Barcelona is one of those cities that really does seem to have it all: incredible and sometimes controversial architecture (hola, Senor Gaudi!), well-curated history, beautiful beaches, delectable food, and a vibrant, cosmopolitan vibe. It’s the sort of place you can land without a plan and just follow your nose to some of the most memorable experiences you’ll ever have – be they art, culture, shopping or dining. That said, if you only have a few days, it can be easy to miss some of the lesser-known highlights. So, for anyone who likes to step off the tourist trail just a little, we have some ideas.
- Barcelona: More than Meets the Eye
- A Cable Car and a Castle
- Be Awed by the Montserrat Mountains
- Gaudi After Dark
- Where to Stay
- How to Get There
Barcelona: More than Meets the Eye
This much-loved Spanish city is one of the most visited in Europe, acclaimed for its sunny climes and plethora of things to see and do. But away from the throngs of tourist crowds and the madness of La Rambla, there’s another side to Barcelona for those with the curiosity to scratch a little below the surface to discover the more “cool and quirky” attractions. In between those two sides of the city, though, there are some highlights, which, although they aren’t exactly hidden, are often missed by those short on time or not “in the know”. Here are just three of them.
A Cable Car and a Castle
There’s so much to take your attention in the city, sometimes a visit to the very top of Monjuic is sacrificed in favour of something else more immediate and accessible. But if you make the time and effort to board the cable car that takes you all the way to the castle at the top of the hill, you’ll get a lot more out of the experience than you might have imagined.
Montjuic itself is home to multiple attractions you may already intend to visit, including the Botanical Gardens, the Olympic Stadium, and the Joan Miro Foundation, among others. But taking the cable car for the final ascent gives you not only a chance to take in spectacular views, it also allows you to approach the castle, which is situated at the very top, in the most dramatic way. (Even though you can walk up to the castle, it can get very hot and you’ll miss a lot of the views.)
Once at the top, while the castle itself may not be the most impressive you’ve ever seen, its history certainly is – and is quite contentious with the locals, which is interesting to explore! For amateur military historians, it is particularly interesting.
Be Awed by the Montserrat Mountains
High up in the jagged embrace of the peaks of the Montserrat Mountains (which are around an hour from the city by car or public transport), is the Montserrat Abbey. It is home to the much-revered “Black Madonna” medieval statuette – aka “the Virgin of Montserrat”. The Abbey is a world-renowned pilgrim site, with people making the trek from all over the world to pay homage to the important religious icon.
But even if you’re not overwhelmed by the spiritual aspect of the Abbey, it’s well worth visiting even just in terms of its engineering! It makes for an incredibly striking sight, tucked under the rocky peaks of the mountains that soar up behind it like granite sentinels. It’s an impressive and genuinely jaw-dropping experience to visit this remote place, and one you won’t forget in a hurry.
Gaudi After Dark
You’ve no doubt heard (or experienced) the horror stories of queuing up for hours in the hot sun to experience some of the famous Gaudi architecture and art work around Barcelona. But there is an easy solution that affords you access to one of Gaudi’s most famous buildings without the queues or the madding crowds.
Gaudi’s La Casa Mila (nicknamed “La Pedrera”, “the quarry”), with its quirky, curvy, rocky facade is one of his most renowned buildings. Love it or hate it (and there are two definite camps), you can’t deny its originality. The “La Pedrera Night Experience” allows you to visit in the cool of the evening, when limited numbers are allowed in to explore a guided tour of the residence. The pinnacle of the evening is when you head up to the rooftop to partake in some Catalan sparkling wine and tapas, against the backdrop of a wonderful audiovisual projection and far-reaching panorama of the city lights.
In a city as diverse and sprawling as Barcelona, you certainly can’t expect to see everything in a few days, or even a few weeks. But the key is to create an itinerary for yourself that takes in some iconic highlights, some “off-the-beaten-track” experiences, and keep your eyes and ears out for the ones that are there in plain sight, but somehow a little easy to miss.
Where to Stay
El Avenida Palace: Lap up the history, luxury and opulent amenities of this wonderful hotel situated a short stroll from La Rambla and many other highlights of the city. You’ll get the genuine star treatment here, with elegantly appointed rooms, sophisticated furnishings and decor, and a host of onsite facilities, including a high-end lounge and a fabulous rooftop terrace with sundeck and pool. Enjoy the holiday you deserve!
Vincci Gala: Live the life of royalty in this converted 19th-century palace, located right in the heart of the city within walking distance of everything. The magnificent architecture of the hotel creates an ambience of refined history, while the luxury appointments will make you feel welcomed from the moment you arrive. With spacious, beautifully decorated rooms, wonderful onsite amenities, and an address that puts you front and centre to Barcelona’s cultural delights, the Vincci Gala leaves nothing left to desire.
NH Collection Barcelona Podium: Cosy up for your short break in beautiful Barcelona in this stylish, contemporary hotel, set in a quiet yet conveniently central part of the city. From the tranquil sophistication of the generous rooms, to the attentive, welcoming staff, spa, sauna, rooftop terrace and swimming pool with a view, you’ll have easy access to the Gothic Quarter, La Rambla, Ciutadella Park, and many more highlights.
How to Get There
Getting to Barcelona is as simple as booking a flight into Barcelona Airport (BCN) then one of Shuttle Direct’s convenient airport transfers to the city centre. The flight will take around 2 hours and 20 minutes, with various carriers offering options for this popular route. Choose from airlines including British Airways, EasyJet, Jet2, Iberia, WIZZ, and Ryanair, among others.
Once you’ve landed, a pre-booked Shuttle Direct airport transfer will get you from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona city centre in no time.
Overview
UK to BCN Flight Time: 2 hours, 20 mins approx.
BCN to Barcelona: 16 kilometres approx.
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 15 minutes approx.
Types of Transfer
Because everyone’s travel requirements are different, at Shuttle Direct we make sure we have every option covered so you’ll find a service that suits you. Getting from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona city centre accommodation is easy with our convenient range of shared and private transfers. It’s your holiday, you decide!
Shuttle Bus: If sticking to a budget is important to you, our most popular option – the shared shuttle bus – is probably the best bet for your Barcelona transfers. You’ll meet at a designated spot at the airport, then travel with other passengers to one of multiple drop-off points in the city close to your accommodation. It’s not door-to-door, but the economical cost makes up for it.
Taxi: If you want to travel alone and like the convenience of a taxi but not the idea of queuing at the airport, the solution is to pre-book a local taxi with Shuttle Direct. This is still a very budget friendly way of getting from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona, and your friendly taxi driver will be waiting for you at a pre-arranged place once you exit the terminal. No queuing, no waiting for other passengers.
Private Transfer: If you’re happy to pay a bit extra to get the ultimate in comfort and convenience, one of our luxury private Barcelona transfers will give you what you’re looking for. When your flight lands, you’ll be met in the terminal by a professional driver, then escorted to your high-end vehicle to set off on the quick journey to the doorstep of your accommodation in Barcelona.
Minibus Transfer: Travelling with a larger group of friends or family? Make life easier for everyone by pre-booking a minibus transfer with Shuttle Direct. These large capacity vehicles mean that not only does everyone get to travel together, there’s plenty of room for luggage, and it’s a door-to-door service from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona city centre or surrounds.
Choosing the Right Transfer
When you travel with Shuttle Direct, getting from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona city centre is easy with any one of our services. But only you can decide which one suits your needs best. At the end of the day, you’ll need to consider cost and convenience, and which one is more important to you.
Convenience: If a door-to-door Barcelona transfer is a non-negotiable aspect for you, and you don’t have a problem paying a little extra for the convenience, one of our private luxury transfers, local pre-booked taxi, or minibus options will give you what you need.
Cost: If saving money is important to your holiday budget, our most popular Barcelona airport transfer, the shared shuttle bus, will be the right choice for you. It’s not a door-to-door service but because we offer several stops in the city, you can choose the one closest to your accommodation.
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct is proud to be considered one of the market leaders in onward transfers to and from airports all over the world. We understand the need to offer options for all budgets, so our services comprise economical shared transfers as well as private luxury services. Our friendly, helpful drivers are known for their great communication and will be there on time to get you wherever you need to go in a safe, modern and comfortable vehicle. Book today and we’ll take care of the rest.
