$571+ Cheap flights to Barcelona

Barcelona climate

On the shores of the Mediterranean, Barcelona has hot summers and cool winters. July and August are the hottest months with the temperatures occasionally pushing 37 degrees. January is the coolest month when temperatures are usually in the 10s. May and June are sunny and warm, and in September the heat starts to cool down to comfortable ranges.

Getting around Barcelona

The public transportation system is very thorough and includes a bus network, a metro, several tram networks and aerial cable cars. It’s a great way to get around Barcelona but walking is a very nice way to explore.

The double-decker Bus Turistic makes stops at popular tourist destinations in the summer. Save some money by buying multiple-ride tickets. The Barcelona Card gets you discounts at various restaurants and tourist attractions. You can also rent mopeds and bicycles, or hail a taxi. 

Taxis are reasonably priced, but it’s always a good idea to make sure the meter is running. Note that fares are more expensive at night.

Visitors who prefer to drive will find that Barcelona is well-connected with neighbouring areas. Three international routes cut through the city, and an extensive network of highways and smaller roads help to connect major sights within the city.

Getting Downtown from the airport

Once the flight arrives at Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), the Aerobus service goes to and from Placa de Catalunya every 15 minutes, stopping off at locations along the way. It is a good option for those with little luggage. Trains run from the airport to various stations in the city centre every 30 minutes. The airport station is located near the terminal and is connected to it by a moving walkway. There are taxi ranks outside the airport. Taxis are metered and the journey time by road or rail is between 20 and 30 minutes.

What is good to know if travelling to Barcelona?

• 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 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. Millions of 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 centre 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.