Frequently asked questions
Coach parking, tourist tax, how to get around the city… Here are the answers to your FAQs.
Some of Barcelona’s best-known attractions, particularly Park Güell and the Sagrada Familia, receive millions of visitors a year, making it essential to book. We recommend you use their official websites where ticket prices are cheaper if you book in advance.
Barcelona has a series of dedicated parking zones for tourist coaches located close to the city’s main attractions for the convenience of visitors and drivers.
Zonabus.cat provides detailed information about these zones and relevant information that may affect tourist coaches visiting the city.
The tourist tax applicable under Catalan law is payable at the city’s hotels and other accommodation. The tax goes towards the upkeep of the city and improving infrastructures.
See the rates according to the accommodation category.
Barcelona has seven international terminals for cruise passengers. All the terminals offer a wide range of services and fast transport links to the city centre. You can find all the information about the terminals and connections in this link to Port de Barcelona.
There are several ways to get to the centre of Barcelona from the airport, which is 14 km (9 miles) away.
One option is the Barcelona Card, which provides travel to the city centre by public transport. You can travel on line 9 of the metro, the 46 bus or train from terminal 2. The Aerobús is another fast and convenient option. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes from the airport to the final stop in the city centre. The buses pick up passengers from both terminals and call at designated stops in the city before reaching the final stop. You can also book a taxi when you arrive at the airport.
You’ll find all the relevant information about city transport on the official Turisme de Barcelona website.
Barcelona has an excellent public transport network connecting the city centre with the main points of arrival: airport, railway stations and port. This link features information about the best ways to get around the city. There are several types of travel card you can use on the entire transport network. We recommend the Barcelona Card, which also includes free admission to, and discounts at the city’s main attractions.
Taxis are a quick and convenient way of getting around. We recommend the Taxi Ecològic, a sustainable and eco-friendly means of transport.
You’ll also find all the information about transport from the airport to the city on the official Turisme de Barcelona website.
From 1st January 2020, from Monday to Friday between 7am to 8pm, only motorised vehicles with the DGT environmental label will be able to drive in the area inside the city’s ring roads. Vehicles that do not have the environmental label can apply for a special permit to drive in the low-emission zones.
All vehicles registered abroad must check that they meet the DGT’s low-emission standards and apply to be included on the ZBE register. If they do not meet the standards they must apply for the daily permit at least ten days in advance.
More information here.
If you’re looking for photos and videos to make your sales aids more attractive, Turisme de Barcelona has an extensive catalogue of graphic resources . You’ll find it on this website along with the terms and conditions of use.
Barcelona offers a wide range of activities for all ages and sectors that make the city a magnet for visitors: from visits to landmark buildings, guided walking tours and exclusive tours, to activities for the whole family. See the full range in our product catalogue.
Non-EU citizens are entitled to a VAT refund on purchases higher than 90.15€. When customers make a purchase for an amount above this threshold the shops will issue them with a refund form. They then take this form to our tourist information offices to obtain a cash refund during the ten days before the end of their trip. They can also claim a VAT refund at the airport before leaving the country.
For more details:
Here is a list of the official city guide associations and businesses:
AGUICAT - Associació de Guies de Turisme Habilitats per la Generalitat de Catalunya per un Turisme Responsable i de Qualitat
Passeig de Gracia, 81 (08008)
Tel. +34 617 224 544
www.aguicat.cat
aguicat@aguicat.cat
AlwaysBarcelona
Tel. 639 394 722
www.toursandguidesbarcelona.com
guiadebarcelona@gmail.com
Associació Professional d’Informadors Turístics de Barcelona (APIT)
Pl. Berenguer el Gran, 1, 1º 1ª C (08002)
Tels. 933 198 416
www.apit-barcelona.org
info@apit-barcelona.org
Guías de Barcelona SCP
Ctra. Real, 103, 1r 2a (08960 Sant Just Desvern)
Tel. 934 739 224
www.guiasdebarcelona.com
info@guiasdebarcelona.com
Icono, Serveis Culturals
Av. Portal de l'Angel, 38, 4t 2a (08002)
Tel. 934 101 405
www.iconoserveis.com
info@iconoserveis.com
Itinera Plus S.L
Dr. Trueta, 202 (08005)
Tel. 933 428 333
www.itineraplus.com
info@itineraplus.com
Live Barcelona
Av. Montserrat 18, baixos C
Tel. 609 205 844
www.livebarcelona.com
info@livebarcelona.com
Urban Cultours
Placeta de Manuel Ribé (08002)
Tel. 627 558 762
www.urbancultours.com
info@urbancultours.com
You can also check the directory of Catalonia trained guides. See directory
Barcelona Activa
Llacuna, 162-164 (08018)
Tel. 934 019 777
www.barcelonactiva.es
Cambra Oficial de Comerç, Indústria i Navegació de Barcelona
Av. Diagonal, 452 - 454 (08006)
Tel. 934 169 300
www.cambrabcn.es
Fira de Barcelona
Av. Reina Maria Cristina, s/n (08004)
Tel. 932 332 000
www.firabcn.es
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