How to get around Barcelona:
The best way to get around Barcelona is by foot and public transportation, though bicycles are nice for some routes while the Tourist Bus is convenient for others. At each stage of the route, we indicate which is best (always including how to arrive by public transportation).
Barcelona by Public transportation:
Barcelona has an extensive metro and bus network that will take you to every corner of the city. We recommend the metro because it's faster and the traffic ? aside from Sunday ? can be annoying, though riding the bus allows you to enjoy the views of the city much more.
A metro or bus ticket costs 2€ per trip, but the Barcelona Metropolitan Transportation (TMB) service offers discount travel cards. Travel cards can be purchased from metro ticket booths or Tourist Information offices. Recommended travel cards:
T-10 (recommended for this Smart Route): 9.25€
10 trips on Barcelona metro or bus, city railway lines, suburban Renfe lines and tram (if the connection between two routes is less than 1 hr. and 15 min. you won't be charged the second time you pass the ticket through the machine). Multi-person.
2-Day Travel Card: 12.80€
Unlimited trips for 2 consecutive days on Barcelona metro or bus, city railway lines, suburban Renfe lines and tram.
3-Day Travel Card: 18.50€
Same as above but for three consecutive days.
Barcelona Card: 29€ for 2 days and 35€ for 3 days.
Includes guide with discounts and free tickets for different attractions. Not worth it. Most of the attractions are second-rate and not recommended in our 3-4 day route.
Barcelona by Bicycle:
Barcelona is always slightly hilly but for some routes (Port Vell and beaches) getting around by bike is a very attractive option. There are lots of rental companies charging by the day or even the hour. They require a deposit and care since if the bike is damaged or stolen, you will be held responsible. While these companies offer tours of the city, it's better to do your own thing.
Our recommendation:
Smart Choice: Mattia 46. The cheapest in town: 5.80€ per day with a 150€ deposit. They have offices at different points in the city centre open from 10.00 to 20.00. We recommend making a reservation beforehand via email: info@mattia46.com
Other options:
Bcneta bikes: 10€ per day (available by the hour). Located in Barceloneta, near the beach (c/Mestrança 49), Send an email: barcelonetabikes@gmail.com
Barcelona Biking: 15€ per day (available by the hour). Go directly to the office. Gothic Quarter, Baixada de Sant Miquel 6.
List of bike rentals recommended by the city council.
Barcelona by Tourist Bus:
The Tourist Bus is a very practical alternative in Barcelona, especially for visiting areas outside the city centre (Tibidabo, Park Güell, Montjuic...). In the Smart Route, you'll find the days we recommend taking it. You can get on and off as many times as you like and there is an audio guide in various languages. They tend to be full, and on rainy days it's even worse as the number of covered seats is very limited.
Companies: Barcelona Bus Turístic and Barcelona City Tour. Similar routes at the same cost (24€ per day and 31€ for two consecutive days, with 10% discount when purchased online). Tickets can also be bought at the Plaça Catalunya stop.
