Now one of Europe’s most popular cities, Barcelona should be high on your list if you are going to be anywhere in the area. The architecture is unlike anywhere else in the world, and the dining and nightlife scenes are among the best in Europe as well. When planning your first itinerary to Spain, be sure to include Barcelona along with Madrid.
Historic major European cities don’t usually come equipped with sandy beaches, but that is one of many wonderful things about Barcelona. The Gaudi architecture is only part of the reason why this is one of the most gorgeous cities in the world.
The relatively mild weather most of the year is another reason that Barcelona is so popular, and you also can’t forget the abundant dining and entertainment options.
| Population | 1,700,000 |
| Area | 4,200,000 |
| Timezone | UTC+1 |
| Currency | Euro |
| Airports | Barcelona Airport (BCN) |
Barcelona is a very outdoor city and most of the more notable attractions are free so visitors usually don’t need to spend a fortune to have a good time.
The La Rambla area, the Gaudi architecture, Park Guell, and even the outside of the Sagrada Familia are all free to see, as is the beach area. If you only have 2 or 3 days in Barcelona you should check out our Barcelona Pass review, as it could save you time and money.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 17.20 - 53.76 |
| 23.66 - 86.02 |
| 39.78 - 904.30 |
| 52.69 - 284.95 |
| 123.66 - 410.75 |
Aparthotel Augusta Doubles from €98/night | |
Our pick: The best cheap and central 3-star hotel in Barcelona |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 12.90 - 35.48 |
Amistat Beach Hostel Barcelona Beds from €20/night | |
Our pick: The best cheap and central hostel in Barcelona |
Food is available in pretty much every price range, so people on a tight budget will have some decent choices just as high-end travelers will have no problems finding pricey and delicious meals. If you are a drinker then you’ll find that local beer and wine tend to be very cheap, even in bars, at least by normal European standards.
| Budget breakfast | In Spain people generally eat light in the morning. Many hotels serve a continental breakfast included with the room. | $4.03 - $6.45 |
| Budget lunch | There are fast-food options for a bit less, and plenty of casual dining places in this range. | $6.72 - $10.22 |
| Budget dinner | Restaurants come in all price ranges, and budget dining options are rarely far away. | $11.29 - $18.28 |
| Beer (pint) | Casual pubs are easy to find in the tourist areas. Drinks at nightclubs will cost more. | $3.76 - $5.38 |
| Table wine (glass) | Inexpensive local wines can be a great bargain in Spain. | $1.61 - $3.23 |
| Beer (bottle, retail) | Obviously it's cheaper to drink with your own supply. | $1.29 - $1.61 |
| Baguette from bakery or market | Self-catering meals can be cheap and tasty in Barcelona. | $0.86 - $1.29 |
| $- |
The free (tips-based) walking tours of Barcelona are very worthwhile, especially since so much of the center is best experienced on foot anyway.
The double-decker hop-on, hop-off tours here are also worth a few hours, especially on your first morning in town. The Sagrada Familia cathedral and several other key sights are not an easy walk from the central area, and the buses are a great way to get good photos as well.
| Month | High F | Low F | PRECIP (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 56 | 40 | 1.6 |
| February | 58 | 42 | 1.1 |
| March | 61 | 44 | 1.7 |
| April | 64 | 47 | 1.9 |
| May | 69 | 54 | 2.3 |
| June | 76 | 60 | 1.7 |
| July | 82 | 65 | 0.8 |
| August | 82 | 67 | 2.4 |
| September | 78 | 62 | 3.4 |
| October | 71 | 55 | 3.6 |
| November | 63 | 47 | 2.3 |
| December | 58 | 42 | 2.0 |
Barcelona is blessed with one of the most pleasant climates in all of Europe. Compared to Madrid, the summers aren’t as steamy and the winters aren’t as cold, on average. Even with that in mind, don’t make the mistake of thinking you’ll by laying on the beach outside of the main summer season. Winters do get chilly and a light dusting of snow is common, though it’s very unlikely to cause you travel or sightseeing problems.
Summers in Barcelona are generally very nice as the sea breezes mix with the otherwise dry climate to produce an almost tropical feeling. Spring and fall also tend to be very nice, though both of those seasons are actually the rainiest, with September and October being the wettest months of the year.
| 21 Mar | 6:54am | 7:05pm |
| 21 Jun | 6:19am | 9:28pm |
| 21 Sep | 7:38am | 7:51pm |
| 21 Dec | 8:14am | 5:25pm |
Just like elsewhere on the Iberian Peninsula, Barcelona is a relative bargain compared to most of the major cities in western Europe. Hotels and hostels are usually available at reasonable prices, though that might not be true during the height of the summer tourist season in July and August. Check our recommended cheap Barcelona hotels list for well located bargains.
Being a beach city on the Mediterranean it’s no surprise that the peak season for hotels in Barcelona is during July and August when half the continent is on holiday. These months in particular can be crowded and steamy so if you have a choice it would be better to come in May or June or September or October.
The low season in Barcelona starts after the Christmas holidays and goes through March, and while the weather is generally mild, don’t expect to be doing much sunbathing during the winter.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 17.20 - 53.76 |
| 23.66 - 86.02 |
| 39.78 - 904.30 |
| 52.69 - 284.95 |
| 123.66 - 410.75 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 12.90 - 35.48 |
Most visitors will fly into Barcelona, and its huge airport has good fares from within Europe as well as from North America and Asia.
You can reach Barcelona by train from Paris in about 6 hours, and then take the train to Madrid in only a few hours more.
Barcelona is mostly flat and it’s an excellent walking city if you are staying anywhere near the Rambla pedestrian area, which is more or less the heart of the tourist area.
The city also has an underground Metro system, which is fast and cheap, if a little confusing at first. It’s handy for reaching the sights that are a bit more remote.
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Taxi from airport to city center | 35.48 - 47.31 |
| Aerobús from airport to city center | 6.34 |
| Train+public bus from airport to city center | 6.83 |
| 3km taxi ride in Barcelona | 7.53 - 10.75 |
| Metro ride in Barcelona | 2.53 |