Is Barcelona Card Worth It? Should You Buy It or Not in 2026

Thinking about getting the Barcelona Card but not sure if it’s worth it?

You’re not alone. With so many passes and ticket options out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

I’ve tested the Barcelona Card myself, compared it to other passes, and done the math so you don’t have to.

From unlimited public transport to free entry at top museums, this card promises a lot.

But does it really save you time and money?

If you’re visiting Barcelona in 2026 and want to know is Barcelona Card worth it for your trip, you’re in the right place.

Let’s break it all down.

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What is the Barcelona Card?

Barcelona Card is the official city pass that gives you free access to public transport, free entry to many museums, and discounts on attractions, tours, and shopping.

It’s available for 3, 4, or 5 consecutive days, and is designed to help travelers save money while exploring the city stress-free.

You can use the Barcelona Card on the metro, buses, trams, and trains within Zone 1, which covers the whole city plus some of its neighbors.

It also includes the airport train and metro, which is a nice bonus.

Once activated, the card works on a time basis. So, if you start using it at 11 AM, it will be valid until the same time on your last day.

You’ll also get a digital or paper guide with information about what’s included.

The goal of the card is to offer convenience and savings, especially if you plan to visit several museums and use public transport often while exploring Barcelona.

Who Should Get the Barcelona Card?

The Barcelona Card is a good choice if you’re planning to visit several museums, use public transport often, and stay in the city for at least three full days.

It’s best for first-time visitors who want to see more than just the main landmarks and prefer exploring at their own pace.

If your Barcelona itinerary includes museums like the Museu Picasso, MNAC, or the CCCB, the card can save you money.

It also works well if your hotel is outside the city center and you’ll be taking the metro or bus multiple times a day. The included airport transport is another bonus.

On the other hand, if you’re mostly visiting places like Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló, the Barcelona Card won’t cover those. In that case, a different pass might suit you better. (See below the comparison of all available travel cards in Barcelona.)

Think about what you really want to see and do. Below, you’ll find all the pros and cons to decide if the Barcelona Card is worth it for you.

Barcelona Card Prices in 2026

Here are the Barcelona Card prices in 2026, including both adult and children’s rates:

• 3‑day (72 hours): Adult €57, Children (age 4-12) €35
• 4‑day (96 hours): Adult €67, Children (age 4-12) €44
• 5‑day (120 hours): Adult €79, Children (age 4-12) €49

Children under 4 years old travel free and don’t need a card. The longer the duration of your trip, the lower the average cost per day.

What’s Included with the Barcelona Card?

The Barcelona Card is more than just a transport pass.

Apart from free public transport, it includes free access to many museums and discounts at top attractions, tours, and shops.

Here’s a quick look at what exactly you get when you buy the Barcelona Card.

Free Public Transport with the Barcelona Card

You can ride as much as you want on:

• Metro
• City buses (TMB)
• Trams
• Suburban trains (FGC, Rodalies) within Zone 1
• Airport metro and train

The card is valid for the number of consecutive hours you choose: 72, 96, or 120 hours from the first use.

💡 Tip: Barcelona Card does not include the night buses or the Aerobus.

Free Entry to Top Attractions with Barcelona Card

The card gives you free entry to over 25 museums and sights, including the best art museums in Barcelona and many more:

🎨 Art Museums

• Picasso Museum
• Joan Miró Foundation
• MOCO Museum
• National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC)
• Antoni Tàpies Foundation
• Frederic Marès Museum
• Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA)
• Design Museum of Barcelona
• Banksy Museum

🏛️ Science & Nature Museums

• CosmoCaixa Science Museum
• Museum of Natural Sciences of Barcelona
• Botanical Garden of Barcelona

🌍 History, Culture & Ethnology

• El Born Cultural and Memorial Center (El Born CCM)
• CaixaForum
• Egyptian Museum of Barcelona
• Ethnological Museum of Barcelona (Montcada)
• Ethnological Museum of Barcelona (Parc de Montjuïc)
• Music Museum of Barcelona
• MUHBA Plaça del Rei
• MUHBA El Call (Jewish Quarter)
• MUHBA Refugi 307 (Air-raid bunker)
• MUHBA Via Sepulcral Romana (Roman burial site)
• Montjuïc Castle
• Royal Monastery of Pedralbes
• Chocolate Museum
• Olympic and Sports Museum Joan Antoni Samaranch

💡 Tip:  Many of these museums you can visit for free if you plan your trip wisely. Check out my free museums in Barcelona guide to find out which ones and when they offer free entrance.

Discounts to Major Landmarks and Tours with Barcelona Card

Here’s a full list of discounted attractions included with the Barcelona Card:

🏛️ Museums & Attractions

• Casa Batlló (around €3 off)
• Casa Milà (around €3 off)
• Casa Vicens (25% off)
• Sant Pau Recinte Modernista (20% off)
• Palau de la Música Catalana (25% off)
• Palau Güell (25% off)
• Poble Espanyol (20% off)
• Casa Amatller (20% off)
• Columbus Monument (20% off)
• Observation Deck Torre Glòries (20% off)
• Cripta Gaudí at Colònia Güell (around 20% off)
• Gaudí Experiència (20% off)
• Fundació Vila Casas (25% off)
• KBR Fundación MAPFRE Barcelona Photo Center (around €3 off)
• Museu d’Història de Catalunya (20% off)
• Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya (25% off)
• Museu Europeu d’Art Modern (MEAM) (up to 25% off)
• Museu de la Cera de Barcelona (20% off)
• Museu de l’Eròtica (25% off)
• Museu del Perfum (40% off)
• Maritime Museum (20% off)
• Pavelló Mies van der Rohe (25% off)

🚶 Visits, Tours & Cruises

• Barcelona Bus Turístic (10% off)
• Catalunya Bus Turístic (15% off)
• Barcelona Walking Tours (up to 50% off)
• Las Golondrinas Boat Cruises (€2-€8 off)

🎡 Leisure & Entertainment

• Montjuïc Cable Car (15% off)
• Tibidabo Amusement Park (20% off)
• Barcelona Zoo (20% off)
• Barcelona Aquarium (20% off)
• IceBarcelona (20% off)
• Casino de Barcelona (free admission plus welcome drink)

🎭 Flamenco & Shows

• Tablao Flamenco Cordobés (8-20% off)
• Tablao Flamenco Patio Andaluz (around €10 off)

When the Barcelona Card Isn’t Worth It?

The Barcelona Card isn’t always the best deal, especially if your plans don’t match what the card includes.

It doesn’t cover Sagrada Família and Park Güell, which are at the top of every visitor’s list. If those are your main priorities, other passes might give you better value. (See below for available alternatives.)

The card also won’t pay off if you’re only in Barcelona for 2 days or plan to walk most places instead of using public transport.

Many key sights are close together, and walking through the streets is part of the experience.

Use my free Barcelona Transport Fare Calculator to figure out your transport needs.

If your itinerary is focused on just a few major attractions or outdoor spots like the beach, buying tickets separately or using a basic transport pass could be cheaper.

Always compare the cost of the card with your actual plans before you buy.

Best Alternatives to the Barcelona Card

The Barcelona Card isn’t the only pass available. Depending on what you want to see and how you plan to get around, another option might be a better fit.

Here are three popular alternatives to the Barcelona Card, each with its own focus and benefits.

Go City Barcelona Pass Including 45+ Attractions

The Go City Barcelona All-Inclusive Pass gives you access to over 45 top attractions and tours.

It includes big-ticket sights like Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and La Pedrera, which the Barcelona Card does not.

You can also choose from activities like the Montjuïc Cable Car, boat cruises, guided tours, and flamenco shows.

Passes are available for 2 to 5 consecutive days. You scan your phone at each location, and entry is included.

Pros:

• Sagrada Família and Park Güell are included.
• Hop-on, Hop-off bus tour is included.
• Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, and more top attractions with priority access included.
• Great for sightseeing-heavy Barcelona itineraries.

Cons:

• It doesn’t include public transport, so you’ll need a separate metro or bus ticket.
• You can’t possibly see and do all 45 attractions and tours included in the Go City Barcelona All-Inclusive Pass. Even if you spend the maximum 5 days in Barcelona, your head can’t assimilate all the information.

Hola Barcelona Travel Card for Unlimited Transport

Hola Barcelona Travel Card gives you unlimited access to public transport for 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours.

It includes the metro, buses, trams, and trains in Zone 1, plus the airport metro and train.

This card is transport-only, with no attraction entries or discounts. It’s ideal if you already have tickets to the places you want to visit and plan to explore the city on your own schedule.

Pros:

• Unlimited rides on metro, buses, trams, and trains in Zone 1.
• Airport metro and train included.
• Cheaper than other Barcelona travel passes.

Cons:

• No entry tickets or discounts are included.
• No tours or shows are included.

💡 Tip: Pair Hola Barcelona with my self-guided Barcelona itineraries or request a custom Barcelona itinerary here.

Articket BCN for Art Lovers Only

The Articket BCN is a museum pass made for art lovers.

It gives you skip-the-line access to six of Barcelona’s best art museums with a single ticket. These include big names like the Museu Picasso and Fundació Joan Miró.

The pass is valid for 12 months, so it works well even if you’re spreading your visits over a longer trip or planning a return to the city.

If modern and classic art are high on your list, this pass offers great value and flexibility.

Included museums:

• Museu Picasso
• Fundació Joan Miró
• Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
• MACBA
• CCCB
• Fundació Antoni Tàpies

Pros:

• Skip-the-line tickets to top art museums in Barcelona.
• Valid for 12 months, so you can use it on multiple trips.

Cons:

• Only gives you access to art museums, no other attractions.
• Transportation isn’t included.

FAQs About the Barcelona Card

What does the Barcelona Card give you?

The Barcelona Card includes unlimited public transport in Zone 1 (metro, buses, trams, and local trains), free entry to over 25 museums and attractions, and discounts at more than 70 places around the city.

It also covers transport to and from the airport by train or metro. You’ll get a digital guide with full details on everything that’s included.

What is the best way to get around Barcelona as a tourist?

The easiest way to get around Barcelona is by metro. It’s fast, reliable, and connects most of the city’s main sights.

Buses and trams are also useful, especially in areas not served by the metro. If you plan to use public transport a lot, passes like the Barcelona Card or Hola Barcelona Travel Card can save you money and time.

What is the best pass to get for Barcelona?

The Barcelona Card is best if you want to visit museums, take public transport, and get discounts at top attractions. If you only need transport, the Hola Barcelona Travel Card is cheaper and covers unlimited rides. For sightseeing, the Go City Barcelona Pass includes major attractions like Sagrada Família and Park Güell, which aren’t part of the Barcelona Card.

Now You Know: Is Barcelona Card Worth It or Not

And there you have it – everything you need to know to decide if the Barcelona Card is worth it in 2026.

From free public transport and museum entry to handy discounts across the city, the official tourist pass can be a great value if you plan to explore a lot.

But if your trip is more relaxed or focused on just a few highlights, one of the alternatives might suit you better.

Whether you go all in with Barcelona Card or choose a simpler option like Hola Barcelona Travel Card or Articket BCN, the key is matching the pass to your travel plans.