Is a Barcelona Discount Card Worth It? Discover the Benefits

The Barcelona Museum Pass is a cost-effective option that provides free access to some of the best art museums in the city. In addition to this, the ARQUEOticket offers an even lower price but is limited to history-related museums. For those seeking a more comprehensive package, the Barcelona Card is the most inclusive option, though it may come at a higher price.

Overview of Barcelona Discount Cards

The offerings on these discount cards vary significantly. While the Barcelona Card may provide the most free activities, the quality of these activities can vary. Moreover, the inclusion of free public transport may not be as advantageous as it appears, considering the affordability of transit in Barcelona.

• Barcelona Card: Prices in 2019 ranged from 46€ for three days to 61€ for five days, which included access to 25 free museums and activities along with free public transport.
• Barcelona Museum Pass (Articket): Costing 30€, this pass offers free entry to six art museums and is valid for twelve months.
• Barcelona Card Express: Priced at 20€ for two days, this card provides discounts on numerous attractions in Barcelona as well as free public transport, but does not include free entries to museums.

For a complete understanding of which card is best suited for your visit, continue reading.

Barcelona Museum Pass (Articket)

• Price: 30€ for the Barcelona Museum Pass
• Duration: Valid for twelve months from the date of first usage.

What the Barcelona Museum Pass Gets You

This pass allows entry to six prestigious art museums in Barcelona, offering a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the city’s artistic culture.

Major Museums on the Barcelona Museum Pass

All museums listed below, excluding the Picasso Museum, are also accessible with the Barcelona Card.

• National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC): Standard entry without the card costs 12€.
• Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA): Standard entry costs 11€.
• The Joan Miro Foundation (Museu Fundació Miró): Entry without the card is 13€.
• Antoni Tapies Foundation (Fundació Tàpies): Standard price is 8€.
• Barcelona Centre of Contemporary Culture (CCCB): Entry is 6€.
• Picasso Museum: Typical entry is 12€, or 20.5€ with a temporary exhibition.

How to Get Your Money’s Worth from the Barcelona Museum Pass

The prices of individual museum entries are highlighted above. Generally, visiting three museums will allow you to recoup your entry price. Therefore, you should aim to visit at least four museums to start saving money.

Normally, the combined entry price for these six museums would be around 57€.

What the Barcelona Card Gets You

This card offers a broader range of benefits. However, it is priced higher and limited to a short duration of use.

As of 2019, the Barcelona Card, available for 46€ for three days and 61€ for five days, provides free admission to 25 museums. Be sure to confirm with the vendor for the latest offerings.

Major Museums That Are Also on the Museum Pass

Prices in parentheses are normal admission fees:

• Museu CCCB (6€)
• Museu Fundació Miró (11€)
• Fundació Tàpies (8€)
• Museu MACBA (11€)
• National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) 12€
• Picasso Museum (12€)

Major Museums Only On the Barcelona Card

• Museu Caixa Forum (entry varies)
• Cosmocaixa (3-5€)

Other Museums Only On the Barcelona Card

• Museu Chocolate
• Museu del Modernisme Català
• Museu Egyptian
• Joan Antoni Samaranch Olympic Stadium
• El Born Cultural Centre
• Botanic Garden of Barcelona
• Museum of Design
• Music Museum
• Santa Maria de Pedralbes Royal Monastery
• MUHBA El Call
• MUHBA Placa del Rei
• MUHBA Refugi 307
• MUHBA Roman Sepulchral Way
• Ethnological and Cultural Museum of the World – Montcada and Parc de Montjuïc
• Museu Frederic Marès
• Museum of Natural Science
• Olympic and Sports Museum

Discounts With the Barcelona Card

Discounts may change, so it’s advisable to check when purchasing.

• Variable Discounts: Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya (2:1), Cripta Gaudí de la Colònia Güell, Fundació Vila Casas: Museu Can Framis i Espais Volart, Fundació MAPFRE, Golondrinas, Mirador de Colom, Torre de Collserola.
• 60% Discount at Torre de Collserola
• 50% Discount at various walking tours and attractions, including Barcelona Genuine Shops and Gaudí Exhibition Center – Museu Diocesà.
• 40% Discount at Museu del Perfum
• 30% Discount at Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya
• 25% Discount at Casa Vicens, Palau Güell
• 22% Discount at Museu de l’Eròtica
• 20% Discount at multiple attractions, including Audioguide Sant Pau Recinte Modernista and the Barcelona Night Tour.
• 15% Discount at Free Sailing Experience Bcn

How to Get Your Money’s Worth

At a cost of 12€ to 15€ per day, visiting a major museum and utilizing the metro multiple times (with metro tickets priced at about 1€ each for a 10-ticket pass) is necessary to achieve savings. Aim to visit at least two museums daily to ensure cost efficiency.

Barcelona Card and Museum Pass (Articket) Compared

To derive value from the Barcelona Card, you should plan to visit at least two museums each day out of the available twenty. Conversely, for the Museum Pass (Articket) to be justifiable, you should intend to experience at least four of the featured museums during your trip.

Barcelona Card Express

The most economical option is the Barcelona Card Express, available for 20€ for two days. This card includes unlimited public transport and discounts on over 100 attractions throughout the city.

However, it may still prove challenging to maximize your investment. Assuming you utilize five metro journeys per day, that adds up to 10€, requiring you to save an additional amount through discounts elsewhere.