Tourism Barcelona turns its attention to the locals

A tour called Barcelona Panoramica will help residents rediscover their popular city

Starting today, Barcelonians will be able to hop on a double-decker bus and experience their city as if they were tourists coming from afar. The special tours which are designed by the transport authority of the Catalonian capital (TMB) to revive spirits after the lockdown, will be offered until 30 August.

Seeing your city with new eyes

One may wonder how this bus tour will be different from the ones that have been already crossing the city since 1987, given that the same red buses will be used. The idea this summer, as it has been gaining traction across the continent, is to stimulate domestic tourism. To that end the target mark will be the residents of Barcelona.

For one, instead of the recorded audio information, which is available on the usual routes, these trips will count on real tour guides to flesh out the visual experience. The tourists will be able to hear lesser known stories and anecdotes linked to the long history of the city.

For example, they might learn which building was the first to have running water or where the oldest public statue is located. All of these interesting stories will be told only in Spanish and Catalan.

What is more, the tour will be a continuous loop lacking the usual midway stops that are typical for the “hop on, hop off” buses. The route will begin, and end, at the Portal de la Pau near the Colombus monument, and will pass by many of the emblematic sights, among which the Old Port, the Sant Pau Hospital, the Sagrada Familia, Montjuïc Park and others.

Barcelona Panoramica will be offered only in the operating only during the weekends at 16:00, 18:00 and 20:00 making it possible for the families to go together when they have free time.

Ticket prices have also been set so as to provide a good value for Barcelonians. Adult tickets cost EUR 10, for children aged 4-12, it will be EUR 5, and everyone under 4 will hop on free of charge.

Tickets are limited, so it will be best to buy them online, although they can also be purchased at TMB ticket offices or at the starting point.