Tourist Cards: Are They Worth It?

Tourist cards only save you money if you're going to visit several of the things they include; bought "just in case", they usually end up costing more than paying for individual tickets. Here are the two that genuinely pay off in Barcelona.

Barcelona Card

Includes unlimited public transport (metro, bus, airport train and Rodalies within zone 1) and free entry to over 25 attractions and museums, plus discounts on another 70 activities, shops and restaurants.

It's sold for consecutive days — 2, 3, 4 or 5 — starting at €39 for the 2-day version. There's also an All-In version, from around €124.50, which adds Sagrada Família and Park Güell with no queues or separate tickets.

It pays off if you're going to do at least 3-4 museums or long transport trips during the valid days; if your plan is mostly walking around and seeing two or three sites, probably not.

Articket Barcelona

Aimed purely at art lovers: for €38 it gives you one entry to each of these six venues, with no queues and no fixed expiry date beyond one year from purchase:

• MACBA (Museum of Contemporary Art)
• Fundació Antoni Tàpies
• CCCB (Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona)
• MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia)
• Museu Picasso
• Fundació Joan Miró

Adding up individual tickets for these six museums roughly doubles the cost, so if you're planning to visit at least three or four, the Articket almost certainly pays off. It doesn't include transport.

In short

If your trip combines monuments, a museum or two and long transport trips, the Barcelona Card usually wins. If your priority is art and museums, the Articket is cheaper and more specific. And if you're only visiting one or two places, an individual ticket is your best bet.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Barcelona Card worth buying?

Only if you'll visit at least 3-4 museums or take long transport trips during its valid days. If your plan is mostly walking around and seeing two or three sites, paying for individual tickets works out cheaper.

What's the difference between the Barcelona Card and the Articket?

The Barcelona Card includes unlimited public transport and over 25 attractions; the Articket only gives access to six art museums (MACBA, MNAC, Museu Picasso, among others) and doesn't include transport. The Articket pays off more if your priority is art.