Generally speaking, when tourists come to Barcelona, they don’t usually spend weeks and weeks exploring the city. Normally, a long weekend or three or four days is all they have to play with. That’s why it’s so important to squeeze every last moment out of your time here. Today, we’re going to introduce you to Barcelona’s tourist bus, the perfect way to get to know the Catalan capital if you only have a few days and want to get a good overview of the city.
If you’re wondering how to get around Barcelona, the tourist bus is always one of the best bets. Every year, over 2 million visitors choose this handy option. Besides being very comfortable, the bus takes you to all the biggest landmarks and tourist attractions – and some other more hidden treasures –, but the best thing of all is that you get to decide where to hop on and hop off as many times as you want.
Whether you have a firm itinerary already locked in about what to see in Barcelona or you haven’t got a clue, getting around the city on the tourist bus will be a big help either way. It offers many amenities, including free WiFi, a map of the city, audio guides with plenty of great tourist information available in 16 languages and official tour guides onboard. All the buses are also adapted for people with reduced mobility and hearing loss. You can choose to travel on one of three routes that take you through different parts of the city to see Barcelona in an original and fun way.
The Barcelona tourist bus operates all year round, except 1 January and 25 December. Another advantage is the frequency of the service. Normally, the waiting time in high season is just 5 minutes, up to a maximum of 25 minutes in the quieter months.
Check the tourist bus fares and remember that you can purchase tickets at the reception of our hotels or by buying them online. If you prefer to buy them on the spot, you can do so at many places such as kiosks, bookstores, hotels, Barcelona Tourism information points, and even on board the bus itself. With a single ticket, you’ll be able to take all three available routes.
Barcelona Tourist Bus Routes
To travel around the city and make the most of it, the tourist bus offers three different routes: blue, red, and green, all accessible with just one ticket. In total, there are 45 stops, with 5 of them serving as connection points between the three routes. Remember, all the routes are circular, making it as convenient as possible to get around Barcelona.
Blue Route
The blue route of the Barcelona tourist bus will take you to see the greatest examples of Catalan modernism in the upper part of the city. Starting from Plaza Catalunya, it heads toward Camp Nou, the FC Barcelona stadium. Along the way, you’ll pass by Paseo de Gracia—home to Gaudí’s famous houses ‘La Pedrera’ and ‘Casa Batlló’—the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Tibidabo amusement park, and the elegant Gracia neighborhood.
Red Route
The red route also departs from Plaza Catalunya, located at the end of Barcelona’s most famous street, La Rambla. The route continues through the Ciutadella Park, where the zoo is located, Paseo de Gracia, Avenida Diagonal, Sants station, Montjuïc hill, and ends at Port Vell, the oldest part of the port.
Green Route
If you want to enjoy the beaches and some of the best views of the city, don’t miss the green route of the Barcelona tourist bus. Unlike the blue and red routes, this one is not available year-round; it typically runs from April to November and departs from Port Olímpic, an ideal area for family, youth, and tourist leisure activities. You can also try various water sports or taste seafood cuisine here. The green bus route continues towards the Forum, an urban park that hosts many cultural activities, and goes through Poblenou, a neighborhood that has transformed from an industrial area into a creative and modern space.
Discover what to see in Barcelona with the tourist bus. Get a general overview of the city, and even visit the most famous spots without walking a single kilometer. Remember all the benefits this service offers and go ahead and buy your ticket. You won’t be disappointed!
Take a look at the tourist bus ticket prices and remember you can always buy tickets in reception at our hotels, or else buy them online.
