Your Kickstart Guide to Barcelona

 

So you are thinking of making the trip to Barcelona, huh? Whether you are going in the cold winter months or are arriving in the heat of summer, you are in for a treat!

With so much history, culture, and famous landmarks, it can be a bit daunting to try to fit everything into your trip. I know it was for me.

I went ahead and looked over my trip notes in order to create a kickstart guide to help you plan your Barcelona adventure. In this guide you will learn how to get around Barcelona, an estimate of how much transportation and attractions will cost, and some food recommendations from me. I even threw in some suggestions in there for you. You are welcome.

So let’s dive in, shall we?

Step 1: Getting Around

One of the coolest things about Barcelona is that the city is full of things to see and do. Since it is a sprawling city, it is easy to become tired when trying to see it all on foot. Luckily there is a decent public transportation system, so you can save time and energy as you explore.

Below you will find 3 main areas of Barcelona and my recommendation of whether to set off by foot or to utilize public transportation. I will also include the major attractions within these 3 areas.

The Main Tourist District – Ciutat Vella or “Old City”

Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas, El Raval

Recommendation: Wander on Foot

Think of Las Ramblas as your point of reference when exploring this historically rich area. As you are walking along the pedestrian walkway, you can spontaneously walk east to explore the Gothic Quarter and Placa Reial. Or you decide to walk west to wander the streets of El Raval and the Mercat de la Boqueria.

In this area the streets are narrow, city blocks are small, and the terrain is primarily flat. It can be a bit maze-like, so make sure to pack some good walking shoes to avoid becoming tired quickly.

Areas of Interest	Strolling*	Speed Walker**
Las Ramblas	30-40 Minutes	20 Minutes
Gothic Quarter	1-2 Hours	20 Minutes
El Raval	1-2 Hours	20 Minutes

*Time calculated assuming you are making pit stops at local attractions, and going at a slower pace.

**Time calculated assuming you are walking the span of the longest width of the neighborhood

Districts for Gaudi Architecture – Eixample and Gracía

Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, Sagrada Familia, Park Guell

Recommendation: Take public transportation to one of the attractions you want to visit, then explore by foot the surrounding area.

In the Eixample District you will find some of Architect Gaudi’s most impressive work like Casa Mila (aka La Pedrera), Casa Batllo, and the Sagrada Familia. In the Gracia District your main top attraction is Park Guell, which sits at the top of a steep hill.

Gracia is quite hilly, while Eixample is flatter. These neighborhoods are still popular with tourists, however it takes a bit more time and coordination to explore. I would strongly suggest taking the metro when possible to keep fatigue at a minimum.

District	Metro Station	Nearby Attractions	Distance
Eixample	Diagonal Station	Casa Mila Casa Batllo	2-8 Minute Walk
	Sagrada Familia Station	Sagrada Familia	1 Minute Walk
Gracia	Vallcarca Station	Park Guell	10-15 Minute Walk

Districts for the Mountains and Sea – Horta-Guinardo and Sant Marti

Parc del Laberint d’Horta, Platja del Bogatell, El Poblenou

Recommendation: Take public transportation to one of the attractions you want to visit, then explore by foot the surrounding area.

The Horta-Guinardo District is up against the mountains, and has a large park with neoclassical architecture called Parc del Laberint d’Horta. In the Sant Marti District there are beaches like Platja del Bogatell as well as trendy industrial areas like El Poblenou.

If you are looking to get out of the city center without leaving Barcelona, these two districts are great to experience a bit of nature. They are on the further edges of the city limits, and can be a refreshing change of scenery from the central city buzz.

District	Metro Station	Nearby Attractions	Distance
Horta-Guinardo	Mundet Station	Parc del Laberint d’Horta	10 Minute Walk
Sant Marti	Poblenou Station	El Poblenou Platja Del Bogatell	10-20 Minute Walk

 

BONUS! Getting from Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN) to the City Center

By Shuttle

Take the Aerobus from either Terminal 1 or 2. A one way ticket will cost €5.90, and will take 40-50 minutes from the airport to Placa Catalunya.

This shuttle takes you straight into the heart of the city, and has a designated space for luggage. This option will also take you back the airport from the city center at the end of your trip.

 

By Metro

Terminal 1 and 2 have their own metro stops along the L9 route. A special one way ticket from/to the airport will cost a flat €4.60. The ride will be 50-60 minutes long, and there is one transfer needed to get from the airport to Placa Catalunya.

The metro is a great option if your accommodations are not in the city center, and you need to go elsewhere. It has several transfer points for other metro lines.

 

Step 2: Pricing

Barcelona is a popular destination for visitors, and the price of exploring/seeing the city reflects that. Below I have a price breakdown of what you can expect to spend.

Cost of Getting Around

Transportation Ticket	Cost (Euro/U.S.)*
Single Ride Bus/Metro/Funicular Ticket	€2.20 / $2.71
Special Single Ride Airport Metro Ticket	€4.60 / $5.66
One-Way Aerobus Shuttle Ticket	€5.90 / $7.26
2 Day Hola BCN Travel Card (48 H)	€15.00 /$18.47
3 Day Hola BCN Travel Card (72 H)	€22.00 / $27.09
4 Day Hola BCN Travel Card (96 H)	€28.50 / $35.09
5 Day Hola BCN Travel Card (120 H)	€35.00 / $43.09

*Currency conversion based off 2018 pricing

I always love cities that provide multi-day transport passes, especially if I get to use it on more than one mode of transportation! The city has Hola BCN, which is Barcelona’s travel card that is good for unlimited rides for multiple days. It is valid on the buses, metro, trams, Montjuïc funicular, urban railway, and regional trains within the city.

Although you can technically walk the majority of the city center, taking advantage of Hola BCN travel cards is something I encourage in order to see more of Barcelona.

If you purchase your Hola BCN Travel cards online, there is a web discount 🙂 Save a couple euros!

Cost of Visiting Landmarks

Attraction	Cost (Euro/U.S.)*
Sagrada Familia Basic Ticket Online	€15.00 / $18.47
Casa Mila (aka La Pedrera) General Day Entrance Ticket Online	€22.00 / $27.09
Casa Batllo General Entry Ticket Online	€24.50 / $30.17
Park Guell General Entrance Ticket Online	€7.50 / $9.23
Parc del Laberint d’Horta Entry Fee	€2.23 / $2.75
Montjuïc Cable Car Round Trip Adult Ticket Online	€11.43 / $14.07
Castell de Montjuïc General Admission	€5.00 / $6.16

*Currency Conversion based off 2018 pricing

Something I noticed while in Barcelona is that a lot of what you can pay for can be purchased online in advance. Often times, there is a web discount (yay) or an additional cost if you purchase in person (yikes). If you want to save a couple dollars, make sure to first check online!

I would also suggest that if you wish to visit any of the Gaudi architecture sights, you should book them online at least by the day before. These sights are extremely popular, and there are only a limited amount of tickets sold each day.

 

Step 3: Food

Get Breakfast/Brunch in El Poblenou

Looking to get your brunch fix? Check out Can Dendê, a busy little spot on a quiet street that serves some bomb pancakes! You will of course wait the standard “Brunch Wait” time of 20-60 minutes. When I visited with my boyfriend, we spent €27 for two mimosas, a savory pancake, and a spanish omelet. It was worth every penny. It is a cozy place, so you may find yourself sitting next to a visitor or a local!

 

Get Lunch Near (Not In) Las Ramblas

To the east in the Gothic Quarter is Dionisos Quick Greek Gotico. This greek hole in the wall has take-away gyros to satisfy your hunger and your wallet. I walked past this place, and my mouth was instantly watering as the smell of cooking meat wafted through the streets.

Or head west of Las Ramblas to Mercat de la Boqueria in El Raval. This lively market has a variety of stalls, so you can try a bit of everything. From fruit to candy to meats to empanadas, it is hard to go wrong!

 

Get Dinner in El Raval

Visit Mino for tapas, paella, sangria, and friendly/busy service. This fun spot is popular in the evenings, so be prepared to wait! Also, don’t get scared off if the servers seem curt with you, they are just trying to ensure that everyone is able to have an awesome time. Some things to try include their sangria (warning: it will get you tipsy), Paella Mixta (Seafood), Papas Bravas, Croquetas, and their Shrimp.

 

Oh, And a Small Piece of Advice…

Hungry while in Las Ramblas? Avoid eating along the main road as you may find some undercooked rice in your paella or frozen seafood like I did on our first night. Instead, head into the side streets to satisfy your hunger.

 

My Recommendations

Do This and Not That

Pay for entry at Parc del Laberint d’Horta, and not for the monument section of Park Guell. Not only is it significantly cheaper, the labyrinth tends to be less crowded and is all inclusive in terms of the monuments you get to see.  For the reasoning behind my suggestion, I wrote a post about the two parks from a visitor’s perspective.

 

A Not So Hidden Outdoor Escalator and a View of Barcelona

If you decide to walk to Park Guell, you are going to be facing a rather steep hill. If you get off the Vallcarca Metro Station, walk a couple minutes down the road to the corner of Avinguda de Vallcarca and Baixada de la Gloria. You will find a series of escalators along Baixada de la Gloria that will take you up the hill. They don’t tell you that in the travel guides!

By taking you to the west side of the park, the escalators also take you near Turó de les Tres Creus. This is a great view point to see the rest of the park and the city.

 

Should You Speak Spanish? Catalan? or English?

Barcelona is the metropolitan capital of Catalonia, where Spanish and Catalan are spoken. Unless you know Catalan, go ahead and speak Spanish or English. Barcelona is a popular destination for people all over the world, so communicating in English is common.

 

Let’s Talk About the Elephant In the Room Barcelona

When I was looking online for what to do in Barcelona, I saw a lot of warnings online about how Barcelona is the capital for pickpockets. Fortunately I was not robbed while visiting, and personally I attribute that to having my wits about me. With a little diligence, awareness, and common sense, you too can also minimize the chance of you getting robbed. Check out my tips on how to not be a tourist (aka a target).

 

Need WiFi?

Guess what? Central Barcelona has free WiFi! As in public WiFi anyone can connect to when walking the streets of Barcelona. I didn’t personally use this (I am off the grid, yo) but it was nice to know that if I got severely lost or needed to check my Snapchat I wouldn’t have to search for a Starbucks for internet.

 

Time to Start Planning!

Now that you have an understanding of how to get around, how much attractions cost, food options, and some general recommendations from me, I think you are ready to start planning your Barcelona adventure.

I would love to hear how you planned out your trip, as well as any tips or suggestions you have for Barcelona! Let me know in the comments down below 🙂