Here, you will find itinerary options for 1, 2, 3, or4 days in Barcelona, planning tips and much more. Let’s go?
1 day itinerary in Barcelona
Located in the northeast of Spain, there is no shortage of options for things to do in Barcelona . The city is full of countless tourist attractions , activities and things to do. Furthermore, it has a rich history, unique architecture and vibrant culture that make it one of Europe’s top tourist destinations.
With so much variety of attractions, it can be difficult to organize an itinerary in Barcelona for those who only plan to spend one day in the city. However, we managed to create an itinerary with some of the main tourist attractions that can be visited on an express trip.
Remembering that these are just our suggestions, they are based on what can really be done in just 1 day in Barcelona, it is up to you to add or remove activities according to your preferences and schedules.
Plaça de Catalunya
Plaza de Catalunya or Plaça de Catalunya is a good starting point for your day trip around the city. Located at the intersection of several important avenues, it is also a popular shopping area , home to one of Barcelona’s largest shopping centers: El Corte Inglés.
In the center of the square, you will find vegetation, sculptures and fountains. The tip to make the most of this place is to go early in the morning, when there is little movement and the cafes in this area are not very crowded, especially Café Zurich.
Las Ramblas
From Plaza de Catalunya, you can walk to Las Ramblas , a pedestrian-only thoroughfare in the heart of Barcelona. On this tree-lined avenue, which stretches for 1.2 km, you will find countless kiosks, flower stands, artists, living statues, restaurants and shops that delight all tourists.
There are numerous terraces and restaurants on both sides of Las Ramblas, which are delightful to sit and just watch people coming and going along the street while having a good drink. Furthermore, here you can also watch live concerts and painters who will sketch your portrait or caricature.
Boqueria Market
About halfway down Las Ramblas, you’ll find the Mercat Boquería or Mercado de La Boqueria, one of the largest and most famous markets in Europe . This attractive open-air market is filled with fruit, cheese, meat, seafood and lots of typical Catalan food.
This local market is one of Barcelona’s emblematic spots. It has existed since at least the middle of the 13th century, when it was made up of just small stalls selling meat near the city gate. I visited and I can say that it is worth visiting!
Gothic Quarter
After visiting La Boqueria Market, continue walking along Las Ramblas to the Gothic Quarter . There, you will discover treasures such as Barcelona Cathedral , as well as countless Roman ruins from how the city was inhabited by the Romans around two millennia ago.
It will likely take several hours to take in everything the Gothic Quarter has to offer. Because of this, it may be interesting to book a guided tour so as not to miss the main attractions in this area. I stayed in the area and you can find countless bars and restaurants, great for those who like a more lively nightlife.
Museum of the History of Catalonia
The Museum of the History of Catalonia is the next stop on our itinerary. Located in Barcelona’s Palau de Mar, it aims to present the history of Catalonia, from the earliest times to the present day.
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The museum has incredible permanent collections that show the evolution of Catalan society over the centuries, through themes such as agriculture, crafts, industry, popular culture, traditions and social movements. In addition, it has several educational activities and temporary exhibitions.
Holy Family
The Sagrada Família is a mandatory stop on your Barcelona itinerary. It is the city’s most iconic symbol and also the most famous work by Catalan Art Nouveau master Antoni Gaudí.
Its architecture is truly impressive, with a mix of Gothic elements and others inspired by nature, such as the pillars designed in the shape of tree trunks and stained glass windows that bring color and light to this stone forest.
2 day itinerary in Barcelona
Planning to spend 2 days, maybe a weekend, in Barcelona? During this period, you will be able to visit more interesting places in the city and immerse yourself a little more in Catalan culture.
For your first day, you can follow the itinerary in Barcelona that we indicated above. However, for the second, we recommend the following attractions:
Casa Batllo
After your visit to the Sagrada Familia, head towards Casa Batlló . This genuinely architectural work by Gaudí, was built in 1877 and remodeled in 1904, has a facade of colorful mosaics, a skeleton-shaped structure and a roof covered in curved ceramic tiles that resemble dragon scales.
Inside, Casa Batlló is just as fascinating as the outside, with walls decorated with colorful mosaics and stained glass, and even ceilings that look like ocean waves. This masterpiece by Gaudí is one of Barcelona’s most popular tourist destinations, a must-see for anyone visiting the city.
Port Vell
Your itinerary in Barcelona continues in Porto Velho or Port Vell in Catalan. The city’s old port has an esplanade lined with palm trees and public art, it is also one of the most picturesque areas of the city and the starting point for catamaran cruises along the port.
Barcelona
How about finishing your Barcelona itinerary by relaxing on the beach? There’s no better place to soak up the sun and sand than Barceloneta Beach, where you can gaze at the scenery, enjoy a mojito and play beach volleyball.
Barceloneta is the ideal destination to enjoy the beach and relax in Barcelona. Photo: Andrea Côrtes
Barceloneta is located in the Port Vell area of the city and is a great place to swim , sunbathe and enjoy the views. There are also a number of restaurants and bars in the area, so you can eat and drink whilst enjoying the views.
3 day itinerary in Barcelona
Barcelona is a bustling and beautiful city, famous for being the birthplace of Gaudí’s works, whose architectural masterpieces were inspired by nature.
With that in mind, the third day of the itinerary in Barcelona is dedicated to this great genius. But, if in addition to Gaudí’s works you are also a football fan, we’ve added a cool tip to end the day. Check out!
Park Güell
One of Barcelona’s most well-known sights and a masterpiece by Antoni Gaud, Park Güell is a must-see.Eusebi Güell ordered it in 1900 with the intention of building a posh home complex with gardens.
However, after a few years, the project was abandoned with only two houses completed. Gaudí lived in one of them for 20 years and today it houses a museum dedicated to his life and work that is open for visits. Although the buildings have not been completed, most of the public spaces and gardens are complete. Some of the park’s highlights include:
- Dragon Stairway;
- Porter’s Lodge Pavilion;
- Hypostyle Room;
- Laundry Portico;
- Greek Theater (from which you can enjoy fantastic panoramic views of Barcelona).
Casa Milá (La Pedrera)
Just a short walk from Casa Batlló, you’ll find another Gaudí masterpiece: Casa Milá . Also known as La Pedrera due to its stony facade, made of wavy limestone, it was commissioned by the Milà Family and built between 1906 and 1912.
The most intriguing part of Casa Milá is the roof, where Gaudí transformed the chimneys into stone warriors. Its iconic roof also offers excellent views of Barcelona and is a must-see for anyone admiring the architect’s creations.
Barcelona FC Museum
This tip is exclusively for football fans who want to learn more about an important part of Spanish culture. Instead of ending your day with a tour of Casa Milá, you can briefly visit the tourist spot and go to Camp Nou.
The home of FC Barcelona is the largest capacity stadium in Europe and many visitors are interested in visiting the Camp Nou , to see up close where their favorite players play. Of course, you can try to see a real match, but if that’s not possible, you can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium.
4 day itinerary in Barcelona
It’s your last day in Barcelona! But don’t worry, with the suggestion we’ve brought, you’ll be able to end your trip on a high note.
The idea of this last stage of the itinerary in Barcelona is to take a day trip to the Monastery of Montserrat. Find out more about this destination:
Montserrat Monastery
Montserrat Monastery is the perfect place for a day trip from Barcelona . Located just an hour’s train ride from the city, this Benedictine mountain retreat offers a peaceful and stunning atmosphere, ideal for taking in the stunning views.
Contrary to what many people think, Montserrat not only has religious importance, it also offers a series of interesting tours through the mountains. Here, you can admire the rock formations and picturesque landscape of Catalonia in all its splendor.
Attractions for more than 5 days in Barcelona
Barcelona truly is a unique destination, offering a wide range of exciting and original leisure activities that keep visitors coming back to explore more of the city.
So, if you decide to spend more than 5 days in Barcelona, we suggest you add the following attractions to your itinerary:
- Olympic Park;
- Barcelona Aquarium;
- Picasso Museum;
- Palau de la Música Barcelona;
- Casa Vicens;
- Poble Espanyol;
- Born neighborhood.