Photo: Canaan · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Barcelona
Gaudí's buildings, a Gothic old town and a city beach.
Gaudí's wild buildings, a tangled Gothic old town, a city beach and a hill of museums and gardens, with late nights and tapas in between. Most of it is walkable, and the metro covers the rest.
Places to see
- Sagrada FamíliaChurch · Gaudí's unfinished basilica: two huge carved façades outside, and inside a forest of…≈ A$46
Park GüellPark · A hillside garden full of Gaudí: a long wavy bench covered in broken tiles,…≈ A$32
Gothic QuarterWalk · A maze of narrow stone lanes, little squares and arches around the cathedral, with Roman…Free
Passeig de GràciaWalk · A grand boulevard lined with Modernista houses: Casa Batlló's bone-like balconies and…
When to go
- Jan14° / 5°Some rainQuiet
- Feb15° / 6°Some rainQuiet
- Mar17° / 8°Some rainBusy
- Apr19° / 10°Some rainBusy
- May22° / 14°Some rainBusy
- Jun26° / 18°Mostly dryVery busy
- Jul28° / 21°Mostly dryVery busy
- Aug29° / 21°Some rainVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Ciutat Vella (Gothic Quarter, El Born, El Raval, Barceloneta). The old town: medieval lanes, La Rambla, the cathedral, Ciutadella park and the beach. Central and full of hostels, but noisy at night.
Eixample. The grid of wide streets north of the old town: Passeig de Gràcia's Modernista houses and the Sagrada Família. Calmer, central and well served by the metro.
Gràcia and the hills. A village-like district of small squares and local bars, below Park Güell and the bunkers' hill. Good for a quieter, local stay.
Flying in
Barcelona El Prat (BCN): Aerobús to Plaça de Catalunya, about 35 min, ≈ A$13. The R2 Nord train from Terminal 2 or the metro (line 9) can be cheaper (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Barcelona; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$5. The old town, El Born and the beach are walkable. The metro reaches the Sagrada Família, Park Güell (a steep walk up from the station) and Montjuïc. Watch your pockets on the metro.
T-casual (10 rides) (≈ A$22, Until used up): About half the price of single tickets for metro, bus and local trains in the city; one person only (check).
