Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and a well-known city on the Iberian Peninsula, is one of the most important junctionsfor flying by private jet thanks to El Prat, an international airport that provides VIP tourists with a range of services that make jet travel absolutely comfortable and quick.
The Spanish metropolis, known for its historical monuments such as the Sagrada Familia and Gaudi's sculptures scattered throughout the city, reserves for passengers on private flights numerous luxury lodging options, gourmet restaurants and high-class boutiques where they can indulge in wild shopping.
There is no shortage of museums and the most cultural areas of Barcelona, from the National Museum of Art of Cataloniato Montjuic Castle, via Parc Guell, a famous green area where you can relax and enjoy splendid panoramic views of the entire city thanks to the belvederes located within it.
The marvelous Barceloneta, the seaside promenade, gives tourists belonging to the elite class a multitude of exclusive beach clubs where they can sip delicious cocktails overlooking the sea while admiring the Catalan sunset that offers breathtaking views.
Whether you are traveling for business or simply for pleasure, chartering a private jet to Barcelona remains a comfortable option also because of the various destinations that can be reached from El Prat Airport.
But what about more specific info on this very unique travel solution?
Let's analyze them together on this interesting page!
Historical and geographical background on Barcelona
The urban agglomeration belonging to Barcelona includes both its center and a very large metropolitan area that allows the city to be the capital of Catalonia.
Its precise location is the largest plain in eastern Spain, which lies on the southern coast of the Mediterranean and beyond the Pyrenees mountain range that marks the border with France.
Although it is a rather flat area, all around the urban center of Barcelona rise several smaller mountains and peaks such as Montjuic, on which stands a fortress symbolic of the city.
Barcelona's history begins with the founding of its settlement by Iberian peoples around the 4th century B.C.; it was not long, however, before the Romans took possession and built the fortress of Montjuic that can still be visited today.
Later, the Catalan city came under the control of various peoples such as the Visigoths, Muslims, and Franks before Ludwig Pius, son of Charlemagne, founded the County of Barcelona.
It was during this period that the city reached its peak commercial and demographic development, soon becoming the political and economic center of the crown of Aragon.
The prosperous era ended with the outbreak of plague and famine, events that decimated the population for several years causing severe currency devaluation and triggering an unprecedented economic crisis.
In the following centuries, Barcelona rose again through military naval development and trade in precious metals with the American continent, despite the many civil wars of which it was the scene.
Today, the capital of Catalonia is a modern, cosmopolitan city capable of attracting any type of tourist, even the wealthiest, thanks to its scenic, cultural and artistic beauty.
What to do and see in Barcelona
La Rambla
The street artery par excellence in Barcelona, the one that divides the city and its historic center, is the Rambla, a very long avenue that starts at Plaza de Catanunya and ends at the statue of Christopher Columbus on the waterfront.
It is not only a popular promenade for tourists, but also a shopping street for wealthy tourists to buy luxury clothing, jewelry or precious goods in the many available boutiques belonging to the world's leading fashion houses.
Near the Rambla stands Sips Bar, Barcelona's most luxurious and exclusive cocktail bar: although it has only been open for a very short time, the venue is now assiduously frequented by VIPs looking for a relaxing moment to spend sipping the various drinks on offer in a refined setting.
Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia is not only the most important basilica in Barcelona, it is a true masterpiece of architecture despite being unfinished.
The marvelous exterior facades tell different biblical episodes through statues and open-air sculptures, while inside the view is splendid thanks to the presence of huge, highly decorated stained glass windows from which the light that filters in is tinged with hues that give the church a sacred and inimitable atmosphere.
Not far from the Sagrada Familia stands Mirabè, a cocktail bar located on the exclusive terrace of a skyscraper from which wealthy tourists can enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire city while sipping a great drink, an experience that becomes even more ecstatic if you do so at sunset.
La Barceloneta
La Barceloneta is undoubtedly the most glamorous neighborhood in the Catalan city despite the fact that it was formerly a fishing district.
Today, it is based on a very long promenade on which you can stroll especially at dusk or sunset, stopping at exclusive cocktail bars where you can sip tasty aperitifs.
On the rooftop of the Grand Hotel Central is the Sky Bar, a rooftop bar that is a destination for many celebrities and offers them a range of exclusive services, including an infinity pool and the opportunity to enjoy appropriately prepared aperitifs, all while admiring a marvelous view of Barcelona's historic center.
Top restaurants in Barcelona
One of the best eateries in the Catalan city is definitely Enoteca, a starred restaurant run by chef Paco Perez, who has devised a top-notch dining experience based on gourmet dishes made with highly sought-after ingredients, such as foie gras, Mediterranean tuna, and exotic seasonings.
Not only that, an honorable mention goes to Lasarte, a gastronomic experience that has allowed chef Paolo Casagrande's creature to be awarded no less than 2 Michelin stars; here, too, the dishes offered range from sea to land, allowing diners to sample delicious ingredients from culinary heritages around the world.
The best hotels in Barcelona
Among the most luxurious stay options in Barcelona is the Hotel Arts, a hotel belonging to the Ritz-Carlton circuit that features no less than five exclusive restaurants, as well as a large swimming pool and suites of absolute elegance with touches of both modernity and history.
Also worth mentioning is the Sir Victor, a luxury hotel that also features a rooftop terrace and a rooftop infinity pool, as well as the Mandarin Oriental, which offers a jacuzzi for each suite.
Climate and best time to visit Barcelona
Barcelona's prevailing climate is Mediterranean, marked by very hot summers and fairly mild winters.
The spring season is characterized by pleasant weather, with temperatures ranging from 12°C in March to 25°C in May; rainy days are very rare as sunny ones take over, making spring the best time to charter a private jet to Barcelona.
The Catalan summer is very hot and humid, with temperatures that can reach as high as 37°C during heat waves; this is the peak tourist season given the large number of travelers who spend their vacations in Barcelona.
The weather in autumn cools down quite a bit but still remains mild, with rainfall intensifying especially in October.
Finally, the winter period is characterized by temperatures that rarely fall below 8°C, although tourist attendance is drastically reduced.
How and why to fly by private jet to Barcelona
El Prat International Airport (ICAO code LEBL) which serves Barcelona is the second largest airport in Spain thanks to renovations and improvements since 1990 that have enabled it to register more than 300,000 flights each year.
The air terminal provides passengers of private flights with a terminal reserved for general aviation, also offering separate check-in counters, dedicated passenger assistance and drastically reduced waiting times.
Charter passengers also have access to a range of extras such as a very large VIP Lounge, independent customs services, meeting rooms, catering, separate boarding and free WiFi.
Barcelona Airport has no ban on night flying, as the runways present can guide jets either through visual or instrument flight rules, making travel in a private jet totally customizable and flexible.
The distance separating El Prat from the city center is about 15 kilometers, which can be covered by the various car rental services with or without a driver, but also by making use of the limousine service and helicopter transfer, means that make the move absolutely fast and comfortable.
How much does a private jet cost to Barcelona
One of the most important routes feasible by chartering a private jet to Barcelona is the route between the Catalan city and Palma de Mallorca, a leg separated by about 1 hour and 5 minutes of flight time.
The total cost of renting a Light Jet is around €6,000, while those of a Medium Jet and Large Jet are around €14,000 and €18,000, respectively.
Barcelona is also connected to Paris Le Bourget Airport from which it is about 1 hour and 45 minutes by flight; in this case, chartering a Light Jet involves an expense of about €9,000, a figure that rises to about €16,000 if you employ a Medium Jet and about €24,000 if you opt for a Large Jet.
Among the most popular routes is the one that allows you to get to Barcelona from Lisbon: the Portuguese capital is about 2 hours of flight time in total.
Employing a Light Jet involves a price tag of about 10,000€, just as employing a Medium Jet involves an expense of about 18,000€, and opting for a Large has a cost of about 27,000€.
The best private jet to fly to Barcelona
The Cessna Citation CJ2 is undoubtedly an extremely reliable and powerful light jet, thanks to the top speed of about 750 km/h it can reach, the 2600 km range it can cover, and the 6 seats included in the spacious interior cabin.
The luggage compartment can accommodate a maximum weight of about 500 kg, a parameter that allows passengers to organize their trip without any hindrance whatsoever.
Luxury and comfort are hallmarks of the Cessna Citation Sovereign, Medium Jet that increases seating to as many as 8, reaching speeds of around 800 km/h.
The maximum distance it can cover on a single full tank is about 4,000 km, while the spacious cabin ensures travelers very high levels of comfort.
Among the Large Jets, the Embraer Lineage 1000 deserves special mention, an aircraft that consists of as many as 16 seats and is capable of close to 900 km/h top speed.
The jet's range crosses the 7,000-kilometer mark, and with a cabin equipped with sofas and comfortable reclining seats with side tables, flying becomes an unforgettable and extremely comfortable experience.
The most frequent flights to and from Barcelona
Below of the most frequent connections with Barcelona:
