The first thing you should consider when you visit the capital of Catalonia is whether it is worth purchasing the tourist card of Barcelona and other tourist discount cards offered by this traveller-friendly city.
Barcelona Card
This is the most popular tourist card, and it is a perfect option for those who have visited Barcelona before and this time are eager to become acquainted with the less popular landmarks of the city. It is extremely important to choose the number of days you for which you will need discounts, transport options, and visits to galleries and museums. Once you know exactly for which dates you need the card, simply purchase it online before your trip—the card really will be cheaper this way. As a rule, tourists prefer buying the Barcelona tourist card for 2 days, although you can choose the 3- and 5-day cards, too. The Barcelona Card allows you to visit 16 museums completely free of charge, with major discounts given for visiting the remainder of the sights listed, for a total of a 20-40% discount. It is impossible to get discounts that high with any other promotional coupon you might receive on the streets of the Catalonian capital or inside the museums, for most discounts do not exceed 10%.
The main advantage of this card is the possibility to use public transport, including airport transfers, free of charge. If you do manage to visit all the sites indicated in the card, you will be able to save approximately 240 euros per person. The Barcelona Card cost kicks off at 20 euros, depending on the number of days and your place of purchase. When buying the card online, you will be able to pick it up directly upon your arrival to the airport at one of the tourist information desks.
Barcelona City Pass
The City Pass is entirely different from the Barcelona Card, especially when it comes to the list of available visiting options. The City Pass includes a ticket to Sagrada Familia that is not available with the Barcelona Card, a ticket to Park Güell, and an excursion on board a touristic bus for 1 or 2 days. Moreover, this pass provides you with a transfer, not only from the airport of Barcelona, but from Girona as well. This is the key difference when compared to other cards. Visits to other museums can add up to a 20-40% discount; however, free rides on public transport, unfortunately, are not among the bonuses. You will have to pay for public transport separately with this option. The price of one Barcelona tourist card constitutes around 65 euros and depends on the number of days selected. The fee for kids is 37 euros. As with other cards, it is best to buy this one online. By purchasing online, you also will be able to avoid long lines to museums and galleries.
Hola, BCN!
This is a transport card available for the number of days you need, ranging from two to five. This card enables you to use the metro and buses of the Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB), trains of the city network Generalitat, the trams, and the suburban trains of Renfe. In addition, the card cost includes a ride to the El Prat Barcelona airport. Basically, this card is a ticket for public transport with an unlimited number of rides over a period of 2-5 days. This option will allow you not only to move comfortably all over Catalonia, but also to visit its neighborhoods easily, saving time and money. You can buy the Hola, BCN! card online, print out a voucher, and exchange it for a card at the tourist information desks at the airport.
Articket BCN
Those who appreciate the cultural components of the Catalonian capital will love this type of Barcelona city tourist card. This card gives you free entrance to the National Museum of Arts, The Museum of Modern Art, the Miro Foundation Museum, the Antoni Tapies Foundation, the Center for Modern Culture of Barcelona, and the Picasso Museum. The Articket costs only 30 euros. Furthermore, it costs much less to purchase this ticket than to pay for separate entrance tickets to all the aforementioned galleries. It is also recommended that you purchase this card online to avoid lines, especially if you plan on travelling during the “hot season.”
Arqueo ticket
The Arqueo ticket is another museum entrance pass that will allow you to visit the following museums for free. Normally, the Archeological Museum has an entrance fee starting at 6 euros; the Museum of Egyptian Art (famous for its rather expensive tickets) starts at 11 euros and up; the Museum of History starts at 7 euros; and the Maritime Museum of Barcelona costs 4.50 euros for entrance. One does not need to be an expert to see the clear benefit of the Arqueo ticket for the price of 13 euros! Even if you plan to visit only two of the aforementioned locations, it still makes sense to use this ticket. If you do plan to visit all the museums on the list, then this ticket is definitely a “must”!
If you plan to visit Barcelona, INEEDSpain is always here to provide you with complete tourist information, help with event preparation and leisure organization, and assist you in choosing the vacation options that match your needs perfectly.