Barcelona- Port and City Information
Arriving and Getting Around-
If you are arriving by airplane, and not using cruiseline hotel/transfers, the most economical travel solution is the T10 card. It cost 7.85 euros and is good for 10 trips. The real money saver with this card- it can be shared between people, so you only have to buy 1! It is good for the RENFE train from the airport and for all local buses and metro system in Zone 1. More detailed info about this ticket can be found here.
The way to reach the train from the airport is to first take a free airport shuttle to Terminal 1 if you aren't already there. At Terminal 1, you will follow the signs to the train, up a flight of stairs and a path which goes over the street. There are automated machines which are really easy to use and take cash or card. The trains leave every 30 minutes or so and only use one journey from your T10 card. The two large stops in the middle of Barcelona are the Santos stop and the Passeig de Gracia. Both are a short walk to Placa de Catalunya. Do your self a favor and get a good map before you go.
Another option is taking a taxi. In Barcelona, the meters are regulated and easily readable. Generally speaking, fares are about 30 euros from the airport to the city center or to the cruise terminal. Taxis do charge an extra surcharge for each bag. Be sure to use an official taxi which are black and yellow.
From the cruise terminal, there is a Blue Bus which carries passengers to the Colombus monument at the food of the Ramblas for 2 euros a piece. From here, there is a metro station across the street and to the left which can carry you up the Ramblas to the Placa de Catalunya if you don't want to walk all that way, or further into the city. Again, the T10 pass is a bargain for getting around this city,
Also popular for getting around are the Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tours. Tickets are 21 euros per adult. More information can be found here .
Read our opinions on Barcelona at our Barcelona Port Review Page
If you are arriving by airplane, and not using cruiseline hotel/transfers, the most economical travel solution is the T10 card. It cost 7.85 euros and is good for 10 trips. The real money saver with this card- it can be shared between people, so you only have to buy 1! It is good for the RENFE train from the airport and for all local buses and metro system in Zone 1. More detailed info about this ticket can be found here.
The way to reach the train from the airport is to first take a free airport shuttle to Terminal 1 if you aren't already there. At Terminal 1, you will follow the signs to the train, up a flight of stairs and a path which goes over the street. There are automated machines which are really easy to use and take cash or card. The trains leave every 30 minutes or so and only use one journey from your T10 card. The two large stops in the middle of Barcelona are the Santos stop and the Passeig de Gracia. Both are a short walk to Placa de Catalunya. Do your self a favor and get a good map before you go.
Another option is taking a taxi. In Barcelona, the meters are regulated and easily readable. Generally speaking, fares are about 30 euros from the airport to the city center or to the cruise terminal. Taxis do charge an extra surcharge for each bag. Be sure to use an official taxi which are black and yellow.
From the cruise terminal, there is a Blue Bus which carries passengers to the Colombus monument at the food of the Ramblas for 2 euros a piece. From here, there is a metro station across the street and to the left which can carry you up the Ramblas to the Placa de Catalunya if you don't want to walk all that way, or further into the city. Again, the T10 pass is a bargain for getting around this city,
Also popular for getting around are the Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tours. Tickets are 21 euros per adult. More information can be found here .
Read our opinions on Barcelona at our Barcelona Port Review Page
Attractions/Things to Do- Below I have listed the most popular attractions in Barcelona, the entry fees, and the official website.
Sagrada Familia- 12 euros; 11 for tourist bus, Free for kids under 10. Elevator to towers extra. Open 9-8. (Some say that the entrance fee is too steep/not worth it to see the inside. I think it was totally worth it. We went early afternoon and had hardly any wait.)
Picasso Museum- 9 euros. Open 10-8. Includes much of his early work and shows his progression as an artist from realism to his later style.
Park Guell- Free. Open 10-7 Gaudi designed this park originally to be an upscale housing development. It failed in its original intent, but has become an iconic symbol of Barcelona.
Casa Batllo'- 16.50 euros. Open 9-8 Famous house designed to look like St. George's dragon.
Casa Mila- 10 euros. Open 9-8 The "ice cream melting" house.
Cathedral Pla de la Seu- Free until 1. Charge for elevator and choir. If you pay entrance fee, elevator and choir is included. Open 8-7. Beautiful cathedral dedicated to Barcelona's patron saint, St. Eulalia.
Las Ramblas- Free. Famous walkway from Placa de Catalunya to the Columbus Monument. Features living statues, shopping and La Boqueria market.
Santa Maria del Mar- Free. Closed in the afternoon. Gorgeous old Gothic church. Subject of the book "Cathedral of the Sea". Much less crowded than the Cathedral. Located east of the Gothic Quarter in the La Ribrera neighborhood.
Sagrada Familia- 12 euros; 11 for tourist bus, Free for kids under 10. Elevator to towers extra. Open 9-8. (Some say that the entrance fee is too steep/not worth it to see the inside. I think it was totally worth it. We went early afternoon and had hardly any wait.)
Picasso Museum- 9 euros. Open 10-8. Includes much of his early work and shows his progression as an artist from realism to his later style.
Park Guell- Free. Open 10-7 Gaudi designed this park originally to be an upscale housing development. It failed in its original intent, but has become an iconic symbol of Barcelona.
Casa Batllo'- 16.50 euros. Open 9-8 Famous house designed to look like St. George's dragon.
Casa Mila- 10 euros. Open 9-8 The "ice cream melting" house.
Cathedral Pla de la Seu- Free until 1. Charge for elevator and choir. If you pay entrance fee, elevator and choir is included. Open 8-7. Beautiful cathedral dedicated to Barcelona's patron saint, St. Eulalia.
Las Ramblas- Free. Famous walkway from Placa de Catalunya to the Columbus Monument. Features living statues, shopping and La Boqueria market.
Santa Maria del Mar- Free. Closed in the afternoon. Gorgeous old Gothic church. Subject of the book "Cathedral of the Sea". Much less crowded than the Cathedral. Located east of the Gothic Quarter in the La Ribrera neighborhood.
Terminal Information-Very helpful page and information about where Terminal C is and how to get there and around Barcelona. Don't try to walk to the terminal. (We did, and it was a mistake) Take a taxi or the terminal "blue" bus. 2 euros one way or 3 round trip.