Barcelona

Hop-on Hop-off tours

Hop-on hop-off tours in Barcelona: Everything you need to know

Taking a Barcelona hop-on hop-off bus tour will help you in covering terrain in this slice of Spain. Beaches one way, mountains another, and gorgeousness in between. See, eat, and do what you love in Barcelona. 

Sports come alive in various sites, from the 1992 Summer Olympic Stadium to Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona. Architecture marvels in the spires of Sagrada Familia and the mosaics of Park Güell. Art history evolves at the Picasso Museum and the Miro Foundation. Blending old with new is no cliché in Barcelona. Just walk the narrow lanes of the Gothic Quarter or browse and taste your way around La Rambla to find out.

Why should I take a hop-on hop-off tour of Barcelona?

Barcelona gets hot in the summer but not too cold in the winter. So, a double-decker hop-on hop-off bus is perfect any time of year. Bring sunscreen in the summer and layers in the winter. Then you can sit up top and snap pics or just enjoy the scenery. What if it rains? Many buses have retractable roofs, or you can drop down to the lower deck until the weather clears.

See and do more with a hop-on hop-off tour. You get to be more flexible, so you can check out more sites. You also have a full day, or sometimes two, to enjoy the trip. Take your time as you please. Feel like you missed something? That’s okay. A bus will come around again.

Hop off and explore Barcelona. Hop back on when you’re done or tired of walking. Just along for the ride? Not a problem, enjoy the audio commentary or chat with the local guide. You just might get inspired to wander around somewhere new!

What attractions can I visit on a hop-on hop-off Barcelona tour?

Whatever you love, you’ll find a piece of it in Barcelona. Fun, frolics, history, culture – you’ll find it all around. Some of the attractions include:

Picasso Museum

You might not get through all 4,000 plus works but it’s worth a shot. Wander through his Blue Period and Rose Period, then check out all the shapes. For an added incentive, visit on a Thursday evening to get in for free.

Bogatell and Mar Bella Beaches 

Take a break and relax by the sea or enjoy a ping pong game on the sand. Barcelona’s beaches can get busy, but Bogatell is a calmer scene. If you want to bare it all, there’s a nudist section on Mar Bella beach.

Gothic Quarter 

Go medieval in the Gothic Quarter. Venture around narrow streets past centuries-old architecture and don’t miss the ancient synagogue ruins. You will also see fantastic bars and restaurants all around, so this could be a good snack stop.

Museu Frederic Mares 

See into the mind of one man. Frederic Mares collected everything from huge sculptures to pill bottles. As an artist and professor, this made him a collector, not a hoarder. If it’s a nice day, take a moment in the courtyard.

Camp Nou 

You don’t have to be a soccer fan to enjoy Camp Nou, but it helps! Home to legends like Messi and Ronaldinho, you may want to come back for a match. A tour of the arena includes walking through the players’ tunnel onto the field, so you can feel like a pro!

La Rambla 

Visit the Christopher Columbus monument then amble down the road. Shop, eat, drink and repeat. Have a sip from the Canaletes fountain. You can ask the guide how best to get there.

Sagrada Familia 

Still under construction after 100 years, you don’t want to miss this impressive church. Look up as you wander around. You might feel like you’re walking through a stone forest. There is a dress code, so you might want to bring a shirt or shawl.

Tips and good things to know about Barcelona hop-on hop-off tours

Note that most tickets are valid for a day or two. Two-day tickets sometimes have to be used two days in a row, so double-check the terms. Some tours give discount booklets and maps, which come in handy. Check their schedules for running times as they often have different start and end times during different times of the year. 

And speaking of times of year, there can be route changes depending on the season as well. Also, most attractions have an entrance fee, so see if any are included. If not, check for Wi-Fi and see if you can buy tickets online to save some time.

Read our complete guide to Barcelona, or discover the city's best experiences.