Barcelona Travel Guide & Information
Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, is recognized as a global city because of its importance in finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts and international trade. With a tumultuous history, today Barcelona is an important cultural center and a major tourist destination with a rich cultural heritage.
Read More
The city is full of markets, shops, museums, gardens and monuments, and has emerged as one of the most popular tourist destinations. Book flights to Barcelona for an unforgettable vacation to see a city that is synonymous with "Diversity". Take a stroll down Las Ramblas street and you would realize why Barcelona is such a popular destination. The lively street is full of flower-stands, book kiosks and small market stalls where they sell birds and small animals.
If Barcelona’s architecture isn’t fascinating enough, head indoors and enjoy some of the finest museums that Europe has to offer. Barcelona museums, theatres and art galleries are nothing short of spectacular and the city also has an impressive nightlife scene. All things considered, Barcelona is a perfect holiday destination with something for everyone.
Close
Things to do in Barcelona
Museums:
There are numerous museums in Barcelona covering a plethora of subjects, including art, history, architecture, science, sports, war and maritime.
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya: The National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), is a museum of Catalan visual art. The museum has the single best collection of Romanesque art in the world and a fine Gothic collection as well. The MNAC also hosts works of the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection. Museu Futbol Club Barcelona: FC Barcelona football club museum is the fourth most visited of the museums in Barcelona and has sporting artifacts from the club dating back 100 years. You'll have an opportunity to sit on the players benches and see what was like to sit in the best seats of the stadium.
Read More
Museu Picasso: The Picasso Museum has one of the most extensive collections of artworks by the 20th century Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. This is also one of the most popular and most visited museums in Barcelona. The museum is housed in five adjoining medieval palaces in Barcelona's La Ribera.
Festivals & Events:
Festes de la Merce: The main annual festival in Barcelona takes place on September 24th, which celebrates the day of the city's patron saint, the "Virgin de la Merce". Events on this day, include the parade of the giants when a procession through the streets is made up of giant wooden. There are also sports events, musical performances and fantastic firework displays.
Corpus Christi: Is a festival honored throughout the country with street parties and processions. The celebrations in Barcelona that are particularly interesting are by l'ou com balla, or the dancing egg. This festival is a local tradition dating back to the 16th century when hollowed-out egg 'dances' on the spout of many of the city's water fountains. Presently, the fountains are decorated with flowers for the event.
Festes de Gracia: Every barrio in Barcelona has an annual street festival and fiesta. Undoubtedly, the most famous is "La Major Festa de Gracia". During the week of festivities that mark one of Barcelona's most important fiestas is the city of Gracia, it explodes with fun, excitement, color and fireworks. Many streets are decorated by locals and feature live music, delicious food and parties continuing through the night.
Close
Where to Stay in Barcelona:
Ranging from budget hostels, to cheap hotels and modern, luxurious 4-star hotels under $99, Barcelona offers its guests a variety of lodging choices in every neighborhood.
Ciutat Vella: Ciutat Vella is the area most tourists spend the majority of their time when in Barcelona. This fascinating area is steeped in history and is home to Gothic mansions, museums, historic landmarks, bars and restaurants. Located in the centre of Barcelona, it’s known as the 'Old Town’ area, but is only minutes away from La Rambla. The area offers a variety of hotels to suit all price ranges and is suitable for any kind of traveler.
Read More
Eixample: Eixample is famous for being home to the majority of Barcelona’s art nouveau masterpieces, and has a high-class residential and shopping area. The area contains most of the most modern buildings, including La Pedrera, Casa Batllo and La Sagrada Família. If you want to choose an area which has a less "touristy" feel to it, without being far from the premier attractions of Barcelona, choosing a hotel in the Eixample area is a perfect choice.
Close
Passport & Visa Requirements
For US Citizens:
Athens is a part of the Schengen Agreement; U.S. citizens may enter Barcelona for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa.
Read More
* If you are traveling for any other purpose, you may need to obtain a visa.
* Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.
* The 90-day period begins when you enter any of the Schengen group of countries.
For Canadian Citizens:
A tourist visa is not required for stays of less than 90 days within a 6-month period.
* A Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Barcelona.
* Passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country.
This requirement applies to all travelers, regardless of age, including children.
We would strongly recommend that you check out the latest travel alerts, various airlines baggage policies and travel safety tips.
*Kindly note that we take the utmost care in providing you with correct information at all times. However, the passport and visa regulations are subject to change and we strongly urge you to check the requirements directly with the US passport office and, or the Canadian Passport Office before traveling.
Close
When to visit Barcelona
Barcelona is a popular destination for its architecture, museums, historic monuments, beaches, nightlife, events and outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, sunbathing and sightseeing. The most ideal time to visit Barcelona is during the summers when the weather is hot and schools are closed for vacations.
Budget travelers can stretch their dollars a bit farther and brave more mild temperatures when visiting during the winter. For those interested in annual events and cultural happenings, fall would be an ideal time to visit.
Planning your Visit
High season: (March - August)
Low season: (November - February)
Barcelona Weather
Located along the Mediterranean coast, Barcelona enjoys mild temperatures year-round.
* Summer in Barcelona can be very hot. Humidity levels can rise to 70%. The cool sea breeze brings the temperature down, so it’s more enjoyable.
* The forecast for the winter weather in Barcelona includes frequent showers and rare snowfall.
Currency and Language:
Currency:
The currency used in Greece is the Euro or €.
Credit cards, including AMEX, are widely accepted in most high-end streets shops, restaurants and hotels. However, many smaller venues do not have credit card payment facilities.
Languages:
* The two languages spoken in Barcelona are Spanish and Catalan.
* In tourist areas, people commonly speak English, as well as Spanish. Off the beaten path, most people will only speak Spanish or Catalan.