Barcelona: Getting there & around

Orientation

Barcelona's coastline runs roughly northeast to southwest and many streets are parallel or perpendicular to this. Two major hills - Montjuïc and Tibidabo - provide good landmarks for orientation. The focal point of town is La Rambla, a 1.25km (0.75mi) boulevard running northwest and slightly uphill from Port Vell (Old Harbour) to Plaça de Catalunya. The Plaça is the boundary between Ciutat Vella (Old Town) and the more recent additions further inland. L'Eixample, the city's 19th-century answer to overcrowding, stretches 1.5km (1mi) north, east and west of Plaça de Catalunya. Montjuïc begins about 700m (763yd) southwest of the southeastern end of La Rambla, and Tibidabo, with a landmark television tower and golden Christ statue, is 6km (4mi) northwest of the city.

The Ciutat Vella, a warren of narrow streets, centuries-old buildings and budget accommodation, spreads on both sides of La Rambla. Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) is at its heart, on the lower half of the eastern section of the boulevard. West is El Raval, where travellers need to be alert; this vibrant, ethnically diverse neighbourhood is a great place to find quirky cafés and unique shops, but it's also an easy place to get mugged, especially at night. Port Vell has an excellent modern aquarium and two marinas, and at its northeastern end is La Barceloneta, the old sailors' quarter. Beaches and a pedestrian promenade stretch northeast from there to Port Olímpic, a harbour built for the 1992 Olympics and now home to lively bars and restaurants.

Getting There

• bus

  Buses are generally cheaper than trains, though not so comfortable. The main intercity bus station, Estació del Nord, is 1.5km (0.9mi) northeast of La Rambla, close to Arc de Triomf metro.

• train

  You can take domestic and international trains to Barcelona. The main train station is Estació Sants, 2.5km (1.6mi) west of La Rambla. Direct overnight trains from Paris, Geneva, Lisbon and Milan arrive here, as do services from various French cities and across Spain.

• plane

  Barcelona's airport is 12km (7.5mi) southwest of the city centre at El Prat de Llobregat. The city is a big international and domestic destination, with direct flights from North America and many European cities. Departure tax is factored into ticket prices.

• ship

  You can get to Barcelona via ferry from the Balearic Islands and Italy. From the Balearics there are standard boats, on which you can get beds in cabins of up to four people and high-speed boats on which sleepers are not necessary.

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Getting Around

• bus

  Renfe-run Rodalies (Cercanías in Castellano) service the airport as well as towns around Barcelona. Buses run along most city routes every few minutes, and there's a tourist bus that covers two circuits of major sites.

• walking

  Barri Gòtic and surrounding areas are ideal for walking, but you'll probably need to use public transport to reach further-flung sites like La Sagrada Família and Parc Güell more efficiently.

• taxi

  For the most part it's better to abandon your car while you're here - the traffic is more grief than it's worth. The public transport is excellent and taxis are easily available. A green light on the roof means the taxi is for hire.

• bicycle

  Although the moped rules in Barcelona, plenty of people zip around on bicycles. Use bike lanes if you can - the traffic is a little hairy.

• underground rail

  The metro is the easiest way to get around most of the city. You may need buses or suburban trains to reach some places.

• Disabled Travellers

  Although some concessions are made for disabled people, the city remains largely an obstacle course for them. Some hotels and public institutions have wheelchair access. Some public transport (such as Metro line 2, some buses and taxis) is equipped to cater to the needs of people with disabilities. The city is currently at work to ensure that all Metro stations and buses are wheelchair adapted, but it's slow going.

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