Getting Around Barcelona

By Robert Heaney
A modern tram driving through the streets of Barcelona

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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5 days in barcelona
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5 Days in Barcelona

Itineraries aren't for everyone. We get that, you get that. But, if you're spending 5 days in Barcelona, you might be overwhelmed with choice paralysis. Simply put, there's an awful lot to see and do - how do you fit it all in? This is how. So, unburden your petrified limbs and read on. These are our recommendations for how to spend your 5 days in Barcelona! Day 1 Kick-off your Barcelona adventure with an authentic bang by visiting the older parts of the city. It's a great place to do some fresh food shopping if you're cooking for yourself, and there's plenty to see besides the markets.   The Gothic Quarter is one of the most beautiful parts of the city, dripping with Medieval architecture and Mediterranean atmosphere. First, stop off for some breakfast if you haven't eaten already. There are plenty of brilliant local cafes in the area, so let your nose guide you to the most alluring aroma. Then, make sure to visit Barcelona Cathedral. If you get there before 12 pm, entry is free, so make the most of your morning and squeeze some pennies while you're at it! Then, an absolute must-visit is Boqueria Market. Here, you can pick up mounds of fresh produce for all your culinary needs, or simply sample some freshly made tapas. If you want a deep dive into this historical area, you could join a walking tour of the area, learn all about it, and find out which local haunts your guide recommends.   Then, end the afternoon with a trip to the famed Picasso Museum, where you can explore the life, times, and works of the painter. Then, either retire for the day or, if you want a little nightlife fun, stay in the area as the Gothic Quarter has some great hidden bars and pubs for you to discover! Day 2 It's day 2 of your 5 days in Barcelona! No vacation to the Catalan capital worth its salt can miss the great Gaudí's work. The famed architect left his stamp all over Barcelona, and today's the day you see it all. Most of his buildings are in Gracia, so that's our next destination.   Fancy breakfast in the park? Why not picnic at Park Güell? Designed by none other than Gaudí, it's one of the city's best green spaces. Then, when you're refueled, take a tour of the park and see all his masterworks up close. One down, plenty to go. Next, head to Gaudí's Sagrada Familia. Arguably one of Barcelona's most iconic landmarks, it's a feast for the eyes. Inside, it's like being transported to another world, with undulating facades and mesmerizing stain glass worthy of more than a few pictures.   Have a late lunch at one of the many delightful restaurants in Gracia, and then move on to the magnificent Casa Battló. Look around, get your snaps, and then end the day at La Pedrera. There, you did it! All of Gaudí's greatest hits in a single day! Pat yourself on the back and get some sleep; we're traveling out of town tomorrow. Day 3 You're at the midway point now, but you've still got plenty to do. So, wake up early, prepare your own breakfast or get something from the hotel's breakfast bar. Today, you're heading to Montserrat, a beautiful mountain range just outside the city.   You could drive or take the train, but if you want to avoid the hassle, book a bus tour from the city center and let someone else take care of the journey! They'll drive you all the way there, giving you ample opportunity to take photos while in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle. Once you get there, you can spend your day exploring. Besides the fantastic views, an absolute must-visit is the Benedictine monastery. Called the Santa Maria de Montserrat, it's one of the holiest places in Catalonia, attracting many believers from far and wide. You're free to tour the site and admire the 1000-year-old architecture. Then, stop by the local museum to learn about the mountain's history and see timeless artifacts with your own two eyes.   Stop for lunch at Mirador Restaurant, then head to the Stairway to Heaven, a religious sculpture that's worthy of more than a few photos. There are other sights here, like the Santa Cova Chapel and Sant Miquel's Cross, but by this point, you might be all mountained out. If so, make sure you take the cable car down to the bottom of the mountain and make your way home. Day 4 Wake up and prep for another day of outdoor fun, this time in the city itself. Get fed, then head to Ciutadella Park. There's lots to see here, so take to take your pick! If you need some exotic animals in your life, wander over to Barcelona Zoo and see them up close. There are 2000 of the cute critters, so you may be some time.   Then, get your camera ready to snap the famous Cascada fountain, and be sure to stop off at Spain's very own Arc de Triomf. Or, if you want to get a little wild, hop on a Segway and take a tour of the park's highlights. Even newbies can get involved thanks to a short lesson in handling and operation from your guide. Then, zoom off and learn all about the park's history.   Then when the park is fully explored, head to Barceloneta Beach and soak up some rays. You can spend the rest of the day here if you desire, thanks to the myriad bars, restaurants, and watersports on offer. Then, when the sun has set, head home, get some rest, and prepare for your final day. Day 5 For your final day, head to El Poble-Sec and prepare to ascend a mountain. Kind of. Get some food in, and head out. We're spending your final day in Montjuïc Park.   The park itself is magnificent, but the real showstopper is Montjuïc Mountain. If you don't fancy a walk, hop in a cable car and admire some of the best views in the city as you ascend. Then, when you're done, explore Montjuïc Castle - an old military facility - and the surrounding gardens for some great picture opportunities. Then, head back down the cable car and grab some lunch at one of the nearby restaurants. Next, learn more about Barcelona and Catalonia's history at the Museu d'Historia de Catalunya. You'll find tons of artifacts that date back to pre-humanity times all the way to the present.   And finally, end your visit at Poble Espanyol, an awe-inspiring look into snapshots of the city's past thanks to faithful recreations of neighborhoods, markets, and streets from throughout time. And that's your 5 days in Barcelona done!
Dom Bewley
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Things to do in Barcelona for Adults

  Family holidays can be fun. It’s great to share new places and experiences with young children and teenagers too. But sometimes...whether you’re planning a friends’ weekend away, a romantic city break, a solo sojourn, or a group holiday... sometimes we all just need a little... grown-up time. Foodies, fun-seekers, hipsters or history buffs need look no further for the best things to do in Barcelona, as we bring you adult activities where you can kick back, knowing, on this trip at least, there’s no kids allowed!   Best beer in Barcelona? Let’s raise a glass to the best adult activities in Barcelona and begin our adventures at the Estrella Damm brewery tour. Learn about the origins of Spain’s oldest brewery where beer is still brewed to the original 1876 recipe. Visit the Kettle Room, the Power Generating Room and the Historical Archive and, best of all, sample four refreshing Mediterranean beers. Cheers! (or Salud! - as they say in Spain.)   Get a taste for tapas Keep on tickling your tastebuds with some delicious traditional treats as you hunt for the best tapas in Barcelona. One of the most popular is a Bomba, a fried potato croquette with meat filling, served with salsa brava (spicy tomato sauce) or alioli (garlic sauce). And you can’t go wrong with patatas bravas or salty Padron peppers. It’s more usual in Barcelona however to snack on pintxos (or pinchos), originating in the Basque country but equally popular in Catalonia. What’s the difference between pintxos and tapas? Whilst tapas is usually a small portion of a main dish, served on a plate to be shared and eaten with cutlery, pinchos tend to be a small snack speared onto a piece of bread with a cocktail stick. The word pincho comes from the verb ‘pinchar’, which means ‘to pierce’. These tiny delicious snacks are intended to be enjoyed with a beer or wine whilst you socialise and chat with friends. Spanish waiters keep track of what you owe from the number of cocktail sticks left on your plate.   Why not take a tour of the Gothic Quarter with pintxos tasting to enjoy sight-seeing and snacks too? Explore the narrow streets and peaceful squares of this ancient district that, by night, transforms into one of Barcelona’s funkiest hang-outs. See Roman ruins, learn about important figures in the city’s history (including the intriguingly named Wilfredo the Hairy) and, at the end, a local guide will lead you to a cosy bar for your pintxos and a well-earned drink.   Discover Barcelona architecture Time to sober up and get serious? Though, in fact, whilst looking at buildings sounds a seriously grown-up pursuit, it’s really pretty fun in Barcelona! From grand Gothic to colourful avant-garde, few other cities blend the old and the new quite so successfully. A Barcelona architecture tour can take you from the largest Art Nouveau building in the world (former hospital Sant Pau Recinte Modernista) to the best Gaudi buildings, including the awe-inspiring Sagrada familia. Drink in the detail of its famous facades, then wend your way to Paseo de Gracia (Passeig de Gràcia in Catalan) to admire the modernist madness of Casa Battló and Casa Mila (otherwise known as La Pedrera).   Best shopping in Barcelona As well as Gaudi architecture, this famous Barcelona shopping street is also home to designer stores and high street names. Happily it’s only one of many places across the city where you can shop, shop, shop, unencumbered by kids. Hit Avenida Diagonal for international luxury brands or Portal del Angel for European fashion chains. And whether you’re looking for for bijou boutiques or big name brands, bookshops or boho independents, you can lose yourself for hours in the winding streets of El Born and the Barrio Gòtic. For designer bargains, hopping aboard the bus to La Roca Village, just outside the city, can see you enjoying savings of up to 60% off usual prices on luxury brands like Desigual, Loewe and Balenciaga and international names including Prada, Burberry, Gucci and Jimmy Choo. Ker-ching!   Bike to the beach With no children to slow you down or worry about, grab a helmet and jump on your bike to get a whole new view of the city, as fast or slow as you fancy. Barcelona boasts over 150km of cycle paths and if you join an experienced guide for a Barcelona bike tour you’ll get to see all the best bits. Whizz through the old town and the Raval neighborhood, pedal your way to another picture of the Sagrada Familia, wheel through the Olympic Village and cruise down to the vibrant harbour at Port Vell. Then park your bike and take a break on Barceloneta beach, looking over the sparkling Mediterranean.   Swish around on a Segway An even more exciting way to travel on two wheels is to sign up for a Barcelona Segway Tour in the picturesque Parc de la Ciutadella. After a briefing on how to operate your new chariot, any initial apprehension is soon overcome and you’ll soon be swooping left and right through more than 40 acres of green space, past the pretty Cascada fountain, the boating lake, Barcelona’s own Arc de Triomf and the 2,000 animal inhabitants of Barcelona zoo.   All aboard for a boat party Whilst we’re down near the waterfront why not see what’s all at sea? There are lots of ways for over-18s to make the most of the marvellous Med, from catamaran rental and daytime barbecue boat trips, to a relaxing sunset sail-boat cruise. Or ramp up the fun at a famous Barcelona boat party. Party boats sail from Port Olimpic every Thursday and Saturday in the summer months, with an onboard bar, DJ and dancefloor. Dance or drink aboard the double-deck boats, where beer, sangria or soft drinks are included in your ticket price. Boat party tickets often also include discounts on entrance and VIP packages at some of the best clubs in Barcelona, including Pacha, Opium and Catwalk.   Best clubs in Barcelona Grown-ups don’t need to worry about bedtime and those beachside clubs that stay open until 6am are among the very best Barcelona nightlife. After you’ve played all day here’s our run-down of where to party all night. Pacha needs no introduction, bringing the Ibiza experience to Barna (as the inhabitants call the city). Its sleek white interior and stunning beach view, but particularly its famous name, attract the very best international DJs. Meanwhile, EDM empire Opium has a huge beach terrace and capacity for 3,000 and is still always packed with beautiful people from around the world. On the far side of town Otto Zutz has the same classy upmarket feel as the beach clubs but without the tourists and is where the stylish locals go for hip hop, R&B, commercial and house hits. In edgy El Raval, depending on your tastes, check out techno temple Moog, or Sala Apolo which has a different vibe every night of the week, through indie, urban, pop and electronic. Sala Razzmatazz, in the industrial area of Poblenou, is Barcelona’s biggest and best known nightclub. Five rooms, featuring every type of music, play host to international DJs and acts who frequently go on to become world famous. Day or night, an Explorer Pass or All Inclusive Pass allows you to make the most of every moment. See more and do more, for less - with Go City.
Jo Cooke
Best Bus Tours in Barcelona
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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 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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

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