• Insider Guide
    to Barcelona

Welcome to our Barcelona Insider Guide.

Hola and welcome to our exclusive guide to some of Fat Tire's favorite sights, eats, and spots in our amazing city! We're a company built by travelers - just like you. Regardless if you're brand new to Barcelona or have been many times, after all of the planning, time, and effort spent on getting here, having a great time in Barcelona should be the easy part. That's where we come in.

  • Top Tours
  • Attractions
  • Bucket List
  • Travel Tips
  • Transportation Guide
  • Restaurants

Top Tours

Attractions

Bucket List

Travel Tips

Transportation Guide

Restaurants

 

Top Barcelona Tours

The people have spoken! Whether you are a history buff, an art enthusiast, or just love exploring Barcelona like we do, our tours offer something for just about everyone.

Each season we hand-select the best tour guides to make your experience educational, entertaining, and most of all: fun. Our goal while you are in Barcelona is to provide you with memories that last a lifetime, and we hope to see you on a tour with us soon.  

 

"The passion, humour, and energy our guide bought to the tour was infectious. Their desire to cover not only the obvious information but to share some interesting insights assisted in making the tour memorable. This was a truly inexpensive, healthy, fun, and interactive way to see an amazing city!" – Aaron, Australia

 

 

Attractions

Beautiful beaches, colorful buildings, unique art, unparalleled cuisine, and a culture bursting with energy - Barcelona has no shortage of things to do or see. We know your time in Barcelona is precious, and we pride ourselves on bringing you the best of the city. Our bike tours are designed to help you see as much of Barcelona as possible in a fun way, alongside your expert and entertaining guide. Our guides provide interesting and entertaining, not dull and monotonous, anecdotes about the major sites that you won't find in guide books.

MUSEUMS

The Picasso Museum Gallery

Entrance fee: General Admission - €11,00, free entry for under 18s and over 65s. Entry is free Thursday afternoons (6:00pm until close) and the first Sunday of each month.
Closest metro station: Jaume 1 (line 4) and Arc de Triomf (line 1).
Don’t miss the Picasso Museum located in the beautiful neighborhood of El Born.

Barcelona History Museum

Entrance fee: General Admission is €7,00
Closest metro station: Catalunya (line 1 and line 3), Urquinaona (line 1 and line 4), Liceu (line 3) and Jaume I (line 4). .
Travel through time in this medieval setting, featuring remains of Roman streets and buildings.

 

SIGHTS

La Sagrada Famiília

Entrance fee: Cathedral Entrance - €15,00 Cathedral Entrance + Towers - €29,00
Closest metro station: Sagrada Familia (lines 2 and 5)
During our Gaudí Bike Tour with Skip-the-Line Sagrada Família Ticket, after cruising around Barcelona on one of our comfy bicycles, enjoy priority access skip-the-line Sagrada Familia tickets for you so that you won’t waste any precious time waiting in hours-long lines. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the interior of the Sagrada Familia on your own before meeting back with your guide!

Park Güell 

Entrance fee: General Admission - €7,00, student discount available, free entry for under 6s and over 65s.
Closest metro station: Vallcarca or Lesseps (line 3). Access Park Güell through the passage of Sant Josep de la Muntanya which is equipped with escalators.
This park shouldn't be missed. Don't forget your camera for epic views overlooking the city.

Casa Milá

Entrance fee: General Admission - €25,00, students and over 65s - €19,50
Closest metro station: Diagonal (lines 3 and 5)
Purchase tickets in advance online for the most affordable option. 

Casa Batlló

Entrance fee: General Admission - €23,50, student discount available, free entry for under 7s
Closest metro station: Passeig de Gràcia (lines 2, 3, 4)

Palau Gúell

Entrance fee: General Admission - €12,00
Closest metro station: Liceu (line 3)

Palau Nacional

Entrance fee: General Admission - €12,00, student discount available, free entry for under 16s and over 65s
Closest metro station: Plaça d'Espanya (lines 1 and 3)
Located atop Montjuïc, referred to as "Jewish Mountain" in medieval Latin and Catalan documents. The Olympic stadium which held the 1992 Olympic Games is also nearby. If you make it all the way to the top you will find an old fortress, and most importantly - amazing views from all the viewpoints of the hill. Right below there is a magic fountain, where people can see a free fountain sound and light show. Our Montjuïc E-Bike Tour utilises the newest and best electric bikes which eliminates the need for strenuous pedaling and gives you a comfortable uphill ride to the palace so you can focus on taking in every detail of this incredible building as well as the stunning views of the city below.

Palau de la Música Catalana

Entrance fee: General Admission - €18,00
Closest metro station: Urquinaona (lines 1 and 4)
Guests on our Barcelona City Bike Tour cruise through the busy area that neighbor the Palau de la Música Catalana and get to see the incredible detail of this building up-close while learning more about the history of this unique and beautiful concert venue.

Bunkers del Carmel

Entrance fee: N/A
Closest metro station: El Carmel (line 5)
An observation deck that offers an amazing 360° view of Barcelona.

Tibidabo

Entrance fee: General Admission - €12,70
How to get there: 

  • Bus llançadora (T2B) des de l’Aparcament B:SM Sant Genís
  • T2A Bus from Plaça Catalunya
  • Tibidabo Funicular Railway
  • Ruta per Vallvidrera

A vintage amusement park at the top of the mountain, another place to see the whole Barcelona from above.

 

Barcelona Bucket List

Walk through the narrow streets of the Gothic and El Born quarters

  • You can expect local shops, bars and restaurants there!

Two Words: Tapas and Sangria

  • Because when in Spain… don’t miss out on these two delicious things! Some of the best tapas are croquettes, patatas bravas, empanadas, pan y tomate and jamon iberico.
  • We suggest you enjoy your sangria at one of the restaurants along the beach boardwalk.
  • Additional food you must try: traditional paella, paella de marisco (seafood paella), churros with hot chocolate, vermouth, and cava (which is local sparkling wine).

See a Flamenco Show

  • Immerse yourself in the local culture!

Attend a fútbol game at Camp Nou Stadium

  • The biggest stadium in all of Europe, home to FC Barcelona.

Enjoy the views from Montjuïc

  • Don’t miss the magical fountain show. Each show lasts about 10 minutes.
  • Activity Option: Get uphill with less effort on our Montjuïc E-Bike Tour!

Check out the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia

  • You will not regret checking out this architectural masterpiece! Prepare to be amazed by Gaudi during your entire trip.

Visit Park Güell

  • Another Gaudí gem. Enjoy a peaceful walk through this colorful park and take in the breathtaking views!

Ride a bike

  • We may be biased, but cruising through the streets of Barcelona on a comfy cruiser bike is definitely a bucket list item
  • Activity Option: Our Barcelona City Bike Tour offers the perfect orientation or day out in Barcelona! 

Shop in Las Ramblas

  • This famous street is perfect for shopping and people watching.
  • Located right off Las Ramblas is Boqueria Market. Stroll through the market with fresh juice (€2,00) in hand!

Have a picnic in Ciutadella Park

  • Enjoy the outdoors and relax in the park with the locals.

Catch some rays at the beach

  • There are a few beaches right next to each other that you can choose from.

 

Local Customs & Tips

 

Tipping in Barcelona

  • When you get the bill from your meal, keep in mind that service is included. We suggest rounding up the nearest euro. An extra 5% or 10% tip is very appreciated but definitely not necessary. Plan on leaving your tips in cash, even when paying by credit card.
  • The same goes for taxi drivers.

When to visit Barcelona

  • For the best weather and non-peak tourist seasons, the best times to visit Barcelona is April - June and September - December.
  • Barcelona enjoys a mild climate year round so you will be comfortable regardless of when you visit!

Don't fear the metro

  • The Barcelona metro is easy to navigate and reaches just about everything you'll want to see during your vacation.
  • Keep in mind that parts of the metro shut down after midnight so plan for another route home for those late nights!
  • Purchase a T-10 ticket, the cheapest ticket for 10 rides. Plus you can share this ticket with your friends and family, so you don’t have to buy one each!

Be careful of pickpockets

  • Keep a close eye on your personal belongings while using public transportation.
  • It’s also extremely important that you do not leave your items unattended while enjoying the Barcelona beaches.

Unique mealtimes in Spain

  • You can expect restaurants to be open from 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. for lunch and from 8:30 p.m. - 11 p.m. for dinner.
  • People take siestas, so be prepared that some places could be closed between 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
  • Also important to note that a lot of businesses will be closed for the entire month of August.

Nighlife in Barcelona

  • Don’t go to a club before 1:00 a.m. as nobody will be there! People in Barcelona tend to stay up very late.

Using ATMs

  • When you are pulling out euros, the ATM will most likely ask if you would like to be charged in your native currency. Always select “no” and request to be charged in euros. This is the most cost-effective option.
  • It’s a good idea to inform your credit card company before you travel.

 

Barcelona Transport Guide

Getting around Barcelona is a breeze!

ON FOOT & BIKE

Walking

  • If you are staying in city center, just walk! Many of the sights are closer than you may think.

Cycling

  • Riding a bike is very safe and affordable here as well and perfect if you want to explore outside the center.

TAXIS 

Local taxis

  • Taxis are plentiful and reliable in Barcelona, and are easy to spot with their signature black and yellow paint. 
  • All local taxis are required to be metered. Tariffs and extra fees may apply in certain areas including the airport and cruise terminals, larger suitcase, and rush hour fares.
  • You can hail a taxi from the street or from a taxi rank. If the light on the taxi is green, it is available for hire. 
  • Taxis accept both cash and credit card, but it is always a good idea to have cash onhand in case there are any errors with the machine. 

Ridesharing apps

  • The status of ridesharing apps in Barcelona change frequently so it is always a good idea to have your options open.
  • Uber does not currently operate in Barcelona.
  • Popular apps include:

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Metro

  • Single metro tickets start at €2,15
  • It is more economical to purchase a travel card or a tourist travel pass if you are taking more than one or two journeys on the metro. A T10 ticket (Zone 1 ticket) allows you up to ten journeys for €9.95 (saving you nearly €12 opposed to purchasing single tickets).
  • For €21,50 you can purchase an HolaBCN pass for 3, 4, or 5 days for unlimited metro journeys from 5:00am to 11:00pm. This ticket does not include night bus journeys.
  • Click here for Barcelona metro map
  • Click here to download Barcelona metro smartphone app

Bus

 

Restaurants

Enjoy seafood paella along the beachfront, sip sangria and savor tapas on a cobbled street, or pick up some fresh fruit from one of the many street markets - Barcelona is a paradise for food lovers!

ON A BUDGET
Under €20 per meal

Conesa Entrepans

Carrer de la Llibreteria, 1, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Hungry while waiting for your bike tour with Fat Tire Tours? Check out this great shop that has been selling classic pressed sandwiches since 1951.

Horchatería Sirvent

Carrer del Parlament de Catalunya, 56, 08015 Barcelona, Spain
Need to cool off? Stop by Barcelona’s version of a soda shop to test out horchata - a blended sweet drink made from tiger nut milk.

Pastisseria Bubó Born

Passatge Sert, 12, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
A cake shop where the pastries are bite-sized works of art. Too pretty to eat? Never.

Nømad Coffee Lab & Shop

Carrer de les Caputxes, 10, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
A specialty coffee shop to get your morning fix. They also do coffee tastings (what they call “cuppings”) on Fridays at 4:00 p.m.

Bo de B

Carrer de la Fusteria, 14, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Huge sandwiches and salads for small prices.

Maoz

Carrer de Ferran, 13, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
One of the best falafels in Barcelona with all you can eat salad.

TAPAS BARS
Typically under €20 per person

La Xampanyeria

Carrer de la Reina Cristina, 7, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
A tiny wine bar that serves inexpensive glasses and delicious tapas. Squeeze up to the often-busy bar to order a glass (or two) of Spanish cava - a sweet, pink sparkling wine that pairs well with meats, cheeses, or fried nibbles.

Ølgod

Carrer de l'Hospital, 74, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona has been contributing to the global craft beer scene. Grab a pint and some bites here.

Maitea Taberna

Carrer de Casanova, 155, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
The pintxo is a typical Spanish tapas, with “pintxo” (Spanish for “spike”) referring to a toothpick that holds something delicious to a piece of bread. Here, Maitea serves 100 different varieties.

POST-SIESTA DINNER
€25 or more per meal

Tantarantana

Carrer d'en Tantarantana, 24, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
This cozy restaurant near El Born is a part of the Grupo San Telmo - a collection of restaurants in Barcelona that serve delicious modern Spanish food in trendy spaces.

Els Quatre Gats

Carrer de Montsió, 3, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Worth visiting for the building alone, as it was constructed by a Modernista contemporary of Gaudi, this restaurant was once the hangout for Spanish creatives like Picasso.

Can Culleretes

Carrer d'en Quintana, 5, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Spain’s 2nd oldest restaurant was founded in 1768 and its tradition continues today. Test out classic and tasty Spanish dishes in a historic spot.

Disfrutar

Carrer de Villarroel, 163, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
This 1-Michelin starred restaurant is run by veterans of El Bulli. Put your dining experience in their trusted hands and get ready for unforgettable Mediterranean cuisine.

Restaurante Martínez

Ctra. de Miramar, 38, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
One word: Paella.