Planning a trip to Barcelona

If you are planning your first trip to Barcelona – how do you go about it?

Assuming you’re not a seasoned traveller due to the fact that you are reading this blog, the first thing you should obviously do is decide what time of year to go. Bear in mind that winter is cold, although not extremely, and the summer is hot, often almost unbearably so. Both spring and autumn are usually warm, mild and mostly sunny. Tourism exists all year round, although it’s at its zenith in summer and autumn.

A trip to Barcelona

Once you’ve decided when you are going to Barcelona,  you need to book your tickets. If you are arriving long-haul then the only option is to fly. Flights from the US and Canada are expensive, so it’s recommended that you book as far in advance as you possibly can to take advantage of cheaper deals.

If you’re arriving from elsewhere in Europe, then you can choose to arrive by budget airline, ferry, train or bus.

Related article: Best Day Trips from Barcelona

Flight booked?

Good. If you need a visa, organise it straight away to avoid stress at a later date.

It’s always a good idea to buy a travel book, or download an app (although I’m oldschool and still prefer a book for planning purposes). Compare a couple of different guides if you can before buying, as you may prefer the layout or level of information of one brand to another. For example, some guides may have more detailed restaurant reviews but no onward travel information. Don’t be swayed by the pretty pictures – it’s the information that’s important.

I prefer a printed version that I can scribble over and post-it note to death – for me, that’s all part of the enjoyment of travelling.

Related article: A day trip to Girona

Using your newly acquired guidebook, decide on which area of the city you want to stay in. Depending on how long your trip is, you might want to book all your accommodation beforehand – alternatively you may book just the first few nights/weeks/months, giving you time to explore the city and decide which area suits your needs the most.

The internet, of course, is a valuable (when reliable) source of information, and online travel forums such as TripAdvisor and Lonely Planet are a great way of exchanging experiences with other travellers. I always check for other travellers’ reviews before booking accommodation – even if it’s just a hostel for a couple of days, it’s well worth digging a little deeper and getting a realistic idea of what to expect, rather than relying on marketing rhetoric.

Sorted!

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