Barcelona Travel: All The Basics You Need To Know
Along the coast of the Mediterranean sea shines the vibrant city of Barcelona, filled with equal parts art, rich history, and delectable tapas. Here’s how to get the most from one day in this charming city
Where: Northeast corner of Spain.
Why: Sunshine, fresh food, and an art lover’s paradise.
When: July for the best beach weather, October for festivals (like Spain’s National Day), and January for fewer crowds.
A leisurely stroll through Barcelona’s diverse neighborhoods is a must. You’ll stumble upon hole in the wall eateries, and locally loved marketplaces. But when it comes to the main attractions, planning ahead is key.
Before you arrive.
Purchase your tickets in advance to skip the line at the city’s most visited attractions. This goes for the stunning Sagrada Familia, otherworldly Casa Batlló (known more commonly as Gaudi’s House of Bones), and whimsical tile-covered landscape of Park Güell.
Pro Tip: When visiting Park Güell, get the Monument Cove Ticket. The entrance to the park is free, but the Monument Cove ticket for 10 euros will get you into the best parts of the park like the lizard staircase and nature square.
At the Airport
Barcelona-El Prat is Spain’s second largest airport and about 17 km (11 miles) from the center of Barcelona. The airport is accessible by train, bus, and taxi service in the area.
Getting into Town:
From the Barcelona-El Prat Airport, there are several transportation options.
The Aerobus is an express service that runs every 5-10 minutes. This express option shuttles between the airport and Plaça de Catalunya.
For another quick option, the airport train runs every 30 minutes and makes stops at various Barcelona Train stations.
You can also choose to rent a car to take to the city on your own. Car rentals can be booked right at the airport.
Other ways to arrive:
The fastest way to get to Barcelona from a majority of destinations is to fly. Flights are offered direct, depending upon your place of departure. For train travel, you have the option of high-speed trains or overnight sleeper trains.
Essential Info
Language: Catalan and Spanish; English is widely understood
Time zone: European Central Time UTC+2
International dialling code: +34
Currency: Euro
Best viewpoints: Park Güell, the bunkers at Carmel, and the top of the Sagrada Familia
Health: The World Health Organization ranks Spain’s healthcare system as one of the best in the world. While visiting a hospital may not be on your typical itinerary, do take a trip to Hospital Sant Pau.
Mosaics, glazed tiles, gothic influence, and manicured gardens make up the complex. It’s been said that the design of the hospital positively impacted the patients through its colorful design, and intentional craftsmanship to allow for the maximum amount of sun.
Recommended guidebooks: Lonely Planet Discover Barcelona 2019. This comprehensive guidebook highlights the monthly festivals and happenings throughout the city, as well as the best restaurant recommendations. Plus this guidebook is compact enough to easily fit in a backpack or purse for the day.
Web resources: The city’s main website, barcelona.com offers comprehensive hotel guides, hotel recommendations, and where to buy tickets to Barcelona’s main attractions.
Climate: With its location on the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona has a mild climate with an average temperature of 29 degrees.
First Days Tour
Begin your day at Port Vell for stunning harbor views and the perfect location to start your walk down La Rambla — Barcelona’s one mile pedestrian walkway. An early stop at La Boqueria is next. This market has been thriving since 1217 and serves up the best fresh fruit smoothies, tostadas, and cured meats in Barcelona. Give yourself a bit of time here, as the further you walk into the market, the better the prices.
With some sustenance from the market, it’s onward to Plaça Catalunya. This square is centrally located in the heart of the city making it the ideal meetup spot for visitors. Take a 5-minute walk north, and you’ll find yourself in front of Casa Batlló, a unique home designed by Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona’s most famous architect.
Any trip to Barcelona is not complete without a stop at Gaudi’s most famous work, the Sagrada Familia. Towering over the city, it’s easy to be in awe of this stunning work of art. The detailed stonework can be admired from outside, but for the full experience, book a ticket to explore inside the cathedral for the stained glass windows or take to the roof for an incredible view of the city.
Making your way back toward the sea, end your day exploring the labyrinth of tiny streets inside the Gothic Quarter. This section of the city is where you can find a fusion of Roman remains of the 3rd century mixed with the more modern culinary gems of today.
Where to Stay:
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Budget: Aparthotel Silver Hotel, $87/night. Centrally located in the Gracia neighborhood, this hotel features condo style rooms complete with a small kitchenette and walking distance to many cafes and shops.
Midrange: Hotel 54 Barceloneta, $153/night. Located near Port Vell, this hotel is within walking distance to Barcelona’s famous beaches, and close to markets, shops, and restaurants serving up the freshest from the Mediterranean.
Luxury: Mercer Hotel Barcelona, $439/night. Built out of ancient Roman ruins, this hotel is perfectly restored in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, just 5 minutes away from La Rambla.
Stay or Go.
Stay for at least 3 days. Once you see the main sites, there’s still a lot to eat and explore. Take time to wander down the many side streets the city has to offer. Spend time in the squares with a coffee, as a local would do. No matter if you’re looking to soak in the sun on the beach or climb to the top of Gaudi’s famous lizard staircase with the city at your feet, Barcelona is a jewel of the Mediterranean that will leave you inspired.
If you only had 24 hours, where would you travel? Share in the comment section below.
