Barcelona Card: 26 Free Attractions + Unlimited Transit & Discounts

The Barcelona Card is a tourist pass for those looking to save money on holiday.

It’s a a smart card with an NFC chip that grants free entry to 26 museums, discounts on 30+ attractions, and unlimited transport (including airport) .

It plays a bit like a wrist band at an all-inclusive resort – only our hotel is the city of Barcelona.

But is the Barcelona Card worth it? Let’s take a deeper look.

The Barcelona Card

I’ll be honest – if you’re going to spend most of your time lounging on Barcelona’s best beaches and devouring tapas by the tub load, the Barcelona Card may not be for you.

That said, if you’re visiting Barcelona for the culture then it’s something to really consider.

Let’s look at what’s in the pass, then we’ll get into prices and potential value.

What’s Included in the Barcelona Card

• Unlimited Transport: bus, the Barcelona metro, tram, overland rail, and the Montjuic funicular.
• Free Airport Transfer: (metro, train, or bus) from Barcelona airport to city centre.
• Free Admission to 25 Museums: including the Picasso Museum, Moco Museum, the Antoni Tàpies Foundation, the Joan Mirò Foundation, MACBA, MNAC, CCCB, the Chocolate Museum, and more.
• Barcelona Attraction Discounts Up to 40%: La Pedrera, Casa Batllo, Casa Vicens, Mirador Torre Glories, Wax Museum, Erotica Museum, the Aquarium, Zoo, Poble Espanyol, Palau de la Musica, and more.
• Tour Discounts: on Barcelona’s best bike tours, Barcelona scooter rental, walking tours etc.

Barcelona Card Prices

As you can see, ticket window prices are significantly higher so if you’re gonna do it, make sure you buy your Barcelona Cards online.

Only visiting for two days? There’s a more limited 48 hour Barcelona Card that I’ll get into shortly.

If you’re visiting Barcelona with kids keep in mind that they’re defined as 4-12 years old.

Is the Barcelona Card Worth It?

To start, I recommend reading the full list of Barcelona Card discounts so you can follow along.

Let’s take a look at transport first – remembering that single metro and bus tickets cost €2.40.

A conservative average of four trips a day over a 3 day stay costs €9.60 x 3 = €28.80. Factor in return airport transfer for two more trips (remember, there’s free airport transfer) and we’re up to €33.60.

Now let’s throw in the Picasso Museum.

Your free admission at this must-see museum comes in at €17.00 – bringing us to €50.60.

How Much Money Does the Barcelona Card Save Me?

As you can see, on a 72 hour Barcelona Card worth €47.40 we’re now €3.20 in ‘profit’ – even without the 24 other Barcelona museum options and 30+ popular attractions discounts.

The Moco Museum, another must-see that’s included, is a €19.00 value and brings us to €22.20 in savings very quickly.

Throw in a €3.00 savings at can’t-miss Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, a walking tour, the Fundació Joan Miró, and Tibidabo Amusement Park and you can start to save money for real.

For legit sightseers this all-inclusive Barcelona tourist pass makes perfect sense.

The average tourist can expect to save between €20.00 and €30.00.

Related: Is the Barcelona Card Worth It?

Where to Buy the Barcelona Card

You can buy this Barcelona tourist discount card via the official Barcelona Tourism Office.

Clicking the button below gets you to their site for a special 10% online discount.

It also helps keep this Barcelona resource rolling (we’ve responded to thousands of questions for free, try us below, I dare you!) at no extra cost to you.

The Barcelona Card Express: 48 Hours

The Barcelona Card Express is a 48 hour free public transport pass for those visiting Barcelona with less time.

The only difference between this and other Barcelona Card options is there are no free admission to museums included – only discounts for the main Barcelona attractions (there’s a discount list here).

48 hours: €25.00 €22.50 (online)

Clicking the button below gets you a 10% discount booking online with Barcelona Tourism Office.

Where to Pick Up Your Barcelona Card

To claim your smart card, simply show the purchase voucher at tourist information offices spread at/near main Barcelona transport stations – you can even conveniently do it right at the airport upon arrival.

Here is the full list of Barcelona Card pickup points:

• Airport Terminal T1 and Terminal 2. Every day from 8:30 to 20:30.
• Barcelona Airport Metro Stations (T1 and T2). 8:30 to 21:00.
• Plaça de Catalunya. Number 17-S near the Hard Rock Cafe and the giant ‘i’ with the underground escalator.  Every day from 8:30 to 20:30.
• Sants Estació. Plaça Paisos Catalans. Every day from 8:30 to 20:30.
• Placa Espanya. Every day from 9:00 to 15:00. Jun-Sept from 8:30 to 20:30.
• Sagrada Familia. Every day from 9:00 to 15:00. Jun-Sept from 8:30 to 20:30.
• The Columbus Statue. Plaça Portal de la Pau. Every day from 8:30 to 20:30.
• Plaza Sant Jaume. In Carrer Ciutat 2. Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 20:30. Saturdays 9:00 to 19:00. Sundays and public holidays: from 9:00 to 14:00.

Note: the Barcelona metro station pickup points (L9S) are the best option for late arriving flights – at either station simply look for the Barcelona Turisme information point to pick up your Barcelona Card.

All Barcelona Card ticket offices are closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Related: What Transport Is Included in the Barcelona Card?

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What is Free with the Barcelona Card? Barcelona Card Museums List

Once you’ve grabbed your Barcelona sightseeing passes at any of the official Barcelona tourist offices, you’ll be ready to explore – here’s the full list of free entry museums using the Barcelona Card:

CCCB, Fundació Antoni Tàpies, Fundació Joan Miró, MACBA, MNAC, Museu Picasso, El Born Centre Cultural, MUHBA, Cultures of the World Museum, Design Museum, Ethnological Museum, Frederic Marès Museum, CaixaForum, CosmoCaixa Science Museum, Natural Science Museum, Music Museum, Chocolate Museum, Catalan Modernism Museum, Egyptian Museum, Museum of Olympics and Sport.

Again, keep in mind these free museums are only accessible with the 3, 4, and 5 day passes.

The Barcelona Card Express (48 hours) only takes advantage of the attraction discounts below.

Related: What Museums Are Included in the Barcelona Card

Barcelona Card Discounts: What Attractions are Included

In addition to free museums, you’ll be given a Barcelona discount card valid pretty much everywhere.

Major Attractions: Casa Batlló (-€3.00), La Pedrera (-€3.00), Casa Vicens (-25%), Palau Guell (-25%), Poble Espanyol de Barcelona (-25%), Palau de la Musica (-25%), Sant Pau Recinte Modernista (-20%), Pavelló Mies Van der Rohe (-25%).

Secondary Attractions: Gaudi’s Crypt (-20%), Fundacio Vila Casa (-25%), MAPFRE (-€2.00), Archaeology Museum (-25%), Catalan History Museum (-20%), Wax Museum (-€3.00), Sex Museum (-25%), Perfume Museum (-40%), Maritime Museum (-20%), the MEAM (-25%), Human Bodies (-25%).

Again, add just one of these on top of our base trip that we outlined above and we can save €10.00 or €20.00 quite easily.

For more info on purchasing, click the button below:

How to Use the Barcelona Card Properly

If you’re there for X days, get it for X days.

Remember: public transport is included in the card and a day of normal public transport can really set you back.

Pick it up at the airport. You’re already there and there’s value in the airport transit into town.

Your Barcelona Card validity only begins the moment you use it for the first time. In other words, if you use a 72 hour card for the first time at 8 pm on the 1st of the month the card will expire at 8 pm on the 4th of the month.

Remember: to book the walking tours with a 50% Barcelona Card discount you’ll need to send an email to [email protected] letting them know which day you’ll be touring.

You have to book at least one day in advance and take the tour during the validity of your travel card. You need to show your cards on the day of the tour.

Related: How Does the Barcelona Card Work?

Related: How Many Days Should I Stay in Barcelona?

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Barcelona Card FAQ

• Where to buy the Barcelona Card?

  The Barcelona Card is bought at tourist information points across the city and via the official Barcelona Turisme website. There’s a 10% discount on the Barcelona Card if you buy it online, so it is highly recommended to grab it before you arrive.

• Where to pick up the Barcelona Card?

  You can pick up your Barcelona Card at Airport Terminal T1 and Terminal 2, Placa Catalunya, the Columbus Statue, Plaza Espanya, Sagrada Familia, Plaza Sant Jaume, and Sants Estacio.

• How much money can I save using my Barcelona Card?

  With average travel, airport transport, a few free entrances, and just a few discounts at places you’ll be seeing anyway in any half-decent 3 day Barcelona itinerary you can easily save €10.00-€20.00.

• Is the Barcelona Card worth it?

  Yes, if you visit major included museums like the Moco and Picasso Museum (which have a combined value of over $30.00) plus take transport a couple of times a day it is very easy to break even on this card. The savings can pile up if you take advantage of the discounts as well. The typical traveller saves €10.00-€20.00.

• Can I skip lines with the Barcelona Card?

  No.

  To get your entrance discounts using this pass you’ll have to show up to ticket booths.

  If you’re looking for a Barcelona tourist card that allows you to skip lines and book everything online then check out the Barcelona Pass.

• Does the Barcelona Card include Sagrada Familia?

  No, the Sagrada Familia is not included with the Barcelona Card, nor are there any discounts with the discount booklet.

• Is it better to get the Barcelona Card or the Hola BCN Card?

  They’re both different products. The Barcelona Card includes unlimited public transport and free entrance to certain attractions while the Hola BCN offers only unlimited transport.

  At any rate I’ve prepared a page explaining the difference between the Barcelona Card and Hola BCN so you can make the proper decision based on your needs.

• Can I use the Barcelona Card for the Aerobus?

  No, the free public transportation applies to city and public transport services only.

• Which Airport transport is included in the Barcelona Card?

  With your Barcelona Card you’ll be able to take the metro, airport train, or bus 46 into the city. The bus is only recommended for late night or early morning departures/arrivals when the first/last train has already departed.

  The first train departs from Barcelona Airport at 05:42 and the last one leaves at 23:38. There are two trains an hour with service to Barcelona Sants, Passeig de Gracia, and El Clot.

  For your flight home the first airport train departs the city center at Passeig de Gracia at 05:13, with the last one departing at 23:07.

• How Do I book the Picasso Museum with the Barcelona Card?

  Regardless of what it says on the card, the Picasso Museum has confirmed that Barcelona Card holders can show up at the ticket windows at 23 Carrer de Montcada where they’ll get express entrance. There’s no need to book.

• Is the Barcelona Card valid for days or hours?

  The Barcelona Card is valid for consecutive hours. If you validate a 72 hour pass at 6 pm on Friday that means you’ll have until 6 pm on Monday to take advantage of the deals and transport.

• Can the Barcelona Card give you train access?

  Yes, you’re free to use any of the RENFE trains as long as you’re going between stops in zone one of the Barcelona Transport Network.

• What do I need to pick up the Barcelona Card?

  A printed out copy or mobile phone receipt of the voucher sent at the moment of purchase + one piece of ID.

• Can I use the Barcelona Card on non-consecutive days?

  No, the Barcelona Card must be used on consecutive days.

• Does the Barcelona Card Expire?

  Yes, the Barcelona Card expires exactly six months from the date of purchase. You will need to activate your Barcelona Card before then or risk missing out.

• What transit can I use with the Barcelona Card?

  The Barcelona Card is valid in all of zone one of the Barcelona Transport Network. This includes the entire city and all major tourist attractions.

• Can I cancel my Barcelona Card?

  Yes, all inquiries however must be made to [email protected].

• Can I use the Barcelona Card on the Montjuic Funicular?

  No.

• Can I use the Barcelona Card on the Tram Blau?

  No.

Buying a Barcelona Card?

Write me with Barcelona Card questions you may have in the comments below.

Also, don’t be afraid to join the discount card discussion by first giving me a like on Facebook and then joining my group I’m Off to Barcelona – here you can ask any questions, air out grievances, and chat with thousands of Barcelona travelers.

Happy travelling 🙂