Barcelona Holidays

Go for a city break in Barcelona - the city that blends a relaxed beach atmosphere, a busy city life and stunning architecture. Eat amazing Spanish cuisine, stoll through brilliant shopping areas and visit galleries and museums. There's something for everyone in Barcelona!

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  • Currency: Euro
  • Language: Spanish
  • Timezone: GMT+1
  • Population: 1.6 million
  • Flight duration from Gatwick airport: 2h 5m
  • Airport: Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport

Barcelona is one of the pricier European cities however if you budget correctly and avoid expensive restaurants and services like taxis, you can enjoy Barcelona on a budget.

  • Average price of a beer: €2 - €6
  • Glass of wine: €3.50 - €5
  • Coffee: €1.25 - €2.25
  • Sandwich: €4-€7
  • Dinner: €15-€20
  • Attraction entry price: €12-€26

Make sure to plan out where you want to go in advance so you can budget correctly. You can view ticket prices for popular attractions on their websites to help with planning.

Barcelona offers many modes of transport including sightseeing tours on land and sea.

  • Metro: This is the best choice for budget conscious travellers as it is the cheapest (and the fastest!)
  • Bus: There are plenty of buses in Barcelona, including a night bus service.
  • Suburban Trains: If you’re planning on visiting sights outside the city, the suburban trains will get you there easily.
  • Tram: We recommend avoiding the trams as they don’t head to locations tourists visit often.
  • Cable Cars: If you want to view the city from the air, a ride in one of the cable cars is a must.
  • Boat Cruises: For stunning coastline and harbour views, hop on one of the tourist boat cruises.
  • Sightseeing Bus: Barcelona has Hop-On Hop-Off bus tours to help you view the city in comfort. There are three different routes available.
  • Taxis: This is an expensive travel option but might be worth it late at night or if you have heavy luggage.

If you know you will be using a lot of public transport, it might be worth purchasing a ’Barcelona Card’ which gives you unlimited use of public transport as well as discounts (and free entry in some cases!) to different tourist attractions.

How do I get from Barcelona airport to the city?

We recommend avoiding taxis which can be expensive, and instead taking the Aerobus. This 35 minute shuttle bus runs from both airport terminals into the city centre. It is about €12.25 and makes three stops in the Barcelona city centre. When you arrive at the airport you can buy your Aerobus ticket at ATMs inside or buy your ticket online before you travel.

Is Barcelona walkable?

Barcelona is a very walkable city. If you love to explore and discover on your holidays, we recommend walking around Barcelona to take in all the scenic views and potentially discover a hidden gem.

  • Visit the Sagrada Familia: This modernist church is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Spain. Designed by Antoni Gaudi, a legendary architect, take a guided tour and appreciate the religious symbolism in full, or take your time admiring the building independently.
  • Stroll through Park Guell: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is full of colourful and vibrant mosaics, geometric shapes and natural figures. View the park from a distance or experience the magic up close.
  • Explore the Museums: Go to the Museu Picasso in Barcelona to see legendary work by Picasso before appreciating thousands of art pieces. Continue your artistic day with a trip to Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya to admire the outstanding Romanesque church painting collection.
  • Relax at Port Olimpic: Lined with pubs, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, this port is the perfect place to go to unwind for dinner or to take a stroll along the water's edge.
  • Tour Casa Batllo: Take pictures of Casa Batllo, also known as the House of Bones, and immortalise your experience of this architectural masterpiece showcasing Catalan Modernist designs.
  • Climb to La Pedrera: This stony building is the perfect place to get a guided tour and find out about the architect Gaudi. Look at his plans and designs and explore the unusual rooftop.
  • Wander down La Rambla: Take your time as you walk down this popular thoroughfare packed with other tourists. Have lunch at one of the many terraces or watch one of the local street artists.
  • Shop at Mercat de la Boqueria: Dive into the hustle and bustle of a market down La Rambla with a visit here. Buy delicious fruits, sweets and all other types of goods.
  • Get lost in the Gothic Quarter: If you love Gothic architecture then this is a must-see! Amble down the twisting streets as you admire Barcelona Cathedral and Museu Frederic Marès.

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