Updated 22 October 2026
Cycling in Barcelona: Lanes, Hire and the Bicing Trap
Why the city bike share is closed to visitors, where to hire instead, which routes work, the rules that carry fines, and the best mountain road view.
Trip planning
All our Trip planning guides for Barcelona, in one place.
19 guides: Trip planning
Updated 19 October 2026
Barcelona on a Budget: Costs and Money Tips
What a trip to Barcelona really costs, from hotels and food to sights and transport, plus honest ways to save without missing the good stuff.
Updated 18 October 2026
Travel Insurance for Barcelona and Spain
Do you need travel insurance for Barcelona? What private medical care costs in Spain, how theft claims work in a pickpocketing hotspot, and what to check.
Updated 18 October 2026
Barcelona's Tourist Taxes in 2026: What You Pay Per Night, and Why It Went Up
Barcelona charges two separate tourist taxes, a Catalan regional levy plus a city surcharge. What appears on your bill, who is exempt, and how many nights.
Updated 16 October 2026
Day Trips from Barcelona: Five Options and How to Choose One
A holy mountain, a medieval Jewish quarter, a beach town, a Dali museum and hidden coves, all within about an hour. What each suits and how to choose.
Updated 16 October 2026
Barcelona and Spain Visa and Entry Guide
Do you need a visa for Barcelona? Schengen rules by nationality, the 90/180 day count, the EES border system and where ETIAS stands today.
Updated 16 October 2026
First Time in Barcelona: The Only Guide You Need
Planning your first trip to Barcelona? How to pick a neighborhood, when to go, what to book ahead, how to get around and how to skip rookie mistakes.
Updated 16 October 2026
Montserrat or Costa Brava: Which Day Trip from Barcelona
One free day outside Barcelona: the mountain monastery of Montserrat or the coves and medieval towns of the Costa Brava? Costs and a clear verdict.
Updated 15 October 2026
Barcelona Neighborhoods: Where to Stay and Explore
A guide to Barcelona neighborhood by neighborhood: the Gothic Quarter, El Born, the Eixample, Gràcia, Barceloneta and more, and which one suits your trip.
Updated 15 October 2026
Casa Batllo or Casa Mila: Which Gaudi House?
Two houses a few minutes apart and most visitors see one: what each interior gives you, which has the better roof, how prices differ, and how to choose.
Updated 21 September 2026
Sport in Barcelona Beyond Barça: Espanyol, the Grand Prix, Basketball and the Marathon
The other ticketed sport in Barcelona: Espanyol at Cornellà, the renamed Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, Palau Blaugrana basketball and the big road races.
Updated 16 August 2026
Tibidabo: A Family Day on the Mountain Above Barcelona
An amusement park running since 1901, a church with a statue visible from much of the city and Barcelona laid out below. How to get up and what to book.
Updated 29 July 2026
Sagrada Familia: A Complete Visitor Guide
The basilica building since 1882: what the two facades mean, why the interior surprises people, how tickets and timed entry work and the hour for light.
Updated 8 July 2026
Getting from Barcelona Airport (BCN) to the City: Every Option Compared
Aerobus, R2 Nord train, Metro L9 Sud or a taxi? Every way from Barcelona El Prat airport to the city center compared on price, speed and luggage.
Updated 22 May 2026
Barcelona Weather by Month: When to Go and What to Expect
Barcelona weather month by month: temperatures, rain, sea warmth, crowds and festivals, plus the best time to visit for beaches, sightseeing or budget.
Updated 12 May 2026
Barcelona or Madrid: Which to Visit
Beach and Gaudí or the Prado and late nights? An honest comparison of Barcelona and Madrid on sights, food, nightlife, day trips and cost, with a verdict.
Updated 25 April 2026
La Mercè and Barcelona's Festival Calendar
Fire runs, human towers, giants and a city that shuts down to celebrate: what happens at the September festival and other dates worth a trip.
Updated 7 April 2026
Barcelona with Children: What Actually Works
A city of late dinners and timed tickets is easier with children than it looks: which sights survive contact with a five year old, and which do not.
Updated 1 April 2026
Four Days in Barcelona, Ordered So You Are Not Zigzagging
A four day plan grouped by geography rather than fame: what to book before you arrive, what to leave loose, and where the standard plan wastes afternoons.