Barcelona vs Beijing - City Size Comparison

Is Barcelona Bigger Than Beijing?

Yes — Beijing is 162.5x larger than Barcelona by area. Beijing spans 16,411 km² (6,336 mi²) while Barcelona covers 101 km² (39 mi²) — a difference of 16,310 km². You could fit Barcelona inside Beijing approximately 162 times.

About Barcelona

A Mediterranean city known for Gaudi's architecture. Known as "The City of Counts", Barcelona covers 101 km² with a population of 1.7 million. The city was founded around 230 BC. Barcelona is known for Sagrada Família, Park Güell, La Rambla, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Barcelona Metro (TMB).

Gaudí's Sagrada Família has been under construction since 1882 and is expected to be completed around 2026

About Beijing

China's capital and political center. Nicknamed "The Northern Capital", Beijing has an area of 16,411 km² and is home to 21.5 million people. Its history stretches back to 1045 BC. Visitors come for The Forbidden City, Great Wall of China, Temple of Heaven, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Beijing Subway.

Beijing's administrative area of 16,411 km² makes it larger than many small countries

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Beijing metropolitan area covers 16,411 km², which is 20.4x larger than greater Barcelona at 803 km². The Beijing metro area is also more populous, with 21.5 million people compared to 5.6 million.

Population Density

Barcelona has a population density of 16,436 people per km² — an extremely dense urban environment. Beijing, with 1,313 people per km², is a relatively spread-out city. Barcelona is dramatically more crowded, with 12.5x the population density.

Climate & Time Zone

Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate while Beijing experiences humid continental conditions. When it's noon in Beijing, it's 5:00 AM in Barcelona — a 7-hour time difference.