Barcelona is a city marked with history and culture that hosts millions of visitors each year. The capital of Spain’s Catalonian region is filled with one-of-a-kind art and architecture. The best way to experience as much as possible is by a hop-on hop-off bus tour in Barcelona.

These double-decker bus excursions hit up to 45 different stops city-wide, where you are free to hop on and hop off at your leisure, seeing the sights that you wish to see.

Discover more about hop-on hop-off bus tours, one of the most exciting sightseeing tours in Barcelona.

What are the different types and prices of hop-on hop-off Barcelona bus tours?

Barcelona Bus Turístic

Barcelona Bus Turístic is considered the city’s official tour bus company. They offer three different lines with one single ticket, hitting stops across the entire cosmopolitan area.

It is impossible to miss their brightly colored buses with blue, purple, pink and red designs.

Route

Barcelona Bus Turístic offers three different routes to guests: blue, red and green.

The blue route hits 12 stops in total, visiting many of the city’s most important cultural landmarks. On this route, you’ll see the Sagrada Familia, Park Guëll and Camp Nou.

The red route is the longest of the three, hitting 21 stops in total on its route. Popular stops include Barrio Gótico for the Picasso Museum and Port Olimpíc for its lively nightlife scene.

The green route only runs from spring to fall as it cruises along the city’s coastline. You’re able to hop off right at the beach for beautiful views of the Mediterranean.

Timetable

The blue and red routes are available all year long and run for about 2 hours long.

The green line only runs from April until November and lasts about 40 minutes from start to finish.

Buses run 7 days a week from 9 AM until 7 PM and extend an extra hour to 8 PM in the summertime.

The only days that Barcelona Bus Turístic does not operate are Christmas and New Year’s.

Buses pass by each stop between every 15 and 25 minutes. They stop more frequently during the high season, whereas fewer buses operate during the slow season.

Tickets

Barcelona Bus Turístic offers either a 24-hour pass or a 48-hour pass.

24-hour pass: These passes cost €33 per adult (ages 13-64) and €18 per child (ages 4 to 12).
48-hour pass: These passes cost €44 per adult and €23 per child.

Children ages 3 and under are able to ride for free. Tickets that are purchased online will receive a 10% discount per ticket, and seniors as well as people with disabilities will receive discounts. All tickets include access to the blue, red and green routes.

Barcelona City Tour

Barcelona City Tour buses are known for their striking red color and open-air top. The company offers two different lines across the city of Barcelona, as well as a catamaran tour along the coast that can be added to your ticket for an additional cost.

The tour was voted Best Tourist Bus in the World by Trip Advisor in 2020. All tickets include a 2.5-hour long free walking tour of the Gothic Quarter and other notable sites.

Route

The Barcelona City Tour offers two routes, an Orange/West route and a Green/East route.

The Orange route covers the western side of Barcelona, hitting 19 iconic stops such as Plaça d’Espanya, La Rambla and Casa Batlló.

The Green route cruises through the eastern part of the city, stopping at 16 points of interest including Park Güell and the Sagrada Familia.

Timetable

Tours begin each day at 9 AM and the final bus departs at 7 PM.

Buses arrive at each stop between every 9 and 13 minutes. Both the Orange and Green routes take about 2 hours from start to finish.

The first and last departure of the day will take place in Plaza Catalunya, which is considered “Stop 1” on both the Orange and Green routes.

Barcelona City Tours do not operate on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Tickets

Barcelona City Tour offers several different ticket options.

24-hour pass: These passes cost €33 per adult (ages 13 to 64) and €18 per child (ages 4 to 12). If you choose to add a catamaran tour to your excursion, a 24-hour bus pass plus the boat ride will cost €45 per adult and €28 per child.
48-hour pass: These passes cost €44 per adult and €23 per child. A 48-hour bus pass plus a catamaran tour costs €56 per adult and €33 per child.

All tickets that are booked online will receive a 10% discount off of the final price and will include both the Orange and Green routes. Seniors and people with disabilities are also eligible for discounts.

How do hop-on hop-off bus tours in Barcelona work? What is included?

Hop-on hop-off bus tours in Barcelona can be joined from any stop on any route during operating hours. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time online, or in person at any of the bus stops. The buses are double-decker with plenty of seats both inside the cabin and on the open-air roof.

Both Barcelona Bus Turístic tour and Barcelona City Tour tickets will include a free audio guide in 12 different international languages, as well as a set of headphones for the ride. The buses also offer accommodations for persons with disabilities and free WiFi while on the route.

Barcelona Bus Turístic provides discounted entry to many of Barcelona’s finest attractions, such as Gaudí’s Casa Batlló and FC Barcelona´s stadium Camp Nou.

Barcelona City Tour tickets include an app to track your location while on the bus, as well as a free walking tour of the Gothic Quarter. City Tour tickets that include the catamaran ride will feature a 1-hour boat tour along the Barcelona coastline.

Are there any combined tickets including hop-on hop-off bus tours?

Barcelona hop-on hop-off bus plus aquarium tour

This tour includes either a 24-hour or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket as well as a tour of the Aquarium of Barcelona. Explore the metropolitan area with Barcelona City Tours on two routes, stopping at desired landmarks along the way.

After your bus journey, you’ll head over to the world’s largest Mediterranean-themed aquarium. At the Aquàrium de Barcelona, you’ll be immersed in marine communities while learning fascinating facts about each species.

Walk through a tunnel in the oceanarium where you’ll be surrounded by sharks and hear details about the nationally protected area of Spain’s coastline on this land-meets-sea adventure.

Barcelona hop-on hop-off bus plus Camp Nou tour

This hop-on hop-off bus ticket includes entry to Camp Nou and the F.C. Barcelona Museum. After your exciting ride across two different routes citywide, you’ll head to the Camp Nou Experience F.C. Barcelona Museum.

Your tour will begin on the first floor where you’ll learn the history of FC Barcelona and the values behind the club. You’ll watch tributes to some of the team’s greatest players and then follow in their footsteps with a visit to Camp Nou.

Wander through the changing room, the tunnel that leads to the pitch and enjoy panoramic views of the stadium. Stop by the television studio, press room and commentary boxes on this exciting combination tour.

What other sightseeing tours can you do in Barcelona?

Walking tours in Barcelona
Segway tours in Barcelona
Ghosts and legends tours in Barcelona
City tours in Barcelona
Jewish Quarter tours in Barcelona
Scooter tours in Barcelona
Street art tours in Barcelona

Travel tips

Book your bus tour online for a discount on ticket prices.
Dress in layers and pack an umbrella in case of rain. Wear a hat and sunblock for protection from the sun.
Ride the entire route once through to see the whole city before choosing a stop to explore.
Pack a camera to capture the incredible sights you'll see on this tour.

Hop on Hop off Bus Tours in Barcelona