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For those arriving to Barcelona by boat, the port terminals are 3.8km from the University by road (about 15 minutes in a taxi) or about 30 minutes on public transport taking the number 88 bus from the port to the Paral-lel Metro station, the L2 metro to the Universitat then a short walk into the university campus.

The port has regular ferry links to Ibiza, Menorca, Mallorca, Formentera, Italy, Morocco, Rome & Sardinia with crossings available to Ibiza (in Ibiza), Ciutadella & Mahon (in Menorca), Alcudia & Palma (in Mallorca), Formentera (in Formentera), Genoa (in Italy), Tangier Med & Nador (in Morocco), Civitavecchia (in Rome), Porto Torres (in Sardinia).

Sailings from Barcelona are operated by numerous ferry companies, Grimaldi Lines, Grandi Navi Veloci, La Meridionale, Transmed GLE & Balearia.

Direct Ferries can be a good place to start looking, as it shows various different ferry companies’ routes.

Grimaldi Lines dock & offices (from Facultat de Geografia i Història)

1. Walk About 6 min, 450 m, Head northwest on C/ de Montalegre toward C/ de Valldonzella until you reach the metro station on Ronda de la Univ.
2. You want to get onto the purple line on the left-hand side of the street. (L2)
3. Get off at Paral-lel and cross the street.
4. Get on bus 89 to Moll Costa.
5. Once there you should see Grimaldi on the coast.

Reaching other terminals is very similar, all the major ferry docks are along this same road, so follow further down, or stay on the bus longer, until you get to the one you need.

Arriving by train

Barcelona Sants is the primary intercity station for travellers to Barcelona. 2.6km from the University by road, and connected to the university by bus and metro links. Trainline is a good place to look for tickets, as they are often cheaper than other websites; you can also check timetables and book on Renfe.

There are direct trains from Madrid (around 8 trains a day, journey time 2.5hrs), Valencia (16 trains a day, approx. 4.5 hours), Seville, Paris and Zaragoza, from these cities you can then connect to a large part of Europe, making train travel to Barcelona very convenient.

Arriving by coach

There are various national and international coach services that connect Barcelona with other cities such as Tarragona and Valencia,and also from Andorra, and various cities in France including Perpignan and Marseille.

Coach and intercity bus companies include FlixBus, ALSA and Eurolines. The trainline is a good place to find discounted tickets for a variety of coach companies.

Driving

Barcelona is large and sometimes very trafficky, and there can be a lack of parking spaces, especially in the peak tourist season. That being said, if your plan is to drive to Barcelona, here are some tips.

• Consider staying just outside of Barcelona, in places such as Badalona, so you can leave your car there and take the handy direct train into Barcelona.
• For those coming outside of Europe: driving is on the right hand side; road laws are the European standard.
• Tolls: Be aware that some highways in Spain have tolls. Keep some change or a credit card handy for toll payments.
• Zona de Baixes Emissions (ZBE) - Barcelona Low Emission Zone includes the urban area of Barcelona (excluding the industrial area Zona Franca, Vallvidrera, Tibidabo and Les Planes), Sant Adrià del Besòs, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Esplugues de Llobregat and Cornellà de Llobregat. Entry is only permitted with an environmental badge. The entry restrictions to the ZBE apply from Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 20:00.
• The largest car park operator is the urban B:SM (Barcelona de Serveis Municipals), which operates more than 50 car parks and parking spaces.

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport

El Prat Airport, situated 10 km southwest of the city centre, offers international connections from a comprehensive list of European cities, USA Canada, China, South Korea, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Columbia, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria & Iceland.

Airport to Barcelona by Aerobus
The university is about 15k m from the airport and can be easily reached with Aerobus which runs frequently from the airport past the Pl Universitat stop 400m from the university. Tickets are reasonably cheap (Tickets cost €9.75 one way, and €14.65 return). You can see the route it takes here, booking in advance is advisable.

Airport to Barcelona by train
You can take a train to the city centre from ‘Aeroport’ train station, which is 200 metres away from T2, aka Terminal 2. The trains are not as regular as the Aerobus (trains leave every 30 mins) or as convenient for luggage, and if you land at Terminal 1 you will need to take a shuttle bus to Terminal 2 first. On the plus side a ticket is €4.60 and the journey time is only 18 mins.

Airport to Barcelona by metro
The L9 (orange line) departs every 7 minutes (approx) and stops at both terminals before taking passengers to the edge of town, where you can switch onto the red, blue or green lines at Torrassa (L1 – red line), Collblanc (L5 – blue line) or Zona Universitària (L3 – green line) and continue your journey. You need to buy the appropriate ticket which costs €5.15, one way to any station on the metro network. (NB: you cannot use your T-Casual metro ticket).

Airport to Barcelona by taxi
Note that booking an Uber or Bolt in Barcelona will book you a metered taxi, so the price you pay may differ to the one the app shows. Taxis from the airport can be very expensive compared to other options, (between €35 and €45): however for late night arrivals, convenience, or mobility needs, this can be a really good option. You can book online in advance so you have someone ready to pick you up on arrival.

Airport to Barcelona by car
If you are driving, the trip from the airport takes around 25 minutes, via the C-31.

1. Get on C-31 in Sant Boi de Llobregat from C-32B and Av. de l'Aeroport for 4 min (2.5 km)
2. Continue to Barcelona for 6 min (8.7 km)
3. Follow Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes to Pl. de Catalunya for 12 min (4.3 km)

Other Airports

There are a variety of airport options, In both Spain and France, with connections to Barcelona by train or coach, so if you are unable to fly to Barcelona itself, please take a look at the other options below:

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport has more international flight connections than Barcelona (including the majority of South American countries, Angola & Cameroon). Getting from Madrid to Barcelona takes about 4 hours by train (direct), and there are also connecting flights with a journey time of around 1 hour 20 minutes. You can book train tickets for around €50 on The Trainline.

Driving takes around 5 hours 40 minutes, via the AP-2 and A-2; this route has tolls:

1. Get on R-2 in Alcobendas from Carr. de Alcobendas a Barajas/Av. de Logroño and Aeropuerto Barajas for 4 min (3.6 km)
2. Continue on R-2. Take A-2, AP-2 and E-15/E-90/AP-7 to Avinguda de la Granvia de l’Hospitalet/C-31 in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat. Take exit 610 from E-90/A-2 for 5 hr 40 min (604 km)
3. Follow Avinguda de la Granvia de l’Hospitalet/C-31 and Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes to Pl. de Catalunya in Barcelona for 15 min (7.7 km)

Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in southern France operates routes to 83 destinations, with connections from all over western europe, Poland, Turkey, UAE, Serbia, Croatia, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Senegal & Canada. Routes from this airport to Barcelona take around 4 hours by road, 5 hours by train or 55 minutes by connecting flight.

By train you’ll have to change a few times, either at St-Cyprien Arènes, Toulouse Matabiau or Narbonne. You can book train tickets on The Trainline, at a cost of between €50 and €60.

By car the journey involves driving to the coast of France and then heading South, via the A61 and AP-7; note that routes have tolls and crossing borders will have potential implications with visas:

1. Get on A621 for 2 min (1.0 km)
2. Follow A61, A9/E15 and AP-7 to C-31 in Sant Adrià de Besòs, España. Take exit 28 from B-10 for 3 hr 48 min (395 km)
3. Continue on C-31. Take C/ de la Diputació to Pl. de Catalunya in Barcelona for 17 min (6.2 km)

Zaragoza Airport has international connections from the UK, France, Italy, Morocco, Egypt, Romania & Belgium. It is about 2h 30min by train or 3h 20min by car from Barcelona. If going by train, you’ll have to take a bus or taxi to central Zaragoza first; there is a bus service between the airport and the city centre. The journey takes between 20-30 minutes and a single ticket costs €1.70. You can book train tickets on The Trainline, and they cost between €20 and €65 depending on the time of day; the trains from Zaragoza are direct.

By car the journey takes around 3 hours, going via AP-2:

1. Get on A-2/Z-40 from N-125 for 9 min (8.6 km)
2. Take AP-2 and E-15/E-90/AP-7 to Avinguda de la Granvia de l’Hospitalet/C-31 in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat. Take exit 610 from E-90/A-2 for 2 hr 51 min (303 km)
3. Follow Avinguda de la Granvia de l’Hospitalet/C-31 and Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes to Pl. de Catalunya in Barcelona for 15 min (7.7 km)

Basilica of la Mercè The basilica stands just a short distance from the waterfront and La Rambla and is surmounted by a distinctive Gothic statue of one of the patron saints of Barcelona: Our Lady of Mercy.

Basilica of the Sagrada Família Spain's most-visited landmark is the fruit of Gaudí's imagination. A church steeped in symbolism where nature is the source of inspiration. The building is still under construction: Gaudí dedicated the last years of his life to the project.

Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar is one of the finest examples of the Catalan-Gothic style and its sheer magnificence, which has earned it the name the Cathedral of the Sea.

Basilica of Sants Màrtirs Sant Just i Pastor A Gothic place of worship with chapels lavishly decorated in the neo-classical and neo-Gothic styles.

Church of Santa Anna A church, just off La Rambla and Plaça de Catalunya, which retains some of the original Gothic elements. Its peaceful cloisters are the ideal place to get away from the noise and bustle of the city.

Barcelona Synagogue - Call de Barcelona The site where the city's grand synagogue once stood is one of the many secrets of Barcelona's Jewish Quarter, El Call.

MUHBA - Museu d'Història de Barcelona - El Call The building that was once a veil weaver's house is now the home of a branch of the city's history museum, the MUHBA, in the old Jewish Quarter, El Call. Its purpose is to provide an insight into the major contributions made by this community during the Middle Ages.

Museu Diocesà de Barcelona The museum is housed in a Gothic building that was once home to the Pia Almoina, a charitable religious institution set up more than a thousand years ago to help the poor. Standing right next to Barcelona Cathedral, it brings together a series of religious works from the Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance periods.

Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya An absolute must for any art lover. Situated in the unique setting of Montjuïc hill in Barcelona, the museum contains one of the finest collections of European religious art of the last centuries. It also has the world's most important collection of Romanesque paintings and extensive holdings of Gothic art.

Museu de Montserrat One of the finest museums in Spain which came about as a result of the donations and endeavours of the monk Bonaventura Ubach. The museum is part of the Montserrat Monastery complex in the unique setting of Mount Montserrat.

Barcelona, City of the Literature, a UNESCO City of Literature since 2015, which has a very special connection with the world of books. Many writers have been born or lived here, bringing the city to life through the eyes of their characters.

Hop-on Hop-off Bus /Tour Tour the city and see the sights with a hop-on hop-off bus tour, these run regularly throughout the day along multiple routes with tickets available for 24 or 48 hours.

Montserrat Monastery Take a tour of the monastery, located 48 km outside of Barcelona this 11th century monastery: half or full day tours with options including local food and wine tastings.

The Montjuïc cable car offers you a unique panoramic view of Barcelona. Get a bird’s-eye view of the entire city as you ride up to Montjuïc Castle.

You can also explore the city in an active and environmentally friendly way, by booking a cycling guided tour!

Women of Ciutat Vella walk There are so many ways you can visit Barcelona and from so many different view-points. This tour explores the city from a Woman's perspective.

Roman Route A tour of Roman Barcelona is a box of surprises containing archaeological remains dating from the time the city was established.

Modernista Route Barcelona and its home-grown art nouveau movement, modernisme, go hand in hand.

Gaudí Route Gaudí is a name associated with Barcelona who needs to be discovered while you admire his finest landmarks: a treasure trove of forms, ideas, symbols and fantasy which is hard to surpass. The Gaudí landmarks in Barcelona give a greater understanding of one of the most famous architects who ever worked in the city.

Picasso Route When the Malaga-born painter arrived in Barcelona he was only 14. The city offered him the art school, La Llotja, as well as the stunning light of the Mediterranean. Picasso donated a large number of his works to Barcelona which can be seen today at the city’s Museu Picasso.

Maritime Barcelona Route Discover Barcelona's millennia-old maritime tradition. The city has always been a crossroads of cultures, an open place with great places to walk, boat trips, architecture, museums, leisure attractions, shops, marinas, a fishing quarter, an Olympic park… and much, much more.

Gothic Quarter & Flamenco Discover one of Barcelona's most historic neighbourhoods, the Gothic Quarter, at dusk; one of the best times of the day to see the city. More than 2,000 years of history that will simply amaze you.

Ghosts of Barcelona Mysterious and spine-chilling stories, centuries-old legends, apparitions, hauntings … Get ready to experience the most ghostly side of Barcelona on this night-time tour of the hidden city led by an expert guide. Are you bold enough?

Tasting Barcelona Food and Wine Tour Walking tour of the Gothic Quarter combining the history of the city linked to food and the tasting of tapas and wines at some of the old town's foremost bars and restaurants.

Maritime Barcelone Discover Barcelona's millennia-old maritime tradition. The city has always been a crossroads of cultures, an open place with great places to walk, boat trips, architecture, museums, leisure attractions, shops, marinas, a fishing quarter, an Olympic area… and much, much more.

Beaches, The Costa de Barcelona has 28 Blue Flag beaches. Barcelona has accessible beaches, with Wi-Fi and excellent amenities and services inviting you to enjoy the Mediterranean Sea throughout the year.

Barcelona Sail Adventure The ideal tour if you want to go sailing and take part in manoeuvring the boat while you learn about the city's history.

Sunset on Board a catamaran and live music Come and enjoy the sunset in Barcelona on board a catamaran sailboat with live music. Enjoy the city from the sea with rhythm.

Las Golondrinas Climb aboard this iconic pleasure boat and discover the port of Barcelona: a world full of surprises.

Surf and turf, bike and sail experience Combine two of the best ways to discover the city: through a sailboat in the morning, and a wooden bicycle tour just as the day ends, to enjoy Barcelona from land.

Sea baptism Discover a new world under the surface and enjoy the fascinating underwater world of Mataró, a few kilometres from Barcelona.

Kayak Skyline Barcelona Enjoy a kayak experience along the coast of Barcelona with this guided tour where you will discover many of the city's icons.

SUP Yoga on the sea Enjoy a sunny morning doing SUP yoga on the sea. Unite body and mind, in a unique environment, the sea.

Casa Batlló 10D Experience An immersive experience to rediscover Antoni Gaudí's modernist jewel. Immerse yourself in the mind of the brilliant architect, and experience what he felt at the time he created his masterpiece.

Catalunya en Miniatura & Bosc Animat A family theme park, in Torrelles de Llobregat, where you can see giant models of Catalonia's major monuments, buildings and main sights. You'll also be able to rediscover the forest in a different way, using zip wires, ropes and other apparatus.

El Poble Espanyol An open-air museum comprising full-scale replicas of 117 buildings from different parts of Spain.

Parc d'Atraccions del Tibidabo A place for fun, surprises and entertainments, with rides and attractions for young and old, for the wary and most daring.

PortAventura World Parks & Resort Fun is guaranteed at the biggest theme park in Spain.

Family workshops Making things together brings you together! Pick a workshop where you can be creative with the family and enjoy the feeling of well-being you get from making something with your hands. At the trencadís and mosaic workshop you'll be able to emulate Gaudí, making a souvenir with pieces of ceramic.

Zoo de Barcelona A living spectacle with animals from around the world.

The Indoor Jumping Club Barcelona A unique leisure attraction of its kind in the city. More than 40 trampolines, interactive lighting, four Olympic trampolines, interactive walls, an airbag, battle bar and jumping smash.

L'Aquàrium of Barcelona in Port Vell is one of Europe's biggest marine leisure and education centres. Its mission is to provide visitors with a greater understanding of undersea life with 11,000 marine animals from 450 different species.

Ghosts of Barcelona Mysterious and spine-chilling stories, centuries-old legends, apparitions, hauntings … Get ready to experience the most ghostly side of Barcelona on this night-time tour of the hidden city led by an expert guide. Are you bold enough?

Family-friendly parks, Barcelona's parks allow all the family to unwind and enjoy themselves. You can wander among leafy groves and shady areas, fountains and ponds.