Barcelona Travel Answers

Hey Tracy! Unfortunately, my dad did all the arranging when we went up to Mt. Tibadabo, so I don't know about the cards, but it is DEFINITELY an amazing view. There isn't much to do up there, but it's a fun afternoon outing while things are closed for siesta/etc. I haven't been to Montjuic, but I think the primary difference is the location - Mt. Tibadabo is like, behind the city, so it all lays out infront of you, where as Montjuic is on the ocean, so you are kind of looking backwards. Two spots with great views that I strongly recommend are Park Guell and La Pedrera (Casa Milà), which is located on Passeig de Gràcia, 92. Park Guell is an amazing experience, and La Pedrera was by far one of my favorite places I visited while studying abroad in Barcelona - the view from the roof during sunset is absolutely astounding. I did get the Articket Barcelona, which I definitely recommend if you are into the arts - it includes the Museu Picasso, MACBA, La Pedrera, and 4 other venues, all for 28.50 E (which is great since the Museu Picasso is 11 E and La Pedrera is €16.50, so it's like getting 5 extra museums for free! Hope this helps! Can't wait to see your tips and pics! Blake

Blake Thanks - your response is very helpful! I think I will go up to Tibadabo and not go to Montjuic. Are attractions generally closed on the weekends actually? I look up La Pederera and Park Guel. Will add them to my list to visit. Is Park Guel free cos I can't seem to find the ticket information on the website? Is it a public park? Thanks! Tracy

We were just in Barcelona last month. When you get there go to one of the tourist offices in town. You can get some discounts for the Blue Tram and Funicular with a free discount booklet which you can pick up there. Parc Guell is a public park and is free. We didn't go into the houses there, but I think they may cost a little money. You can also get some nice views up by the National Art Museum which is above the Magic Fountain. The Magic Fountain has a nice music and colorful display on Thursday to Sunday nights.

The Barcelona Card is rarely worth it, unless you're doing many trips metro/buses (unlikely if you stay central, the city is better seen on foot) AND you're visiting many of the discounted/free sites (this depends on your interests, but as you already noticed, the "free" attractions are not that great, and it included only small discounts for the most popular sites) Have a look at this thread on TA: tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-... The BC only gives free access to the public transport run by TMB and FGC within the city limits (zone 1 includes all the city and even parts of some nearby towns) and the train to BCN airport. It does NOT include transports run by other companies, like the Aerobus, Blue Tram, cable cars... Regarding panoramic views, both Tibidabo and Montjuïc do have great views, just different. From Tibidabo you see the city and the sea behind it. From Montjuïc, depending on "where" (its a quite big mountain) you can have sea views, city and sea views, or city views with Collserola and Tibidabo mountains behind... Montjuïc may be better for afternoon/sunset views (even the sunsets are usually not that great in Barcelona as sun sets behind the mountains) and Tibidabo is great for sunrise photos and panoramic views at any time. In any case, most people's reason for visiting Montjuïc is to visit the Olimpic Ring and the many museums in the mountain, the Magic Fountains... Tibidabo is a totally different place, with only the old-fashioned funfair and the church. Regarding Park Güell, yes it is a public park without entrance fees. Bon viatge!

Regarding the church on the top of Mt. Tibadabo. I was very impressed with it. A whole lot simpler then many of the ornate churches throughout Europe, but one of my favorites. The walk along with top inside the old time amusement park is fun also. We did the walk on a Saturday morning and enjoyed our walk and seeing the families away from the hustle and bustle of the big city below.

Shalom all, contrary to what Isa wrote, we purchased the 5 day Barcelona Card and between the numerous metro usages and the musuems, parks and other things where we received a discount or even free entrance we found at the end of our stay that we had more than doubled our money on the price of the cards. The views from Mt.Tibadabo and Montjuic are different, but both nice. We also enjoyed from the mount of the crosses in Park Guell. Enjoy Barcelona. Martin

Regarding the Barcelona Card: It really depends on what places/museums you want to visit, if you want to buy a lot of souvenirs, etc. The two-day card costs about as much as the two-day card for the tourist bus which takes you to Barcelona's main attractions. But the Barcelona card includes a lot of discounts. If you intend to do most the travel by subway this is surely cheaper. Usually not a fan of tourist buses, I think the ones in Barcelona are worth the money because Barcelona is such an attractive city with countless outstanding buildings etc., so it is surely worth to be on the surface and not underground. We also had a T10 ticket for quick commutes ;-) The Barcelona Card AND the Tourist Bus would be excessive, though ;-)) Tramvia Blu costs extra but is about half price if you have a Tourist Bus ticket... Regarding the views: From Tibidabo you surely have the entire city and the sea in front of you but it is quite far away. The views from Montjuic - particularly from the national palace - are spectacular as everything is so close. Another poster has already given the good tip about the views from, for example, La Pedrera. This is indeed fantastic - and La Pedrera itself outstanding. Another great place for a fabulous view is the top viewing spot of the Sagrada Familia (where you get discounted admission if you have the Barcelona card).

Wow wow wow thanks everyone for the responses, indeed very helpful. I think I will go to both Tibadabo and Montjuic, didn't realize that the fountains are actually at Montjuic! What time best to go there? I decided not to get a Barcelona Card, but a T10 instead. Can 2 of us share a T10? I read somewhere that T10 allow multiple swipes? I also plan to visit La Pedera (Casa Mila) thanks for pointing this out. What about Casa Bastillo? Is this worth visiting? Thanks!

We also checked into the possibilty of the T10, but opted for the Barcelona Card, it worked out well since we used the metro very extensively, multiple times per day, sometimes as many as 3-4 round trips, sort of hop on, hop off. And of course with the various discounts we got was a money saver for us. Bastillo or did you mean Casa Batlló?, if Casa Batllo, then YES, it is worth a visit and it is just across the street from La Pedrera. Enjoy, Martin

It all really depends on how many rides on metro/buses you use per day (Hi Martin! I know you made a good use of your BC, but you were staying in a not-that-central hotel). Another couple of VT friends shared a couple of T-10 for a few days and they still had a couple of rides left (I know as they gave it to me :)) but they walked nearly everywhere... Another option are the 1 to 5 days travel cards, these cannot be shared. Can be used in all TMB transports (same as the Barcelona Card) but does not include anything else. tmb.cat/en/bitllets-i-tarife... The T-10 can be shared, the other cards don't. Besides, for savings in sights/museums, the ArTicket is a great deal: www.articketbcn.org There are as well the ArtCoTicket (contemporary art museums) and ArqueoTicket (archaeological/history museums) barcelonaturisme.com/MUSEUMS... And, as someone said above (sorry I can't see the thread now when typing), the Bus Turistic (HOHO bus) do offer some discounts too... so if you plan to use the Bus Turistic it probably makes little sense to buy a Barcelona Card, but better use T-10 and maybe Articket for the rest of your stay... IMO The Bus Turistic is a great way to get your bearings on the city on your first day, not hopping on and off that much, but doing the whole routes. Its a bit confusing with all these cards and deals, but the good point is that, if you do your homework before your trip, you can find the card/combination that fits more your own needs :) Regarding Casa Batllò, I believe its not included in any discount card, but yes, its well worth it. Its very different from La Pedrera, and amazing in its own right. As it is the Palau Güell too. Bon viatge!

Shalom Isa, you are correct, we were on the Plaza de Espana. But we enjoy walking the streets. We also will walk and then take a metro BACK, this is to save time and energy since there is much to see in Barcelona and most of us tourists lack the same thing...TIME ^O^ As Isa said, if you plan out your trip, then you can make a better decision on which card/pass or combination to use. We looked at the Barcelona card, the places where they give discounts and then mapped out the places we wanted to visit. With those two things in hand we could then figure out that for us the Barcelona card would account for substantial savings. No matter how you see it, Barcelona is a beautiful city...and Isa, we will be back for another visit ^O^ Martin