How to Visit Barcelona During COVID-19
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Latest update: 20 July 2022
This page will cover the different aspects of a trip to Barcelona during COVID-19 times from COVID certificates needed to enter Spain, transport from Barcelona Airport, public transportation in the city and hotels to the top tourist attractions, guided tours, flamenco shows, beaches, bars, restaurants and nightlife.
Before planning a trip to Barcelona, we highly recommend that you refer to your government’s official coronavirus travel advice page.
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| Visitors at the Sagrada Familia during COVID-19 times |
Disclaimer
Before we start, we need to make this disclaimer. We take every step to ensure our information is accurate and up to date. However, changes occur rapidly, and we may not be aware of all updates to the COVID-19 regulations. We, therefore, advise you to cross-check our information against official government health websites before you take action. If you act on any of the information that we give, you agree to do so at your own risk.Current COVID-19 measures and restrictions
Barcelona is under the so-called "new normality" since the 19 June 2020.
The COVID-19 situation is constantly monitored by the public authorities and new measures have been taken to limit possible outbreaks.
The most important measures to be aware of to visit Barcelona are available on our page:
Latest COVID updates in Barcelona
All safety measures are available on the official website of the town hall of Barcelona: https://www.barcelona.cat/covid19/en
Please note that measures are changing frequently so we recommend that you check the links above to get the latest updates in addition to reading this page, which we endeavour to update as often as possible.
COVID testing for Cruise ship passengers
The CDC continues to recommend that cruise ship passengers be tested for COVID-19 before boarding a cruise ships. Unlike with airline flights in which the recommendation for mandatory COVID tests were dropped by the CDC for flights to the USA, the recommendations for cruise ship passengers continues to be that cruise liners make mandatory COVID testing. This is the case for the majority of cruise ship passengers when boarding a cruise at Barcelona.Flying to Barcelona Airport
See our article below to learn more about COVID-19 certificates needed to travel to Barcelona and about the the public health control form that you will need to present at the Health Control checkpoint at Barcelona Airport:
COVID-19 certificates to travel to Barcelona by air, sea or land and and health control checkpoints
To know more about the COVID-19 measures and restrictions at Barcelona Airport, we recommend you read our article below:
All you need to know about COVID-19 measures and restrictions at Barcelona Airport.
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| Safety distance stickers at Barcelona airport luggage claim |
The airlines now allow you one free date change, which is very convenient in case you need to postpone your trip.
If you need an antigen or PCR test travel certificate to travel back to your country you can easily get tested in a private laboratory in Barcelona.
Flying from Barcelona Airport
We strongly recommend you check the COVID entry requirements on the official website of your country or of your travel destination.
We recommend you read our page COVID-19 travel and test requirements to fly from Barcelona to destinations outside of Barcelona to learn about the COVID-19 entry requirements of your country of destination.
If you need an antigen or PCR test travel certificate to travel or to travel back to your country, we recommend you to read our articles below:
Essential advice for getting tested for COVID-19 in Barcelona
How and where to get a PCR test in Barcelona
How and where to get an antigen test in Barcelona
Laboratories open during the weekend to get a PCR test or an antigen test in Barcelona
Getting a PCR or antigen test in Barcelona without a medical prescription
See our article below to learn more about COVID-19 measures and restrictions at Barcelona Airport:
All you need to know about COVID-19 measures and restrictions at Barcelona Airport.
Transport from Barcelona airport
All the transport options between Barcelona Airport and the city of Barcelona detailed in the article below are operating.
Barcelona Airport Transport and Transfer To The City Centre
Coronavirus safety measures have been put in places in all transport options.
Face masks are compulsory on all Barcelona public transport including the Metro, Trams, Trains and Buses, as well as the Aerobus and Taxis from Barcelona Airport.
Public Transportation in Barcelona
The metro, trains, buses operate as usual following the safety measures.
Bus tickets cannot be purchased to the bus drivers to limit contact.
During weekends, the metro closes at midnight.
Hotels in Barcelona
Most hotels have reopened their doors since June 2020.
Hotels now have more flexible cancellation policies: most of the hotels in Barcelona offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the check-in date. Make sure to check your hotel cancellation policy before booking your hotel.
Hotels are following strict disinfection, cleaning and safety measures. We recommend that you refer to your hotel's COVID-19 page to know more.
If you need an antigen or PCR test travel certificate to travel back to your country you can easily get tested in a private laboratory in Barcelona.
Tourist attractions in Barcelona
All museum and monuments in Barcelona are open and are adapting to the COVID situation taking all the necessary safety measures for visitors and staff.
Some of the common safety measures include:
- Cleaning and disinfection have been increased.
- Sanitizing gel dispensers are available in the museums and monuments.
We recommend that you check the COVID page of each attraction on their official website if you’d like to know more about the safety measures taken by each of them before your visit.
Below we will cover the main tourist attractions and the safety measures in place at each of them:
Sagrada Familia (Giant Gaudi Basilica)
The Sagrada Familia, Barcelona's no.1 tourist attraction, is open.
Some of the COVID-19 safety measures in the Sagrada Familia besides of the usual safety measures indicated above:
- Indoor air renewal, disinfection and cleaning.
COVID-19 safety measures signs in the Sagrada Familia
During COVID-19 times you might feel more comfortable to visit the Sagrada Familia on your own instead of visiting with a guided group tour. Note that the Sagrada Familia tickets include an audioguide. Click on the link below to book your Sagrada Familia Tickets and know more on the Sagrada Familia.
La Sagrada Família Basilica by Antonio Gaudí
Park Guell
Park Guell is open within its usual opening hours and is open-air, which can bring you peace of mind if you don’t feel comfortable being in a closed space with other people.
Some of the COVID-19 safety measures in the Park Guell besides of the usual safety measures indicated above:
- Safety distances must be kept even if the Park is an open space.
- The capacity of the Park Monumental Area has been reduced.
- The capacity of the most visited areas of the Park such as the Dragon Staircase is regulated to avoid crowds.
During COVID-19 times you might feel more comfortable to visit the Park Guell on your own instead of visiting with a guided group tour. Click on the link below to book your Park Guell Tickets for the Park Guell Monumental Area and know more on the Park Guell.
Park Güell by Antoni Gaudí
La Pedrera (Casa Mila)
La Pedrera is open.
Some of the COVID-19 safety measures at La Pedrera besides of the usual safety measures indicated above:
- The capacity has been reduced to avoid crowds and ensure the safety distances can be kept.
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| Safety distance marks on the floor at the entrance of La Pedrera during the pandemic |
During COVID-19 times you might feel more comfortable to visit La Pedrera on your own instead of visiting with a guided group tour. Click on the link below to book your La Pedrera Tickets and know more on La Pedrera.
Skip the line ticket to Gaudí's La Pedrera in Barcelona with an audioguide
Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló is open.
Some of the COVID-19 safety measures at Casa Batlló besides of the usual safety measures indicated above:
- The capacity has been reduced
- Installation of a plasma ionization system that guarantees 99.4% destruction rate of coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) in 30 minutes in the air, walls and ceiling materials inside Casa Batllo.
- Disinfection of the audioguides with ultraviolet light which effectively kills viruses and bacteria.
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| Visitors at the entrance of Casa Batllo during COVID-19 times |
During COVID-19 times you might feel more comfortable to visit Casa Batllo on your own instead of visiting with a guided group tour. Click on the link below to book your Casa Batllo Tickets and know more about Casa Batllo.
Gaudí Casa Batlló in Barcelona
Casa Vicens by Gaudi
Casa Vicens is open within its usual opening hours.
Some of the COVID-19 safety measures at Casa Vicens besides of the usual safety measures indicated above:
- Casa Vicens is the first museum of Barcelona that has obtained the Safe Tourism Certified seal by the Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality. The seal certifies maximum hygienic and sanitary guarantees.
Click on the link below to book your Casa Vicens Tickets and know more on Casa Vicens.
Gaudí Casa Vicens in Barcelona
Camp Nou Experience
The Camp Nou Experience at Camp Nou Stadium is open within its usual opening hours.
The Camp Nou requires its visitors to follow the standard COVID-19 safety measures such as keeping a safety distance, washing your hands, and to not do the Camp Nou Experience if you have symptoms like fever, cough or breathing difficulties.
Click on the link below to book your Camp Nou Experience Tickets and know more on the Camp Nou Experience.
Guide To The Barcelona FC Stadium Tour With Museum Visit
Montserrat Monastery
The attractions at Montserrat are open within their usual opening hours. The trains between Plaza España and Montserrat train station run normally as well as the rack railway and the cable car from the train station to the Montserrat Monastery.
Some of the COVID-19 safety measures at Montserrat besides of the usual safety measures indicated above:
- Reducing capacity on board the Montserrat Rack Railway (‘Cremallera’) and the Montserrat Cable Car (‘Aeri’)
- Reducing the capacity in the Basilica of Montserrat, the Throne of the Virgin and other areas.
- Increased cleaning and disinfection of the indoor and outdoor areas of Montserrat.
Click on the link below to view Montserrat tours.
Montserrat Tours: Organized Tours from Barcelona to Montserrat Monastery in Catalonia, Spain
Barcelona City Tours
The Barcelona Hop On Hop Off is operating as well as daily group tours.
You can find more information on the following pages:
Barcelona Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tourist Bus
Barcelona Tours and Activities
Flamenco Shows
The Flamenco venues of Barcelona are open.
Click on the link below to know more about Flamenco Shows in Barcelona.
Barcelona beaches
Barcelona beaches never closed -even during summer 2020-, were also open for summer 2021 and are open as usual in 2022.
Showers, public toilets, rescue and first aid services at the beaches of Barcelona are open.
Shops and Shopping malls
Shops and shopping malls are open. However as measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus may change, we recommend you check the page below for the latest updates regarding the opening and closure of the shops and shopping malls.
Latest COVID updates in Barcelona
Bars & Restaurants
Bars and restaurantes are open. However as measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus may change, we recommend you check the page below for the latest updates regarding the opening hours of bars and restaurants in Barcelona:
Latest COVID updates in Barcelona
Cultural activities & Nightlife
Museums, cultural venues, and nightclubs are open. However as measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus may change, we recommend you check the page below for the latest updates on cultural activites and nightlife in Barcelona:
Latest COVID updates in Barcelona
If you need an antigen or PCR test travel certificate to travel back to your country you can easily get tested in a private laboratory in Barcelona.