Destination Fly4free: Barcelona

The capital of Catalonia is a well-known destination for travellers who wish to have a good mix of fun and culture. Get to know the city’s spectacular architecture, parks, museums and delicious local cuisine.

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Antoni Gaudi's architecture

In the streets of Barcelona you can admire works of Antoni Gaudí, the best-known representative of Catalan Modernisme. Casa Vicens, La Pedrera (Casa Milà), Casa Batlló and Casa Calvet are among the most important buildings designed by this Catalan architect. Parc Güell is the perfect place to take a nice stroll while enjoying nature and looking at his artwork. This unusual garden complex includes a series of unique buildings, including Gaudí’s house. The colonnaded hall and the terrace with serpentine shapes covered with irregular ceramic pieces are the most famous places in this park. The surrounding palm trees are filled with bright green parrots.

La Sagrada Familia is Barcelona's iconic church, which has been under construction since 1882. This extraordinary basilica is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Gaudí worked on his masterpiece until his death, at which point only 15-25% of the total design was complete. The church is home to the tomb of its designer. Since then many architects have attempted to continue his legacy. Sagrada Familia is expected to be completed in 2026 — a century after the death of its architect. When it's finally completed, it will have taken only 50 years less to build than the Great Wall of China.

Photo: r.nagy, Luciano Mortula - LGM, Lena Serditova, dnaveh - Shutterstock

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To get skip-the-line tickets for top attractions in Barcelona, CLICK HERE >>

How to get there:
Take a look at the flight deals to Barcelona:

• Cheap flights from Paris to Barcelona and Gran Canaria in one trip for just €57 >>
• 5 in 1! Barcelona, Porto, Azores, Lisbon and Paris from Stockholm for just €106 >>
• Spring Mediterranean journey from London! Visit Barcelona, Ibiza, Rome, Sicily and Malta for just £98 >>
• 3 in 1: Madrid, Gran Canaria and Barcelona from Slovakia for just €80 >>
• 14-night Full Board cruise across Caribbean and Atlantic to Barcelona for only €285 >>
• Cheap non-stop flights from New York to Paris, Amsterdam, Rome or Barcelona from only $341 >>
• SUMMER non-stop flights from New York to Barcelona, Spain from $397 >>
• Around the World from Japan for $996! Hawaii, California, Florida, New York, Iceland, Barcelona, Marrakech, London, Stockholm, Dubai, Kochi, Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi >>
• East Coast Australia to Barcelona, Spain from only AU$794 >>

Where to stay:
Double room in well-rated hotel near Barcelona over the summer for only €4.5/$5.5 per person >>

Double Room in well-rated hotel in San Cougat, Barcelona for only €6/$7 per person >>

We encourage you to stay at 4* Hotel Gotico has a good price and excellent reviews. This property is located at just 50 m from Barcelona’s Jaume I Metro Station and a 2-minute walk from Barcelona Cathedral. It offers a rooftop terrace, and stylish, air-conditioned rooms with satellite TV. Soundproofed rooms are heated and feature beautiful tiled floors. They have a safe and work desk, and the private bathroom comes with a hairdryer and amenities.

Pension Ciudadela with excellent reviews is the budget option. This property is 11-minute walk from the beach. Pension Ciudadela guest house is opposite Barcelona’s França Train Station and 100 m from Ciudadela Park. It offers 24-hour reception and basic air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi, and private or shared bathroom facilities. All rooms at the property are heated, and there is a TV. Most rooms have a work desk and a private balcony. There are vending machines for drinks and snacks in the guesthouse. The central location means there are many bars and restaurants within a short walk. Barcelona’s Born district is 100 m away, and Barceloneta Beach is a 10-minute walk away.

What to do:
The best way to get around the city is by walk or on the metro, which has stops located very close to the city’s major tourist attractions. You can also use Barcelona’s city bike system, called Bicing.

Discover some of the coolest hidden gems in Barcelona, like Turó de la Rovira with the abandoned bunkers of Carmel that have become one the most scenic viewpoints in Barcelona.

Go to the Parc de la Ciutadella, an idyllic, green oasis in Barcelona. Relax, take a long walk or use a rowing boat on the lake. You can also visit a zoo.

In Plaça Espanya you can enjoy great views of the monumental classical-style fountain that rises up in the centre of the square. Plaça Espanya is also a gateway to the Magic Fountain of Montjuic.

Explore the largest Art Nouveau complex in the world – Sant Pau Recinte Modernista. It is set in a hospital with a 600-year-long history.

Drink sangria in one of the beach bars and learn the basics of flamenco.

Buy a bowl of churros, Spanish doughnuts, to be dipped in hot chocolate. Don’t forget to try the vibrant, fresh tapas to be found in the backstreets. Taste paella, a Spanish dish traditionally made with rice, saffron, vegetables and a variety of meat and shellfish.

Music lovers can go to a concert in the Palau de la Musica Catalana or enjoy classical music in Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar.

Camp Nou, the stadium of Barcelona FC, is unmissable for football fans.

Go shopping in the Passeig de Gràcia. In this elegant avenue there are lots of stores offering clothing, jewelery, leather goods and other items.

Visit one of the best beaches in Barcelona. The most popular include Barceloneta, Mar Bella, Nova Icaria and Bogatell.

If you like history, you should see the rediscovered pillars of the old Roman Forum and Via Sepulcral Romana – the ancient cemetery from 1st to 3rd century. Barcelona boasts the largest Roman digs outside of Rome. You can also visit Museu d’Historia de Barcelona – MUHBA.

If you prefer art, you should definately visit Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) or Museo Picasso. The second one provides a great insight into how Barcelona, where the painter spent his early years, influenced his work.

Climb up the summit of Mount Tibidabo to admire the beautiful Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor, crowned by the enormous statue of Jesus.

Those in search of entertainment should head to Tibidabo Amusement Park or the Museum of Chocolate. You can also explore Aquàrium – oceanopraphic museum with all kinds of different maritime biospheres, presented in over 20 different tanks. The highlight is the tunnel out of glass, which leads through the shark tank.

Discover CosmoCaixa, a science museum that includes the Planetarium and the Flooded Forest (Bosc inundat), which recreates 1,000 m2 of an Amazonian rainforest ecosystem.

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Barcelona GO! from Rob Whitworth on Vimeo.