What else to see in Barcelona? Barcelona. Where should a tourist live? Where is the best place to stay in Barcelona city center?
The area of Barcelona is only 100 square meters. km (Moscow is 25 times larger) and is divided into exactly 10 parts: the districts of Old Town, Eixample, Sants-Montjuïc, Les Corts, Sarria-Sant Gervasi, Gracia, Horta Guinardo, Nou Barris, Sant Andreu and San -Marty. Most of these names mean nothing to the average tourist. Moreover, many are sure: all the attractions of the second largest city in Spain can be found in the Old Town - it is also worth settling there upon arrival. If you don’t mind overpaying for a hotel and don’t mind meeting the “night hosts” of Barcelona, this area is an ideal choice. But it also has worthy competitors - with their own obvious advantages.
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
Gracia
Tourists often deprive it of attention - and in vain. Yes, you won’t find sandy beaches and monumental stone masterpieces here during the day: the list of iconic attractions is limited to the Gaudi House Museum and the fabulously beautiful Park Güell, which was decorated by the same talented architect. But it is here that you can see how the vibrant life of the most ordinary Catalan bohemia goes on with its colorful characters, street celebrations, spontaneous concerts and exhibitions.
Gracia hosts the most picturesque of the Spanish summer festivals - Fiesta Mayor, during which the street with the best decorations is chosen.
In numerous shops here you can easily find a stunning outfit or original jewelry from local designers, and hundreds of restaurants and cafes offer a thousand and one gastronomic pleasures. Hotel prices in Gràcia are average for Barcelona: a double room in a three-room apartment costs from 90 EUR, transport accessibility is one of the highest in the city, and the crime rate is among the lowest.
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
Les Corts
Safe, remote from the center, quite expensive and green - Les Corts is divided into three districts: Les Corts proper, Maternitat y San Ramon and Pedralbes. The latter has gained great fame among those who like to live in grand style and preferably surrounded by not mere mortals. It’s quite possible to see a star here on the terrace of a neighboring villa, and a billionaire from the Forbes list at the Royal Polo Club, the Royal Tennis Club or, in extreme cases, in Cervantes Park, famous for its lush rose bushes.
First time in Barcelona: where to go, what to see - in our video review.
You can unwind your soul and empty your wallet here in the L’Illa and El Corte Ingles Diagonal shopping centers, and spend the evening with a glass of excellent wine in one of the area’s elite restaurants.
For a night in a 3* hotel they will ask from 105 EUR.
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
Sant Martí
You can see the metropolis of Barcelona, shining with the lights of skyscrapers, casinos and billboards, in Sant Martí. The district borders the main "tourist centers" of Barcelona - the Old Town and the Eixample, and at the same time rarely appears in crime chronicles. Its main symbol and landmark is a masterpiece of urbanism. The district itself is divided into several parts, and almost the whole world has heard about one of them - Villa Olimpica: it was here that the Olympic Village of the 1992 Summer Games was located. Today it is the center of not the sports, but the party life of Barcelona: restaurants, cafes, bars and the clubs replace each other like colored pieces of glass in a kaleidoscope.
The magnificent promenade and the central park “Poblenou” invite you to take a break from the hectic nightlife, and don’t skimp on gifts for your loved ones - one of the largest shopping centers in the city, Diagonal Mar (office site in English).
Sant Martí has the widest selection of hostels, apartments and hotels, including on the coast. A night in a standard room for two will cost from 95 EUR.
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
Sants-Montjuic
The largest district of Barcelona and also the transport center of the city: Sants railway station and seaport are located here. In addition to them, Sants-Montjuïc is ready to boast an impressive list of attractions: the Joan Miró Foundation, the original Spanish Village and the Museum of Catalan Art. But the main thing that tourists want to see here is an incredible music and light show performed by singing fountains that “come to life” with the onset of summer.
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
Old city
The most densely populated area with tourists. It consists of 4 large neighborhoods (Gothic, Raval, Barceloneta, Sant Pere) and is most often mentioned in police reports. Pickpockets operate on the central streets during the day, “night butterflies” flock here at night. Raval and Barceloneta are especially unfavorable, however, local authorities are doing everything possible to protect tourists.
Rooms in local hotels, especially in Barceloneta, are almost twice as expensive as the Barcelona average - from 140 EUR for two in three rubles. In Raval and the Gothic Quarter - from 80/100 EUR respectively. Prices in shops and markets are also “tourist prices”. However, you can still find a very cheap hostel in close proximity to the main architectural wonders, as well as big discounts on hotel accommodations.
It's easy to lose count of the attractions here.Having decided on a vacation spot, we always carefully choose where it is best to stay. After all, you want to live close to attractions, so as not to waste time and money on travel, and at the same time not to overpay for accommodation. In this article I will tell you what advantages and disadvantages the areas of Barcelona have and recommend good and inexpensive hotels to stay in them. All you have to do is book.
Barcelona is not such a large city as Moscow or Istanbul. Therefore, even if you do not live in the center, you can easily get to it. In addition, many attractions are located on the outskirts (for example, Park Güell or Mount Tibidabo). Public transport in the city is very well developed. From one end of Barcelona you can get there by metro in 40-50 minutes. In addition to the metro, the city has buses, trams, and electric trains. You definitely won’t have any problems getting to the right place.
As for security, it is at the same level as in other major cities in the world. Mostly tourists become victims of pickpockets, having lost their heads from admiring the art or architecture of the city. This has nothing to do with your choice of place of residence. There are no areas in Barcelona where tourists are strictly advised not to visit. Let's start our review of the districts of the capital of Catalonia from the city center.
Raval
Central divides the city into two central districts, Raval and Gotico. First of all, let's look at the Raval. It is located from Plaza Catalunya to the sea coast, but it is far from the beaches. The area has old buildings made up of low-rise buildings. About a century ago, this area was one of the most disadvantaged and was considered a red light district. Brothels were located in it and gangs of robbers operated there. This bad reputation still lives on. Although outwardly it is difficult to see anything criminal here. However, the area is now home to many immigrants from Africa and Asia, so it is better not to go into the dark alleys of the area alone. It happened, but on one of our trips we happened to live in this area. We lived five minutes from La Rambla, on a fairly busy street. It was not possible to notice any incidents, but there are indeed a lot of visitors there and this immediately catches the eye. But it is conveniently located and housing prices are affordable. The area has many second-hand bookstores and private boutiques of clothing that simply cannot be found elsewhere in the city.
Advantages:
- Affordable cost of living,
- Proximity to main attractions,
- Inexpensive cafes and shops.
Flaws:
- There are many immigrants due to which it is considered unsafe at night.
- Modern Art Museum,
- The oldest church in Barcelona (Sant Pau del Camp),
- Palace Guell,
- Market San Antoni.
The best hotels in the Raval area
Find an inexpensive hotel
Gothic (Barrio gotico)
On the other side of La Rambla is the Gothic Quarter. This is an area with well-preserved medieval buildings. It has narrow, confusing streets and massive buildings. Active development of the area took place in the 14th-15th centuries in the Gothic style, but earlier objects have also been preserved - for example, the ruins of a Roman wall. Numerous cafes and shops are located on the ground floors of the buildings. The Gothic Quarter is popular among tourists and a walk through it is included in the list of must-see places. If you want to live in a medieval city, choose the Gothic area to live. Before choosing an area, check out my map of the main attractions.
Advantages:
- It is close to many attractions, and it itself has many objects worth visiting;
- Developed infrastructure
Flaws:
- Tourist prices for everything;
- Metro stations are located outside the area. The walk to the station will take 10-15 minutes.
- Many streets are pedestrian and vehicles are limited in the Gothic Quarter. Therefore, you cannot take a taxi to the hotel.
- Barcelona Cathedral, Jewish Quarter, Church of Santa Maria del Pi, Grand Royal Palace, Barcelona City Hall.
El Born
Born is another central area of the city, located close to Barceloneta beach. It is quiet and cozy. This area will be an excellent choice for those tourists who value silence, but prefer to live in the city center.
Advantages:
- Proximity to the sea;
- Quiet area;
- Affordable prices for accommodation and meals in restaurants;
- Easy to reach the Gothic Quarter and the main street.
Flaws:
- It will take 10-15 minutes to get to the metro;
- Most rooms in houses and hotels are small.
Main attractions:
- Picasso Museum, Church of Santa Maria del Maar, Zoo, .
Barceloneta
This area is a great choice for lovers of coastal life and vibrant nightlife. From anywhere in the area you can walk to the sea within 10 minutes, but during the season the beach is often crowded. Barceloneta was originally a small fishing village, but as Barcelona developed it became a developed tourist area. Since the area is located by the sea, you can try freshly caught fish in the best fish restaurants in the city.
Advantages:
- Lively both day and night;
- Proximity of the sea;
- The best fish restaurants are located here;
- An excellent embankment for evening walks and sports training.
Flaws:
- High tourist prices;
- Apartments and hotel rooms are small in size, as they once served fishermen, the city’s poor population;
- Very noisy.
Main attractions:
- Museum of History of Catalonia, Aquarium.
Villa Olimpica
The farthest area along the sea. It follows immediately after Barceloneta. The name of the area is associated with the Olympic Village, which was built here for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. There are quite new modern buildings in this area, so it is possible to rent apartments with a good layout and large area at affordable prices. And the opportunity to live near the sea makes it attractive for families with children. There are two beaches in the area, Icaria and Bogatell, which are less crowded during the season than the neighboring Barceloneta beach.
Advantages:
- Quiet area for family holidays;
- Near the sea;
- Proximity to the Ciutadella Park and Zoo.
Flaws:
- Poor transport links.
Main attractions:
- Port Olimpico, the famous twin towers, sculpture of a golden fish designed by Franco Gehry.
Poblenou
In its recent past, Poblenou was an industrial area, but now it is a well-developed residential area with comfortable housing. Accommodation there will cost much less than in the central areas of the city. Not only are prices for hotels and apartments lower here, but also for food. There are many cafes and restaurants in the area with non-tourist prices aimed at locals. At the same time, it is easy to get to the sea from it.
Advantages:
- Proximity to the sea;
- Close to the Ciutadella Park;
- Quiet area with good housing;
- Inexpensive cafes.
Flaws:
- Remote from the central attractions of the city.
Main attractions:
- Rambla de Poblenou, Parque del Poblenou. The Can Framis Museum of Catalan Art and the Agbar Tower are nearby.
Sant Marti
This area is suitable for those who want to experience the real life of ordinary Barcelona residents. This is a typical middle class residential area populated by local residents. In terms of population, it ranks second in the city. It features a homogeneous residential development with a large number of shops, parks and entertainment venues. Historically, this area was developed through the Condol Canal, which transports water from Montcada to Barcelona.
Advantages:
- Quiet residential area.
Flaws:
- No attractions;
- Far from the center and the sea.
Sant Andreu
Sant Andreu is a district of true Catalans. Before joining Barcelona, it was a separate independent city. Thanks to this circumstance, Sant Andreu has retained its self-sufficiency and authenticity. There are no iconic landmarks, but there are many park areas. The basis of the area is modern apartment buildings.
Advantages:
- Quiet residential area.
Flaws:
- Far from the sea and the center;
- Almost no attractions.
Main attractions:
- La Maquinista shopping center, Sant Andreu church, Bac de Roda bridge.
Clot
Clot is a small residential area where Catalans live. It has no attractions or nightlife. There are only a few bars that are popular with the locals.
Advantages:
- A huge shopping center Glories with supermarkets and cafes;
- Proximity to Enkants flea market;
- Clot train station, from which you can get to the airport.
Flaws:
- As in other residential areas, you can see something interesting nearby only in the neighboring Sagrada Familia district.
Sagrada familia
This small area is often combined with the Eixample district. As you can guess from the name, the main attraction of the area is the world-famous Sagrada Familia.
Advantages:
- Proximity to Sagrada Familia and Sant Pau Hospital;
- Good transport accessibility;
- The center can be reached on foot if you like long walks.
Flaws:
- A large number of tourists;
- Tourist prices for everything.
Main attractions:
- Sagrada Familia, Sant Pau Hospital.
Eixample
Development of the area began in the second half of the 19th century. The Eixample is located next to the Gothic Quarter and strongly contrasts with it in architectural style. Eixample is distinguished by parallel streets that divide the area into blocks. Finding the desired address is quite simple. The area is considered an excellent representative of modernism. Tours are often held along it for architecture lovers. Plaça Catalunya conventionally divides the Eixample district into right and left parts. Wealthy Catalans live on the right, and the middle class on the left.
Advantages:
- City center;
- Proximity to attractions;
- Good transport accessibility, including to the suburbs. From Passeig de Gracia station, trains depart to Sitges, Port Aventura, Girona and Valencia;
- Prices are lower than in the Gothic Quarter.
Flaws:
- Noisy and many tourists.
Main attractions:
- Gaudi's houses: Batlo house, Mila house, Discord quarter;
- Passage de Gracia, considered the most shopping street in Barcelona. It presents both expensive and cheap brands;
- Park Joan Miro.
Horta Guinardo
This is the third largest district of Barcelona. Until the early 20th century, it served as an agricultural suburb of the city. It preserves several medieval farms, fortresses and aristocratic estates. Currently, Horta Guinardo is a quiet residential area.
Advantages
- Good transport accessibility;
- Affordable prices for hotels and apartments.
Flaws
- Far from the center and main attractions.
Main attractions
- Orta Labyrinth Park, on the border of the Sant Pau Hospital area, Olympic Velodrome.
Gracia Gracia)
The Gràcia district has been chosen by Barcelona's bohemians. Many artists and artists live here. On the street you can meet many informal young people who surprise tourists with their appearance. However, the area is considered quiet in terms of living. Until the 19th century, this area was not part of Barcelona. His self-sufficiency and independence still stands out today. The area is best known for its five-day festival in August. During it, residents compete with each other to decorate their houses. The area is simply transforming before our eyes. If you are in Barcelona at this time, be sure to visit Gracia.
Advantages:
- Spacious apartments;
- Quiet and peaceful area.
Flaws:
- Far from the sea;
Main attractions:
- Park Güell, Casa Vincennes.
Sarria Sant Gervasi
Like the neighboring district, Pedralbes is one of the most expensive areas of the city, where the wealthiest residents live. Living there is fashionable and prestigious, but it will not be entirely convenient for tourists. It was formed from several villages that became part of Barcelona. The area perfectly combines peace and tranquility with modern buildings with a convenient layout. Elite restaurants and clubs are located here.
Advantages:
- Peace and quiet.
Flaws:
- Far from the center, the sea and the main attractions.
Main attractions:
- Cosmo Caixa, Tibidabo Park, Barcelona Observatory.
Pedralbes
If you want to live next door to politicians or show business stars, choose the Pedralbes area. Even the daughter of the King of Spain lives here. This is the most expensive area of Barcelona, built up with mansions and luxury complexes. The area owes its name to the Pedralbes Monastery, founded in 1326. Pedralbes is home to the Royal Tennis Club and the Royal Floor Club.
Advantages:
- Clean and green.
Flaws:
- Expensive residential area;
- Far from the tourist center.
Main attractions:
- Pedralbes Monastery, Pedralbes Palace, American Embassy.
Les Corts
Next to the most expensive area of the city is the economic and financial center - the Les Corts district. It houses high-quality hotels, restaurants and shops. The famous nightclub Elefhant is famous for its incendiary parties, which attract a wealthy audience.
Advantages:
- Good hotels and apartments;
- Good transport accessibility.
Flaws:
- Distance from the city center.
Main attractions:
- FC Barcelona Camp Nou Stadium, FC Barca Museum.
Sants
This is an old industrial area with its own atmosphere and style. It houses the city's main train station, Estacio de Sants, where trains from El Prat Airport arrive.
Advantages:
- Easy to reach in any direction in Spain.
Flaws:
- Not close to the city center.
Main attractions:
- Not far from the area there is Mount Montjuic, Plaza de España, singing fountains, and the Camp Nou stadium.
Montjuic
The area is located on the Montjuic hill, 173 meters high. It was the center of the 1992 Olympic Games, to which many sports facilities were built.
My walk around Montjuic.
Advantages:
- Green
- Lots of interesting things to see
- Beautiful view of Barcelona
Flaws:
- Far from the sea and Gaudí sites
Main attractions
- El Castell Castle, National Palace on Plaza España, Museum of Catalan Art, Spanish village Poble Espanyol, La Fuente Magica color and musical fountain.
Poblesec
Poblesec is a quiet residential area with an industrial past and Catalan flavor. It is located at the foot of Montjuic mountain.
Advantages:
- Proximity to attractions;
- Convenient location.
Flaws:
- Small apartments.
Main attractions:
- Nearby there is a singing fountain, Laribal gardens, Blai street with topas and pintxos.
Sant Antony
San Antonia perfectly combines the opportunity to live in the city center near the attractions and the absence of noise and large numbers of tourists.
Advantages:
- Calm and quiet;
- Close to the center and main attractions;
- Lots of small cafes and wine bars.
Flaws:
- Close to Raval
Main attractions:
- Nearby are La Rambla and the Sant Antonia market (currently under reconstruction).
Barcelona districts on the city map
To easily navigate the location of the districts, use the map. It clearly shows how the area is located relative to others and the city center.
A selection of hotels with high ratings and discounts near the center of Barcelona
This selection will allow you to choose a good hotel and save money.
Now you know the pros and cons of each area of Barcelona, which means you can easily decide for yourself where it is better to stay.
Barcelona is a large and diverse city, full of many leisure and shopping opportunities. Choosing a suitable hotel or apartment is not so easy, so we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the housing options using the link.
To help with this, we've put together an overview of the city's areas of accommodation for travelers. And in our application you will find even more useful information immediately with a map.
Barcelona consists of 10 main districts:
Flaw: no large supermarkets, “tourist” prices. - only for young, playful, party-goers and club lovers. During the season it is very noisy, tourists from England and Italy are disorderly, for them it is quite normal, for example, to urinate from the balcony or go to the store in what their mother gave birth to. Local residents held demonstrations demanding that they stop renting apartments to tourists in the area, after which Barcelona stopped issuing licenses for tourist apartments.
There are many people in Barcelona who will say that the best place to live in the Catalan capital is in the Barceloneta area. This means seeing the sea every day (the journey to it takes a maximum of 10 minutes). The Catalans themselves, however, are not very fond of the local water: at the height of the season there is nowhere for an apple to fall, and the quality of the water leaves much to be desired. Barceloneta has numerous seafood restaurants, but their prices also cater mainly to tourists.
From a port area to a prestigious resort area, Barceloneta has turned into. Traces of transformation are noticeable, for example, in the apartments - they are a bit cramped here because they were built mainly for fishermen.
Barceloneta can be recommended to avid party-goers - like Opium, CDLC and discos in , are a few hundred meters away. And finally, to the athletes. If you don’t neglect your activities while on vacation, the promenade along Barceloneta is an ideal place for morning and evening jogging.
You can view and book hotels in the El Born area using this link.
Raval
Advantages: low housing prices, good selection of cafes and restaurants
Flaws: unsafe at night
Gracia
Advantages: best restaurants in the city, non-mainstream shopping
Flaws: far from the sea
Dangerous areas of Barcelona
Barcelona is generally a safe city. One exception is the Lower Raval, a red-light district where evening and nighttime traffic can be unsettling.
Also around the most famous ones, especially on the street (La Rambla), gangs of petty scammers operate. They work in groups of 2-3 people. Be alert in Barcelona, watch your belongings, follow basic safety rules, and nothing will happen to you: do not take anything from suspicious persons.
Barcelona, like many megacities, is a city of contrasts. And therefore, almost every tourist can find an area to their liking here. We told you about the main pros and cons of each of them, and the choice is yours.
Have a great stay in Barcelona!
Trip to Barcelona
According to legend, in ancient times Barcelona was founded by Hercules - the same one who performed 12 labors. Having experienced ups and downs over a thousand-year history, today Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia and the largest tourist center on the Mediterranean coast.
It is unknown why - maybe because of the abundance of sun and proximity to the sea, maybe because of the passionate Catalan temperament, or maybe because of the mythological past, the inhabitants of Barcelona have outstanding abilities in art. Artists Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Antonio Saura, Juan Villafuerte worked here, and outstanding opera singers Jose Carreras and Montserrat Caballe still live here. Finally, the great Antonio Gaudi worked in Barcelona, revolutionizing ideas about what was possible in architecture and giving the city a completely unique look. We are 100% sure that a trip to Barcelona will take its rightful place on your travel list.
Before you start planning your trip, download our mobile app - Travel Planner for iPhone or Android. With its help, you can not only take advantage of hundreds of attractions, ready-made routes, offline maps and GPS, but also completely plan your trip to Barcelona.
How to get to Barcelona?
The most convenient way to get to Barcelona from cities in Russia, the CIS and the Baltic countries is by plane. From Moscow and St. Petersburg, direct flights in this direction are provided by Vueling, Iberia, Aeroflot, Transaero, Rossiya, Vim-Avia and Ural Airlines, travel time is 4.5 hours. Direct flights from Kyiv to Barcelona are provided by Iberia and Ukraine International Airlines, travel time is 3.5 hours. Flights with connections can be found on many other European air carriers: Lufthansa, Finnair, airBaltic, SAS, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, etc.
Advice, repeatedly verified by the Ever.Travel team: the cheapest air tickets are on Aviasales.ru. This is an aggregator site that shows prices from several airlines and agencies at once, allowing you to choose the most profitable one. Carrier offers can be filtered by price, departure dates and times, airport, number of transfers and many other factors. For more information on how to find the cheapest flights, read tips from Ever.Travel.
Where to stay in Barcelona?
To avoid wasting time on travel and money on public transport, we recommend choosing accommodation in the center of Barcelona. You shouldn’t think that there are exclusively expensive hotels there - in almost any area of the city, even in the historical center, you can find hotels, apartments or hostels for every taste and budget. So let's start with the places where you would really like to stay in Barcelona.
Map of Barcelona districts
Old Town (Ciutat Vella)
In the central area of the capital of Catalonia there are some of the most famous city attractions: the Gothic Quarter, Rambla, Liceu Theater, Christopher Columbus Monument, Picasso Museum, Cathedral of the Holy Cross and St. Eulalia, Boqueria Market, Palace Güell and many other interesting places . There are also many different cafes, bars, restaurants, shops and department stores. In short, if you want to live in the very center of tourist life, choose the historical center of Barcelona!
For a tourist trip, as a rule, a multiple visa is issued for a period of 6 months (the maximum period of stay in the country is 90 days in every 180 days). Quite often, if you have previously issued Schengen visas in your passport, the Spanish consulate issues multiple visas valid for 1-2 years.
Registration of a tourist visa to Spain usually takes 4-5 working days, but in some cases these periods may increase. You should take care of this issue no later than two weeks before your trip to Barcelona. And at the height of the summer season, on the eve of the New Year holidays or May holidays, even earlier - at least a month in advance.
If you do not want to understand the intricacies of obtaining a visa to Spain, we recommend using the VisaToHome service. With it you don't even have to leave the house! You just need to answer a couple of questions, and the specialists will do the rest for you: the courier will pick up the necessary documents, managers will fill out a form, transfer the data to the consulate, even a passport with the coveted visa will be delivered to your home! In short, no more queues at the embassy, returns due to an incomplete package of documents and stress while waiting for an answer. Entrust your worries to professionals; getting a visa is easy!
How to get from Barcelona airport to the city
Barcelona-El Prat International Airport- the largest in Catalonia and the second in passenger turnover in Spain. You can get to the city center by train or city bus, but the most convenient way is Aerobús express buses. They run from 5:30 to 01:00 and stop at Plaça d’Espanya, Gran Via Corts Catalanesl, Pl. Universitat and Pl. Catalunya. Travel time is 30-40 minutes, the cost of a one-way ticket is 5.9 euros, a return ticket is 10.2 euros (valid for 15 days).
At night, you can take buses no. 16 and no. 17, which go every 20 minutes from 22:00 to 5:00 to Plaça de Catalunya.
However, if you are arriving with small children, elderly relatives or huge suitcases, then it will be much more convenient to order a transfer from Barcelona airport. This is easy to do using the KiwiTaxi service. Russian-language interface, ready-made offers, guaranteed meeting at the airport - these are just a few of the advantages this service provides. Travel in greater comfort!
Car rental in Barcelona
Those who have been traveling independently for a long time should consider an even more attractive option - renting a car in Barcelona using the RentalCars service. This way you get maximum freedom of movement: you can rent a car immediately at El Prat airport, drive it comfortably to the hotel, then drive around Barcelona as much as you like, go to Valencia, Madrid, Figueres, and maybe even France or Italy. All in your hands!
Barcelona city transport
Barcelona's transport system is vast, complex and not always easy to understand. The city and surrounding area are divided into zones that determine the cost of travel. However, most of the attractions are concentrated in zone 1.
Barcelona Metro consists of 11 lines and 164 stations. Opening hours: Monday-Thursday - from 5:00 to 23:00, Friday, Saturday and holidays - from 5:00 to 2:00, Sunday - from 6:00 to 24:00.
There are 109 bus routes in Barcelona, including night ones. Thus, the route network covers the entire city and suburbs. In order for the bus to stop, you need to give a hand signal at the stop or press a special button inside the cabin. Barcelona's trams also connect remote areas of the city with the center.
There is a single ticket for all types of transport; it costs 2 euros for one trip and allows you to make a transfer within 30 minutes after validation. Buying a ticket for 10 trips will allow you to save significantly: it costs 9.80 euros and can be used by several people at once. There is also a 1-day unlimited pass which costs €7.25 for one zone.
Tourist maps in Barcelona
See also our guides to Barcelona. There is no need to think through anything with them - we have developed ready-made walking routes especially for you:
Well, if you prefer to walk around the city in the company of people rather than gadgets, pay attention to a service called Excursiopedia. There you can find many interesting excursions around Barcelona accompanied by professional guides. Here are a couple of extremely tempting offers for example:
- Sagrada Familia from the service entrance - you can meet the current architects of the legendary temple and even climb the scaffolding! Most tourists don’t even dare to dream about this!
- The Salvador Dali Theater-Museum in Figueres is a must-see for true fans of the brilliant Spanish artist. This is not just a museum, it is a real immersion into its surreal world!
- All the sights of Barcelona. Explore the capital of Catalonia in comfort - a double-decker tourist bus will take you to the most important places in the city. All you have to do is go out and visit them. Visit time is unlimited!
Mobile communications and Internet in Spain
Barcelona has a municipal free Wi-Fi network with a total of 444 hotspots. You can find them using a blue indicator with a “W” sign. Many cafes, restaurants and shopping centers also have free chains.
Mobile operators offer special rates for tourists. For example, with a SIM-holidays card from Orange mobile calls to Russia will cost 8 cents per minute, and every 10 MB of traffic - 30 cents. Operator Movistar offers to buy a SIM card with 75 minutes of talk time and 1 GB of traffic for 9 euros. If you purchase several SIM cards Lebara Movil or Happy Movil, then you can talk to each other at very competitive rates or even for free.
Shopping in Barcelona
Like any major city, Barcelona has modern shopping centers, designer boutiques and affordable brands. The main shopping avenue of the city - Passeig de Gracia. Clothing, shoes and accessories of Spanish brands are presented on a parallel street Rambla de Catalunia, mass market - on the street Pelai. Souvenirs can be viewed on the boulevard Rambla, delicacies - cheeses, jamon, wine - at the Boqueria or Sant Antoni markets.
Everything at once and under one roof can be found in large shopping centers - L'Illa, Maremagnum, Bulevard Rosa, Il Cortes Ingles. From Monday to Saturday, shops are open from 9:30 to 13:30, then a siesta break, and then from 16:30 to 22:00. Sunday is usually a day off. Large shopping centers are open from 10:00 to 22:00. Sales in Barcelona - Rebajas- take place twice a year: in January-February and July-August.
Catalan cuisine
During the years of repression, the richest Catalan cuisine was almost completely lost and, with great difficulty, was revived in 1996 at a special congress of chefs. The basis of Catalan cuisine is meat, seafood and vegetables; tomatoes, onions, red peppers, eggplants, artichokes and mushrooms are especially popular.
The simplest and most traditional snacks are toasted bread rubbed with garlic, olive oil, tomato and salt (pa amb tomaquet) and grilled onions served on clay tiles.
No meal is complete without four sauces: sofrito (made from garlic, onions, tomatoes, peppers and herbs), samphaina (from tomatoes, peppers and eggplant), picada (from garlic, herbs and roasted almonds) and ali-oli (from garlic with olive oil).
Various sausages and sausages are very popular - fried ones are usually served with a side dish of white beans (botifarra amb mongetes), dried ones are eaten just like that. Pay attention to “Mar i Muntanya”, which means “sea and mountains”, is a whole group of Catalan dishes that combine meat and seafood. Don't forget to try real paella - for example, black “arros negre” with cuttlefish.
In Barcelona, the attitude towards tips is restrained: they are not left obligatory, but as a reward for good service. The usual rate is 5%, in exceptional cases - 10%; in cafes and bars you can simply round up the bill. Keep in mind that in many establishments, sitting at a table on the terrace will be the same 5-10% more expensive than inside the restaurant.
History of Barcelona
There is no reliable information about the time of Barcelona's founding. It is known that the age of the city exceeds two thousand years, and during its history it has been subjected to raids and seizures more than once. Around 15 BC An ancient Roman fortification was built on one of the hills, inside which the city of Barsino began to grow quite quickly - thanks to its favorable location and convenient harbor.
At the beginning of the 5th century it was captured by the Visigoths, and at the beginning of the 8th century by the Moors. During Muslim rule, Barcelona practically did not develop. But when in 801 the son of Emperor Charlemagne, Louis the Pious, recaptured these lands from the Arabs, the city became the capital of the Spanish March - a buffer zone between France and the Moorish possessions. In the 10th-11th centuries, the Catalan counts achieved real independence from the Franks, and in 1162 Alfonso II ascended the throne of the Kingdom of Aragon.
In 1469, the marriage of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon marked the beginning of the unification of Spain - and the decline of Barcelona. Numerous sieges, captures and robberies ravaged the city, and the development of new sea trade routes aggravated the situation.
Only in the 19th century was Barcelona able to recover, becoming a major industrial center. The medieval walls had to be demolished to allow the city to expand. Along with economic development, the national movement also intensified: Catalan activists demanded autonomy for the region. The Spanish government responded with cultural and political repression, in particular a ban on the use of the Catalan language. Only in the 70s of the last century did Catalonia gain the right to develop its language and culture.
It is important to know:
Holidays and non-working days:
Good Friday and Easter
Well, it seems that we have told you almost all the organizational nuances, it’s time to move on to dessert - decide what to watch! , plan your trip to Barcelona on the interactive city map, synchronize it with the Ever.Travel mobile application and enjoy your trip!
IN: We are going to Barcelona for 3 days from May 16 - 19 and we would like to see as much as possible during this time, most likely we will be using public transport, so we want to stay somewhere in the center, in a three or four star hotel. What is the best area to stay in Barcelona? Thank you.
ABOUT: You can stay anywhere in the city center, closer to a metro station. There are subways in most places with tourist attractions. If you want to stay in the very center of cultural life, then you need to go to La Rambla or to the Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter). This area also has the best transport options, with buses, metro and trains, namely Plaça Catalunya, which is located at the beginning of La Rambla.
We have written several articles to help you decide on the choice of area to live. The main thing is a guide to the areas of Barcelona (Barrio guide). This is a description of all the main areas of Barcelona to help you choose where to stay.
Secondly, we have made a map of hotels in Barcelona, on which hotels are marked with links to detailed reviews of these hotels. This way you can easily choose your hotel. The descriptions also contain links to booking hotels online.
Map of Barcelona hotels - the map shows hotels in each district of the city with links to detailed descriptions of each of them.
Loading...