Barcelona city break guide
Barcelona is a charming Mediterranean city that has everything you need for an unforgettable holiday: vibrant lifestyle, lots of sunshine, impressive architecture and art, delicious food. The grandiose buildings designed by Gaudi are the most recognizable landmarks in Barcelona while the Gothic facades around the city are not to be missed. Whether you’re going on a holiday or attending the Mobile World Congress, this guide will help you to get familiar with the Barcelona airport transfer options and getting around the city, as well as the top attractions, places to eat and shopping areas.
Barcelona airport transfer
Barcelona airport, El Prat, is the main hub for international flights in Barcelona area. It has two terminals: T1 — the main terminal serving flights from major airlines and T2 — for low-cost airlines. The airport has a good connection to the city centre and the Barcelona airport transfer can take from 20–30 minutes depending on the transport type and traffic conditions.
Public transport is a cost-effective option for solo travelers. The Barcelona airport bus runs every 5 mins from T1 and every 10 mins from T2 during the day. The cheaper bus transfer option is to take regular bus number 46 or night bus lines N17 and N16. There is a train station at T2 at walking distance, or if you arrive at T1 there is a free shuttle running between the two terminals. The train route has multiple stops and if you’re headed to the city centre, it is recommended to take off at Passeig de Gràcia station. From 12th of February 2016, the Barcelona airport is connected to the city via metro line. However, the metro will not take you directly to the city centre, so you will need to switch to another line.
Barcelona airport taxis are available at the taxi ranks on both terminals. There is a taxi marshal regulating the taxi line and who can help you if you any special requests. You need to be aware that not all taxi drivers are English speakers and it’s a good idea to have your address written down on a piece of paper.
The fastest and most convenient way of Barcelona airport transfer is by booking online a private Barcelona airport transfer. This way you will avoid waiting in a queue for a taxi at the taxi ranks or switching busses and trains to get to your accommodation. The Barcelona airport transfer service includes free flight monitoring, so in case there any flight delays, the pickup time will be adjusted by the provider. The taxi driver will be waiting for you at the Barcelona airport holding a sign with your name and will take you directly to your accommodation. The private Barcelona airport transfer is a very cost-effective option if you’re travelling with a group since the price is fixed and per vehicle, so the cost is split among the passengers. The Barcelona airport transfer service should be booked in advance at least 24 hours prior the trip.
Getting around Barcelona
Barcelona is a relatively compact city, easy to navigate and you can visit the main attractions by foot. For reaching the suburbs or nearby areas, you can use public transport or Barcelona taxi. The public transport system in Barcelona consists of an extensive and interlinked network of metro, bus and tram lines.
The preferred public transport option in Barcelona is the metro. It is very efficiently organized and the network consists of six major lines running near every major attraction in the city. You will easily spot the red diamond-shaped signs with the letter M. The main metro station is Plaça de Catalunya. The Barcelona bus network consists of over 100 lines covering every corner of the city. There are night lines as well, which is especially convenient the Barcelona nightlife. However, avoid taking a bus in rush hour, as it gets really crowded on the streets and the journey make take much longer than expected.
Barcelona taxis are the fastest and most comfortable transport type for getting around the city. The service is available 24 hours and you can easily spot them on the streets. You can get a taxi right on the street or pre-book it online with City-Airport-Taxis.com. You can also book with us a private Barcelona tour and spend a relaxed day exploring the city.
Places to visit
The first thing that comes to your mind when thinking about Barcelona is Gaudi and the incredible work he left behind. La Sagrada Familia is an imposing building which is still unfinished. The construction started in 1882 under the supervision of Gaudi himself, and after his death, the construction continued according to his plans. The final look of the cathedral should have 3 facades representing the three most important parts of Jesus Christ’s life: his birth, passion and resurrection. Each facade should have 4 towers (12 in totals) each representing one apostle. The finished facades are open to the public and you can climb the stairs to the top of the towers or take a lift. The view is magnificent and it will be worthwhile.
Catedral de la Seu or commonly referred to as Barcelona Cathedral is an impressive building and a repository of significant historical heritage. It dates back to the 14th century and though it differs from Gaudi’s La Sagrada and some may not find it impressive enough, this Gothic cathedral will capture your attention with the beautiful tower bells and magnificent interior. The sight is especially incredible at night with the light coming through the stained-glass windows. Inside the cathedral is the sarcophagus of Santa Eulalia, co-patroness of Barcelona. Also, the interior displays narratives of the life of Santa Eulalia in the reliefs around the choir.
Situated in five medieval stone castles in El Raval district, the Picasso Museum is one of its kinds. The unique setting and the impressive collection of Picasso’s early work make this museum one of the top attractions to visit in Barcelona. This museum houses over 3,500 art pieces so this collection is one of the strongest from Picasso’s early years of work. The art pieces are displayed chronologically so you can get a better feel how his work progressed over the years.
Barcelona dining scene
Going out and eating with friends or family is an important social activity in Barcelona. Lunch is the most important meal and from 2 pm to 4 pm everyone is headed to the local restaurants or home. Dinner time, on the other hand, is much later than other countries, so the best time to go out is from 10 pm. Catalonian cuisine differs from the rest of Spain, with seafood and pork dishes among the favorites. Paella is a popular dish, as well, and tapas bars are great for casual dinner, especially if you had heavy lunch.
Just like in every other famous destination, it is important to know where to eat and not fall into tourist traps. There are some areas in Barcelona which are famous to have good food spots. For example, if you’re looking for traditional Catalan food, the best restaurants can be found in the Barri Gotic quarter, while fans of Mediterranean food can go to Barceloneta.
Shopping in Barcelona
Barcelona is a fashion-savvy city, but unlike the posh Milan and Paris, here you will find people dressed in famous designer labels and cool hipsters at the same time. But shopping in Barcelona is not all about fashion. You will find many alternative ways to max out your wallet and get back home with interesting gifts and souvenirs at relatively affordable prices. Spain is the home of the brand Zara, so you will find stores on every corner while if you’re visiting Barcelona during sales season, you won’t leave empty-handed for sure.
One of the main shopping areas in Barcelona is the Portal de l’Àngel where you will find the popular shops like Zara, H&M and Mango. On the other hand, Passeig de Gracia is a mix of exclusive brands and affordable stores. If you’re looking for more unique and vintage clothes and gifts, then you should head to El Bulevard Rosa and El Born, where the small boutiques and charming shops can be found. Bargain shopping enthusiasts will be happy to hear about La Roca Outlet Village, located just 40 minutes drive from Barcelona city centre. There are several providers organizing tours to this outlet village or you can take a Barcelona taxi. With over 100 stores of the most famous designer labels, restaurants and cafes, this is the tourists’ favorite shopping destination. Brands like Armani, Prada, D&G offer discounts up to 60%.
Originally published at www.city-airport-taxis.com on February 3, 2016.
