Tramvia Blau

The blue tram or Tramvia Blau opened in 1901 and takes you to the foot of Tibidabo funicular which gives way to spectacular views of the city of Barcelona. You can then take the funicular up to the top of Tibidabo mountain where you can find Tibidabo amusement park. The tram was built at the same time as the funicular to improve access to the park. It runs from Plaça de John F. Kennedy to Plaça del Doctor Andreu where you can admire the views before continuing by funicular to Tibidabo park.

History

The Tramvia Blau was built by Dr. Salvador Andreu and was completed in 1901. To begin with, it operated as a transport link for a residential project that Dr. Andreu was building around Avenida Tibidabo. The line connected to Barcelona city centre’s tram system in Plaça Kennedy but was independently owned. The lines distinctive blue livery led to it becoming known as the Tramvia Blau.

In 1954, line 7 of the metro opened to Avinguda Tibidabo station providing another connection to Barcelona city centre. Therefore, in the 1960’s, the Tramvia Blau was cut off from the city network. The Tramvia Blau continued in private operation until 1979 and by 2004 it was the only tram line in the city. The current owners are Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona, the main public transit operator in Barcelona.

Facts about the Tramvia Blau

The Tramvia Blau is almost 1.3km long and climbs a vertical distance of 93m up to the foot of the Tibidabo funicular. It runs through the Avinguda Tibidabo throughout, unsegregated from other traffic. Furthermore, a fleet of 7 historic tram cars operate on the line, the newest built in 1906! Each tram car has the capacity for 48 passengers and travels at a maximum speed of 13km/h.

The journey

The tram leaves from Plaça Kennedy and travels through the Avinguda Tibidabo. As the tram winds up the steep avenue you pass many modernista and noucentista buildings which line the street. On the other hand, as you climb higher, the buildings give way to nature and stunning views of Barcelona. The tram tends to get busy during the summer months and you may have to queue, however, the service is frequent. Travelling on the Tramvia Blau is a fun way to get to the Tibidabo amusement park and experience part of the history of Barcelona.

Information

UNFORTUNATELY THE TRAMVIA BLAU IS CLOSED AT THE MOMENT FOR ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE WORK.

A single journey costs 5.50€ and can only be purchased on board the tram. The tram runs every 15-30 minutes, however, running times vary depending on the time of year:

25 March – 7 April: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10 am – 7:30 pm

8 April – 17 April: Every day from 10 am – 7:30 pm

18 April – 23 June: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10 am – 7:30 pm

24 June – 11 September: Every day from 10 am – 7:30 pm

12 September – 27 October: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10 am – 7:30 pm

28 October – 24 March: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10 am – 6:15 pm.

How to get there:

Address: Avinguda del Tibidabo 1, 08022 Barcelona, Spain.

Metro: L7 to Av. Tibidabo.

Bus: 123, 131, 196, V13, V15

If you need to find accommodation during your stay in Barcelona, then visit www.barcelona-home.com.