Barcelona

Spain · BCN

20 attractions 10 restaurants

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and Spain's second-largest city. Roughly 1.6 million residents share a Roman-laid grid that meets the Mediterranean Sea, with Gaudí's nine UNESCO-listed Modernista buildings woven into a walkable historic centre. Most international travellers spend three to four days here.

Plan a trip →

About this city

Flight from Germany: 2h 20min
Airport ↔ centre: 13 km
Time shift: Same as Germany
Population: 1,620,000
Area: 101 km²
Founded: 218 BC
Currency: EUR
Language: Catalan, Spanish
Timezone: Europe/Madrid

Why visit

Three cityscapes in 100 km²: medieval Roman core, 19th-century Modernista grid, and 4.5 km of usable city beach. Daytime temps 16–28 °C year-round, English widely spoken, metro runs nightly, working lunch still €12–15 in 2026.

Neighbourhoods at a glance

·Barri Gòtic — 2,000-year Roman + medieval core, the Cathedral, Plaça Reial.
·El Born — Picasso Museum, best tapas + cocktail scene.
·Eixample — Gaudí country: Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, Sagrada Família (all walkable).
·Gràcia — bohemian quarter, car-free squares, Casa Vicens.
·Barceloneta — old fishing district, city beach, seafood bombas.
·Poble-sec + Sant Antoni — post-2020 dinner scene, Michelin-Bib gastropubs.

Best time to visit

Month	Day temp	Crowds	Don't miss
Jan–Feb	12–15 °C	Low	Same-day Sagrada tickets; avoid MWC (late Feb)
Mar–Apr	15–20 °C	Low–med	Easter; Sant Jordi book + rose festival (Apr 23)
May–Jun	20–26 °C	Med	Primavera Sound (late May); beach opens
Jul–Aug	28–32 °C	Very high	Festa Major de Gràcia (15 Aug); book attractions before 11:00
Sep	24–28 °C	Med	La Mercè festival (22–24 Sep) — fireworks + castellers
Oct–Dec	14–22 °C	Low	Christmas markets at Plaça Nova; Caga Tió tradition

Getting around

Mode	2026 cost	Notes
Walking	Free	Most Modernista landmarks 15–20 min apart
Metro (T-Casual)	€12.55 / 10 rides	11 lines, also tram + bus; covers airport (T1+T2)
Bike (Donkey Republic)	~€12 / day	No Spanish phone needed; Bicing requires one
Taxi	€2.55 start	Black-and-yellow, metered, Uber/Free Now also work
Airport train	€5.15 single	25 min to Sants; or metro L9 with T-Casual