How to visit Barcelona
Barcelona’s current status as a staple tourist destination only really began in the 1990s. After the build-up to the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games marked a dramatic turning point in the city’s international reputation, visitor numbers boomed over the next 30 years, drawing international arrivals away from the Costa del Sol and Madrid to the Catalan capital. Now, a generation later, the city is reconsidering its position in the tourist landscape.
A growing population, coupled with a housing crisis, has placed Barcelona at a crossroads. Anti-tourism activism is becoming more commonplace in the city – a recent flashpoint came in July 2024, when outdoor diners on Barcelona’s main tourist thoroughfare, Las Ramblas, were soaked by water-gun-toting demonstrators. For the last few years, the city council has looked to perform a delicate balancing act between enabling a tourist-driven economy and providing clean streets and affordable housing to residents.
Barcelona is one of the most fascinating cities in the world, with a unique culture, cuisine and way of life that makes it a highly rewarding place to discover. For a sustainable tourism model, however, action must be taken by visitors as well as locals. How then, can tourists best plan their visit?
Learn how to visit in a way that contributes to, rather than detracts from, the local economy and atmosphere. We explore how to visit Barcelona like a local. Discover where to stay, what to see and how to get internet abroad using a Barcelona eSIM.
Barcelona eSIM data plans
Where to stay in Barcelona
The most pressing issue driving anti-tourism activism in Barcelona is the lack of available housing in the city for residents. Barcelona has long prided itself on its neighborhood feel – even the most visited central areas of the city, such as the Gothic Quarter or Raval, are home to many long-term residents and active communities. While the council has promised increased housing developments, a thornier problem is addressing the use of short-term rental properties, such as Airbnbs. Since its founding in 2008, much of the user base of Airbnb has slowly shifted from locals renting out their rooms while they’re away to property developers purchasing entire city blocks with the sole purpose of letting them out year-round, with no permanent residents. This has been compounded by the city's growing number of digital nomads – tourists who work remotely during their time in the city, increasing the length of their stay to weeks or even months.
Following the model of other European tourist hotspots like Lisbon and Berlin, Barcelona council has pledged to ban all short-term rentals, such as Airbnb, by 2028.
That’s not to say apartment stays in Barcelona are completely off-limits for the responsible traveller. When done correctly, they can be a convenient source of income for residents and allow an authentic travel experience for tourists, immersing themselves in the neighborhood and experiencing life as a resident, rather than a guest.
When booking somewhere to stay, check that it’s a legitimate short-term let. This can be tricky, as illegal properties are still listed on popular platforms like Airbnb, Homestay or Booking.com. Do your research and contact the owner before you book – does it seem like the apartment is a lived-in home? Or part of a permanent holiday accommodation block? If in doubt, the Barcelona city website has a tool where you can check if a property is an officially approved short-term let.
Visiting Barcelona by cruise ship
Cruise ships have been a particular focus of the anti-tourism protests. An obvious reason is the sheer size of the vessels themselves dominates the sea view for the entire city, while the environmental toll on municipal beaches and waterways is a growing issue. Even after cruise ships were banned from docking in the city's main port in 2022, concerns remain.
Less directly, but arguably more pressing, is that many cruise ships offer their passengers guided tours of the city, organized, run by and profited from by the tour company or cruise line alone. In these cases, Barcelona bears the brunt of thousands of extra bodies, with little to no money being added to the local economy. With many guests returning to their ships to dine and sleep, the economic benefits of cruise passengers to the city have been called into question.
If you’re planning on visiting during a cruise, there are steps you can take to ensure your visit is welcomed in by the city while immersing yourself in the culture and enjoying the best of what Barcelona has to offer. If possible, book any tours or meals through local businesses, rather than the cruise company. And if you have time, stay in the city to dine and discover Catalan cuisine.
Find out more tips and tricks to making the most of your cruise ship journey.
During your visit
While the revenue tourism brings to a city is well-known, many visitors do not consider the municipal cost their travel brings – the increased strain on public transportation, sanitation, and vandalism cost Barcelona around 140 million euros last year. As tourists, there are simple measures that can be taken to improve your travel experience and contribute to a sustainable tourist economy: if you use public transportation, pay for it; don’t litter, and keep noise down at night. It’s also useful to note that in summer, water can be scarce in Catalonia – visit responsibly and try not to use too much if you’re travelling during the height of summer.
What language is spoken in Barcelona?
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, and most locals speak Catalan as their first language. It’s also the official language of the city, and the one you’ll see on street signs and official communications. Nevertheless, the majority of residents in Barcelona also speak Spanish, while English is widely understood, especially in the town centre and heavily touristed areas.
As with any international travel, it’s a good idea to brush up on some basics of the local language before you visit. Even a few foundational Catalan phrases will improve your experience to no end.
A translation app on your phone will also make your journey easier and more rewarding. Get mobile data plans for Barcelona here and use apps and mobile internet during your stay without paying roaming charges.
The most-visited attractions in Barcelona
While much of the appeal of Barcelona lies in experiencing the the Catalan way of life, the city is also home to unmissable landmarks, buildings and visitor attractions – here’s a brief outline of some of the must-visit sites in Barcelona:
- 1
Sagrada Família
An icon of the city, La Sagrada Família is one of the most-visited sites in the entire country. Under continuous construction since 1882, the otherworldly cathedral is the masterpiece of the legendary Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí.
- 2
Park Güell, Casa Batlló and La Perdrera
Gaudí’s legacy is visible throughout the city – the Gaudí-designed Park Güell is an essential visit for history buffs, architecture fans and families alike due to its landscaped lawns and tiled sculptures. Nearby are two of Gaudí’s most cherished projects, the apartment buildings of Casa Batlló and La Perdrera. Guided tours permit visitors to see the interior of both buildings.
- 3
Poble Espanyol
An open-air architecture museum constructed in 1929 for the Barcelona Expo, Poble Espanyol is the third most-visited site in Barcelona. With dozens of scale-model replicas of Spanish landmarks, Poble Espanyol is a family-friendly way to explore all of Spain’s major sites in one day.
- 4
Playa de Barceloneta
The seaside neighborhood of Barceloneta is lined by the expansive Playa de Barceloneta beach. Discover the area's many beachfront cafes and restaurants, as well as classic Barcelonan street plans and architecture.
- 5
Camp Nou
It’s impossible to visit Barcelona without encountering some mention of the local football team. FC Barcelona is one of the most successful clubs in the world, and the men’s stadium, Camp Nou, is an icon of the club. Visit between August and May to watch the team in action. Be sure to book tickets weeks in advance. We recommend you try not to buy from a tout if you can help it – the huge markup in ticket sales has priced many locals out of supporting their own team. Even when there are no matches scheduled, visitors can still book a stadium tour year-round to discover the arena up close.
- 6
Plaça Reial (Gothic Quarter)
The Plaça Reial is a neoclassical square at the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. It’s the perfect starting point for a stroll through the historic area. Note that the Gothic Quarter has been one of the neighborhoods most affected by overtourism. As with Barceloneta, it’s important to be mindful and respectful of noise while visiting.
Travel like a local with a Barcelona eSIM
A local Barcelona eSIM is the easiest way to use mobile data in Barcelona and the rest of Spain without paying international roaming charges. A BetterRoaming eSIM for Barcelona allows you to get connected to our high-speed international network at a cheap local rate, the minute you arrive in Spain.
No more queuing up for a local SIM – just one simple mobile plan that can be downloaded in minutes, and ready to get online whenever you are. And if you’re travelling further, these Barcelona eSIM plans will work across the entirety of Spain. View the plans here and find the right one for your trip.
If you’re continuing your journey throughout Spain, check out our guide to 10 more must-visit Spanish cities.
Spain eSIM data plans
Europe eSIM data plans
Looking to continue your travels beyond Spain? Whatever your journey, it’s easy to stay connected to low-cost mobile internet in Europe with a BetterRoaming eSIM. As well as the best eSIM Barcelona and Spain plans, BetterRoaming offer tailored data packages for 160+ countries worlwide, including nearby nations like Portugal, Morocco or France. you can even download multiple plans before you travel and switch between them instantly. We also provide Spain eSIM data plans for iPads, if oyu’re planning a family holiday to Barcelona and are looking to keep the kids entertained.
If you’re travelling to multiple countries in Europe, consider a Europe+ eSIM package. A prepaid European eSIM is an easy and low-cost way to access mobile internet on the continent. Valid in 47 European countries, a BetterRoaming Europe+ eSIM allows for smooth travel across the Europe on a single prepaid eSIM data plan. There’s no need to switch SIM cards or providers every time you cross a border, and you retain access to all your old messages. Find out more here.
Using a prepaid eSIM in Barcelona: a Summary
An eSIM is a SIM profile you download to your phone. It allows you to use mobile data in other countries without paying international roaming charges
Our prepaid Barcelona travel eSIM is easier to use than a local Barcelona SIM card - with no need to swap out prepaid SIM cards, or lose access to your messages or contacts
Choose between prepaid Spanish eSIM plans and Europe-wide eSIM plans
A BetterRoaming Barcelona eSIM is free to install. Just download your free eSIM anytime, then choose and purchase a mobile data plan for Spain or Europe when you're ready to travel- the plan will activate automatically as soon as you arrive
