Barcelona for the over-65s: our top tips
has something for every age group, and the over-65s are no exception. The city’s rich heritage and relaxed way of life are particularly attractive, and you’re sure to enjoy the wide variety of experiences on offer. Here are our top tips for travellers in later life.
Finding suitable accommodation
All 2, 3, 4 and 5 star hotels must be accessible to those with mobility issues and will be fitted with a lift.
- Bed and breakfasts, room rentals and holiday apartments, however, are not subject to the same regulations. If stairs are an issue for you, make sure you check before booking, as many buildings in Barcelona don’t have lifts, particularly in the historic centre (the Gòtic, Born and Raval quarters).
Check the location of your planned destination in relation to bus and metro stops to avoid having to walk too far in order to get anywhere.
- Take a look at our guide to the best hotels in the city centre
- Find a holiday apartment
Getting around Barcelona
If you prefer not to tire yourself out getting around and would rather save your energy for exploring Barcelona’s fabulous sights, here are our recommendations for transport:
- Public transport: the Barcelona city council works hard to ensure accessibility on the metro, bus and tram networks. A map of metro stations with full facilities is available on the official Barcelona transport website. Click on a metro line at the top of the map, then on “veure estacions adaptades” at the bottom-right. The stations shown are all equipped with lifts.
- Tour bus: the tour bus will get you quickly and easily from one destination to another, and offers a particularly comfortable way of seeing the city.
- Taxi: Barcelona taxis are relatively cheap. Reserved bus and taxi lanes also mean that you’ll get to your destination quickly. For more details, see our article on taxis in Barcelona. For a little extra, it’s also possible to book a taxi online and have a driver waiting for you at the airport.
The small streets of the medieval part of the city, however, can only be explored on foot – and that’s part of its charm! If you’re unable to walk for long periods of time, it’s possible to rent a wheelchair here. Barcelona is particularly well-suited to this means of transport, as all of the pavements have lowered kerbs at crossing points.
- Note: Barcelona is spread over an area which extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the Collserola mountains. The closer you get to the mountains, the hillier the city becomes. If you’re taking public transport, aim for stops uphill of your destination.
- As an example, if you’re going to Parc Güell, get off at Vallcarca rather than Lesseps. That way, you’ll be going downhill, rather than uphill to get into the park.
Useful tips
Discounts for the over-65s
If you’re over 65, you’ll get money off entrance to many tourist destinations, including Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló and Parc Güell. For this reason, it’s not worth buying a discount card (such as the Barcelona Card).
Avoid the summer months
Temperatures in Barcelona rise considerably in July and August, and the humidity levels in the city increase the feeling of heat. It can become quite unbearable, and you’ll need to drink constantly. Plan your visit for the beginning or end of the season, or even the winter, if this is likely to be an issue.
Places to visit: our recommendations
- To get straight to the heart of Barcelona with no fear of missing out, we recommend taking a private tour, adapted to your preferences. Click here to see what’s on offer. By visiting with a guide, you’ll avoid wasting time and energy finding your way, and you’ll be able to discover all of the riches which Barcelona has to offer.
- Why not take a stroll along the seafront, on the Passeig Maritim?
- Take care when visiting Montjuïc: it’s steep! Get up the hill using the funicular (from the Paral·lel metro station), by bus or by taxi to avoid any nasty surprises.
- Barcelona is at the heart of a region which has a lot to offer. Want to explore the world of Dalí? Discover fishing villages? Visit the vineyards of Tarragona? Take a look at our 10 ideas for trips you can take from Barcelona and plan your adventure!
End on a musical note
If you’re visiting Barcelona in the summer, make sure you catch one of the free concerts in the Música als Parcs series. Many of the concerts feature classical music, and they’re all held in one of the city’s parks or green spaces.
Otherwise, the superb Palau de la Música is the ideal place to enjoy a concert in luxurious surroundings. One of the world’s most beautiful concert halls, it was designed by the famous architect Doménech i Montaner in the early 20th Century, right in the middle of the art nouveau period. If you’d rather visit in the daytime, note that over-65s get reduced rates on guided tours of the building.
Spanish guitar concerts, held in spectacular surroundings, also get our seal of approval!
Enjoy your visit…
