Barcelona is a city that uniquely fuses millennial history, avant-garde architecture and a vibrant contemporary culture and, for visitors wishing to fully immerse themselves in this Mediterranean metropolis, city cards are an indispensable tool. These cards are designed to offer tourists a stress-free travel experience, combining unlimited public transport and facilitated access to numerous attractions. Not only do they save time by avoiding queues and simplifying travel, but they also offer a significant economic advantage by making visits to museums, monuments and sites of interest more affordable.
In this article, we will focus on two of the main city cards available for exploring Barcelona: the Hola Barcelona Travel Card and the Barcelona Card. We will look in detail at what each option offers, analysing the means of transport included, accessible attractions, prices, and the situations in which it makes sense to buy them.
This guide will help you navigate through the available options, allowing you to choose the solution that best suits your travel style, whether you are an art enthusiast looking for an intensive cultural tour or a traveller who prefers to explore the city by public transport. With the right city card, you’ll be able to optimise your time and budget while making the most of all that Barcelona has to offer.
The Hola Barcelona Travel Card is the ideal choice for travellers who want to focus mainly on using public transport during their stay in Barcelona.
This card does not include entry to specific tourist attractions. Its main focus is on public transport.
The Hola Barcelona Travel Card offers unlimited travel on:
It also includes transfers to and from the airport using the L9 South metro line or the Barcelona Bus.
The Hola Barcelona Travel Card is particularly convenient for travellers who plan to use public transport frequently, including airport transfers. If you plan to travel around the city a lot and are not interested in packages that include entrance to attractions, this may be the best option for you.
The Hola Barcelona Travel Card is available for different durations:
Buying the Hola Barcelona Travel Card online before your trip is the smartest way to save time and money. By booking in advance, you will avoid queues at the ticket counters once you arrive and can start using public transport immediately.
Once you have completed your purchase, you will receive a voucher by email and, to activate the card, simply present the voucher at any metro station or tourist information point in Barcelona. The card will be valid from the moment you use it for the first time, allowing you to make the most of it as soon as you arrive in the city.
The Barcelona Card is a more comprehensive solution that combines public transport with access to numerous attractions and discounts.
With the Barcelona Card, you will have free access to over 25 museums and attractions, including:
It also offers discounts on many other popular attractions such as Casa Batlló, La Pedrera and the Parc Güell.
The Barcelona Card includes:
The Barcelona Card is particularly advantageous for visitors wishing to explore the city in depth, visiting numerous museums and attractions. If you plan to see many cultural sites and use public transport frequently, this card can offer significant savings.
The Barcelona Card is available for different durations:
Booking the Barcelona Card online before your arrival will guarantee you immediate access to all the benefits on offer. By purchasing it in advance, you will not only avoid queues at the tourist offices, but you will also be able to plan your itinerary better as you already know the attractions included.
After purchasing, you will receive a voucher by email and, to activate the card, simply present it at one of Barcelona’s tourist information centres or directly at the first museum or attraction you visit. The card will be valid from the moment it is activated, allowing you to make the most of the time you have available to explore the city.
The choice between the Hola Barcelona Travel Card and the Barcelona Card depends mainly on your itinerary and interests:
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your travel style, length of stay and how intensively you plan to explore Barcelona’s cultural attractions. Carefully consider your itinerary to determine which card will save you the most money and offer the most convenience during your visit to the beautiful Catalan city.