When travelling, of course you will want to see all of the landmarks you can that catch your interest, but it is also important to save money and time. The Barcelona Card enables its holder to travel around freely, use public transport, enjoy free entrance to the best museums in Barcelona, avoid long lines near the iconic tourist sights, and receive over 70 discounts and special offers on excursions, entertainment, shopping, nightlife, and leisure events.
The primary Barcelona Card benefits
- You do not have to think about how to get around the city or agonize over your trip to the airport because the card grants you an unlimited number of trips by metro, bus, tram, and suburban trains. These advantages leave you free simply to discover the city, climb Montjuic, or head to the beaches of Badalona without worrying about purchasing tickets. In addition, with the Barcelona Card you receive a guide in six languages, in which you can find detailed information about excursions and landmarks with descriptions that are brief and to the point.
- Moreover, the Barcelona Card enables its holder to obtain special discounts when booking a bus tour of Barcelona, planning a trip to the city aquarium, or joining an excursion to the Gothic district. These discounts are valid for all the major sites of interest, including Sagrada Familia and Camp Nou stadium. You also can take advantage of the Barcelona Card when planning a visit to any city museum; you will not have to wait in queues at Casa Mila on Passeig de Gracia, Casa Batlló, or the Picasso and Joan Miró museums. Moreover, you will receive audio and video guides in your language of choice and free tickets for visits to the modern cultural centers of MACBA, CCCB, El Born Centre Cultural, the museums of Caixa Forum and Cosmo Caixa, as well as many other cultural and exposition centers, including the Museum of Chocolate and the Ethnology Museum.
- The Barcelona Card price also includes a free visit to Casino Barcelona and a 20% discount for visiting Portaventura park and Parc d'Atraccions del Tibidabo. Moreover, the Barcelona Card will grant you access to the major flamenco shows - Opera y Flamenco, Cordobes, and Tablao de Carmen, just to name a few. It should be mentioned that if you are a cardholder, you receive discounts at over 15 restaurants in the city, such as Hard Rock Cafe and El Chipiron. In addition to free bus rides, you also get a 20 % discount on bike or moto rentals at the major rental service providers in Barcelona (including Barcelona Moto Rent, Barcelona Rent a Bike, Cooltra Motos, and others). Among countless benefits, this card allows you to enjoy the services of a personal assistant in case you should need to contact the International Medical Services. As recent calculations show, on average, the card allows users to save about 320 euros per trip.
The price of the Barcelona Card
It directly depends on the time period for which you purchase it. Accordingly, there are cards for 72, 96, and 120 hours. The prices vary depending on the number of days the card is valid: from €45 (for a 72 hour/3-day card) to €60 (for a 120 hour/5-day card). At present, including all seasonal discounts, an adult card for 72 hours costs €45, for 96 hours €55, and for 120 hours €60. For children and teenagers under 12 years of age, 72 hours costs €21, 96 hours €27, and 120 hours €32. A five-day card provides the best “quality-price” ratio – this card costs only €12 per day.
Where to buy Barcelona Card
Do not forget that you receive a 15 % discount if you purchase the card online. Doubtless, this card is worth the price, since it allows you to save money as well as valuable time. Plus, you will not spend long hours in queues or worry about ticket purchases on your holiday. Moreover, you have the luxury of making spontaneous decisions about your visits and sightseeing without thinking about the entrance tickets. It is possible to buy the Barcelona Card online or in person in the airport, although in the latter case, the discount is not available. You can pick up the card in one of the tourist information centers of Barcelona (such as the center in Plaza de Catalonia) or in the airport upon your arrival. The only evidence you will need to present are the voucher sent to your email after buying the card and your ID.
The full list of the sites where the card is issued can be found on www.barcelonacard.org. This card is activated automatically once it is used for the first time. It is impossible to activate the card before your physical arrival in Barcelona. You can activate the card on the train on your way to Barcelona from the airport, when taking your first ride on public transport, or when visiting any place listed on the Card. It is of utmost importance to keep in mind that the card is valid for several calendar days, and not for 24-hours periods. So, it is best to manage your time wisely. Should you buy a 5-day card on Monday, it will be expired on Friday, exactly at midnight.
In order to make the most of your time, plan your trip wisely, and prepare for your upcoming vacation activities, it is a good idea to select the places in which you are most interested by reviewing your Barcelona Card list in advance. “INEEDSpain” company provides numerous services to travelers and is always ready to organize your trip for you and come up with the best options possible for your getaway.