Barcelona is practically bursting at the seams – it is one of Spain’s most popular cities, and home to nearly two million people and the energy in Barcelona is beyond compare. Travelers booking flights to Barcelona in hopes of watching an authentic bullfight or finding traditional flamenco flare will be disappointed. This city represents progressive Spanish culture – hundreds of restaurants and cafes line the city streets, bars and clubs are open until dawn and fine art and fashion are found at every corner. Amidst its cosmopolitan feel, Barcelona’s Spanish history seeps through.
Save the guide book for your flight to Barcelona – there’s a lot of reading and history to catch up on before exploring the city so settle in on your Barcelona flight and start learning. From medieval buildings in the preserved Gothic Quarter to art nouveau structures lining the streets, Barcelona has some impressive stories to tell. As the capital of the Catalunya region, Barcelona maintains its position as an economic powerhouse and thanks to the 16 million visitors booking Barcelona flights and accommodations every year, the city thrives on tourism. The influx of riches and intellect captured over the years have helped Barcelona become one of the most stylish cities in Europe, and one of Spain’s favorite destinations.
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There's no bad time to book a flight to Barcelona. Hot summers and cool winters are the mainstay climates for this Spanish city. May, June and September are ideal times to visit Barcelona when the average temperature is in the high 70s (F). August is the hottest month, and when most locals pack up and head to the coast to escape the heat. January is cold, with temperatures averaging around 55 degrees (F).
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Peak Season:
Barcelona is Spain’s most popular tourist destination, and summer is the peak season when most foreigners book flights to Barcelona. Many of the locals depart for the beach in August and leave the city to the visitors.
Ideal times to visit are May, June, and September when the weather is warm but not sizzling hot.
Off Season:
Between tourists and business travelers, Barcelona is busy year-round and cheap flights to Barcelona can always be found. September has fewer tourists, and October has lots of rain. Although the winters are mild, make sure your room is heated, it can get chilly at night.
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The Aerobus service goes to and from Placa de Catalunya every 15 minutes, dropping off at locations along the way, and costs €3.45. It is a good option for those with little luggage. Trains run from the airport to various stations in the city center every 30 minutes, costing around €2.20; the airport station is located near Terminal A and is connected to the terminal by a moving walkway. There are taxi ranks outside the airport terminals; taxis are metered and cost between €4;15 and €4;25 to the city center. The journey time by road or rail is between 20 and 30 minutes.
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Sections of Barcelona are perfect for walking, but you will need transportation to get around town. Mopeds are still a standard, and bicycles are gaining in popularity and are easy to rent.
The public transportation system is excellent and has the metro, buses, funiculars, and cable cars. Overall, the metro is the best way to get around town, and the buses take you farther out and to the airport. In summer the Bus Turistic has two hop-on hop-off routes that tour the city with stops near major tourist destinations. Except for the night buses, tickets can be used across the system. There are several multiple-ride tickets available, and the Barcelona Card includes discounts on some restaurants and tourist attractions.
Taxis are plentiful and you can call or hail one on the street. The fares are reasonable, but night fares are higher than day fares. For the most part the drivers are reliable, but make sure the meter is running.
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- There are so many major tourist attractions in the city that you may feel like getting off the beaten track and seeing something a little more esoteric. If so, the Museu del Calcat, or shoe museum, is the perfect spot. The museum costs only €2.50 to enter (or free for under-sevens) and showcases the cobbler’s craft from Roman times to the modern day.
- The catamaran Orsom is moored at the port of Barcelona and is a great way to escape the city to the sea or to parts of the Costa Brava. Jazz cruises set out in the evenings. To book, just head to the port at the bottom of Las Ramblas.
- As with most major tourist attractions, it’s best to visit the Sagrada Familia in the very early morning if you want to avoid the crowds. More than one million people come here every year, so unless you enjoy being jostled, arrive first thing in the morning to see it in (relative) peace and quiet.
- For a more relaxed enjoyment of a Gaudi masterpiece, head for the Parc Guell. Buses stop right outside, or you can take a short walk from the metro. The Unesco site is filled with Gaudi’s stunning sculptures, but there is plenty of room just to sit back and enjoy the views of the city.
- If you want to visit the beaches of Barcelona, the closest to the city center is Barceloneta. However, this is, understandably, extremely busy. A short bus ride away is Nova Icaria, near to the Olympic marina. As well as the beach are bars and restaurants – but again it is almost always full. To experience the sea in a bit more solitude, take a train to the north (local custom has it that the beaches to the north attract a higher class of visitor) and stop at Ocata, where you'll find a long sandy beach with plenty of space and beautifully clean water.
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