Barcelona Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

Barcelona has it all! Not only is the city filled with amazing architecture and beautifully designed public spaces, but it is also blessed with gorgeous beaches. This one-time Olympic city has plenty to see and do. The iconic Sagrada Familia is perhaps the most well known structures in the city because it has been under construction for hundreds of years. In this Barcelona destination guide we’ll share everything you need to know to plan the ultimate Barcelona vacation.

Short on time? Here are our Barcelona Spain top recommendations:

Highlights: be astounded by the exceptional architecture of La Sagrada Família, uncover Barcelona’s vibrant neighbourhoods such as the Gothic Quarter and unwind on Barcelona’s sunny beaches.

Activities: book your Barcelona Spain Tours with Get Your Guide.

Accommodation: we use Booking.com to find the best hotels.

Transport: TrainLine for trains and FlixBus for intercity buses.

Car Hire: for great value car rental in Spain we recommend Localrent.com

Flights: find cheapest flights with cashback on WayAway.

Airport Lounge Access: start your holiday the right way with Priority Pass.

Travel Medical Insurance: SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is the ideal choice for long-term travellers and digital nomads.

What is Barcelona Spain known for?

Barcelona is a city that has it all. It is famous for its world-class beaches and sunny Mediterranean weather. Barcelona is also known for its impressive architecture, most famously La Sagrada Familiar – the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. Additionally, Barcelona is known for its Catalan culture and its delicious food. Furthermore, the city is also famous for being the host of the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Why you should visit Barcelona Spain

There are plenty of reasons why Barcelona is the most visited city in Spain. Barcelona is a must visit destination in Spain due to its world class food, its vibrant nightlife as well as its perfect combination of city and beach. It is well connected by air, land or sea to other parts of the world and it is very easy to get around once you’re there. We enjoyed the walkability of the city as well as the many charming neighbourhoods to explore. Sport fans may enjoy watching a FC Barcelona football game at the famous Camp Nou stadium. And for lovers of art, history and culture, there are many museums as well as galleries to explore.

Barcelona Destination Guide: Know before you go

Basic info about Barcelona Spain

• Language – Spanish. English is widely spoken throughout the country, but not everyone you meet will be able to speak English. Catalan is also the co-official language of three autonomous communities in eastern Spain: Catalonia, the Valencian Community, and the Balearic Islands.
• Currency – euro (EUR). This has been the official currency of Spain since 1999. Currency exchanges can be found in most cities and ATMs are also available widely throughout the country.
• Population – 1.620 million (2021)
• Area – 101.9 km² (39 sq mi)
• Province – Barcelona (Barcelona is the capital of this province)
• Autonomous community – Catalonia (Barcelona is the capital of this autonomous community)
• Emergency number – 112
• Police number – 091

Utilities in Barcelona Spain

• Electricity – Spain uses Types C and E power plugs. The country operates on a 230v supply voltage at 50Hz. Power outages are not common in Spain.
• Water – the tap water in Spain is safe to drink almost everywhere in the country. However old pipes may lead to some contamination in the water. Additionally the water may taste different to what you are used to. If in doubt ask your accommodation.
• Toilets – sit-down flushing toilets are the most common type of toilet in Spain. You can flush your toilet paper directly into the toilet in most places. However on islands, mountain areas and more remote places the plumbing may not be able to handle toilet paper and you may need to use a bin provided instead. Public toilets are not common in Spain, but are available in bars and restaurants for free. Some bars and restaurants only allow customers to use their toilets – ask if in doubt. The public toilets that are available usually cost 10-50 cents to use.
• Telephone country code: +34

Where is Barcelona Spain?

Barcelona is the capital of the Catalonia autonomous community as well as the province of Barcelona of Spain. It lies in the northeast of Spain on the Mediterranean Sea. The mouths of the Llobregat River as well as the Besòs River lie on either side of the city. To the west of Barcelona is the Serra de Collserola mountain range.

The closest major Spanish cities to Barcelona are Palma de Mallorca, Zaragoza as well as Valencia. Barcelona is 8 hour by ferry from Palma de Mallorca, 1.5 hours by train from Zaragoza and 3-5.5 hours by train from Valencia. Additionally, Barcelona is not far from the Andorran and French borders. It is 3 hours by bus to Andorra la Vella, 2 hours by train to Narbonne, 4.5 hours by train to Toulouse and 5 hours by bus to Montpellier.

How to get to Barcelona Spain

Barcelona destination guide: Arriving by land

Barcelona Spain intercity land transport

The main transport options for travelling overland to Barcelona Spain are:

• Private vehicle
• Private transport operator
• Train
• Shuttle
• Bus
• Bike

Driving to Barcelona from within Spain

If you are driving to Barcelona, here are the travel times and distances:

• Andorra la Vella Andorra – 2 hours 49 minutes (195km, 121miles) with tolls, 3 hours 3 minutes (218km, 135miles) without tolls.
• Zaragoza Spain – 3 hours 8 minutes (307km, 191miles) without tolls.
• Valencia Spain – 3 hours 35 minutes (348km, 216miles) with tolls, 3 hours 45 minutes (363km, 226miles) without tolls.
• Montpellier France – 3 hours 47 minutes (346km, 215miles) with tolls, 4 hours 43 minutes (376km, 234miles) without tolls.
• Toulouse France – 4 hours 5 minutes (392km, 244miles) with tolls, 5 hours 15 minutes (343km, 213miles) without tolls.
• Madrid Spain – 6 hours 2 minutes (621km, 386miles) without tolls.

Intercity trains to Barcelona Spain

Trains are a cheap and also an efficient way to get to Barcelona Spain. The main train station in Barcelona is Barcelona Sants railway station. This is located in the city centre of Barcelona. Barcelona also has another main station, Barcelona-França (Estación de Francia), which is located in the north-east of the city.

The following train brands service Barcelona:

• AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) trains – this is Spain’s intercity high speed rail service.
• Avant trains – Avant trains share the same high-speed lines as the AVE trains, but are for shorter (media distancia) journeys.
• Alvia and EuroMed trains – these are long distance high speed trains which connect various major cities in Spain.
• Intercity trains – this is a non-high speed rail service which operates on the ‘classic’ rail network in Spain.
• Media distancia trains – these are medium distance trains that operate in Spain. They are faster than regional trains but don’t use high speed rail lines.
• Rodalies de Catalunya trains – this is Barcelonas’s commuter and regional rail service which connects Barcelona and its metropolitan area.
• TGV train – this is France’s intercity high speed rail service. It is operated by the French national railway company SNCF.

The Spanish national railway company that operates most of these services is called RENFE (Red Nacional de Ferrocarriles Españoles or National Network of Spanish Railways).

We recommend using the app and website TrainLine to book intercity train tickets in Spain. This is the app we use to book trains in Europe. It is very easy to use with great functionality. Another great feature is that you can see days ahead to see what times of the day were the cheapest rates.

Intercity buses to Barcelona Spain

A common way to get around Spain is by using intercity buses. These are a budget friendly alternative to trains, but are generally a slower option. Intercity bus companies in Spain include Alsa, SAMAR, Avanza, FlixBus as well as Blablacar bus. Popular bus destinations from Barcelona include:

• Palamós Spain – travel time 2 hours. Tickets start from 18 euro one way.
• Berga Spain – travel time 2 hours. Tickets start from 17 euro one way.
• Zaragoza Spain – travel time 2.5-4 hours. Tickets start from 17 euro one way.
• Sant Feliu de Guíxols Spain – travel time 1.5 hours. Tickets start from 17 euro one way.
• Tossa de Mar Spain – travel time 1.25 hours. Tickets start from 17 euro one way.
• Andorra la Vella Andorra – travel time 3.5-4.5 hours. Tickets start from 29 euro one way.
• Madrid Spain – travel time 8 hours. Tickets start from 35 euro one way.

Barcelona destination guide: Arriving by air

The nearest airport to Barcelona Spain is El Prat Airport (Airport code BCN). This international airport is 12km (8miles) from the city.

Other nearby airports include:

• Girona–Costa Brava Airport (Airport code GRO). This airport is 76km (47miles) away.
• Reus Airport (Airport code REU). This airport is 87km (54miles) away.
• Andorra–La Seu d’Urgell Airport (Airport code LEU). This airport is 123km (76miles) away.

The national airline of Spain is Iberia.

Barcelona destination guide: Arriving by boat

The city of Barcelona is on the Mediterranean Sea. Port of Barcelona is one of the largest ports in Spain as well as in all of Europe. Furthermore it is the most important port in Spain for international travel. In addition to the Port of Barcelona, there are two other marinas/yacht harbours in Barcelona: Port Olímpic and Port Fòrum Sant Adrià.

From Barcelona, there are ferries to the islands of Ibiza, Menorca, Mallorca as well as Formentera in Spain. There are also international ferries from Barcelona to Italy and Morocco. There are up to 25 ferry crossings from Barcelona per day. However availability may vary depending on the season.

Ferries from Barcelona to Ibiza

There are around 20 ferries per week from Barcelona to Ibiza. The sailing time is between 8 and 14 hours. A one-way ticket for a foot passenger is around 15-31 euro (price as at 2024). There are 4 ferry companies that operates between Barcelona and Ibiza – Balearia, Trasmediterranea, Grandi Navi Veloci and also Trasmed GLE.

Ferries from Barcelona to Menorca

There are around 30 ferries per week from Barcelona to Menorca. These ferries connect Barcelona to 2 different destinations in Menorca – Ciutadella as well as Mahon. The sailing time is between 3.5 and 8 hours. A one-way ticket for a foot passenger is around 39-76 euro (price as at 2024). There are 4 ferry companies that operates between Barcelona and Menorca – Balearia, Trasmediterranea, Grandi Navi Veloci as well as Trasmed GLE.

Ferries from Barcelona to Mallorca

There are around 43 ferries per week from Barcelona to Mallorca. These ferries connect Barcelona to 2 different destinations in Mallorca – Alcudia as well as Palma. The sailing time is between 5 and 7.5 hours. A one-way ticket for a foot passenger is around 16-65 euro (price as at 2024). There are 4 ferry companies that operates between Barcelona and Mallorca – Balearia, Trasmediterranea, Grandi Navi Veloci as well as Trasmed GLE.

Ferries from Barcelona to Formentera

There are around 7 ferries per week from Barcelona to Formentera. The sailing time is between 11.5 hours. A one-way ticket for a foot passenger is around 46 euro (price as at 2024). There is 1 ferry company that operates between Barcelona and Formentera – Balearia.

Ferries from Barcelona to Italy

There is around 4 ferries per week from Barcelona to Italy. These ferries connect Barcelona to 3 destinations in Italy – Genoa as well as Civitavecchia in Rome and Porto Torres in Sardinia. The sailing time is around 13-21 hours. A one-way ticket for a foot passenger is around 36-76 euro (price as at 2024). There are 2 ferry companies that operates between Barcelona and Italy – Grandi Navi Veloci as well as Grimaldi Lines.

Ferries from Barcelona to Morocco

There are around 5 ferries per week from Barcelona to Morocco. These ferries connect Barcelona to 2 different destinations in Morocco – Tangier Med as well as Nador. The sailing time is between 27.5 and 30 hours. A one-way ticket for a foot passenger is around 108-236 euro (price as at 2024). There are 2 ferry companies that operates between Barcelona and Morocco – Grandi Navi Veloci as well as La Meridionale.

Barcelona destination guide: How to get around Barcelona Spain

Walking in Barcelona Spain

By far the easiest and cheapest way to get around Barcelona is to walk. Most of the main attractions in the city area are within walking distance.

Funiculars in Barcelona Spain

Barcelona has a number of hills and mountains around the city, and there’s no better way to get to the top than via funicular. There 3 funiculars in Barcelona. These provide access to the higher areas of the city. The three funiculars are:

• Montjuïc Funicular Railway (Funicular de Montjuïc)
• Tibidabo Funicular (Funicular del Tibidabo)
• Vallvidrera Funicular (Funicular de Vallvidrera)

These services are operated by the city’s public transport service, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB). The funiculars are part of Barcelona’s Autoritat del Transport Metropolità (ATM) integrated fare system. Tickets for funiculars are also the same price as a trip by metro or bus. Integrated and multi-journey tickets as well as Barcelona Hola BCN! travel cards are also valid.

Cable Cars in Barcelona Spain

There 2 cable cars in Barcelona. These gondola lifts provide access to the higher areas of the city. The two cable cars are:

• Port cable car (Port Vell Aerial Tramway)
• Telefèric de Montjuïc (Barcelona Cable Car)

These services are operated by the city’s public transport service, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB). However they are not part of Autoritat del Transport Metropolità (ATM) integrated fare network. As such, separate tickets must be purchased prior to boarding.

Local buses in Barcelona Spain

Barcelona is serviced by local buses.

Local trains in Barcelona Spain

Rodalies de Catalunya is Barcelona’s regional commuter rail service. It includes Barcelona’s suburban railway services as well as the regional services. This services Barcelona, connects Barcelona and its metropolitan area and also takes passengers to nearby towns. Train operating tours are:

• Monday-Thursday: 5 am to midnight
• Friday: the last train departs at 2am
• Saturday and the eves of some public holidays: 24 hours
• Sundays and bank holidays: 5 am to midnight

Renfe and FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya) are the two railway companies that operate these services.

Barcelona Tourist Bus

An easy way to see Barcelona is with the Barcelona Bus Turístic. This Barcelona’s official Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus. There are 3 routes that are included in the ticket price. The red and blue routes take approximately 2 hours to complete and the green route takes 40 minutes. The buses are roofless double decker buses. An adult ticket costs 33 euro for a 1 day pass and 44 euro for a 2 day pass with a 10% discount if bought online (price as at 2024). There are also other companies that offer similar services.

Trams in Barcelona Spain

The Barcelona tramway currently consists of 7 routes operating in 3 systems:

• Tramvia Blau – a heritage streetcar that accepts cash payments only.
• Trambaix – there are 3 routes on this system.
• Trambesòs – there are 3 routes on this system.

Metro trains (subway or underground) in Barcelona Spain

Barcelona’s metro system currently has 12 lines and around 200 stations. They metro system is operated by two different companies:

• Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) – there are 8 TMB lines.
• Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) – there are 4 FGC lines.

Boat cruises in Barcelona Spain

A scenic way to see Barcelona is on one of the Las Golondrinas tourist boats that operate in the city. These are passenger boats that do short cruises around Barcelona’s harbour as well as along the coast. There are two types of cruises available:

• Barcelona Port tour in a traditional boat – duration 40 minutes, price 8 euro for adults (as at 2024).
• Port and coastline tour in a catamaran – duration 1 hour, price 11.50 euro for adults (as at 2024).

Vehicle hire in Barcelona Spain

A wide variety of vehicles can be rented in Spain. This includes:

• Bicycles – There are self-service bike share services available in the city such as Bicing. Alternatively you can hire a bike from a bike hire shop such as Barcelona E-Bike Rent.
• Electric scooters
• Motorcycles
• Cars
• SUVs
• Campervans
• Boats

In Spain they drive on the right side of the road.

Shuttles in Barcelona Spain

Shuttles make short repetitive journeys between two destinations. Common journeys include going between the airport and the city centre.

Taxis in Spain

Taxis are common in Spain. Fares are regulated and are also usually metered. The exception to this will be standard journeys such as airport trips in some cities. In this case the fare will be a fixed price. However in general your fare will include the following costs:

• The pickup fee or minimum fee – this is charged as soon as you get into the vehicle
• Price per kilometre – this price can vary depending on the time of day
• Price per hour – this is a price that gets charged when the taxi is stuck in heavy traffic. The price also varies depending on the time of day
• There may also be an additional fee for certain days (e.g. Christmas and New Year) or for luggage

However in for some trips such as from the airport to the city centre fares may be a fixed price that is agreed on before the trip.

It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers in Spain. At most, locals may round up the fare to the nearest dollar as a tip.

Ride-share services in Spain

There are a number of ride-share services that operate in Spain. These include Uber, Cabify, FREE NOW and also CarpoolWorld.

Barcelona destination guide: Is Barcelona worth visiting?

Barcelona is definitely worth visiting. It provides the perfect combination of sunny beaches and vibrant city. There is so much to see, do and importantly to eat! The city has unmissable landmarks like La Sagrada Familiar and the Magic Fountain. Additionally, it has amazing neighbourhoods and areas to explore like the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas shopping street. The city is also a great place to come if you love football, nightlife or history. While it does get crowded and it is one of the most expensive cities in Spain, it is well worth a visit.

Barcelona destination guide: How long to spend in Barcelona Spain

Barcelona is a great place to come for a long weekend or even a week. This lively city always has plenty going on. It has heaps of museums and parks, a diverse range of neighbourhoods to explore as well as some amazing beaches. We spent 5 nights in Barcelona and enjoyed taking time to enjoy the various activities available in this amazing city.

Barcelona destination guide: What to do in Barcelona Spain

Barcelona is a vibrant Spanish city with many activities on offer. It has a range of great free activities as well as paid activities.

Barcelona destination guide: Free things to do in Barcelona Spain

There are enough free activities in Barcelona Spain to keep you entertained for a long weekend or even a week:

• Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic)
• Mercat de la Boqueria
• Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya – MNAC – free entry after 3pm Saturdays, 1^st Sunday of the month as well as a number of other days during the year.
• The Magic Fountain
• Parc de Montjuïc (Montjuic Park)
• Passeig de Gracia
• Parc de la Ciutadella
• El Born
• Plaça d’Espanya
• Templo del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus
• L’Eixample District
• Museu Picasso – free entry Thursdays after 4pm as well as the 1^st Sunday of the month.
• Museu d’Historia de Barcelona – MUHBA – free entry after 3pm on Sundays as well as all day on the 1^st Sunday of the month.

Barcelona destination guide: Paid activities in Barcelona Spain

A number of attractions in Barcelona Spain charge an entry fee:

• La Sagrada Família – entry fee from 26 euro for adults (as at 2024).
• Casa Batlló – entry fee from 35 euro for adults or 29 euro if booked online (as at 2024).
• Palace of Catalan music (Palau de la Música Catalana) – entry fee is 18 euro for adults (as at 2024).
• Casa Milà (La Pedrera) – entry fee from 28 euro for adults (as at 2024).
• Camp Nou – entry fee is 31.50 euro for adults or 28 euro if booked online (as at 2024).
• Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar – entry fee from 5 euro for adults (as at 2024).
• Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau – entry fee is 17 euro for adults (as at 2024).
• Barcelona Cathedral (La Seu) – entry fee is 14 euro for adults (as at 2024).
• CosmoCaixa – entry fee is 6 euro for adults (as at 2024).
• Casa Vicens – entry fee is 18 euro for adults (as at 2024).
• Palau Güell – entry fee is 12 euro for adults (as at 2024).
• Erotic Museum of Barcelona (Museu de l’Erotica) – entry fee is 13.50 euro for adults (as at 2024).
• Joan Miro Foundation – entry fee is 15 euro for adults or 14 euro if booked online (as at 2024).
• Parc Guell – entry fee is 10 euro for adults (as at 2024).

However many of these attractions have free entry with the Barcelona Card. See the Barcelona Card section below for more information.

Barcelona Card

The Barcelona Card is a city card that allows you to explore a range of museums in Barcelona for free. Additionally you can use public transport for free and there are also discounts and special offers for a selection of tours, shops, restaurants and bars in the city. There are 3, 4 or 5 day cards available. The card is activated on first use and expires on midnight on the relevant expiration date. Therefore it’s best to activate your card on the morning of the first day you intend to use it. It is available for purchase online or at the tourism offices in the city:

• Plaça de Catalunya
• Plaça Sant Jaume
• Estació de Sants Airport Terminals 1 & 2
• Oficina Catedral
• La Rambla
• Mirador de Colom
• Tourism Stands
• Cruice Terminal

Weather in Barcelona Spain

Barcelona enjoys a warm temperate climate. Its climate is heavily influenced by the nearby Mediterranean area. It has cold winters, with average temperature range between 5°C and 13°C (41°F and 56°F) in the coldest month of January. Summers last from June to September and are hot and sunny, with the average temperature range between 20°C and 28°C (68°F and 82°F) in the hottest month of August. The city doesn’t receive much rainfall throughout the year due to its position on the east coast of Spain. The month with the most rainfall is October with 6.1 days of rain on average and conversely the driest month is July with an average of 2.9 rainy days.

Best time to visit Barcelona Spain

Barcelona is a bustling city with endless activities and sights to see. The peak tourist season is June through July and the Christmas period in December. During these times, expect crowds and high prices. If you’re looking for perfect beach weather, June through August is ideal. However, finding a spot on the beaches can be difficult due to the high number of tourists. For milder temperatures, fewer crowds and lower prices we recommend visiting Barcelona during the shoulder seasons of April-May and September-October.

Internet and mobile phones in Spain

Since June 15th, 2017, Roam Like at Home (RLAT) rules came into force for European Union countries. As such, people with European Union mobile numbers are no longer charged temporary mobile roaming fees if they travel within the European Union. This means that if you have a European Union mobile number, you can use that number anywhere within the European Union and you will be charged for calls, texts and data in the same rates as if you were in your home country. There are limits to this in order to prevent abuse of these rules.

The main internet and phone companies in Spain include Movistar, Orange, Vodafone and Yoigo.

5G has been in Spain since June 2021. However 2G is expected to continue in Spain until 2030 and 3G until 2025.

Spain is ranked 60^th fastest in the world for mobile internet speeds and 11^th fastest for fixed broadband. For Fixed Broadband the average download speed is 218mbps and upload is 158mbps (as at April 2024).

Cell phone SIM cards can be bought in many places throughout Spain. These include phone storess, at airports as well as online. You need to show your passport, visa and a passport photo to get a SIM card.

How much to budget for Barcelona Spain?

Is Barcelona expensive?

Yes, Barcelona is one of the most expensive cities in Spain. However by Western European standards the city still offers great value. Furthermore, with its great range of free or cheap activities, it is possible to visit Barcelona without breaking the bank.

Barcelona destination guide: Daily spend for a couple travelling in Barcelona Spain

As a rough guide, we recommend the following budgets for a couple:

• Low-budget daily spend – 100 euro per day for a couple will get you budget accommodation, self catering and bakery meals, walking or catching local transport to get around the city and free or cheap activities.
• Mid-range daily spend – 300 euro per day for a couple will get you mid-range accommodation, walking or catching local transport to get around the city, dining at reasonably priced cafes and restaurants and some paid activities.
• Luxury spend – 1000 euro per day for a couple will get you a premium experience, staying at high end hotels, travelling by private transport, doing a range paid activities and eating at high end restaurants.

Barcelona destination guide: Accommodation in Barcelona Spain

There is a good range of accommodation to suit most budgets in Barcelona Spain. Airbnb operates in Spain and we were impressed with the range of options available in Barcelona.

Where to stay in Barcelona Spain

We recommend the following accommodation in Barcelona:

• Best hostel in Barcelona – Onefam Paralelo by Hostel One is a social hostel where they treat you like family. They have plenty activities, including the free family dinners. It has cosy rooms, comfortable beds, strong wifi and air-conditioning and clean bathrooms. The staff also create a great environment.
• Best B&B in Barcelona – Forget Me Not Barcelona is a lovely small hotel conveniently located near the metro station. Breakfasts are a highlight with a fresh and tasty buffet spread. Rooms are spacious and modern with very comfortable beds. Additionally, the staff are pleasant and helpful.
• Best budget hotel in Barcelona – we stayed at SM Hotel Teatre Auditori. This great value accommodation is only 10 minutes walk to the Nord bus station and 30 minutes walk to the main attractions of Barcelona. The beds were really comfortable and we liked the modern design of the rooms and bathroom. There was super fast wifi and the staff were very friendly and helpful.
• Best mid-range hotel in Barcelona – located just off La Rambla, Casa Camper is an exceptional and beautifully designed hotel with a gorgeous rooftop area. It is impeccably clean with a great range of amenities including pocket wifis for guests and a snack bar with free food and drinks available all day. Breakfasts are also a stand-out. Rooms are large and comfortable and the customer service is exceptional.
• Best luxury hotel in Barcelona – Hotel El Palace Barcelona is an elegant hotel with friendly and down-to-earth staff. It is immaculately clean and there is a beautiful rooftop area with a pool and a restaurant. The breakfasts are excellent with a lot of choices. It is also in a prime location close to many of Barcelona’s main attractions.

How much is accommodation in Barcelona Spain?

For short-term accommodation, a general price per night is as follows:

• Budget accommodation – 17-48 euro for a bed in a dorm
• Mid-range accommodation – 50-140 euro for a private room
• Luxury accommodation – 182-600 euro a night for a luxury hotel
• Rental property – 70-370 euro a night for a fully furnished 3-5 bedroom home

Barcelona destination guide: Food in Barcelona Spain

Barcelona has a great food scene with a number of local specialities. Being on the water, seafood is very popular in Barcelona.

How much does food cost in Barcelona Spain?

Our price guide for your food budget in Barcelona Spain is as follows (prices as at 2022):

• Restaurant meal – 8-15 euro for a main dish
• Fast food – 7-9 euro for a meal
• Bakery food – 1.5-2 euro for an empanadilla or loaf of bread
• Beer – 2-3 euro
• Coffee – 1-2 euro

Tap water at restaurants in Spain

Restaurants in Spain cannot refuse to serve tap water to their customers, even if they think the tap water doesn’t taste good. They also cannot charge the customer for tap water.

Cover charge for restaurants in Spain

Restaurants in Spain generally don’t charge a fixed per person charge for things like table linen and tableware. Bread and olives are often brought to your table, but you can only be charged for this if it is requested and the price is indicted. If in doubt, ask your server.

Service charge for restaurants in Spain

Restaurants in Spain generally do not charge service charges. If they do, you will find the words “servicio incluido” written on the bill. Conversely “servico non incluido” means a service charge is not included in the bill. Tipping is not compulsory nor expected in Spain. When Spaniards tips, its generally only one or two euro.

Terrace surcharge for restaurants in Spain

Some restaurants in Spain charge a higher price to sit outside on the terrace area compared to inside the restaurant. This terrace surcharge will be clearly listed on the menu either as a per person charge, a percentage surcharge or as separate prices for the terrace and indoor areas.

IVA tax for restaurants in Spain

You may find an IVA charge added to your bill. This is a value added tax and is currently 10%. This is generally charged for more upmarket restaurants, and the IVA needs to be clearly stated on the menu.

Regional dishes in Barcelona Spain

• Fideuà – a Catalan version of paella made with pasta.
• Escalivada – smoky grilled vegetables.
• Esquiexada – a salad with salted cod, tomatoes, black onions and sometimes a hard-boiled egg.
• Pa amb tomàquet – Catalan tomato bread.
• Calçots – a type of green onion. Served grilled with romesco sauce.
• Escudella d’Olla – a Catalan meat and vegetable stew.
• Fried Chipirones – fried baby squid.
• Bombas – mashed potato balls stuffed with meat, cheese, vegetables or fish, breaded and deep-fried.
• Tortilla De Patatas – Spanish omlette with potatoes.
• Arròs negre – black rice made with squid ink or cuttlefish ink.
• Mandonguilles amb sípia – meatballs and cuttlefish in a rich sauce.
• Botifarra amb mongetes – sausages with haricot beans.
• Canelones Rossini – a popular Catalan Christmas dish, this consists of pasta tubes that are stuffed, topped with béchamel sauce and baked.
• Crema catalana – similar to a crème brûlée, but made with milk.
• Mel i Mató – a Catalan dessert of honey and mató cheese. Sometimes served with nuts, jam or fruit.

Other popular Spanish dishes in Barcelona Spain

There are a number of dishes that are popular throughout Spain which are also served in Barcelona. These include:

• Paella – this is thought to come from Valencia, but Barcelona offers some excellent paella as well. It is a rice dish that is popular throughout Spain.
• Jamón Iberico – Spanish ham.
• Croquetas – a common tapas dish popular throughout Spain. It is made with béchamel sauce as well as other fillings and is breaded and deep-fried.
• Patatas Bravas – fried cubed potatoes served with a spicy sauce.
• Chorizo – Spanish sausage.

Cheap Eats in Barcelona Spain

• The restaurant chain 100 Montaditos is our favourite cheap eat in Spain. It is a tapas restaurant that has an extensive menu at affordable prices. On Wednesdays and Sundays they have specials where many of their tapas items are only 1 or 2 euro each.
• Bakeries are a great place to get cheap and delicious food. Empanadillas (small empanadas) are typically around 1.50-2 euro.
• Local markets are often a great place to get a cheap meal in Spain. We also enjoy the vibrant atmosphere or local markets.

Fine dining in Barcelona Spain

Barcelona is home to a number of Michelin Guide restaurants.

3 star Michelin restaurants in Barcelona Spain (2024):

• Lasarte
• Disfrutar
• Cocina Hermanos Torres
• ABaC

2 star Michelin restaurants in Barcelona Spain (2024):

• Moments
• Cinc Sentits
• Enoteca Paco Pérez

1 star Michelin restaurants in Barcelona Spain (2024):

• Caelis
• Koy Shunka
• Dos Palillos
• Mont Bar
• Alkimia
• Angle
• Oria
• Slow & Low
• Xerta
• Aleia
• Atempo
• Hofmann
• Enigma
• COME by Paco Méndez
• Hisop
• Quirat
• Via Veneto
• Suto
• Aürt

Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants in Barcelona Spain (2024):

• Nairod
• Berbena
• Cruix
• Avenir
• BaLó
• La Mundana
• Saó
• Vivanda

Michelin Plate restaurants in Barcelona Spain (2024):

• Batea
• Virens
• Majide
• Amar Barcelona
• Dos Pebrots
• Direkte Boqueria
• La Tartarería
• Alkostat
• Compartir Barcelona
• Jardín del Alma
• Fonda España
• Uma
• Capet
• Xavier Pellicer
• Estimar
• Suculent
• Petit Comitè
• Pur
• Osmosis
• Contraban
• Besta
• Gresca
• La Forquilla
• Prodigi
• La Balabusta
• Ten’s
• Taberna Kamikaze
• Windsor
• Kintsugi
• Deliri
• Paco Meralgo
• Fishølogy
• Brabo
• La Taverna del Clínic
• Ultramarinos Marín
• âme
• Bardeni-Caldeni
• Tunateca Balfegó
• Teatro kitchen & bar
• Taberna Noroeste
• Alapar
• RíasKru
• Barra Alta Barcelona
• Nectari
• Ají
• MAE Barcelona
• Sensato
• Olivos
• Tram-Tram

Barcelona Spain culture

Barcelona public holidays

• New Year’s Day – 1 January
• Epiphany – 6 January
• Good Friday – the Friday before Easter Sunday, typically in March or April.
• Easter Monday – the Monday after Easter Sunday, typically in March or April.
• Labor Day – 1 May
• Whit Monday – it is the day after Whit Sunday. It is celebrated 51 days after Easter, typically in May or June
• Feast of St John the Baptist – 24 June
• Assumption of the Virgin – 15 August
• National Day of Catalonia – 11 September
• La Mercè – 24 September
• Hispanic Day – 12 October
• All Saints Day – 1 November
• Constitution Day – 6 December
• Immaculate Conception Day – 8 December
• Christmas Day (Navidad) – 25 December
• St Stephen’s Day – 26 December

National symbols of Spain

• Spain flag – a flag featuring three horizontal bands coloured red, yellow, red with the Spain coat of arms slightly to the left in the middle band. The yellow band is twice the size of the red bands.
• Spain coat of arms – this features the arms of the Spanish medieval kingdoms, the Royal Crown, the arms of the House of Bourbon, the Pillars of Hercules and the Spanish national motto: “Plus Ultra”.
• National flower – red carnation
• National bird – Spanish imperial eagle
• Spanish national animal – the bull

Spain pastimes

• National dish – paella
• Popular drinks – sangria, wine, beer, horchata, granizados, sherry, rebujito, vermouth, tinto de verano, coffee.
• National sport – football
• Religion – 56% Catholic, 2.8% other faiths such as Islam, Protestant Christian and Buddist (as at 2022).

Famous people from Barcelona Spain

• Famous people born in Barcelona Spain – tenor José Carreras, actress Úrsula Corberó, actress Georgina Amoros, actor Daniel Brühl, painter Joan Miró, flamenco dancer Carmen Amaya, soprano Montserrat Caballé, actress Ivana Baquero, actress and model Astrid Berges-Frisbey, actress Ariadna Gil, actress Christina Ochoa, director Juan Antonio Bayona, model Xavier Serrano, actress Michelle Jenner, actor Jordi Mollà Perales, actor Marc Clotet, spy Juan Pujol García.
• Sports stars from Barcelona Spain – footballer Gerard Piqué, basketball player Pau Gasol, Olympic swimmer Ona Carbonell, cyclist Joaquim Rodriques, footballer Hector Bellerin, tennis player Arantxa Sánchez Vicario.

Is Barcelona Spain Safe?

Spain travel guide: Safety in Spain

We travelled through Spain for three weeks and found the country to be extremely safe. As with any country, there are good areas and bad areas. Watch out for pickpockets particularly in Barcelona and Madrid as well as other large cities. Be particularly vigilant around tourist areas, in transport and on beaches. Never leave your valuables unattended in a car. Also, make sure no-one is watching whenever you are entering pin codes and never lose sight of your credit card when making a purchase.

Terror attacks have occurred in Spain in the past and still pose a significant risk. The national terrorism alert for Spain is ‘high’ as at 2024. Watch out for any threats and take official warnings seriously.

The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona is a dangerous activity and consequently may not be covered by travel insurance.

Spain travel guide: General safety considerations in Spain

Other general safety considerations for travel in Spain:

• Drinking water – the tap water in Spain is safe to drink almost everywhere in the country. However old pipes may lead to some contamination.
• Mosquitoes – the tiger mosquito has been present in Spain since 2004. This type of mosquito spreads diseases such as Zika, dengue and chikunguya.
• Altitude sickness – Spain has areas of high altitude. This comes with the risk of altitude sickness. If you are planning to visit any high altitude areas in Spain, be sure to allow sufficient time to acclimatise. If you experience any signs of altitude sickness, such as headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite or shortness of breath, get help immediately.
• Road safety – Spain roads are in excellent condition and very safe. Additionally, its highway network is very extensive. Nevertheless, take care on roads.
• Water safety – if you visit any of the coastal areas or lakes, take care when swimming as currents and waves may be stronger than you expect.
• Earthquakes – Spain experiences earthquake activity. If you experience an earthquake, stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls and anything that could fall. If you are inside get under a table, desk or solid furniture and hang onto it. Cover your head and torso to protect from falling objects. If you are outside, stay outside and go to an open area away from buildings.
• Natural disasters – in addition to earthquakes, Spain also experiences volcanic activity, severe storms and forest fires.
• Sun safety – exposure to the sun can have adverse short-term and long-term effects on the skin, eyes and immune system. Sun protection such as sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses is very important to ensure you don’t get burnt.

As with any destination, take all of your normal safety precautions.

Spain Blogs

You can find our Spain travel blogs below.

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