Barcelona Holidays & City Breaks

A blend of modern design and honoured traditions, Barcelona is the vibrant capital of Catalonia in northeastern Spain. Its Mediterranean sunshine, high-quality food, unique architecture and buzzing nightlife make it one of Europe’s most popular destinations. The compact Ciutat Vella (Old City) has some of Europe’s best-preserved Gothic architecture, and Antoni Gaudi’s Art Nouveau buildings have now become icons of Barcelona.

Last minute Barcelona breaks

Desperate for a dose of Spanish sunshine to brighten up your weekend? Fancy taking a loved one to a romantic destination? Our last minute Barcelona breaks are the perfect opportunity to combine a city break with some serious beach time. The best bit is that all this is just over two hours’ flight time from London.

The airport is close to the city, so you can make the most of every second of your last minute getaway to Barcelona without lengthy transfers getting in the way of the fun. Once you’ve booked into your boutique hotel, head out to one of the fabulous restaurants, or time your visit to coincide with one of the city’s many festivals.

If you’re feeling really romantic, book your last minute break to Barcelona for the 23rd April and the feast of Sant Jordi, the city’s version of St Valentine’s day. So, why not put the adventure back into your travels and book a last minute Barcelona break today?

Weekend breaks to Barcelona

The perfect combination of a city break and beach holiday, Barcelona has everything you need for a great getaway. But if you’re pushed for time and just want a quick break to relax and have a little fun, weekend breaks to Barcelona are a great choice. Just over two hours’ flight time from London, you can be in Barcelona on Friday evening and back home in time for Monday.

Even short Barcelona weekend breaks are just enough to let you discover the best bits of this chilled-out city. Relax with a coffee and watch the world go by, check out the city’s boutiques and markets, or head to the beach for some well-deserved sunbathing. A weekend break to Barcelona is also the perfect choice if you want to sweep your other half off their feet and spend a little romantic time together before heading back to work on Monday morning.

Things to do

This fiercely independent city welcomes visitors to experience its friendly atmosphere, innovative Catalan seafood and the many cultural festivals held throughout the year. Explore the ancient yet well-preserved city centre. The redeveloped waterfront offers a lovely boardwalk and several public beaches. Don’t miss Catalonia’s version of paella and the local beers.

Beaches and boardwalk

Wade into the sea from one of Barcelona’s lovely beaches, which you can enjoy from March to November. Go for a stroll along the miles and miles of boardwalk beside the sands, and stop off for a coffee and some people watching. Once your batteries are recharged make your way to La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter for the buzzing atmosphere, an array of independent shops and a dose of history.

Fascinating culture

If you want to dip into Barcelona’s culture then head to the city’s stunning gothic cathedral, contemporary art museum, or museum dedicated to Picasso. Shop with the locals at the Mercat de la Boqueria, and don’t miss the stunning La Sagrada Familia basilica. Another big part of the city’s culture is the all-conquering Barcelona football team, who play their home games at the famous 100,000-seater Camp Nou stadium.

Traditional feel

Barcelona has stayed true to its Catalonian roots, and this is important to the city. Tourism exploded after the 1992 Olympics, but you can still feel Barcelona’s tradition by dining in restaurants that serve up delicious Catalonian fare, gazing up at medieval buildings, or spending the afternoon at the incredible Güell Park.

More travel guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Balearic IslandsCanary IslandsCosta Almeria | Costa Blanca | Costa Brava | Costa Dorada | Costa del Sol | Fuerteventura | Gran Canaria | Lanzarote | Tenerife | Ibiza | Madrid | Malaga | Majorca | Menorca

 

 

Map of Barcelona

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10-24 ℃

Barcelona is a year-round destination with warm summers, cooler winters and no weather extremes. 

View live forecast

2 hours

Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) is 13km southwest of the city centre.

Barcelona is best for...

Families: Take an art class in Gaudi’s trencadis technique and you’ll make your own mosaic of broken ceramic tiles to take home.

Art fans: At the Picasso Museum, view the works of one of the 20th century’s most influential artists.

Foodies: Tuck into some traditional Catalan seafood at a restaurant in the Gothic Quarter.

Fast facts for Barcelona

Language: The languages spoken in Barcelona are Catalan and Spanish

Currency: The currency used in Barcelona is the Euro (€)

Local time: Barcelona is 1 hour ahead of GMT/UK time

Fly: Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) is 13km southwest of the city centre

Flight time from UK: 2 hours

Tourist information: Further Barcelona tourist information can be found at www.turismedebarcelona.eu

 

Getting around Barcelona

By foot: The historic centre is compact and pedestrian-friendly.

By tourist bus: The Barcelona Bus Turistic has three hop-on/hop-off routes that stop at all the tourist sites.

By metro: The extensive metro system is efficient, affordable and air-conditioned.

By bicycle: There are many cycle hire companies, some of which also give bike tours in the city centre.

By scooter: Rent a scooter/moped, Vespa or even a Segway.

Events in Barcelona

Party Animals: For three days (and three nights!) in June, Barcelona hosts Sónar, one of the world’s best dance music festivals. Tickets must be purchased well in advance.

Saintly celebrations: On 24 September, Barcelona honours its patron saint by staging live music concerts in the plazas, Catalan folk dancing, a parade and a fireworks display.

Nadal (Christmas): December’s festivities include the Fira de Santa Lucia, a large open-air market in the streets around the main cathedral. Handmade crafts and local Christmas decorations are on offer; nativity figurines are especially popular.

Barcelona safety and security

Visa / Health: Before your holiday to Barcelona, visit the UK govemment advice for Spain for recommendations and advice on visas and health

Barcelona weather

Temperature: 10-24 °C 

Spring is a beautiful time of the year to visit Barcelona. The city starts to warm up in March and is typically in the mid-teens (°C) by the end of the season. To take advantage of the beach, come during the summer, when you can expect highs of 28 (°C) and very little chance of rain. Culture-seekers will enjoy Barcelona during the autumn, when the city comes alive with music and food festivals, and the weather is still warm enough for roaming. Or book your holiday during the winter to take advantage of fewer crowds and average highs of 11 (°C). 

 

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