How To Spend A Layover at BCN Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport

I just came off a two week trip across France and Spain with my son for his graduation present. The trip was a chance for him to spread his wings after years of learning French and Spanish in school, and for us to get to spend some quality time together.

We kayaked in the calanques of Cassis, we gambled in Monaco, we toured Barcelona, we walked the a section of the Camino del Norte, and we relaxed on the beaches just south of Barcelona.

It’s that last part that’s the key I want to focus on. If you have anything longer than a 3 hour layover at BCN Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, get out of the shopping mall terminal and get yourself to a beach.

Just a 15 minute cab ride or 30 minute bus ride west of Terminal 1 you will find the Platja de Castellfedels, a long stretch of sand to relax with your toes in the ocean and reams of beach friendly restaurants serving up everything from burgers and pizza to salads and Catalan cuisine. It is literally perfect.

The cab fare is about €28 each way, taking a bus will cost you about €5. Use Google directions to get the best route for you based on your layover at BCN.

Yes, you can also take the metro into Barcelona Sants and the main bustling city of Barcelona, but you’ll be in the crowds at La Rambla, the Gothic Quarter, or stretched for time if you try to make it all the way to the beaches of Barcelonetta.

Trust me, head to the west, head to the beach, and you can easily get a few hours of rest and fun while you wait for your connection.

After a week on camino, my son and I decided to take an extra day before flying home by just chilling at the beach. I used Booking.com to grab a beautiful apartment from Hotel Playafels just across from the beach to extend our BCN layover to a full 27 hours!

We chilled at the restaurants on the main drag, we walked the beach and dangled our toes in the Mediterranean, we just soaked up the last moments of vacation in the most relaxing way possible.