Barcelona
Spain
- Sagrada Família
- Park Güell
- Casa Batlló
- La Rambla
- Gothic Quarter
About Barcelona
Barcelona, on the Mediterranean coast, is the capital of Catalonia and Spain's second-largest city. Founded in Roman times, it grew into a major maritime trading power in the Middle Ages.
Antoni Gaudí's buildings, such as the Sagrada Família and Park Güell, the narrow lanes of the Gothic Quarter and a long stretch of beaches define its character.
How many days do you need?
Allow at least three days: one for the Sagrada Família and the Gaudí houses on Passeig de Gràcia, one for the Gothic Quarter, La Rambla and El Born, and one for Park Güell and the Barceloneta seafront. A fourth day can go to Montjuïc hill.
Where to stay
- Eixample — Orderly grid streets, Gaudí buildings and good metro connections.
- Gothic Quarter and El Born — Inside the historic centre; lively at night, and some streets can be noisy.
- Gràcia — More local and relaxed, with small squares and cafés.
From the airport to the city
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) is about 9 miles southwest of the centre. Aerobús coaches run from both terminals to Plaça de Catalunya; metro line L9 Sud reaches both terminals, where a special airport ticket is required. The R2 Nord commuter train also runs into the city from T2.
Getting around
Metro, buses, trams and commuter trains share an integrated fare system; some multi-trip cards cannot be shared between travellers, so check the type you buy. Much of the centre is walkable.
Good to know
- The Sagrada Família, Park Güell and Casa Batlló use timed tickets; book ahead, especially in summer.
- Pickpocketing is common on La Rambla and on the metro; keep bags in front of you.
- The official languages are Catalan and Spanish, and dinner usually starts after 9 pm. The currency is the euro.
Useful links
- Barcelona Turisme barcelonaturisme.com
- TMB (metro and buses) tmb.cat
- Barcelona-El Prat Airport (Aena) aena.es/en/josep-tarradellas-barcelona-el-prat.html
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: April–June and September–October. The warmest month is July (average high 87 °F); the wettest is October (2.7 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 55.0 | 1.27 | Cool or rainy |
| February | 57.0 | 1.04 | Cool or rainy |
| March | 61.7 | 1.78 | Good |
| April | 66.7 | 1.91 | Ideal |
| May | 73.8 | 1.80 | Ideal |
| June | 81.3 | 1.30 | Ideal |
| July | 87.1 | 1.02 | Good |
| August | 86.4 | 1.55 | Good |
| September | 79.5 | 2.30 | Ideal |
| October | 72.3 | 2.69 | Ideal |
| November | 62.4 | 2.25 | Good |
| December | 56.7 | 1.04 | Cool or rainy |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
More in this region
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- EpiphanyJanuary 6
- Good FridayMarch 26
- Labour DayMay 1
- AssumptionAugust 15
- Fiesta Nacional de EspañaOctober 12
- All Saints' DayNovember 1
- Día de la Constitución EspañolaDecember 6
- Immaculate ConceptionDecember 8
- Christmas DayDecember 25
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyEuro (€)
- Dialling code+34
- Plugs & voltageType C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz
- Emergency112
- DrivingOn the right
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.