Buses from and to Barcelona

Things to do in Barcelona

About Barcelona

There is so much more to Barcelona than its beaches, sangrias and fantastic weather, though these are valid reasons to visit this Spanish city. During your trip to Barcelona, one can discover works of art from the mastermind Gaudi, which have now permanently become part of the city, walk around the Gothic Quarter and, of course, fill up on delicious Spanish food.

Places of Interest in Barcelona

Antoni Gaudi, Spanish architect, was part of the modernista movement. With a majority of his works residing in Barcelona, it would be a shame to visit the city without paying tribute to "God's Architect."

• Park Guell was originally to be part of a housing complex, which turned out to be unsuccessful. In 1926, the park was open to the public and became a UNESCO site in 1984. Admission into the park is free, however, to view the famous tiled houses and funky statues, you have to pay for admission. It is recommended to buy tickets online beforehand if you plan to visit the park during a high tourist season.

• Casa Batllo, centered in the middle of Barcelona, is a multi-colored almost scaly looking building. It is said to resemble a dragon with St. George’s lance driven through it. Visit the building (Passeig de Gràcia, 43, 08007 Barcelona, Spain) and decide for yourself!

• Within walking distance from Casa Batllo is Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera, which was built to look like an open quarry. Today, it is home to the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation, hosts cultural events and is also home to a museum about the architect himself. One can buy a ticket to visit the museum (about five stories high), which will also grant you access to the roof where the view of Barcelona is stellar.

• Within the Parc de la Ciutadella, Gaudi designed the fountain Cascada del Parc in his earlier years, which, after viewing some of his other works, you can see the difference. The fountain looks much more traditional, similar to those found in Rome or Paris. In contrast, his later works are much more funky and true to his style. While you’re there, enjoy a little time in the park; it is always a great place to people watch or take a little siesta.

• Possibly his most famous piece of work is La Sagrada Familia (meaning “The Church of the Holy Family”), which has yet to be finished. Construction began in 1882 and has slowly progressed since then. One can only imagine that with such an impressive exterior, that the interior is just as awe-inspiring. With the incredibly detailed ceiling and the large stained-glass windows, it almost feels like you’ve crawled into a cave. If you decide to go inside, it is recommended to buy tickets beforehand.

Culture and History of Barcelona

Barcelona is home to one of the most well-preserved medieval areas in Europe. Stroll through the streets of the Gothic Quarter, and you will instantly see the difference between the medieval and the modern architecture. You could easily enjoy a perfect day just within the Gothic Quarter.

• Starting at the Picasso Museum, you can view some of the artwork from one of Spain's most famous artist as well as artwork from different artists (usually displayed in the temporary exhibit).

• If you’re feeling hungry after viewing all the artwork, head to Caelum. Caelum is a café where the nuns and monks from the surrounding convents and monasteries make freshly baked goods for your enjoyment. Not only is it an enjoyable Spanish experience, but the prices are very reasonable for such good quality snacks.

• Following your short break, continue towards Catedral de Barcelona. While visiting the church, be sure to pay attention to all the different gargoyles that hang about the church. Keep in mind that this is still a fully functioning church, so be respectful in how you dress and with your behavior.

• Along a palm-tree lined walkway lies Barcelona's Arc de Triomf. Even though the name is similar, do not confuse this arch with the one in Paris. The two have entirely different architectural structures. Challenge yourself to visit both and decide which you like more. Along the arch, there is a wonderful park where there are always people hanging out and enjoying themselves. It seems like the area always has a summery vibe.

Interesting Facts about Barcelona

You cannot visit any city in Spain without enjoying your fill of tapas.

• Barcelona has a very vibrant food culture that can be experienced at La Boqueria Market. There are stalls upon stalls of just pure tastiness. Grab a snack, smoothie or sit down for a whole meal here. Tapas are meant to be shared with friends and family. When going to a tapas bar, be sure to ask how big each tapa is to determine just how many you'll have to order.

• If you’re health-nut or simply enjoy environmentally-friendly dining, Cometa Pla (Carrer del Cometa 5) is your place. However, the prices are a little bit more than if you just went to a typical tapas bar.

• If you’re looking for a quality tapas bar while on a budget, head to La Plata (Carrer de la Merce 28). The serving sizes are large enough to share amongst two or three hungry tourists. La Plata will exceed your expectations with its menu of traditional Spanish food.

Buses to Barcelona

Find the most affordable bus tickets to Barcelona

Looking for affordable tickets to Barcelona? We've got you covered with buses to Barcelona from as little as $9.99 – and you can save even more when you book in advance. FlixBus has many connections in Spain and in many other countries, so no matter where you're traveling from, we've got a trip for you. Hop on board and enjoy your trip with our free Wi-Fi and spacious seats. Booking your ticket is easy, whether you want to do it online, at a sales point, or with our FlixBus App. You can also use the App to manage your bookings and use the digital tickets to get on board. For the most affordable tickets, book on the App in advance – the earlier you book, the cheaper your ticket will be!

Why travel to Barcelona with FlixBus

FlixBus is the most affordable and convenient way to travel to Barcelona. There are 3 stops in Barcelona and you can reach them from 118 departure cities. Just check on the FlixBus network if you have a connection in your city! Booking a ticket with FlixBus is very simple: you can choose between different payment methods, such as credit card, Paypal, Google and Apple Pay. Book your ticket online in advance on our website or the FlixBus App, or pay in cash onboard or at a sales point. Traveling by bus is one of the most environmentally-friendly options available, as you reduce traffic-related emissions and you can help the planet by offsetting your CO₂ emissions when booking your ticket!

Onboard services

Traveling to Barcelona is a very comfortable experience: once you're on board your FlixBus, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy our onboard services. Our buses are equipped with toilets and power outlets, and to make your experience even nicer, they have free Wi-Fi, so you can catch up on emails or watch your favorite show as we take you to Barcelona. Do you like to travel by the window? When booking your ticket, you can reserve your preferred seat, and if you want more space or privacy, you can even book the seat next to you for some extra comfort! When it comes to baggage, you can bring whatever you want to Barcelona as one stored bag and one carry-on are included in your ticket, free of charge!