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City guide

Barcelona

“The Catalan Capital”

A Mediterranean port with a medieval core, a grid of Modernista fantasy above it, and a beach at the bottom. Barcelona is Catalan first and Spanish second, and it packs Gaudí, great food and the sea into a city you can cross on foot.

Type City (regional capital)Elevation 12 m / 39 ftPopulation 1,660,000Metro Area Population 5,700,000Settled -15

Why go

  • Gaudí and the Modernistas gave one city a skyline of buildings that exist nowhere else — the Sagrada Família above all.
  • The Gothic Quarter's medieval maze and the Eixample's ordered grid sit side by side, and both are walkable.
  • It is a serious food and drink city — from Boqueria market and pintxos bars to some of the world's best restaurants.
  • Few big cities put a real city beach a metro ride from a cathedral.

History

Founded as the Roman town of Barcino, Barcelona grew rich as a medieval Mediterranean trading power and the capital of Catalonia. Industrial wealth in the 19th century funded the Eixample expansion and the Modernista movement — Gaudí, Domènech i Montaner — while a fierce Catalan identity survived centuries of tension with Madrid, including Franco's suppression of the language. The 1992 Olympics remade the waterfront and turned a working port into one of Europe's most visited cities.

Major sights

Sagrada Família
Gaudí's still-unfinished basilica, unlike any church on earth inside or out. Book a timed ticket well ahead — walk-ups are turned away.
Indoor
Gaudí's mosaic terraces and gingerbread gatehouses on a hill with a city-and-sea view. The monumental zone is ticketed and timed; the surrounding park is free.
Outdoor
Casa Batlló & La Pedrera
Two Gaudí apartment houses on Passeig de Gràcia — the dragon-scale façade of one, the wave-stone and rooftop chimneys of the other.
Indoor
Barri Gòtic & the Cathedral
The medieval old town — narrow stone lanes, hidden squares and the Gothic cathedral with its cloister of geese. Best simply wandered.
Outdoor
The great covered market off La Rambla — jamón, seafood, juices and a few standing counters for lunch. Go early, eat at the back.
Indoor
Barceloneta beach
The city beach and the seafood quarter behind it — a swim, a paella, and the boardwalk toward the Olympic port.
Outdoor

When it rains

Picasso Museum
The artist's early work, strongest on his Barcelona years, in a run of medieval palaces in the Born. Book ahead.
Indoor
A Modernista concert hall of stained glass and mosaic — take the tour, or better, catch a concert.
Indoor
MNAC (National Art of Catalonia)
Romanesque frescoes and Catalan art in the palace on Montjuïc, with a terrace over the city — a full wet afternoon.
Indoor
A vermouth bar
The Barcelona rainy-day institution: house vermouth on tap, olives and conservas, somewhere in Gràcia or the Born.
Outdoor

Must-see attractions

77 more attractions in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Where to stay

Pg. de Gràcia, 38-40, Eixample, 08007 Barcelona, Spain · mandarinoriental.com
Indoor
Plaça Rosa Del Vents 1, Final, Pg. de Joan de Borbó, 08039 Barcelona, Spain · marriott.com
Indoor
Pg. de Gràcia, 113, Gràcia, 08008 Barcelona, Spain · elpalauet.com
Indoor
La Rambla 111, Carrer del Pintor Fortuny, 4-6, 08001 Barcelona, Spain · marriott.com
Indoor
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 668, Eixample, 08010 Barcelona, Spain · hotelpalacebarcelona.com
Indoor
Carrer dels Capellans, 4, Ciutat Vella, 08002 Barcelona, Spain · barcelonacatedral.com
Indoor
Carrer de Mallorca, 251, Eixample, 08008 Barcelona, Spain · hilton.com
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C/ de Padilla, 173, Eixample, 08013 Barcelona, Spain · hotelglories.com
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C, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 304, 08004 Barcelona, Spain · hotel-brickbarcelona.com
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Carrer de Pelai, 28, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona, Spain · cataloniahotels.com
Indoor
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 642, Eixample, 08007 Barcelona, Spain · hotelgranvia.com
Indoor
Carrer dels Lledó, 7, Ciutat Vella, 08002 Barcelona, Spain · mercerbarcelona.com
Indoor
Via Laietana, 30, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain · grandhotelcentral.com
Indoor
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 550, Eixample, 08011 Barcelona, Spain · cataloniahotels.com
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Rambla de Catalunya, 26, Eixample, 08007 Barcelona, Spain · nh-hotels.com
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Av. Diagonal, 414, Eixample, 08037 Barcelona, Spain · barcelo.com
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Carrer de Còrsega, 373, Gràcia, 08037 Barcelona, Spain · staygenerator.com
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Carrer de Déu i Mata, 69-99, Les Corts, 08029 Barcelona, Spain · nh-hotels.com
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Carrer de Pelai, 3 Parking:, Ronda de la Univ., 4, 08001 Barcelona, Spain · hoteljazz.com
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Pl. dels Països Catalans, s/n, Sants-Montjuïc, 08014 Barcelona, Spain · barcelo.com
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Carrer de València, 154, Eixample, 08011 Barcelona, Spain · barcelonacentury.com
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Pl. de Catalunya, 7, Eixample, 08002 Barcelona, Spain · h10hotels.com
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Carrer de Mallorca, 661, Sant Andreu, 08027 Barcelona, Spain · arcelonhotel.com
Indoor
Passeig de Garcia Fària, 37-47, Sant Martí, 08019 Barcelona, Spain · barcelo.com
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Carrer de Guillem Tell, 49, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08006 Barcelona, Spain · polgracehotel.es
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Pg. de Gràcia, 84, Eixample, 08008 Barcelona, Spain · royalpasseigdegraciahotel.com
Indoor
Carrer de Roger de Llúria, 60, Eixample, 08009 Barcelona, Spain · cataloniahotels.com
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Pla de Palau, 19, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain · hoteldelmarbarcelona.com
Indoor
Carrer de Bergara, 3, Eixample, 08002 Barcelona, Spain · st-christophers.co.uk
Indoor
Rambla del Raval, 17, 21, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona, Spain · barcelo.com
Indoor
Carrer de Còrsega, 541, Eixample, 08025 Barcelona, Spain · hotelsagradafamilia.com
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Av. d'Icària, 195, 196, Sant Martí, 08005 Barcelona, Spain · sb-hotels.com
Indoor
Carrer de la França Xica, 38-40, Sants-Montjuïc, 08004 Barcelona, Spain · lafransatravellers.com
Indoor
Carrer d'Aragó, 577, 579, Sant Martí, 08026 Barcelona, Spain · cataloniahotels.com
Indoor
Av. Pallaresa, 73, 79, 08924 Hb004484, Barcelona, Spain · all.accor.com
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Carrer de Llull, 170, Sant Martí, 08005 Barcelona, Spain · travelodge.es
Indoor
Carrer de Mallorca, 290, Eixample, 08037 Barcelona, Spain · thebookingbutton.co.uk
Indoor
Pl. de Pius XII, 4, Les Corts, 08028 Barcelona, Spain · hyatt.com
Indoor
Carrer de la Diputació, 234, Eixample, 08007 Barcelona, Spain · sansibarcelona.com
Indoor
Carrer de Pelai, 62, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona, Spain · hotelmonegal.com
Indoor

Restaurants & places to go

. Medieval, Modern and 20th-century Art. Panoramic views of Barcelona. Twitter: @MuseuNac_Cat Blog: http://blog.museunacional.cat/ · museunacional.cat
Indoor
beach clubs · Perfect urban oasis to explore a 360 experience in Barcelona. # Puroexperience . Urban oasis in the middle of Barcelona. We’ll be looking… · purobeach.com
Indoor
Cafe · Private museum about chocolate Opening hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-19:00; Su 10:00-15:00 Wikipedia: ca:Museu de la Xocolata · museuxocolata.cat
Indoor
Fine Dining, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 13:00-15:00, 20:00-22:00 Wikipedia: ca:Disfrutar · 163 Carrer de Villarroel, 08001 · disfrutarbarcelona.com
Indoor
Spanish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 13:00-01:00 Features: vegetarian options Wikipedia: ca:Set Portes · 14 Passeig d'Isabel II, 08003 · 7portes.com
Indoor
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 13:00-15:30, 20:00-22:00 Wikipedia: en:Alkimia · alkimia.cat
Indoor
Catalan, Bistro, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating Wikipedia: ca:Bar Glaciar · 3, Barcelona, 08002 · restaurantglaciar.com
Indoor
Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 08:30-02:30; Fr-Sa 08:30-03:00 Features: step-free access Wikipedia: ca:Fàbrica de cervesa Moritz · 41 Ronda Sant Antoni · moritz.cat
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Fr-Sa 07:30-23:00; Su-Th 07:30-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 10 Rambla de Catalunya, Barcelona, 08007 · starbucks.co.uk
Indoor
Brunch, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:30-23:00 Features: air conditioning · 23 Carrer de Roger de Llúria, Barcelona, 08002 · alsurcafe.com
Indoor
Tapas, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 13:30-15:30, 20:30-22:30 · 230 Carrer de Provença, Barcelona, 08008 · gresca.rest
Indoor
Hot Dog, Sausage, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We 12:00-01:00; Th 12:00-02:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-03:00; Su 12:00-01:00 Features: vegetarian options, air… · hotfrankfurt.com
Indoor
Mediterranean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 14:00-23:00 Features: step-free access, air conditioning · 21 Carrer de Roger de Llúria, Barcelona, 08010 · iconbcn.com
Indoor
Italian, Restaurant · napolitano Opening hours: Mo-Su 13:00-16:00; Su-Th 19:30-23:00; Fr-Sa 19:30-23:59 Features: step-free access · 25 passeig Sant Joan,… · grossonapoletano.com
Indoor
Seafood, Galician, Tapas, Restaurant · Popular seafood restaurant and spanish tapas since 1993. Opening hours: 11:00-1:00 Features: outdoor seating, step-free… · pulperiagudina.com
Indoor
Pizza, Restaurant · pizza para llevar Opening hours: Mo-Su 19:00-23:00 Features: takeaway, delivery, step-free access · 548 provença, Barcelona, 08025 · alainpizza.es
Indoor
International, Restaurant · Organic restaurant with one Michelin star Opening hours: Mo-Sa 13:30-16:00, 20:30-23:30 · 5 Passatge de Marimon, Barcelona, 08021 · tribuwoki.com
Indoor
Japanese, Restaurant · All you can eat restaurant. Reservation is recommendable. Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-16:30, 20:00-24:00 · 268 Via Augusta, Barcelona,… · kyoka.es
Indoor
Mexican, Restaurant · Mexican restaurant Opening hours: Tu 19:00-22:00; We-Sa 13:00-16:30, 19:00-22:00; Su 13:00-16:30 · 90 Carrer del Concili de Trento · lacalacabarcelona.negocio.site
Indoor
Pasta, Salad, Spanish, Italian, Restaurant · 1 of 4 restaurants in El Nacional. homemade pastries, assorted salads, fresh pasta or healthy bowls. For the… · elnacionalbcn.com
Indoor
Argentinian, Restaurant · Resto-Bar Argentino Opening hours: Tu-Th 13:00-15:30,20:30-22:30; Fr 13:00-15:30,20:30-23:00; Sa 13:00-16:30,20:30-23:00; Su… · retruco.es
Indoor
Asian, Sushi, Japanese, Restaurant · Menjar japonès amb ànima, urbana, perfeccionista en la seva aparent senzillesa i amb un lleuger accent occidental.… · robata.es
Indoor
Burger, Restaurant · Típico local familiar de comida rápida con hamburguesas, bocadillos y salchichas de jabalí y carnes diversas. Cerveza artesanal. Opening… · tiojoe.es
Indoor
Salad, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-22:00; Sa, Su, PH 08:30-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 41 Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona, 08007 · faborit.com
Indoor
Sushi, Japanese, Fast Food · Opening hours: 13:00-22:00 Features: delivery, step-free access · 153 Carrer Gran de Gràcia · kibuka.com
Indoor
American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 11:30-01:00; Fr-Sa 11:30-01:00 Features: vegetarian options, step-free access · 21-22 Plaça Catalunya, Barcelona,… · hardrockcafe.com
Indoor
Organic, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:30-22:00 Features: vegan options, step-free access, air conditioning · 3 Rambla de Catalunya, Barcelona, 08007 · honestgreens.com
Indoor
Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Su-Th 12:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-00:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 261-263 Carrer del Comte d'Urgell, Barcelona, 08029 · kfc.es
Indoor
Empanada, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00 Features: takeaway · malvon.es
Indoor
Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-23:00; Su 11:00-23:00 Features: takeaway, delivery, vegan options, step-free access · 2-14 Avinguda de la Via… · pansandcompany.com
Indoor
Arab, Local, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-02:00 · 25 Carrer dels Escudellers, 08002 · cafearabiabarcelona.com
Indoor
Peruvian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 13:00-23:00 · 99 Carrer del Comte d'Urgell, 08011 · linktr.ee
Indoor
French, Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 13:00-15:30, 20:30-23:00 Features: outdoor seating · 142 Carrer de Pau Claris, 08009 · entrecote.fr
Indoor
Italian Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Fr 20:00-23:00; Sa-Su 13:00-23:00 · 401 Carrer del Consell de Cent, 08009 · gardenpizza.cat
Indoor
Cake, Japanese, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 15:45-20:00; Sa 09:30-13:30 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options, step-free access, air conditioning · 15… · japonia.es
Indoor
Latin American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu 18:00-01:00, We 18:00-01:00, Th 18:00-01:00, Fr 18:00-01:00, Sa 13:00-17:00, Sa 18:30-02:00, Su 13:00-17:00, Su… · kiltrobcn.com
Indoor
Barbecue, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:30-00:30 · 138 Carrer de la Indústria, 08025 · laselvabarcelona.com
Indoor
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Mo 12:30-16:30, We-Mo 20:00-24:00; Tu off Features: air conditioning · 57 Avinguda de Josep Tarradellas, Barcelona,… · restaurantemacao.com
Indoor
Steak House, Burger, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:30-00:30 Features: halal · 603 Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 08007 · limousinsteakhouse.com
Indoor
Lebanese, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 14:00-23:00; Su 12:00-18:00 · 52 Carrer de Valldonzella, 08001 · instagram.com
Indoor
Georgian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 13:00-00:00 Features: outdoor seating · 179 Carrer d'Aribau, 08036 · kinzabcn.es
Indoor
Ice Cream, Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-We 13:00-23:00; Th-Fr 12:00-00:00; Sa 10:30-01:00; Su 10:30-00:00 · 51-59 La Rambla, Barcelona, 08002 · rocambolesc.com
Indoor
Syrian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 13:00-00:30; Fr-Sa 13:00-01:00; Su 13:00-00:30 Features: step-free access · 69,71 Carrer de Bruniquer, Barcelona,… · ugarit.es
Indoor
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 12:30-16:00, 19:00-23:00 Features: vegan options · 323 Carrer de Lepant, Barcelona, 08025 · holanepal.es
Indoor
Ethiopian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 20:00-00:00; Sa-Su 13:30-16:00, 20:00-24:00 · 44 Carrer del Vallespir · addis-abeba.es
Indoor

374 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) 12 km to the centre
Barcelona, CT, ES — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 69 airlines (Iberia Airlines, Vueling Airlines, Ryanair, easyJet…) · direct flights to 163 destinations incl. New York, London, Palma de Mallorca, Vienna, Amsterdam… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 69 airlines, 163 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Sabadell Airfield 16 km to the centre
Sabadell, CT, ES
Outdoor
Igualada/Odena Airfield 48 km to the centre
Barcelona, CT, ES
Outdoor
Manresa Airfield 49 km to the centre
Manresa, CT, ES
Outdoor
Calaf-Sallavinera Airfield 64 km to the centre
Sant Pere Sallavinera, CT, ES
Outdoor
Aeròdrom d'Avinyonet 33 km to the centre
Avinyó Nou, CT, ES
Outdoor

Regional airports

Further out, but often the cheapest way in — the airports the low-cost carriers use. Each links to its own town's guide for getting from there into the city.

Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO) 76 km to the centre
Girona, CT, ES — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 4 airlines (Ryanair, Transavia Holland, Wizz Air Ukraine, Harmony Airways) · direct flights to 49 destinations incl. Alghero, Amsterdam, Beauvais, Bergamo, Billund… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 76 km from Barcelona · Ryanair, Transavia Holland, Wizz Air Ukraine · Getting around Girona →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 4 airlines, 49 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Reus Airport (REU) 87 km to the centre
Reus, CT, ES — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 4 airlines (Ryanair, Jet2.com, Transavia France, Harmony Airways) · direct flights to 16 destinations incl. Manchester, Bristol, Belfast, Birmingham, Brussels… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 87 km from Barcelona · Ryanair, Jet2.com, Transavia France · Getting around Reus →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 4 airlines, 16 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor

Getting there by ferry

Moll de Drassanes
Ferry terminal · 2 km from the centre · Alsa
Outdoor
Barcelona-Terminal F2
Ferry terminal · 2.4 km from the centre
Outdoor
Terminal Marítima Internacional Sud
Ferry terminal · 2.4 km from the centre
Outdoor
Moll de Llevant
Ferry terminal · 3 km from the centre · Alsa
Outdoor
Barcelona-Terminal F3
Ferry terminal · 3.1 km from the centre
Outdoor
Terminal F1 Balearia
Ferry terminal · 4.7 km from the centre
Outdoor
Bus Nàutic
Ferry route · Alsa
Outdoor
Barcelona – Nador
Ferry route
Outdoor
Barcelona – Alcúdia
Ferry route
Outdoor
Barcelona - Alcúdia
Ferry route
Outdoor
Barcelona – Ciutadella
Ferry route
Outdoor
Barcelona - Ciutadella
Ferry route · Baleària
Outdoor
Barcelona – Palma
Ferry route
Outdoor
Barcelona - Palma
Ferry route
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – June, September – October

Warm, swimmable and lively without the August furnace. Late May and September are ideal — sea still warm, crowds thinner.

Shoulder season
November – April

Mild Mediterranean winter — cool but rarely cold, quiet museums and lower rates. Good for city walking, less so for the beach.

Worth avoiding
August

Hot, humid and packed, with many locals away and some smaller places shut. The beach and Gaudí queues are at their worst.

Getting there & around

Getting there. El Prat (BCN) is 15–35 minutes to the centre by Aerobús, metro L9 or the R2 train; low-cost flights sometimes land at Girona or Reus, an hour-plus out. Sants station runs high-speed trains to Madrid (2h30) and to France; it is also a major Mediterranean cruise port. By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Moll de Drassanes, 2 km); routes include Bus Nàutic, Barcelona – Nador, Barcelona – Alcúdia.

Getting around. Walk the old town and Eixample — the grid is deceptively large but flat and pleasant. The metro is cheap, fast and covers the sights; buy a T-casual multi-ride ticket. Biki bikes and taxis fill the gaps. Watch your pockets on La Rambla and in the metro — pickpocketing is the city's one real nuisance.

Local transit

Metro, bus · Barcelona's metro and bus network. · Fares: T-casual or Hola Barcelona card · Airport: Metro L9 Sud or the R2 Nord train from El Prat
Tram · Barcelona · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)
Tram · Barcelona · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data

Trains & rail

Rail operator
Rail operator
National rail

Coaches & shuttles

About seven and a half hours; the AVE train takes two and a half. · Madrid guide →

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.

Tours & experiences

Sightseeing