Barcelona & Catalonia Travel Guide: Essential Tips & Advice

Useful Tips & Guides for Visiting Barcelona & Catalonia

Navigating Barcelona is a breeze with its comprehensive public transport system. For a complete understanding, consult the Barcelona Public Transport Guide to familiarize yourself with metro, bus, and tram options. Efficiently getting to and from the airport is simple too — the Aerobús runs frequently between Plaça Catalunya and El Prat Airport, while the L9 Sud metro line connects directly to both terminals.

Once in the city, the TMB metro network is your best friend. With color-coded lines and frequent service, it’s easy to hop between neighborhoods, from the Gothic Quarter to Gràcia. Buses and trams fill in the gaps, especially for reaching coastal areas or scenic routes like the funicular to Tibidabo. For short stays, consider a Hola Barcelona Travel Card, which offers unlimited rides across all modes for up to five days.

For a panoramic introduction to the city, the Hop-On Hop-Off tourist buses are a fantastic option. Two main routes — the Red and Blue lines — cover over 40 stops, including must-sees like Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and the beaches of Barceloneta. With audio guides in 16 languages and buses running every 10–20 minutes from 9:00 to 19:00, you can explore at your own pace while enjoying open-air views from the top deck.

Prefer to explore above ground? Barcelona is a walkable city with well-marked bike lanes and a public bike-sharing system called Bicing. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely available, and for late-night travel, the NitBus night bus network fills the gap when metro services pause. Operating from around 22:30 to 5:00, NitBus routes connect key neighborhoods and run through central hubs like Plaça Catalunya. Whether you're heading home from a concert or catching a sunrise at the beach, Barcelona’s transport options make it easy to focus on the journey — not the logistics.

If your adventures take you into nature — whether hiking Montserrat, strolling coastal paths, or exploring Pyrenean trails — keep safety top of mind. Always plan your route in advance, check the weather forecast, and choose trails that match your fitness level. Bring water, snacks, and a basic first aid kit, and let someone know your itinerary. Spain’s diverse terrain can shift quickly, so sturdy footwear and sun protection are essential. Stick to marked paths, respect wildlife, and avoid hiking alone in remote areas.

Need to send a postcard or receive a package while in Spain? The national postal service, Correos, is reliable and easy to use. Post offices are widely available, though hours vary — smaller branches often close by 2 p.m., while main offices in cities may stay open until 8 or 10 p.m. You can send letters, parcels, and even use services like registered mail or international shipping. Yellow postboxes marked with the Correos logo are found throughout cities and towns. For tracking, delivery options, and finding your nearest branch, visit my article about Correos.