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About Barcelona

Including tips for the best time to visit Barcelona

Cultures melt together in Barcelona, a lively metropolis of mesmerising architecture, medieval streets and top museums on the coast of Catalonia. Its most celebrated figure, Antoni Gaudí, takes all the credit for the city’s most outstanding monuments. From the twisting facade of stone-hewn Casa Milà to the monumental Sagrada Familia, the work of this world-famous architect can be found all over the city.

In the Gothic Quarter, you’ll find centuries-old tapas bars set among old haunts and a gargoyle-adorned cathedral. Fill up on staples like ground-beef stuffed croquettes and salt-cod fritters under this dramatic backdrop, and wash it all down with a glass of fruity Rioja. Nearby, an amble along the lively, tree-lined promenade of La Rambla will bring you to the coast, where the crowds start to thin out.

Find a slice of beach in Barceloneta or a shady patch of grass in Parc de la Ciutadella, and soak up the year-round sunshine. Alternatively, take a stadium tour of Camp Nou, or climb Carmel Hill for sweeping views and the iconic mosaics of Park Güell – another of Gaudí’s fantastical creations.

Tonight

From £98 per night

This weekend

From £210 per night

Next weekend

From £181 per night

Most popular time to visit October–December
Cheapest time to visit January–March
Local currency € 10 = £8.57
Language Spanish
Average weekend price £104 per night
Average weekday price £110 per night
Typical stay 2 nights

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Barcelona reviews

What other travellers say about Barcelona

10

Wonderful vibrant energy and everything we did was walkable.

27 March 2024

Wonderful vibrant energy and everything we did was walkable. Never felt unsafe and getting lost in the gothic quarter was such a treat. Plenty of small bars and genuine tapas all very reasonably priced. We didn’t have any trouble with pickpockets but would still suggest being sensible with your belongings-it can get busy

Tracy
Tracy
6.0

The architecture (eg La Pedrera, Sagrada Famillia) is...

27 March 2024

The architecture (eg La Pedrera, Sagrada Famillia) is amazing and the parks (eg Ciutadella and Montjuic) and the waterfront are beautiful areas to walk. Food is good (Casa Delfin is well worth a visit). HOWEVER be VERY AWARE of the numerous pick-pockets and other thieving gangs in Barcelona. Our friend had her necklace grabbed from around her neck resulting in her falling over and breaking her shoulder in three places. Although the medical service and local police very helpful, the holiday would have been better without this happening!

Julia
Julia United Kingdom
8.0

My visit was a family meeting as my son lives in Barcelona...

26 March 2024

My visit was a family meeting as my son lives in Barcelona or Barna as they call it. So I definitely liked it. There was a family touch in it! We were in Barna in two stages during our trip. Both the times we were at a walking distance from La Sagrada, the world famous monument. There was a beautiful walking plaza (lane) nearby. I enjoyed sitting there sipping my Vermut quietly and enjoying Tapas. Spain is a historical country and they have retained it very nicely. People were joyous and ready to talk and help. We visited Madrid, dined at the world's oldest restaurant there and the southern towns of Cordoba, Seville and Granada. All over we traveled by super fast trains enjoying the countryside. Clean and tidy cities, Would like to visit longer than this 18 day trip.

Ranjit
Ranjit Spain
10

Barcelona has so much to do, and is a beautiful city.

25 March 2024

Barcelona has so much to do, and is a beautiful city. The biggest problem is over-tourism. We were there in March, which is not "high season" and you already had to buy all your tickets in advance and things were crowded. I would avoid Barcelona in the summer months if possible. Park Guell is a must, but the Casa Batilla was not only crowded but a bit underwhelming for the price. Eat at Ciutat Comtal

Aliza
Aliza Israel
10

Love the fact that you can stay in a city but walk to the...

25 March 2024

Love the fact that you can stay in a city but walk to the beach.. lots of great tapas bars down almost every side street - restaurants on the boardwalk are not as good as the ones back from the beach but yo udo get a great view of the sea

Julian
Julian United Kingdom
8.0

Overall had a wonderful trip, two tips:

25 March 2024

Overall had a wonderful trip, two tips: 1. You need reservations for any attractions. We showed up at Park Guell just before 1400 a despite the website showing “green” for tickets available they were done selling tickets for the entire day. 2. Uber ended up being a great way to get around the city for further distances, it is less expensive than taking the subway for a family.

Emily
Emily United States

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