Travel guide
Weather & Climate
Temperatures 10-24 °C : Spring is a beautiful time of the year to visit Barcelona. The city starts to warm up in March and is typically in the mid-teens (°C) by the end of the season. To take advantage of the beach, come during the summer, when you can expect highs of 28 (°C) and very little chance of rain. Culture-seekers will enjoy Barcelona during the autumn, when the city comes alive with music and food festivals, and the weather is still warm enough for roaming. Or book your holiday during the winter to take advantage of fewer crowds and average highs of 11 (°C).
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BARCELONA IS BEST FOR…
Families: Take an art class in Gaudi’s trencadis technique and you’ll make your own mosaic of broken ceramic tiles to take home.
Foodies: Tuck into some traditional Catalan seafood at a restaurant in the Gothic Quarter.
Art fans: At the Picasso Museum, view the works of one of the 20th century’s most influential artists.
Fast facts:
Language: The languages spoken in Barcelona are Catalan and Spanish
Currency: The currency used in Barcelona is the Euro (€)
Local time: Barcelona is 1 hour ahead of GMT/UK time
Fly to: Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) is 13km southwest of the city centre
Flight time from UK: 2 hours
Tourist Information: Further Barcelona tourist information can be found at www.turismedebarcelona.eu
Visa / Health:
Before your holiday to Barcelona, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain for recommendations and advice on visas and health
Getting around
By foot: The historic centre is compact and pedestrian-friendly.
By tourist bus: The Barcelona Bus Turistic has three hop-on/hop-off routes that stop at all the tourist sites.
By metro: The extensive metro system is efficient, affordable and air-conditioned.
By bicycle: There are many cycle hire companies, some of which also give bike tours in the city centre.
By scooter: Rent a scooter/moped, Vespa or even a Segway.
Events
Party Animals: For three days (and three nights!) in June, Barcelona hosts Sónar, one of the world’s best dance music festivals. Tickets must be purchased well in advance.
Saintly celebrations: On 24 September, Barcelona honours its patron saint by staging live music concerts in the plazas, Catalan folk dancing, a parade and a fireworks display.
Nadal (Christmas): December’s festivities include the Fira de Santa Lucia, a large open-air market in the streets around the main cathedral. Handmade crafts and local Christmas decorations are on offer; nativity figurines are especially popular.
What are the best things to do in Barcelona? From endless beaches to the charming Gothic Quarter, and designer shopping to art galleries, Barcelona is a city that has it all. Whether you’re heading to Barcelona for a short weekend break or a long summer holiday, you’ll want to get the most out of your time there, so it pays to plan ahead.
Places to go
Barcelona may be a big city, but it’s compact enough to get around on foot. So why not steer clear of the metro and tourist bus and take things at a slower pace? In fact, whiling away the day in the cobbled streets is one of the best things to do in Barcelona if you want to find your bearings and get to know the city in a more intimate and personal way. Plus, you’ll find plenty of pit-stops serving up delicious fare and tipples along the way (how about some pintxos and Sangria to keep you going?).
Barcelona is brimming with impressive buildings, like the dramatic Barcelona Cathedral and the old military fortress Montjuïc Castle. There are also lots of pretty parks to discover, such as the Parc de la Ciutadella and Parc de Joan Miró. If you want to explore a little-known area of the city, it’s worth seeking out the Eixample on the edge of the old city to enjoy spectacular panoramic views.
Things to do in Barcelona
Barcelona Cathedral
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Park Güell
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Vondelpark
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Heineken Experience Amsterdam
Discover how Amsterdam’s famous beer is made as you take a self-guided tour through the Heineken Experience.
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Rijksmuseum
Pay a visit to one of Amsterdam’s biggest museums and browse works by the nation’s most celebrated artists.
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