Major city · Spain
Cardona
Spend a half‑day in Cardona: visit the Salt Mine and Castle, then grab a quick lunch; you can fit it in a day trip from Barcelona.
Cardona is a small Catalan town about 90 km north of Barcelona. Its main attractions – the historic Salt Mine and the hill‑top Castle – are close together and can be seen in a few hours, making it suitable for a day‑trip from Barcelona or a brief stop on a longer Catalonia itinerary.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–June, September–October
- avoid July–August (heat, crowds)
- Airport
- BCN
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
- Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
- Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Cardona091 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cardona, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Spain-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEU and EEA plans roam at home prices; UK and other plans may charge — check before you land.Spain-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe across the mainland; it tastes of chlorine in some coastal areas.Spain-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; service is not usually added.Spain-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Spain-wide
- SafetyCardona is a quiet town with low crime; usual precautions apply, especially at night on the hill.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee).Spain-wide
- Emergency numbers091 police · 061 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall shops close about 14:00–17:00 and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Small shops close about 2:00 PM–5:00 PM and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Spain-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBCN Barcelona El Prat (≈1 h 15 min drive to Cardona via C‑55).
- Getting aroundNo public transport inside town; walk between sights (5‑10 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€1.20–2.00 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedParador de Cardona double room, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- Mid-range bedHotel Bremon single room, a night, per room€70 (≈ US$85)
- High-end bedHotel Bremon single room, a night, per room€70 (≈ US$85)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €40 (≈ US$50) · Mid €75 (≈ US$90) · High €130 (≈ US$160)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BCN Barcelona El Prat (≈1 h 15 min drive to Cardona via C‑55)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Apr (9 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cardona: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No public transport inside town; walk between sights (5‑10 min). Reach Cardona by car on the C‑55 from Barcelona (≈1 h 15 min).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Cardona Salt Mine
goDoor to door: ≈2 h total
Drive or bus on C‑55 from Barcelona, 1 h 15 min; walk 5 min from town centre
Tours run daily except Monday; check schedule.
Cardona Castle
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Walk uphill from town centre, 10 min
Free entry; open most days.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Bremon
3‑star, edge of old town; €70 single room (2026 estimate).
Parador de Cardona
4‑star hotel inside the castle; price check.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €30–50 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- Mid
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel Bremon single room1 × 1 night × €70 | €70 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × €40 | €40 |
| Car fuel Barcelona–Cardona round trip1 × €30 · check | €30 |
| Salt Mine tour entry1 × €12 · check | €12 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €15 |
| Trip total≈ €167 per person per day, bed included | €167≈ US$200 |
check
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €1.20–2.00 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Menu del día (lunch) | €9–12 (≈ US$11–14) |
| Bottle of local wine | €4–7 (≈ US$5–9) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Salt Mine tours are closed on Mondays; book ahead.
- Castle entry is free but opening hours vary; check locally.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 091
- Fire and ambulance
- 061
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CardonaCardona
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A aquesta adreça, si us plauTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police091
- Fire and ambulance061
Embassy
US consulate in Barcelona; Spanish consular services in Cardona via local town hall.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Barcelona → Cardona by car (C‑55): ≈€45 one way, 1 h 15 min (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gràcies — Thank you (ˈɡɾasjəs)
- Quant costa? — How much is it? (kwant ˈkɔstə)
- On és el bany? — Where is the toilet? (on ˈes əl ˈbaɲ)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cardona. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–June, September–October · avoid July–August (heat, crowds) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialWikidata Cardona
- secondaryWikivoyage: Cardona, revision 5040300 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Cardona
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