How to get around Barcelona (and avoid the usual tourist traps)

Getting around Barcelona is easy… if you know how. The city offers a thousand ways to explore, but if you want to enjoy it like a local and avoid the crowds, inefficient routes or time-wasting traffic, this post is for you. Here are our tips to make getting around part of the journey, hassle-free.

1. Walking: the best way for short distances

Barcelona is a city made for walking. The Eixample, with its wide, grid-like streets, makes it easy to find your way. The Raval and Sants, with their more irregular layout, invite you to get lost among lively squares and little streets.

Our tip: wear comfy shoes and forget the map now and then. Sometimes, the best bits of the city are between one tourist spot and the next.

2. Metro: fast, affordable and practical (with a few tricks)

The metro is the quickest way to get from one end of the city to the other. With 8 lines and more than 150 stations, it connects pretty much everywhere.

Local tip:

• Avoid rush hour (8:00–9:00 a.m. and 6:00–7:00 p.m.) if you’d rather avoid the crowds.
• Buy a ‘T-casual’ (10 trips) or the Hola Barcelona Card if you’ll be using public transport a lot. It works out cheaper.
• Download the official TMB app to check real-time schedules and any disruptions.

3. Bus: for those who aren’t in a hurry and want to see the city

The bus is a great way to get around if you fancy seeing the city as you go. Just bear in mind it can be slower due to traffic.

4. Bicing and bike hire: for those who want to pedal

Barcelona is pretty bike-friendly, especially in the Eixample and coastal areas. Although the public Bicing system is only for residents, there are plenty of bike hire companies.

Tips:

• Use the cycle lanes: the city has more than 200 km of bike paths.
• Avoid peak pedestrian times in areas like Las Ramblas or El Born.

5. Electric scooters and mopeds: quick and great for medium distances

If you fancy something different, companies like Cooltra or Reby offer electric scooters and mopeds for hire. They’re a good option for medium journeys, but always use the permitted areas and park properly: Barcelona is strict about the rules.

6. And if you need to use a taxi or VTC…

Taxis in Barcelona are safe and regulated. You can hail one on the street, at marked ranks or via official apps like Free Now. Uber and Cabify operate in the city, but they’re usually pricier than taxis for short trips.

What we DON’T recommend (if you want to avoid the usual tourist stuff)

• The tourist bus: it’s handy for a quick overview, but not the best option if you want a real, local experience.
• Hiring a car: parking is expensive and tricky in the centre.
• Always using the metro: it’s handy, but if you use it all the time you’ll miss the city’s vibe on foot or above ground.

Final tip

Barcelona is a city to enjoy both along the way and at every stop. Step off the beaten path, mix up your ways of getting around and let yourself be surprised: the best part of the trip might be between stops.

If you’re staying at Onix Hotels, ask at reception: we’ll be happy to recommend the best way to get around depending on your plans for the day.