Practical tips for visiting Barcelona

Transport

• From the airport to the centre: the Aerobus in 35 minutes, 24 hours a day.
• Metro and bus: a single ticket costs €2.90 in 2026. For several journeys, the T-casual (10 journeys) or the Hola Barcelona (unlimited travel for 2 to 5 days) work out much cheaper.
• On foot: most places in the centre are 10-20 minutes' walk from each other.
• Cycling: there are plenty of cycle lanes; the public Bicing scheme is for residents only, but there are rental companies for visitors.

Monuments: book ahead

The Sagrada Família, Park Güell (Monumental Zone), Casa Batlló and La Pedrera sell timed tickets, and in high season they sell out. Buy them online before you travel, ideally from the official websites.

Times

• Meals: lunch is between 13:30 and 15:30 and dinner from 20:30. Many restaurants offer a set lunch menu (menú del día) on weekdays.
• Shops: almost all open Monday to Saturday; most close on Sundays, except in tourist areas and in summer.
• Museums: many close on Mondays; check before you go.

Safety: watch out for pickpockets

Barcelona is a safe city, but petty theft is common on La Rambla, on the metro, at the beach and in crowded places. Wear your rucksack on your front on the metro, don't leave your phone on café tables and keep an eye on your luggage, including on airport transport. The emergency number is 112.

Language, money and more

• Languages: Catalan and Spanish are both official; signs are usually in Catalan. In tourist areas English is widely spoken.
• Payments: cards are accepted almost everywhere, including on the Aerobus and in most taxis.
• Tipping: it isn't compulsory. If you enjoyed the service, it's usual to round up or leave around 5-10%.
• Water: tap water is safe to drink.
• Tourist tax: accommodation charges a tax per person per night on top of the price.