And here’s a neat trick you may have not heard about: the library card of Barcelona.

Not only does it grant you access to more than 228 libraries, but it also gives you free entry and discounts to a wealth of attractions across the city. This includes some pretty special Gaudi buildings (Casa Batlló, Torre Bellesguard, etc), some rather special museums (the Picasso Museum and the National Art Museum) and even a trip to the iconic Montjuic Castle.

And, providing that you are a registered resident of Barcelona, getting the card is totally free!

In praise of libraries

Libraries in Barcelona are a great place to study. They are usually heated in winter and cooled in summer. They have silent reading rooms and fast internet access.

With a library card, you can borrow books, music and movies for both adults and children. The library card also allows you to take part in reading clubs and specific courses that are offered in multimedia rooms.

You can pick up books in one location and return them in another. You can also reserve books online.

Apply for a card

Library cards are free, personal and non-transferrable. If you need additional copies of the card, these will be charged at one euro each. The library car will expire five years after its last use.

To apply for a library card simply fill in and submit this form. You will need to indicate from which library you wish to pick up the card once it is ready. You will need to be able to produce your Spanish national ID or resident-foreigner ID number in order to pick up the library card.

Children under the age of 14 will also need to show authorisation from their parents or legal guardians that they have permission to use all library services including internet.

The free stuff

In addition to all the regular benefits of libraries, noted above, the library card offers a range of other benefits.

It gives you free or discounted admission to museums, including:

• El Born Cultural and Memorial Centre
• CaixaForum (cultural museum
• Casa Batlló (Gaudi architecture)
• Casa Vicens (Gaudi architecture)
• Montjuïc Castle
• National Museum of Art
• Olympics and Sport Museum
• Picasso Museum
• Palau Güell (Gaudi architecture)
• Sant Pau (art nouveau complex)
• Torre Bellesguard (Gaudi architecture)
• Besòs water tower

The card also offers discounts for these theatres:

• Antic Theatre
• Catalonian Ballet
• El Maldà
• Joan Brossa Foundation
• Golem’S
• La Caldera
• La Perla
• La Puntual (puppet theatre)
• L’Autèntica
• Teatre del Raval
• Teatre Eòlia
• Teatre Gaudí

It offers discounts at cinemas:

• Filmoteca
• Cinemes Verd

And at musical events:

• Liceu
• L’Auditori
• Tradicionàrius
• Franz Schubert’s philharmonic orchestre
• Jamboree Jazz
• Palau de la Música (including the Orfeó choir)
• Los Tarantos (live flamenco)

It even gives discounts for classes at the following venues:

• Ama l’Italiano (Italian language and culture_
• Association for the Study of Furniture
• Cursiva
• El Desbande (tango classes)
• Eòlia (drama school)
• Ateneu (writing school)
• School of Modern Languages
• Gaudir UB
• Els Juliols de la UB
• Laboratori de Lletres

The post How to unlock cheap sightseeing with Barcelona’s library card appeared first on Barcelona.

But which pizzerias are really worth the visit?

Everyone of course has their favourite style of pizzas. But being Neapolitan, and having lived in a number of countries around the world, I have eaten a fair shares of good pizzas in my life!

Here are some of the favourite ones that I have come across in Barcelona.

Spaccanapoli

This is a truly Neapolitan pizzeria. You can tell the moment that you walk in the place – from the Maradona and Troisi pictures on the walls to the warm friendliness of the staff.

Pizzas are not only really good but also extremely reasonably priced. You will find mostly classic and authentic Neapolitans pizzas here The frittatina and crocche antipasti are delicious and authentic, too.

The restaurant has a large selection of classic Neapolitan desserts, such as tiramisu (you can get a traditional one, but also a delicious pistachio version and one made with pan di stelle), babá au rhum, pastiera, delizia al limone.

There are two branches, one near Arc de Triomf and the other in Gracia. The one in the centre is almost always open, but it is advisable to book in advance especially during weekends.

There is no outdoor sitting in either place.

Click here to go website.

Grosso Napoletano

This restaurant chain has several branches around Barcelona, one of which is gluten-free (the one in Eixample, at Carrer de València, 234). Most pizzas are fairly traditional, although some are a bit more inventive.

They offer an excellent lunch deal, although this is not valid on bank holidays or days just before bank holidays.

The tiramisu here is great, too, but this isn’t part of the lunch menu. There is some outdoor seating at some of the branches.

Click here to go website.

Sartoria Panieri

This restaurant has won several a number of awards for its pizzas and because of this it can be really difficult to book. Since the place is often very busy, if you go alone or as a couple you might be asked to sit on a big table with other guests.

Pizzas are definitely good, but not so much better than in many other places and they don’t really justify the hype surrounding this place. The tiramisu is very disappointing, both for presentation and for taste. Decor is simple and waiters are mostly Spanish.

The restaurant has two branches: one in the centre of Barcelona and one in Gracia.

Click here to go website.

Murivecchi

This is more a restaurant that serves pizzas as well as other food, rather than a traditional pizzeria, but the pizzas are very good. Definitely try their house specialty, Pizza Alba, which is loaded with truffle and burrata.

The restaurant is located in the centre of the city, Baceloneta and Born. There is some outdoor seating available.

This is a good spot to come when you are with a group and not everyone wants a pizza. Waiters are mainly Italians.

Click here to go website.

Trafalgar Pizza Club

While the name doesn’t hold the promise of a good authentic Italian pizzas, the pizza-makers are from Naples and the pizzas they prepare are therefore delicious.

This is not really a typical Italian pizzeria. Both classic and some less-classic pizzas are on the menu.

The restaurant is located fairly centrally, near Urquinaona, and has plenty of dining space. Their opening times are also very convenient, and they remain open at times when other pizzerias are closed.

Click here to go website.

Sports Bar

This is an iconic spot in Barcelona for a eating good pizza while watching a game or sport on the large TV. You don’t need to be a sports fan to come here, though; simply enjoy the good food and friendly atmosphere. There’s nothing fancy or pretentious about this place.

Click here to go website.

Pummarola

An authentic and friendly traditional Neapolitan  pizzeria in the Sant Antoni neighbourhood of the city. Prices are extremely reasonable and opening hours are convenient (non-stop from 1pm to midnight throughout the week, slightly later druing the weekend).

The restaurant also serves Panuozzi, a typical delicious panini from Campania region. Pizzas are all traditional, as are the desserts that they serve. Simple decor with a few seats outside.

Nap

This is a chain of pizzerias. The first opened its doors in Barcelona, and because of its success the chain has rapidly spread to other parts of Spain and in Mallorca too.

This is an authentic Neapolitan pizza place, serving almost exclusively pizzas. Bruschette, salads, parmigiana and over-baked provolone are also available.

The restaurant is open daily from 1pm to midnight. In Barcelona there are three branches: in Barceloneta, in El Born and in Paral-lel. Home delivery is also available.

Click here to go website.

Maurizio 2.0

This pizzeria is located near the Ferrocarril station in Provenca.

Besides pizzas, the restaurant also serves a number of delicious starters, such as

It closes between lunch and dinner (4 to 8), closed on Monday and Sunday only opens for dinner. It does a number of delicious starters, such as montanara with pistachios and ricotta and montanara topped with tomato and baked provolone.

The restaurant has a number of gourmet pizzas that are worth to try.

Madre Lievito

This restaurant has several branches located in: Sants, Poblenou, Exaimple, San Marti and El-Born (although this latter place is for sliced pizza to take away only).

The restaurant serves other dishes apart from pizza, and offers take away and delivery options too.

The branch in Eixample also serves simple breakfast, such as croissants and coffee, during the week. Because of this it is open much earlier than the others (from 8am). The branch in Eixample also has a set lunch menu during the week.

The one in San Marti offers aperitivo, a small italian style tapa with every drink.

Pizzas are tasty!

Now for some good sliced pizza…

Kitchen

Again not a name I would really have chosen for an authentic pizzeria but it is an excellent place, serving fresh sliced pizzas in the heart of Barceloneta. There are no tables in the place; only a few stools perched against the counter where you can eat. This is a good option if you want to munch a pizza while you soak up the sun on the nearby beach. Perfect for those lazy summer months.

Staff are friendly, too.

Click here to go website.

Pizza d’Autore

The sliced pizzas from this place are more Roman in style: square with a slightly thicker crust and sold by weight.

Ingredients are fresh and delicious. There are many vegetarian options and inventive cheese-free options, too.

Since everything is fresh, there is the chance that a certain topping might have sold out; but this is always a good excuse to try a new one!

The restaurant is mainly takeaway, but there are a few tables that you can eat at as well.

Click here to go website.

Pizza Mitica

This is a take-away only pizza place in Sarria, selling mini round pizzas with soft dough. They also sell delicious panzarotti, filled with mozzarella and tomatoes. Prices are not the lowest in town, but the quality is good.

The place run by Italians. During the week the place opens from 1pm to 11pm. At the weekend, it is only open in the evenings (from 7pm to 11pm).

This is quite a good place to come if you are already in the area and have the munchies, but might not be somewhere you explicitly travel across town for.

Click here to go website.

The post Top pizzerias in Barcelona appeared first on Barcelona.

This annual event celebrates the Patron Saint of Barcelona, Our Lady of Mercy (La Mare de Déu de la Mercè), and is one of the most significant festivals that takes place in the city.

The festival typically lasts a number of days, with the most important day – the feast day – being on 24 September. This year, La Mercè runs from September 22 to September 25.

Here are some of the key features and highlights to watch out for.

Street Performances

One of the defining characteristics of La Mercè is its emphasis on street arts and performances. Throughout the festival, the streets of Barcelona come alive with street theatre, dance performances, acrobatics, and music. These performances often take place in various squares and public spaces throughout the city.

Castells

One of the most iconic traditions of the festival is the castells – human towers built by groups of people, often with hundreds of participants. These impressive structures are a UNESCO-recognized cultural tradition and a symbol of Catalan identity.

Concerts

La Mercè features a wide range of musical performances, from traditional Catalan music to contemporary pop and rock concerts. These concerts are often held in various venues across the city, including the famous Plaça de Catalunya.

Fireworks

The festival typically culminates with a spectacular fireworks display on the night of September 24th, the feast day of Our Lady of Mercy. The fireworks show is a breathtaking sight over the Barcelona skyline.

Correfoc

This is a spectacular and fiery event where participants dressed as demons and dragons parade through the streets, spraying sparks and fireworks into the crowd. It’s an exhilarating and visually stunning experience.

The giants

Giant puppets and big-headed figures, known as gegants and capgrossos, are a common sight during La Mercè. These figures are often paraded through the streets in colorful and lively processions.

Traditional Catalan Culture

The festival is an excellent opportunity to experience Catalan traditions, including traditional dances, music, and regional cuisine.

Art Installations

Various art installations and exhibitions are set up across the city, allowing festival-goers to explore different forms of artistic expression.

Educational and Family-Friendly Activities

La Mercè also offers a wide range of family-friendly activities, workshops, and exhibitions designed to engage people of all ages.

Where to find out more about what’s going on

The specific events and activities that take place during La Mercè vary from year-to-year, so you will probably want to consult the official programme for further details.

The post La Mercè: Barcelona’s most vibrant cultural festival appeared first on Barcelona.

To get from Barcelona El Prat Airport to the city center, you have several transportation options available. Here are the most common ways to make the journey.

Aerobus

The Aerobus is a dedicated shuttle service that connects the airport terminals with key locations in the city center. They are big busses, light blue in colour.

The A1 line runs between the city centre and Terminal 1 while the A2  runs between the city centre and Terminal 2. Both lines pass through Plaça de Catalunya and Plaça de Espanya (plus two other stops).

The buses run 24-hours a day, 365 days per year. They are comfortable and equipped with ample luggage storage. They also have free WiFi and USB charging plugs – although these plugs aren’t always working, so don’t count on them 100%

The journey from the airport to the city center takes between 30 and 40 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Tickets

Tickets cost €6.75 one-way or €11.65 return. The return is valid for 90 days. Children under four years old travel free.

Discounts for single parents and big families are also available. To benefit from this you need to be registered as living in Spain, and apply for a single parent or big family discount card. This card entitles you to discounts not only on the Aerobus but for other services in Spain.

You can purchase tickets directly at the bus stops, at the airport terminals or online. They can also be bought on the bus from the driver. You can pay with cash or card, although the driver may not except notes of a particularly high denomination.

For those who need to travel further by metro or bus after they have taken the Aerobus, there is a convenient combi ticket that you can purchase for €7.90. This includes a one-way journey on the Aerobus, followed by a single journey on public transport (ordinarily a single ticket without the combi would cost €2.40).

To buy tickets and to check if there is any planned disruption to the route, you can consult the Aerobus website.

Departure points

At the airport, the Aerobus stop is easy to find; simply follow the bus signs from the arrival hall. Once you get outside the terminal, just look for the big blue bus with 'Aerobus' written across the side.

In Plaça de Catalunya, the Aerobus stop is located in front of the big Corte Inglés shopping centre.

Be very vigilant about your luggage, especially when buying tickets but also on the bus. Thieves frequently target tourists arriving in the city!

Metro

Barcelona's metro connects the airport with Line L9, which runs from the airport until Zona Universitaria, passing from Fira (exibition centre) and Collblanc (connected to Line L5) and Torrassa (connected to Line L1).

There are a few things to think about before deciding to travel by metro:

• You can’t use a regular metro ticket to get to the airport (see link below)
• Unless your final destination is on Line L9, you are going to have to change - and you will not always find lifts to help you with your luggage.
• Unless you take the metro at the first station of the line is unlikely you will get a seat.
• The metro can become very crowed during peak hours.
• You should watch your belongings like a hawk, particularly when the trains are crowded. Pickpockets between the airport and the city centre are common.
• Unlike Aerobus, the metro doesn’t run throughout the night..

To travel from Barcelona El Prat Airport to the city center using the metro, you can follow these steps:

• Terminal Information: Determine which terminal you are arriving at: Terminal 1 (T1) or Terminal 2 (T2).
• Access the Metro: Both terminals have metro stations. If you arrive at T1, you'll find the metro station within the terminal building. If you arrive at T2, follow the signs to the metro station located near the terminal.
• Choose the right line: The L9 Sud metro line connects the airport to the city center. This line has two branches: L9S1 and L9S2. L9S1 goes to Zona Universitària, while L9S2 goes to Can Tries - Gornal. Make sure that you are on the correct branch depending on your destination.
• Buy a ticket: Purchase a single metro ticket at the airport station. Note that a regular metro ticket can’t be used to reach the airport; you need a special ticket that costs €5.15. You can buy it online or at the machines located in metro stations. Many - though not all - of these machines accept cash. They all accept major credit and debit cards, although some machines might not process cards that do not have PIN numbers.

Renfe Train

The R2 Nord line of the Renfe train network connects the airport to the city center. The train stops at major stations, including Sants Estació and Passeig de Gràcia. Trains are generally efficient and provide a direct route to the city.

The main benefit of using the Renfe train system is the cost. You can purchase a book of 10 tickets for €13. This works out as €1.30 per journey, and can take you anywhere on the public transport network.

Unfortunately, only Terminal 2 is served by this train. Therefore, if you arrive at Terminal 1, you may find it more convenient and quicker to take alternative transportation, such as the metro or Aerobus - although there is a free shuttle bus that runs between the two terminals (ever 5-10 minutes, apart from between 8pm and midnight when the buses run every hour).

The Renfe train also only runs every 30 minutes from the airport, which is not as frequently as other modes of public transport. Trains are not 24 hours; they run from 5.20am to 11pm.

Taxi

Taxis are a convenient and widely used mode of transportation in Barcelona. They offer a flexible way to get around the city, especially when traveling with luggage or in groups.

The exact fare will obviously depend on your final destination and traffic conditions. Most rides from the airport into Barcelona will cost between €20 and €40. There is a fixed supplement from the airport of €4.30, on top of the regular meter cost. There are also some additional costs that you may incur, as highlighted below.

Taxis are readily available throughout the city, and you can easily find them at taxi stands, major transportation hubs, hotels and in popular tourist areas. Look for licensed taxis with an official taxi sign on the roof. These taxis are metered and regulated by the city. Taxis in Barcelona are typically black and yellow, making them easy to spot.

Taxis in Barcelona are equipped with meters that calculate fares based on distance traveled and time spent in the taxi. The starting fare and subsequent per-kilometer rate are regulated by the city.

Taxi-hailing apps such Free Now are available in Barcelona, allowing you to book and track taxis using your smartphone.

Most taxis in Barcelona accept both cash and credit or debit cards for payment. However, it is a good idea to carry some cash on you in case card payment is not possible - or ask before you get in.

Tipping is optional, but it is fairly common to round up the fare or add a little extra for good service.

The most popular ride-sharing service in Barcelona is Cabify. Uber is not operational in the city at the moment.

The post Getting from the airport to Barcelona appeared first on Barcelona.

When it comes to thrills-and-spills, Barcelona’s only amusement park may not be able to compete with the top theme parks that you find elsewhere in Europe. However, it is certainly one of the most visually-stunning parks on the continent.

You can spot Tibidabo from miles away, identified by a grandiose church – The Church of the Sacred Heart – that was built in the early 20th Century. A smattering of traditional fairground rides – a ferris wheel, a merry-go-round and a couple of others – cluster around the church.

From afar, the church seems to be calling out to the traveler, inviting them up to the mountain. It is a call that is difficult to ignore, and most visitors eventually ask themselves the question, “What is that building – and how do I get there?”

The name ‘Tibidabo’ actually comes from the Latin ‘I will give you’. According to the Bible, these were the words that the Devil said to Jesus as they looked down from an exceedingly high mountain upon the kingdoms of the world.

The Tibidabo mountain is the highest peak of the Collserola national park. From here you can enjoy spectacular views over the whole of Barcelona, spread out before you like an inviting Persian rug stretching all the way to the sea.

The panoramic area has completely free access, and so you can enjoy these amazing views even if you don’t want to enter the park.

The amusement park itself is spread across five floors, with most of the rides being located outdoors. The uppermost floor, which sports half a dozen rides, is open most of the time, while the other floors are usually only open at weekends and during school holidays.

There are a total of 32 rides and activities in the park. Children who are taller than 120 centimetres will be allowed on most of the dies, although there are some that restrict unaccompanied access for children shorter than 130 or 140 centimetres.

Tibidabo is relatively easy to get to and you can reach the park with a single metro ticket from the centre of Barcelona.

How much does it cost?

Standard entrance price is €35 per person. This includes access to all rides and activities apart from the fairground games where you can win prices. Children who are between 90 and 120 centimetres enjoy a reduced price of €14. Those who are shorter than €90 can enter for free.

If you just want to enjoy the handful of rides that are in the upper part of the park, you can buy a ticket for €19 – or pay €4 per go. It is not possible to pay per-ride on the other floors of the park.

If you live in Barcelona, you might want to consider buying an annual membership pass for the park. Since an annual membership pass costs €60, plus registration fee, you only have to visit the park with the annual pass to save money.

However, there are a few things you should think about before buying the annual pass:

1. The whole of the park is usually only open at weekends, during the peak summer season and during school holidays. Outside of these periods, only the handful of rides on the upper floor will be running. So the pass will not allow you to escape the queues by visiting the park during off-peak times.
2. The park is fairly small with a limited variety of rides, so visiting regularly can get a little repettitive.
3. You are entitled to a 30% discount when buying tickets for guests (limited to six tickets per year). At certain periods, such as the summer months, the park even gives away free guest tickets for those that have the annual pass.

How to get to the park

The simplest and cheapest way to get the park by public is to take the S1 or S2 trains that run northwards from Place Catalunya. Look for the sign that says 'FGC'. Get off at Peu de Funicular, and then change on to the funicular railway that takes you up to Vallvidrera, which is the last stop. Exit the funicular and take Bus 111 from just outside all the way until the last stop. The bus ride will take around 10 minutes.

The theme park also has its own private funicular (called Funicular del Tibidabo. This is red in colour and has a more modern design than the funicular mentioned above. This funicular isn't as convenient, however, both in terms of cost and access. This funicular runs from Plaça Doctor Andreu; you will need to take bus from the metro station Avenida Tibidabo or TibiBus T2C from Plaça Kennedy. The Tibidabo funicular runs from 10.15 am until the amusement park closes. It only runs on on days when the Tibidabo is open.

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