Barcelona to Edinburgh Brussel Airline Flights

  About Barcelona

Snuggled up by the Mediterranean Sea on the coast of Spain is the beautiful city of Barcelona. The Mediterranean metropolis is one of the largest in Spain and has global recognition as one of the best cities to vacation at. Barcelona is a world leader in the tourism, financial and cultural industries with a tremendous contribution towards fields of sports, entertainment, arts, fashion and science. Barcelona has excellent connectivity with various other European cities via domestic and international routes. In fact, through the port, many cities can actually reach Barcelona, in style.

The bustling energy of the city is something that can only be experienced in person and not just in movies. Barcelona's fervent atmosphere will marvel you, as will the enthusiasm of the locals.

Best time to visit Barcelona

Barcelona is a town of celebration which sees lovely hues and carnivals irrespective of the sticky humidity. The months from May to June are when the temperatures act extra favourable to the tourists and even the residents of the city. With temperatures close to 22 degree Celsius, the summers certainly add more charm to the place. Witness a flurry of festivities that envelop the city as the onset of summer brings varied hues with it. For people travelling from hotter countries, the weather would certainly be a treat. Thanks to the numerous carnivals that take place in the city during springtime, it definitely adds more reasons to visit Barcelona in the said season. Events such as Verbene de Sant Joan and Sonar are some of the festivals that you would enjoy during spring. Although the tourism activities drop come September, the temperature is quite pleasant as it ranges from 20 degree Celsius to 23 degree Celsius. With rains taking over the city, not many tourists are able to visit the beach. Being a coastal delight to many, the lack of beach time automatically reduces the tourist potential.

The summers easily become a high point in Barcelona's tourism. The months July and August especially see a throng of tourists relishing the Mediterranean sun while they hit the lush beaches. Due to this being the peak season, it is obviously going to come with some expensive flight tickets and accommodations. Events such as El Grec and Festa Major de Gracia further attract more tourists to the city. If you want a relaxing vacation which also falls under a good budget, spring is the time for you to fly to Barcelona. The city has exquisite accommodations and even Bnbs. You can book hotels in Barcelona's luxury hotels such as Almanac, W, Mandarin Oriental, The Serras, etc., or go for backpacking and check in to hostels. Either way, you will receive excellent treatment as the staff in Barcelona are quite friendly and happy-to-go.

Places to visit in Barcelona

Barcelona's beaches and coasts might take up most of your attention but do give the city's Catalan-styled infrastructure a peek too. The city has ornate churches, parks, museums and of course, sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea will marvel you. You can simply walk through the beautiful streets of Barcelona and check out some of their whimsical structures. Some of the flamboyant places to visit in the city include Park Güell, La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló. While you're venturing out to check out the city, do not miss Barri Gótic, which translates to the Gothic Quarter. These are the oldest parts of the city. The scenic city streets with alfresco cafes and clubs will definitely get your attention. To see the works of famed artist Pablo Picasso, visit the famed museum Museu Picasso, also located in the city. For the tourists who love the sport football and have a soft spot for FC Barcelona, visiting Camo Nu Stadium should be on your list of places to visit. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Barcelona's Palau de la Música Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music) will amaze you with stellar acoustics and architectural features.

Things to do in Barcelona

La Barceloneta Beach is undoubtedly the best and the most popular beach in Barcelona that you should check out. There are various water sport activities that take place on the beach, which would entertain you. You can even take surfing sessions or parasailing, to name a few activities. The beach also has some amazing restaurants and food establishments where you will find lip-smacking seafood. While you're having fun at the beach, you should also sign up for a wine tour, especially if it's harvest season. Not only will you get to relish some of the finest wines made in the country, but you'll also get to interact with people from different parts of the world. The city also has a great nightlife with pubs and parties, some even held at the beach. A walk down Las Ramblas will be a fun experience for you since they have some amazing shops for souvenirs and local artworks.

Food and restaurants in Barcelona

Barcelona's cuisine is a perfect melange of traditional Spanish and Mediterranean dishes. From delicious gazpachos to Catalonian classics, you will get the best food experience in Barcelona. There is a lot of history infused in their cuisine which makes their food, a trip of its own. While the rest of Spain is big on dishes made from meat, the Catalonian food has more fish as the base for meals. It would help you tremendously to know what to expect in terms of food in Barcelona. With heavy investment in meat, you should make sure that you have enough room to try their varied cuisine. Catalans have a thing for mixing meat and experimenting with the flavours of diverse meat. It shouldn't surprise you to see chicken and prawns being served to you on a platter. That is just the way they roll. Paella is, of course, the biggest seller in terms of Spanish food in Barcelona. In fact, even Fideuà, a type of paella, is a rage in Barcelona and something you should try. The food culture is another reason why Barcelona stands at a high rank in the list of best places to visit in the world.

While they do love their meat, the food served in Barcelona also sees a nice balance of grilled vegetables nestled against marinated meat. Vegetarians need not worry as there are dishes for your taste buds as well. One traditional dish that you should definitely check out is the escalivada, grilled eggplant tossed with red peppers, olive oil and garlic. Another recipe for the vegetarian folks is the pa amb tomàquet snack, which is basically a bread topped with crushed tomatoes, olive oil and garlic. Make sure to save some room for desserts as well. Savouries such as Mel i mató (extracted from goat cheese) to Cava (Catalan sparkling wine), these dishes complement the classic Catalan rendition of creme brulee, also known as crema Catalana. Some of the best places to indulge in the Catalan and Spanish cuisine are La Patsa Lab, The Coffee House Barcelona, BelleBuon, Billy Brunch. You can further explore more taste at Pizzeria Da Nanni Barcelona, Manna Gelats, Chaka Khan, La Cava Cakery, Don Kilo Restaurant, Teoric Taverna Gastronomica, to name a few.

How to reach Barcelona

By Air

Located on the South coast of Spain, the city can best be reached via air. There are many international routes connected to Barcelona via air, making travelling convenient. Barcelona El Prat International airport has brilliant flight connectivity from Barcelona to major international cities, including India. Although there are no direct flights to Barcelona from India, many flights connecting to the Spanish city with layovers in London, Zurich, Munich, Singapore, to name a few. As one of the biggest tourist attractions in Spain, the city of Barcelona sees a good number of tourists throughout the year. Flight tickets to Barcelona from India are a little expensive, especially round trips. However, if you manage to book your flight tickets beforehand, you might find some great online flight deals to Barcelona. This might even help you cover your accommodation expenses. As a city catering to tourists, often the hospitality and accommodation prices are quite steep. However, as long as you make prior hotel bookings in Barcelona, you will not have much to worry about. You can either opt for luxury stays or go for hostels and homestays.

By Rail

Flight tickets to Barcelona from India could be expensive since it is a high-priced city, to begin with. However, the flight tickets to Madrid from India are comparatively very cheap and affordable. What you can do as a substitute to save up on some euros and get the best of both cities would be to fly to Madrid and use Madrid's domestic rail route to Barcelona. There are many trains to Barcelona from Madrid, Malaga, Zaragoza, Seville and Valencia. Not to mention how Barcelona also has impeccable train connectivity to French cities such as Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse and more.

By Sea

Considering how it is of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona has great connectivity from the sea as well. There are many ships and cruises that connect the city with other European cities such as Rome, Nice, Marseilles, Corsica, Sardinia and more. If you are planning to backpack across Western Europe, then taking a boat or ferry ride to Barcelona from one of these city ports would be a fun voyage. Not to mention how you'll have a good time cruising the Mediterranean Sea.

  About Edinburgh

Edinburgh, which is also pronounced as Edinbruh by the Scots, is one of the most beautiful cities in Scotland. It is also a very popular wedding destination and deservedly so. You will fall in love with the city the moment you step foot in it. The lush greenery, magnificent castles and monuments are a treat to your soul and the eyes. It is the perfect holiday destination if all you want to do is relax and soak in the beautiful scenery. Time passes quite slowly in Edinburgh, and it is the perfect break from your otherwise hectic life. The city also hosts art exhibitions regularly, which is a treat to all you art lovers. You can also head to the beaches here and enjoy a breathtaking sunset or ride a bike along a riverside. If you are in the city with your significant other, the city itself adds a lot of romance to your trip.

Best Time to Visit Edinburgh

Summer is a high season in Edinburgh. The temperature ranges from 8 to 19 degree Celsius. You will find a lot of tourists buzzing around in the city during the summer. Booking a hotel in Edinburgh in this season can be quite expensive since it is peak tourist time. Make sure you do so in advance so you can find accommodation as per your convenience. The days are long, and the weather is quite pleasant. You can also attend a lot of festivals that take place in summer. It is also the festivals that make summer a popular tourist season. The Edinburgh International Festival includes theatre, music, performances. The festival lasts three days and celebrates performing arts. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival also celebrates performing arts from all over the world. It also has musicals and events for children. You can also attend the Edinburgh Military Tattoo that happens in August. Make sure you book your flight tickets to Edinburgh well in advance since the availability might reduce and the rates will increase at the last moment.

The city experiences the autumn season in September and October. It's quite pleasant and a good time to visit the city if you don't like a lot of crowds. The temperature ranges from 8 to 16 degree Celsius. There is a decent chance that you will get a good deal on flights to Edinburgh online during Autumn since it is not peak season. You can attend the International Storytelling Festival if you are visiting in October. None of your plans to go sightseeing or outdoor activities will get affected in this season either. You might even get to indulge in all of the activities at a minimal price.

November to March is winter in Edinburgh and the days are shorter than usual. The temperature reaches a maximum of 8 degree Celsius and drops to as low as 0 degree Celsius. This is a low season for the city, and there are high chances that you will get cheap flight tickets to Edinburgh. The hotel rates also drop considerably, which makes this the perfect season to visit Edinburgh if you are on a budget. January and February are the coldest months in Scotland. If you are in the city during Christmas, you are in for a treat. The city looks gorgeous during Christmas till the New Year's. April and May give you a certain relief from the cold months. You will see fewer tourists during this season, too. The hotel prices and flight fares are also low. The temperature ranges from 3 to 14 degree Celsius. It is a decent time to plan a trip to the city if you want to avoid peak season tourists and enjoy pleasant weather.

Places to Visit in Edinburgh

Settled on top of an extinct volcano, the Edinburgh Castle is one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the city. The view from the castle is stunning, and so are the interiors of the castle. You will fall in love with the architecture and structure of the castle. You can also visit St Margaret's Chao, Half Moon Battery and National War Museum if you are visiting the castle. After you are done exploring the castle, you can head over to Arthur's Seat, the highest point in Holyrood Park. The spot offers a mesmerizing view of the sea and the nearby tourist attractions. If it is more history and art that you are looking for, you can visit the National Museum of Scotland. You will find a lot of interactive displays and art exhibitions here that will leave you impressed and wanting for more. Catch the breathtaking view of the entire city of Edinburgh from the Carlton Hilltop. This is also a popular spot for locals to host musicals and comedy shows.

Explore the wildlife at Edinburgh Zoo. The zoo is home to over 1000 animals like the giant pandas, flamingos, koalas, chimpanzees and other species of animals. If you are visiting the city with your family, this is the perfect place for you to visit. Another recommended tourist spot for art lovers is the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. It is also a great place for aspiring photographers to head to if you are looking for inspiration. Queen's Gallery is another great tourist attraction in the city, that is situated in the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It was opened by the Queen in 2002 for the public, and you will find a lot of things from the royal collection on display here.

Things to do in Edinburgh

Going on a sightseeing tour to the Edinburgh Castle and the museums in the city is a popular thing to do. Edinburgh is also one of the best places for you to challenge the photographer in you. You will find a lot of great spots to take pictures and will fall in love with the city. It is best to explore the city on foot. Head to Old Town's Royal Mile or Holyroodhouse Palace. You can walk up to Arthur's Seat from the Holyroodhouse Palace to catch a stunning view of the city. There are quite a few events and festivals that take place during the peak season, and you cannot miss those at all. Take a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia to experience royalty at its best. It was where Princess Diana and Prince Charles honeymooned, and so did the Duke and Duchess of York. You can explore the yacht and be amazed at the interiors. Of course, you can also take quite a few pictures inside. One thing you must try in the city is their Scotch Whiskey. Head over to the Scotch Whiskey Experience to learn more about the spirit. It also has the largest collection of scotch whiskey of more than 3300 bottles. It is recommended that you go on a guided tour of the place.

Foods and Restaurants

Scotland is popular for a dish called Haggis, which consists of sheep's heart, liver and lungs mixed with oatmeal, onions and seasoning. You will find a lot of restaurants here that serve all types of international cuisine. From Thai food to Italian cuisine, you will do everything that suits your mood here. You must try the traditional British food like fish and chips or hamburgers. You can also head to some of the famous pubs and bars here for some fine whiskey or a glass of beer. The Elephant House is a highly recommended place for all you Potterheads. This is where J.K. Rowling spent her time writing some of the Harry Potter books. You will find a lot of testimonials and artwork by fans thanking the author for the series. You can also sign up for a guided food tour to get the best that the city has to offer in terms of food. Lynne's Scrumptious Snax is a very popular snack van in Edinburgh that you must try. It is the best place to go to if you want to grab a quick bite. If you want to try Italian food with a glass of wine head over to One20 Wine Cafe. Makars Gourmet Mash Bar is highly recommended for craft beers and healthy British and Scottish food. You will also come across a lot of cafes in the city that you must try.

How to reach Edinburgh

Edinburgh Airport is not very far from the city centre and is one of the busiest airports in Scotland. The flight connectivity to Edinburgh from India is excellent, though there are no direct flights to Edinburgh. Almost all flights have a layover in London, and it is one of the most popular routes to Edinburgh. Turkish Airlines and British Airways are the most popular airlines that frequently fly to Edinburgh. If you book in advance and during the right season, you will get cheap flight tickets to Edinburgh. The airport is well-equipped with lounges, prayer rooms, currency exchange, restaurants, cafes and shopping areas. You will not get bored if you have to wait a long time to board your flight. You will also get a taxi or bus to your hotel from the airport quite easily.

  About Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines, popularly stylised as brussels airlines, is the flag carrier as well as the largest airline of Belgium. The airline has its headquarters at Brussels Airport and is part of the Star Alliance and International Air Transport Association. Brussels Airlines came into existence in 2006, following a merger between SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express. Prior to the merger, Belgium had the Societé Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation Aérienne or SABENA which functioned as the flag carrier. However, after filing for bankruptcy in 2001, the airlines gave birth to SN Brussels Airlines, which took over parts of the shares from SABENA's assets in 2002. However, after yet another merger with Virgin Express, the airlines transformed into Brussels Airlines, the official flag carrier for the country. Operations of Brussels Airlines commenced in 2007 from Brussels Airport. In 2008, Lufthansa announced that it plans to acquire about 45 per cent stakes in the airlines. With the deal signed, Lufthansa also added a clause to make Brussels Airlines join the airline alliance, Star Alliance.

Soon in 2008, the International Civil Aviation Organization code for Brussels Airlines also changed from DAT to BEL. Lufthansa's proposal to acquire 45 per cent shares in the company went through in 2009 and eventually took up the rest 55 per cent in 2017. Brussels Airlines has expressed much of social interest towards African countries. They have even undertaken a few projects as part of their venture to enable uplifting the lives of people from the third-world nations. In 2009, the airlines stated that they would be working on coming up with a new airline called Korongo at Lubumbashi in Congo. The project kicked off in 2012 but soon shut down in 2015. This was a result of disagreement with Hewa Bora, the national airline for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Brussels Airlines has its registered office located at Elsene-Ixelles, Brussels. The airline is almost wholly owned by SN Air holding, a Belgian holding company. Meanwhile, Lufthansa holds 100 per cent shares of SN Air holding since 2017. According to the original deal formed between the airlines and Lufthansa, the German company would hold 45 per cent in the genesis of the airline while the remaining 55 per cent shall be acquired later. The same was implemented in 2017. After taking over all the shares in the airlines, Lufthansa also appointed Dieter Vranckx to take over roles and responsibilities from Christina Foerster as the CEO of Brussels Airlines. The airlines launched a few special liveries with Belgian Icon on its Airbus A320 fleet, representing a Rackham (a Tintin-themed aircraft), Magritte (an ode to the artist René Magritte), Trident (dedicated to the national football team of Belgian) and Amare (Tomorrowland Festival). In 2018, the airline also introduced a peppy aircraft with The Smurfs as its theme. Additionally, they also added an aircraft reserved for Flemish painter Bruegel.

Fleet size of Brussels Airlines

As of 2020, Brussels Airlines operates an all-Airbus fleet with 52 aircraft. Currently, the airline's fleet is dominated by Airbus A310-100 with about 22 aircraft and 16 Airbus A320-200. Out of all the flights in Brussels Airlines' fleet, they also have one aircraft with Star Alliance livery painted on it. Meanwhile, six of them are painted with the Belgian Icons liveries. Earlier, Brussels Airlines operated six British Aerospace 146s. However, they were withdrawn in 2008. Later in 2010, the airline included two Airbus A319-100s in its fleet. Airbus A320-200 became the first aircraft to join in 2011 with its first commercial flight taking off the same year. Brussels Airlines' fleet continued to expand following 2011 as the revenue from flights increased while the airline did rapidly cut costs. They further added six Airbus A319s, four Airbus A320s and two Airbus A330-200s. With this, they managed to get Boeing aircraft out of the fleet completely. In 2016, Brussels Airlines also started phasing out Avro RJ100 to replace them with more Airbus aircraft.

Brussels Airlines Baggage Allowance

Brussels Airlines follows a strict baggage allowance protocol. The airline makes sure to carry the set number of baggage for checked as well as hand luggage. For checked baggage, the airline requires the passenger to carry not more than 32 kg, which is a standard allowance that includes 23 kg for checked baggage and 9 kg of possible overweight. This is also the standard weight for business class travellers' luggage. The maximum dimensions should be no more than 158 cm and include wheels, pockets and handles. The checked baggage counter will help the passengers with their excess baggage woes if that does happen. The same can be found on their airline's baggage calculator that is present on their website. Some of the restrictions that one needs to adhere to while packing the checked baggage includes not carrying power banks, e-bikes, spare batteries, segways, hoverboards, drones and cameras and smart bags. You might also need to carry some of the fragile and perishable items along with you on board. These would include musical instruments, sports equipment, medical equipment and more.

There is a total of 2 hand baggage that are allowed for business class travellers. Out of this, the airline also allows an additional small bag that can carry a laptop or accessories in the handbag. The weight of the hand luggage cannot exceed 16 kg for business class travellers. As for the economy class, the airline allows one hand baggage and one personal accessory bag. The weight of these two bags collectively cannot exceed 12 kg. The airline's website also has a baggage calculator to help the passengers figure out how they can reduce the weight of their baggage. The maximum dimension of the bag for the overhead bin cannot exceed 55cm x 40cm x 23cm. The personal accessory bag should not exceed 40cm x 30cm x 10cm. The airline has limited space in the overhead bin, and hence all passenger should follow the protocol. Also, the size of the hand accessory should fit under the seat. Valuable items such as identity documents, medication and travel details should be carried in it.

Brussels Airlines In-flight services

Frequent-flyer programmes - Brussels Airlines is recognised to follow Miles & More programme which is a frequent flyer programme by Lufthansa. Miles can be earned on specific flights that are operated by the airlines and who are also part of the programme. Additionally, the flights that are operated under Star Alliance airlines can also earn the frequent flyer miles. Part of Brussels Airlines' deal is that the passengers can earn miles with non-airline partners too. The miles programme commenced in 2009, and since then, there have been many passengers and members who have raked in tremendous perks and in-flight benefits from Brussels Airlines. Their miles programme is quite beneficial as travellers can upgrade their cabin class and even rake in complimentary meals and lounge access at various international airports. Not to mention how some of the in-flight services at Brussels Airlines that economy class passengers cannot avail concerning baggage allowance and more become easier to access. Along with this, the airlines also provide perks through their customer programme called LOOP.

In-flight entertainment - The airlines offers two in-flight magazines that cater to the European network as well as the African network. Since the airline majorly caters to these two continents, the magazine's audience is predominantly European and African. The two magazines are called b-there! and B Spirit Magazine. They can be availed via PDF format on their respective websites but can also be downloaded on Apple iPad.

Other in-flight services - Brussels Airlines has some impeccable in-flight services to ensure the journey of travellers is comfortable. Flights that are North American or sub-Sahara African bound have exquisite movies, music and other entertainment available on the flight. The airline also offers a slew of good leather seating that caters to the comfort of the travellers. The legroom is also quite decent and perfect for those who have travelling woes, owing to the lack of leg space. The recline of the seats are also quite decent to help the passenger feel comfortable. There are provisions of USB ports on the seat for passengers to charge their phones, tablets and other electronic devices. There are meals onboard where the passengers are blessed with some traditional Belgian delicacies courtesy some of the star chefs from the country. There are light meal menus available such as a muffin and coffee.

Popular routes and top cities for Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines majorly caters to domestic routes in Europe with an immaculate network. However, the airline also connects to international routes in the African and parts of Middle East cities. Some of the top cities include Toronto, Prague, Parsi, Nice, Lyon, Berlin, Athens, Mykonos, Rome, Nairobi, Riga, Oslo, Saint Petersburg, Madrid, Stockholm, London, New York City and Washington DC.

Why travel by Brussels Airlines?

Brussels Airlines is ideal for travelling in Europe. If you do plan to reach some of the cities in the EU Union, Brussels Airlines is perfect. You can book a Brussels Airlines flight on all travel platforms, even in their codeshare airlines. Further, you can find out updates on the flight status and Brussels Airlines' flight schedule on their website. Web check-in is also a provision available on their site that makes it ideal.