30-day public transportation card, which is called t-usual. It doesn't include the extra airport fee, but in the end it will be cheaper than buying multiple Hola Barcelona passes.
The Hola Barcelona pass or the t-usual can be bought at the machines you can find when you go into a metro- or train station. But if you like to plan your trip in advance, Get Your Guide sells the Hola Barcelona pass.
Hotel Cram is located in Barcelona's Eixample district, just a 10-minute walk from Plaza Catalunya. They have an amazing rooftop pool with stunning city views!
Generator Barcelona is located 500 meters from Passeig de Gracia. It's a very trendy hostel, I haven't slept in it myself, but some friends spend the night here while visiting me, and they loved it!
Acta BCN 40 is a classic hotel, just a 5-minute walk from Las Ramblas. It provides all the facilities you need during your stay!
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Highlights of Barcelona
Barcelona offers so many great things to visit and to see. Even though I’ve lived here for 5 months, I should still go back to see some more things! In this list I didn’t mention the really big highlights such as Sagrada Familia or Arc de Triomf. You should absolutely see those as well but I preferred focusing on my favorites, otherwise this list would have been endlessly…
Even though I lived around the corner and got to see this building multiple times a day, it's still pretty impressive. Lots of tourists visit it every day and I really recommend doing a tour inside!
I've visited this museum multiple times and I really loved it! What I loved most about this place is that it has an indoor rainforest, there's even a capibara living in it!
As the weather in Barcelona is great all year round, Parc de la Ciutadella is a great thing to visit! It's a huge park with lots of things to do! There's a zoo, you can rent a boat for half an hour and recently the greenhouses opened again.
Something I love about Barcelona is all the amazing viewpoints it offers! A really great place, from which you'll have an amazing view is Castell de Montjuïc. Tip: visiting is free on Sunday after 3 PM!
Another great place from which you'll have an amazing view is this one. Do not make the mistake as lots of tourists, but there are two churches on top of each other that you can visit. The easiest way to visit this, is by going up with the Tibidabo funicular which is not included in the Hola Barcelona pass. The Vallvidrera Funicular is included, but takes a little bit longer to go up as you will also have to take a bus or walk up.
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Something I will always book when visiting a new city is a walking tour. Why do I do this? Even after lots of research, I always have the feeling when visiting a new city, that I have no clue where I can go for dinner, what I can do, where everything is located... Nowadays, TikTok helps a lot, but still, I love to get some tips from locals! It helps you to get around the city easily and find some hidden spots. And I also like to know some more background information whenever I'm visiting a new place. So one thing that will always be planned on the first day of my city break is a walking tour. There are many company's that offer these, but I love to book mine through WeGoTrip. It offers a variety of tours, some are free, some you will have to pay, however everything is pretty affordable and you'll get value for your money.
Undoubtedly my favorite place to have dinner. Saona has multiple restaurants and you should really make a reservation, since it's pretty popular among locals. They offer great budget-friendly and delicious 3-course menus!
If you want to try some local tapa, La Pepita is a great place to go. They offer great traditional tapa but in their own way. I also recommend making a reservation because it's pretty popular. They have another restaurant called la Mini Pepita.
As you can guess, Alice Secret Garden is inspired on Alice in Wonderland. Their cocktails are amazing, they have great tapa and if you're planning to go in the afternoon, they serve really good coffee and cake!
It's a little more expensive but it's really worth the experience! All cocktails are fully personalized, everything is served by train and the experience they will give you is amazing!
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More questions?
If you have any more questions, you want more recommendations or you want me to help you to plan your next trip to Barcelona, don't hesitate to contact me! <3
If you're traveling from a country outside of Europe, think about getting an e-sim! It saves you lots of time searching for a local SIM card, it's really easy to install and budget-friendly!
Welcome to my world of wanderlust! Based in Belgium, with experiences living in Barcelona and Puerto Rico and of course travels to lots of other destinations! My travel philosophy? Immerse myself in everything a destination has to offer, from its breathtaking landscapes to its amazing culture. As a young enthusiast with a passion for discovering new places, I try to bring a fresh perspective and give you an authentic experience. Trust me to curate your next adventure, blending hidden gems, local flavors and insider tips for a journey you'll never forget. 🌎✈️🧳
