Barcelona Tourist Information

Find all the essential Barcelona tourism information you need to know for your trip.

In the pages below you'll find information about airport transfers, cheap hotels in Barcelona, tourist cards and insider tips to help you plan in advance, a move that will translate into big money savings.

Planning your trip in advance

• Check out this practical guide of attractions per neighborhood so you can easily find where to stay in Barcelona.
• Booking your hotel or apartment online can give you access to better discounts and the possibility to choose the location that better fits your tastes.

Arriving to Barcelona

Get acquainted with the different transport options available for getting to the city. Check out how you can save money with the Aerobus or how you to go from the airport to the Barcelona center.

Accommodation in Barcelona

Barcelona has all kinds of accommodation options and prices for all tastes.

If you’re still undecided on where to stay, keep in mind that in addition to the amazing variety in hotels, you can also choose to stay in a hostel or apartment, depending on your travel needs.

Getting a touristic card

Barcelona offers different touristic cards for the visitors.

• The Barcelona Card is one of them. It gives you unlimited access to the public transport network, including Metro, Bus, Tram and more. It can be used for periods of 2 up to 5 days. Includes free entrance and discounts to popular attractions and museums.
• The Barcelona Go City Pass offers 2 kinds of passes: the All-Inclusive Pass (for X number of days) and the Explorer Pass (for X number of attractions).
• The ArtTicket gives you access (and fast entrance) to six different museums for a 30€ price.
• Finally, the Hola BCN Card, offers unlimited use of the public transportation system for an affordable price.

Barcelona tourist attractions

The list of sightseeing attractions, museums and monuments in Barcelona is endless. Be sure to check our attractions page and plan in advance everything you wish to visit.

Pro tio: Park Güell charges for entry to its Monumental Zone, but there are specific times and days when you can get in for free, including free Sundays in winter and evening access year-round.

Eating and drinking in Barcelona

Barcelona's food culture runs on different timing to most of Europe. Lunch is the main meal of the day and runs from 13:30 to 16:00. Most locals eat a proper sit-down meal at midday and have a lighter dinner late in the evening. Restaurants open for dinner from 20:30 at the earliest, and on weekends it's normal to sit down at 22:00. If you turn up to a restaurant at 19:00 expecting dinner, you will often be the only person there.

The menú del día is the best value meal in the city. Available Monday to Friday at almost every neighbourhood restaurant, it typically includes a starter, main, dessert, bread and a drink for €13–18. This is how locals eat lunch during the working week and it represents far better quality and value than most tourist-facing menus.

Coffee culture: A café amb llet (Catalan) or café con leche (Spanish): coffee with milk, similar to a flat white, is the standard morning coffee. Ordering a “latte” will mark you as a tourist. Breakfast at a local bar (coffee and a croissant or pa amb tomàquet) costs €3–5. The same at a café on Passeig de Gràcia costs three times as much.

Tipping: Not mandatory but appreciated. Rounding up or leaving a coin or two is standard. In nicer restaurants, 5–10% is appropriate if the service was good. Nobody will chase you out if you don't tip.

Tourist traps to avoid: Any restaurant with a laminated photo menu, a tout at the door, or a location directly on Las Ramblas. Walk one or two streets back from any major tourist site and the quality goes up immediately while the price comes down.

Weekend brunch has become a big part of Barcelona's food culture, particularly in Eixample and Sant Antoni. Most spots serve until 15:30–16:00, making it a relaxed start to a sightseeing day. See our full guide to the best brunch in Barcelona for the top spots by neighbourhood.

For a deeper look at what to eat, traditional Catalan dishes, where to find the best paella, and how to navigate Barcelona's food scene, see our full Barcelona food and restaurants guide.

Take advantage of the sales season

If Shopping is one of your favorite treats in your Barcelona visit, you can indulge yourself to a shopping spree. Most department and retail stores, big and small chains and even neighborhood boutiques offer strong discounts during the winter and summer sales season.

Winter sales season starts in January, usually after Epiphany Holiday (January 6) and summer sales season starts on July 1.

How to save money with Tax free

If you’re a non EU resident you should know that 90% of the stores in Barcelona offer a tax refund in purchases exceeding 90,15€.

This is only applicable if you’re taking all these belongings to your country (restaurant and hotel bills do not apply). The best way to find out if the store you're buying has Tax Free Shopping is asking.

If so, the shop assistant will provide a tax refund certificate that you can later show at the airport customs (do so before checking in your luggage as the officer may request to see the items you bought).

Once approved, you can go to the airport bank and cash your tax money. It might be a hassle, but remember it can save you 21% in tax money. Usually this procedure is pretty slow, so it's better if you show up a good two hours before checking your luggage.

We invite you browse our Barcelona guide for all the information you need on your trip to Barcelona.

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