Barcelona, Spain – An Essential Travel Guide for 2025

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Barcelona is a city of over 1.6 million people on the northeastern coast of Spain. The capital of the Catalonia region and second-most populous city in Spain, it is renowned for architectural wonders designed by Antoni Gaudí and his peers. In 1992 it hosted the Summer Olympics, remnants of which are still visible in areas such as the Olympic Port. Social media posts showcase the city’s astonishing buildings but is there more to Barcelona than it’s gothic architecture?

Read on to find out!

• Currency – Euro
• Language – Spanish but locals speak fluent English
• Time – One hour ahead of Ireland
• Plugs – Type F plug (the 2-prong rounded one) so be sure to pack an adaptor
• Cash or Card – Card is accepted throughout and ATMs are everywhere should you need cash
• Public Toilets – Few on the streets but all of the main attractions and museums have them
• Tipping – Not always necessary or expected but certainly always appreciated

Barcelona Airport (BCN), or Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, is a 2hrs 35mins trip from Dublin. You can easily navigate its two terminals but queues can be lengthy so arrive in good time for your return trip. Most short-haul airlines fly from Terminal 2 so this is likely where you will be heading for your return flight.

Find Cheap Flights to Barcelona Airport

There are four methods for getting to the city centre which is just 12km from the airport and connects seamlessly to it:

By Taxi: Excellently marked taxi points at the exits of T1 or T2 play host to a sea of black and yellow cabs. The journey takes around 25 minutes and costs up to €35 for the group.

By Bus: The Aerobus brings you from the airport to the city in 35 minutes for under €10 and departs every 5 minutes from well marked points at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. These are the simplest means of getting to the city. Buy tickets online and show them to the driver on your phone. For your return journey note that the A1 Aerobus takes you to Terminal 1 and the A2 takes you to Terminal 2.

By Train: The Renfe departs every 30 minutes from Terminal 2 and a free shuttlebus brings you here from Terminal 1. It’s the best way to get to the city with tickets costing less than €6 and journeys taking 30 minutes. Buy tickets at vending machines in the station. The R2 North Line train to the Passeig de Gràcia station drops you in the heart of the city. Follow the Renfe signs, not the M signs which are for the Metro.

By Private Transfer: A good option if booking a package holiday and not travelling solo. Prices vary from €25 per head to €40 per group which is cheap compared to European destinations like Sorrento. However, there really is no need to get transfers because the airport connects so well to the city.

Check out our Travel Guide to Sorrento

We always book our package holidays through OnTheBeach.ie who are close to unbeatable for price in Ireland at the moment.

We booked the 4 star Salles Hotel Pere IV, a 10 minute walk from the Olympic Port and the beach, as part of a package holiday. It’s a short stroll from Bogatell Metro Station from which a Metro takes you to the city centre within 5 minutes. The hotel was modern with lovely rooms and free access to the spa. The cramped pool and spa were disappointing but we would return again for the delicious breakfast buffet. The location of the hotel is also extremely handy.

The cost-conscious should check out one of the popular hostels such as Yeah Hostel, while those looking for a unique stay can book an Air bnb.

Check out Cheap Barcelona Hotels

Check out Cheap Barcelona Hostels

Eating out here can be extortionately expensive so venture away from La Rambla to find lunch menus offering multi-course meals for €15. Our favourite location La Gastronomica Burgers offers gourmet hamburgers and sumptuous craft beers at very reasonable prices.

Don’t leave without trying some Tapas – delicious finger-food offered in tapas bars throughout the city! You can grab some tasty bites at these bars for under €6 and they make a great choice for dinner. Tapas is not merely one dish but rather a range of options including breads, meats, potato cubes and salads.

Hot Beverages: Italy steals the plaudits from European coffee lovers but we doubt there is a better city for a hot brew. Quirky cafés line the streets so dive in and try something new to tickle your taste buds.

Alcohol: Beer is slightly cheaper than in Ireland with pints costing around €5 and bottles less than €2. Cocktails are easy to find but are similar in price to Ireland at around €12. Spain is famous for Sangria, a delicious punch mixture of red wine and fruits. Although massively popular with tourists, locals don’t actually consume that much of the beverage. It’s not expensive so sample this lovely drink at least once during your trip.

There aren’t a lot of great Spanish Bars so head to one of the many Irish Bars instead. Flaherty’s Irish Pub ranks among the best of the lot, serving tasty food to accompany decent pints. They show all of the main sports events but don’t appear to host any live music. The bar staff, while very friendly, did little to foster any kind of atmosphere in the place.

Visit from May to June or September to October to get the perfect mix of manageable crowds and pleasant weather. Temperatures, although sometimes as high as 27 degrees, will likely be mild and more suited to exploring the city on the foot.

Avoid the peak season when a gargantuan influx of tourists leads to overcrowding of public places. The issue is so serious that the city stopped issuing licenses for new hotels and is considering limiting the number of tourists! The crowds have reportedly enabled a rise in pickpockets but we didn’t witness this for ourselves. In spite of this, it is still among the safest cities in the world to visit.

Travel on Foot: Many of the finest hotels are within a 30 minute walk of the city centre. The central hub is a pleasure to explore on foot with its extraordinary architecture, good footpaths and pedestrianized streets. Lots of the best attractions like La Rambla, La Boqueria and the Gothic Quarter are within walking distance.

Public Transport: One of the finest Metro systems in the world serves Barcelona. It is the cheapest transport option available with inner city journeys costing under €5, and the fastest because it bypasses the traffic. The downside is that it is underground meaning you won’t enjoy any sightseeing on your trip. A great idea is to catch the Bus Turistic for €33 on the first day of your trip, allowing you to check out the best sites in one go. An audio guide is included that explains the points of interest. Keep an eye out on the link below for discounts for it.

Book the Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Vehicle Hire: There are car hire providers here starting at €17 per day but we advise against it. Instead, use a combination of the world-class Metro system and your own feet to reach the main tourist attractions. Traffic congests heavily in the city and parking spaces are like gold dust. It can be fun to rent a bicycle as the city has over 300km of cycling lanes, but you cannot avail of the Bicing shared bicycles commonly seen along the streets. These are not intended for tourists and require a subscription to ensure tourists don’t use them!

Find Cheap Bicycle Rentals

While its golden beaches have a lot to offer, the real beauty of Barcelona lies within its meandering streets. You could follow a planned route but we recommend getting lost while strolling blindly around these pedestrianized corridors instead.

Barcelona’s tree-lined La Rambla is a vibrant 1.2km-long boulevard and the main hive of tourist activity. Stretching from the bustling Plaça de Catalunya (the main square) to the picturesque Portvell waterfront harbor, La Rambla pulsates with life and features a mix of shops and lively street performers. This is a very religious city and most shops don’t open on a Sunday so get your shopping done before then!

Don’t miss the entrance to the renowned La Boqueria market, a culinary paradise teeming with local delicacies.

East of La Rambla lies Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gòtic. This labyrinth of old town passages and hidden squares warrants a full day’s exploration in itself. Our favourite square is the lively Placa Reial which is notable for its Antoni Gaudi designed street lamps. You’ll witness some of the most awesome architecture in the world and possibly an extravagant fiesta dancing through the oldest parts of the city in this quarter.

The beautiful Cathedral de Barcelona in the Gothic Quarter is the seat of the archbishop of Barcelona. Admission starts at €7 per person for this behemoth, also known as Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia, but entry is free if you arrive early in the morning. For €17 you can purchase a ticket that will also grant you access to the rooftop for its 360 degree views over the city.

People overlook Barcelona’s beaches with many considering it as a city break destination rather than a beach holiday. This is surprising given there are over 4km of golden beaches within walking distance of the city centre! The most iconic of those is Barceloneta Beach, located in the fishing quarter of the same name.

Barceloneta Beach is easy to reach via a short walk from the Barceloneta Metro Station. The facilities are first-class and include lifeguards, showers and excellent toilets and its promenade is home to many great bars and nightclubs. Barceloneta is certainly not the nicest beach in Barcelona but it is the easiest one to visit from the city centre and is well worth seeing.

Barcelona has become a melting pot of nationalities with US and French tourists commonly seen kicking back in the evenings in one of its tranquil squares. There is a laidback lunch atmosphere here that you don’t see in Ireland, as groups of friends meet in tapas bars to enjoy a laugh together before returning to work.

Watch out for fiestas in the city, for Barcelona at its upbeat peak. Locals flock to the streets for fun and dancing while extraordinary entertainers parade for hours through the narrow corridors.

There is a romantic aura in the evenings when dimly illuminated streets come to life with patrons dining al fresco, while traditional Spanish music plays in the background. For a truly romantic experience climb the Turo de La Rovira hill overlooking the city to visit the Bunkers del Carmel. This anti-aircraft system was constructed during the Spanish Civil War and is free to visit. It’s massively popular on social media because it provides 360 degree views of the city. Its popularity grew so much among tourists that they have cut the opening hours, meaning you can no longer watch the sunset atop this peak. It’s still an amazing location to enjoy a picnic with your significant other.

The Bunkers del Carmel can be visited from 9am to 7:30pm in the summer, and 9am to 5:30pm in the winter months.

If you’re a museum enthusiast then Barcelona is perfect for you with over 80 of them to see! Art aficionados shouldn’t miss the renowned Picasso Museum nestled in the picturesque La Ribera neighborhood, a leisurely 15-minute stroll from La Rambla. Delve into the world of the legendary artist Pablo Picasso who made the city his home at the age of 14. The museum spans five stunning medieval palace buildings and showcases a captivating collection of his masterpieces.

The Picasso Museum opens from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 am to 7 pm. Tickets are €12 for entry and €17 for an inclusive audio guide experience.

Book Picasso Museum Tickets

Maybe art isn’t your thing but for science enthusiasts a trip to the Cosmo Caixa museum is a must! Since its inception in 2005 this expansive and family-friendly museum has been captivating visitors with its interactive exhibits. Dive into the fascinating realms of science, space, and nature as you explore its attractions including a mesmerizing planetarium and dedicated play zones for children.

Cosmo Caixa is open daily from 10 am to 8 pm. Admission tickets are affordably priced at just €6 with complimentary entry for children under 16.

The number one thing to do in Barcelona is visit La Sagrada Familia, the largest unfinished gothic church in the world. Designed by Antoni Gaudi, a name synonymous with Barcelona, it is still unfinished despite beginning construction in 1882! La Sagrada Familia really is one of the greatest architectural feats in the world.

Should you choose not to go inside it is still worth visiting to view the magnificent facades on its exterior from the surrounding Eixample neighbourhood. An audio guide admission ticket costs €26 and is worth every cent to see one of mankind’s most extraordinary achievements.

Purchase La Sagrada Familia Fast Track Tickets

Stroll down the designer store-lined Passeig de Gracia in the Eixample district and gaze upon Antoni Gaudi’s famous Casa Batllo. This skeletal-looking house was owned by Josep Batlló who hired Gaudi to design it for him in 1904. The house is open to visitors from 8am to 9pm every day and is fully accessible for visitors in wheelchairs.

Save money by combining tickets with other experiences below. You might also want to consider the Be the First ticket as this place can get jammers!

Purchase Casa Batllo Entrance Tickets

Continue along the promenade for a look at Gaudi’s Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera – The Stone Quarry. This was the last private residence designed by Gaudi and the stone quarry resemblance is immediately apparent. Tickets start at €25 for an adult and the house is very much accessible for those in wheelchairs. Casa Mila opens every day from 9am to 8:30pm.

Purchase La Pedrera Entrance Tickets

Make time to visit Park Guell, another of Gaudi’s masterpieces. Admission costs €13.50 and is absolutely worth the price as you will be treated to a beautifully scenic park that boasts wonderful views out over the whole city. The buildings are trademark works of Gaudi’s, who lived in the park for almost 20 years. Don’t bother booking a tour but do allow at least 1 hour 30 minutes to explore this beauty. The park is quite small so try to get in early on hot days or you will be swarmed by tourists!

Purchase Park Guell Entrance Tickets

We love visiting food markets everywhere we go and Mercado de La Boqueria is Barcelona’s world famous one. Pick up some delicious grub in this bustling market just off of La Rambla which boasts over 300 stalls selling delicious produce. Although frequented by tourists, this is very much a functioning market that affords an authentic look at the daily life of the city’s residents. It’s one of the best free things to do here but get there early to avoid some massive crowds. If you are a market lover like us this will probably be the best one you will ever visit!

Two unique areas to visit outside of the city centre are the hills of Montjuic and Tibidabo. If your time in Barcelona is short just visit Montjuic, as there is much more to do there.

Ascend Montjuic via the combination of a Funicular and a Cable Car. Board the funicular just like any Metro from the Paral·lel Metro Station. It drops you to the cable car station from which you board the Telefèric de Montjuïc for €15 for an adult return. The Telefèric de Montjuïc offers outstanding views of the city beneath you as you travel. Buy your tickets below to avail of discounted prices.

The cable car drops you to Montjuïc Castle which opens every day but at differing times depending on the season. Admission usually costs €9 but is free after 3pm on Sundays. The vistas of the city from around Montjuïc castle are absolutely stunning! The castle is also near the Botanical Gardens which feature 1,500 species of tropical plants. Visits to the gardens cost €5 and offer a reprieve from the bustling crowds of the city but the lack of colour on show is disappointing.

Buy Montjuïc Cable Car Roundtrip Tickets

The MNAC (Museu Nacional d´Art de Catalunya) is a museum atop Montjuic that showcases the best works of local Catalan artists including Picasso himself. General admission to the museum costs €12 and tickets can be bought through the link below.

Alternatively, for just €2, you can access this stunning building and its rooftop viewpoint without visiting the museum. Opening hours vary through the seasons so check out the website before visiting. In front of the MNAC you will find the Magic Fountain, famous for its incredible water displays every half hour set against the backdrop of classical music.

Barcelona played host to the 1992 Olympic Games, the remnants of which are very visible atop Montjuic. The Olympic Ring is the collective name for the various buildings that were constructed for the event. You cannot enter most of the buildings but its still well worth visiting this beautiful area. The jewel in the crown is the enormous Olympic Stadium with a capacity of over 60,000, which is free to enter. Sports nuts can visit the Olympics and Sports museum next to the stadium with tickets starting at just €6.