wheelchair accessible review of barcelona
DESCRIPTION
While it still has its challenges, Barcelona disabled access is better than most cities in Europe. Consequently, I gave it a 5 Star Sage Accessibility Rating which is my highest rating.TRANSCRIPT
Wheelchair Accessible Review in Barcelona
http://www.sagetraveling.com/barcelona-disabled-access
www.sagetraveling.com
While it still has its challenges, Barcelona disabled access is better than most cities in Europe. Consequently, I gave it a 5 Star Sage Accessibility Rating which is my highest rating.
www.sagetraveling.com
Barcelona Sage Accessibility Rating
Cobblestone smoothness 4
Cobblestone abundance 5
Flatness (lack of hills) 4
Proximity of sights to each other 3
Accessible Public Transportation 5
English Spoken 4
Overall Accessibility 5
Quality of sights/town 4
Quantity of sights 3View Rating Explanation
www.sagetraveling.com
With the right amount of planning, any disabled or senior traveler can enjoy the magnificent sights in Barcelona. This presentation will give you an idea of some of the Barcelona disabled access challenges you might face. And of course you can use our accessible Barcelona trip planning services for a customized accessible vacation!
www.sagetraveling.com
Best Aspects of Barcelona Disabled AccessOne of the most cobblestone-free medieval quarters
Many European cities are built around a medieval city center, and Barcelona is no exception. However, unlike Paris, Bruges, Siena, and Istanbul, Barcelona has very few cobblestones! (photo of Gothic Quarter shown on right) Wheelchair users will have a much smoother ride!
www.sagetraveling.com
Numerous accessible Metro stationsBarcelona’s metro system is far more accessible than its counterparts in Paris, London, Istanbul, and Rome. It’s not quite as accessible as Athens, but disabled visitors will often find elevators to reach the metro platforms.
www.sagetraveling.com
Wheelchair accessible paths at the beach Barcelona disabled access at beaches is some of the best I’ve encountered anywhere in Europe. There are ramps to get from the sidewalk down to the sand, and there are wooden paths to get to the water (shown in the photo on the left). Wheelchairs designed for the sand (shown in the photo on the right) are available.
www.sagetraveling.com
Flat city center Although mountains (and ocean) surround the city, most of Barcelona is flat. Manual wheelchair users and slow walkers will love the lack of hills!
www.sagetraveling.com
Watch John Sage describe accessibility in Barcelona’s city center
www.sagetraveling.com
All public buses are accessibleAll of Barcelona’s bus lines use buses with wheelchair ramps. They are quite easy to use and do a decent job of connecting the tourist attractions.
www.sagetraveling.com
Many modern hotels with good accessibility Accessible hotels in central Paris are housed in 200 year old buildings, and few have been made fully accessible. In Barcelona that’s not the case! Many accessible Barcelona hotels (even in the city center) use modern buildings with flat access at the entrance and roll-in showers. Disabled travelers will have numerous accessible hotels to choose from!
www.sagetraveling.com
Many accessible cruises leave from hereCruising is one of my favorite ways to travel and it’s one of the most accessible ways to vacation! Many wheelchair accessible Mediterranean cruises depart from Barcelona which makes this a great city to visit for 2 or 3 days before heading out to sea! Photos of the Barcelona cruise port and the accessible Barcelona cruise terminal are shown below.
www.sagetraveling.com
Worst Aspects of Barcelona Disabled AccessBarcelona’s gondola is not accessible
Barcelona’s gondola from Montjuic Hill to the harbor offers great views but unfortunately it has steps a both the harbor end and the Montjuic end (shown in the photo).
www.sagetraveling.com
While most of Barcelona is flat, visitors will encounter some hills during their trip. The Olympic Stadium is located on Montjuic Hill, and Gaudi’s Park Guell is also located on a hill.
Hills at some tourist sights
www.sagetraveling.com
Just like any other city in Europe, lines can be very long to get into the main attractions. In Barcelona, this is particularly true at Sagrada Familia and the Picasso Museum. If a few cruise ships are in port, the waits can take more than an hour.
Long tourist lines
www.sagetraveling.com
There are several steps leading to the elevator which is very small. For “safety reasons” wheelchair users and other disabled visitors are not allowed to use the lift. A photo of the stairs is shown on the left.
Stairs before the elevator to the Sagrada Familia tower
www.sagetraveling.com
Similar to bus tours in London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Athens, and Dublin, the bus tour is wheelchair accessible but you won’t hear much enlightening narration. Famous sites will be pointed out but you won’t learn why they are important or significant…usually just who built them and the year they were built.
Bus tour narration is mediocre at best
www.sagetraveling.com
Many of the tourist attractions are located inside or near the Gothic Quarter but several require transportation to reach. Gaudi’s Park Guell is over 4 km away from the Gothic Quarter (route shown on the map below)
Tourist attractions are not within walking distance
www.sagetraveling.com
While most of the Metro stations have elevators, some of them near the major tourist sights poor Barcelona disabled accessibility. For example, there are no elevators at the Placa de Espanya station on the L3 line and the Juame I station on the L4 line near the Picasso Museum.
Metro is not always helpful for tourists
Call Us: 1-888-645-7920
We look forward to making your accessible dream vacation a reality!
Contact us at [email protected]
http://www.sagetraveling.com/barcelona-disabled-access