Flights to Barcelona
 

Located on the northeastern coast of Spain near the French border, Barcelona is a world-class city famous for its jaw-dropping architecture. Styles range from the fairytale look of the Gothic Quarter, which dates back to the Middle Ages, to the stunning, eccentric creations of Antoni Gaudí, a Catalan Modernist who put his own unique spin on things.

As if all that man-made beauty wasn’t enough, Barcelona boasts 2.6 miles of sandy, sunny beaches along the Mediterranean. Here sun-worshippers can swim, tan, snorkel, paddleboard, play volleyball and sit at outdoor cafes and people watch to their heart’s content.

The food culture is rich in tradition, found in huge, shallow pans of steaming paella and thin slices of Iberian ham. But it’s innovative, too, having played a role in the creation of molecular gastronomy.

It’s not surprising in a city where eating dinner before 9 p.m. is considered early that Barcelona comes to life at night. Flamenco shows, concert halls, and dance clubs keep toes tapping until the early morning hours.

Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), which is located in the town of El Prat eight miles southwest of Barcelona, has three runways and two terminals serving more than 80 international and domestic airlines, including Delta Air Lines.

For international travelers with layovers in Barcelona, there are nine Air Rooms and one suite for overnight stays, day use (up to six hours) and, showering (up to 3 hours). Families traveling with children can find play areas in both terminals.

When it comes to dining, there are a few fast-food options, including American favorites Burger King and McDonald’s, as well as Pans & Company, serving a variety of sandwiches. There are also tons of coffee shops to choose from, such as Caffè di Fiore, Costa Coffee, and Illy. For full-service restaurants, consider the Catalan offerings from Mussol, or Porta Gaig, serving Mediterranean cuisine.

If you need some last-minute souvenirs, consider stocking up on imported candies from Wonkandy and gourmet food items from Sibarium, or Farga. Or pick up some designer duds from Desigual or Custo.

  • Taxi stands can be found at arrivals at both terminals
  • Rental car agencies have operations in both terminals
  • The R2 Noth line of the local train service provides transportation to Barcelona and other towns in Catalonia
  • The L9 Sud metro line provides transportation to Zona Universitària in Barcelona
  • For city bus service to Barcelona, take Aerobús A1: Plaça Catalunya from Terminal 1 and Aerobús A2: Plaça Catalunya from Terminal 2
  • Bus service to Spanish cities beyond Barcelona is provided by Mon-Bus and Empresa Plana
  • International bus service to France and Switzerland is provided by Flixbus

If you do nothing else in Barcelona, you’ll want to visit Gaudí’s La Sagrada Família, a stunning modernist cathedral with four tall, thin spires. The structure is so complex and the design so ambitious, construction began in 1882 and is projected to be complete in 2026.

Park Güell is another eye-popping Gaudí creation, but it’s a completely different experience than the cathedral. Look for the storybook gatehouse, mosaic lizard, stone columns, and curved benches that beckon visitors to linger.

Stroll Las Ramblas, a popular pedestrian boulevard dating back to Medieval times. The walkway is thick with tourists, street performers, flower vendors, and outdoor cafes.

Immerse yourself in the artworks of modern masters by visiting Museu Picasso, which focuses on the artist’s early works, and Fundació Joan Miró, featuring 22 rooms of the artist’s works spanning his entire career.

Dine on Catalan cuisine at Lasarte, the city’s first Michelin three-star restaurant, or Can Pineda, which has been serving diners since 1904.

W Barcelona really knows how to make a statement. Shaped like a massive, glass sail on the boardwalk at Barceloneta beach, the hotel has 473 rooms with amazing ocean views, three restaurants, and a bar on the 26th floor.

On the opposite end of the design spectrum is Casa Camper, a minimalist boutique hotel with 30 rooms and 10 suites offering a 24-hour free buffet of healthy snacks to its guests.

For something more classic, Hotel 1898 offers elegance and history in Las Ramblas in what was once headquarters for the General Philippines Tobacco Company. Built in 1881, the structure was designed by Catalan architect Josep Oriol Mestres. Amenities include private terraces in some rooms, a swimming pool, spa, La Nida restaurant, and La Isabela rooftop bar.

Barcelona has a subtropical Mediterranean climate, which means the winters are mild and summers are hot and humid. The average low during the winter months is 40 degrees, and the average high during the summer is 84 degrees. July and August are typically the hottest months. Precipitation falls year-round, but the heaviest rainfall occurs in September and October due to the Gota Fria phenomenon, unique to the Mediterranean. When it occurs, temperatures can drop, and strong rain or hail will fall, resulting in about 20 gallons of water per square yard in just a few hours.