A modern tram driving through the streets of Barcelona

Getting Around Barcelona

By Robert Heaney

The city of Barcelona as a whole is humungous. With a footprint of almost 40 square miles, the heart of Catalonia serves as the fifth most populous city in Europe, close behind Paris, Madrid and Milan. Add to that the fact that the city sees roughly 20 times its population visit each year

With millions of annual tourists all trying to see everything that Barcelona has to offer in an often fairly short time span, an efficient and reliable transport system is vital. Fortunately, the city has a plethora of fantastic transport solutions to make getting around Barcelona a breeze.

Metro & FGC

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For the most part, getting around Barcelona is as simple as hopping on one of the city’s eight metro and four railway lines. Easily identified and often referred to by their respective colors, each line typically connects the city center with a separate suburb.

While these lines may be operated by two different services, namely TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona) and FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya) they effectively offer one collective transport system.

You’ll find metro stops dotted all over the city for your convenience, connecting you to just about anywhere you want to go. Whether it be as central as the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell or as far out as the airport, there’s just about always a station on hand to get you from A to B in a flash.

Operating Times*

  • Monday – Thursday: 5AM – Midnight
  • Friday: 5AM – 2AM
  • Saturday: Continuous Service
  • Sunday and Public Holidays: 5AM – Midnight

Trams

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The Barcelona tram system is the overground counterpart to the metro’s underground service. While the metro serves to transport you around the city center and central suburbs, the tram offers two major lines to take you to the city’s major shopping areas and residential zones.

Operating Times*

  • Monday – Thursday: 5AM – Midnight
  • Friday – Saturday: 5AM – 2AM
  • Sunday and Public Holidays: 5AM – Midnight

Buses

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Should the metro, railway and tram systems not be quite sufficient for your trip, the city’s fleet of over 1000 buses should be able to pick up the slack. One of the most environmentally friendly in Europe, the Barcelona bus system offers a plethora of routes to help you get around.

Operating times will differ according to the route, but the vast majority of services will suit the schedule of most tourists. You can expect most routes to begin operating somewhere between 5AM and 8AM and end between 10PM and 11PM.

Alternatively, you could also take a Bus Turístic for a more scenic journey around the city. This hop-on, hop-off service offers three different routes to show you the best sights that Barcelona has to offer alongside audio commentary of their history in 16 different languages.

Montjuïc Funicular & Cable Car

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Montjuïc Mountain is home to many of Barcelona’s best attractions, and it’s likely you’ll want to fit it into your itinerary. The Montjuïc Funicular is integrated into the Paral.lel metro station, accessible from the L2 (Purple) and L3 (Green) lines. From there, the funicular will take you straight up to the foot of the hill.

At that point, you’ll immediately find yourself at the Montjuïc Cable Car which, alongside offering you spectacular panoramic views of the city, will then take you to the top of the mountain by the Castell de Montjuïc. Alternatively, you can also take a walk through Parc de Montjuïc yourself and make your own way up the mountain.

Operating Times*

  • January – February: 11AM – 6PM
  • March – May: 11AM – 6:30PM
  • June - September: 11AM – 7PM
  • October: 11AM – 6:30PM
  • November – December: 11AM – 6:30PM

Tickets and Passes

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Public transport throughout Barcelona all works on one integrated ticketing system. Tickets can be bought either online or from any station, which you should then validate as you take your chosen method of transport. You then have 1 hour and 15 minutes from the point of validation to make any further connections.

Aside from single-journey tickets, there are multiple different passes you can purchase depending on your travel style, how long you’re staying for and how often to plan to use public transport. Some of the most common passes include:

  • T-Casual Card: 10 individual journeys
  • T-Usual Card: Unlimited journeys for 30 days
  • T-Familiar Card: 8 individual journeys for 30 days (multi-user)
  • T-Grup Card: 70 journeys for 30 days (multi-user)
  • T-Jove Card: Unlimited journeys for under-25s for 90 days
  • T-16 Card: Unlimited free travel for under-16s

Taxis

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If you’re looking for a more direct transfer, Barcelona has a vast fleet of taxis ready to get you where you need to be. Easily noticeable by their yellow and black design, taxis in Barcelona operate much like in any other destination.

Taxis with their green rooftop lights illuminated can be flagged down at the side of the road, or you can simply call up your preferred firm to make a specific booking. Note that journeys to or from the airport, transport hubs or cruise terminals will incur supplementary charges, as will late-night callouts.

E-Vehicles & Rentals

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As with many major cities in Europe, vehicles such as electric scooters and e-bikes are becoming more and more popular as a means for getting around Barcelona. You can often find branded vehicles at various charging points or parking spots around the city, which you can typically rent via its proprietary app.

Many vehicle rental stores also offer electric vehicles alongside their usual range of rentals that you can choose to borrow for a period of time. Terms and rates will vary depending on the provider, but many typically offer hourly, daily and weekly rates.

Be sure to read up on local laws and restrictions pertaining to the use of electric scooters and e-bikes before you choose to rent one of these vehicles for yourself. The rules for their use may change over time and may differ significantly from other destinations.

* Subject to change. Exact operating times may differ on specific days. We recommend you always check the official times with the service providers.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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Wide view of La Rambla Barcelona - tree lined street, shoppers and stalls
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Things to do on La Rambla Barcelona

Legend has it when you take a sip from the Font de Canaletes fountain at the top of La Rambla, you’ll fall in love with Barcelona and be bound to return! We’re not sure if it really is something in the water or the sensational shopping, delicious tapas treats and awe-inspiring Gaudi buildings that make us want to come back again and again. But there’s no doubt that the heart of the city is La Rambla, the busy, buzzy, tree-lined street which connects Barcelona’s main square to its vibrant waterfront. Looking for the best things to do on La Rambla? Let us take you for a roam - or ramble - around its highlights.   What is La Rambla? One of the main routes through the city for both locals and visitors, its name comes from the Arabic word ramla – for sand – referring to the sandy river bed of the stream that, until the 15th century, ran from the mountains to the sea on the site of this now throbbing thoroughfare. You’ll notice that the paving underfoot is patterned like waves to reflect these watery origins. Now it flows with people day and night - both locals and tourists strolling past souvenir stalls, street traders, human statues, performers, pavement cafes and bustling bars. Is it La Rambla or Las Ramblas? Not everyone realises this most famous of boulevards is one of several ‘Ramblas’ in the city. It is often also known in the plural, as Las Ramblas, because it’s made up of a series of shorter streets. At its top end you’ll find Placa de Catalunya, Barcelona’s main square, where the old city and the 19th century Eixample district meet. To the west is the bohemian El Raval quarter and to the east the Gothic Quarter, with its tempting labyrinth of small squares and streets. La Rambla meanders down to Port Vell where a wooden boardwalk leads to more shops, eating places and the Barcelona Aquarium   Barcelona Flower Market Back in the 19th century the part of La Rambla known as La Rambla de las Flores was the only place in the city where flowers were sold. Today it’s still a riot of colourful blooms, with some of the stalls over one hundred years old. In April the flower stands are painted red to celebrate the tradition of buying roses on La Rambla for the festival of Sant Jordi.   Mercat Boqueria Through the wrought-iron gates on La Rambla, don’t miss La Boqueria one of Europe’s most famous food markets. It’s popular with tourists but it’s also where shoppers and chefs alike buy their produce, from specialist stalls with amazing displays of fruit and vegetables, cured meats, fish, cheese, olives, spices and more. Pick up some picnic ingredients, choose a brightly coloured fruit smoothie, or snack on a ‘cone de jamon’. Or make like the locals who chow down on churros dipped in thick hot chocolate or linger with a glass of cava at one of the tapas bars whilst watching the world go by.   Liceu Opera House Get your culture fix at this majestic 19th century building where you can take in everything from opera to ballet to pop gigs. Despite being gutted by fire not once but twice, in 1861 and again in 1994, the Gran Teatre del Liceu reopened in 1999 and since then has welcomed some of the most famous classical singers of recent years. Marvel at the magnificent foyer, the dazzling hall of mirrors, not to mention the state-of-the-art auditorium, on one of the daily guided tours.   La Rambla street performers Is that statue looking at you? It probably is. La Rambla is famous for its street performers, in particular living statues who, with the help of elaborate makeup, spend hours frozen in place then occasionally surprise an unsuspecting passer-by. Outside the Teatre Principal you’ll also find portrait artists penning caricatures of famous characters – yourself included!   Where to eat on La Rambla? When it’s time to taste some tapas there’s no shortage of places to eat on La Rambla. Plump for patatas bravas, salty Padron peppers, traditional Catalan croquettes or get adventurous with typical Barcelona dishes like char-grilled octopus, and bunuelos de bacalao (salt cod). Take time to people watch from the pretty terraces with a cafe con leche (milky coffee). Coffee has clearly stood the test of time since the popular coffee house and chocolateria Cafe de l’Opera first opened its doors (and pretty stained glass windows) on La Rambla in 1929. Perhaps you’ll duck into Pasteleria Escriba - the most famous patisserie in town - for a sweet treat, or kick back with a cocktail at one of the many bars frequented by tourists and locals alike.   Miró mosaic Don’t miss the Miró! Not everyone realises there’s an enormous mosaic by one of Barcelona’s most famous artists, Joan Miró, right under their feet, just outside La Boquería. Constructed in 1976, the circular creation, around 8m in diameter, uses the bright primary colours and thick black lines for which Miro is best known. Look carefully for the single tile that carries his signature. 2017 Memorial Tragedy struck the city in 2017 when 15 people lost their lives and dozens more were injured in a terrorist attack right in the heart of La Rambla. To honour them the City of Barcelona placed a 12 metre long memorial next to the Miro mosaic. Pay your respects as you read the message denouncing violence, in Arabic, English, Spanish and Catalan – ‘Peace come upon you, oh city of peace’. Musee de l’Erotica Cool or controversial? You decide. This quirky museum based on the theme of eroticism throughout history claims to have been set up for educational purposes. Home to more than 800 pieces, it’s your chance to explore how different cultures have been titillated by raunchy and even religious objects dating back to Roman times. If you’re still not sure, it’s worth remembering that the museum also serves Cava to its visitors!   Christopher Columbus Monument At the bottom of La Rambla, this 197ft tall 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. Why not take the lift up to his lofty pedestal for a breathtaking view of the city and the sparkling Mediterranean - and decide where you’re going to explore next? An Explorer or All-Inclusive pass means you can mix your pre-booked activities with flexible drop-ins. Choose Go City® and enjoy your adventures!
Jo Cooke
Las Arenas de Barcelona lit up colorfully in the evening
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Indoor Activities in Barcelona

Barcelona may be known for its idyllic summertime weather, often offering peak conditions for relaxing on its renowned beaches or taking a dip in the Mediterranean, but nowhere can be perfect all the time. The summer sunshine is often accompanied by high humidity and occasionally overbearing temperatures, while visiting off-season may introduce you to the springtime showers. Should you find yourself at odds with the weather during your trip, there are as many fantastic indoor activities in Barcelona as there are famous outdoor landmarks. From its world-renowned architecture to its fortune of cultural exhibitions to its great retail therapy spots, there’s no shortage of things to do indoors while visiting the Catalan capital. Architectural Marvels Famous for their unique blend of architectural styles, Barcelona’s top attractions may be best known for their photogenic exteriors, but many also offer a great deal more for you to explore inside. The city’s many religious sites and the works of its most celebrated local architects offer stunning interiors for you to discover. Sagrada Familia – Easily Barcelona’s most famous attraction, this yet unfinished basilica is best known for its unique combination of Neo-Gothic and Modernist architecture. Most notably designed by celebrated Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the church offers an almost otherworldly interior. Everything from its towering columns to its rising vaults comprises abstract and evolving geometric shapes, leaving no single surface of the interior entirely flat. Look just a little further and you’ll find various examples of Catholic symbolism layered throughout just about every aspect of the building. Illa de la Discòrdia – Located on Passeig de Gràcia in the Eixample district of Barcelona, this striking block of buildings stands in commemoration of some of the city’s most celebrated Modernist architects. The name can be translated literally as the ‘Block of Discord’ and most famously includes Casa Lleó Morera, Casa Amatller and Casa Batlló. Although the block is most famous for the contrasting façades of its buildings, the interior of the latter two residences are open for anybody with an interest in eccentric architecture to explore. Casa Lleó Morera has long been home to luxury fashion boutique Loewe, whose collections you can also explore while visiting the renowned city block. Casa Milà – Nicknamed La Pedrera, or ‘the Stone Quarry’, for its rough-hewn limestone façade reminiscent of an open quarry, this prominent residence is another example of the famed Works of Antoni Gaudí. With a towering eight stories of apartments spread across two blocks constructed around two large, interconnected courtyards, this building is mesmerizing both inside and out. Everything from the site’s exterior façade to the halls within and their accompanying furniture were all designed in harmony in the architect’s renowned Modernist style. Visitors can explore everything from its original apartments to the ‘garden of warriors’ rooftop terrace, offering stellar views over the city. Cultural Sites A city with as much a wealth of culture and history as Barcelona would be incomplete without any means to exhibit them. Throughout the city, you’ll find a plethora of museums and galleries dedicated to various perspectives of history, art and culture. Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) – Housed within the impressive halls of the Palau Nacional in Montjuïc, this museum boasts a collection exhibiting a thousand years of visual art from throughout the Catalonia region. Standing as one of the largest museums in Spain, the MNAC features exhibits covering everything from religious art to civil war propaganda to the region’s celebrated architects. Museu Picasso – Located within the popular Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, the Museu Picasso houses over 4,000 of Pablo Picasso’s pieces, amounting to one of the world’s most complete collections of the famous Spanish painter’s works. The museum prides itself on offering a key insight into the artist’s early career, with Picasso having lived and studied in Barcelona throughout his formative years. FC Barcelona Museum – Soccer fans need no introduction to Barcelona’s sporting fame. Home to the globally celebrated Futbol Club Barcelona, one of the city’s top attractions is the iconic Camp Nou stadium. Alongside offering an opportunity to explore the stadium grounds, Camp Nou also houses the FC Barcelona Museum, complete with a comprehensive history of the team’s most notable matches, players and trophies. Retail Therapy Europe as a whole is widely known for its shopping cities, and Barcelona is no stranger to the trend. While the center may not boast much in terms of retail hubs, you’ll come across a host of unique shopping malls and outlets throughout the wider city. Why not pick yourself up some traditional Catalan souvenirs along the way? Mercat de la Boqueria – Often considered one of the best markets in the world, Mercat de la Boqueria has stood in one form or another for many centuries. Accessible from La Rambla, the market offers a wide selection of produce, from fresh fruit and vegetables to baked goods to local artisan crafts. El Triangle Centre Comercial – Located at the heart of Barcelona, El Triangle is a large shopping complex offering some of the best boutiques and retailers in the city. The mall sits right alongside Plaça de Catalunya, combining to offer a fantastic social space both inside and out. Las Arenas de Barcelona – Built into a former bullfighting arena, this commercial center can be found within the popular Plaça España. It offers an impressive selection of stores and restaurants, along with 360-degree views of Barcelona from the rooftop. Getting Around If you’re looking to escape the weather in Barcelona but still want to see as much of what the city has to offer as possible, then a Bus Turístic could be your best bet. Take a seat on its lower deck for a whirlwind tour along one of three iconic routes, accompanied by audio commentary for additional expert insights into each key location.
Robert Heaney
Crowds of tourists on a beach in Barcelona
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Barcelona in August

At the peak of summertime, August marks one of the two busiest months for Barcelona. Between its highly favorable weather and plethora of world-renowned sights and attractions, it’s no surprise that hundreds of thousands pick the city as their summer destination. While crowds and queues are of course inevitable, these are largely what gives the Catalan capital its famed bustling atmosphere. And given the plethora of festivals and events taking place throughout the month, you can expect those crowds to be electric. If busy and thriving are what you’re looking for, then Barcelona in August may be the trip for you. Tourism in August It’s no secret that Barcelona in August is busy. Really busy. Alongside July, this is when the city sees its largest throughput of visitors. Hotels tend to get swept up at a moment’s notice, accommodation rates are at their highest and the city’s attractions are operating at peak capacity. While to some this may sound like a nightmare, this is the whole appeal to many visitors. Barcelona is famous for its thriving atmosphere, bustling streets and energetic nightlife. And for that, serious crowds are a necessity. Just note that more tourists also means you’ll likely need to book your desired attractions well in advance. The exact reasons behind Barcelona’s summertime tourism spike are no challenge to discern. Between its stellar location on the Mediterranean and average temperatures of 80 – 90°F, many come to enjoy the city’s world-famous beaches. Pair those with the existing waves of tourists interested in Barcelona’s architecture, history, cuisine and nightlife, and it’s no surprise that this is the busiest time for the city. Those who aren’t so keen on the crowds may be better off planning a trip during the spring and fall ‘shoulder seasons’, when the city is still busy enough to maintain its buzz but quiet enough to be able to explore without the need to wade through the crowds. Festa Major de Sant Roc Dating back over 400 years, one of August’s largest events is the Festival of Sant Roc. Held in honor of Saint Roch, the celebration takes place each year on Plaça Nova in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, right beside the Barcelona Cathedral. While it may be contained to a smaller area than many other neighborhood celebrations held around the year, the festival is jam-packed full of activities. Typically taking place over the course of roughly a week, the event sees various games, traditions, processions, performances and dances take place, with something for just about all ages. One of the most common troupes of the festival is La Cucaña, a greasy, rotating pole which children will attempt to traverse safely in return for a prize. Another is El porró llarg, a bizarre glass drinking vessel with an extremely long spout from which visitors will attempt to drink wine, much to the amusement of onlookers. Another key part of the celebration is known as the Festival of the Dog. Legend says that when Sant Roc was sheltering within the city’s Roman walls while suffering from the plague, the local baker’s dog helped nurse him back to health by bringing him panellet cakes to eat. This portion of the festival therefore pays homage to the saint’s savior pooch with a canine exhibition. Locals will bring along their own dogs to celebrate, and there are even some dog training shows for those with excess energy. Festa Major de Gràcia From August 15th to 21st, Barcelona is host to what is widely considered its most festive and most accommodating street festival. The event offers a packed program of live performances, concerts, parades, dances and activities taking place throughout the Gràcia neighborhood. The festival is perhaps best known for its iconic decorated streets. With each street allocated its own theme for the year, the walkways of Gràcia truly come to life with vibrant and whacky displays. Most decorations will be created using sustainable and recycled materials, and each street competes to offer the most creative display in hopes of winning the annual grand prize. Festa Major de Sants Should you happen to miss out on the Gràcia Festival, fret not – The Sants Festival picks up right where Gràcia leaves off. Host to a wide array of Catalan traditions, this event offers much of the same decorated streets concerts, dances, performances and activities for all ages as its predecessor. Castells are one of the main traditions of the Sants Festival, with a large number of castellers working together to attempt to build the largest human towers. Correfocs are another, translated literally as ‘fire runs’, in which performers dressed as devils will parade around with fireworks to the entertainment of onlookers standing at a safe distance. DGTL Festival A spin-off of the renowned festival held in Amsterdam, DGTL is an event quite unlike any other. Offering live underground house and techno sets from prodigious artists and DJs, this is not an event to be missed for fans of the underground music scene. Held each year in Parc del Fòrum, the event is characteristically accompanied by mesmerizing art and light installations, turning all areas of the venue into its own immersive clubbing experience. The event maintains an ethos of sustainability, employing the likes of solar panels, exclusively vegetarian food options, cashless transactions and eco-friendly packaging. Music Festivals As if Barcelona’s nightlife scene wasn’t enough, August is a month replete with music events for fans of all genres. Alongside the DGTL festival covered above, attendees come from the world over to revel in the city’s impressive musical festivities. Some of the most popular events include the Mas i Mas Festival, the Cap Roig Festival and Brunch in the Park. Wrapping Up Whether you’re keen to explore the city’s unique wealth of architecture and history, relax on its world-famous beaches in prime weather or enjoy the buzz of its nightlife and the many festivals taking place throughout the month, visiting Barcelona in August could be an ideal trip for those who enjoy a more bustling city experience. While you can expect to have to fight crowds and make advance booking for your attractions of choice, not to mention your hotel or apartment, you’ll be rewarded with the opportunity to experience a city positively thriving with life. Barcelona is never quite as alive as it is in summer, which you’re bound to discover for yourself should you choose to visit in August.
Robert Heaney

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