If you type "Barcelona card" or "city pass" on the Internet, you'll come across out of dozens of possibilities!
And it can be hard to find your way around...
For those of you in a hurry:
If you're planning to visit several monuments in Barcelona and you'll be using public transport a lot, then the Barcelona Card could be just what you're looking for!
It gives you unlimited access to all Barcelona's public transport, free entry to certain monuments/museums, and discounts on other monuments/museums/attractions to do in Barcelona.
–> Click here to book your Barcelona Card.
The Barcelona Card is the official city card!
Be careful not to confuse it with the Barcelona City Pass, which is completely different!
Visit Barcelona Card is in fact a card that offers discounts for access all the tourist attractions and monuments to see and do!
The price of the card varies according to the number of days 3 days at 48€, 4 days at 58€ and 5 days at 63€.
What's included in the Barcelona Card?
Discounts ranging from 20 to 50% on almost all the city's museums and monuments, as well as on many tours and activities.
From boat tours to sightseeing buses and much more...
There are for all tastes shows, children's activities...
And what about transport?
The Card also includes free access for the entire validity of the card on the metro, streetcars, buses, peripheral train service, airport train and zone 1 in Barcelona.
Night buses are also included.
A basic all-transport card (apart from the Barcelona Card) costs 10.40 euros for 10 journeys (you can use more than one card) and includes buses, streetcars, metros and night buses, but not local and suburban trains, nor tourist transport to the airport.
When to buy the Barcelona Card
Before buying the Barcelona Card, be sure to check whether the discounts you'll be getting are substantial in relation to your program.
In fact, for most locations, you will have a reduction of 20% approximately...
It's up to you whether you plan to do a lot of sightseeing or whether you prefer to take your time and stroll around the city, which is so beautiful in itself...
To buy online, click here.
How do I get a Barcelona Card?
I recommend taking it online to avoid having to purposely go into town afterwards to get it.
The Card is available in several physical stores:
- Barcelona Tourism Tourist Information Points
Tel. +34 932 853 832
info@barcelonaturisme.com
bcnshop.barcelonaturisme.com
- Casa Batlló
Pg. Gràcia, 43
- L'Aquàrium de Barcelona
Moll d'Espanya, s/n (Port Vell)
- El Corte Inglés
Pl. de Catalunya, 14 /
Av. Diagonal, 617-619 /
Av. del Portal de l'Àngel, 19-21
- Poble Espanyol de Barcelona
Av Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 13
Barcelona Card versus City Pass/Digital Pass: which to choose?
Visit Barcelona Digital Pass is another card with a completely different system.
The Pass costs 86,50€ for an adult (1 day).
The Pass gives you access to to more than twenty monuments and attractions as well as the tourist bus. This card can be purchased online and you can receive it by mail.
Please also note that transportation from the airport is included, as well as metro, Montjuic funicular, buses, local trains, streetcars and suburban trains.
You can also buy it at Palau Mojalocated on the city's main tourist thoroughfare, the Ramblas (Carrer Portaferrissa, 1, 08002 Barcelona_Métro Liceu (L3)).
To pick up your pass, you will need printed proof of purchase that you received in your mailbox.
With the Pass, you won't have to pay a single extra euro!
You can visit the FC Barcelona museum with the lathe, Gaudi houses such as Casa Milá (la Pedrera), Casa Battló and Casa de les Punxes which is also one of the city's outstanding monuments...
MACBA, the museum of contemporary art is also on the list...
But also tourist attractions such as theAquarium, Barcelona Zoo, Poble Espanyol (a reconstruction of a "typical" Spanish village) or entertaining tourist activities which are also included in the pass, such as a boat trip, a guided tour of the city...
Other discount cards
- Articket
Six of the city's major museums open their doors to you for around 30 euros: the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB), the Museu d'Art Contemporània de Barcelona (MACBA), the Joan Miró Foundation, the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya MNAC and the Picasso Museum.
- Nightlife ticket
Unlimited access to 29 clubs in the city for around 15 euros.
Among others: Aire Barcelona, La Terraza, Catwalk, Soho, The Room, Arena Sala VIP, Up&Down, Oak Club Barcelona, Moog, Pacha and Gato Pardo, Shoko, Costa Breve, Bikini, Boulevard, Macarena, Opium Barcelona,...
Other cards give you access to all kinds of activities, such as iVenture Card or VIP Club Card.
Valérie says
Hello
I've used your info for Lisbon and Rome and it's great.
A question with the barcelona card I wanted to buy (for 1 adult and 2 teenagers).
At present, it is recommended to book everything online (gauge and sanitary issues oblige).
But if I take the barcelona card online and use it in 2 months, can't I book sites with the card's promotions?
So I have to wait until I get there and book at the last minute? Thank you
Thibaut says
Hello Valérie,
When you make your purchase, you'll receive a "voucher" which you can exchange on site for your Barcelona Card.
You will then be able to reserve your slots for the various entrances.
Availability is always reserved for the Barcelona Card, so there won't be any problems.
Enjoy your stay!
Jean-Guy Moreau says
Very interesting article. The Barcelona Card and Barcelona City pass options sound interesting. We're also looking into the IVenture Card option offered by one of the Hop-on Hop-off Tour Bus companies. What do you think? Our stay is 5 days.
Antoine CHARPENTIER says
Hello Thibaut,
Thank you for the article which is very useful, I wonder about the usefulness of the card and more particularly about the discounts, in my case I want to visit the aquarium, the sagrada familia and the park guell, do you know if despite the validity is effective for its first day of use, is it possible to order tickets in advance while applying the discount allowed by the card?
I hope I've made myself clear, I've searched but haven't found the answer to this question,
thank you and have a nice day!