Barcelona City Guide

All the basic Barcelona information you need is here with Citysiesta. Our Barcelona guide and the links to other websites of interest will help you make the most of your stay in the city.

Begin with a walk at the historical centre. Start from Plaza Catalunya, the very heart of the city, and then go down the ever-lively “La Rambla” to the sea, where you can shoot a picture of Colombus’ statue and visit the Aquarium. Or you can wander into the small medieval paths of Gótico, to visit Plaza Real, the Cathedral and old medieval palaces that have turned into museums, like Museum Mares – with the beautiful garden café – and Museum of the History of the City, next to Plaza del Rei. Don’t miss the Roman city walls and Gaudi’s Palau Güell.

From Gótico, you are just a few steps away from your next walk: the neighbourhood of “Born”, where you’ll visit the Picasso Museum and the church of Santa Maria del Mar. Go shopping in the trendy fashion shops of Born and then take a rest at the nearby Ciutadella Park, lying under the trees or rowing on the small lake. Fresh and rejuvenated, you are now ready to go to Barceloneta, where you’ll have a coffee or a drink in one of the numerous beach bars –the chiringuitos, and walk on the golden sand.

Can you take more beauty in just one day? Then take the cable car from Barceloneta to Montjuïc hill. There you can visit the Joan Miró foundation, the Olympic stadium and take a breath of fresh air in the beautiful gardens. A few steps further, you will see the majestic Museum of Catalunya and admire a view of the entire city and Plaza Espanya, that is just a short walk down the stairs. Make sure to be there in the evening, so that you see the fountains of Monjuïc, a spectacle of music and color. A visit to the adjacent Poble Espanyol is a must: it gives you the opportunity to see the architecture of entire Spain with just a small walk around its paths.

And the best of Barcelona is yet to come: starting from Plaza Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia is the city’s most superb street, hosting some of the greatest masterpieces of modernism. A visit to Gaudí’s Casa Batlló and the Pedrera is not to miss. From there, you can take the metro to see la Sagrada Familia, one of Gaudí’s masterpieces, or walk up to Gracia.

Gracia is one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods of Barcelona. With small buildings and beautiful squares, it is the ideal place for a getaway from the crowded city centre. Right above Gracia there is Park Güell, a colorful park designed by Gaudí, where you can admire spectacular views to the city and fairytale-like architecture and sculpture.

Whatever there is to know about your travel to Barcelona, seek more information on the links you find on this page. Your best Barcelona guide is online.

Facts about Barcelona

Area: 99,1 sq. km. / 38,26 sq. mi.
Population: 1,51 Million
Time: GMT + 1 (Summer Time GMT + 2)

Best time to book an accommodation in Barcelona

Because of the pleasant warm temperatures in Barcelona, it´s a fantastic travel destination nearly all year round. The average annual temperature is of about 63°F (17°C). During the winter it can be a little bit colder, but nevertheless the sun shines most of the time.

The best times to visit our accommodations in Barcelona are from March until mid-July and from September until mid-November. In this time the temperatures are ideal to enjoy the stay wholeheartedly and Barcelona is full with plenty of life.

During the period of mid-July to the end of august, when the temperatures are very high, it becomes very sticky and humid in Barcelona. Then, the highest average daily temperature is of 84,2°F (29°C) - something important to take into consideration. On the other hand, the visitors renting our accommodations in November and December may be surprised by a little rain and a cooler climate.

How to get to your accommodation in Barcelona

The air connections from most European locations to Barcelona are very good. The airport is situated about 12 km to the south of the centre of Barcelona, making the accommodations in the city easily accessible by taxi or bus.

A taxi will take you to your accommodation in about 20 - 30 minutes, for approximately 25 EUR.

If you take the bus (“Aerobus”), which covers all three terminals, you can get to the central places of Barcelona within 30 minutes: Plaza España and Plaza Cataluña. From there you can take a taxi or the underground to your accommodation. The bus departs every 15 minutes, from 06.00 h until 24.00 h.

If you go by car to Barcelona, please take into consideration that the freeway in Catalonia is not free - there is a considerable amount of tolls. To find concrete information on the right way to the accommodation please visit the following website: www.map24.com.
Apart from this, you must have a good map of the city to find your way around - many people arrive having no clue where they need to go making their first contact with the city chaotic. Last, but not least, finding free parking spaces in Barcelona is very difficult. In order to avoid all the stress, best is to use one of the many parking garages found in practically every few blocks - also next to our accommodations.

If you chose to go to Barcelona by train you will reach the city at the Sants Station. This station is located outside of the old city centre - it has good metro connections and taxis, which can bring you quickly to your accommodation in the centre.

Transportation in Barcelona

The public transport network in Barcelona is excellent - you can go practically everywhere by bus or metro and you will find a bus stop or a metro station close to your accommodation. The following is a link to a map of the metro network: Metro Map

You can buy the metro tickets at the counter or ticket machine at each metro station. For a short stay in Barcelona the best ticket to buy is a 10-ride ticket (T-10 ticket). This ticket may be used by more than one person at the same time (you must always charge the ticket for as many rides as persons using it). Most of the places you will be visiting in the city are on walking distance. Travelling by bus and metro is very cheap: the T10 ticket (applicable for both) is available for 7,70 EUR.

All travellers should also enjoy the wonderful view out of the funicular! It?s the best way to reach the Montjuïc (the hill immediately south of Barcelona). The starting point is situated close to the metro station Parallel (metro L3, green Line).

Restaurants

In Barcelona you can find many restaurants, tapas bars and cafés. Do not leave before trying the catalan cuisine, visiting one of the first-class fish restaurants or enjoy the sociability in a Tapas-Bar.
If interested in going to a restaurant, we recommend to always make a reservation beforehand. Even though service is normally included in restaurant bills, a tip of approx. 10% is a kind gesture.
We suggest the following:

Restaurants (± 40-60 euros per person, including wine)

Torre d’Alta Mar Restaurant (approx. 70.00 euros per person)
This restaurant is located at the top of the 75M high cable car tower in the Barceloneta area. I would recommend you ask for a table with a view over the city, since at night there is not much to see of the sea! The food and service are both exquisite!

Restaurant 7 Portes
On this website you will also find the Menu they have. As they mention… “you can enjoy the finest Catalan cooking in an intimate setting or in one of the spacious banquet halls, accompanied by Spain’s best wines and “cavas” (sparking wines) from the well-stocked cellar.”

El Principal
Mediterranean kitchen, beautiful location right in the city and excellent service.

“La Bodega”
“La Bodega” is well known for its surprising way of presenting the different fishes, seafood and desserts that they have for that day. Very cozy and authentic!

Restaurants (± 30-50 euros per person, including wine)

Agua
Excellently located infront of the beach. In the winter very romantic inside, with a view of the sea and in the summer fantastic to sit on the terrace to enjoy a long lunch or dinner!

Bestial
Agua, mentioned above, and this restaurant are very close to each other. Their mediterranean kitchen is excellent and the fact they are infront of the beach gives both restaurants a very special ambiance!

Shopping and Opening Hours:

Medium/small shops close for approximately 2-3 hours at midday for Siesta. The bigger shops and shopping malls are open all day (10h00-21h00).
Banks are open until 14h00 to the public.
Most important museums remain open all day, except for Mondays.
Any information you need is available for you at the “Tourist Information Office” at the Plaza Cataluña.