8 Tips for Your Trip to Barcelona

Planning a trip to Barcelona, the largest coastal city on the Mediterranean, but not quite sure what to expect?
In this post, we’ll share our Barcelona tips and info so you’ll know in advance which dishes are served in the Catalan capital, the best ways to get around, where to stay, and much more.

1. THE BEST TIME TO VISIT BARCELONA

Barcelona is an attractive travel destination all year round, so the ideal travel time depends on your personal preferences.
From June to September, it's high season, with temperatures peaking at an average of 21°C to 24°C.
These months offer perfect conditions for a mix of city break and beach holiday.

If these temperatures are too warm for you, we recommend visiting between October and May.
During this time, average temperatures range from 13°C to 20°C, depending on the month.
Additionally, in the off-season you can benefit from lower accommodation prices and fewer tourists.

We visited Barcelona in January and were able to explore the city during pleasant 16°C days.
The tourist crowds were very manageable, which is why we can only recommend a trip in the off-season.

2. THE IDEAL LENGTH OF STAY

As with the best travel time, the ideal duration for a Barcelona trip depends greatly on your personal interests.
One thing is certain, though: Barcelona has so much to offer that a weekend is often not enough to see everything.
To discover the main attractions, beaches, and sights outside the city center, you should plan for at least three to four days or more.

The great thing about Barcelona is that with good planning, you can see a lot even in a short time.
The city is relatively compact, and many of the most popular sights are close to each other, allowing you to see plenty even during a brief stay.

We spent four days in Barcelona, which was the perfect length for us.
This allowed us to explore the main sights at our leisure while also having enough time for relaxed breaks in parks or cozy cafés.

3. THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

Maybe you brushed up on some Spanish vocabulary before your trip, finally arrive in Barcelona, and suddenly understand very little.
This could be because in Barcelona, alongside Spanish, Catalan is also widely spoken. Both languages are official languages, so street signs and official labels are often bilingual.

In schools, universities, and among locals, Catalan is predominantly used.
If you’re fluent in Spanish, you’ll quickly realize that Catalan is not just a dialect of Spanish, but a separate language with its own roots and characteristics.

‍Conclusion: Whether it’s Catalan, Spanish, or English – in Barcelona, you’ll do just fine with any of these three languages.

4. FOOD & DRINKS

Thanks to its proximity to the sea, Catalan cuisine, especially in Barcelona, is heavily influenced by maritime flavors. Fish and seafood dishes can be found almost everywhere.
There are even special restaurants, called Marisquerías, that exclusively serve seafood.

But don’t worry if you’re not a seafood lover: there are plenty of tapas bars that offer vegetarian options and delicious dishes like Pimientos de Padrón (fried green peppers with salt), Bombas (potato croquettes with various fillings like ground meat or mozzarella), Patatas Bravas (fried potato cubes with spicy sauce), and Albondigas (meatballs).
Typical starters also include pickled olives and cured ham, often served as appetizers.

Popular desserts include Crema Catalana (similar to crème brûlée), Xocolata amb Melindros (fried pastry rolls filled with pudding), and Mel i Mato (a pudding made from cow or goat milk drizzled with honey).

In addition to traditional tapas bars, Barcelona also offers a variety of international restaurant chains. As for drinks, wine, or the wine-based Sangria are particularly popular, alongside beer.

When it comes to dining times, there are some differences compared to what you might be used to in your home country: Lunch is not served before 1 pm, and dinner usually takes place between 8 and 9 pm, so many restaurants don’t open until around 7:30 pm.

5. GETTING AROUND IN BARCELONA

Do you want to explore Barcelona on foot? No problem, it’s quite doable depending on your endurance, as at least the main attractions aren’t too far apart.

Alternatively, you can explore the city with one of the Hop-on/Hop-off buses. During the ride, you can listen to everything worth knowing about the respective sights through the audio guide and then decide if you want to get off the bus to take a closer look at the attraction.

Tickets for the bus tours can be found here.

If you, like us, prefer to explore the city individually, sometimes on foot and sometimes by public transportation, consider whether the BCN Citycard (public transport card) might be worth it for you.

There are different versions available:
Hola BCN: This card allows you to use all public transport for 24, 48, 72, or 120 hours without restrictions.
You can purchase Hola BCN cards locally at the ticket counter or online starting at $17.50.

Barcelona Card: This card gives you free access to public transport for 3, 4, or 5 days, along with discounts at museums, shops, and restaurants.
The Barcelona Card is available online starting at $55.

Do you prefer a bit more exercise? Rent a bike from one of the many bike rentals and explore the city on two wheels. Prefer something more leisurely yet independent?
Then rent an e-scooter through apps like Yego, Lime, etc., and zip around the city.

6. HOTELS & ACCOMMODATIONS

Admittedly, in a big city like Barcelona, the wide range of accommodations makes it challenging to find the right one.
From hotels, vacation rentals, and apartments to hostels and private rooms – there’s something for everyone.
On popular platforms like booking.com you’re sure to find something that suits you.

We were very satisfied with our accommodation, the Aparthotel BCN Montjuïc. Its location was perfect for our sightseeing plans and provided an excellent base to explore the city.

7. GETTING TO BARCELONA

Barcelona El Prat International Airport is one of Europe’s busiest hubs and is served by numerous airlines offering direct flights from major cities worldwide.
Airlines such as Lufthansa, Eurowings, and many others provide frequent connections.
Platforms like skyscanner.com are helpful for finding and comparing the best flight options and connections.

Flight times vary depending on the departure location. For example, flights from European cities typically take around 2 to 3 hours, while long-haul flights from other continents may require layovers and take 8 to 12 hours.

Travelers should ensure that their passports or other required travel documents are valid for the duration of their stay.
Visa requirements vary depending on nationality, so check with your local embassy or consulate for the latest information.

For additional travel guidance, visit your government’s official travel advisory website.

After arriving at the airport, there are several options to get to the city or your accommodation:

• The Metro line L9 Sud takes you to the city center in about 35 minutes for around $4.60 (included in the Hola BCN Card).
• The Aerobus (airport bus) costs about $5.90 for a one-way trip or $10.20 for a return trip (also included in the Hola BCN Card) and also takes about 35 minutes to the city center.
• The cheapest option is the bus line 46, which costs $2.20 (also included in the Hola BCN Card) and takes about 45 minutes to the center.
  Note, however, that there is limited space for large luggage on the bus.
• Alternatively, you can also take Uber or a taxi. Depending on your destination in the center, this costs between $20 and $35, and you’ll be dropped off directly at your destination.

8. ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR YOUR STAY IN BARCELONA

• The right airport: Barcelona has three airports – El Prat, Girona, and Reus. Only El Prat Airport is located directly in the city.
  The other two are about 120 km away, meaning you’ll need at least an hour to get to Barcelona. Keep this in mind when booking your flight!
• Buy tickets online in advance: If you already know which attractions you want to visit before your trip, it’s worth buying tickets online in advance.
  Many attractions offer timed tickets to avoid crowded peak hours. This way, you may not be as flexible, but you can plan better and save time waiting in often long queues.
• Comfortable shoes are essential: Since you’ll probably be walking a lot in Barcelona, comfortable shoes are a must in your travel bag.
  Good shoes make walking around the city much more enjoyable!
• Watch your valuables: Unfortunately, Barcelona is among the cities with the highest pickpocket rates in Europe.
  Therefore, it’s essential to keep an eye on your valuables and store them securely.
• We’ve summarized which attractions in Barcelona you shouldn’t miss in our post Barcelona Sights & Insider Tips for Your Trip.

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com‍
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com‍
• Discover the best accommodations‍
• The best Travel Guides for Barcelona
• Unique Excursions to Experience in Barcelona

‍

Note: This blog post contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or purchase something through these links, we earn a small commission. There is absolutely no change to the price for you.