Calgary to Barcelona Flights

  About Calgary

Founded as a Rocky Mountain outpost, Calgary rose from rags to riches as one of Canada's high-end cities after it discovered oil in the early 1900s. Calgary is the commercial powerhouse of Canada and earned quite a reputation for itself after hosting the Winter Olympics. You will find a lot of conventional cowboys in the locality with the wide-brimmed hats and leather boots. You will get a taste of the cowboy culture here if you visit the city in summer for the annual Calgary Stampede. You will get to witness rodeo shows, music festivals and a lot of other events hosted during the Calgary Stampede. You will be treated to a wonderful scenery and some delicious food. There are museums, parks, zoos, everything you look for on a vacation when you visit Calgary. You can just rent a bike and explore the city on your own. No matter what season it is when you head to Calgary, you will always find something to do. The city is also known for its vibrant breweries, and you can't leave without treating yourself to a glass of beer or more. People here are quite friendly and welcoming. You will certainly leave with one or more new friends.

Best Time to Visit Calgary

Spring season hits Calgary in April and May. It is not the most popular season to visit Calgary since not only is the spring season quite short, but also, the melting snow only leads to an increase in moisture and humidity in the city. The parks and other tourist destinations can be quite muddy and wet. It is best to avoid travelling to Calgary during these months. This season is also when the city starts getting ready to welcome the tourists in summer. If you are still planning to visit the city during the spring season, you can get to attend events and festivals like Calgary Expo, Calgary Dance Stampede, The Electric Highway and Calgary Marathon. You can book a hotel in Calgary of your choice and convenience at the lowest price during this time since the demand is quite low. Do make sure you are carrying your monsoon footwear and an umbrella.

June to August is a high tourist season in Calgary for all the right reasons. The city experiences summer and a lot of events are hosted during this time of the year. You can go hiking up the hill or boating by the river. You can even plan a picnic in the parks here. The weather is just perfect to plan a picnic by the lake. The famous Calgary Stampede also takes place in July, and the city sees a lot of tourists buzzing in to witness it. Make sure you book your hotel in Calgary at least a month in advance since the prices increase and availability can also become an issue. You might also want to book your flight tickets to Calgary in advance. You can attend quite a lot of festivals and events during summer like the Lilac Festival, Calgary Stampede, Calgary Folk Music Festival, Calgary Fringe Festival, Calgary International Blues Festival and Calgary Pride.

September to October is the autumn season in Calgary, and it is a pleasant time to head to the city. You won't find a lot of tourists in the city as compared to summer. You will get a better deal on flights to Calgary and hotels, too. You can enjoy all the tourist attractions without having to wait in queues or amidst a lot of tourists. The evenings get pretty chilly, so make sure you also pack warm clothes. You can attend events like the Calgary International Film Festival, Wordfest: International Writers Festival and Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival.

Calgary experiences winter from November to March. This is an ideal time to visit Calgary only if you are a fan of winter sports. The Rocky Mountains are pretty accessible, and this is the best time for you to go skiing. You can attend events like the Calgary Winefest, Calgary Midwinter Bluesfest and Glow Winter Festival. You can easily get cheap flight tickets to Calgary in winter, and the hotel prices are also at their lowest. If you are a winter sports fanatic and on a budget, this is the perfect time for you to head to Calgary.

Places to Visit in Calgary

Calgary Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks and buildings in the city. The observation tower is about 190 meters tall and offers a magnificent view of the city. Prince Island's Park is another beautiful tourist attraction in Calgary that is worth visiting. You can plan a picnic in the park or go on a stroll to explore the park. You can catch the Calgary Folk Festival and Canada Day celebrations in the park here. Calgary Zoo is the best place to go to with your family. The zoo has about 1000 different species of animals including gorillas, pandas, lions and so on. Reaching the zoo is also quite convenient since it is pretty close to Calgary's C-Train. Fort Calgary is one of the historical monuments in Calgary that was built in 1875. This is the perfect place to head to if you are a history buff. You can plan an adventurous trip to the Rocky Mountains to ski, if it's winter, or go on a hike. You can take loads of pictures from up top.

Things to do in Calgary

Skiing at the Rocky Mountains is one of the main reasons why people plan a vacation to Calgary. You can also sign up for a sightseeing tour of the city. There is much more to Calgary than just the skiing slopes. You can head to the Calgary Zoo or visit the museums. You can also sign up for a tour of the Mountain Lakes and Waterfalls trip. Calgary is also known for its craft beers and food. If you don't plan on signing up for a food tour of the city, you can explore restaurants on your own. The Calgary Stampede is a very popular event and something you must witness at least once in your life. You can also try the local food from the stalls here at the event. The city is known for the locals who live their everyday cowboy life. You can also attempt to put on a cowboy outfit and blend in with the crowd during festivals. No matter when you visit the city, you will find some event or another to attend. You must definitely attend music festivals and concerts happening in the city during your holiday.

Food and Restaurants in Calgary

Calgary is known for Alberta beef, and it is the most popularly ordered dish in most restaurants. However, you can also try some of the local favourites like cheese buns from Glamorgan Bakery, mini doughnuts at Calgary Stampede or Calgary Mini Donuts, if you are not in town during the festival. You can also try the deep-fried ginger beef at Silver Inn Restaurant. It was invented here in the 1970s and became an instant favourite among locals. Another invention in Calgary was the Caesar cocktail. It is apparently made with hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Clamato juice, vodka and spices. Sounds adventurous, doesn't it? You can order the drink at Westin Calgary and other bars in the town. Vero Bistro Moderne and Gaga Pizza are some popular Italian and Canadian restaurants in the city. The Himalayan is the perfect restaurant to head to if you feel  like eating Asian, Tibetan or Nepali food. Santorini Greek Taverna serves the best Mediterranean and Greek food. The restaurant also has a very trendy decor, and you will love your dining experience here. Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant has a unique decor, and the ambience itself makes you want to sit there for some more time. The restaurant is popular for serving delicious Canadian cuisine.

How to reach Calgary (Transportation)

The Calgary International Airport is the fourth-busiest one in Canada. The flight connectivity to Calgary from India is quite good. KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, Air Canada have frequent flights to Calgary with layovers in Paris, Amsterdam, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Zurich and Frankfurt. If you book in advance, you might come across exciting flight deals to Calgary. The flight journey might be quite tedious since it takes more than 18-20 hours to reach Calgary from India. Make sure you pack everything that you need to be comfortable on your flight to Calgary. You can book a hotel in Calgary that is closer to the airport so you can avoid the commute or to catch an early flight. It will be quite easy and convenient to get a cab from the airport or to book a car rental service. The airport staff is pretty helpful and will give you certain tips to explore the city if at all you ask them about it. In case you missed out on some last-minute shopping, you can always buy souvenirs and gifts from the duty-free shops at the airport.

  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.