Barcelona Pass Comparisons
Spain’s sprightly metropolis, bustling Barcelona, renders travellers from around the globe a prospect to peek at its plethora of magnetising attractions. In contrast to other rivalled European hot spots, such as Paris, Ibiza, and Rome, Barcelona proffers even the most stingy of travellers great value for money.
With entry fees hovering around the €5 to €25 mark, these costs can stack up surprisingly quickly if you don’t plan ahead…. Fortunately, there are many sightseeing and discount passes to help save yourself some cashola without missing out on anything.
The ample array of Barcelona Sightseeing Passes encompass discounted prices on the scope of tours and activities, entertainment and nightlife, shopping, restaurants, and transport. Barcelona, you bloody beauty!
With the manifold of sightseeing passes out there, it can be overtly overwhelming when it comes down to making a decision.
Whether you’re a self-proclaimed culture vulture, a Gaudí-fanatic, or an avid academic, look no further because I’ve got you covered.
After pouring in hours of scrutinising research, I’ve collated a comprehensive guide comparing the best of Barcelona’s Sightseeing Passes.
We’ll cover the following Barcelona Pass Comparisons:
Barcelona Card
Barcelona Card Express
Barcelona Card Family
Barcelona City Pass
Articket Barcelona
The Gaudi Bundle
iVenture Card Barcelona
Go Barcelona Pass
Other Barcelona Discounts
Public Transport Tickets and Passes
Barcelona Card
The Basic Breakdown:
The tourism board pins the Barcelona Card as the ultimate sightseeing pass. As the most famous Barcelona pass, you can imagine that it includes a whopping number of attractions to match the price tag that comes along with it.
There are three basic cards available, all of which are valid at the same attractions and for the same discounts, valid for either 72, 96 or 120 hours (from the first time you use them).
The 3, 4 or 5 day Barcelona Card offers a total of more than 70 discounts to top attractions, museums, tours, shows, activities and nightlife, as well as a few shops.
It can be purchased and picked up at the handful of official Barcelona Turisme tourist offices that are dotted throughout the city centre or, conveniently, at the airport. You can even save yourself an extra 10% off if you purchase your ticket online.
What’s covered in the Barcelona Card:
This pass is by far the best value for money, especially if you’re planning on ravaging through the array of attractions like there’s no tomorrow.
The Barcelona Card covers a free guide and map and free unlimited transport; it includes free entry to 25 museums, along with a further discounted entry to 40 other museums.
Free entry to 25 of Barcelona’s best museums, including:
The National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), Picasso Museum, Joan Miró Foundation, Barcelona History Museum (MUHBA), Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA), the Chocolate Museum, Barcelona Botanic Gardens, Pedralbes Monastery, Cosmo Caixa Science Museum, Barcelona Botanic Gardens, El Born Cultural Centre, Museu de Modernisme Catala.
Up to a 50% discount on 40 of Barcelona’s top tours and attractions, including:
La Pedrera (Casa Milà), Casa Batlló, Santa Maria del Mar, Colonia Güell, Barcelona Aquarium, Montjuic Cable Car, Columbus Monument and Viewpoint, Barcelona Maritime Museum, Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village), Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site, Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours, Barcelona Walking Tours, Las Golondrinas boat tours, Tibidabo theme park, Barcelona Zoo, Barcelona Ciclo Tour (bike tours), Patio Andaluz Flamenco Show, Palau de la Musica, La Roca Village Shopping Express, Barcelona Casino, Tablao del Carmen…
Unlimited travel on public transport
The Barcelona Card includes unlimited travel on the metro, TMB buses, trams and commuter trains (RENFE and FGC) within travel zone one for the card's duration. This includes free airport transfer on the L9 metro, R2 airport train and bus number 46.
What’s not covered:
The Barcelona Card, unfortunately, does not include entry into the Sagrada Familia or Parc Güell, as well as the Aerobus fast shuttle that runs to and from the airport.
El Dinero:
Barcelona Card Express
The Basic Breakdown:
The Barcelona Card Express is essentially a more basic version of the Barcelona Card. What’s the catch with this one? It’s only valid for two days (from the first time you use it).
It can be purchased at official Barcelona Turisme tourist offices in the city's heart or at the airport. You can save an extra 10% by purchasing your ticket online.
What’s covered in the Barcelona Card Express:
The Barcelona Card Express includes a free guide and map, simple discounts, and free unlimited travel on public transport.
The Barcelona Card Express includes travel on the metro, TMB buses, trams and commuter trains within travel zone one for 48 hours after the first time you use it. This includes free airport transfer on the L9 metro, R2 airport train and bus number 46.
Up to 50% discount at more than 60 of Barcelona’s top tours and attractions, including:
La Pedrera (Casa Milà), Casa Batlló, Santa Maria del Mar, Colonia Güell, Barcelona Aquarium, The National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), Picasso Museum, Joan Miró Foundation, Barcelona History Museum (MUHBA), Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA), the Chocolate Museum, Barcelona Botanic Gardens, Pedralbes Monastery, Cosmo Caixa Science Museum, Barcelona Botanic Gardens, El Born Cultural Centre, Museu de Modernisme Catala. Montjuic Cable Car, Columbus Monument and Viewpoint, Barcelona Maritime Museum, Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village), Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site, Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours, Barcelona Walking Tours, Las Golondrinas boat tours, Tibidabo Theme Park, Barcelona Zoo, Barcelona Ciclo Tour, Patio Andaluz Flamenco Show, Palau de la Musica, La Roca Village Shopping Express, Barcelona Casino, Tablao del Carmen…
What’s not covered:
The Barcelona Card Express, unfortunately, does not include entry into the Sagrada Familia or Parc Güell.
El Dinero:
Barcelona Card Family
The Basic Breakdown:
As the name so blatantly suggests, the Barcelona Card Family has been specifically tailored to suit families, with kid-friendly attractions such as theme parks, boat rides, the Cosmo Caixa Science Museum and the aquarium being the focus.
It can be purchased at official Barcelona Turisme tourist offices and online in advance. There are three basic versions of the card on offer, all of which are valid for the same attractions and offer the same discounts for 72, 96 and 120 hours (from the first time you use them).
What’s covered in the Barcelona Family Card:
Free entry to the following attractions and tours:
Barcelona Aquarium, Tibidabo Amusement Park, Spanish Village, Las Golondrinas (boat tour), Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site, Colonia Güell, Barcelona Zoo, Cosmocaixa (science museum), the Chocolate Museum, Columbus Monument and Viewpoint.
20% discount at the following attractions and activities
Kids and Family Walking Tour, 2-hour Mosaic Workshop, Catalunya en Miniatura (adventure park plus model village), Port Aventura (theme park), Marineland (water park).
The Barcelona Card Family includes unlimited travel on the metro, TMB buses, trams and commuter trains (RENFE and FGC) within travel zone one for the card's duration. This includes free airport transfer on the L9 metro, R2 airport train and bus number 46.
What’s not covered:
The Barcelona Card Family, unfortunately, does not include entry into the Sagrada Familia or Parc Güell.
El Dinero:
Barcelona City Pass
The Basic Breakdown:
The Barcelona City Pass includes fast-track (skip the line) entry to the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell and the Hop-on Hop-off buses. There’s also an airport transfer and a whopping 20% discount on most of the city’s top attractions.
This pass includes all the essentials in one ticket, which you can purchase online before you arrive.
This pass has no time limit so you can hit up each attraction at your own pace.
The Barcelona City Pass is 100% digital. During the booking process, you will be required to indicate the location of your airport arrival and select entry times for both the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell. You then receive your tickets via email; there’s no need to print them out; just show them on your phone.
You also get an audio guide app to listen to on your smartphone (don’t forget to bring earphones), plus a coupon code that gives you a 20% discount on Barcelona attractions, tickets and tours purchased from the Ticketbar website.
What’s covered in the Barcelona City Pass:
Skip the line entry to the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, an audio guide, and a 1- or 2-day pass for the Hop on Hop Off open-top bus tours. Return transport between Barcelona airport and the city centre on the Aerobus express shuttle bus (or one way from/to Girona Costa Brava Airport).
Coupon code giving 20% discount on more than 50 popular attractions and tours, including:
Camp Nou Stadium tour, Picasso Museum, La Pedrera, Casa Batlló, Barcelona Aquarium, Salvador Dalí theatre museum, Articket Barcelona (see below), MNAC, Joan Miró Foundation, Casa de les Puntxes, Barcelona Waxworks Museum, Barcelona Aquarium, Barcelona museum of contemporary art (MACBA), Barcelona Zoo, Montjuic Cable Car, Isla Fantasia, Catalan wine tasting, Hola Barcelona transport card, Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site, Port Aventura & Ferrari Land, Isla Fantasia, Museu del Modernisme, Columbus Monument, Montserrat and Gaudi’s Crypt, Torres wine cellars, Barcelona Gothic Quarter walking tour, Las Golondrinas boat tour, Flamenco shows, Helicopter tours…
What’s not covered:
A travel pass (metro, bus, tram, etc.).
El Dinero:
Articket Barcelona
The Basic Breakdown:
This is most definitely tailored to all you art lovers out there. With the Articket Barcelona, aka the Art Passport, you can save yourself a mammoth 50% off 6 of Barcelona’s premier museums and fast-track (skip-the-line) entry to the Picasso Museum.
The Articket is valid for a total of 12 months, and it grants you a visit to each museum once. Articket Barcelona can be purchased at any featured museums or online; you then pick up the pass at the first museum you visit.
What’s covered in the Articket Barcelona Pass:
Museu Nacional, Fundació Joan Miró, Museu Picasso, MACBA, CCCB, and Fundació Antoni Tàpies.
What’s not covered:
Doesn’t include public transport or major attractions like the Sagrada Familia or Parc Güell.
El Dinero:
The Gaudi Bundle
The Basic Breakdown:
The Gaudi Bundle offers you access to Barcelona’s two most coveted attractions. It is 100% digital and works the same way as the Barcelona City Pass. After booking a reserved entry time for the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, you can simply download the audio guide app to your smartphone. You then show your tickets directly on your phone—no need to print them out or pick anything up. Bear in mind you’ll have to bring your own earphones with you for the audio guide.
What’s covered in the Gaudi Bundle:
The Gaudi Bundle offers fast-track (skip the line) access to the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell and an audio guide for both sites.
What’s not covered:
Other museums and public transport. If you don’t want the audio guide, purchasing the tickets separately and online works out cheaper.
El Dinero:
iVenture Card Barcelona
The Basic Breakdown:
The iVenture card allows you to choose 3, 5 or 36 attractions, tours and activities from a total of 36, and you can create your pass based on the total number of attractions and activities. If you plan to visit the more expensive tours and activities available, the iVenture card is undoubtedly your best bet.
To use the card, you simply present it at the entrance of your chosen attractions. A handful of the tours do have to be booked in advance of at least 24 hours. The card is valid for seven consecutive calendar days (not 24-hour periods) from the day that the card is issued.
What’s covered in the iVenture Barcelona Card:
The activities include tours of famous sights such as the Sagrada Familia and Montserrat, boat trips, scooter hire, PortAventura and the FC Barcelona Experience. There is a free map and guide available too.
Choose 3, 5 or 36 attractions, tours and activities from:
The Sagrada Familia (tour), Montserrat Mountain (tour), Gaudi Experiència, Park Güell (tour), Hop On Hop Off bus tour, Barcelona Highlights (tour), Barcelona Aquarium, Picasso Museum and Gothic Quarter (tour), Columbus Monument, La Pedrera, Port Aventura, Barcelona City Tour, Gaudi Exhibition Centre, Hard Rock Café (meal), Casa Vicens (tour), Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site (tour), Artistic Barcelona (tour), Santa Maria del Mar rooftop tour, Las Golondrinas (boat tour), Casa Batllo (tour), Casa de les Puntxes, Colonia Güell, scooter rental, FC Barcelona experience, Torre Bellesguard, Girona Game of Thrones Tour, La Roca village shopping express, MNAC, the Egyptian museum, Palacio del Flamenco (show), Palau Requesens (tour and performance), Poble Espanyol, La Burguesa restaurant (meal), Txapela restaurant (dinner), Barcelona Casino.
What’s not covered:
Unfortunately, the Barcelona iVenture Card does not include public transport.
El Dinero:
Go Barcelona Pass
The Basic Breakdown:
The Go Barcelona Pass is best suited to avid sightseers who want to catch as many attractions as possible. Two versions of the pass are available: the Go Barcelona All-Inclusive Pass and the Go Barcelona Explorer Pass.
The All-Inclusive Pass is a 2, 3 or 5-day sightseeing pass that includes free admission to 25 of Barcelona’s most popular sites, a free ticket for the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour, and a range of other popular tours and shows.
The Explorer Pass offers entry to 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 attractions within a period of 30 days.
What’s covered in the Go Barcelona Pass:
Both of these passes offer a free, downloadable guide and map. Barcelona bus touristic, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, FC Barcelona Camp Nou tour, Los Golondrinas boat tour, Poble Espanyol, Barcelona Zoo, Gaudí Experiència 4D, Barcelona Waxworks Museum, Casa de Les Punxes, Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site, Barcelona Egyptian Museum, Casa Vicens, Gothic Quarter Walking Tour, MACBA, Colonia Güell, Cosmo Caixa Science Museum, Roca Village Shopping Express, Best of Barcelona Bike Tour, MEAM, Caixa Forum, Modernism and Gaudí Walking Tour, Casa Amatller, Escape Hunt Barcelona, Jewish Quarter Experience, Olympica and Sports Museum, Museu d’Historia de Catalunya, Placio del Flamenco (flamenco show), Ciutadella Segway Tour.
What’s not covered:
The Go Barcelona Pass doesn’t include entrance to the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell or the Picasso Museum. Public transport is also not included.
El Dinero:
Summary: Best Barcelona Passes
Here's a one-minute read for those who want the basic breakdown. This is essentially the most basic version comparing the Barcelona Sightseeing Passes.
The myriad of Barcelona Sightseeing Passes on offer is indisputably well worth your pennies, particularly if you’re strapped for time and keen to explore the top attractions. If you have any doubts, questions, or Barcelona Budget queries, comment below and I’ll get back to you pronto!
FAQS
Is BCN Essentials Pass worth it?
Yes, the BCN Essentials Pass is worth it if you plan to do lots of sightseeing. You can time and money on tickets, audio guides and transport.
What is the difference between Barcelona Card and Hola Card?
The Hola Barcelona Travel Card only includes unlimited use of public transport. This option is ideal for visiting the beach or destinations like Park Guell, Montjuic and Sagrada Familia. The Barcelona Card offers free public transport, topped with discounted entries to attractions.
Is Park Guell included in Barcelona Card?
The Barcelona Card, also known as Barcelona City Pass, includes free entry into Park Guell, Sagrada Familia and the hop-on hop-off bus.
Is there a tourist pass for Barcelona?
The Barcelona Card is the official tourist pass for the city. This card allows you to save money on transport and attractions.
This Spanish metropolitan hub has so much stuffed up its’ sleeve that it’ll satisfy just about everyone. Catalonia’s charismatic capital is a city of late-night dinners, afternoon siestas, fuming football fanatics and some seriously killer cuisine.
If you’re interested in more information on travel logistics, things to do, where to stay, what to eat, how to get around, airport information, packing lists for every season, insider tips and additional information, look no further than this Barcelona Travel Guide. This is the only guide you’ll ever need to Barcelona!
So, now that you’re familiar with all of Barcelona’s sightseeing passes, which one will you choose?
Mountain-perched palaces, sweeping blue beaches and crispy pastel de nata paint the scene in Europe’s western end. If you’re planning a trip to the land of Port wine and Fado music, save this 14-day Portugal Itinerary.