Barcelona

What to see near the Aerobus stops

The Aerobus stops are in some of the most central spots in Barcelona. Once you've dropped your case at the hotel, or if you have a few hours before your flight, here's what you can see on foot from each one.

Plaça Catalunya

The square dividing the old town from the Eixample is where the Aerobus starts and ends, and the best starting point for exploring the city on foot:

La Rambla begins in the square itself and runs down to the port and the Columbus monument. Halfway along are the Boqueria market and the Gran Teatre del Liceu.
Gothic Quarter: in 5-10 minutes along Avinguda del Portal de l'Àngel you reach the Cathedral; around it are Plaça del Rei, Plaça Sant Jaume and the Jewish quarter.
Passeig de Gràcia: to the north, the grand avenue of shopping and Modernisme, with Casa Batlló (10 minutes) and La Pedrera (15 minutes).
Palau de la Música Catalana: about a 10-minute walk towards Via Laietana.
El Born: about 15 minutes away, with Santa Maria del Mar and the Picasso Museum.

Plaça Universitat (arrivals from the airport only)

The historic University of Barcelona building, with a cloister and gardens you can visit.
El Raval: the city centre's multicultural neighbourhood, with the MACBA (Museum of Contemporary Art, whose square full of skateboarders is a classic sight) and the CCCB, 5-10 minutes away.
Metro L2 direct to the Sagrada Família from Universitat station.

Carrer Sepúlveda and Gran Via - Comte Borrell

Mercat de Sant Antoni: one of the city's most beautiful markets, with a 19th-century iron structure, fully restored. On Sunday mornings there's a book and collectors' market around it.
Sant Antoni neighbourhood: one of the liveliest areas for bars and restaurants, especially Carrer del Parlament and the streets around it.

Plaça Espanya

The Venetian towers and Avinguda Maria Cristina lead you, up a series of steps (partly escalators), to the Palau Nacional, home of the National Art Museum of Catalonia, with one of the best views of the city.
Magic Fountain of Montjuïc: halfway up. It puts on water, light and music shows on some evenings; check the calendar, as it changes with the season.
CaixaForum, in a former Modernista factory, with temporary exhibitions.
Poble Espanyol: an open-air museum of architecture from all over Spain, about a 15-minute walk away.
Las Arenas: the former bullring turned shopping centre, with a circular viewing terrace on the roof.
Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc: the exhibition centre is right next door, ideal if you're coming for a trade fair or conference.