El Prat International Airport in Barcelona, BCN, is a popular Mediterranean hub that sees some 50 million passengers flow through each year. The city is a jumping off point for cruise itineraries and a gateway to popular island destinations, like Mallorca, another Catalan destination off the Spanish coast. Barcelona Airport is only 10 miles from Barcelona city center. The airport is small with only two terminals and is a center for many of Europe’s budget air connections. 

Barcelona El Prat International Airport amenities: While many airports in the world offer world-class shopping, few among them offer VIP personal shopping assistants to make the process of choice and purchasing that much easier. The airport brings a wide selection of luxury stores and the chance to get personal assistance with Duty Free navigation and onsite tax relief.

Barcelona Travel Guide

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and is a must-see city with its own identity and colorful history. The city brings urban beaches full of great people watching opportunities by day and a buzzing nightlife scene by night. Some of the top things to do in Barcelona are listed below.

Getting around Barcelona

Barcelona has a good public transportation network and it is best to travel long distances using the Metro. Barcelona is a fairly compact city and you can explore the city by walking around the city. You can also opt for taxis, which are quite affordable and another good way to get around. Buses are also cheap and easy to use. Active travelers may want to check out the bike sharing system in Barcelona.

Best time to visit Barcelona

Barcelona is a great city to visit all year round with fairly moderate temperatures. The best time to visit is between March to August for long warm days and chances to enjoy such outdoor activities as cycling, rock climbing, beach sports. From September to December daily temperatures are cool and crisp but daylight is greatly curtailed. 

Top things to do in Barcelona

Sightseeing along Las Ramblas

This is a sequence of promenades that run from Placa de Catalunya to Columbus Monument at the waterfront. It’s an enjoyable walk with plenty of shade, people watching and artful beauty, all dotted with street performers, living statues, flower stands, and bohemian café.  

Fun at the City Beaches

One of the top things to do in Barcelona is to visit the beachfront boardwalk, which stretches for miles. One of the best beaches to visit in Barcelona is the Sant Sebastia that is backed by Barcelona’s tight lattice of trendy shops, outdoor seating, bars with terraces. 

Park Güell

This is the perfect place to find magnificent panoramas over Barcelona. The park also homes colonnades, sculptures, fountains, serpentine benches, and mosaics. The highlight of the park is the House-Museum where Antoni Gaudi lived from 1906 to 1926 and where it is also possible to see decorative items and furniture that are designed by the famous artist and architect.

Sagrada Família

This is the best place to start exploring Barcelona and to see dreamlike works by Antoni Gaudi. The cathedral stretches skyward and is easily recognized from all points of the city with architectural styles ranging from Art Nouveau to Catalan Modern and Spanish Late-Gothic.

Parc de la Ciutadella

Walk through the grand arc at the entrance to the park. A number of stunning landmarks dot the park but the highlight of the park is the city zoo. The northernmost of the buildings, the Castell dels Tres Dragons (Castle of the three dragons), houses the Zoological Museum in a structure reflecting early Modernism. The building was built in 1887 by architect Lluis Domènech i Montaner, one of the leading representatives of the Catalan Art Nouveau. The towers and battlements bring a Moorish influence. For decades, this area was the city’s primary green space. 

Barcelona Travel Tips

• There are two official languages in Barcelona: Spanish and Catalan, with Catalan being the dominant tongue. 
• It is best to go on a walk along Las Ramblas early in the morning as it will be less crowded and you will not have to be as vigilant as in the afternoon, which is very crowded. Be on the alert for pick pockets and con artists.
• It is advisable to also buy tickets to museums and attractions online as the city is usually crowded with long queues at famous attractions. 
• For multi-day stays, consider purchasing a Barcelona Card to save time and money on sightseeing activities.