Train to Barcelona - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Documents: identity card is sufficient - Spain is in the Schengen area

• Currency: Euro (EUR) - payment cards are widely accepted and there are ATMs near the train station

• How much to go for: a weekend (3 nights) is enough for the main attractions; 5 days allows you to visit neighbourhoods outside the centre and get to know the city in a more relaxed way

• Practical tip: in July and August some of the local restaurants and shops are closed due to holidays - September is a better choice if you want a more local atmosphere

Spring or early autumn is the best time to visit, when daytime temperatures are 18-25°C and queues to the Sagrada Família and Park Güell are shorter than in summer.

Spring (March–May)

• The daytime temperature is 18-25°C and you can comfortably explore on foot all day.

• The Feast of Sant Jordi falls in April, and La Rambla and the Barri Gòtic in particular are filled with flower and book stalls.

• There are shorter queues at Park Güell and the Sagrada Família than in summer, so it's easier to buy tickets in advance.

• There are more tourists from March onwards, but accommodation prices are lower than at the summer peak.

Summer (June–August)

• The daytime temperature is 29-31°C, and the greatest heat usually falls in July and August.

• June sees the Sónar festival, which attracts electronic music fans from all over Europe.

• July and August is peak season, so accommodation prices rise and the beaches are crowded.

• Evenings are warm and long, so plan a walk around El Born or dinner outdoors.

Autumn (September–October)

• The daytime temperature is 22-27°C and you can visit with smaller crowds than in summer.

• In September, La Mercè takes place with parades, sardana dancing and castellers' shows.

• Accommodation prices drop compared to July and August.

• In September and October, local restaurants reopen after the summer break and the weather continues to favour both the beach and a city break.

Winter (November–February)

• Daytime temperatures are 15-17°C, but a jacket comes in handy in the evenings.

• In December, Christmas decorations and markets enliven the Barri Gòtic and Plaça de Catalunya.

• In January and February you can visit more quietly, as queues are noticeably shorter at the Sagrada Família and the Picasso Museum.

• In low season, accommodation prices are the lowest of the year.

You travel from Poland to Barcelona by train with transfers via Germany or Belgium and France. The journey takes an indicative 32-48 hours, depending on the starting city and the connection chosen. Night trains are also available on the central European section.

Train to Barcelona from Krakow

• From Krakow to Barcelona you travel approximately 32-44 hours with transfers via Germany and France.

• An overnight train is available on the central European section.

• Seat reservations are compulsory on the international section.

Train to Barcelona from Wrocław

• From Wrocław to Barcelona you travel approximately 34-46 hours with transfers via Germany and France.

• The first leg through Germany is shorter than for many other Polish cities.

• An overnight train is available on the central European section.

• Seat reservations are compulsory on the international section.

Train to Barcelona from Warsaw

• From Warsaw to Barcelona you travel approximately 36-48 hours, depending on the connection and transfer times.

• The route takes you through Germany or Belgium and France.

• An overnight train is available on the central European section.

• If you are changing trains in Paris, you take an indicative 6-7 hours by high-speed train from Gare de Lyon station to Barcelona.

• Seat reservations are compulsory on the international section.

Barcelona–Madrid train

• High-speed trains connect Barcelona with Madrid and the journey takes an indicative 2.5-3 hours.

• If you are planning a city break combining the two cities, you can add Madrid without an extra day for logistics.

• Seat reservation is compulsory.

• Trains depart from Barcelona Sants station.

On Europodróże you will buy your ticket without creating an account - just enter your route, choose your connection and pay. Your ticket goes to your email and SMS, and 30 minutes before departure you will receive an SMS reminder with a link to your ticket. The earlier you buy, the greater the choice of seats and the better the price. For PKP Intercity trains on Polish sections, refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure. For international sections, the rules depend on the carrier - see the page on refunds and exchanges for details.

From Barcelona Sants station, you can take the metro to the centre, including the Barri Gòtic and La Rambla, in just a few minutes. The station has a direct entrance to the metro, so you don't have to go outside with your luggage.

Metro is the most convenient option for getting around day to day. The network covers the whole city and runs from early morning until midnight, and longer at weekends. A single ticket costs a few zlotys and a daily ticket costs around a dozen zlotys. If you make several journeys a day, a daily ticket or a 10-ride card, which you can buy from vending machines at metro stations, will be more convenient.

Taxi and rideshare are available at the station exit. These are a good choice if you have a lot of luggage or are arriving late in the evening.

You can get around the centre of Barcelona on foot and by public transport. Major attractions such as the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, La Rambla and El Born are well connected by metro.

Where to stay:

• Barri Gòtic and El Born - close to the centre, within walking distance of La Rambla and the main sights; prices are higher but you have shorter journeys

• Eixample - moderate prices, good metro connections and wide boulevards with modernist architecture

• Gràcia - quieter atmosphere, local cafés and bars, further from the tourist centre

Sagrada Família

Gaudí's masterpiece under construction since 1883, still unfinished. The tour takes 2-3 hours. There is an entrance fee, so it's worth booking your ticket online in advance to avoid the queue. You'll take a lift up the tower and see a panoramic view of the whole of Barcelona. It's best to go in the morning or evening, when the light shines through the stained glass windows.

Park Güell

Colourful mosaics, a terrace with a panoramic view of the city and Gaudí's sculptures among the greenery. The tour takes 2-3 hours. The main areas are paid, while parts of the park remain free. In the morning you will avoid the biggest crowds and the heat. Comfortable shoes are important as the park is on a hill and the paths are uneven.

La Rambla

A 1.2km-long avenue from Plaça de Catalunya to the Columbus monument by the harbour. The walk takes 1-2 hours. Entrance is free. Watch out for pickpockets in the crowds in the evening. The most pleasant walks are in the morning and early evening.

Church of Santa Maria del Mar

Gothic church from the 14th century in the El Born district. The tour takes about an hour. Entrance is free and a voluntary collection operates on site. It's a quieter alternative to the Sagrada Família - there are fewer tourists and the interior is impressive with its austere elegance of stone and light.

Picasso Museum

More than 3,500 works in five historic palaces in El Born. The tour takes 2-3 hours. There is an entrance fee. Before visiting, check the museum's website to see if there is free entry on your chosen date, as queues are longer then.

Magic Fountain at Montjuïc

Free evening show with music and dancing water. The show lasts several minutes. Come early to get a good spot. Check before you go to see if the shows take place on your chosen date.

Plan for day 1

Sagrada Família in the morning (takes 2-3 hours to visit) -> walk along La Rambla and lunch near La Boqueria market -> Park Güell in the afternoon (takes 2-3 hours to visit) -> dinner in El Born and a walk through the narrow streets of the district -> Magic Fountain in the evening at Montjuïc.

Plan for the weekend (Friday evening – Sunday)

Friday - upon arrival, have dinner in the Barri Gòtic. In the evening, walk around Plaça Reial and La Rambla when the avenue is lit up and full of people.

Saturday - in the morning visit the Sagrada Família, preferably with an early-entry ticket, then have lunch in the Eixample. In the afternoon go to Park Güell, and in the evening explore the Gràcia district with its local bars and tapas.

Sunday - in the morning, visit the Picasso Museum or the Santa Maria del Mar church. Later, walk around El Born and have lunch, and in the afternoon head up to Montjuïc for views of the harbour and a stroll through the gardens.

What to eat

Pa amb tomàquet - bread rubbed with fresh tomato with olive oil and salt. This is a staple of Catalan cuisine and an accompaniment to many meals.

Arròs negre - black rice with squid ink and seafood. This is a classic Catalan dish worth ordering at a restaurant by the harbour or in El Born.

Gambas al ajillo - prawns fried with garlic in olive oil. This is a popular tapa, good for starting dinner.

Calçots with romesco sauce - young spring onions grilled and served with an almond and pepper sauce. This is a seasonal dish, available from January to March.

Where to eat:

• La Boqueria market (Mercat de Sant Josep) on La Rambla - buy fruit, fish, meats and takeaway food here. Best to come in the morning when the stalls have a full selection.

• El Born district (streets around Montcada) - here you'll find local bars and restaurants popular with residents. You'll often eat better than on La Rambla and in a less touristy atmosphere.

• Bar El Xampanyet in El Born - a legendary bar with a long tradition. Order tapas, vermouth and cava here. It can be crowded at lunchtime, so it's better to come in the morning or evening.

Souvenirs

• Catalan wine from the Priorat or Penedès regions

• Regional olive oil

• Ceramics with trencadí-style mosaics inspired by Gaudí

• Turrón and marzipan - souvenirs you can easily pack in your suitcase

The budget option includes a hostel or simple hotel, food at tapas bars and La Boqueria market, single metro tickets and 1-2 paid attractions per day. The mid-range option means a three-star hotel, a restaurant with coffee, a day ticket for public transport and 2-3 major museums. The comfort option includes a four-star hotel or apartment in the centre, a good restaurant with wine, metro plus taxi and all major attractions with a guide.

Amounts are in PLN and the EUR/PLN conversion rate is indicative. The train ticket from Poland is not included in the table.

In April and October, accommodation prices are lower than in July and August with similar weather, making this a good time for a city break in Barcelona.