Barcelona Holidays
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Your Barcelona holiday
Rumoured to have been founded by Hercules himself, Barcelona has been envied and fought for almost since its inception. Romans, Visigoths, Moors, and Franks have all claimed the city as their own over the centuries.
In the 12th century, with the city growing in importance, the Counts of Barcelona took control of the whole of Catalonia and through marriage formed an alliance with the Kingdom of Aragon. United under the Crown of Aragon, they engaged in empire-building, conquering territories as far afield as modern-day Italy and Greece.
In the 15th century Barcelona's progress halted. After Aragon and Castile united, Madrid was chosen over Barcelona as the capital and seat of power. The rising power of Castile and dominance of Madrid started the bad blood that persists between Barcelona and Madrid to this day. A hotbed of Catalan independence, Barcelona rose up against Philip IV in the 17th century and later opposed General Franco's coup. When Franco claimed power, he robbed Catalonia of its autonomy and forced the Catalan language underground. As ever Barcelona rose again, reinstating its language and reasserting its Catalan identity, and in 1992 it got the chance display itself to the world by hosting the Olympics. Since then, Spain’s second city has not looked back, being known throughout Europe and the world as a capital of culture and the country’s most important city for tourism. With so much on offer, it is a favourite destination for world travellers.
Hotels
Barcelona Hotels
W Barcelona
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Residence MelonDistrict Marina
Hotel Gran Ducat
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Silken Diagonal Hotel Barcelona
Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel GL
Stay 4 nights & Save 15% off!
Flights
Cheap flights to Barcelona
Barcelona highlights
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Take a breather at Plaça Reial
Walking up and down Las Ramblas can leave you tired and thirsty. Duck down an alleyway and in a minute or two you will come out upon this vibrant plaza. Providing a calm refuge from Las Ramblas while still maintaining a lively atmosphere, the cafes that line the sides of the palm-tree-strewn square are the perfect place to recharge the batteries and watch the irrepressible street entertainers. Dotted around the square are outlandish street lamps designed by Gaudi himself.
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Hit the beach
If the urban treats Barcelona offers are not enough, the delights of the seaside are just a short stroll from the centre. The city's seven beaches are perfect for relaxing or taking a dip. More active visitors can even try their hand at windsurfing and other watersports. At Barceloneta, the most centrally located beach, you will find a string of bars and seafood restaurants. After dark the vibe changes, with bars and clubs serving up hedonistic entertainment into the early hours.
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Sample some local vintages
Many tourists get blinded by the delights Barcelona has to offer within the city limits and miss some treasures lying just outside. The Costa Daurada is one such gem. The golden coast has 57 miles of beaches, Roman ruins, a theme park and best of all, an excellent wine region. Tarragona and Priorat are both worth seeking out; you are in Cava country, so do not neglect to try a bottle of Spanish bubbly. A large number of vineyards and bodegas offer wine tours.
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View Barcelona from the air
The most spectacular view of the city is by cable car and there are two options available. Both cable cars head to Montjuic, one leaving from the port area of Barceloneta (Transbordador Aeri del Port) and the other from Parc de Monjuic (Teleferico de Montjuic). The latter travels farther up the mountain to Montjuic Castle, so you can combine both for the ultimate cable car experience. Once on the mountain, check out the castle, Palau Nacional, and the Olympic village left over from the 1992 games.
Top Barcelona attractions
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La Sagrada Familia
Still a work in progress 120 years after the first stone was laid, Antoni Gaudi's masterpiece is the iconic image of Barcelona. The Church of the Holy Family, or simply La Sagrada Familia, is unlike any other religious edifice in the world.
Gaudi's unique vision is a spectacular and otherworldly sight. When work is completed in 2026, the building will have a tower for each of the 12 apostles. Visitors can go up two of them, the Nativity and Passion towers, and walk across the bridge between for a unique view of the city.
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La Sagrada Familia
Still a work in progress 120 years after the first stone was laid, Antoni Gaudi's masterpiece is the iconic image of Barcelona. The Church of the Holy Family, or simply La Sagrada Familia, is unlike any other religious edifice in the world.
Gaudi's unique vision is a spectacular and otherworldly sight. When work is completed in 2026, the building will have a tower for each of the 12 apostles. Visitors can go up two of them, the Nativity and Passion towers, and walk across the bridge between for a unique view of the city.
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Camp Nou
Not all of the cathedrals in Barcelona are the religious kind. For many Catalans the place to come to worship on a Sunday is the Camp Nou stadium. Once a fortnight, almost 100,000 people cram inside the largest stadium in Europe to watch some of the finest footballers on the planet. The atmosphere at a match here is like no other, and the club's illustrious history is celebrated in the FC Barcelona President Nuñez Museum. Tours are also available that will take you right down to the pitch.
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Picasso Museum
Spain's most famous artist went to school in Barcelona and would return to the city at periods throughout his life. At the museum you can trace the meteoric rise of this painting prodigy from works like The First Communion, painted at the age of just 14, to later pieces such as his studies of Velazquez’s Las Meninas. Housed in a collection of medieval palaces in La Ribera, the Picasso Museum gives a fascinating insight into the talent and character of this art icon.
Barcelona holiday travel tips
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Metro
Fast and reliable and with stops anywhere you would want to go in the city, the Barcelona metro is a great way to move around. The 'M' signal indicates a station on one of the city's eight lines. You can buy single journeys or purchase sets of ten. Travel passes are flexible and convenient, and also work on trams and buses. The metro runs until midnight on weeknights and 24 hours on Saturdays.
Taxis
The city's black-and-yellow taxis are an inexpensive travel option. All are metered, and from the airport to the centre of town is a 25 minute trip.
Buses
Barcelona is well served by buses, but most lines stop running before the metro and traffic congestion in the city can make bus travel frustrating. However, if you are stuck for a taxi home after a night out, the yellow Nitbus runs from late night to early morning and its routes cover most central locations. Your travel pass will not work on these buses.
Bus Turístic
If you prefer to sit back and relax rather than trying to decipher a new city's transport network, the Bus Turístic is perfect for you. You can board and jump off these spacious double-deckers as you please. They are open-topped for the ideal viewing experience. The three routes cover all of the major attractions, from the city beaches, to Montjuic and even out to FC Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium.
By Car
Barcelona is a busy city, and its streets are prone to traffic problems. But if you are planning to get out of town for a day trip, check out offers on car hire in Barcelona.
Where to stay in Barcelona
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For the regal experience, check in at the Catalonia Albinoni Hotel. Built as a palace in the late 19th century by Pedro Bassegoda y Mateu, the hotel today retains much of its neoclassical splendour. It is built around a courtyard—the reception and bar are here. The original central staircase is a marvel to behold. Recent additions include an outdoor pool with waterfall, and a solarium.
Perfectly situated for exploring the city's modernist art treasures, the Murmuri Hotel almost falls into that category itself. Contrasting with the marble façade outside, the design within is sleek, with clean lines but plenty of warmth and comfort. The rooms feature flat-screen TVs and mood lighting to make your visit as pleasant as possible. The hotel's terrace on the Rambla Catalunya is a great place to watch the world amble by.
Check in and head straight to the rooftop swimming pool with a spectacular view at B-Hotel. A monument to modern design, the hotel is easy to find—just look out for the giant sculpture of the letter 'B' perched on the roof. From the pool you can look down on Plaza Espanya and the spectacular coloured fountains of Montjuic.
A happy marriage of the old and the new, the Claris Hotel can be found in a 19th-century palace. The palace has been extended to ensure guests can enjoy both period charm and all the comforts one expects from a top-notch hotel. It even has a gym, spa facilities, and an outdoor pool.
Barcelona restaurants
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For a taste of true Catalan cuisine, where better than Barcelona’s oldest restaurant? Can Culleretes (C/ Quintana, 5) has been welcoming customers since 1786, and it is hard to believe the menu has changed much in 220+ years at this city stalwart. Traditional Catalan favourites still dominate, with dishes like escudella (a rustic stew with beans, vegetables), and butifarra (a Catalan sausage), wild boar, and a wide range of local fish and seafood.
For something a little more contemporary, try Tapioles 53 in Poble Sec (Tapioles 53). Closed-door restaurant, food society, speakeasy—call it what you will—Tapioles 53 is not your average restaurant. With nothing to mark it out as an eatery on the street and almost no money invested in publicity, it is a word-of-mouth kind of place. Booking is essential, as there is space for only 24 people. The menu reflects the cosmopolitan background of owner and chef Sarah Stothart, who has lived in half a dozen countries and personally sources all of her ingredients from local markets.
Barcelona is famed for its traditional small dishes, or tapas, and there are few better places to go for an introduction to this way of eating than Taller de Tapas (Argenteria 51, El Born). With menus in English and plenty of tables, this is a great stepping-stone before trying one of the standing-room-only traditional tapas joints where menus in any language are a rarity. Choose from plenty of standard tapas along with exciting daily specials.
Health & Safety
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Vaccinations and Health
There are no compulsory vaccinations for a trip to Barcelona, although boosters for those covered in the vaccination schedule are recommended. This includes: Tetanus, polio and diphtheria.
The tap water is fine to drink.
Barcelona's health infrastructure is excellent. Before you go, ask your local Social Security centre for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Safety
As in most major cities, acts of petty crime do occur in Barcelona. In order to be on your guard, bear the following advice in mind:
- Do not walk unaccompanied after dark or in poorly lit areas.
- Do not walk around with jewellery or other objects that may attract attention.
- Do not leave valuable belongings in parked vehicles.
- In bars, do not take drinks or food offered by strangers.
- Do not carry a large quantity of cash on your person.
Following the terrorist attacks organised by ETA in 2004, travellers are urged to exercise the utmost caution.
Tip: It is highly recommended that you make photocopies of all your travel documents and keep the copies on you so you are prepared if the originals are stolen or lost. Keep the original documents in a safe place with a little money. Most hotels in Barcelona can offer a safe for this purpose. When you travel, take a mobile phone with you and ensure you know the emergency telephone numbers. If you are assaulted, keep calm and do not resist or retaliate.
Transport: Drivers are advised not to stop for hitch-hikers.
