An action packed, cosmopolitan city, Barcelona promises beautiful beaches, elegant architecture, and inimitable culture and heritage. What makes the city even more special is its cool vibe, thriving nightlife, rich music scene and an ongoing culinary renaissance.
Summertime from June – August is the peak tourist season in Barcelona. Hotels are fully booked and room rates are at their highest. Try to book your preferred hotel a few months in advance, if you’re planning a summer visit. In the shoulder months from May – June or September, the average temperature is around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a good time to enjoy the warm, balmy weather, less crowds and reasonable room rates. Barcelona also hosts numerous carnival-like festivals during the short spring season from May – June. From October onwards through winter, the ocean becomes too cool for a swim, and the city experiences occasional rain showers. However, if you don’t mind slightly cooler temperatures of 55 – 60 degrees Fahrenheit, then visit Barcelona from November – March. While you may have to skip the beach activities, you can enjoy the some bargains on hotel rates, and avoid the crowds.
The best price found on momondo to Barcelona was $15/pp from Luqa, which is 94% cheaper than the average flight price to Barcelona. To find the cheapest price to Barcelona from your area, use momondo’s Airport-to-Airport Pricing Tool.
If you’re not able to fly to Barcelona in January, then February is your next best option. Flight prices from United States to Barcelona during February average around $348.
The best time to book a flight to Barcelona from United States is 38 days out, which is when prices tend to be around $447. Keep in mind that you might be able to find cheaper flights to Barcelona at any time. In fact, our users found flights for as low as $283 in the past 72 hours.
On average, the least expensive day to fly to Barcelona from United States is on a Monday. momondo users have found tickets for Monday departures for as low as $411. However, this price may fluctuate depending on the airline, the season, and holidays. Be sure to avoid booking your departure on a Friday as prices are generally higher than usual. According to our data, the average ticket price to Barcelona on Friday is $542.
The cheapest time of day to fly to Barcelona is in the morning when flights can be purchased for as low as $434. Flights in the evening are often more expensive with an average ticket price of $491.
If you’re looking to do your hiking in warmer conditions, consider planning your flight to Barcelona for March, April, and May. Parks like Parc de Joan Miró are popular hot spots in those months.
Most momondo users would consider October to be the best times to fly to Barcelona to see sights like La Rambla, Sagrada Familia, and Placa d'Espanya. Typically, the weather in Barcelona is under 70 degrees fahrenheit but still warm and the chance of rain is only moderate.
The month of July or August is often the best time to visit Barcelona to go to the beach due to the weather. Playa de la Barceloneta is the most often visited beach in the area. Consider visiting Platja de Sant Sebastià during your Barcelona visit as well.
Those flying to Barcelona could potentially find better pricing at Girona Costa Brava Airport (47 mi from Barcelona city center), Reus Airport (55 mi from Barcelona city center) or Lleida Lleida-Alguaire Airport (88 mi from Barcelona city center) depending on the month and departure airport.
Prices vary based on where travelers are departing from, but on average, the cheapest airport to fly to in Barcelona is Reus Airport where the average price is $239pp. Users typically find the best prices when using momondo’s Airport-to-Airport Pricing Tool.
Currently, Spain travel restrictions include travel to Barcelona. Entry restrictions
Spain has reopened its borders to travelers from most EU and Schengen Area countries; however, entry remains restricted to travelers arriving from other areas, except for Spanish nationals and residents, and accompanying immediate family members. Until February 2, Spain will not allow entry to inbound travelers that have been in the UK, with the exception of Spanish nationals and those legally resident in Spain. As of July 22, travelers arriving from Montenegro and Serbia are no longer allowed to enter Spain. For travelers arriving from outside the EU, only the following categories of travelers may enter: •Habitual residents in the European Union, Schengen Associated States, Andorra, Monaco, The Vatican, or San Marino. •Holders of a long-term visa issued by a Schengen member of Schengen Associated State who are going to that country. •Health professionals coming to Spain for work. •Goods and transport personnel in the practice of their duties. •Diplomats, consular, international officials, military personnel, civil protection and members of humanitarian organizations in the practice of their duties. •Students who study in one of the EU/Schengen member states and possess the appropriate visa or equivalent permit and medical insurance. They may enter the country 15 days prior to the start of their studies. •Highly qualified workers, including participants in high-level sporting events that take place in Spain. •People traveling for duly accredited family reasons. •People traveling for duly accredited humanitarian reasons of reasons of force major. •Residents of Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, or Uruguay, provided that they have come directly from these countries or only made international transits at airports outside of these countries.
Entry requirementsFrom November 23, all travelers (including children) arriving from Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, French Polynesia, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guam, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Palestinian Territory, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, St. Martin, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, UAE, UK, Ukraine and US, must present a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 TMA, LAMP or PCR test result issued within 72 hours prior to arrival with the exception of travelers arriving from Azores in Portugal; Rogaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Viken, Innlandet, Vestfold og Telemark, Agder, Vestland, Trondelag or Troms og Finnmarkin in Norway; Kitri, Ionia Nisia, Dytiki Ellada or Sterea Ellada in Greece; Faroe Island or Greenland. Spot checks may be carried out on arrival to confirm travelers have undergone a COVID-19 PCR, TMA or LAMP test and have tested negative. A minimum fine of €3000 may be issued to anyone who does not comply. Spain has reopened its borders to travelers from the EU, the Schengen area, and the UK. Travelers arriving from the aforementioned areas are no longer required to present a residency certificate or to self-isolate upon entry into Spain; however they will need to complete an "FCS health control form" 48 hours before arrival at https://www.spth.gob.es/. A QR code generated from the completed form must be presented upon arrival. Travelers will also undergo a temperature check and visual health assessment. From November 14, travelers visiting the Canary Islands and are booked into regulated tourist accommodation must present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours earlier, when checking in to their accommodation, download and activate the Radar COVID notification app throughout their stay on the islands, and for 15 days after they return home. Children under the age of 7 are exempt from these requirements. Regional authorities in the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera) have introduced three stages of control for domestic arrivals by sea or air to the islands, in addition to those for international arrivals to Spain. All tourists arriving from or via regions of Spain with a cumulative incidence of the virus of 150 cases per 100,000 inhabitants or greater must present a negative PCR or TMA carried out within 72 hours prior to arrival. A fine of up to € 3,000 is payable for anyone arriving without a valid test. Those with a justified reason for travel must complete a declaration and an antigen test upon arrival at the airport or port or will have to undergo a 10-day quarantine. Those resident in the Balearic islands must have a PCR at origin in the 72 hours prior to their arrival, or be tested on arrival or undergo a 10-day quarantine.
Transiting rulesTravelers transiting Spain via a Spanish airport on route to their final destination, the above mentioned PCR, TMA or Lamp test requirement and Health Control Form to enter the country does not apply. They should however, be prepared to show evidence of their onward journey such as flight tickets to their final destination. Restrictions introduced by Spain on passenger travel from the UK from December 22 until January 19 may also apply to those transiting through Spain to other international destinations.
All other infoResidency permits and D visas that expired between December 14, 2019 and June 21, 2020 are accepted for entry.
If you are planning to travel to Barcelona at this time, it is recommended that you stay up to date on current restrictions and follow proper safety measures while in public.Non-stop international flights from the U.S. to Barcelona are available from American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Norwegian, and Iberia. Other airlines offering flights with 1 or more stops are British Airways, Aeroflot, SAS, Lufthansa, LOT, Air France, TAP Air Portugal, Royal Air Maroc, KLM, Avianca, Finnair, Emirates, Brussels Airlines, WOW air, Swissair, Air China, Turkish Airlines, Air Europa, SATA, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Alitalia, Singapore Airlines, Austrian Airlines, and many more.
Barcelona El-Prat Airport is an international airport located approximately 7.5 miles southwest of Barcelona city center. A free shuttle service that runs every 5 – 10 minutes, 24 hours a day, connects the various terminals of the airport as well as the long-stay car parks. There are several ways to travel from the airport into the city.
Buses
Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona operates Aerobús, the official shuttle bus service connecting Barcelona Airport’s terminals 1 and 2 with Plaça Catalunya in the city center. The ride takes approximately 35 minutes and a one-way ticket costs €5.90 EUR. Buses depart every 5 minutes, and stop at other key locations including Plaça Espanya, Gran Via-Urgell, and Plaça Universidad. From Terminal 1, you can take Aerobús route A1, while from Terminal 2 you can choose route A2. Another option that connects both terminals with the city center location of Plaça Espanya is route 46. If your flight arrives at night, you can choose night bus route 18, which stops at both terminals 1 and 2 and travels to Plaça Catalunya. You also have the option of night bus route N17 from Terminal 1 and night bus route N16 from Terminal 2.
Taxis
You can find taxis at the taxi ranks opposite the arrivals areas of terminal T1, T2 A, T2 B, and T2 C. Fares are metered. There is an additional €3.10 EUR surcharge applicable for rides to and from the airport. Minimum fare from the airport, including all additional charges is €20.00 EUR. A typical fare from BCN to the city center is between €23.00 EUR – €28.00 EUR depending on traffic and the day of the week. To travel from the airport to the Cruise Port, taxis charge a flat fare of €39.00 EUR.
Car rentals
A handful of car rental companies are present at the airport. You can also plan ahead and check for deals on car rentals with momondo.
Barcelona’s magnificent architecture and the local attractions in the old city area are best experienced on foot. With narrow streets and regular traffic jams, try to avoid driving in the city. Instead, rely on the fast and efficient public transportation options for getting around in Barcelona.
Public Transportation
Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) operates an extensive network of underground rail (Metro) and local buses that connect all parts of the city. A single fare ticket costs €2.15 EUR, and is valid on the metro as well as the bus. You can also purchase an integrated ticket called T-10, which allows multi-person travel for up to 10 journeys on the bus and/or metro. This costs €9.95 EUR for travel within Zone 1.
Tour buses
To access the popular sights and attractions, consider booking a tour with Barcelona Bus Turistic, which operates open top, double decker, hop-on hop-off buses. The buses offer 45 stops and 3 routes that cover all the popular sights and attractions. A 1-day adult ticket costs €29.00 EUR, and a 2-day ticket costs €39.00 EUR.
Taxis
Metered black-and-yellow taxis are available throughout the city, and can be hailed on the streets. The meter starts at €2.15 EUR followed by €1.13 EUR for every 0.6 miles after, and a waiting charge per hour of €22.10 EUR.
Citizens of the United States with a valid passport can visit Spain for a maximum of 90 days without having to apply for or obtain a Schengen visa. For foreign nationals, please check the Schengen Visa Info website.
A hip, urban destination, Barcelona offers plenty of history and architecture, culture and festivals, gastronomy and nightlife. With a ton of landmarks, monuments, parks, markets, museums and beaches to explore, a single trip may not be enough to see everything that Barcelona offers. Here are a few suggestions on what to include in your itinerary to truly experience this vibrant city.
Try a Pintxos bar
In a city that promises heaps of gastronomic delights, don’t miss a visit to a Pintxos bar, a culinary trend in Barcelona. While essentially this is Basque tapas, tradition calls for choosing your Pintxos with toothpicks. At the end of the night you are charged for the number of toothpicks used. Euskal Etxea restaurant at Plaça de Montcada is one of the best places to try this. Some of the other must-try tapas bars include Quimet i Quimet, La Esquinica and El Jabali.
Cover up!
Many of the religious attractions, such as the Catedral de Barcelona and Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, require visitors to cover up their knees and shoulders when stepping inside. Visitors without the proper attire are strictly not admitted. Make sure you dress appropriately or carry shawls, scarves etc. to cover up with, so you don’t miss out on these grand sights and attractions.