3 perfect days in Barcelona
You may not be able to conquer Barcelona in three days, but you sure can cover a lot of ground.
With this itinerary, you’ll wander medieval streets, explore Art Nouveau masterpieces, and dance until dawn. If that sounds exhausting, don’t worry, we’ve built in breaks to rest, recharge, and sightsee while you’re chilling—think catching rays beachside and downing endless rounds of tapas.
To make sure you can fit it all in, we’ve organized this itinerary by location, so you don’t lose too much precious time in transit. And we’ve gone to the experts—that is, Tripadvisor reviewers—for hot tips on the very best of the city.
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DAY ONE
MORNING: A market breakfast and a morning ramble
Jumpstart your trip by skipping the hotel buffet—you can combine eating and sightseeing at the Mercat de la Boqueria. Choose from loads of fresh-squeezed juices at the various stands or try El Quim de la Boqueria’s sunny-side up eggs with octopus. Coming first thing in the morning means you can browse this centuries-old market before the afternoon crowd descends.
After you’ve zigzagged through the market stalls, exit out the east side so you can ramble along Las Ramblas, the pedestrian-only main street that marks the boundary of the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter). Admire the architecture and human statues but keep a hand on your things—pickpockets sometimes use the crowded streets to their advantage. Take a detour to see Palau Güell, a mansion by Art-Nouveau superstar Gaudi—it’s worth a visit inside if you have the time.
Travelers say: “If you’re on Las Ramblas then Mercat de la Boqueria is THE place to visit. It's a very colorful market selling almost every food you can think of. The shops in the end are [a] little cheaper than those in the front. If you are a serious buyer, then compare the price before you buy anything. We ended up buying a fruit platter which we enjoyed thoroughly.” —@BalkrishnaShroff
AFTERNOON: Gothic cathedrals and Medieval Streets
Plaça Reial, one of the city’s most popular squares, is lined with bars and restaurants like Restaurante Glaciar, the perfect place to chill out and people-watch while you chow down on seafood paella, a Catalan classic.
After lunch, continue east to explore the winding streets of Barcelona’s Ciutat Vella (Old City), which includes the Gothic Quarter. Basically, you can lose the map and see where you end up, but there are two things we wouldn’t miss: the Barcelona Cathedral and the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. For a fee, you can pop inside either or both Gothic wonders to check out the interiors and the views. The latter tends to be less busy.
MERCAT AND GOTHIC QUARTER TOUR OPTIONS
- On The Food, Wine and History Tour with Mercat de la Boqueria, guides hook you up with food and wine samples (come hungry) and take you on a trip through the Gothic Quarter. Between the three-hour tour and tasty bites, it ends up being a good deal. (Groups are limited to 12.)
- If visiting food markets gives you the urge to cook up a storm, you can pair your tour of the market with a cooking class where you learn how to select seafood for paella and how to make it—all while snacking on tapas and sipping sangria.
- Seeing the Gothic Quarter via tour is a smart move, since its maze-like streets are a lot to navigate, even with Google maps. From historical anecdotes to architectural gems, the 2.5-hour walking tour really delivers, and at an unbeatable price.
EVENING: Tapas and nightlife, Spanish style
If you didn’t eat tapas on your trip, did you even come to Spain? Barcelona has a small army of tapas restaurants ready to sample. For your intro to the scene, try Palosanto Tapa Bar in El Raval. Croquettes and octopus are some of the restaurant’s standout dishes.
Then pre-game for a night on the town with a wine flight at Zone d'Ombra, where you’ll get the chance to sip rich Spanish varietals and chat with locals. Be sure to linger over your Rioja, since Barcelona’s nightlife scene is slow to gather steam.
Now it’s time to consider your nightlife approach. The circus-themed Somnia FX Cocktail Bar serves up magic with a side of cocktails (not to mention free popcorn), while Harlem Jazz Club has live music most nights ranging from swing to soul. For the classic club experience, Sala Apolo is pumping until the wee hours. On the weekends, expect a packed dance floor and celebrity DJs on stopover from Ibiza.
DAY TWO
MORNING: Barcelona’s masterpiece
Start your day at Basílica de la Sagrada Familia—Barcelona’s can’t-miss monument that’s become shorthand for the city itself. You’ll need your stamina here as the cathedral is massive. It can also get mobbed with visitors and tour groups, so your best bet is to arrive right when it opens at 8 a.m., and leave yourself the full morning to take it all in.
Travelers say: “Sagrada Familia is stunning from the outside and even better when you get inside. The windows are out of this world. [Buy] tickets before you travel to avoid queues. This is a must-see when visiting Barcelona—you won’t regret it.” —@Ian J
SAGRADA FAMILIA AND GAUDI TOUR OPTIONS
- There’s a reason the Sagrada Familia tour gets a high rating by more than 800 Tripadvisor reviewers. Sure, it gives a fast-track entry. But on a deeper level, you’ll get the kind of storytelling that brings a place to life.
- Gaudi fanatic? You’ll be happy to learn you can bundle tours together for Gaudi’s top sites with the five-hour Complete Gaudi Tour, which takes you to Casa Batllo, Park Guell, Sagrada Familia, and other Gaudi sites.
- More of a Gaudi fan than a fanatic? The Sagrada Familia and Park Guell guided tour covers two major attractions in four hours—plenty of time to absorb it all.
AFTERNOON: A Basque detour and Gaudi galore
A 10-minute taxi or metro ride west of Sagrada Familia will bring you to L’Eixample, a neighborhood known for its phenomenal restaurants. Bite-sized “pintxos” are the local answer to tapas, and at Maitea Taberna you can get an education on these hot and cold bites. Order them with cider for the quintessential experience.
Once you’ve refueled, you’re ready to tackle more of Gaudi’s greatest hits. The Diagonal metro station is just one stop from your lunch spot. From here you can walk down the Passeig de Gracia, known for its Art Nouveau wonders and high-end shops. Check out Gaudi’s Casa Milà (aka La Pedrera) from the outside, then forge ahead to Casa Batlló, where you’ll see through the looking glass into Gaudi’s trippy fun-house architecture.
EVENING: The soccer stadium—Barcelona's other cathedral
Take the metro to the largest soccer stadium in Europe, Camp Nou, which can hold up to 100,000 screaming fútbol fans, all cheering for the home team, FC Barcelona. Even better if you manage to score tickets for “el clásico,” a.k.a. a game between eternal rivals Madrid and Barcelona. If your feet are weary from all the Gaudi, this is a great way to rest while still experiencing peak Barcelona culture.
Game time here is often around dinner time, so we’d opt for something not far from the stadium. El Racó del Cargol serves up all the Catalan dishes you love—patatas bravas, boqueron—and stays open late into the evening Tuesday through Saturday.
CAMP NOU TOUR OPTIONS
- Go behind the bleachers. A private tour of Camp Nou will get you access to the dressing room, the pitch, and the on-site museum—plus you’ll hear loads of sports stories.
- Superfans can opt for the behind-the-scenes Camp Nou tour with a sports journalist that gets top scores from Tripadvisor reviewers.
- Even getting out to Camp Nou can be part of the fun if you take the hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus.
DAY THREE
MORNING: Stunning stained glass and a city park
Start your morning at the Palace of Catalan Music, yet another Art Nouveau masterpiece. This UNESCO-listed concert hall feels like a fantasy, with bright mosaic tiling and epic stained-glass details, including a ceiling that practically drips over the main stage.
The Palace of Catalan Music should only take about an hour, so you still have the morning to explore Barcelona’s Ciutat Vella a bit more. For a breather from the hustle and bustle, wander through Ciutadella Park. Once the grounds for the World’s Fair, this large green space has a grand fountain, a boating lake, and even a zoo.
PALACE OF CATALAN MUSIC TOUR OPTIONS
- Included in the price of entry, the audio tour is the cheapest option and honestly pretty good. You’ll have to download it to your phone, and don’t forget to bring your own headphones.
- For a more personal experience and just a few more bucks, you can get a 50-minute guided tour. You’ll get up on the stage and still have time to explore on your own.
- Searching for something a little snazzier than a regular old tour? Check out the palace’s other tour and experience options—think an Art Nouveau escape room or a professional photoshoot.
AFTERNOON: Catching rays in Barceloneta
Tired of tapas? Never. Even among Barcelona’s countless tapas bars, the cozy El Xampanyet is a standout, with traditional bites like pan con tomate and Spanish omelet with chorizo, not to mention a drinkable house cava.
Post lunch, take transit or a 15-minute walk to Barceloneta, where you’ll get a feel for the beachy side of the city. Platja de la Barceloneta is the place to catch a sunbeam, rest your feet, and do a little boardwalk people-watching. If you’re in need of shade and a snack, the seaside Surf House Barcelona delivers with tasty bites and cool drinks.
Too chilly for a beach day? Hit an indoor attraction instead—we’d opt to admire the early work of a certain one-time Barcelona resident at Museu Picasso.
EVENING: A rack of lamb and a live show
Shake the sand off and head to dinner at Arcano for a little breather from tapas. Once a stable (notice the stone arches?), this meat-focused restaurant makes a mean rack of lamb, Catalan-style cod, and Argentine beef.
Post-protein bump, head back to where you began the day. It’s one thing to tour the Palace of Catalan Music, it’s another to see it in action. (Honestly, it takes both to truly do it justice, since you see spots on the tour you won’t see in concert.) Get tickets ahead for one of the shows, which range from classical music to flamenco.
Travelers say: “DO NOT MISS THIS! We went for an audio tour at the Palace of Catalan Music and were so blown away by the beauty and acoustics that we booked two tickets for the evening performance. It was SPECTACULAR! Music is a universal language so it didn't matter that we couldn't understand what they were saying. Pro Tip: Choose a seat on the orchestra level if you want to be able to see all the action on stage.” —@lesleyc64
Know Before You Go
Weather-wise, Barcelona’s best months are April through July, when the beaches are warm enough for a dip but the August heat hasn’t taken over. Like most European cities, the peak time to visit is summer, so opting for a spring visit in April or May or an early fall visit in September or October means you’ll get mild weather and fewer crowds. Winter brings chilly coastal winds, but hotel rates will be cheaper, and you’ll see the city decked out in holiday lights.
Most museums and galleries are closed on Mondays and lots of shops are closed on Sundays, so pick your days wisely, especially if you’re only visiting for a long weekend.
Mealtimes are often an issue for travelers who expect to have lunch at noon or dinner at 6 p.m. and arrive to a closed or empty venue. Eat when the Spanish do—a light breakfast, then a midmorning snack around 10 or 11 a.m. to hold you over until lunch at 2 or 3 p.m. Another 5 to 7 p.m. light bite will set you up to do dinner Spanish-style at 9 p.m. or later.
Also be aware that some shops still practice "siesta hours," closing in the 2 to 4 p.m. window. (Thankfully large global chain shops stay open throughout the day, should you need something urgently.)
Ciutat Vella (Old Town): Ciutat Vella spreads from the vibrant Raval neighborhood to Ciutadella Park, with the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas right in the middle, making it a great spot for sightseeing. One good option is Kimpton Vividora. It may sit squarely in the Gothic Quarter, but its rooftop pool brings those beachy vibes and lets you do a little monument-spotting from your lounge chair. More affordable options exist too, such as Motel One, with hip, cheery interiors and a solid location near top attractions.
Barceloneta: If you’re visiting when the weather is nice, why not make this man-made beach your homebase? The famed, sailboat-shaped W hotel sits at the very tip of Barceloneta’s peninsula. In addition to luxe digs and epic views, it’s also got a popular 26-story-high nightlife spot—Eclipse—that is being renovated.
L’Eixample: Several of Gaudi’s top attractions are in easy access from this neighborhood. Plus, you’ll find some of the city’s best shopping and dining. The Mandarin Oriental, with its world-class spa and incredible staff, is as ritzy as the street it sits on—Passeig de Gràcia, famous for its incredible Art Nouveau architecture and high-end shops.
Public transportation: Barcelona’s metro is safe, efficient, and eco-friendly to boot. It’lll get you around to all the city’s central neighborhoods (zone 1). A single ride costs only a few euros, with discounts for bundled rides like the 10-ride T-Casual card. To reach the Montjuïc neighborhood, you can also take the funicular or cable car, which has a stunning view of the city. Or ride the FGC trains for outer areas. Public buses are also an option, or you can take the more visitor-oriented hop-on, hop-off sightseeing buses.
By bike: Barcelona is crisscrossed with designated bike lanes, though certain neighborhoods are easier to bike in than others. (For example, L’Eixample's grid is a better bet than the Gothic Quarter’s maze.) Bikes are available to rent at various docking stations around town and can be spotted near major metro stops. Another good bet is a bike tour or an e-bike tour, which guarantees you’ll stick to those easier-for-cyclists routes.
By taxi: Taxis are fairly affordable in Barcelona (though still more expensive than public transit) with rates fluctuating, depending on hour of day. Note that Uber and Lyft ride-share apps do not operate in Barcelona.
Airport transfers: Taxis can also easily take you to/from the airport for a flat rate, though some travelers prefer arranging for an airport transfer ahead of time, which can take some of the stress out a dash to the airport. The dependable Aerobús airport shuttle connects airport terminals to the city center. Another option, the Press i Car limo service, gets high Tripadvisor ratings from over a thousand travelers.