So, you want to go to Barcelona,
Spain? Well, I'm glad you stopped here. My name is Gwen. I'm CORR Travel, and as
a solo traveler who's been to Barcelona, I've got some essential tips I think you need to
know before you go. So, let's go ahead and jump into my Barcelona Travel Guide and cover these
essential tips that will help get YOU to Barcelona. [Music] First, why you should go to Barcelona. Spain's
second largest city, Barcelona sits on Costa Brava and has 4.2 kilometers of sandy beaches making it
one of the best beach destinations in Europe. Over 1.6 million residents share two official languages,
Catalan and Spanish, as well as over 60 museums multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites, rich culture
and history, amazing cuisine, architecture, art, and more. So, it's no wonder that Barcelona attracts
over seven and a half million visitors every year Number Two: When to go to Barcelona. The best time
to visit Barcelona depends on the time of year, holidays, and events. This is because they impact
the number of tourists and your travel costs. Barcelona's temperatures average from the
40s to the mid 80s Fahrenheit year-round. May through August are the peak season
months where the days are hottest and most humid, but they're great for beach and water
activities, and they have the longest days. They also have the largest tourist crowds,
long lines for attractions, crowded beaches, and limited number of accommodations causing
the highest travel costs across the board. The shoulder season months are March
through April, September and October, and they have lovely warm weather with good
opportunity for beach and water activities. Also, they have the long days. Note, September
and October are Barcelona's rainiest months. They provide for fewer crowds on the beach
and attractions, and there's more accommodation availability and better chance for overall
travel deals. November through February are the low season months where the weather is
undoubtedly colder, and the days are shortest, but there are much fewer tours and probably the
best opportunity for travel deals making these months the cheapest time to visit Barcelona -
just keep in mind the end of year holidays. Speaking of holidays, Barcelona has on average more
than one holiday a month and many festivals and events yearly - like the popular Sonar event in
June that lasts for four days, or Christmas and end of your holidays. So, keep events and holidays
in mind when planning your Barcelona itinerary. Overall, if you're looking to enjoy the best
of Barcelona indoors and out, but not pay the maximum, the shoulder season months would be
the way to go. Number Three: Getting to Barcelona. The closest airport to Barcelona is Barcelona-
El Prat (A.K.A. Barcelona Airport). It accepts international and domestic flights that arrive at
Terminal 1, and the low-cost carriers arrive at Terminal 2. El Prat is only 15 kilometers
south of Barcelona City Center, and there are several transportation options to get you to
the city center that I'll cover in just a minute. Barcelona receives many trains daily.
Depending on your departure point, trains will arrive at either Sants Station (or Estacio
de Sants), or Franca Station (Estacio de Franca). Barcelona also receives many buses daily, and
buses usually arrive at Barcelona Sants Station or the North Station (Estacio de Nord). You can
connect to the Metro from any of these stations. From Barcelona Sants, the Metro R1, R3, and R4
lines leave every four minutes for the Placa de Catalunya station, and one-way tickets cost less
than three Euros. If you must drive to Barcelona you'll want to stay where parking is easiest
and cheapest. There are over 140 car parks in Barcelona City Center that normally charge 2.50 to
3.50 euros an hour. You could possibly find parking between 10 to 16 euros per day but that will
depend on location and type of parking facility. Plus, you'll have to ensure that you have a parking
spot so you'll want to reserve yours in advance. Consult with your hotel or other accommodation
on parking availability and cost, or if they can recommend an alternative off-site parking
location. Ultimately, I do not recommend driving in Barcelona whether you're a solar travel or not.
It's really just not worth the expense and time. Number Four: Getting Around Barcelona.
Okay, this is a biggie and we have lots to cover. Let's get started with getting from the
Barcelona-El Prat Airport to the city center. And, if you don't have access to a free airport
shuttle from your hotel, don't worry about it. There are multiple transportation options. The
Renfe train leaves the Aeroporto Station every 30 minutes and takes approximately 25 minutes
to reach the Passeig de Gràcia Station. Tickets are approximately 5 euros, and from there you can
catch a Metro to the Plaça de Catalunya Station if it's closer to your hotel. The orange L9 Metro
line leaves Barcelona Airport every seven minutes from both the T1 and T2 Metro stations, and it
takes approximately 35 minutes to arrive at Plaça de Catalunya station, but it does require
transfers. Tickets cost approximately 5 euros. Called the Aerobus, this express bus is really
the way to go, especially for staying near Plaça de Catalunya, which I recommend for first
time travel. I'll talk more on that shortly. It goes direct to the Plaça de Catalunya bus
stop in 30 minutes for less than six euros. The A1 bus leaves Terminal 1, and the A2 bus leaves
Terminal 2, and both depart every 5 to 10 minutes. The public TMB number 46 bus also leaves
Airport T1 and T2. With several stops, this bus does take longer to reach the city center,
but one-way tickets are only around 2.40 euro. Alternatively, you can hire a private
one-way or round-trip airport transfer, which will start around 40 euros. A luxury
airport transfer will start much higher. There's always the taxi or ride share option.
Barcelona-El Prat Airport does have Uber, Bolt, and Lyft, which may cost around 25
to 30 euros to get the city center. Last, you could get the Barcelona Airport car
rental, but then again deal with a hassle and expense of parking in the city center.
Of course, I do not recommend this option. For more details and links to transportation
options from the Barcelona-El Prat Airport, don't forget to consult my ULTIMATE
Barcelona Travel Guide - the link is below. Now that you're in the city center, let's
talk about getting around the city center. Barcelona is a very large city, and some of the
top sites can be quite a distance from each other. Taking the Barcelona Metro is highly recommended
to cover these longer distances in a shorter time. The Barcelona Metro is extremely easy to use.
Tickets can be purchased in each station with cash or credit card. There are 12 Metro lines, which
include access to the public buses as well. One-way tickets within one zone can cost less than three
euros each way, or you can buy the Hola Barcelona Public Transport Travel Card, which is an easier
way to get free unlimited access to Barcelona transportation in the city and suburbs for up to
48, 72, 96, or 120-hour increments. If you need Metro assistance, just ask a booth attendant. Many speak
English and are happy to answer your questions. Another way to cover a lot of Barcelona is
the Hop-on Hop-off Bus. Tours like these are ideal for large cities like Barcelona. This bus
is a very popular option in Barcelona because it covers two to three different routes
around Barcelona encompassing all of the top Barcelona sites and attractions. Buses
depart centrally from Plaça de Catalunya. I would recommend buying your 24 or 48-hour bus
ticket in advance to save time during peak season. Of course, Barcelona is walkable. Although extensive,
a large portion of Barcelona City Center is flat, and many must-sees are centrally located making
Barcelona optimal for walking. To save time, tackle Barcelona by neighborhood. A great way to learn
more about Barcelona's history, culture, food, or wine, while meeting other travelers, is to take
a historic food or wine tasting walking tour. Due to designated paths, Barcelona is also
ideal for biking and scooters. You'll see many bike and e-bike rental stands and e-scooters
throughout Barcelona making it easier to zip through Barcelona like a local. Or, you can join
an e-scooter, segway, bike, or e-bike tour. These tours are eco-friendly and fun for tourists at
all ages. And don't forget Barcelona's expansive coastline, so why not take a scenic cruise to
get a different view of Barcelona day or night? For links to great walking tours, bike rentals,
cruise options, or more, consult my Barcelona Travel Guide, or check out some of the links
I have for you below to get you started. That said, now's a good time to
talk about the Barcelona Card. If you're staying for three days or more in
Barcelona, you may want to purchase one the Barcelona card includes entry to 25 museums
and attractions with skip the line entrances, 50 off admission to top attractions like
Gaudí's Casa Milà and more, transportation from the airport to the city center as well as
free public transportation, the Hop-on Hop-off Bus tickets, and more. You can buy the Barcelona
Card for three, four, or five-day increments. Get it in advance online - I do have a link for
you below - and exchange your voucher at one of the designated locations and times in the airport,
and then from there just zip to the Barcelona City Center knowing you're covered for all the
things that you want to do and see in Barcelona. Number Six: Barcelona Safety. Barcelona's
crime rate is considered moderate, but as a solo female traveler in Barcelona
I practice general precautions and, as such, I never felt unsafe in Barcelona. So, just be
street-wise and consider using the following tips: Yes, pickpocketing can be prevalent around La
Rambla, but also be careful in other high tourist areas, and on crowded public transportation
by keeping your belongings securely on you with no open bags or pockets. And never carry
cash or valuables in your pockets. Instead, use a mono-sling bag, like you see mine here,
or use a money belt securely tucked away. Do not set your belongings down and turn away
or walk away for any reason. It is safe to walk alone during the day and night in Barcelona,
but at night just be a little bit more aware. Stay within well-lit and populated streets at
night, and just be alert around Metro stations. If you normally feel uncomfortable being alone
at night, you may want to visit Barcelona during peak or shoulder season months when the days are
longer so you have more time to explore Barcelona. And, if you ever feel uncomfortable in
any surrounding or situation, just leave. Last, having a mobile hotspot as a backup
is always a good idea in case you need to call a ride share and you can't get
access to Barcelona's free public Wi-Fi. Or, you can always pop into a local
establishment and use their Wi-Fi, if need be. That said, here are some travel essentials I would
recommend that you take on your solo trip to Barcelona: A portable Wi-Fi hotspot, although there
is free public Wi-Fi in Barcelona it's good to have as a backup; a VPN service for data security;
a solar charger so your phone's always charging while you're out and about; comfortable walking
shoes; a collapsible water bottle and sling carrier; eco-friendly sunscreen; and, a mono-sling bag or
money belt for keeping your valuables secure. I have more great travel gear
suggestions for Barcelona on my website. Just consult the Barcelona
Travel Guide, or the Spain Travel Guide, for finding the ride adapters to use, for
example, when you're traveling in Spain. Number Eight: Where to Stay in Barcelona.
Where you stay in Barcelona can really make or break your visit, especially on
first time travel. Ciutat Vella, or Old City, holds Barcelona's oldest neighborhoods and
four of which are great places to stay. [Music] Additionally, if you're within walking distance
to Plaça Catalunya, your arrival from the airport is super easy without transfers;
you're centrally located to explore many of Barcelona attractions on foot; you're
close to the Hop-on Hop-off Bus stop; and, you can easily catch the metro or bus
to other Barcelona destinations or to stations like Barcelona Sants for taking
a day trip outside of Barcelona by train. This is the area within the city center
I recommend first time travelers stay. This area also has many accommodations for budgets of all types. When I look for accommodations as a solo traveler, I look for central location for
attractions and transportation, a reasonable price, amenities, free cancellation, breakfast
inclusion, ratings, and a travel sustainable rating. If you're like me, here are just a few of the
hotels for different budgets to consider for your Barcelona stay: Hotel Turin, Arc la Rambla,
Petit Palace Boquería Garden, Hotel Sant Agusti, and Hotel Cantón. In fact, on my last solo trip to
Barcelona, I stayed at Hotel Turin. It checked all the boxes, plus had a friendly staff. If you want
to go the hostel route, either for a private room or dorm-style room, try Pars Teatro Hostel or
Alternative Creative Youth Hostel Barcelona. I have more great city center hotel recommendations.
If you want to see those and links to all of my city center hotel and hostel recommendations, just
check them out in my Barcelona Travel Guide online. Number Nine: Top Things to Do in Barcelona. Of
course, there are simply TOO many Barcelona attractions to list in this Barcelona Travel Guide,
but here are some of the top attractions to get you started in building your Barcelona itinerary.
Some of these are free, but for those that aren't, don't forget the Barcelona Card. It covers many of
these. Top of the list, of course, are Barcelona's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a few of which are
works by Antoni Gaudi like: La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, Parc Güell, and more. And here are some more amazing cathedrals, architectural buildings, landmarks, monuments, parks, and beaches in Barcelona you won't want to miss. [Music] And there are many, many more. Don't forget to put
these, at a minimum, on your Barcelona itinerary. Number Ten: Barcelona Food and Entertainment. Barcelona has some of the best cuisine in Spain. From fine dining to cafes, fresh seafood and tapas,
paella, sangria, chocolate, and more, you can find whatever you want to sample in any
of the Barcelona neighborhoods on any budget. For tips on where to go, the Gothic Quarter and
El Born are very popular for bars, cafes tapa,s and Barcelona nightlife. La Rambla, north
and south, of Placa Catalunya, are also popular for restaurants and bars with great outdoor dining
options. And you can't go wrong with hanging out at La Boqueria for fresh food and drinks. Don't forget,
there's always a good food and wine tour to take. For more nightlife, Placa de Sol and the Bari
de Gracia are also popular with students and younger adults. If the bar scene is not your thing,
try a Flamenco show - this is Barcelona after all. Keep in mind, tipping in Spain is not customary,
but if you feel you've had great service, it's acceptable to tip 10 to 15 percent. It's best
to tip in cash if you can, but if you don't have any, you can ask them to include the tip on
your credit card before they bring you the bill. To explore Barcelona dining options, try any of
these apps. Like touring Barcelona, just search by neighborhood. Or, if you're like me, you agree
this is the area of travel in which to wing it by wandering the neighborhoods to read the menus and
get a feel for a place or ask your hotel concierge, local tour guide, or any other local on their
dining recommendation. I find this is a great way to find out where the locals are eating and
enjoy a more authentic travel experience. Next up: Day Trips from Barcelona. If you have the time and want to explore more of
Spain's mountains, historic sites, do wine tasting, or Costa Brava coastal activities, keep Barcelona
as your home base and try a day trip to Montserrat, Sitges, Girona, or Tarragona. These are easy to do
self-guided, or as part of a tour group, and will only enhance your Spain travel experience.
Number 12: Budget Travel Tips for Barcelona. Traveling Barcelona on a budget? No worries.
It's easier if you keep the following in mind: Booking really early can get you a great deal on
a city center location; or, booking an accommodation further away from the city center could provide
lower costs - just stay close to a metro stop. Try not visiting during the
holidays or popular events. Some museums offer free entry on particular
days, so check in advance before buying tickets. Visit in the shoulder or low season
months, and stay during the week. Depending on time of year, location, and
amenities, Barcelona hostel dorm rooms can start at eight euros a night, and
private rooms at 24 euros a night. To save on dining and drinking out, shop
at a local market or grocery store, and don't forget the Barcelona Card to save money on
attractions, and public and airport transportation. If the Barcelona Card is not for you, at least
consider getting a multi-day transportation pass. It could save you time and money.
If you've been following CORR Travel, you know I'm always promoting traveling with your
eco-friendly foot forward. So, travel Barcelona with the planet in mind using any of these easy
eco-travel tips that really DO make a difference: Forego the three hour or less flight to
Barcelona, and take the trainer bus instead. Purchase carbon offsets if you do need to fly. Flying carry-on only not only saves time
in the airport but also on airplane fuel. Ditch the rental car, and if you need a car
service, choose a Bolt Green or Uber Green option. And how about ditching automobiles all together and just take public transportation, or walk,
bike, e-bike, or take an electric scooter. Look for sustainable accommodations through
Green Globe, Green Key Global, and booking.com, and consider bringing your own water bottle, bamboo travel utensils, collapsible cup, and more
so you can reduce single-use plastic trash. Are you still with me? Great! Because here are some really valuable Barcelona tips
you're going to want to know: Traveling during peak season, always get your attraction tickets in advance with
a skip-the-line timed entry, and make it for the first available entry of the day,
preferably during the week to avoid the crowds. You must buy your La Sagrada Familia ticket in
advance, online, and with a set entry date and time. If you do not do a tour, you can download the
official audio tour app in advance for free. The public Metro and buses can be crowded
during morning and evening high commuting times. Renfe's higher class train fares offer Wi-Fi
and seat charging options, but you need to make sure your specific seat assignment includes them
when you book. Always travel with some cash in case a store or restaurant credit card
machine is not working or you need to pay for a bathroom, like in the Barcelona Sants train
station. Know your surroundings. Keep looking both ways even on one-way streets because the
bicyclists and scooters really come out of nowhere. Yes, the water is safe to drink in Barcelona, and
you'll find public water fountains everywhere. And stay hydrated during the hot
and humid peak season months, and make sure you're wearing comfortable
walking shoes. If you need it, there is free Wi-Fi available throughout Barcelona
making it easier to stay connected. Many local establishments and activity offices
use WhatsApp for booking and notifying for any scheduling changes. Many Barcelonians speak
English; however, it's common courtesy to lead a conversation in either Catalan or Spanish
in all situations. Not all businesses observe the traditional Siesta, so it's a good idea to
check online for operating hours in advance, and many museums in Barcelona are closed
on Mondays so, again, check online in advance. Typical hotel breakfasts may not start until
8 AM or later, but you can ask them if they may serve something earlier for you, and
dinner's not usually served until 9 PM or later. Having dinner earlier may get
you a table without a reservation, though. Now that you know your way around Barcelona,
need a great Barcelona itinerary suggestion? Well, keep watching, because I'll tell you how to
get a great three-day itinerary that takes out all of the guesswork, and it's perfect for a
first time travel to Barcelona. You'll love it. Well, that's my Barcelona Travel Guide. I hope
you enjoyed it and found it very informative. If you did, give this video a thumbs up. If
you want more information on Barcelona and Spain destinations, check out these videos coming up,
as well as check out the links below because I do have some more tips on Barcelona, including
tours inside Barcelona, and day trips, as well as a travel itinerary perfect for first time travel to
Barcelona. And if you're new to Spain travel, I also have a great Spain Travel Guide - all below. If you
want more travel guides here CORR Travel, then make sure you subscribe so you get them here
first, and you can plan all your travel needs. Thanks so much for joining, and I really
hope you have a great time in Barcelona! [Music]
