This popular Barcelona hop-on, hop-off bus has three routes that will take you all around the city and show you the many interesting sights of this great city.
The highlights of this popular and extensive hop-on, hop-off tour are:
- North Route -
• Plaza Catalunya – The central point of Barcelona with gardens, fountains and sculptures – an absolute oasis.
• Passeig de Gracia – Casa Batllo – Barcelona’s most elegant and architecturally interesting avenue.
• Passeig de Gracia – La Pedrera or Casa Milà - This unique building (designed by Antoni Gaudi) is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• La Sagrada Familia - (Holy Family) Cathedral - Antoni Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece.
• Gràcia became a district of the city at the end of the last century. It has not, however, lost any of its own unique characteristics. Gracia is situated between Balmes Street and the district of La Sagrada Familia.
• Park Guell - Created by Gaudi and declared a Heritage Site by UNESCO. The park contains amazing stone structures, stunning tiling and fascinating buildings.
• The Tramvia Blau (blue tram) is a funicular (operated and moved by a cable) tram and the last of its kind left in Spain. The tram goes up to the summit of Mount Tibidabo, which has an amusement park and the Automaton Museum.
• Mount Tibidabo is crowned by the Church of El Sagrat Cor (Sacred Heart). On top of the church sits an impressive sculpture designed by the great Frederic Marés.
• Sarrià – Is one of Barcelona’s posh residential areas and has a charming Spanish village feel to it.
• Monestir de Pedralbes – (Located at Pedralbes Avenue, next to the Creu de Pedralbes) is a lovely Gothic church with a monastery that was built in the 14th century. The monastery houses a museum with an excellent collection of medieval paintings and sculptures. It also houses a part of the famous Thyssen Collection of paintings and other works of art on religious subjects.
• Pavellons Finca Güell – Designed by Antoni Gaudi this art nouveau fantasy was composed and built for the count of Güell.
• Palau Reial is a large classical palace and houses the Ornamental Art Museum. The museum exhibits old furniture, original ceramics by Miró and Picasso, porcelains, enamels, old clocks etc.
• Camp Nou (football stadium) – Home to the world famous Barcelona Football Club.
• Francesc Macià Avenida Diagonal – Named after the first Catalonian President it is the main avenue of Barcelona and runs diagonally across the city – thus its name.
• MACBA - Located in the Raval neighbourhood. MACBA is the modern art museum of Barcelona. The museum shows temporal and permanent exhibitions of modern art.
• The Contemporary Culture Centre of Barcelona (CCCB) is dedicated to investigation and diffusion of the urban culture. It holds exhibitions and other multicultural activities.
- South Route -
• Plaza Catalunya – The central point of Barcelona with gardens, fountains and sculptures – an absolute oasis.
• Passeig de Gracia – Casa Batllo – Barcelona’s most elegant and architecturally interesting avenue.
• Passeig de Gracia – La Pedrera or Casa Milà - This unique building (designed by Antoni Gaudi) is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Francesc Macià Avenida Diagonal – Named after the first Catalonian President it is the main avenue of Barcelona and runs diagonally across the city – thus its name.
• Esctació de Sants – In this area you will find the Parc de l'Espanya with its lake crossed by bridges and surrounded by watch towers and the park dedicated to Joan Miró containing the exotic sculpture of la Dona i l’ocell (the Lady and the Bird).
• Sants - Placa d’Espanya – Location of the fabulous Palau Nacional with fountains dotting this beautiful plaza. Also located here is the MNAC - Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya - dedicated to Catalan visual arts.
• Montjuic – Casaramona – and its 18th-century castle and most popular attraction in Barcelona - the Magic Fountains.
• Poble Espanyol - built for the 1929 International Exhibition. Its aim was to show visitors a representative sample of Spanish architecture.
• Anilla Olimpica - Was one of the four major competition sites built for the 1992 Olympic Games.
• Fundació Joan Miro - Is one of Barcelona's major art galleries containing the work of Joan Miró, a prolific and original artist.
• The Funicular de Montjuïc – One the three Tramvia Blau (blue tram) lines in Barcelona. It connects the Barcelona Metro Station with the Montjuïc hill.
• Miramar is one of most romantic places in Barcelona. It is also a good place to get a view of the city.
• Jardins Costa i Llobera– on Montjuïc contains more 600,000 plants from all over the world. It is a lovely place and ideal to take a break while on your tour of the city.
• World Trade Centre – Is an extraordinary architectural complex. It was built by the same firm that built the ‘glass pyramid’ at the Louvre, Paris.
• Cristobal Colon – This is a monument/statue dedicated to Columbus with his index finger symbolically pointing towards the New World.
• Las Ramblas is the most interesting and cosmopolitan streets in Barcelona. It meanders from the Placa de Catalunya to the Columbus statue. Here you can find newspaper stalls, all sorts of artists and people of all callings in life.
• Port Vell – Located in the Old Town it has many attractions, sea-food restaurants and is probably the most romantic place in Barcelona.
• Museu d´Història de Catalunya - This hands-on museum guides visitors through Catalunya's history, from Roman times through the 20th century. Computer screens, original film clips and music stations help narrate the region's tumultuous past.
• Platja Bogatell – at this beautiful and idyllic beach it is possible to believe you're a million miles from the city.
• Parc de la Ciutadella - is situated in the Barri Gotic. Here you will find many important museums of art and culture, and even a great lake where you can rent boats. It is also a public garden and exhibition space.
• Zoo – The Parc de la Ciutadella also contains the zoo, which occupies almost half the park.
• Pla de Palau - is where the Picasso museum is located. It contains works of the young master.
• Barri Gottic – The Gothic Quarter is the medieval centre of Barcelona. It is also the location of some of the most important and famous buildings in Barcelona. They include the Palau de la Geralitat, the council chambers, the Catedral Santa Maria del Mar. This is also a commercial centre with a mixture of traditional shops and new smart ones.
- Forum Route -
• Port Olimpic – Playa - This entertainment and leisure zone has become a popular area. Most people come here to enjoy the nightlife on offer in the bars, restaurants and dance clubs.
• Platja Bogatell – At this beautiful and idyllic beach it is possible to believe you're a million miles from the city.
• Cementeri Del Poblenou – Is Barcelona's oldest cemetery, one with the most family pantheons. You will see some spectacular tombs, many built by famous architects.
• Poblenou - Is a sort of an extension of Barcelona that many people never get to see, which is a pity is as it has its own unique ambience.
• Parc Diagonal Mar - The park combines the elements of water and plants and a series of tubular structures on different levels making an extraordinary ensemble.
• Fòrum - The Forum Building is considered by some to be an icon of the "New Barcelona". However, its aesthetic and functional merits are passionately debated by locals and outside visitors alike.