Catalonia is completely unique to the rest of the Spain, which is reflected in its capital city. Positioned on the shimmering waters of the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona can only be described as perfection. Everything is art - the food, the sport, the architecture.

Barcelona's currency is the Euro (€). €1 = £0.83 / $1.10 (as of 2022).

Barcelona

Top 5 things to see

Sagrada Família

The symbol of Barcelona conceived by the imagination of Antoni Gaudí. You can see pictures, read about it, hear about it and analyse it - but nothing will prepare you for standing at its base and looking directly up and trying to take it in. It's an architectural masterpiece dripping with opulence, mysticism and religion. Every design and carving is intentional, internally and externally. It has taken over 140 years to complete, yet still remains unfinished. Very simply, this is the one spot you must visit when you're in Barcelona.

Sagrada Família is a 30-45 minute walk from the Gothic Quarter. It is easily connected via the metro on Lines 2 and 5.

Tickets cost €26 each, and with a guided tour €30. It's one of the costlier activities, but we booked the guided tour and it was worth it. Believe us, it is worth it.

Sagrada Família Website

Park Güell

A colourful paradise nestled on the hilltops of the city in the elegant Gràcia neighbourhood, Park Güell is the landscape garden to which Antoni Gaudí dreamt up. Waving vibrant balconies of blue, green and orange mosaics light up the panoramic views of Barcelona in the background. The gingerbread houses stand beside the iconic lizard sloping down the stairs to crawl into the city - another masterpiece and well worth a visit. Religious symbolisms are around every corner imaginable; the entrance from Carrer d'Olot (Olot Street) represents the access to heaven, such is the beauty of the park and the exclusive residency of the district in the 19th-century.

It's important to note Park Güell is essentially split into two sections. The park itself which is free to roam and take a picnic; then the attractions and views over the city, which you will have to pay.

Tickets cost €10 each to access. This is what we booked, however we didn't get much out of it; you will always need context to fully appreciate any of Gaudí's work, so we'd suggest the Guided Tour for €22.

Park Güell Website

Explore the Gothic Quarter

Barcelona's magical old city is a maze of narrow lanes dating back to the medieval era. Its picturesque plazas sprawling with locals, far from the touristic and commercialised La Rambla, makes exploring this district and its culinary delights an activity in itself.

Barceloneta

What makes Barcelona special is it's not just a "beach city", but the proximity of the beach to the city centre. A short walk from the Gothic Quarter and you get to the stretch of sand and beach bars that really makes Barcelona sparkle. Compared to other cities that advertise themselves as beach cities, Barcelona's is nice.

Top Tip: The people on the beach can be a bit seedy. Unless you manage to fall asleep, you can't really relax as there is a constant yelling of "water, beer, cold water", towels, hats and sunglasses, waved at you, and massages (where people will come and put their hands on you as you rest) - so just be aware.

For a more relaxing experience, head north to Badalona instead.

El Poble-Sec

Perched on the city's mountains is this compact district boasting the Olympic stadium and other arenas from the 1992 Olympics. Away from the buzz of the city centre, you'll find fantastic tapas bars, plazas and elegant 19th-century architecture. The Olympic Ring is free to visit. The district is accessible by metro, bus and cable car.

Barcelona Card

Excellent if you're planning on visiting many attractions in a limited time. The card comes with free transport around the city, and access to museums, sights and attractions.

2 days = €20.

3 days = €46.

4 days = €56.

5 days = €61.

Barcelona Card Website

Where to eat and drink

Barcelona is one of the best cities in the world for food. A tapas crawl across the city is the best way to taste and see what Barcelona has to offer, especially in the Gothic Quarter. Don’t leave without exploring the markets, having a glass of vermouth, or trying a traditional Catalan plate of bacalhau.

For breakfast

Granja Dulcinea down the Gothic Quarter’s narrow alleys on Plaça del Pi is the spot to go. A fabulous rustic old-school café in a former tavern, where a hot chocolate and churros will cost between €3 and start your day off right.

For lunch

La Boqueria, an authentic local's market on La Rambla will be one of the highlights of the trip and a perfect spot to get the best produce for far less than you would at a tapas bar, creating the perfect picnic! Now swarmed with tourists, make sure you get there early to sample some of the best sights, smells and tastes in Europe without being pushed about.

For alternatives, the less-touristic Sant Antoni or Santa Caterina markets in the Gothic Quarter will be a lot quieter and also provide excellent produce for a picnic.

For dinner

Bodega La Puntual in the Gothic Quarter is rustic, atmospheric Catalonian restaurant with a tasty menu to match, along with a good wine list. Perch on the barrels and enjoy a cava or two!

Perikete in Barceloneta is a cosy, lively bodega by the sea and an absolutely must-visit. Small tapas dishes fly across the bar as you sit under heaps of hanging ham and by shelves of wine.

A good tapas crawl, complete with drinks, will cost around €35-45.

For the adults

Bormuth is a cost-effective, fun, casual bar in La Ribera with excellent homemade vermouth and tasty tapas.

Margarita Blue by the waterfront is for that time when you want a bright and vibrant cocktail bar.

Bodega Maestrazgo in El Born is Barcelona’s oldest wine bar and another must.

Barcelona has plenty of options to suit your plans whether you're going for just a few or out-out. A beer will cost €2.50 and a glass of red or white wine will cost anywhere between €3.

Tipping

Tipping isn't required, but you can add an extra euro to your bill if the service was particularly good.

Safety Tip

Barcelona is considered a safe city, but petty crime is a major problem, especially on beaches and La Rambla. Do your best to avoid El Raval and La Rambla very late in the evening, especially if on your own - as the night progresses it can feel increasingly seedy and a bit like a red light district.

Two Passports Top Tip: Don't be intimated by the tapas bars!

Restaurants and bars are always cheaper away from the tourist hotspots - nowhere more so than in Spain. The price can be twice/three times more than in local places for poorer quality! Local bodegas can be intimidating in Barcelona as they are smaller and filled with the usual clientele - but they are welcoming and can't wait to share their food with you! It's really worth it - we promise!

When to Go

Low Season: December to February

Chilly days and long nights. Some attractions will be closed, but the bodegas buzz with locals.

Shoulder Season: March to April, September to November

You'll be in for warmer sunnier days. Busier with tourists compared to low season, but good deals on attractions and hotels can still be found.

High Season: May to August

Very, VERY hot. Local bars and bodegas close and the beaches are packed.

How to Get There

El Prat (BCN)

If you're heading to Barcelona, you'll most likely be flying into BCN which is 12km/7.5m south-east of the city centre.

Despite having a metro stop, we recommend the RENFE or Aerobus (picture below) as both of these travel to Barcelona's notable landmarks, where we imagine your is probably located.

Aerobus has fewer stops and is useful for places west of La Ramblas and the R2 Nord (RENFE train) takes you further east towards Barceloneta.

Girona (GRO)

A smaller European-serving airport located in 103km North-East of Barcelona, in the heart of Catalonia, GRO is the main hub of Ryanair, as well as the other budget European airlines. With easy access to Barcelona via coach and train, add a couple of days onto your holiday and visit the beautiful city of Girona.

Barcelona Reus (REU)

With routes fromthe UK, Ireland, Brussels, or west Germany, REU sits just west of the ancient, Catalonian port city Tarragona, on the coast and west of Barcelona. However, public transport from REU to Barcelona's city centre isn't convenient, so we would avoid REU.

Travelling by train

Interrailers can find their way to Barcelona from major cities in Spain and France with train journeys into central stations such as Barcelona Sants and Barcelona-Franca.

Travelling in the city

Barcelona has an excellent public transport system. A T-10 ticket will give you 10 trips on the city's network of buses and an easy-to-navigate metro - the Citymapper app is available too.