Flight to Barcelona (BCN)

Flying to Barcelona: tips and information for your trip

Spain’s second-largest city, Barcelona, is located in Catalonia, in the country’s north-east. Known for its stunning architecture, both medieval and modern, the city offers beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife and great shopping, particularly in the famous Las Ramblas area.

Barcelona’s rich Catalan culture is visible in its many markets, museums and festivals, not to mention its world-renowned cuisine.

The long stretches of warm, sunny weather in Barcelona make it an ideal city break destination all year round. Book your flight to Barcelona with Brussels Airlines!

What to do in Barcelona?

1. Wander the labyrinthine streets of Barri Gotic (Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter), in the heart of Ciutat Vella, Barcelona’s ‘Old City’ – these charming streets are full of hidden squares, fountains and even palaces. Several buildings here date back to the Middle Ages, some as far back as ancient Roman times.
   
   
2. Also in Ciutat Vella is Las Ramblas, a series of picturesque tree-lined avenues, dotted with costumed street artists. Some of Barcelona’s best shopping can be found along these streets, too.
   
   
3. Barcelona has several museums, including Museu Blau (natural history), Can Framis (contemporary art) and CosmoCaixa (science). The F. Cervera Gallery features ancient Etruscan and Roman artwork. If you’re planning on visiting several museums, be sure to get the discounted Artticket.
   
   
4. For a bird’s-eye view of the city, ride the 1,450-metre-long Harbour Cable Car, which runs from Barceloneta to Montjuïc. It’s one of the oldest, and the second tallest, of its kind in the world, and it’s very popular – expect long queues.
   
   
5. 90 minutes outside of Barcelona proper is the Montserrat mountain range, ideal for scenic hiking and rock-climbing. At its centre is an ancient monastery, known for the enchanting choral singing of its resident monks.
6. Visit Gaudi’s masterpieces: Barcelona’s iconic modernist architecture is hugely influenced by legendary architect Gaudi. A son of Catalonia, Gaudi’s works include the Parc Güell in Gràcia, the Casa Milà and Casa Batlló in Eixample, as well as the Torre Bellesguard. His best-known work, however, is the Sagrada Família Basilica, in Eixample. The majestic, still-incomplete church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
   
   
7. For fun fairground rides with stunning views of the whole city, head up the Tibidabo hill for the Tibidabo Amusement Park.
   
   
8. Barcelona is a coastal city with beautiful beaches, many lined with miles of boardwalk. Choose from Barceloneta to Sebastià, Sant Miquel, Mar Bella, Nova Mar Bella and beyond. Sample local snacks and drinks at the ‘chiringuitos’ bars right on the sand. Just remember to change out of your beachwear before walking through town to respect local customs.

Practical information for your trip

• Brussels Airlines flights land at Barcelona’s main airport, El Prat. Airport transfer taxi services are widely available. There’s also a frequent Aerobús shuttle bus service linking the airport with the city centre (Plaça de Catalunya). By rail, there’s a RENFE R2 Nord train into the city every 30 minutes. Line 9 of the Barcelona Metro will also take you to the city centre.
• Currency: Euro
• Telephone calls and Wi-Fi: The country dialling code is +34. Wi-Fi is widely available in Barcelona.
• Electric sockets: Type F, 230 V/50 Hz. UK and US visitors should bring adapters.
• Travel information: Spain is a full Schengen member. Non-EU citizens need a valid passport with at least 6 remaining valid months. Make sure that children travelling with you have their own passport or ID card.

Dos and Don’ts in Barcelona

• If you’re planning a shopping trip to Barcelona, avoid Sundays – most shopping centres and shops are only open Monday to Saturday.
  
  
• Driving as a tourist in Barcelona can be difficult. Parking is expensive with complicated rules, narrow, often one-way streets and congestion.
  
  
• If you plan on using public transport and visiting Barcelona’s attractions, invest in a Barcelona Card. It gives you unlimited travel on public transport and free or discounted admission to several sites. You can buy a Barcelona Card for 2-5 days, with discounts available for advance online ticket purchases.
  
  
• Note that in Barcelona, the siesta, or migdiada is widely observed, especially by restaurants and cafés. This means most are closed between 4 a.m. and 8 p.m., although some tapas bars may stay open.

Local phrases & essential vocabulary

• Good morning: bon dia
• Good evening: bona tarda
• Hello: hola
• Bye: fins ara
• Please: Si us plau
• Thank you: gràcies (often also merci)
• You’re welcome: de res
• Sorry/excuse me: perdoni, dispensi
• Yes: Sí
• No: No
• How are you?: Com està?
• My name is…: Em dic…
• Nice to meet you: Encantat
• Do you speak English: Parla anglès?
• Where is the …?: On és...?

Cultural events

Barcelona hosts several festivals all year round, many of them unique to its Catalonian culture. It’s a great idea to time your Barcelona city break to be able experience one of them:

• Festes de Gràcia is a Catalan celebration, one of the most important in the region. The excitement each year is palpable, with community decorations, music and food in the street, fireworks and all-night parties.
• On the evening of 5th January, the Cavalcada de Reis parade is held. This family celebration of the Three Wise Men is filled with beautifully designed, colourful floats.
• Sónar is an annual music festival. Focusing on music and multimedia art, it runs for three days and nights starting in the third week of June.

When to go to Barcelona?

Barcelona is popular with visitors throughout the year. If you like it warm, but not too hot, plan your stay from April to June, or late-September to November, when the weather in Barcelona will be mild (15-20°C). For cooler weather, visit in the off-season – January and February. The sunny blue skies remain, and the temperature is around 9-10°C. To bask in full summer heat, come during July to mid-August, but be aware that some shops and restaurants will be closed from mid-August to September.

Gastro tips not to be missed

As capital city of the Catalonia region, Barcelona boasts a wide selection of traditional Catalan dishes. The ingredients are mainly Mediterranean – based on fresh tomato, garlic and aubergines, with lots of pasta, olive oil and legumes. The characteristic picada, made of ground almonds, hazelnuts and herbs is included in many dishes.

• Look for the small, pizza-like coca
• Try calçotada, a specially cultivated onion, served grilled
• Taste escalivada, made of a mix of grilled vegetables
• Enjoy the raisin and pine nut-dressed Catalan cod
• There’s esqueixada; salted cod salad served with tomatoes and onions
• For the more adventurous, another speciality is cargols a la llauna – cooked snails.