Best Bus Tours in Barcelona

Best Bus Tours in Barcelona

If you want to make the most of an inevitably too-short vacation, where better to see the sights in one go than on a bus tour? With comfortable seating, air conditioning, and a guide in tow, you'll learn all about the city's best bits without overexerting yourself.

So, if you're heading to Barcelona this year, you'll want to know which are the best bus tours in the city. Luckily, we've written all about them down below! So, take your seat and get ready to sing annoying bus-themed children's songs. All aboard!

Including:

  • Is there a bus tour of Barcelona?
  • Are tours in Barcelona worth it?
  • How many days is ideal for Barcelona?
  • The best bus tours in Barcelona
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Is there a bus tour of Barcelona?

We'd be wasting our time if there were no bus tours in Barcelona, so fear not. But we deal in nothing but the best here, so expect only the best detailed down below!

Are tours in Barcelona worth it?

Bus tours are one of the best ways to see as much of a new city as possible without worrying about taking public transport or driving on unfamiliar roads with illegible road signs and whatnot.

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How many days is ideal for Barcelona?

Some cities are easy enough to do in a day—others, not so much. Barcelona firmly falls in the latter category, with a veritable mountain of history, experiences, and things to see; ideally, you need to take between 3 and 4 days to see it all. And that's just as well, because we have four of the best bus tours in Barcelona to talk about! What are the odds?

So, now we've answered all your burning Barcelona questions, let's talk about the best bus tours in the city!

The best bus tours in Barcelona

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Bus Turístic Tour

If you want to see all of the city's best bits in one fell swoop, you won't get much better than a Bus Turístic Tour! With three routes to choose from, each taking you past many of the city's most recognizable landmarks, it's not just a great way to see it all in a day, but also to get your bearings in a new city.

Your ticket gives you 24 hours on your bus of choice, and each one allows you to hop off at any stop that takes your fancy, have a look around and snap some vacation pics, and then hop back on the next bus and carry on with your journey! Plus, with 16 languages available via audio commentary, you'll learn all about them no matter where you're from.

So, let's explore the three routes and what sights you'll be seeing on each!

The Blue Route (around 2 hours in total) kicks things off at Placa de Catalunya before heading past some of Gaudí's most famous buildings, including Casa Battló, the Sagrada Familia, and Parc Guell, before heading on to the famous Camp Nou soccer stadium, where FC Barcelona ply their trade, before ending at the museums of MACBA & CCCB. There are plenty more stops in between, but talking about them would take days. Check out the full list here.

The Red Route (again, around 2 hours) also leaves from Placa de Catalunya before heading through La Pedrera, Poble Espanyol, Montjuic, and many more, before ending at Barcelona Zoo.

And finally, the Green Route is the shortest of all the tours, lasting just 40 minutes from end to end. On this one, you'll see Port Olimpic, Platja del Bogatell, Parc del Forum, and Parc Diagonal Mar before ending at Poblenou & its beaches.

Whichever you pick, Bus Turístic Tours are some of the best in Barcelona.

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Andorra and France from Barcelona

Typically, bus tours in Barcelona focus on the city itself or the areas in and around the city. But what if we told you that one of the best lets you see not one, not two, but three countries all in one day? You'd call us liars, surely? Well, we're not, and we can prove it. Take this Andorra and France from Barcelona tour, and you'll retract your accusation faster than you can say, "Three countries? One day? That's wild!"

But what will you be seeing on your three-country tour? Well, you'll witness magnificent views of the Pyrenees as you travel between Barcelona and Andorra, where you'll stop at Thermes d'Ax, where your guide will show you the top sights, such as Casa de la Vall, San Esteve XII Century Church, and Dali ́s Watch. Then, you'll hit Andorra's streets for some great shopping opportunities, with plenty to pick for yourself, as well as souvenirs for back home. And finally, you'll reach El Pas de la Casa, which sits on the border between France and Spain, where you're free to cross the dividing line and stand in two countries at the same time.

Marvelous.

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Montserrat

One of Barcelona's most beautiful sights isn't even in the city itself, but about an hour's drive away. It's called Montserrat - or the serrated mountain - and it houses one of the area's best-kept secrets. And, with this bus tour, you needn't make the journey alone.

At sunrise, you'll be picked up from Plaza de Catalunya first thing by an air-conditioned bus. From there, you'll make your journey up the mountain's many winding roads before finally reaching the top. From there, you can explore at your own pace. There's so much to see that we dedicated an entire article to it all, but if you haven't got time to read all those words, make sure you at least check out the nearly 1000-year-old Santa Maria de Montserrat Benedictine Monastery.

Then, when you're all sigh-seed out, your bus will take you right back into the heart of Barcelona. Easily one of the best bus tours in the city.

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Vineyard & Wine Cellar Day Trip

And finally, our final pick of the best bus tours in Barcelona is for grape enjoyers. After all, if you like a tipple, you could hardly visit Barcelona and not check out the wine scene! So why not go to the source on this Vineyard & Wine Cellar day trip?

Hop aboard a bus and head out into the outskirts of Catalonia, where you'll visit local vineyards and wineries, find out how the good stuff is made, and even try some for yourself.

Does it get much better than that? No, it does not.

And those were our picks of the best bus tours in Barcelona! If you don't want to spend your entire vacation on a four-wheeled wonder, see all of Barcelona's best bits with Go City! Choose our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass and make the most of the city's top attractions for one low price!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Win a Cloud Cities Experience and dive with sharks this Black Friday

Our Black Friday Giveaway has now ended. Whizz up to the 30th floor and marvel at 360° views of Barcelona – get a stunning new perspective from 125-meters above the city. You’ll get the VIP experience on a private tour of the tower before you head to the Skydeck for your very own photoshoot. A professional photographer will guarantee you remember the experience with picture perfect vacation snaps. You’ll also get access to the Cloud Cities Experience – an interactive installation from artist Tomás Saraceno. Move through over 100 different cloud spaces and re-imagine what an observatory can be, inside the changing shapes of passing clouds. As if the heights of Glòries Tower aren’t daring enough, you’ll also win a diving with sharks experience in Barcelona Aquarium. An expert instructor will teach you all you need to know about diving signals, breathing and moving around underwater, buoyancy control and using a regulator. Then it’s time to jump in and meet your hosts – you’ll find yourself surrounded by sharks, moray eels, rays and more. See Barcelona from above then dive into the deep with some of the sea’s most scary locals. How to enter For a chance to win this incredible prize, all you have to do is purchase any of our Barcelona passes between 9AM Tuesday 22 November 2022 and 11:59PM Tuesday 29 November 2022. Once you’ve purchased, you’ll be automatically entered into the giveaway. Easy! If you’re the lucky winner, we’ll contact you by email by December 15, 2022, so look out for us in your inbox. Click here to view giveaway terms and conditions.
Alice Padfield
Alice Padfield
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Adventurous Things to do in Barcelona

Is the monotony of real life getting you down? Ever feel like your weeks pass without any...excitement? That all changes now. Book your vacation to Barcelona, pack your most badass sunglasses, and read on. Because we've found the most adventurous things to do in Barcelona, and we've written them down just for you. Including: Segway swerving Cable climbing Escape escapades Watery wonders Wave warping and more!   Ciutadella Segway tour Adventure means many things to many people. For some, it may be deemed adventurous to try a new type of chip. Paprika flavor, or something equally exotic. But people like you, surely you're looking for something completely out of your comfort zone. How about traveling on two wheels while standing up? Now that's a segue...into Segway! Yes, you too can board your very own two-wheeled wonder and explore the beautiful Parc de la Ciutadella on this adventurous tour. And don't worry, if you've never operated this people magnet, you'll get a few lessons before burning off into the distance with your guide, at which point they'll impart key knowledge to keep your brain bulging all day. Learning and adventure? Say it isn't so.   Barcelona Cable Car Do you like getting high? As in, high above the ground? Do you dare put your life and safety in the hands of a cable car? Well, if you do, then you'll love hopping aboard the Montjuïc Cable Car - the easiest and safest way to make it to the top of one of Barcelona's most picturesque places. Built back when Barcelona hosted the 1992 Olympic Games, this 750m journey begins at Parc de Montjuïc before ascending - smoothly - towards Castell de Montjuïc. Look out the window, and you'll see stunning sights such as Gaudi's great Sagrada Familia. Then, explore the castle, snap some pics, and hop on to return back to terra firma. Heart-pumping, gravity-defying fun!   Illa Fantasia Waterpark Water; nature's life-giver. Over half of our bodies are made up of it. Hell, we need to drink it to survive. We should thank water. Every day. But that doesn't mean we can't have little fun with it. That's why you adventurous types should sprint down to Illa Fantasia Waterpark, where you can bodaciously ride some sick water slides. Alongside the park's 22 thrilling slides, you can also take on the wave pool, and then, when you want to take a break, grab a bite at one of the park's many restaurants. Adventure. Fun. All in one. So why not check it out if you're the daring sort?   Escape Hunt Barcelona Have you ever been stuck in a lift? It can be terrifying. No amount of button pushing, screaming, or door-banging can save you. You simply have to wait for maintenance to fix the issue. But, what if the lift was merely a challenge to overcome? What if there were a series of clues you had to solve to open the doors. Could you do it then? Why not put your supposed lift-escaping powers to the test at Escape Hunt Barcelona. Yes, despite our overly-complex explanation, we're talking about escape rooms! Just a stone's throw from Sagrada Familia, you'll find six challenging rooms with puzzles to solve, clues to discover, and ultimately, one exit you need to open. Can you solve the mystery of Gaudi and escape his artistic prison? Will you outsmart the Vampire of Barcelona's devious schemes? Can you break out of the School of Thieves? All of these questions, and more, will be answered when you head to Escape Hunt Barcelona! Oh, and the games can be played in English too, if you'd rather not make proceedings even harder than they already are.   Surfing Let's go back to the water for our next choice on the list - surfing. There are no two ways about it; surfing is cool. It looks cool, cool people do it, and the thrill of riding the waves probably feels cool, literally. We wouldn't know, as we barely have the stomach for such adventure. But you probably do! So why not get on the waves and show that water who's boss? Arguably the best place to catch waves in Barcelona is at Barceloneta Beach. So, if you've got the skills to pay the bills, feel free to grab a board, swim out, and get surfing! However, if you're a little green behind the ears and need a few pointers, why not try a surfing school? It's a great way to meet new people and make a fool of yourself while you learn. Then, when they least expect it, you can dazzle them with a flip or something. Now that's surfing!   Barcelona Bike Tour Another great way to see more of the city while getting your blood pumping - cycle tours are one of the best adventurous things to do in Barcelona. For three hours, your English-speaking guide will ride with you as you explore and learn all about the timeless city. Taking you through the likes of Old Town and the Raval Neighborhood, as well as riding past landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia and the Vila Olímpica, it's the perfect way to see the sights, catch some sun, and, more importantly, have fun! And don't forget your camera, because you can't pander to your 7 followers without taking a few snaps of your discoveries.   Scuba Diving Let's end this list on, you guessed it, the water! Who knew everyone's favorite drink could be so packed full of adventure! This time, we're going deep underwater to explore the seabed. That's right, baby, it's scuba diving! What's more thrilling than being stuck underwater breathing through an oxygenated tube? Nothing, nothing at all. You'll find plenty of diving schools throughout Barcelona, but if you want to err on the eco-friendly side, go with Underwater Barcelona. They pride themselves on being the only eco-diving company in town, so go check them out. They have a whole host of courses, services, and specialties on offer, so no matter your proficiency, they've got you covered. And those are our picks for the most adventurous things to do in Barcelona!
Dom Bewley
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Best Viewpoints in Barcelona

It’s always good to see life from a different perspective... and here’s how you can do just that with this list of the 10 best viewpoints in Barcelona. At street level it’s sometimes hard to get your bearings in a new city. From above, however, you can see where you’ve been and make sense of one place in relation to another. And you can be sure of some great photo opps too, with amazing Gaudi architecture, free-flowing sunshine and buzzy atmosphere all laid out before you in the Catalan capital. From mountain tops to rooftops, spires, statues and terraces, here’s our top tips for Barcelona sight-seeing that will have you feeling...on top of the world!Get the best view of Barcelona...from...MontjuicTibidaboParc GuellLa Sagrada Familia...and lots more visionary vistas... Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya From the Plaça d’Espana look beyond the Venetian towers to admire the beautiful dome and bell-towers of The Palau Nacional de Montjüic. Originally built for the 1929 World Fair it now houses the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, home to more than 260,000 historic (and contemporary) works. But perhaps not everyone realises that there’s as much to see from it as in it! The two rooftop viewpoints of the Palau Nacional offer 360o panoramic views of Barcelona. Marvel at the famous Magic Fountains, spot the soaring Sagrada Familia and look out for the buildings that were part of the 1992 Olympic Park. The terrace even has a cocktail bar to make the view even more delicious! Montjüic Not high enough for you...? There’s plenty to do and even more to see when you head uphill from the Palau. Take the Funicular de Montjüic to the base station for the cable car - Telefèric de Montjuic, then glide over the tree tops as you look out over the city, the port and the sparkling Mediterranean.The next cable car stop is at Mirador d’Alcalde, a ‘belvedere’, or series of terraces, that provide an even more impressive view and a chance to explore the beautiful public gardens.You may as well go all the way! Montjüic Castle tops the hill; a former fortress and prison, it is now a Military Museum. The best birds-eye view is from the terrace of the Terraz Martinez where you can also enjoy a drink, along with seafood platters and paella said to be among the best in town. Tibidabo Just when you think you’ve reached new heights, we have to break the news that Montjüic is only the second-highest mountain in Barcelona. Just a hill in fact alongside Tibidabo, which, at 512m above sea level, is visible from practically anywhere in the city. The Hop-On Hop-Off bus turistico blue route heads up there, or jump aboard the Tramvia Blau, the charming vintage tram that takes you to the start of the Tibidabo Funicular. This has recently been re-invented as the Cuca de Llum (Glow-worm) with new larger windows for maximum oohing and aahing, educational on-board displays and funky new lights that are most effective after dark. When you land you could take a scenic stroll in the Parc de Colliserola or pause for a panoramic picnic by the church of the Sagrat Cor (Sacred Heart). Tibidabo’s best known attraction however, is probably its amusement park, one of the oldest in the world.The ‘Panoramic Area’ boasts the best views of Barcelona as well as two especially iconic attractions. The famous Avió Plane, the world’s first ever flight simulator, is a replica of the first aircraft to fly from Barcelona to Madrid. Powered by its own propellor since 1928 it gives you all the views, with a side helping of alarm! Meanwhile the Talaia lookout tower, which takes visitors up to a giddying 551m above sea level, was such a hit when it opened in 1921 that people believed it had healing properties and that if children with whooping cough spent a few minutes at the top they’d be cured. Best give it a try! Bunkers of Carmel We all love a hidden gem and, away from the crowds, this is a cute and quirky place to get your cityscape kicks. Whilst it’s becoming increasingly popular, particularly at sunset, it’s still one of the quietest spots to find the most beautiful view of Barcelona.Despite the name, the Bunkers del Carmel, or El Turo de la Rovira (for the hill on which they’re found), were never actually bunkers but, in fact, anti-aircraft fortifications dating back to the Spanish Civil War. Canons were sited on the concrete bases and defenders could survey the entire city. When parts of the city were spruced up for the 1992 Olympics, this historic site got an overhaul, so now you can enjoy the same jaw-dropping vista.Pick the perfect time of day to survey how the Sagrada Familia bestrides the city and gaze beyond Barceloneta beach to the sea. Whether you reach the area by metro, bus or taxi, you’ll still need to be prepared to walk some distance uphill but put on your comfiest trainers, pack a drink or two to share at the top and we promise it’ll be well worth it. Parc Guell How have we got this far into an article about Barcelona and not mentioned Antoni Gaudi? Well hold tight since, as we all know, there are endless captivating examples of his design and architectural genius around the city.Parc Guell is quite literally one of Barcelona’s high-spots. Spread over a once bare hill (it was formerly called Muntanya Pelada (the Bare Mountain) Gaudi transformed it into a lush, flowing park, featuring some of his best work, including the Dragon stairs and the Austrian Gardens. Bag the mandatory selfie with El Drac, the famous Gaudi lizard, then, from the terrace of the ‘Monumental zone’, you can drink in the whole of Barcelona spread below, framed by colourful benches and modernist mosaics, with the Mediterranean sea beyond. Sagrada Familia towers Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece is Barcelona’s most famous icon. Thousands of visitors each day marvel at the endlessly imaginative detail of its facades or stare open-mouthed at the awe-inspiring architecture and dazzling stained glass of the interior. Soak up its secrets on a Sagrada Familia guided tour, then, if you’re here for the views, grab a ticket that takes you to the top of the basilica’s lofty towers.Gaudi’s original vision was for 18 towers, to represent the 12 apostles, the four evangelists, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Only eight have been finished so far. Should they finally be completed as intended (with that dedicated to Jesus Christ envisaged at 560ft) they will make Sagrada Familia the tallest church building in the world.The richly decorated Nativity tower was the only tower to be built under the supervision of Antoni Gaudi himself so don't miss the chance to see his original work up close and to feel the breeze as you stand on the bridge that connects the towers of the Nativity facade. Facing the east, you can enjoy a stunning view of the city and the mountain ranges beyond.The Passion Tower, representing the passion, death and resurrection of Christ, is much more minimal but the view to the west and the Mediterranean is just as incredible. Gaudi houses Barcelona Not as high up but equally awe-inspiring are the houses Gaudi created on the Passeig de Gràcia. From the rooftop terrace of Casa Battló, where ceramic tiles resemble a dragon’s back, you can look across the old quarter and over to the undulating facade of La Pedrera (sometimes known as Casa Milá). If you visit in summer you might even find special rooftop ‘magic nights’ where the city views are complemented by free drinks and live music!Across the road, on the terrace atop La Pedrera’s huge stone wave, you’ll find twisted, sentinel chimneys, many with warrior helmets, plus spectacular 360o views over the Gracia district and city beyond. Las Arenas de Barcelona Another popular city centre viewing platform - with the rare added bonus of dining and drinking - is the roof terrace of this distinctive building on Plaça d’Espanya, once one of three bullfighting rings in the city, with capacity for around 15,000 spectators. It was later transformed into a shopping and entertainment centre by legendary British architect Richard Rogers. His ambitious design maintained the original facade but added a dome and circular roof terrace. Don’t bother with the separate glass elevator; the lifts inside the shopping centre are free and whisk you up to the rooftop viewing platform and an exciting choice of bars and restaurants. Christopher Columbus statue At the bottom of La Rambla, this 60m high Corinthian column, topped by a bronze statue, marks the spot where the famous explorer first set foot back into Catalonia after his trip to the New World. His arm is pointing south-east towards the sea; not, as many believe towards America, which is in the opposite direction! Hop aboard the lift concealed in the column and join Chris on his lofty pedestal. On windy days you can feel the column flex in the wind. A glassed-in viewpoint just by his feet offers views of the port, La Rambla, the Gothic Quarter, Montjüic and the sparkling Mediterranean so, like him, you can decide just where to explore next! Barcelona’s best rooftop bars If you love living the high life, why not end your day at one of Barcelona’s many rooftop bars?The stylish Sky Bar at Grand Hotel Central is open to non-residents after 8PM for food and cocktails and boasts an infinity pool that appears to cascade towards a view of the whole city. For a magical 360° panorama, treat yourself to Terrat at the Mandarin Oriental, which serves amazing Peruvian food, or take the lift to the 360° terrace at the Barcelo Raval Hotel for classic cocktails, tapas and live DJs on summer weekends.Down at Barceloneta beach you can’t miss the W Barcelona Hotel (more locally known as the Hotel Vela (or Sail Hotel), the conical shaped building that turns blue and red at night. Ride the lift to the Eclipse Bar on the 26th floor to dance the night away, look out over Barceloneta beach and watch the city’s twinkling lights come to life. We hope we’ve inspired you to new heights. For all the high spots and the low down on how to sightsee and save, remember to choose an All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass - only from Go City.
Jo Cooke

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