Even though we at irBarcelona believe that the best way of discovering a city like Barcelona is on foot wherever possible, so that you can see all its squares, streets and markets and see the real Barcelona, a good way of complementing this is by taking one of the tourist buses. Doing this will give you some good views of the city, and will give you a brief idea of the tourist attractions you might like to spend more time at, especially if your time in the city is limited.
Companies that provide Tourist Buses
There are two companies – ‘Bus Turístic’, which is associated with City Sightseeing Barcelona, and Barcelona City Tour, which take slightly different routes round the city but are fairly similar.
Barcelona Bus Turístic / City Sightseeing
The Bus Turístic is Barcelona’s official tourist bus, which has been operating since 1992 and is run by Barcelona Turisme and TMB – Transportes Metropolitanes de Barcelona, which is Barcelona’s public transport system. The buses are double-decker, the top deck is open air, and there’s recorded information on board that you can listen to through headphones. The combination of the Bus Turístic’s main routes allows you to see most of Barcelona’s main tourist attractions. When you’re choosing a ticket you might like to consider buying a 2-day ticket, as the price isn’t much more than that of a 1-day ticket. You can get on and off the bus as many times as you want, at each of the stops that are served by the three routes. When you buy a ticket you’ll also be given many discount vouchers that you can use in the various tourist attractions along the routes.
The Red Route focuses on the tourist attractions in the heart of the city centre, as well as some nearby sights such as Montjuïc and some of Barcelona’s coastline.
The Blue Route heads towards the north of Barcelona, reaching areas slightly further out of the city centre such as Park Güell and the Camp Nou football stadium.
The Green Route is only in operation during the busiest months of the year, between 1st April and 31st October, and it will take you along the coast, exploring Barcelona’s various beaches.
More information, and buying your tickets
You can buy tickets when you get on the bus, in Barcelona’s tourist offices, in many hotels, in kiosks or newsagents, in bookshops, in TMB offices, and via Internet. If you buy your tickets online you’ll get a online discount.
€ Prices
1-day adult ticket: 30€. (Online Discount)
2-day adult ticket: 40€ (Online Discount).
1-day ticket for over-65s: 25€ (Online Discount).
2-day ticket for over-65s: 35€ (Online Discount).
1-day ticket for children (4-12 years old): 16€ (Online Discount).
2-day ticket for children (4-12 years old): 21€ (Online Discount).
Ticket for children under the age of 4: free.
Timetable
Timetable: in summer, from 09:00 or 09:30 until 20:00. In winter, from 09:00 or 09:30 until 19:00.
Frequency of departures: every 5 to 25 minutes, depending on the season.
Days of operation: every day of the year except 1st January and 25th December.
Languages (audioguide)
Arabic
Catalan
Chinese
Dutch
English
Finnish
French
German
Hebrew
Italian
Japanese
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
Enjoy the night tour
If you buy online, whether it’s for the Barcelona Bus Turístic or the Barcelona City Tour, don’t forget to print your booking confirmation so that you can show it when you pick up your card. (When you book your tickets you’ll be given all the details of what to do, and you’ll be sent a booking confirmation by email).
Barcelona City Tour
Barcelona City Tour’s buses are also double-decker, with open-air top deck from which you can get a great view of the route, all with an audio guide that will answer all your questions about the city. With the ticket you’ll also receive a booklet of discounts for many tourist attractions. Barcelona City Tour offers two different routes, which divide the city into the east and western parts, and which will show you the most famous sights of Barcelona.
As it’s name implies, on this route you will be taken to the attractions, museums, monuments and places of interest on the eastern side of Barcelona, including Tibidabo, the Port Vell (‘Old Harbour’), the Casa Batlló and of course the Sagrada Familia amongst other attractions.
The journey round the western area of Barcelona will take you to the Camp Nou football stadium, Poble Espanyol, the Anella Olímpica and other areas of interest around Montjuïc.
More information, and buying your tickets
You can buy your tickets on the bus itself, or you can book online in advance, in which case you’ll benefit from a discount on the total price. You’ll also receive a booklet of discount vouchers with your ticket.
€ Prices
1-day adult ticket: 30€.
2-day adult ticket: 40€.
1-day ticket for over-65s: 25€.
2-day ticket for over-65s: 35€.
1-day ticket for children (4-12 years old): 16€.
2-day ticket for children (4-12 years old): 21€.
Ticket for children under the age of 4: free.
1-day ticket for people who are registered disabled: 25€.
2-day ticket for people who are registered disabled: 35€.
Timetable
Timetable: Monday-Sunday, 08:30-20:00.
Frequency of departures: depends on the season.
Days of operation: every day of the year.
Languages (audioguide)
Arabic
Catalan
Chinese
Dutch
English
French
German
Hebrew
Hindi
Italian
Japanese
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Swedish
Photo Gallery
I love Barcelona as much as you do! The city in which I was born…. just a few years ago!
Follow @dieguitosway
