Barcelona
Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is a vibrant Mediterranean city in northeastern Spain, renowned for its distinct identity, rich history, and world-famous architecture. As Spain’s second-largest city, with a population of around 1.6 million, Barcelona serves as a major cultural, economic, and political hub—not only for Catalonia but for all of Spain. Its roots stretch back to Roman times, but the city truly flourished during the medieval and modern periods, becoming a center of trade, art, and regional pride. Barcelona is globally admired for its Modernisme (Catalan Art Nouveau) architecture, most famously expressed through the visionary works of Antoni Gaudí, whose masterpieces like the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, and La Pedrera have become enduring symbols of the city. The 1992 Summer Olympics marked a turning point in Barcelona’s modern development, helping transform its urban landscape and elevate its global status. Today, the city is celebrated for its dynamic blend of historic neighborhoods, cutting-edge design, world-class cuisine, Mediterranean beaches, and passionate football culture—all of which reflect Barcelona’s unique blend of tradition, creativity, and cosmopolitan flair.
💡Barcelona: Good to Know
🛂 Visa: Canada, Australia, the US, Korea, and Japan are visa-exempt for a stay of up to 90 days
✈️ Closest Airport: Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN)
💬 Language: Catalan and Spanish but English is widely spoken
🏷️ Price Level: It is said that Spain is about 30% cheaper than the US
🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / Spain US$ 6.20
💰 Currency: Euro (EUR)| 1 USD = ca. 0.90 EUR)
☀️ Best Times to Visit: spring (March to May) and fall (September and October)
🚘 Transportation: local trains, metro, city buses, and taxis, with options for bike sharing
🔌 Adapter: Spain uses type C and F plugs. No adapter is needed if you are from Europe, but one is needed when coming from the US
🛜 WiFi: widely available; WiFi Gratis is a free, government-provided public WiFi service that can be accessed
🏧💰ATM and “Cash or Card”: While some small stores take only cash, payments with cards are generally accepted; ATMs are available throughout the city
💸 Tipping: Tipping is not obligatory, but rounding up or leaving small change (5–10%) in restaurants is appreciated. It’s more common in tourist areas than among locals.
🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: Port of Barcelona D'Adossat Terminal, Moll Adossat 1, 08039 Barcelona, Spain (docked)
✈️ 🚇🚕 Getting There and Around
🎟️ In Barcelona, public transportation can be paid for using several methods, including the T-Mobilitat system with a physical card or the TMB app, single tickets, and by tapping your credit or debit card on designated readers on buses and some metro stations.
✈️ Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN) is located around 10 miles (15km) southwest of the city center. The Aerobes (12.25 EUR one-way) connects both airport terminals with the centrally located Plaça de Catalunya stopping a few times along the way. Buses depart every 5-10 minutes and take about 35 minutes. Another option is the Metro L9 Sud Line that connects the terminals with various parts of the city. Fares start at 5.50 EUR.
🚇 A shuttle bus, the T-3 Portbus, links the different cruise terminals with several bus lines and the Barcelona metro (closest station is Drassanes on line L3). One-way tickets cost 3 Euro and a round-trip is 4.50 Euro. Tickets can be purchased on the bus and paid in cash only.
The metro system has a total of 12 lines and connects the city with outlying suburbs. Trains are frequent and announcements and signage are well posted and in English.
🚌 Two different companies offer hop-on-hop-off buses that connect the main sights throughout the city. City Tour Barcelona’s two lines intersect at Port Olimpic (more info here), while City Sightseeing’s buses connect at the world Trade Center stop (more info here)
🚲 The public bike sharing service in Barcelona is called AMBici, and bikes can easily be rented through the AMBici app, which allows users to locate stations with available bicycles. The first 30 minutes of each rental period is 0.15 EUR. After the first 30 minutes, you will pay 0.50 EUR for each additional 30-minute period, up to a maximum of 2 hours. If you exceed 2 hours, you will have to pay 5 EUR for each additional hour.
⭐️ Top Sights in Barcelona
"All of Barcelona's beaches are manmade with sand from Egypt."
📸 La Sagrada Familia: La Sagrada Familia, or the Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family, is a magnificent basilica in Barcelona, Spain, designed by Antoni Gaudí. Construction began in 1882 and is still ongoing, with completion projected for around 2026. The church is known for its unique architectural style, blending Gothic and Art Nouveau elements, and for its impressive scale and symbolism.
📸 Park Güell: This public park, overlooking the city, was designed by architect Antoni Gaudí. Originally intended as a residential estate, it became a public park in 1922. It is famous for its unique architectural elements, including colorful mosaic decorations, rounded forms, and structures that mimic natural shapes like tree trunks.
📸 Casa Milà (La Pedrera): La Pedrera, also known as Casa Milà, is a famous modernist building in Barcelona designed by Antoni Gaudí. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known for its undulating stone facade, wrought-iron balconies, and innovative construction techniques. The building was completed in 1912 and is considered one of Gaudí's most iconic works.
📸 Casa Batlló: Casa Batlló, located in Barcelona, Spain, is a renowned modernist building designed by Antoni Gaudí. It's known for its unique, organic design, featuring a colorful exterior facade with ceramic tiles and glass, and a curved interior with stained glass and a wooden staircase. Often called the "House of Bones" due to its facade resembling a skeleton, it's considered one of Gaudí's most important works and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
📸 La Rambla: La Rambla is a famous pedestrian street in Barcelona, Spain, known for its lively atmosphere and diverse attractions. It stretches for about 1.2 kilometers, connecting Plaça de Catalunya to the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell. The street is lined with flower stalls, street performers, shops, restaurants, and cultural institutions, making it a popular tourist destination.
📸 Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic): The Barri Gòtic, or Gothic Quarter, is the historic heart of Barcelona, dating back to Roman times. It's characterized by narrow, winding streets, medieval architecture, and remnants of Roman foundations, including the Roman wall. The quarter includes areas like the Jewish Quarter (El Call), and features notable landmarks like the Barcelona Cathedral, Plaça Sant Jaume, and Plaça del Rei.
📸 El Born District: This vibrant and historically rich neighborhood is located in the Old City (Ciutat Vella) and attracts visitors and locals alike for its unique blend of culture, architecture, and nightlife.
🍽️😋 Regional Specialties
Catalan cuisine is a rich and diverse culinary tradition of the Catalonia region in Spain, blending Mediterranean influences with unique regional specialties. It emphasizes fresh, locally sourced ingredients, especially seafood from the Mediterranean and produce from the mountains and fields. Key characteristics include the use of olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs, along with a focus on simple preparations that highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients.
🍽️ Crema Catalana: Crema Catalana is a Spanish custard dessert, often referred to as the Spanish version of Crème Brûlée. It's a smooth, creamy custard topped with a layer of caramelized sugar, typically flavored with cinnamon, citrus zest, or vanilla.
🍽️ Patatas Bravas: Patatas bravas are a popular Spanish tapas dish consisting of crispy fried potatoes served with a spicy tomato sauce (salsa brava). The name translates to "fierce potatoes" in English, referencing the sauce's bold flavor. The dish also often includes a creamy aioli for added flavor and texture.
🍽️ Escalivada: Escalivada is a traditional Catalan dish of roasted vegetables, typically eggplants and bell peppers, often including onions and tomatoes. The name "escalivada" comes from the Catalan verb "escalivar," which means "to roast in ashes" or "to cook slowly in embers," reflecting the traditional method of cooking the vegetables over an open fire.
🍽️ Esqueixada: Esqueixada is a traditional Catalan dish, a salad of shredded salt cod, tomatoes, onions, olive oil, vinegar, and salt, sometimes accompanied by a garnish of olives or hard-boiled eggs. Specific recipes vary, with some including ingredients such as eggplant and bell peppers.
🥤Cava: Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine, produced using a method similar to that of Champagne, but with different grapes and a unique flavor profile. It is produced in various regions of Spain, with the majority being made in the Penedès region near Barcelona.
🥤Sangria: Sangria is a wine-based punch drink, traditionally Spanish, that's made with red wine, chopped fruit, and a mixer like lemonade, orange juice, or sparkling water. It can also include other ingredients like liqueurs and spirits.
📍🗺️ Maps, Apps & Links
🌐 Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus I
🌐 Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus II
🚕 Cabify
🚕 Uber
🚕 Bolt