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Get inspired for your trip to Barcelona with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

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• 3-Day Barcelona Itinerary
• 4-Day Barcelona Itinerary
• 5-Day Barcelona Itinerary

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10D Barcelona Itinerary for First Timers — Road Trip Around the Best of Catalonia

This epic Barcelona itinerary goes beyond the city. Go skydiving in Girona, hiking in Montserrat, and see first-century Roman ruins in Tarragona!

Updated on 16 Feb 2022.

Like most first-timers to Spain, my knowledge of Catalonia was limited to its capital — Barcelona. I looked forward to seeing Gaudi’s works and eating lots of tapas.

But this trip proved there’s so much more to the region surrounding Barcelona. There are dormant volcanoes to hike into, quirky museums (from some of the most brilliant artists in the world) and even Game of Thrones filming locations!

For those unfamiliar with Catalonia, here’s a short introduction: Catalonia is made up of four regions — Barcelona , Girona, Tarragona, and Lleida.

Despite being part of Spain, Catalonia has its own flag, language, and traditions not found anywhere else in the country. Like the sport of building human towers (below), Castells!

Castells are under the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage list!

Good news for those hoping to visit as well; Singapore announced a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) with Spain ! Read on for our 10-day itinerary exploring Barcelona and surrounds.

Pre-trip Essentials

Photo credit: @angelacompagnone via Unsplash

COVID-19 related:

Entering Spain — You’ll need the following documents: 1) 48 hours pre-departure: Complete the Spain Travel Health Form to receive a QR code. You’ll need to present this upon arrival in Spain. 2) Before check-in: Download your Digital Vaccination Certificate via  Notarise .

Catalonia’s COVID-19 page here.

Returning to Singapore (Update as of 22 Feb 2022) — Travellers entering Singapore (citizens included) via the VTL are required to take a supervised ART within 24 hours of arrival.

Do check the latest VTL requirements when planning your trip.

Social distancing restrictions: Most facilities and events are back at 100% capacity. Face masks must be worn indoors and some outdoor locations such as amusement parks.

More pre-trip essentials below such as where to get data and a Google maps with all the locations pinned!

Barcelona and Surrounds Itinerary Overview

This 10-day Catalonia road trip itinerary covers highlights in the Barcelona, Tarragona, and Girona regions in a clockwise direction.

Day 1-3: Barcelona

We spent six weeks based in Barcelona as part of Airbnb’s Live Anywhere Program and still left feeling like there’s so much more left to see!

If you’re only in Barcelona for a few days, here’s what you shouldn’t miss:

La Sagrada Familia

No Barcelona itinerary would be complete without seeing the Sagrada Familia — Gaudí’s last and arguably greatest work. 40 years of his life was dedicated to building the Sagrada Familia, and his last 12 years were spent working solely on it up till his death in 1926.

The interior is unlike any other church. Our eyes were immediately drawn to the ceiling — massive granite columns branching up to the sky. Gaudí’s main inspirations were nature and light and every detail in the church reflected that!

The church is still undergoing construction and was slated to be completed by 2026, but will most likely be delayed due to the pandemic. Entrance includes a detailed audio tour, but you can book guided tours (€49) as well.

Entrance fee: €26 , €24 for those under 30 years old — tickets can only be purchased online) Opening hours: 9AM – 6PM How to get there: Take the L2 or L5 metro line to Sagrada Familia station. Alternatively, take bus 19, 33, 34, 43, 44, 50, 51, B20 or B24 and get off at the Sagrada Familia stop

Park Güell 

Park Güell is another Gaudí must-see in Barcelona. The most iconic part of the park is the Terrace, an excellent vantage point overlooking the city decorated with vibrant mosaic tiles!

The project was intended as a private estate for upper-class families in 1900, but was bought over by the City Council in 1922 due to the lack of interested buyers. No complaints there because Park Güell can now be enjoyed by everyone!

Other notable photo spots here include the Greek Theatre , Dragon Stairway , and Hypostyle Room .

Entrance fee: €10 (~S$15.43) — purchase online beforehand as there are time slots for entry Opening hours: 9:30AM – 5:30PM How to get there: Take the L3 metro line to Lesseps or Vallcarca stations and walk 20min from either station. Or, take bus H6 or D40 and walk 10 min.

Casa Batlló

Photo credit: @casabatllo via Instagram

Glimmering scaled-roofs and mask-shaped balconies; the exterior of Casa Batlló stands out like a sore thumb — in the best possible way. The interior is no less fascinating. For one, you’ll find no straight lines! Every door, window, and tile exudes character, creating Casa Batlló’s lively personality.

Entrance includes a free audio tour sharing the history of Casa Batlló and Gaudí’s inspirations while designing it.

Entrance fee: €35 (~S$54), free for children under 12 — tickets can be purchased online or in-person Opening hours: 9AM – 6:30PM (Tue – Thu), 9AM – 8PM (Fri – Mon) How to get there: Take the L2, L3 or L4 metro line to Passeig de Gràcia station or bus H10, V15, 7, 22 or 24 and walk 3min

Singapore has Orchard Road , Barcelona has La Rambla . This 1.2km-long street stretches from Plaça de Catalunya to Port Vell at the coast. Beyond big brands like Primark and Zara, there’s also street artists and performers here!

*Pro-tip: Take your time to explore the side streets. There are loads of charming bakeries and vintage shops (See Carrer de Tallers street) in the area.

Opening hours: Most shops close by 9PM, but restaurants open till much later How to get there: Take L1 metro line to Catalunya (exit at the beginning of La Rambla at Plaza Catalunya) or L3 metro line to Liceu (exit in the middle of La Rambla)

La Boqueria Market

Boqueria Market isn’t just a colourful feast for the eyes. Salami and cheese bouquets, fresh fruits, and local pastries are some gems you’ll find! We enjoyed snacking on street food, but a highlight was stopping at one of the seafood bars for tapas.

We settled at Ramblero for some calamari, mussels, and grilled octopus. The bill came to €38 (~S$58), but verdict — we’d gladly return for more.

Spoiler — we actually did return. Couldn’t leave without trying their seafood platter (€60) 😂

*Pro-tip: Some stalls start closing around 4PM so it’s good to go earlier!

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 8AM – 8:30PM (Mon – Sat, Closed on Sun)  How to get there: Take the L3 metro line to Liceu station. The entrance of La Boqueria is located on La Rambla

If you’d like to explore markets the locals frequent, Barcelona has 38 other food markets scattered all over the city! Just the Eixample district alone has a few — like Ninot Market , and Sant Antoni Market .

Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter , or Barrio Gothic, is one of the best places to visit in Barcelona. It’s one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city — a labyrinth of bars, shops, and timeless architecture.

Walk the same streets as Picasso , who frequented the restaurant Els Quatre Gats as a young artist in the 1900s. It was here he held one of his first exhibitions! The Gothic Quarter is also home to Barcelona’s oldest restaurant, Can Culleretes  — a family-run eatery since 1786.

In the area, be sure to visit the Cathedral of Barcelona , the Bishop’s Bridge (first photo) and Plaça Reial (second photo).

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours How to get there: Take the L3 metro line to Liceu station. The Gothic Quarter is located opposite La Boqueria.

Hot Chocolate and Churros

Churros con chocolate (Churros with chocolate) is a must-try in Barcelona. And no, it’s not quite the hot chocolate you’re used to — more like pure, sinful melted chocolate to dip the churros in. There are many places selling this snack but one of our favourites was Churrería Laietana !

Cost: €1.70/serving (+ €2 for a cup of melted chocolate) Opening hours: 7AM – 1PM, 4:30PM – 8:30PM (Mon – Fri), 8AM – 1:30PM (Sun), Closed on Sat Address: Via Laietana, 46, 08003 Barcelona

Accommodation in Barcelona (3 Nights): Stay in the Exiample or Gothic Quarter area for easy access to the main attractions. Our Airbnb was located in Exiample and had several dining options nearby.

Read also: 16 Best Things to do in Barcelona Besides the La Sagrada Familia

Day 4: Tarragona

Rent a car in barcelona and drive to tarragona.

Distance: 97.6km  Drive time: 1h 13min

The first stop on this Catalonia road trip is Tarragona, a coastal city famous for well-preserved ancient Roman ruins. It was the first Roman stronghold in Spain, dating back to 218 BC.

Look up car rentals via doyouspain.com and opt to pick it up from Barcelona Sants (train station). We got a five-seater SUV with automatic transmission from OK Rent A Car at €153 (~S$236) for six days (excl. zero excess for insurance).

PortAventura World

PortAventura Park

Start the road trip on a high with a visit to PortAventura Park . This thrill-seeker’s paradise has 43 rides across six themed worlds so you won’t be able to cover them all in a day.

Our favourites were the big coasters like Furius Baco, Shambhala, Dragon Khan, and El Diablo. Despite the long estimated waiting times for the rides, we waited no more than 15 minutes for most of them.

Ferrari Land

Right next to PortAventura Park is another theme park — Ferrari Land , whose main attraction can be spotted from afar. The ride Red Force stands at an intimidating 112m and goes from 0 – 180km/hr in just five seconds. Ferrari Land is much smaller and can be covered in just half a day.

If we had to pick just one park, it’ll be PortAventura Park. It’s almost three times bigger, with a lot more rides.

Entrance fee: From €48 (PortAventura Park), from €20 Ferrari Land). Alternatively, pay €58 for both parks Opening hours: Varies Address: Av. Pere Molas, Km 2, 43840, Tarragona

Accommodation in Tarragona (1 Night): Our Airbnb was located right in front of Mercat De Tarragona (Tarragona’s Central Market) and just a 15-minute drive from the theme parks. Pick an Airbnb or hostel in the same area for easy access to the main landmarks.

Day 5: Tarragona to Montserrat

Spend the first half of the day exploring Tarragona before driving up to Montserrat. The main attractions are all located within walking distance of one another.

Tarragona Market

The Tarragona Market is the heart of the city. Despite being around since 1915, the inside is modern with minimalistic cast-iron columns. Fresh meat, veggies and cooked food are sold on the main floor, while the basement houses a large supermarket.

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 8:30AM – 9PM (Mon – Sat, Closed on Sun) Address: Plaça de Corsini, 43001 Tarragona

Tarragona Amphitheatre

Along the coast lies Tarragona Amphitheatre , which has been around since the second century. This was the backdrop of bloody gladiator fights and public executions, witnessed by up to 14,000 spectators.

Besides the amphitheater, there are several Roman landmarks around Tarragona. Like the Roman Circus (above), which used to hold chariot races! A single attraction ticket costs €3.30. Alternatively, get bulk tickets to four Roman monuments and two noble houses for €11.05.

Entrance fee: From €3.30 Opening hours: Varies depending on the season Address: Parc de l’amfiteatre, s/n, 43003 Tarragona (Roman Amphitheatre)

Mediterranean Balcony

Just a two-minute walk from Tarragona Amphitheatre is the Mediterranean Balcony . Here you’ll get the best views of the Mediterranean ocean from Tarragona. According to legend, touching the railing brings good luck!

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours Address: Passeig de les Palmeres, s/n, 43004 Tarragona

Other landmarks in Tarragona include the Monument als Castellers sculpture and Plaça del Sadassos .

Las Ferreres Aqueduct

A 16-minute drive from the main city will take you to Les Ferreres Aqueduct , also known as Devil’s Bridge. This structure has been around since the first century A.D. and used to supply the city with water. These days, visitors can enjoy a scenic walk across the remaining 217-metre long stretch.

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours Address: 43007 Tarragona

Lunch at El Celleret

For lunch, we recommend stopping by El Celleret — a highly-rated local restaurant surrounded by vineyards. It’s roughly a 40-minute drive from Les Ferreres Aqueduct. This establishment is run by the Torres family , a five-generation wine empire since 1870.

They have an a la carte menu , but we settled on the set lunch (€38/pax) which included five starters and two bottles of wine to share, plus a main and dessert each. Dishes feature commonly used ingredients from the area, like wild mushrooms, potatoes and grilled Iberian pork. 😋

El Celleret gets pretty packed, so call ahead to book a table.

Cost: From €15 for a main Opening hours: 1PM – 4PM (Wed – Mon), Closed on Tue Address: Finca el Maset, s/n, 08796 Pacs del Penedès, Barcelona

Drive to Montserrat from El Celleret

Distance: 54km  Drive time: 52min 

Escape the city and head to the jagged peaks of Montserrat ! Montserrat, or “serrated mountain” in Catalan, is one of Catalonia’s most famous landscapes. This can also be done as a day trip from Barcelona via train, so feel free to reshuffle the itinerary.

Montserrat Monastery and Escolonia Boy’s Choir

Founded over a thousand years ago, Montserrat Monastery is one of Catalonia’s most recognised landmarks.

End the night with a performance by Escolanía de Montserrat in the Montserrat Basilica. This prestigious all-boys choir is one of Europe’s oldest singing groups, with a history of over 700 years!

Entrance fee: Free Performance timings: Escolanía de Montserrat typically performs twice daily, in the afternoon and at night [ schedule ] Address: 08199 Montserrat, Barcelona

Accommodation at Montserrat (1 Night): Abat Oliba Hostel is conveniently located just beside the Abbey of Montserrat and offers both dorm beds and family rooms.

*Pro-tip: There are limited dining options at Montserrat. La Cafeteria is the most budget option but it closes early (4:30PM on weekdays, 6:30PM on weekends). Pack some food and snacks before driving up.

Day 6: Montserrat to Girona

A popular hike here is to the peak of Sant Jeroni and there are two ways up. You could start from the base which will take around six hours roundtrip. If you’re pressed for time, you can cut that journey in half by taking the Sant Joan Funicular up and hike the rest of the way.

Sant Joan Furnicular

Sant Joan Furnicular takes you from the lower station near the Abbey of Montserrat up to 1,000m above sea level.

If you’re hiking up, there’s a clearly marked path on the right side of Upper Sant Joan Station leading to the summit, Sant Jeroni.

Cost: €9.10 for a single journey , €14 for return Opening hours: Varies Address: 08293 Monestir de Montserrat, Barcelona

Hike up Montserrat’s Peak, Sant Jeroni

The path is well-marked and not too steep, so kids can take on this hike too. We even spotted mountain goats along the way!

It’ll take around 2.5hrs to get to Sant Jeroni (1,236m), but there are many viewpoints along the way so look out for those as well.

The last stretch includes a long flight of steps but trust us, the view at the top is worth it.

After that, either return to Sant Joan upper station and take the furnicular down or take an alternate hiking route to Montserrat Monastery.

If you’re opting for the latter, look out for a Y-junction on the way down from the peak. Take the path labelled “Pla dels Ocells” (where the hiker is standing). It’ll take roughly an hour from here to return to the Monastery.

Drive to Girona from Montserrat

Distance: 131km  Drive time: 1h 38min 

A 1.5-hour drive from Barcelona, most visitors just experience Girona Old Town as a day trip. But we suggest staying overnight to experience more of what Girona province has to offer!

Accommodation at Girona (3 Nights): Pick a hostel or Airbnb within Girona Old Town.

Day 7: Girona

Girona old town.

Start the day visiting the iconic colourful houses along the River Onyar — best viewed from Pont de Ferro , a bright red iron bridge built by Gustave Eiffel. The name should ring a bell; he’s the same architect who built the Eiffel Tower in Paris!

The Girona Cathedral is the city’s crown jewel. It was built between the 11th and 18th centuries and houses one of the world’s widest Gothic naves.

Fun fact: From the sixth season of Game of Thrones onwards, the crew stopped filming in Dubrovnik and used this church instead as the Great Sept of Baelor .

The Sant Marti Sacosta church is another GOT spot that shouldn’t be missed. The steps to the entrance are the same ones Arya Stark took when she was running from the Waif in Braavos !

Another great thing to do in Girona is walking along the 1.6km-long City Walls — no entrance fee! 🥳

If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, opt for a GOT tour . The tour comes with an experienced guide who will introduce the prominent filming locations as well as the interesting history of Girona.

Girona Game of Thrones Walking Tour Cost: €30/pax Tour timings: 10:30AM and 3PM Meeting point: Plaça Sant Feliu, 08028 Barcelona

Local Cuisine in Girona

Rocambolesc Gelateria was set up by Girona local Jordi Roca , who was crowned “World’s Best Pastry Chef” in 2014!

Many dishes in Girona feature locally produced ingredients like mushrooms, meats, and wines — and the people here are really proud of their food scene.

Recommended eateries include Rocambolesc Gelateria (gourmet ice cream), Normal (traditional Catalan cuisine), Bubbles Gastrobar & Restaurant (signature tapas).

Day 8: Girona

Option 1: hot air balloon over la garrotxa.

An hour’s drive from Girona Old Town is the stunning volcanic region of Garrotxa . The area is known for medieval villages and a range of dormant volcanoes. We opted to start our morning on a high with the best view of La Garrotxa — from a hot air balloon!

Pink cava (sparkling wine) and local cake is served onboard!

The balloon ascends two meters per second, up to heights of 2,100m. But don’t worry, you’ll hardly notice as you’ll be completely transfixed with the view — there’s the Pyrenees and Montserrat on the horizon, and the Santa Margarida volcanic crater right at your feet.

Rides last between an hour to an hour and a half depending on wind conditions.

Celebrate another item ticked off the bucket list with a Catalan brunch — botifarra (a type of sausage), haricot beans, bread with tomato, and a salami platter. For drinks, there’s wine, coffee, tea, and a shot of ratafia (a local liquor, a really potent one).

Cost: €170 (Weekdays), €185 (Weekends and PH) Meet up time: 7:30AM Address: Afores, s/n, 17811 Santa Pau, Girona

Explore Surrounding Old Towns

Visit surrounding medieval villages like Santa Pau if you’ve got time to spare. It’s a good base to go on hikes around the area !

Option 2: Hike up at Santa Margarida

There’s also several hiking routes in the area for those who’d prefer to explore La Garrotxa on foot.

One of those we explored was the dormant Santa Margarida Volcano , famous for a lone hermitage built in the centre of the crater. Not much is known about the abandoned shack, other than it has a Roman origin.

There are various routes around here but the fastest would be to park at Santa Margarida Car Park . Parking is free and the entrance is clearly marked.

If you’re up for the challenge, there’s a 11km route (~4.5hrs) which also covers Croscat Volcano and Faeda d’en Jordà Forest.

Lunch at La Deu in Olot

Candied cod loin with sweet potato puree. Yum.

La Garrotxa’s rich fertile soil produces high-quality crops, and it’d be a sin to leave without trying some volcanic cuisine . We checked out Restaurant La Deu for lunch (a ~10min drive from Santa Margarida). It’s one of La Garrotxa’s oldest eateries, around since 1885!

The mains and desserts were yummy, but we were completely sold on the starters — mixed mushrooms and a creamy pumpkin soup with Garrotxa cheese.

Cost: From €23.95 for a set meal incl. a starter, main and dessert Opening hours: 10AM – 10:30PM (Mon – Sat), 10AM – 7PM (Sun) Address: Carretera de la Deu, s/n, 17800 Olot, Girona

Day 9: Figueres to Barcelona

Skydive empuriabrava.

Another way to take in the view from the top is at Skydive Empuriabrava ! Empuriabrava’s mix of ocean and mountain views make it a rewarding place to try skydiving — especially if it’s your first time, as it was for me.

After a safety briefing by experienced instructors, we were ushered onto a small aircraft. I’ll admit I was slightly (read: extremely ) nervous during the ascent to 4000m.

But once the light turned red and we exited the plane, I felt my fear leave as well. After a 30-second free fall to 1,500m, your shoot is deployed. Our instructors even let us try navigating the parachute! The whole experience was liberating — truly the best way to take in the views.

Cost: From €280 (top up required for photos and videos) Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM Address: Sector Aeroclub, s/n, 17487 Empuriabrava, Girona

Drive to Figueres from Skydive Empuriabrava

Distance: 15.3km Drive time: 21min

Lunch at Txot’s Sidreria in Figueres

Txot’s Sideria is great for tapas — there’s over 100 items listed on the menu . Order a couple to share!

Cost: ~€12/pax Opening hours: 12PM – 12:30AM Address: Avinguda de Salvador Dalí i Domènech, 114, 17600 Figueres, Girona

Dali Theatre-Museum

The Dali Theatre-Museum is the main reason why people visit Figueres . But even if you’ve got no clue who Dali is, this museum is worth a visit! Dali was an eccentric artist and his work is equally eccentric. For starters, the exterior is covered with eggs.

The inside is just as fascinating. Most art museums have a minimalistic layout with just one or two paintings per wall. Not the Dali Theatre-Museum — there’s art everywhere you look (ceilings included!).

Entrance fee: €14 (~S$21.62) Opening hours: 10:30AM – 6PM (Check the museum calendar before visiting as they close on certain dates) Address: Plaça Gala i Salvador Dalí, 5, 17600 Figueres, Girona

Drive to Barcelona from Figueres

Distance: 145.5km Drive time: 1hr 32min

After the Dali Theatre-Museum, drive back to Barcelona and return the car.

Accommodation in Barcelona (1 Night): Same as the first three nights.

Day 10: Barcelona and Flight Home

Visit other attractions like the Tibidabo Amusement Park , Mercat dels Encants (secondhand market) or Casa Mila before heading to Barcelona Airport.

There’s a shuttle bus service ( €5.90 one way ) to the airport from Placa Catalunya and Placa Espanya which departs every six minutes.

Bonus: Stay in a 13th-century Farmhouse

This 13th-century farmhouse on Airbnb was a little out of the way (1.5hr drive from Barcelona or 30min drive from Girona), but we loved it so much I just had to mention it.

Warm hospitality, beautifully decorated rooms, and adorable donkeys outside — this was a stay we won’t soon forget. If you can afford to extend your trip by one or two days, this is an experience worth including!

Tips for Planning Your Next Trip to Spain

Youthful, sexy, full of life and culture — that was my impression of Spain. After spending some time here, it’s still true.

Our 10-day road trip around Catalonia packed enough adventure to make up for the lack of travel for the past two years.

We got to tick off bucket list experiences like skydiving and taking a hot air balloon ride, visiting several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and eating loads of good food!

We knew we would love Spain before arriving but now it’s official — Spain is up there on our list of favourite destinations. Hoping to visit? Here are some pre-trip essentials:

Connectivity: A 12GB SIM card plan from Vodafone costs €10 (~S$15.45) and is valid for 30 days

Transport within Barcelona: The Hola Barcelona Travel Card includes unlimited rides on trams, buses and metros. Choose from 48, 72, 96 or 120 hour cards from €16 (~S$24.72). Alternatively, purchase pre-paid rides from the machines at metro stations. A single ride within zone 1 costs €2.40 but 10 rides cost €11.35 — useful if you’re planning to walk most of the time.

Language: Most locals can speak English, but prefer to speak Spanish or Catalan. It’ll be useful to learn basic Spanish before visiting. These few phrases should help you get by:

Google Map with pinned locations:

What are you looking forward to most on this Barcelona itinerary? Share with us in the comments!

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Hi, would you be able to share the breakdown cost of this trip in excel (if there is)?

Hi Jenn, unfortunately we did not prepare a breakdown of costs for this trip!

Hi, could I check for your car rental, is Ok rent a car same as Ok Mobility?

Yup it was!

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4 Days in Barcelona: Planning An Amazing Barcelona Itinerary

Wondering how to spend your time in Barcelona, and not sure where to start? You’re in the right place! We’ve been to Barcelona a couple of times over the past few years (including just under a week in the spring of 2024), and we’re here to do our best to help you plan an incredible trip. 

Barcelona was the first stop on our first real foray into Spain, and we spent a full week in the city, exploring different neighborhoods, eating and drinking our way through the city, and walking A LOT. 

After visiting other parts of Spain later on that trip, including Madrid and Andalusia, we came away with a new appreciation for Barcelona and its unique story and culture. 

It’s a more international, cosmopolitan city (which has its pros and cons), and the history in Barcelona – and Catalonia more broadly – has a slightly different tinge to it than parts of Spain that are further south. 

Barcelona has a lot of the things we look for in a city – it’s super walkable, full of great food and drinks, forward-thinking and diverse, and has some amazing history behind it.

However, those positives are certainly balanced by the sheer number of tourists that visit Barcelona. It’s extremely noticeable, especially in the narrow alleyways of the Gothic Quarter, where you’ll often run into tour groups of 50+ people trying to make their way through the oldest part of the city. 

Over the course of your time in Barcelona, you’ll get a taste for what makes the city special (spoiler: it’s not Las Ramblas or the beach). Along the way, you’ll visit one of the most spectacular churches in Europe, learn how to cook a Spanish specialty, and connect with locals to get a fresh perspective on the city they call home.

In this guide, we’re going to give you a 4 day itinerary for Barcelona that is informed by our own experiences exploring the city over two different trips (one a few years ago, one more recently in the spring of 2024). 

We’ll start with some logistics – like where to stay and how to get around – and then get into a specific itinerary for spending 4 days in Barcelona. 

Our intention is to give you all the information you need to put together your own itinerary, and along the way help you discover a few places or experiences that we loved and think you will too. 

Sound good to you? Let’s get into it!

P.S.: Planning a trip to Spain? We have a detailed Spain itinerary plus guides to Madrid , Granada , and Seville to help you plan an amazing trip!

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

How Many Days to Spend in Barcelona

Barcelona is a huge, fascinating city, but it’s not exactly filled with landmark tourist attractions like Paris or Rome. It’s much more similar to a city like Lisbon in that it has a few major tourist attractions, but the best part about it is exploring different neighborhoods and, of course, eating and drinking. 

All that being said, we think you need at least 3 days in Barcelona itself , plus a day for one of the awesome day trips available that take you deeper into Catalonia and the distinct culture that has thrived here for thousands of years.

In other words, we think four days is the right amount of time to experience Barcelona without feeling too rushed, and to fit in that day trip. 

It’s also not too much time in Barcelona – you’re going to find your days are still full, and you’re going to leave with a list of things you want to do next time you’re in the capital of Catalonia. 

If you have more time or less time to spend in Barcelona, don’t worry – we have an entire section for you below the main itinerary with how we’d recommend spending one, two, three, and five or more days in Barcelona. 

However much time you have in Barcelona, you’ll be able to use this detailed guide to planning your Barcelona itinerary to organize your trip, figure out the best things to do and see, and plan an incredible trip. 

Where to Stay in Barcelona

We think there are a bunch of possible answers to the question “where should I stay in Barcelona?” The truth is, it depends on what you’re looking for. 

Which is why we’ve written an entire guide to the best places to stay in Barcelona , with a detailed breakdown of strengths and weaknesses of each neighborhood. 

However, you’re here for the short version, so here it goes. 

Here are the two neighborhoods – that we’ve stayed in – that we would absolutely recommend (especially for a relatively longer trip of four or more days) as nice home bases for exploring Barcelona. 

PS: Whatever you do, DO NOT STAY ON LAS RAMBLAS (or within a few blocks of it) . It’s a giant tourist trap, and you will end up paying more than your room is worth for the privilege of it being super loud all day and night. 

Gràcia: The Coolest Part of Barcelona

This is the part of the city that we fell in love with, and we stayed here for the first half of our first trip to Barcelona (together – we had both been separately before). 

It used to be its own city before the expansion of Barcelona swallowed it up, and still retains some of the distinctly independent vibes that it once had. 

It’s less central (and further from the cruise ship terminal) – and therefore, less full of tourists at all hours – than most of the more central neighborhoods. 

But it’s still really, really well connected to the rest of the city via the metro (two lines run through this area), and we had no problem getting from place to place while we were staying in Gràcia .

We stayed at Casa Gràcia , which we had a love-hate relationship with.

The idea – a hostel with private rooms, dorms, and apartments and plenty of common spaces – is great! However, the rooms were deeply in need of an update (and a deep clean). We were disappointed because it has so much potential! 

If you’re looking for an affordable place to stay in Gràcia with a similar vibe but better facilities, look at Casa Jam Barcelona .

Here are some places to stay in Gràcia that caught our eye, and that we think you will like. 

• If you want a boutique hotel : Seventy Barcelona
• If you want a great value hotel : Casa Mathilda
• If you want to stay in an apartment : Be Mate Paseo de Gràcia
• If you want a hostel (with a private room) : Yeah Barcelona Hostel or Casa Jam Barcelona

L’Eixample: Central and Well Connected

Matt spent the entirety of his latest trip to Barcelona in this central neighborhood , which is significantly more modern than the Ciutat Vella because of the fact that it was built well after the old town as a way to connect ever-expanding Barcelona with the smaller towns (like Gràcia) outside the old city walls. 

The name literally means “the expansion” because that’s exactly why it was built.

It’s more of a grid, with wide boulevards and a distinctly Parisian feeling to it (I’m sure Barcelonians love hearing that), which is a stark contrast to the old, windy alleys of the Gothic Quarter and El Born. 

Still, it’s a nice place to stay precisely because it’s so central, and it has some things to do and see that make it a place to visit in its own right, like Passieg de Gràcia and some excellent food and drink spots nearby. 

Overall, I think this is probably the most practical place to stay for a shorter trip (3-4 days) because it gets you out of the mayhem of the Gothic Quarter, but still within an easy walk or metro ride to those places. 

Here are some places to stay in l’Eixample that caught our eye (three of which we’ve actually personally stayed at, and you can see a few pictures below), and that we think you will like. 

• If you want a boutique hotel : Casa Bonay (where Matt stayed)
• If you want a great value hotel : Praktik Essens (where Matt stayed)
• If you want to stay in an apartment : Apartments Sixtyfour (right on Paseo de Gràcia – the part that’s in l’Eixample)
• If you want a hostel (with a private room) : TOC Hostel (where we stayed)

4 Days in Barcelona: How to Plan a Perfect Barcelona Itinerary

Now that we’ve covered some basics, let’s get into exactly how to spend your time in Barcelona. 

The first thing you should know going into this particular itinerary is that it’s focused much more on experiences than checking off every single tourist attraction in Barcelona. 

Sure, there are a bunch of Gaudí sites to see in Barcelona, but with just four days, do you really need to see them all? Probably not. 

Instead, focus on one or two that are worthwhile, and save the rest for next time. 

The same goes for both churches and markets, both of which there are plenty of in Barcelona. 

To illustrate the point above, there are two Gaudí sites in Barcelona that you’ll find on every other itinerary, but we purposely excluded because it’s just too much! Those two are Casa Milà and Casa Batlló, which are in the “with more time” section below, but not in the main itinerary. 

Instead, we’ve included a lesser-known (but equally interesting) site – Casa Vicens – which was Gaudí’s first foray into residential architecture, and is slightly off the beaten path (as much as anything can be in Barcelona) and doesn’t have lines around the block in front at all hours of the day. 

We have a secret for you. And it’s a lesson that it took us years of traveling to finally learn on our three month European extravaganza a few years ago.

Travel is better – and by better, we mean more rewarding, interesting, and fun – when you try your best to connect with locals to see the place through their eyes. 

We took that to heart in Spain, and have done a bunch of different tours and experiences over the past few visits that have opened our eyes to a new side of Barcelona, its unique culture, and its people. 

Our biggest tip for Barcelona is to prioritize tours (which is what you’re going to see in this itinerary). 

In terms of structure, we always do our best to anchor the days in our itineraries around a main experience, with time on either side for things like coffee, cocktails, and good old fashioned wandering around a neighborhood. 

And we never, ever do multiple museums (or major sights) in a single day. Trust us and learn from our mistakes – you WILL be exhausted by the time you get to the second one, and will get a lot less out of it. 

In general, the itinerary that you’ll find below is structured with one major sight per day – like the Sagrada Familia, for example – with time for exploring a particular neighborhood and eating and drinking your way through the city on either side of that main attraction. 

Here’s an overview of the itinerary you’ll find below: 

Here’s a high-level overview of the day-by-day itinerary you’re about to read. 

• Day 1 : Exploring the Gothic Quarter & A Walking Tour
• Day 2 : La Sagrada Familia & Barceloneta
• Day 3 : Choose Your Own Day Trip
• Day 4 : Casa Vicens, Park Güell & Learning to Make Paella

We don’t want to be too prescriptive – obviously, you could do a day trip on the fourth day in Barcelona instead of the third if it works better for your particular schedule.

Day 1: Exploring the Gothic Quarter & A Walking Tour

On your first morning, it makes sense to spend your time exploring the Gothic Quarter, home of the original city of Barcino that was founded by the Romans 2,000 years ago, before taking a walking tour with a local guide to get your bearings in the city and learn a few things along the way. 

Finish with a guided tapas tour where you’ll not only try some delicious food, but also get the context behind it, which we always find fascinating. 

The Gothic Quarter: La Boqueria and Las Ramblas

Start your morning out in the Gothic Quarter, the oldest part of the city and the place where the original city of Barcino was founded by the Romans two millennia ago as a trading post on the Iberian Peninsula. 

Despite being the main tourist attraction in Barcelona, there is still something romantic about the dark, narrow alleys of the Gothic Quarter, which make the huge city of Barcelona feel small and quiet in the way that they insulate you from everything going on outside that particular street. 

Today, it’s the most-visited part of the city, and Las Ramblas – the famous thoroughfare running from Plaça de Catalunya down to the water –  is bustling, loud, and wild at almost all hours of the day (though, not in the early morning!). 

Theoretically, it’s lovely with its tree-lined pedestrian lined with flower vendors, but in reality it’s pretty unbearable at most hours. 

Start your day off right – with some great coffee at Right Side Coffee Bar , which is just a few blocks off of Las Ramblas. 

Take the metro (or walk) to Plaça de Catalunya and wander south before veering off to the left to head to get some coffee. Right Side is one of the original specialty coffee roasters in the city, and they have a nice space with high ceilings and a range of coffee drinks from filter to espresso and milk drinks. 

After you’re caffeinated, head back out to Las Ramblas and make your way to Mercado de La Boqueria , the most famous (and, therefore, most visited) of Barcelona’s markets. 

It is packed with tourists, yes, but we think it’s still well worth visiting, especially early in the morning before it’s wall-to-wall with people oooohing and aaahhing over the fresh produce, cured meats, and fish (among many, many other things). 

It’s a great place to pick up souvenirs, snacks for later (like meat and cheese), or fresh fruit and juice for breakfast, which is what we opted for. 

Get a container of sliced mango and some fresh papaya juice and take some time to wander the hundreds of stalls. 

Continue all the way down Las Ramblas – 1.2 km or so – to the Christopher Columbus Statue (who is somehow revered for making a huge mistake for thinking that the Americas were India, among other things) that marks the end of the street. Congratulations, you walked Las Ramblas from start to finish. 

Now, we’d recommend spending the entirety of the rest of your time away from Las Ramblas exploring Barcelona a little more deeply, only returning to cross the main thoroughfare en route to a different spot. 

An Introductory Walking Tour

We always like to do a walking tour on our first day in a new city for a couple of reasons. 

Over the past few years, we’ve come to the realization that walking tours are often our favorite way to get oriented in a new city for a few reasons. 

First, you get a crash course in history and culture , which is a valuable baseline that will make the rest of your trip more enjoyable. 

Second, you get to spend a few hours with a local who will give you all sorts of tips about what to eat, drink (and see), and specifically where to find the best version of said things. 

Last, but not least you’ll discover places that you definitely would never have found on your own . 

All this is to say that if you want to get below the surface of the historic center of Barcelona, you should absolutely do a guided walking tour. 

We avoid the free tours now because we’ve found that the guides are just never as good as the ones you pay for… which makes total sense. It’s worth the slight investment on our part to have a local expert giving us the real deal, rather than a college student who memorized a script, often isn’t a local, and is working for tips. 

We did this walking tour , and our guide Miguel gave us a fantastic introduction to the city of Barcelona. It was funny, engaging, disgusting at times, and overall a really fun way to get oriented in a new city. 

Another option is this Highlights and Hidden Gems tour with With Locals, a tour company that I also really like that focuses on private tours that are completely customizable. 

We’ve done tours with them all over Europe, and I actually did that tour (solo) in Barcelona. It probably starts to make sense from a price perspective if you have more than two people. 

An Evening Tapas and History Tour

Round out your first day in Barcelona with an evening tapas tour with Devour Food Tours, one of the OG food tour companies in Spain. 

It was founded in 2012 to help support struggling local restaurants during the recession, and has become a Europe-wide food tour empire since. 

Their tours, unfortunately, are not safe for people with Celiac Disease (that’s me!), otherwise we would have done one ourselves. But that doesn’t mean you can’t! However, I did get to go out to a couple of tapas bars with some friends in Barcelona (I didn’t get to eat anything), and it was one of my favorite experiences on that second trip.

The tours may seem expensive, but you’re basically getting a history tour and food tour all in one. 

Come hungry, because you make a bunch of stops along the way at some of the most historic establishments in the city, and your local guide will tell you rich stories that will help you contextualize what you’re eating and get a couple of levels deeper than “wow, these patatas bravas are tasty.”

It’s a three and a half hour tour, and it includes the equivalent of a full dinner plus drinks.  

Click here to check prices, reviews, and availability . 

Day 2: La Sagrada Familia & Barceloneta

On day two, spend your morning at La Sagrada Familia, the most impressive church in the world (in our opinion, anyway), then spend the afternoon in Barceloneta. 

Coffee near La Sagrada Familia

Before you head into the Sagrada Familia, you’re going to want to be caffeinated. And there are not one but TWO excellent coffee shops within a few blocks of the basilica to get your daily caffeine dose.

The first is about half a block up the street, and it’s called Café Fargo . They have multiple roasters – usually Nomad, who is from Barcelona, and a couple of other European roasters that rotate every few weeks. I had coffee here one sunny morning, and it’s a cozy little spot with a very friendly owner (and other baristas) who brew a good cup of coffee.

The other option is on the other side of the basilica, and it’s called Blackbird Coffee Corner . It’s a tiny little shop on a corner with a couple of outdoor tables (and no indoor seating) that serves Nomad Coffee (my favorite coffee roaster in Barcelona) and has a nice selection of pastries that you can grab as a snack before your visit to the basilica.

Marvel at the Beauty of La Sagrada Familia

Look, we spent three full months in Europe, exploring Portugal and Italy over two months before arriving for just over a month in Spain and let me tell you, we saw a lot of churches. 

La Sagrada Familia is easily the most impressive, and it’s because of the details. It is abundantly clear how much thought and care was given to every single last detail of this architectural marvel. 

However, it’s worth noting that it is a basilica (a church that has been consecrated by the Pope, but is not the seat of a bishop or archbishop), NOT a cathedral (that seat lives at the Barcelona Cathedral at the time of writing).

The contrast between the two facades – which you’ll learn about in the handy audioguide (more on that in a second) is fascinating, as is the entire structure. They feature stories of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.  

My favorite aspect is the fact that it’s oriented so that the sun rises on the “life” facade, which has stained glass windows of blues and greens, and sets on the “death” facade, which is all oranges and reds. 

The brain that came up with all these details that ladder up to the bigger picture is something that my brain can’t even comprehend. 

While there are bigger churches and more ornate churches out there, this is the pinnacle for us. 

It’s still under construction after being started in 1882 (Gaudí actually didn’t join the project until a year later, in 1883 though, which I didn’t know). 

Gaudí died in 1926, but left a detailed plan and sketch of his vision for future architects to bring to life. However, there was a slight hiccup in the 1930’s when, during the Spanish Civil War, people broke into the crypt and destroyed his plans, which took more than 10 years to rebuild. 

Hence, the Sagrada Familia is still under construction, due to be completed in 2026, the 100 year anniversary of Gaudí’s death as of my most recent trip, the date had been pushed back to after 2030 sometime. However, one of our guides in Barcelona mentioned that he’d expect even that later date to be delayed.

We’d highly recommend going either early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light streams through the amazing stained glass windows and creates a pretty marvelous light show inside the basilica. 

According to our guide, Miguel, on the Gaudí tour I did on my most recent trip to Barcelona (which includes La Sagrada Familia), midday is the worst time to be in the basilica because of both the crowds and the lack of light coming through the stained glass windows. 

How to Visit the Sagrada Familia

First of all, if you’re in Barcelona in peak season (read: summer), you need to book your tickets for the Sagrada Familia well in advance. 

They will sell out, and you’ll be left with a couple of options in that case that are going to be more expensive. We’ll get to those in a second.

You have two main options here – visit independently, or as part of a guided tour.  

To get tickets on your own, you’ll need to go to the official website and hit the big red button that says “TICKETS”. 

At the time of writing, tickets are 26 Euros a person (includes entry and the audioguide, which is phenomenal). For 30 Euros, you can do a guided tour with a live guide in place of the audio guide.

For 36 Euros, you can climb one of the towers (only one of them) for great views out over Barcelona. 

You will then have to choose a specific day and entry time for your tickets, which will depend on your particular schedule. Do it as early as possible if you can!

Pro-tip : Make sure to bring headphones with you and download the audioguide on your phone in advance to listen to it as you go!

What if tickets are sold out? If tickets are sold out through the official website, you have two options. Check on Get Your Guide to see if they have Skip-the-Line tickets available, or join a guided tour of the Basilica . 

If you’re interested in a guided tour of the Basilica , we’d recommend going with Walks , one of our favorite tour companies in Europe. We’ve done multiple tours with them (read about our awesome Colosseum tour in Rome ) and the guides are some of the best around. They have a specific 90 minute Sagrada Familia Tour , and a more comprehensive Gaudí Tour (that I did on my last trip to Barcelona) that visits La Sagrada Familia along with Casa Batlló (or Casa Vicens) and Park Güell over the course of five hours.

An Afternoon in Barceloneta

After your Sagrada Familia experience, make your way south to the waterfront to Barceloneta for lunch and a history lesson that should last most of the afternoon. 

When you’re in the heart of Eixample or the Gothic Quarter, it’s easy to forget that Barcelona is actually a seaside city.

Originally, I thought of Barceloneta as exclusively an area for the beach, which is a wide, sandy affair on the Mediterranean. We’re not huge beach people, so we kind of dismissed it and completely neglected including it in an earlier version of this guide. 

However, after connecting with two locals on my latest trip during/after tours, I can firmly say that there’s A LOT more going on in Barceloneta than just the beach (spoiler: it’s mostly great food and drinks). 

I actually had the privilege of walking through Barceloneta with Elvira, my guide on my walking tour with With Locals (highly recommend both the tour and Elvira as a guide!), and that’s when it clicked for me that Barceloneta is more than the beach. 

We went to Mercat de la Barceloneta, which is a cornucopia of Catalan food (though I have Celiac Disease, which is a lot more complicated). To get there, we walked through the narrow streets lined by tall apartment buildings adorned with Catalan flags, and I realized that “oh yeah, people live here.” 

Barceloneta as a neighborhood is a triangular manmade peninsula that juts out into the Mediterranean, bordered by the sea, El Born, and Poblenou (and Parc de la Ciutadella).

Generally speaking, the closer you get to the beach at the southern tip, the more generic it becomes. This part of the city has a high concentration of vacation rental listings, and their presence is hollowing out the neighborhood, forcing locals out as landlords chase the tourist money. 

Barceloneta Beach, located in a former fishing district, is one of the city’s oldest and best-loved beaches. The whole waterfront area was remodeled way back in 1992 for the Barcelona Olympics, and today, this long strip of sand is a firm favorite with both tourists and locals alike.

Barceloneta Beach may not have the architecture or urban feeling of the inner city, but it’s still a great spot for an afternoon stroll, and an excellent place to grab an ice cream and indulge in a little people watching.

Instead of focusing on the beach, though, you’re really here for the food, the market, and the Catalan History Museum, which is an eye-opening experience for those of us who haven’t really learned all that much about Catalonia. 

The Museu d’Història de Catalunya

Start your exploration of Barceloneta with the Museu d’Història de Catalunya , which was our favorite museum in Barcelona because it covers a subject that we didn’t really know all that much about prior to visiting. 

The great thing about this museum is that it’s both cheap, at just 4 Euros per person, and has many of the signs in English. 

Bring your headphones because there’s also a handy audio guide that you can use the museum’s wifi to listen to as you browse, but it’s not totally necessary since most of the signage has an English translation. 

It’s worth spending between one and two hours here exploring the two floors of the museum. 

You’ll have to check your backpacks and you’ll need a 1 Euro coin to do so, but we learned (thanks to the friendly man at the front desk!) that the coin you put in to lock the door will be returned to you at the end, and it’s just a deposit to make sure you don’t run away with the key (for some reason?). 

More information on the museum, including current hours and ticket prices, on their official website . 

Barceloneta Market

After the museum, make your way over to the Barceloneta Market. 

One of our favorite aspects of Spanish cities is the fact that in Madrid, Sevilla, and Barcelona, there is essentially a neighborhood market in each of the main neighborhoods. La Boqueria, for example, is one of them (though it has kind of been transformed by tourism into a more “Central Market” vibe that you’ll often find in European cities).

Barceloneta Market is, as you might imagine, the local market in Barceloneta. It’s significantly less touristy than La Boqueria, but still somehow packed to the gills with a mixture of locals and tourists. 

It’s best in the morning through lunchtime, and the market closes for the day at 2:00 pm. 

You can either find a place to eat here, pick up some picnic materials and head to the nearby beach, or simply wander the stalls and admire the bounty of fresh produce, fish, and meat before heading out for lunch nearby. 

Tapas for Lunch

For lunch, you have three options nearby that are on every list of the best food experiences in Barcelona (and our local guide actually recommended these without us even asking about them). 

First is Perikete , a no-frills tapas bar with outdoor seating and big hunks of meat hanging from the ceiling. Order tapas – we like the fried padron peppers and patatas bravas – and wash it down with a cheap glass of vermouth, cava, or a beer. 

Second, just around the corner, is Can Paixano , a cava bar where locals and tourists alike eat shoulder-to-shoulder in the tiny space. There’s always a line for lunch, but it moves fast.

For lunch, you can choose from a range of tapas and bocadillos, which are basically little sandwiches. And, of course, cava. 

Regular cava. Nice cava. Pink cava. All the cava, please! (note: no gluten free options for food here, sadly – if you need to eat gluten free, make sure to read our guide to gluten free Barcelona !). 

Pro-tip : If the server isn’t paying attention to you after your first glass of cava, it’s because you need to order more food to go with it (thanks to Miguel, our walking tour guide, for the tip!). 

Last is a tiny, historic tapas spot in Barceloneta that Elvira (my guide for the history-focused walking tour ) recommended and actually took me to – though I was hesitant because I have Celiac Disease – called La Cova Fumada , which is a great place to try local Catalonian specialties like bombas (which were actually created in Barceloneta).

An Evening in El Born

After your leisurely afternoon in Barceloneta, spend the evening in nearby El Born, known for its food scene and great nightlife. 

Here are some things to do in El Born and nearby, in no particular order: 

• Get coffee at Nomad Coffee Lab (my personal pick for the best coffee in Barcelona, particularly this location) or Hidden Coffee Roasters , some of the best specialty coffee in Barcelona. 
• Explore Ciutadella Park and walk out to the Arco de Triomf (every European city has one!).
• Make a detour into the Gothic Quarter for the best tea we’ve ever had at Salterio . No joke. The Yogi Tea is incredible, and the family running the place is super friendly and welcoming. Caj Chai and La Masala Cafe are close seconds, though, and both are nearby. 
• Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar after 5:00 pm, when the interior of the church is free! We’d recommend going inside this church over the Barcelona Cathedral.
• There are an endless number of bars and restaurants to choose from – we liked Flax & Kale Passage for vegetarian, internationally-inspired food (the Malaysian Curry is great!). 

If you’re up for an after-dinner drink , here are a couple of spots you might enjoy in El Born: 

• El Diset : A cocktail + wine bar with a focus on Catalan wines with a selection of tasty tapas if you arrive earlier in the evening.
• Paradiso : This bar feels like the beginning of a spy movie. You’ll start your visit in an unassuming Pastrami bar, before opening a refrigerator door (yes, really), to reveal the entrance to a super cool speakeasy with expert mixologists and world famous cocktails.
• El Xampanyet : Less hipster and more traditional, this tavern style bar is a local favorite, with all the hallmarks of a Catalan tapas bar: stand up socializing on tiled floors, barrels stacked behind the bar and a steady supply of snacks throughout the evening.

Day 3: Choose Your Own Day Trip Adventure

On your third day in the city, we’d take advantage of Barcelona’s proximity to multiple great day trips to get out of the city and get deeper into Catalonia. 

There are two day trips in particular that we’d recommend as our top two options, and each offers something a little different, and which one you choose kind of depends on what you’re into. 

The first is Girona , a charming medieval city with intact walls, and the second is Montserrat , a cathedral in the rocky mountains above Barcelona with some nice hiking options. 

We’ll cover both in this section so that you have the ability to choose which you’d prefer. 

We do want to add a plug for Tarragona as an honorable mention, which I went out to check out because it was the original Roman settlement in the Iberian Peninsula and has tons of somewhat well-preserved Roman ruins. 

If that sounds like something up your alley, I’d highly recommend this guided tour with Bernat , which I did and enjoyed because Bernat is able to bring a ton of historical and cultural knowledge and context to help you understand the history of not only the city, but the region as a whole.  

Option 1: Girona, the Charming (Catalonian) City with Medieval Walls

We’d highly, highly recommend a day trip to Girona to dive deeper into Catalonia. It was the day trip we chose to take from Barcelona on our first trip, and we really, really enjoyed it. 

It’s a gorgeous town at the convergence of multiple rivers about 100 km northeast of Barcelona. So beautiful, in fact, that Game of Thrones filmed several major scenes in Season 6 in Girona!

We have an entire guide dedicated to planning a day trip to Girona from Barcelona, which you should read for more details. Otherwise, here are the highlights. 

Getting to Girona

Take the high-speed AVE train from Barcelona-Sants to Girona, which takes just 40 minutes each way. Book tickets either directly through Renfe , or through Omio for a more user-friendly experience (that comes with a small service fee).

We recommend the 7:05 am train if you can stomach it, which will get you there with plenty of time to do some exploring before meeting up with the best walking tour we did in Spain. 

Then, catch a train home AFTER 6:00 pm – the siesta is real in Girona, which means everything closes from 2:00 to 5:00 pm or so. A later train will give you time to make it to some of the places you miss during the siesta time. 

What to Do in Girona

Again, see our entire guide to one day in Girona for many, many more details, but here is the gist of how we’d spend a day in Girona (and, essentially, how we did it ourselves). 

Arrive early and walk the city walls before it gets packed. You can get up onto the walls from the Jardins de la Francesa behind the massive cathedral ( here on Google Maps), and they continue alllll the way around back to right around Plaça de Catalunya (though you can get off the walls at several points between those two spots). Don’t miss climbing up into at least one of the towers along the way for great views of the city and cathedral!

Head down to Espresso Mafia for the best coffee in Girona and a pastry or two, or over to their sister cafe La Fabrica if you’re in the mood for a more hearty brunch.

Join our favorite walking tour in Spain at 10:30 am. And the best part is, you have two options! We loved the history-focused walking tour we did with Raquel, whose knowledge about Girona and Catalonia as a whole was impressive, and it’s the one we’d recommend for most people. However, they also do a Game of Thrones Tour , which fans of the TV show (minus the last season of course, which was hot garbage) will appreciate because it takes you to places in the city where they filmed pieces of Season 6.

After the tour, grab lunch somewhere in the old town (ask your guide for a recommendation!).

During the siesta, where the entire city basically shuts down for a few hours in the afternoon, hit the informative Jewish History Museum . The museum covers the history of the Jewish population in Girona, which shaped the city prior to them being expelled in 1492. Then check out the Girona Cathedral , which is home to an impressive cloister, a huge nave (with no arches in the middle, which is unique) and the Tapestry of Creation from the 11th (ish) Century.

Afterwards, spend the rest of your time wandering the old town and stopping into any place that catches your eye before catching your train home!

Option 2: Montserrat – the Basilica in the Mountains (+ Hiking)

Montserrat is a holy site just outside of Barcelona that sits atop a rocky outcropping that absolutely does not look like it belongs in the same place as the surrounding landscapes. It’s not surprising that someone hundreds of years ago said “yeah, this is a special place” and set up shop. 

Since then, Montserrat has become a destination for pilgrims (kind of like the Camino de Santiago, but less famous).

Today, the two main attractions are the basilica atop the mountain – Basílica de Montserrat and the “Black Madonna” that sits atop the altar (the basilica’s holy relic), also known as “La Moreneta” – and the views from the hiking trails that leave from the abbey and basilica. 

If you want to do both the basilica and head out on a short hike, you’re looking at a 5-6 hour trip, including transportation (depending on a lot of factors). We’d STRONGLY recommend heading out on the first train of the day from Barcelona, because it does get very crowded here (especially on weekends, and particularly on Sundays). 

I actually did this guided tour with a local company – which includes the transportation to Montserrat from Barcelona – for a couple of reasons. 

One, I was traveling solo, and wanted to connect with other people. Two, I was deep into my trip and I didn’t want to deal with all the logistics of getting there, which is a little bit complicated. 

I enjoyed the tour, and thought our guide Christian added a ton of context and information about the monastery and surrounding area. 

The main downside of the tour is the flexibility to explore at your own pace. Want to see the Boy’s Choir, do the Museum, or go on a longer hike? You’re at the whims of your group. 

Getting to Montserrat

This is a significantly more complicated journey than the journey to Girona, because it involves multiple forms of transportation. 

There are two legs of this journey: the journey to the base of the mountain, and the journey to the abbey. 

First, to get to the base of the mountain, you need to get to Plaça d’Espanya (the regional train station), where you’ll hop on the R5 regional train towards Manresa-Baixador. 

Which stop you get off at depends on which form of transportation you’ll use to get to the top – more on that in a second. 

Then, to get up to Montserrat, you have two options; the cable car (Aeri de Montserrat), or the train (really a rack railway). 

They cost the same, and the better option is the cable car because it’s faster (it’s one fewer stop on the regional train, which is only around five minutes) and has great views along the way. 

HOWEVER, if you are afraid of heights , do yourself (and your travel companions) a favor and take the railway. 

If you are doing the cable car , take the regional train to the stop called “Aeri de Montserrat.” 

If you are doing the rack railway , take the regional train one stop further, to the stop called “Monistrol de Montserrat.” 

Again, our strong recommendation is to get on the earliest train leaving Barcelona that you can to beat the crowds out to Montserrat. 

At the time of writing, the first train out is at 7:35am (leaving from Plaça d’Espanya – leave yourself plenty of time to buy your ticket and get to the train!), which puts you at Montserrat around 9am. 

To buy tickets, you can either buy in advance on the official Barcelona Tourism site here (you’ll get a voucher that you have to exchange for a card once you’re in Barcelona), or buy them at Plaça d’Espanya on the day of your trip from one of the machines, which have an English language toggle (leave yourself plenty of time, because the machines can get busy). 

Important note: If you buy the train tickets in advance, the pickup point does not open until 8am, so you will need to exchange the voucher for your tickets ahead of time (which you can do either at Plaça d’Espanya, or at the Tourism Office at Plaça de Catalunya which is in the basement). 

Another note: There are other pre-book card options that include the museum and a meal in the cafeteria at Montserrat, but we would just recommend the train journey + basilica. 

What to Do at Montserrat

There are several attractions to take in at Montserrat, but there are two main things we’d focus your time on. 

The Basilica . The main “attraction” (though for us, it’s the hike), the Basilica de Montserrat is gorgeous, and really makes you wonder how they built it. Aside from La Moreneta, which requires a different ticket and line, I really liked the unique, ornate lamps that people send for good luck. It costs 6 Euros a person (extra if you want to touch La Moreneta) and you’ll want to book in advance and choose a timeslot that lines up with your itinerary. 

The hiking . There are a variety of hiking trails that leave from the Abbey and take you up the hill to various viewpoints (including a short hike to the top of the Saint Joan Funicular, which leaves from the abbey and climbs the rocky hillside to a higher point without hiking, if you prefer). Here are a couple of hiking options: 

• To the cross of Saint Michael : Paved but steep path to a main overlook of the abbey and surrounding mountains. It’s relatively steep, but well worth the effort. 
• To the Summit of Sant-Jeroni : By far the most difficult, this one is going to take you several hours to complete, and takes you to the summit (the highest point in this particular group of mountains). You can shave off a bit of distance and climbing by taking the Saint Joan Funicular, and starting your hike from the top.  

Other things, like the museum, the boys choir, and the farmers market, depend on how much time you have and what you’re interested in. 

Tips for Visiting Montserrat

Here are a few tips to keep in mind before your visit to Montserrat. 

Bring a backpack and some water . Especially if you’re hiking. It can get hot in the summer, and you want to have water and snacks. 

Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes if you’re hiking . Don’t try to hike in flip flops!

Pack a picnic lunch . The restaurants (really, cafeterias) at Montserrat are both underwhelming and expensive. Far better to pack a sandwich or some bread, cheese, and meats to bring with you to enjoy with a view. 

Day 4: Park Güell & Learning to Make Paella

On your last day in Barcelona, check out Park Güell in the morning, then do a cooking class centered around paella before ending your trip to Barcelona in Gràcia, our favorite neighborhood in Barcelona. 

Spend your morning relaxing, grabbing coffee and breakfast, and visiting a lesser-known Gaudí landmark, preparing yourself for an action packed afternoon and evening. 

Casa Vicens: An Unexpected Delight

The least famous of Gaudí’s residential sites, Casa Vicens was an unexpected delight on my latest trip to Barcelona. 

The added benefit of being a bit out of the way is that it’s A LOT quieter than the two houses on Paseo de Gràcia, but no less beautiful (in fact, I’d say it’s the most intricate). 

It’s on a quiet street in Gràcia, a few blocks north of all the hustle and bustle, which puts you in perfect position for your afternoon plans. 

One of the things I first noticed about the design elements here is the influences from other styles – namely Mudejar, the architectural style you find in southern Spain inspired by the Islamic caliphate that inhabited the Iberian Peninsula for centuries (and there’s also something vaguely Japanese going on that I can’t put my finger on). 

My favorite parts about the design are the interior patio and the fountain, the paper mache ceilings featuring all sorts of fun natural elements, and the rooftop terrace. Plus, all the tilework is absolutely gorgeous.

 Part of the house is original, and part of the house is an extension built after Gaudí’s death by one of his students, matching his original style.  

Despite the fact that it’s less popular than other sites like Park Güell and the Sagrada Familia, you should still book tickets in advance if you can. You can do it on the official website , and the base ticket is going to cost 18 Euros. 

Learn How to Cook Paella in a Gorgeous Garden

We personally did this cooking class , and it was a highlight of our entire trip to Spain (you can read their stellar reviews on Airbnb ). 

Did you know paella is a) traditionally a lunchtime dish and b) not from Barcelona, but from Valencia, which is further south down the coast of Spain? 

In fact, paella from Valencia NEVER has any kind of seafood in it, which is generally what I thought of when picturing paella before this cooking class. 

Frankly, we didn’t really know a whole lot about paella other than “it’s rice, and it’s from Spain” before doing this cooking class with Clara, who grew up in Barcelona and whose family still lives in the house behind the fabulous garden you’ll make the paella in. 

This class is usually at lunch (except on Fridays) and it’s a lovely afternoon spent cooking a couple of different types of paella, meeting both Clara and like-minded travelers, and eating tapas, paella, and drinking Spanish wine in a gorgeous setting.  

The class lasts three hours, and we’d recommend not getting too drunk off of wine to make it to your next stop, which is one of the main attractions in Barcelona. 

Click here to check prices, reviews, and availability of the paella class we did.

An Afternoon in Park Güell

The main attraction of the day is absolutely Park Güell, a site that was built by Gaudí in the early 20th Century and has a very distinct modernist design and architecture that has led to it being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Despite having been to Park Güell before, it wasn’t until doing this Gaudí tour with Walks (my favorite tour company in Europe) on my latest trip that I realized that it wasn’t built to be a park, but an exclusive neighborhood for rich people (like a gated community) like the ones you found in England at the time. 

However, it quickly became apparent that the concept wasn’t taking off here in Spain, so the project kind of fizzled out and, more recently, it became a park. 

Regardless of its success as it was originally intended, it’s a cool place with interesting architecture (obviously, it’s Gaudí!).

Our recommendation is to make sure to walk up the hill to the viewpoint at the top, which will take you away from the majority of the tourists (though there will definitely still be other people there).

Don’t miss the benches (really, one long bench), particularly the fact that it’s super comfortable despite being made of rock, and the drainage system for when it rains. Oh, and the tile work – called trencadís – which refers to breaking the tile and reassembling it on a surface that isn’t flat. 

Getting Tickets for Park Güell

This place is not exactly off the beaten path. It’s usually packed with tourists from all over the world at all hours, which means you’re going to need to book tickets well in advance. 

Basically, as soon as you know the dates for your Barcelona trip, see if there are tickets available. 

This is the official site where you can buy tickets. There is an English version available, which makes it easier. 

Like the Sagrada Familia, you’ll need to choose an exact entry time when you book your tickets. If you do the paella class beforehand, I’d do 4:00 pm to be safe. 

I repeat: BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE if you are coming in peak season. Trust us. 

Tickets become available three months in advance . You can also buy skip the line tickets here .  

An Evening in Gràcia

After a couple of hours at the park, head down into the neighborhood of Gràcia, which sprawls down the hill below the park. It’s our favorite area in Barcelona, and it has an impressive array of food and drinks and a more local vibe than most of the more central parts of Barcelona. 

Never have I ever seen more dogs out for their morning and evening walks in Barcelona than in this part of town!

Here are some places that we think you should check out, though you really can’t go wrong just wandering the neighborhood, choosing a plaza and grabbing a table, and watching the world go by. 

Las Vermudas is the place to go to learn about Spanish vermut, a fortified wine that you might know as “vermouth.”

They won best Vermuteria in Barcelona in 2020, and we showed up on a weeknight and it was packed. 

We knew exactly nothing about vermouth prior to coming here, and over the course of a couple of hours, the friendly servers and bartenders gave us a crash course in vermouth in Spain, which is sweeter and more aromatic than those from places like France and Italy (which are more common, at least in the US). 

For great wine, head to Viblioteca , who has a nice array of wines to go with Spanish cured meats cheeses. Or to Bodega Bonavista , which is more of a wine store, but also does tastings and wines by the glass. 

For Venezuelan arepas (and cachapas!) and cocktails, go to Rabipelao Gràcia . 

The options in Gràcia are endless! You’ll see why we fell in love with this part of Barcelona as you’re walking down a well-lit street buzzing with a combination of locals and tourists mingling and starting their nights. 

What to Do with More Time in Barcelona

If you’re lucky to have more time on your trip to Barcelona, here are a few ideas. 

Add another day trip . Both Girona and Montserrat (and Tarragona) are worth your time, if you have it. You can use the section in the main itinerary above to plan the extra day trip. 

Catch an F.C. Barcelona game . I, Matt, am a big soccer nerd, and going to an F.C. Barcelona game has been on my bucket list for years. Unfortunately, on this latest trip, they weren’t playing at Camp Nou (their main stadium) as it was being renovated, so I made the trek up the hill to Montjuïc to catch them playing there and got to see Robert Lewandowski score a hat trick in a thrilling 4-2 win over nearby Valencia. See their schedule and buy tickets here . 

Explore Montjuïc . The hill that looms over Barcelona to the south (fun fact: the Sagrada Familia’s towers will be just lower than the highest point of Montjuïc because Gaudí believes in the power of God/nature, and didn’t want them to be higher than the highest natural point in the city). To get up there, you can either walk up through Poble-Sec at the foot of the hill on the south side, or enter from Plaça d’Espanya on the northern end and walk past the fountain and other developments built for the World Fair in 1929 that was held in Barcelona. Here’s the rough route that we’ve done before – don’t miss the viewpoints out over the Mediterranean along the southern edge of the mountain! 

Hit another Gaudí site . We’d do Casa Batlló , which is right on Paseo de Gràcia and is probably the most impressive of his residential sites. But Casa Mila is just up the street, and is slightly less busy (only slightly, though). Whichever one you choose, get the audioguide to help you understand what you’re looking at and get the ever-important details about Gaudí’s thought process and details in the design. 

What to Do with Less Time in Barcelona

If you have less time in Barcelona, here’s how we’d organize your time to make the most of it. You won’t be able to see everything, but you can certainly see some of the highlights. 

With Three Days

As much as we hate to say it, cut the day trip and follow the rest of the Barcelona itinerary as written above. 

We loved all of the day trips, but think it’s a better use of time to get deeper into Barcelona and the rich culture within its city limits. They can be saved for next time you make it to Catalonia!

With Two Days

With two days, we’d consolidate the itinerary above by doing a morning in the Gothic Quarter , the sights in Barceloneta , and either the Walking Tour OR the Food Tour on the first Day, then doing La Sagrada Familia , the Paella Class , and Park Guell on an action-packed second day. 

With One Day

With only one day in Barcelona, you’re going to be really, really short on time. We’d do the Sagrada Familia first, which is our top sight to see in Barcelona, and then explore the Gothic Quarter with an evening Food Tour to round out the day. 

Getting Around Barcelona

With limited time, we’d DEFINITELY recommend taking advantage of Barcelona’s wide-reaching and efficient metro system , which is one of the better ones in Europe. 

Sure, you can absolutely walk around Barcelona since it’s flat until you get up towards Park Güell, but you’ll end up walking for 30 minutes to get between places on this itinerary. 

It’s a beautiful city, don’t get us wrong, but we think you’ll appreciate the efficiency that comes with zipping around on the metro, covering that ground in eight minutes instead of 28. 

The bus system is pretty good too, although the schedules posted weren’t quite accurate in our experience (which isn’t surprising, just something to note). 

You can either buy tickets individually at 2.40 Euros a pop (which is expensive), as a group of 10 tickets (for one person) for 11.35 Euros, or you can get an Hola Card, which is their unlimited transport card for tourists, for 48-120 hours (in increments of 24 hours). 

Tickets can be bought at the TMB (the metro system company) machines at most metro stations. 

We went with the Hola Card (on both of our recent visits) and recommend that you do too, especially if you’re arriving in Barcelona via the airport, which is included in the price (and costs 5.15 Euros one-way). 

You can get a discount if you buy it online in advance, and use a code to redeem it at the machines when you arrive. 

Prices and ticket types might have changed, so make sure to check the official TMB website for the most up to date information. 

Getting to Barcelona

If you’re planning a flight to Barcelona, there are a couple of important considerations to keep in mind before you book your trip. 

Barcelona only has one main airport .

Budget airlines would have you believe that Girona Airport and Reus Airport are actually “Barcelona Girona” and “Barcelona Reus”. 

In reality, these airports are around 75 miles (120km) away from Barcelona, on the outskirts of two completely separate cities. It’s possible to find extremely cheap flights to these provincial airports, but much of the savings will be canceled out by the 1.5 hour trip to the center of Barcelona. 

The Better Option: Fly into El Prat (BCN) .

Barcelona’s real international airport is officially known as “Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport”, or simply “El Prat” or “BCN”, for short. 

The vast majority of long-haul international flights land here, and you can also connect to main European hubs like London, Frankfurt, and Paris. 

How to Get into the City from the Airport

Once you’ve landed at El Prat, avoid an expensive taxi fare and take advantage of the excellent public transportation options into the city.

The best option is the metro – line L9 sud , which takes roughly 30 minutes (and departs every 7 minutes) costing 5.15 Euros each way. 

It’s covered by the Hola Card, Barcelona’s unlimited public transit card for tourists, which you can buy in advance (for a 10% discount) and pick up at the departure station near Terminal 2. 

Airport buses (Aerobús) run directly to the very central Plaça Catalunya every 15 minutes. The journey takes 40 minutes and only costs around 10 Euros for a return ticket (valid for 15 days) or 5.90 Euros for a one-way ticket, if this is a jumping-off point for a broader Spain itinerary .

IMPORTANT NOTE: This bus is NOT covered by the Hola Card!

Planning a trip to Spain? We’d love to help!

Here are our other Spain travel guides to help you plan an incredible trip (even if you have to eat gluten free!).

If there’s no link below, it means we’re still working on it – long, in-depth guides take time! We’re working on it, though, we promise.

The first place to start, if you haven’t already found them, is with our detailed itineraries. We have one shorter version for 7 days in Spain , and one longer version for two weeks in Spain (with ideas for more and less time in both guides).

Our Barcelona Guides

• What to do in Barcelona (as a First Timer)
• How to Plan an Amazing 4 Day Barcelona Itinerary
• Where to Stay in Barcelona: A Complete Guide for First Timers
• 12 Things to Know Before You Visit Barcelona
• Gluten Free Barcelona: A Complete Guide to GF Restaurants + Bakeries
• Where to Find the Best Specialty Coffee in Barcelona
• How to Plan an Incredible Day Trip to Montserrat (from Barcelona)

Our Madrid Guides

• What to do in Madrid (as a First Timer)
• How to Plan an Amazing Madrid Itinerary (2 Days)
• Where to Stay in Madrid: A Complete Guide for First Timers
• 12 Things to Know Before You Visit Madrid
• Gluten Free Madrid: A Complete Guide to GF Restaurants + Bakeries
• Where to Find the Best Specialty Coffee in Madrid (for Coffee Nerds)
• How to Plan an Amazing Day Trip to Toledo (from Madrid)

The Rest of Spain

• Sevilla : How to Plan an Incredible Sevilla Itinerary (2 Days)
• Córdoba : How to Spend One Amazing Day in Córdoba (from Sevilla)
• Granada : A Perfect 2 Day Granada Itinerary for First Timers

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

Hi which hotels would you recommend for me and my 20 year son. It’s our first time visiting Spain and Barcelona. We are going to stay in Barcelona 5-6 days and i was thinking if we should break our stay in two places. Please give some good affordable/ boutique/ midrange hotel suggestions.

Hey there Necla! Exciting that you’ve got so much time in Barcelona! We have an entire guide dedicated to helping you figure out where to stay, including hotel recommendations. You can find that here:

https://wheatlesswanderlust.com/where-to-stay-barcelona-best-places/

Let us know if you have any specific questions and we’re more than happy to help.

Cheers, Matt & Alysha

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The Perfect 2 Day Barcelona Itinerary (For 2023)

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Table of Contents

Ahh, Barcelona… this magical cosmopolitan city has so many amazing landmarks—if you ask a dozen people, they’ll probably each think of a different one. From gothic cathedrals to sandy beaches, the city is chock-full of stunning architecture, UNESCO World historical sites, and delightful nature. So, how can you fit it all into the perfect 2 day Barcelona itinerary?

Well, with everything Barcelona has to offer, it would take years to enjoy them all! But if you plan your trip well, you can fit a considerable amount of things into two days, so you can have a fantastic trip without running yourself ragged.

And lucky for you, I’ve already done all the planning for you! 

In this post, I will guide you through the perfect 2 day Barcelona itinerary, including transportation, costs, opening hours, and exclusive travel tips for Barcelona, so you can make the most out of your trip.

Without further ado, let’s begin: this is the perfect 2-day itinerary for Barcelona.

Summary of my 2 Day Barcelona Itinerary

First, here’s a little summary of my 2-day Barcelona itinerary:

Now, let’s get into the details. 

The Perfect 2 Day Barcelona Itinerary

La sagrada familia.

• Opening Hours : 9 am to 8 pm, Monday through Sunday.
• Cost : 26 or 27 euros for individuals (with either an app audio guide or a guided tour).
• Recommended Start Time : 9 am (avoid the crowds and get an early start!).
• Time estimate : 30-90 minutes (depending on the tour type & your pace) + optional terrace drink for 30-60 minutes.
• Website : https://sagradafamilia.org/en/

Imagine a work of architecture so grandiose, its creation started in 1882 and it still hasn’t been completed, 139 years later. Now stop imagining and get ready to be amazed, because that’s exactly where your Barcelona itinerary will start — at the Sagrada Familia. 

This architectural wonder was originally designed by architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, according to the standard design for churches of his time. However, due to disagreements regarding the cost of materials, Villar was quickly replaced as head of the project by a budding young architect, Antoni Gaudí. 

Gaudí swiftly transformed the traditional church design into that of a modernist masterpiece that would soon tower majestically over the city. If you think the outside looks impressive, wait until you see the inside… check the photo below for a sneak peak.

If you’d like to avoid the crowds, purchase tickets in advance for the very first entry at 9 am.

Tip for Barcelona travel : If you want to gaze at this architectural gem throughout your entire Barcelona stay, consider booking a room at the Hotel Ayre Rosellón , where you’ll have a stunning view of the temple just 200 meters away; it’s definitely one of the most romantic places in Barcelona!

Alternatively, you can also just make a reservation on the rooftop terrace. Access is free, but you must buy a minimum of one drink, which you can enjoy on the terrace lounge chairs for up to 1.5 hours. Rest up, because you have lots more things to see in Barcelona!

Planning a trip to Portugal and wondering where to go? If so, read my article on the best beaches of Lagos !

Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

• Opening Hours : 9 am to 6:30 pm Monday through Sunday, with night tours from 8:40 pm to 10 pm.
• Cost : 24 to 31 euros, depending on the ticket type.
• Time Estimate : Approximately 90 minutes.
• Website : https://www.lapedrera.com/en

A 20-minute stroll down Carrer de Provença will take you from the Sagrada Familia to Casa Milà, another masterpiece by Gaudì. Unsurprisingly, most Barcelona walking tours include these top two destinations !

To avoid long queues and to save a little money, I recommend buying tickets online in advance. Fortunately, the premium tickets aren’t tied to a specific time, so you don’t have to rush your sightseeing!

You can choose from a selection of different self-guided or guided tours, which will teach you everything there is to know about the rooms and their design. But, if you want to make the most out of your trip, I recommend reading up on the history in advance.

Between the Sagrada Familia and Casa Milà, there will be a lot of new information to absorb — and your tour has barely even started!

One of my best tips for traveling in Barcelona is to therefore familiarize yourself with the history of the places you’re visiting, to avoid fatigue from information overwhelm. That way, you can just let yourself relax and take in the incredible sights as you step foot inside them. 

This page is a great place to start, with a surprisingly funny backstory to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Casa Batlló

• Opening Hours : 9 am to 6:30 pm, Monday through Sunday.
• Cost : 35 to 45 euros, depending on how flexible you want to be.
• Time Estimate : 75 minutes
• Website : https://www.casabatllo.es/en/visit/

As you can see, Day 1 is all about Gaudì, Gaudì, and nothing but Gaudì; it’s almost like we’re on a Barcelona Gaudi walking tour ! Needless to say, a Barcelona itinerary would be incomplete without admiring Gaudì’s best works .

But before you move onto his third masterpiece, let your eyes and mind rest from the explosion of colors and creativity you’ve already witnessed, and have lunch at a restaurant of your choosing. I recommend the Eixample area (you certainly won’t lack for options!).

Next, you’ll turn onto Passeig de Gràcia and walk for about six minutes until you reach the stunning Casa Battló. 

This building was originally built in 1877 by Emilio Sala Cortés, one of Gaudí’s architecture professors. Then it was purchased by a prominent businessman named Josep Batlló y Casanovas in 1903. Soon, the project was in the hands of Cortés’ most accomplished student. 

Gaudí was originally supposed to demolish and rebuild the house, but decided to reform it instead. The result is a mind-boggling array of curves and colors that manages to scream for your attention, even amidst dozens of other buildings that all vie to be the baddest and boldest on the block.

Your Barcelona itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a visit to this sumptuous home, which brings to mind theater masks and the inside of a seashell all at once. 

Tips for Barcelona travel : Tickets to Casa Batlló must be purchased for a specific time slot, so it’s best to book them in advance to ensure they’re not sold out. Give yourself enough time to eat lunch and travel between stops when booking — this itinerary is for a vacation, not a race, after all!

Montjuïc Hill

• Opening hours : Varies, based on what you’d like to see.
• Cost : Varies, based on what you’d like to see.
• Time estimate : 2-3 hours, based on what you’d like to see.

Your last stop of day 1 in Barcelona is Montjuïc — essentially, an enormous park sprawled over a hill. Your feet might be crying at the thought of schlepping up a hill after a busy day exploring the city, but remember, there are lots of options for getting around Barcelona comfortably. 

To get to Montjuïc, take the green L3 metro line to Parallel station, then switch to the FM metro line, operating between Parallel and Montjuic Park halfway up the hill. From here, you’ll be able to take the “teleferic” cable car.

It’s more expensive than a bus at 13.50 euros, but you’ll be able to admire a breathtaking view of Barcelona from the sky and get off at any of the three cable car stops, depending on what you’d like to visit.

Cable car tickets can be purchased here , and can be used anytime within 90 days of purchase. Just keep in mind that, depending on the season, this service can stop running as early as 6 pm, so be sure to arrive well in time to use your tickets!

Once at the hill, there are endless possibilities for things to do. You surely won’t be able to visit everything, so pick one or two things to focus on, to maximize your enjoyment!

One option is to get off at Castell Stop and do a one-hour guided tour of Montjuïc Castle for 9 euros. This will have to be booked for a specific time slot, so you’ll have to plan your evening well. 

From the same stop, you can take a stroll around the botanical gardens for 5 euros. They boast over 1000 species of flora, offering an oasis of calm to recharge your energy after a day packed with activities. But be aware that they may close quite early, depending on the season. 

Back down at the teleferic base station, the MNAC Museum has a marvelous modern art collection, which is yours to browse to your heart’s desire for an entry fee of 12 euros.

And even if you’re not an art buff or don’t make it in time before closing (which is 8 pm most days in the summer), the expansive gardens of Palau Nacional are still worth-visiting, with wonderful views of the city from above. 

Tapas and Flamenco/Cultural Shows

• Opening Hours : 12 pm-8 pm on Monday, 10 am-12 am Tuesday through Sunday.
• Cost : 14 euros entrance fee (but 11.20 euros if you purchase your reservation online in advance) + the additional costs of dinner.
• Time Estimate : However long you like, or until closing.

From the base of Montjuïc hill, you’re just a stone’s throw away from Poble Espanyol, the perfect place to unwind, grab some of the best tapas in Spain for dinner, and enjoy the rest of your evening. It’s only open until 8 pm on Mondays, but until midnight Tuesday to Thursday and 4 am Friday to Sunday, offering an endless supply of things to do in Barcelona at night .

No matter what time of year you’re visiting, there is always a concert, workshop, or exhibition going on here — you can search for activities on the dates you’re visiting on their official website . Poble Espanyol is also a great place to find things to do in Barcelona with kids, if you’re traveling with family. 

Wondering where else to go in Spain ? If so, I recommend exploring Seville! To learn more, click here to read my self-guided walking tour of Seville .

Tips for traveling to Barcelona : Many things on your itinerary for Barcelona require purchasing tickets, which can quickly add up. If you plan on visiting several attractions, see if there’s a discounted combined ticket available you can buy. You can save quite a bit of money this way; just plan your stops and purchase your tickets in advance!

Rise and shine, and welcome to day two of your 2 day Barcelona itinerary! According to Google, it only takes 36 minutes to walk from our first stop to our second-to-last stop of the day, but don’t be fooled — plan for this part of your Barcelona itinerary to take 4 to 6 hours, depending on how long you’d like to spend at each place.

To wrap up your second day, you’ll take public transport from Ciutadella Park up to Park Güell.

Gothic Quarter

• Opening Hours : None (outdoors)
• Cost : None
• Time Estimate : 1-2 hours

While it may not look particularly special on the map, the Gothic Quarter is filled with interesting architecture, including Roman remains and medieval landmarks. This is the oldest part of the city, and it actually used to constitute the entire city back in 15 BC, with a walled circumference of roughly 1.5 kilometers. 

Barcino, as the medieval city was called, has since grown into the second largest city in Spain , and one of the best cities to visit in Spain , but you can still explore the original “Barri Gotic” to admire several culturally significant landmarks, including the Cathedral of Barcelona, the Church of Santa Maria del Pi, Plaça Sant Jaume and Plaça del Rei, City Hall, Portal de l’Àngel, Basilica of La Mercè, and many more. 

Visiting the Gothic Quarter is arguably one of the most interesting free things to do in Barcelona, so make sure to set aside an hour (at the very least) to wander around these streets! There are also many free walking tours in Barcelona offered in this area, so plan your time well. And if you’re looking for great photo spots in Barcelona, the Gothic Quarter offers some of Barcelona’s best Instagram shots !

Tips for Barcelona travel : Don’t underestimate the time it’ll take for you to explore a place! There are so many possibilities for things to do in Barcelona, so it’s much easier to fill up extra time if you’re ahead of schedule than it is to break your neck trying to make your next museum entry time!

La Boqueria

• Opening Hours : 8 am to 8:30 pm, Monday to Saturday.
• Cost : Depends on whatever you purchase.
• Time Estimate : 45-60 minutes
• Website : http://www.boqueria.barcelona/home

On its website, La Boqueria makes the bold claim of being “the best market in the world” — and they may be right. From morning till evening, six days a week, La Boqueria offers visitors every type of food and drink you could imagine.

This is the perfect place to load up on energy and grab a seafood or tapas platter at Bar Ramblero, huevos rotos at El Quim de La Boqueria, or traditional Catalan dishes at Bar Pinotxo. Needless to say, it’s one of the best things to do in Barcelona when it rains!

Perhaps the best testament to the quality of the food at La Boqueria is the fact that it’s not just a tourist trap, but tons of Barcelona locals do their shopping at this market (though most of them come first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds!).

• Cost : None (outdoors)

After exiting La Boqueria, you’ll already find yourself at the next stop on your Barcelona itinerary: La Rambla.

This 1.2 kilometre-long boulevard used to line the contours of the medieval city walls, and was a popular hangout spot for members of all social classes. Today, it remains a popular place for both locals and tourists to mingle. It’s also filled with street artists and performers, giving it a lively vibe.

If you’re looking for souvenirs, this is one of the best places to find things to buy in Barcelona!

But there’s more to do than just shopping. You can take a 15-minute walk down to the Columbus Monument and loop back up to Plaça Catalunya, admiring some of the best Spanish landmarks such as the Gran Teatre del Liceu and the Palau de la Virreina en route. 

Passeig de Gràcia

• Cost : Free
• Time Estimate : Flexible, depending on how much time you have.

The year is 1860. The Cerdà Plan is approved by the Government of Madrid, granting Barcelona permission to expand passed its outer walls. Architects leap forward for work, and it isn’t long before the finest cafés, restaurants, boutiques, theaters, and homes line the new streets of Barcelona.

No street is better proof of Barcelona’s blossoming development than the Passeig de Gracia. It was once home to some of the wealthiest and most ambitious members of the Catalan bourgeoisie, all playing a game of “my architect is better than yours.” Today, you can admire the wacky wonders of their one-upmanship along this street. 

Passeig de Gracia is also a prime spot to go shopping, with a mile-long list of brands to choose from. You’ll already have seen some of these while moving between the stops on your first day, but now you have free reign to browse, explore, and find some of the best things to buy in Barcelona. But don’t stray too far, because your next stop is something you definitely won’t want to skip. 

Want to travel the world, but still a student? If so, read my guide on how to travel as a student !

Parc de la Ciutadella and the Arco de Triunfo

• Opening Hours : 10 am to 10:30 pm, Monday through Sunday.

Parc de la Ciutadella is not just a park — it’s also a waterfall, an outdoor art museum, and a lake. Built towards the end of the 19th century as part of Barcelona’s expansion, Parc de la Ciutadella was the first location specifically designed to be a public park.

With over 100 species of plants, a large number of 100-year-old trees, and fascinating works of art (including pieces by world-renowned artists), the Parc de la Ciutadella is absolutely delightful, and undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Barcelona for free!

For your Barcelona itinerary, you’ll enter the park at its Northern end, through the Arco de Triunfo. Now, take your time to wander around the expansive grounds! If you’re traveling Barcelona with kids, this is a great place for them to play to their hearts’ content.

• Opening Hours : 9:30 am to 7:30 pm, Monday through Sunday.
• Cost : 10 euros
• Website : https://parkguell.barcelona/en

Day 2 is coming to a close, but you still have one more stop! Although you might be feeling a little tired by now, your itinerary for Barcelona would not be complete without Park Güell. 

At the turn of the 20th century, Spanish entrepreneur Eusebi Güell bought a large property known as Muntanya Pelada (“bare mountain”), and wanted an architect to design an estate for wealthy families. And who could be better for that job than his favorite architect and friend, Antoni Gaudì? (It’s almost like he single-handedly designed half the landmarks in the city!).

The property would soon hold 60 plots connected by winding paths, viaducts, and steps, giving the residents access to their homes on the irregular landscape. Gaudì respected the plants that were already growing on the property in his design, and the city continues to care for the conservation of the park by regulating access and preventing tourist overcrowding. 

You can read all about the park and the history behind its creation on the Park Güell Official Website , but if you’ve had enough of reading, just head over on the L4 metro or bus V19, and let the sights speak for themselves. 

And That’s It for the Perfect 2 Day Barcelona Itinerary!

And there you have the entire 2 day Barcelona itinerary for a perfect weekend stay. I hope you can make good use of my Barcelona travel tips, and be sure to leave a comment to let me know how your trip went!

And of course, feel free to share any other Barcelona tips you might have picked up on your travels.  

Thanks for reading the article! If you have any questions, feel free to comment down below, and if you want to see more travel and hike-related content, make sure to check out my other articles.

Photos by Mia and Pixabay.

About to embark on a trip around Europe? Here are some helpful articles to make your trip as awesome and stress-free as possible:

• How to Travel Around Europe
• How to Travel Without Breaking the Bank
• 15 Things to Do Before a Trip
• My 5-Week Europe Itinerary
• The Minimalist Europe Fall Packing List for Women
• How to Start Hiking: 15 Beginner Hiking Tips

And here are some additional helpful links:

• Click here for my walking tours
• Click here for my hiking guides
• Click here for more posts on Europe
• Click here for more posts on Spain
• Click here for more resources

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Mia is the founder of Walk a While with Me, a travel blog dedicated to sharing the best self-guided walking tours, travel itineraries, and hikes for destinations around the world. A keen traveler, she has visited more than 20 countries in the past six years. She is excited for you to follow along on her adventures!

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Traveling to Barcelona for the First Time: 19 Tips & Tricks

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 15, 2024

Traveling to Barcelona for the first time and not sure where to start and what to expect? This article covers all the essential Barcelona travel tips that will help you make the most of your trip.

Planning your first visit to Barcelona, Spain, might be overwhelming. There are so many questions… How much time do you need in Barcelona? When to visit and how to avoid the crowds? Where to stay and what to see? Any local tips and habits to be aware of? Or how to see the best that Barcelona has to offer in a limited time and without breaking the bank?…

To help you plan your first trip to Barcelona, we selected some of the best tips for visiting the city. This no-nonsense practical guide will not only help you plan your trip, but will also show you how to make the best of your time and budget. Find out!

Top 5 Experiences in Barcelona:

• Sagrada Familia .
• Park Güell .
• Montjuïc Cable Car .
• Barcelona Pass .
• Casa Batlló .

Here are our essential Barcelona travel tips:

1. Research & Book in Advance

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when visiting Barcelona for the first time is not to plan your trip in advance. So congratulations – because you are reading this, you already have a head start compared to other visitors!

Whether it’s flights, accommodations, or tickets for the main Barcelona attractions – booking in advance means that you have more choices and much better prices . It also means less wasted time queuing and more relaxing time sightseeing and enjoying this fabulous city. After all, you want to make the most of your time in Barcelona and not spend all your precious time standing in lines.

Also, doing your research in advance means that you will avoid disappointment to find that the places you want to visit are closed or tickets sold out . Below are some examples that illustrate what I mean.

For example, we really wanted to see the dancing fountain of Barcelona, the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc , and were told that it dances every night. However, it’s not the case. Furthermore, since we were traveling in the low season, it was actually only dancing three times a week.

Because we arrived on a Saturday and left before the next weekend, we only had one chance to see the fountains during our visit – on the first evening in the city. So despite an early flight and a very long day, we decided to go. If we hadn’t done the research -assuming that we could just see it any night- we would have definitely missed it.

We also researched whether it was a good idea to visit Montserrat Monastery on Sunday. It turns out that it’s the busiest day of the week. So we booked a tour for Monday instead…

I also heard from some of our readers that they couldn’t visit the famous Barcelona market Mercado de La Boqueria because they didn’t realize that it was closed on Sundays. By the way, all indoor markets in Barcelona are closed on Sundays.

Another reader told us that they couldn’t visit Park Güell because they didn’t buy tickets in advance and no walk-ins were possible… (Btw, Park Güell is one of the most-visited Barcelona attractions and you really have to book your tickets in advance!).

Good to know: Tickets for the most popular Barcelona attractions often sell out up to 2-3 weeks in advance. This is especially the case in high season. Plus, most entry tickets are now timed, so you need to see what’s possible and how to fit it all into your itinerary. Further below, you will find more details and tips, but if you get the Barcelona Pass , you will have the option to pre-book a timeslot for your skip-the-line entry to all the main sights.

By doing your research in advance, you can also compare prices, reviews, and itineraries for the best tours in Barcelona… This brings us to the next point.

READ ALSO: Top Sights & Attractions in Barcelona

2. Save Time & Money When Visiting Barcelona’s Main Landmarks

Visiting Barcelona for the first time also means visiting all the main landmarks and attractions. Of course, you will want to see the famous La Sagrada Familia and the other iconic Gaudi buildings and architecture! Just make sure that you are well prepared so that you don’t waste hours and days standing in lines.

TIP: If you want to make the most of your time in Barcelona, consider skip-the-line tickets for ALL the main landmarks and the most popular tourist attractions. We also recommend booking guided tours for the Sagrada Familia and the main Gaudi buildings – that way you’ll get a much better understanding of all the symbolism and stories behind the architecture.

You can find Barcelona tours and skip-the-line tickets on GetYourGuide and also on Tiqets . More information – further below.

Skip the Line Tickets

Some of the most popular attractions in Barcelona like Casa Mila, Casa Batllo, Park Güell, or La Sagrada Familia can have extremely long waiting times. Buying your tickets in advance is essential when visiting these places in any season!

Here you can get skip-the-line tickets for Casa Batllo , Casa Mila , Park Güell , and – the most popular of them all – La Sagrada Familia .

PRO TIP: With this Barcelona Pass , you can immediately reserve timed-entry tickets for the most popular sights, including the towers of La Sagrada Familia (regular tickets don’t include tower access!). This is a digital pass, so you will get tickets per email (= very simple to book and use).

TIP: If you didn’t think of buying the tickets in advance and they are sold out, try booking a guided tour instead. Guided tours prebook tickets and make it possible to visit the main landmarks even if the tickets are sold out. I recommend visiting Gaudi’s buildings and especially La Sagrada Familia with a tour anyway. Read on to learn why!

Guided Tours

Even when we visited in the low season, all the Gaudi buildings in Barcelona were incredibly busy. Often, it wasn’t even clear where to go even if you had already pre-booked your tickets…

That’s why we chose to visit all the Gaudi buildings on a tour. Here you can read more about our experience with the Gaudi tour (we chose this amazing tour that covers all the main Gaudi landmarks in a day).

We visited Barcelona with our three kids who, obviously, have no patience when it comes to long queues. Taking a tour meant that we could relax while the guide took care of everything. We just followed the guide and never had to wait anywhere longer than 10 minutes.

I can’t imagine how different our experience would have been if we had to figure out where exactly to go and wait in endless lines everywhere. We wouldn’t have been able to see half as much, not even to mention our sanity having to deal with bored kids…

Furthermore, having a local guide who explained what, where, and why, enabled us to appreciate what we were seeing. We never knew there were so many symbols and stories behind all the tiny details in Gaudi’s buildings! Gaudi was a real genius and we would have never gotten to know any of that if we had visited his buildings on our own.

Free Museums

Most Barcelona museums have specific days or hours when you can visit them free of charge. In general, you can expect most museums to be free on the first Sunday of the month. But there are also additional times when you can enter free of charge.

For example, the Picasso Museum is free to visit on the first Sunday of the month and also on Thursday evenings. Barcelona Cathedral (not to be confused with Sagrada Familia) is free to visit between 8.30 AM and 12.30 PM and in the evenings from 5.45 PM to 7.30 PM (hours vary a bit per day and on some days are a bit longer, but the hours indicated here apply daily).

Museum of the History of Barcelona (MUHBA Plaça del Rei) is free on the first Sunday of the month and in the late afternoon on other Sundays.

These are just a few examples – there are so many museums and other attractions in Barcelona. So do your research for the places you want to see and, if possible, time your visit accordingly.

City Cards & Package Deals

If you are planning to visit several of the main Barcelona attractions on your own, you may want to look into getting one of the city cards that offer discounts and free entrances to certain attractions and also public transport tickets.

There is also a museum card that gives access to 6 of the most popular museums in Barcelona. So do your research and see if and which card makes sense for you, depending on your interests.

TIP: If you find the choice overwhelming, we recommend this Barcelona Pass . This is the best pass for Barcelona’s top sights including Park Güell & Sagrada Familia. If you also want to visit the towers of the Sagrada Familia (recommended), then this all-in pass is the best option for you. In case you wonder, there is a lift to get to the top of the towers.

Good to know: These passes not only save you money but make it really easy to book fast-track tickets to the most popular attractions in one place. Furthermore, the tickets are digital so you don’t have to waste your time once you get there!

3. Avoid High Season, Bank Holidays, and School Breaks

As one of the most-visited cities in Europe, Barcelona is always busy . Still, there is a huge difference between visiting Barcelona in the high season (June-August), in the shoulder season (April-May and September-October + New Year), or in the low season when there are fewer international travelers and hardly any cruise ships in town.

Because we travel with kids, however, we can only travel during school breaks. For years, we have been postponing a trip to Barcelona for that reason. However, we decided that it was high time to see this iconic city and chose the first week of November (autumn break) for our trip.

We were pleasantly surprised. It was still busy at the main attractions in the city, but it never really felt too crowded or overwhelming AND we had quite a few amazing places almost to ourselves.

Needless to say that this greatly influenced our experience and we loved Barcelona so much more than I ever expected. Based on all the horror stories about the crowds, we were really fearing the worst. But what we found was a really pleasant city that gave us plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sights without having to brush elbows with thousands of strangers.

Furthermore, the weather in early November was fabulous with plenty of sunshine and temperatures that were warm enough to wear a t-shirt during the day.

So if you can, visit Barcelona in the shoulder season or in the low season. It will be so much more enjoyable!

READ ALSO: Best Time to Visit Europe

4. Stay in the City Center

Another very important thing to take into account when traveling to Barcelona is where to stay .

While it’s often tempting to choose cheaper accommodation further away from the city center, we have learned the hard way that it’s not the best idea. Yes, it can save you some money, but it will cost you time and comfort. It’s so easy if you can just walk to a nice restaurant for dinner from your hotel or sleep longer in the morning knowing that your tour starts right around the corner and not on the other side of town…

So if you are visiting Barcelona for the first time and want to make the most of your short trip, stay in the city center! Also, stay somewhat close to a metro station – that way you can always get to the other parts of town quicker.

We recommend staying in the area close to Plaça de Catalunya . It’s a perfect location for sightseeing and you can easily walk to most attractions in the old town or to the nicest Gaudi buildings… There are also plenty of shops and restaurants nearby, and most tours and excursions start in this area.

Here are our hand-picked recommendations with an excellent location near Plaça de Catalunya for all budgets:

• If you are looking for a really nice place to stay in the heart of Barcelona, check out Ohla Barcelona , a fabulous 5* hotel with a rooftop pool and bar.
• Some of the best mid-range 4* hotels are Acta Atrium Palace and  Exe Plaza Catalunya .
• If you are on a l ower budget , check out these popular and highly-rated options with excellent locations: Hotel Lloret Ramblas (the best-rated and most popular budget hotel in the center) or  Hostal Boqueria (a very good, simple hotel on a low budget).

Where we stayed: We stayed at the Acta Splendid Hotel.  The location couldn’t be better and the price/quality was unbeatable for this area.

TIP: Using the map below, you can compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in central Barcelona (Plaça de Catalunya area).

Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your stay. Check it out!

5. Explore the Gothic Quarter

One of the most beautiful parts of Barcelona is the old Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic). No visit to the city would be complete without exploring this fascinating area.

While the district gets its name thanks to the 13-15th century Gothic buildings, it’s actually the oldest part of Barcelona with archeological finds dating to Roman times.

The main landmarks here are the Cathedral of Barcelona (The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia), Plaça del Rei , and the underground Roman city that is part of the earlier mentioned Museum of the History of Barcelona (MUHBA). But the real charm of the Gothic Quarter is its fascinating maze of streets and historic buildings.

TIP: This part of town can get really busy. The best time to visit is as early in the morning as possible, or in the low season.

6. Use Barcelona Metro

Barcelona is a big city and its attractions are scattered throughout. So no matter where you stay, eventually, you’ll find yourself in need of a transfer. By far the easiest and the fastest way to get around the city is by taking the metro . And, if you avoid peak times, the metro is surprisingly quiet.

There are all kinds of multi-day and multi-journey tickets available for Barcelona metro and public transport, so choose one that best suits your needs. When we traveled, we got a 10-journey card that could be used by multiple people at the same time. Names and conditions of these cards change often, and you can find the best up-to-date information on the official website .

If you’re just taking the metro (so not a bus and other public transport options), you can easily get ticket cards at any metro station as well. There are ticket machines and everything is well-explained, also in English. Credit cards are accepted.

TIP: You can also take a metro to the airport , but it takes very long (it took us over 1.5 hrs to get to the city center). Alternatively, there are airport shuttle buses that run frequently, cost about the same as the metro ticket, and take much less time. On our way back to the airport, we took a taxi and it was surprisingly affordable. You can find more information about Barcelona airport transport here .

7. Wear Comfortable Shoes

Just as with any city trip, traveling to Barcelona means that you’ll be walking a lot. Make sure that you wear comfortable walking shoes!

Take my word for it, wrong footwear can ruin your entire vacation. Get lightweight sneakers or slip-on shoes for your Barcelona trip. I wear and recommend shoes in this style ; they are light and comfy – ideal for city trips.

TIP: If you don’t like walking too much, consider taking a hop-on hop-off bus instead.

8. Adjust Your Dining Schedule

You may have heard this before – Spanish people have very different habits when it comes to dining times. The main meal of the day is lunch and it usually starts at around 2 – 2.30 PM. Most restaurants will not open for dinner before 8 – 9 PM.

We were a bit worried about late dinner times because we traveled to Barcelona with kids, but it worked out quite well. Since it’s such a touristy place, there are quite some restaurants that have adapted their opening times and it was usually possible to find a place to eat at 7.30-8 PM.

We were told that the best local restaurants don’t open before 8.30-9 PM, but we found plenty of good restaurants that do.

That being said, you won’t easily find a good local restaurant open for dinner before 7 – 7.30 PM.

9. Try Tapas

No visit to Barcelona would be complete without tapas . In case you don’t know what tapas are, this is just a popular Spanish word for small snacks. Like appetizers in the US or antipasti in Italy. Basically, tapas are just small-sized portions of food – from seafood, meat, to all kinds of vegetables or potatoes ( patatas bravas ).

Everywhere you go, you’ll see tapas on the menu. It’s a great way to try a big variety of Spanish food without having to order an entire dish not knowing whether you’ll like it. It’s ideal if you are traveling with a bigger family or a group of friends because you can order a big variety of tapas and everyone will easily find something they like.

Some restaurants have set tapas menus which are a real lifesaver if you are feeling overwhelmed. After a couple of tapas meals, you’ll get more familiar with the concept, and ordering tapas will actually be fun.

Good to know: Tapas are EVERYWHERE in Barcelona, but they are not the only option (luckily). If you stay in Barcelona longer, it’s quite likely that you’ll eventually get tired of tapas. No worries – there are plenty of restaurants serving traditional Spanish food, seafood, paellas, but also a big variety of international cuisines. After five days in Barcelona, our kids didn’t want to see or hear of any more tapas, so we found a really nice pasta restaurant that the whole family loved.

TIP: If you want to try some of the best local dishes, consider joining a food tour as well! Food tours are our favorite thing to do when visiting any city! Check out this highly-rated tapas & wine tour . Another popular choice is this paella cooking experience + Boqueria market visit .

10. Tipping in Barcelona

Generally speaking, tipping is not that common in Europe, and so also not in Spain. However, American habits quickly find their way here too and it’s now more and more common to tip. That being said, it’s never really expected, let alone obligatory.

In Barcelona, you do not have to tip and locals usually don’t tip or just round up the bill. If you find the restaurant service exceptionally good, you can tip 5-10%. It’s not common to tip at a bar. Taxi bills are usually just rounded up. For bellboys – a euro or two is enough.

Many people tip tour guides, but it’s really your call how much. In Europe, we usually tip 20 EUR for a day tour that we take as a family of 5. If you are alone or traveling as a couple, 5-10 EUR is acceptable, but most Europeans don’t even do that.

11. It’s OK to Haggle

If you are planning to buy any souvenirs from street vendors, at the markets, or at the tourist shops in town, you should know that haggling is completely acceptable. Very often, you’ll see that no prices are advertised and in such cases, you definitely have to haggle or you’ll be overpaying up to twice the price, if not more.

It’s also very common that the same souvenirs will cost twice as much close to the most popular tourist landmarks, compared to some lesser-visited places. However, it’s not always the case.

My best advice is not to buy souvenirs immediately. Take your time, ask for prices, and get a better idea of what’s acceptable before buying anything.

12. Know That Things Are Laid Back

Barcelona is a very laid-back place. You’ll notice it in many ways. Depending on where you’re from and what you’re used to, things might seem a bit too relaxed, or maybe just normal…

The best way to enjoy your time in Barcelona is just go with the flow. Don’t get upset if it takes a bit longer for a waiter to take your order, or if the shops are closed for siesta a bit longer than advertised…

Good thing is that Barcelona is also much more casual in terms of clothing than, for example, Madrid. There is no need for fancy clothing and even at dinner at some nicer restaurants we dined at, most people were quite casually dressed. That being said, when in doubt, I’m always in favor of overdressing.

13. Beware of Pickpockets

Just as in any other big city or popular tourist destination, Barcelona has a problem with pickpockets. These guys are real professionals and it’s not uncommon that they manage to distract attention and even rob a big group of people at the same time.

So take precautions and don’t carry too much money or any other unnecessary valuables around. Also, make sure that you have good travel insurance! Be careful at the most popular tourist places, such as La Rambla or around La Sagrada Familia, and also when using public transport.

An anti-theft backpack might be a good idea too. Or – if you have a regular backpack – wear it in front of you and not on your back. Also, it’s really not a good idea to store your wallet or your smartphone in your jeans pocket.

14. Don’t Try to See Everything

Barcelona is a huge city and there is so much to see and do ! But… there’s no way to see everything in just a couple of days. So plan your itinerary well! If you don’t know where to start, check out our tips on how to spend 1 day in Barcelona and also an itinerary for 2 days in Barcelona .

I recommend choosing a couple of must-see places each day or maybe one specific area, and not try to do it all at once. You’ll enjoy the city much more if you also leave some time for a relaxing lunch at a nice café or some unexpected discoveries.

When it comes to visiting Barcelona, remember that less is more!

I know that it’s very tempting to try and see as many landmarks as you possibly can, but you’ll just get tired and frustrated. Take your time to sample some local specialties at the market, turn into a little picturesque alley and see where it leads, or explore some lesser-known places that don’t involve standing in line for hours… This brings us to the next tip…

15. Get off the Beaten Path

Barcelona is so much more than its most famous landmarks , La Rambla, Gothic Quarter, Barceloneta beach, or Gaudi architecture… There are so many other amazing places that are worth visiting just as much, yet are overlooked by most first-time visitors.

Some of our favorite moments in Barcelona were visiting the lesser-known and less-visited places . And while it’s not easy to find any truly ‘hidden’ gems, even just getting a bit off the main tourist routes will show you a very different side of Barcelona.

One of our favorite places in Barcelona was the beautiful Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site , which we had practically to ourselves. While it is not completely unknown, it was completely deserted when we visited it in the low season… And so worth a visit!

We particularly enjoyed the Port Vell and La Barceloneta – an old fishermen’s quarter with narrow streets and local restaurants. And yes, there is a really busy area in this part of town as well – with a seaside promenade, fancy yachts, and tourist restaurants. But if you take the time to explore deeper, you find a totally different place, just a few blocks away…

The same counts for the El Born and La Ribera areas which are like a labyrinth of narrow streets and passageways – so fun to just get lost and explore this area without a map.

We also went to a more local Poublenou area and explored Gracia , L’Eixample , and Montjuïc on foot. We visited some little-known sights and some really nice markets that had many more locals than tourists (Mercado de La Boqueria is really not the only market worth seeing in Barcelona)…

Each and every area has something special and unique. Behind the busier streets and popular areas, there are always lesser-visited gems just waiting to be discovered.

Even if you just see a few of these more local areas, it will make your trip to Barcelona so much more memorable.

16. Attend a Performance at Palau de la Música Catalana

If you want to experience something really special in Barcelona, try to get tickets for a performance at Palau de la Música Catalana . This stunning music hall is a real masterpiece and worth visiting in itself, but it’s even more special if you can attend a concert here.

They organize various concerts every evening and also during the day on the weekends. From classical music and dance to the most modern musical performances and traditional Flamenco dances – there are always plenty of choices to suit any interest. Most of the time, tickets are available just a few days in advance (or even on the day itself), so check the program and go. It will be totally worth it!

Good to know: You can also just visit the music hall itself. Self-guided and guided tours are available throughout the day and take less than an hour. Here you can get tickets for your visit .

17. Escape the Hustle of the City for a Day

Visiting a busy city like Barcelona can leave you exhausted, especially if you are not used to the crowds or if the summer heat becomes too much for you.

While most tourists head to Barceloneta beach , you’ll hardly find any locals there. The better beaches (nicer and also less crowded) can be found a bit further away. Try Playa de Bogatell if you don’t want to go too far. Or – outside of town – Platja de Castelldefels in the south or Platja de Badalona in the north of Barcelona.

The most popular day trip outside of the city is visiting Montserrat Monastery . Because it’s located in the mountains, the temperatures are usually cooler there too. We also took this day trip and here you can read all about our Montserrat tour .

These are just a few examples of places to visit outside the city. There are many more beautiful areas that you can visit on a day trip from Barcelona! Here are a few other popular options:

• Catamaran Sailing Tours (1.5-2 hrs)
• Kayaking & snorkeling (half a day)
• Hot air balloon flights (half a day)
• Vineyards near the city (half a day)
• Girona and Costa Brava (full day)
• Girona, Figueres and Dalí Museum (full day)
• 3 Countries in a Day (full day)

So if you are staying in town for more than 2-3 days, I suggest you take at least one day trip to see more of the surroundings or just to escape the crowds. As a minimum, rent a bike and drive along the beach – there is a beautiful waterfront promenade with bike paths that bring you to the quieter beaches and districts of Barcelona.

18. Stay Clear of Politics and Protests

Political protests in Catalonia are not uncommon. There were huge protests and even riots in Barcelona just a few days before our trip, and there were also some violent protests in the city while we were there.

But, in general, these protests don’t really influence your travel experience much (unless they block an airport, which happened once a few years ago).

My best advice is to just stay clear of any political protests. If you see any demonstrations, just walk around or take another street. Barcelona is a big city and the chances that you’ll find yourself amidst the protesters are really not that high.

19. Don’t Forget Little Important Details

Here are some  more practical tips  to consider when traveling to Barcelona for the first time:

• You can  pay  by credit card pretty much everywhere, but it’s always useful to have some cash as well. Spain uses the EURO .
• If you don’t have a credit card with a chip and a 4-digit pin , check out this selection of  the best American credit cards for travel and get one – you’ll need a car with a pin everywhere in Europe. I recommend choosing  a card with no foreign transaction fees .
• While you can easily get around using English , it’s always useful to learn a couple of words of Spanish or Catalan. Hola (hello) and gracias (thank you) go a long way.
• Barcelona has a pretty good network of free WiFi with hundreds of access points throughout the city. Hotels and some restaurants also usually offer free wifi.
• Download an offline map of Barcelona using apps like Google Maps or Maps.me. It’s so much easier than a paper map and you can always easily find your way around.
• Make sure to pack a travel adapter . Spain uses  European plugs .
• Remember that many shops and markets are closed on Sunday . However, most museums and other attractions remain open. We chose to do a Gaudi tour on a Sunday and it worked out great.
• Pack comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the season. It can get really warm in Barcelona and sun protection is an absolute must in summer. Don’t forget your sun hat !
• Make a copy of your travel documents and send it to yourself by email (or save it in the cloud). As with any international trip, make sure that you have good travel insurance .

So, these are some of the most important practical tips that you should know when traveling to Barcelona for the first time.

Below, you can also find some frequently asked questions for your first visit to Barcelona. Take a look!

Barcelona Travel FAQs

The best time to visit Barcelona are the shoulder months between March and May and also from September to October. The weather is best for sightseeing and it’s not as busy as in the summer.

While you can see the main landmarks of Barcelona in one or two days, we recommend at least 3-4 days for your first trip to Barcelona. This will allow you to explore the city at a more relaxed pace, visit Gaudi buildings and a few museums, and maybe even take a tour to Montserrat.

Barcelona is a very popular destination, so it’s best to book your accommodation and the tours that you absolutely want to do in advance. Make sure to book skip-the-line tickets for the most popular landmarks such as La Sagrada Familia!

Yes, Barcelona is a safe destination. However, just like in any other big European city, you should be careful with pickpockets and common travel scams. If you are not sure about visiting certain areas at night, ask your hotel for advice.

We recommend staying in the area close to Plaça de Catalunya . The location is perfect for sightseeing and you can easily walk to the most popular attractions in the city center. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. Most tours also start in this area.

Do you have any questions or maybe want to share your experience when visiting Barcelona? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

More tips for your trip to Spain:

• Best Things to Do in Barcelona
• Barcelona 1 Day Itinerary
• How to See the Best of Barcelona in 2 Days
• Complete Guide to Visiting Montserrat
• Montserrat Tour Review
• Best Barcelona Gaudi Tour
• 1 Day in Seville
• 2 Days in Seville
• Flamenco in Seville
• One Day in Madrid: What to See & Itinerary
• Madrid to Toledo Day Trip

READ ALSO: Spain Bucket List: Top Places & Experiences

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

More travel inspiration for European cities:

If you are visiting other European cities and are looking for in-depth information for your trip, take a look at some of our city guides:

• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Antwerp, Belgium
• Bern, Switzerland
• Bologna, Italy
• Brasov, Romania
• Brussels, Belgium
• Bruges, Belgium
• Bucharest, Romania
• Colmar, France
• Edinburgh, UK
• Florence, Italy
• Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
• Geneva, Switzerland
• Krakow, Poland
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Liverpool, UK
• Lucerne, Switzerland
• Manchester, UK
• Milan, Italy
• Naples, Italy
• Paris, France
• Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
• Ravenna, Italy
• Reykjavik, Iceland
• Rome, Italy
• Salzburg, Austria
• Siena, Italy
• Sintra, Portugal
• Venice, Italy
• Verona, Italy
• Read also our tips for traveling to Europe .

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Tuesday 13th of June 2023

Hi Jurga! I love your blog and I'm planning to visit Barcelona in October. Did the Acta Splendid charge you a resort fee in addition to the price of the room & tax?.....Elaine

Wednesday 14th of June 2023

Hi Elaine, I don't remember hotel charging us any special fees. When you book on Booking.com, it's always very clearly shown what's included. Usually, for most places, they already include the city tax in the price, or show you how much it will be. For Acta Splendid, if I try just random dates, I see that it shows me in the booking window that 10% VAT and City tax are included in the price. What sometimes happens is that you first get charged just for the room and then have to pay the taxes at the property separately. But the total price you see on Booking is usually the total of what you'll pay in the end (unless clearly stated otherwise). That's a big difference vs. booking with hotels directly. Most hotels don't show taxes in their price at first and then add it to your bill later. This way, you might think that you are paying less but, often, it's quite the opposite. Just one more reason why we always use Booking.com for all our accommodation bookings. Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

• Get a Discount Pass
• Buy My Digital Pass
• Buy My Hola BCN Card
• Book Paella at Bodega Joan
• Book My Bus Turistic Ticket
• See a flamenco show
• Attractions Tickets
• Itineraries
• Digital Pass
• Sagrada Familia
• Barcelona Card
• Restaurants
• Casa Batllo
• Hop on Hop off
• Magic Fountain

Planning My Trip

Here’s a list of articles that’ll help you organize the trip to Barcelona. Find your flight, book lodging, plan an itinerary and… get ready for take off!

Looking for something?

• All articles
• How to Guides
• Where to Stay
• Understanding the City

Planning a trip to Barcelona in 2024? Here’s a new discount pass to help you save time and money. The new Best of Barcelona Bundle created by our partner Tiqets includes the city’s best attractions – all booked with just a couple mouse clicks. Let’s break down this Barcelona discount pass step by step. What […]

Plan the whole darn holiday with one click using our insider itineraries ranging from one to four days – and if you’re not happy we’ll make you one FREE.

4 days in Barcelona are enough to soak in its colorful and vibrant atmosphere. That said, deciding what to see in Barcelona in four days can be complicated if you don’t know the Catalan capital well. That’s where I come in with my 11 years of city experience – and eight years helping tourists just […]

There’s something almost magical about Montserrat tours from Barcelona. Imagine a place where rugged mountains touch the sky, a sanctuary perched high above the Catalan plains, inviting the adventurous and the spiritual alike. And it’s not far from the bustling streets of Barcelona. For those looking to escape the city’s hustle for a day, here’s […]

Get the ultimate list of things to do in Barcelona and maximize your time with attraction hacks, directions, opening hours, and a ton of ticket discounts.

Barcelona in March means the beginning of spring – and the city awakens to the warmth of the Mediterranean and prepares to welcome visitors from all over the world. In this post, we will find out the best things to do in March in Barcelona – and how to best enjoy the city during this […]

So you’ve decided on Barcelona for your next vacation, nice job! But how many days to stay in Barcelona? If you’d permit me (and my Barcelona tourist guide) to walk you through the process, I’m sure we can figure it out together. Let’s break down how many days you need in Barcelona, shall we? How […]

Barcelona in May has tons to offer, from its beaches to numerous cultural events. Inebriated by the scent of spring, the Barcelona prepares for summer but is not yet inundated by high season crowds. May in Barcelona is the right month to walk the streets of the center without sweating in the heat, enjoy vermouth […]

7 days in Barcelona is a great way to really sink your teeth into the city and not just see it but live it as well. With a week in Barcelona, you’ll embark on a journey that tantalizes your senses, from the taste of traditional tapas to Gaudi’s greatness. If I had to draw up […]

Barcelona in April just might be my favourite month – because with improving weather it’s the first time of the year when outdoor activities take priority. Also, the city’s streets and squares become even more lively with cultural, gastronomic, and music events, making it an ideal time to visit. Here’s what to do in April […]

Barcelona in January offers a unique charm that’s miles away from the typical beach blowout. That’s why I’m gonna show you what to do in Barcelona in January to explore the Catalan capital properly. From fewer crowds to a plethora of cultural experiences and January events – here it is! Is January a Good Time […]

Fall in Barcelona is a symphony of golden hues, vibrant festivals, and cool breezes – no surprise there. But as the city dons its autumnal charm, is it really worth it to visit during autumn in Barcelona? Let’s dive head first into what to do in Barcelona in the fall to see if you can […]

If you’re wondering what to do in Barcelona at night – know that after dark isn’t just a time, it’s an experience. As the sun dips below the horizon, night in Barcelona offers a second life, bursting with nocturnal adventures and cultural gems. Whether you’re a night owl, a foodie, or a culture vulture, I’ve […]

Couldn’t quite get away for that weekend alone? Let us ease the pain with our master list of things to do in Barcelona with kids – you’ll almost be happy they came!

Barcelona in November is a captivating blend of autumnal charm and vibrant cultural events. The cooler temperatures in November in Barcelona also invite visitors to explore its historic sites with lesser crowds – and cheaper hotels. But are shorter lines and cheap rooms worth it? Let’s dig into what to do in Barcelona in November […]

December in Barcelona is a month of enchantment: the autumn hues give way, and the city welcomes the festive spirit of winter. That’s all well and good, but what to do in Barcelona in December? Don’t fret – I’m here to cover all the Barcelona December events, concerts, and must-visit attractions! Is December a Good […]

The best food tours in Barcelona will take you on a gastronomic journey through the vibrant streets of Catalonia’s capital. Along the way, you’ll also be dished up a healthy serving of city history – and if you want, and endless amount of wine. These hand-picked Barcelona food tours all feature Catalan flavours and modern […]

February in Barcelona is a magical time of year, offering a unique blend of cultural experiences, exciting events, and pleasant weather. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a solo adventure, or a fun-filled family vacation, this vibrant city has something special in store for you. From exploring iconic landmarks to immersing yourself in local festivals […]

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Craft your Barcelona itinerary with this complete Barcelona trip planner

Things to do in Barcelona Barcelona Travel Guide Barcelona Itineraries

Home to multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites, Barcelona is the largest city in the Catalonia region of Spain. With a rich blend of art and architecture, this city features some amazing sights such as Sagrada Familia , Casa Vicens , Park Guell , and more. Barcelona also boasts of good weather, sandy beaches, and vibrant nightlife. So, whether you are a culture enthusiast or a party freak, everyone will find something to do in this city. Planning a trip to Barcelona soon? Then, read on to know more about this popular tourist destination including when to visit, how to get around, where to stay, and more.

Best Time To Visit Barcelona

The months between April and July are the best time to visit Barcelona if you wish to attend the outdoor festivals and events. This is a great time to spend on the beaches as well and try all the water sports here.

But if you only wish to go sightseeing, then winter (March - May) and summer (September - November) is a good time to visit as there are fewer tourists in the city. However, this tends to be an expensive time to visit the city.

For those who are looking to travel to Barcelona on a budget, early winter (November - March) is the ideal time to visit the city, but you won’t be able to enjoy the beaches at this time. Read more about the the best time to visit Barcelona .

Barcelona Itineraries

Depending on how long you're in Barcelona for, whether it's just a day or 5 days, we have the perfect itineraries crafted for you. Go through these Barcelona itineraries and plan your stay well in advance!

If this is your first time traveling to Barcelona, you could use some help planning your daily itineraries. Apart from the basic planning (flight tickets, visa, accommodation in Barcelona, etc.), you'll need to consider your day-to-day activities in Barcelona. The basics being where to go, what to see, how to get there, and more. But fret not, we have got you covered!

1-Day Barcelona Itinerary

La Rambla & La Boquería

Gothic Quarter

Sagrada Familia

Barcelona Zoo

La Barceloneta Beach

Read In Detail: A Comprehensive 1-Day Barcelona Itinerary

3-Day Barcelona Itinerary

Poble Espanyol

Barcelona Aquarium

Articket Museum Trail

Palau de la Música Catalana

Las Golondrinas De Barcelona Cruise

Tibidabo Amusement Park

Read In Detail: A Comprehensive 3-Day Barcelona Itinerary

5-Day Barcelona Itinerary

Day trip to Girona, Figueres and Dali

Read In Detail: A Comprehensive 5-Day Barcelona Itinerary

Weekend in Barcelona Itinerary

Las Ramblas

Mercado de la Boqueria

Flamenco Show

Gaudi Monuments

Picasso Museum

Camp Nou Tour

Montjuic Hill

Barceloneta Beach

Read In Detail: A Comprehensive Weekend Barcelona Itinerary

Hacks To Buying Cheap Barcelona Flight Tickets

Now that you've figured out the perfect time to visit Barcelona and braved through the restrictions, it is time to look for flight tickets. Go through our 17 golden hacks for cheap flight tickets before scouring through the flight ticket websites. You'll be surprised how easy it is to save a pretty penny while booking flight tickets!

Packing For Barcelona

If you are planning a trip to Barcelona, then you also need to pack efficiently for your trip. Make sure to pack in advance to avoid missing out on some crucial items for your trip. A travel adaptor, reusable bottle, crossbody bag, raincoat, photo ID, etc. are a few important things to pack for your trip to Barcelona. Apart from that, you need to carry clothes according to the month that you would be visiting. Don’t forget to carry a pair of comfortable walking shoes to allow yourself to explore this ancient city comfortably. Most importantly, if you plan to visit a lot of churches in the city, make it a point to carry clothes to cover your knees and shoulders.

Where To Stay In Barcelona

When you are searching for neighbourhoods to stay in Barcelona , you have to consider what attractions and activities you are planning to enjoy in the city. It is a huge city so it is essential that you select a place that is close to your chosen experience.

Near the beaches

If you are planning to spend most of your time on the beaches, then the best area to live in Barcelona is Poblenou or Barceloneta. Barceloneta’s beach is family-friendly and the longest beach in the city. Poblenou features five beaches that are clean and gorgeous but slightly away from the main attractions.

Around Sagrada Familia

For those who are focused on exploring the attractions of the city, Barri Gotic and Eixample are good places for staying. These places are not just close to the main attractions such as Sagrada Familia but also have good options of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

For backpackers

If you are looking for some peace and quiet, then, check out a hotel or guesthouse in Gracia which is a little away from the city attractions. Visitors will love the local vibe here and you can explore the cobblestone streets, cute bars, and plazas around here.

With familiy

If you are traveling to Barcelona with your family, then you can plan a stay in El Raval. This is a centrally located area with access to many attractions and open spaces for the kids to enjoy. You will also find a plethora of hip restaurants and tapa bars to explore here.

Public Transportation in Barcelona 101

5 best day trips from barcelona.

Planning a trip to Spain is a monumental effort; the country has amazing destinations that appeal to travelers of all kinds. Art enthusiasts, history buffs, wine connoisseurs, architecture aficionados, and culture vultures, everyone can pick and choose their favourite destinations in Spain. Barcelona is at the heart of all these experiences, and merely a day away from it are incredible destinations that offer a variety of experiences.

Check out our list of 5 best day trips from Barcelona :

Barcelona Travel Tips & Hacks

Barcelona is just about as touristy as it gets. A city rich with ancient history and also a Mecca for football fans, it can be a little tricky to navigate. Go through our guide and jot down some interesting travel tips that even the locals swear by. Learn how to navigate tourist traps in Barcelona, how to save money on transport, food, and accommodation, and then some. Start making notes and use these tips before your trip to Barcelona.

20 Barcelona Travel Tips & Hacks

Faqs: barcelona trip planner, is barcelona worth visiting.

Barcelona is one of the top cities to visit in Barcelona which features many works of Antoni Gaudi and other Spanish artists. Park Guell, Sagrada Familia, Casa Vicens, etc. are a few top places that you can visit here.

When is the best time to visit Barcelona?

The best time to visit Barcelona is April to July when the weather is pleasant for staying on the beach. If you want to plan a budget-friendly trip to Barcelona, then the best time to visit is early winter (November - March).

What are the top things to do in Barcelona?

The top things to do in Barcelona are visiting Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, Casa Vicens, Barcelona Aquarium, and so on.

What is the safest way to get around Barcelona?

In terms of the safety of tourists, metros and taxis are the best modes of transportation in Barcelona.

What should you pack for Barcelona?

Depending on the month of your trip, you should pack a raincoat/umbrella, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes for your trip to Barcelona.

What is the cheapest mode of transportation in Barcelona?

The cheapest mode of transportation in Barcelona is FGC railways, buses, and metros. 

What are the best day trips from Barcelona?

A few of the best places to visit as a day trip from Barcelona are Girona, Montserrat, Sitges, and Colonia Guell.

Which is the best place to stay in Barcelona?

Overall, the best places to get a hotel or guesthouse in Barcelona are Eixample , Barri Gotic, and Gracia. These places are well-connected to the city and have their own charm.

Amulya Chintaluri

Amulya's love for travelling was a natural consequence of her moving around so much as a child. Throw in her love for writing into the mix, and there's no better way to spend her time. A person who collects hobbies like Infinity Stones, she loves reading, sketching, drawing, painting, dry pressing flowers, music, cooking, eating cake, watching TV and sleeping.

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1 Day in Barcelona

How to spend 24 hours in the catalan capital.

Itinerary in Brief

Detailed Itinerary

Itinerary Map

Alternative Option

Tour Option

Where to Stay

Move over Rick Steves, the local experts of Barcelona Life share our top tips on how to spend one perfect day in the “The Great Enchantress”.

So you’re coming to the most beautiful city in the world… and you’ve only given yourself 24 hours to see it!?

Are you crazy!?!?

Change your flights amigos , tell your boss your favourite uncle died, or that you’ve contracted dysentery… do whatever it takes to spend longer! There are so many amazing things to do in Barcelona, that one day is never enough…. just check our 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 day itineraries, to see what I mean.

I’m going to attempt the impossible, and create an itinerary that captures the brilliance of Barcelona in less than 24 hours

Didn’t manage to persuade you to stay longer? Well it’s true that the real world can be brutal sometimes, with its responsibilities, and deadlines… so I’m going to attempt the impossible, and create an itinerary that captures the brilliance of Barcelona in less than 24 hours…

The Perfect 1 Day Itinerary

The key to a successful one day stay, in my opinion, is to get an overview of the city, and to visit two or three of its most important monuments. Unfortunately you won’t have the luxury to get a deeper sense of the rhythms of the city, its local life and habits, but you should get an impression on a grander scale of its geography and architecture, and maybe just a tiny slice of its balmy Bohemian atmosphere. Hopefully the seed will be sown for a second, more comprehensive visit. Here we go…

08:45 – Plaça Catalunya We start in Barcelona’s central square.

08:45-09:15 – Passeig de Gracia Take a walk up Passeig de Gracia boulevard to see the Block of Discord, including Gaudi’s Casa Batllo.

09:30 – Casa Mila Enjoy a look at Gaudi’s Casa Mila from the outside, before hopping on the tourist bus (Blue Line, one stop) to the nearby Sagrada Familia.

10:00 – La Sagrada Familia Visit Gaudi’s mindblowing masterpiece. Buy a fast track ticket , or invest in the Barcelona Pass .

11:30 – Tourist Bus Hop back on the Blue Line of the tourist bus. It’s two stops to Park Guell.

12:00 – Park Guell Enjoy views over the city from the Gaudi’s gorgeous gardens – Park Guell (it’s essential to buy advance tickets ! The park is also included in the Barcelona Pass ).

13:30 – Lunch in Gracia Take a pitstop in the Gracia district.

15:00 – Ride the Blue Line Enjoy a longer ride on the Blue Line of the tourist bus, possibly stopping off for a stadium tour of Camp Nou (you should reserve tickets here ).

16:30 – Ride the Red Line Switch onto the Red Line of the tourist bus, and enjoy a scenic ride over the attraction-laden Montjuic mountain.

18:00 – Las Ramblas Get off the bus at the 60-metre-high Colombus Statue and walk up the legendary Las Ramblas.

19:45 – Flamenco Concert & Dinner Enjoy the sultry Spanish dance with dinner. Research the best shows here .

22:00 – Nightcap Enjoy a cocktail at one of Barcelona’s famous bars .

00:00 – Bedtime Or is it?

THE BARCELONA PASS

If you decide to follow this itinerary, then consider purchasing the Barcelona Pass via Tiqets.com . The Barcelona Pass is designed with first time visitors in mind, and includes tickets to 1. La Sagrada Familia , 2. Park Guell and 3. the Hop on / Hop off Tourist Bus , as well as free audio guides.

BUY BARCELONA PASS

1 Day Itinerary in Detail

08:45 – plaça catalunya.

No slouching, I expect you to be showered, dressed and breakfasted by now, and you should have made your way to Plaça Catalunya, the city’s bustling central square.

The day starts here, at Placa Catalunya….

08:45 – 09:15 – Passeig de Gracia

From here make your way up the magnificent boulevard Passeig de Gracia by foot. This has to be one of the best looking streets in the world. Keep going up until you reach the so called ‘Block of Discord’ on your left, a single block that showcases three of Barcelona’s best architects in one: starting with the Casa Lleo i Morera by Luis Domenech i Montaner, then the Casa Amatller by Puig y Cadalfach, and finishing with the astonishing Casa Batllo , by none other than Antoni Gaudi.

The Casa Amatller (left), and the Casa Batllo, on the Block of Discord.

09:30 – Casa Mila

The embarrassment of architectural riches continues on the other side of the street with Gaudi’s Casa Mila , a vast monolithic mansion with curves like Kim Kardashian. Take a good look!

You don’t have time to enter any of these astonishing buildings however, because you’ve got a date with God. Get on board the Blue Line of the Hop On, Hop Off Tourist Bus and alight at the next stop.

10:00 – Sagrada Familia

You don’t have to be religious to sense the divine in this breathtaking homage to the big guy upstairs. Gaudi was an ardent Catholic and he dedicated the later years of his life to this impossibly grandiose edifice, every square foot of which is decorated in religious allegories, natural motifs and mathematical equations. This one you can’t miss, so buy yourself a skip-the-line ticket . Personally I would advise buying a ticket that includes audioguide, which you can do via Get Your Guide .

Note: if you’re following this itinerary exactly, you might be better off buying the Barcelona Pass as it includes Tourist Bus, Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, leaving you done and dusted with one handy purchase!

The unmissable Sagrada Familia

11:30 – Tourist Bus

However mesmerising La Sagrada proves, don’t tarry too long… you need to hustle and get back on the Blue Line of the tourist bus. Your love affair with Gaudi ain’t over yet. Get off two stops later…

12:00 – Park Guell

Excuse me for a minute whilst I get nostalgic for the times when Parc Guell was free and half empty, and I used to pop up there just to enjoy the serene beauty of the place. Sadly, in these days of readily accessible travel, we now have to wait our turn (and pay!) for such privileges – so please go online and book your tickets in advance (you’ve got a loooonng wait if you don’t!).

The viewing terraces of the wonderful Park Guell

Once you’ve passed through the art nouveau gates of Gaudi’s garden , you’ll soon see what all the fuss is about. From the majestic white staircase, with techni-colour lizard on guard, to the wide open terrace with undulating trencadis -covered benches and views over almost the entire city, this is a truly special place.

Oh what the hell, take a selfie… everyone else is!

13:30 – Lunch in Gracia

Lunch time! Leave yourself about 15 or 20 minutes and descend from Park Guell down into the chic Bohemian district of Gracia . This used to be a separate village to Barcelona, and indeed the (fiercely Catalan) locals still consider themselves distinct from downtowners. The barri is chock-full of affordable tapas bars and restaurants, so take your pick. You’ll find a few suggestions in our Restaurants section , where you can filter the location for ‘Gracia’.

A spot of lunch in Gracia…

15:00 – Ride the Blue Line

By now your legs are a little weary and your stomach a little bloated. But don’t worry, I’ve scheduled you a nice easy afternoon…

It’s time to get back to the tourist bus stop, and ride the Blue Line all the way, through the pleasant Zona Alta neighbourhoods, to the other side of the city where the legendary Camp Nou football stadium awaits. Depending on whether you’re a sports fan or not, you might want to get off here and enjoy The Barça Immersive experience . You can buy advance tickets via Get Your Guide (note: the stadium itself is closed for refurbishment until Nov 2024, but you can still tour the museum and check out those gleaming trophies).

Note: The 16:00 or 16:30 time slot for the Camp Nou Experience should fit this itinerary (it might take a bit over an hour to get there via tourist bus after lunch, 30-40 mins on the bus, plus the time you need to get from the restaurant to the bus stop and wait for the next bus to arrive).

Sports fans can squeeze in a stadium tour of Camp Nou

Not a big Barça fan? Then just enjoy the bus tour of the city and alight at the Francesc Macia roundabout, where you’re going to change onto the Red Line of the tourist bus route.

16:30 – Ride the Red Line

From Francesc Macia, the Red Line of the tourist bus will take you to Plaça Espanya, where you will spy the eye-catching Las Arenas shopping centre (it was once a bullfighting arena, and it shows!), before taking a very enjoyable ride through the leafy hills of Montjuic mountain .

Enjoy the bus ride over Montjuic hill, with its parks and museums

This green space is full of parkland and cultural treasures, and you might want to alight at any of the Joan Miro Foundation , Olympic Stadium , or Miramar viewing point, if you have time.

With a bit of luck you should reach the Columbus Statue around 18:00. (If you stopped for Camp Nou you’re probably behind schedule, so plan accordingly!).

18:00 – Las Ramblas

The 60-metre-high column with the New World explorer on top is your sign to get off the bus. You’re at the bottom of Las Ramblas, the city’s (in)famous thoroughfare. You wouldn’t want to have to cross this street every day, as its positively jam-packed with tourists, but on the other hand, you wouldn’t want to miss it either. It’s a wide, lively street, flanked by theatres, restaurants and palaces. You can read more here .

Walk up La Rambla, from Colombus back up to Pl. Catalunya

As you head up Las Ramblas, navigate a little bit to the right in order to discover the lively Plaça Reial , possibly my favourite square in the city. You might want to come back here at night for a beer!

Be sure to pop by the Placa Reial

Whilst on the left of Las Ramblas, as you head up, you’ll pass not only La Boqueria food market (pop in and get yourself some freshly squeezed juice) but also the historic Liceu Theatre .

You’ll also pass all manner of artists, street performers, vendors, hawkers, florists, kiosks and souvenir sellers.

If it’s cold outside you could nip down to Petrixol street (on the right) and grab a hot chocolate from one of the traditional cafes there.

After that it’s time to get back to your hotel and get changed for the evening.

19:45 – Flamenco & Dinner

If you really want to do it all in one day, then round off your Barcelona itinerary with a flamenco show and dinner. There are several great tablaos (concert venues) to choose from, and I’d suggest either this affordable flamenco & tapas evening , or else a show at Tablao Cordobes on Las Ramblas.

Tablao Cordobes offers three or four shows a night, and you can buy a ticket with a drink, with Spanish tapas or will full Spanish dinner, so check what times and options work for you. Shows tend to sell out so best to buy tickets via Get Your Guide (select the date first, and then you will see the different meal options and times).

Round off your Barcelona experience with a flamenco show…

If flamenco isn’t your bag baby, then you can’t go wrong with dinner at El Nacional , a refined food court where four different restaurants and four more bars offer tastes from all corners of Spain.

More things to do at night here .

22:00 – Nightcap

You’ve really packed it in today, so reward yourself with a nice refreshing libation. For cocktails try Slow cocktail bar or La Whiskeria .

If you find yourself in the Gothic Quarter, then head over to Milk , or one of the bars on Plaça Reial (I like Ocaña the best).

Chilling out in style at Slow

00:00 – Bed Time?

Bed time! Unless of course you truly want to make this a 24 hours in Barcelona experience and party until dawn with the city’s cool cats and night owls. In that case let me present to you our guide to the local nightlife .

Related Reading

2 Days in Barcelona

3 Days in Barcelona

Entertainment Guide

Culture Guide

Tours & Trips

Spas & Wellness

Things to do with kids

1 Day Itinerary – The Remix

If you don’t fancy riding the tourist bus, or want to save yourself €33, you could grab the metro (or even walk, it’s not that far) to Sagrada Familia from Casa Mila, and then later take the metro from Sagrada Familia to get to Park Guell.

Afterwards you could metro back into town and do Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter at a leisurely pace, as well as wander around El Born .

Barcelona’s Gothic Cathedral in the Old Town

Highlights in these zones are not only the aforementioned Plaça Reial and Boqueria market, but also the Gothic Cathedral , the Passeig del Born and the Picasso Museum .

This would probably give you more control, and time to get ready, if you have booked flamenco tickets in the evening.

1 Day Itinerary – Tour Options

If you want someone else to do all your thinking and planning for you, this half-day Barcelona highlights tour does an excellent job. It follows a similar route to the one I mapped out (great minds!), starting with a guided tour of La Sagrada Familia, and then a jaunt around Montjuic and the Olympic Stadium, before a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter. The tour is reasonable priced and includes hotel pick up.

An ebike tour allows you to see a lot of sights in a short time!

Or else consider an electric bike tour , as these power-assisted bikes can cover a lot of ground with little effort. The Barcelona Photo Highlights Tour by Oceans Bikes covers all of the city’s greatest sights and ensures you’ll come home with plenty of stunning selfies and panoramas.

If you plan on using this itinerary, your best bet is to book a hotel near Plaça Catalunya, where this schedule starts and ends. The 4-star Iberostar Selection is right on the square itself, while close by I also like Hotel Jazz .

If money is no object, make it the Mandarin…

If money is no object, the 5-star Mandarin Oriental is a little way up the Passeig de Gracia (giving you a headstart on my itinerary!). They have a fantastic cocktail bar on site.

For a comprehensive guide on where to stay in Barcelona check One Week In travel guide .

Getting to the Airport

You can find our complete guide to getting to and from the airport here . The most convenient way to get into town would be to book a transfer through Welcome Pickup .

Final Advice

I tried to leave as much time as might be needed to get from a. to b. during this itinerary, but if you are buying tickets with specific entry times be sure to leave some extra wiggle room. If you are travelling with children, stop for excessive amount of selfies, enjoy long lunches or get unlucky with the buses / traffic, you may hit some of these stops later than I predicted here.

Also, as ever with Barcelona, be vigilant about pickpockets, especially on the metro, Las Ramblas, and in the winding streets of the Old Town (Gothic Quarter, El Born etc.). The city is very safe, but unguarded possessions (like bags left under tables) are often swiped by opportunistic thieves.

More Itineraries…

Managed to extend your stay to 48 hours? Great, then get over to our perfect weekend itinerary page!

About the Author

Duncan established Barcelona Life in 2009, whilst freelancing for the likes of Conde Nast, The Guardian, Easyjet Magazine, CNN Traveller and many more. From interviews with Ferran Adria to revealing the secrets of the city’s poetry brothels, he knows the city inside out… and shares all his best tips right here.

We will be arriving in Barcelona 12:30 on a Friday and leaving 20:00 Saturday. You information has helped a lot on this 1 day in Barcelona. Do you have a suggested itinerary? Ideally we would be starting the day around 14:00 on Friday and ending around 18:30 Saturday allowing travel time for arrival and departure. Thank you,

If you are confident about flights arriving on time you could start at Sagrada Familia on Friday and then make your way to Passeig de Gracia (Casa Mila and Casa Batllo) then take a long walk down Passeig de Gracia and Las Ramblas to the Old Town. Dinner plus evening walk in Old Town, checking Gothic Cathedral as well.

Saturday you could do Park Guell and then ride tourist bus or take metro to Montjuic and explore the many sights around there.

We arrive in Barcelona at 12:30pm and leave the next day at 9:00am. What is the best itinerary to do so we can see the main top sites.

I would do Sagrada Familia first, then Park Guell, and then walk around the Old Town (specifically Gothic Quarter) in the evening. You will need advance tickets to SF and PG, so you need to plan your timings well (if you land at 12:30, I wouldn’t book SF until 15:00 at the very earliest to give you some wiggle room to get to hotel and check in etc.).

thank you for your detailed instructions… appreciate all the information and i can not wait to experience this itinerary! thank you so much

Joseph Shra

What would you recommend for less then 24 hr. We’ll arrive about 10:30 a.m. at the hotel on Passeig de Gracia, 68, Barcelona. We’ll leave about 12:00 noon next day. Granted we can not see everything but maybe the most important Thank you Joseph

Hope Leet Dittmeier

We fly into Barcelona on a Wednesday morning, arriving at 9 am local time. We need to take the Estació del Nord to Lloret de Mar at 4:45. Do you have a suggestion for the best place to store our luggage for the day

Sure thing, lots of solutions on this page:

https://www.barcelona-life.com/left-luggage-lockers-in-barcelona

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50+ Helpful Barcelona Travel Tips & Tricks: Must-Knows Before You Visit Barcelona!

Last Updated: June 23, 2021

*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.

Despite being one of the most visited destinations in the world, I still find it’s often the case that articles featuring Barcelona travel tips omit a crucial detail about this spectacular city…

That it is hilariously easy to screw up here.

I’m talking tourist traps left and right, pickpockets front and back, and so many overwhelming activity options that you’ll wish you could just chug vermouth and nap forever.

But here’s the thing: Barcelona (when done properly) can truly be a life-changing, or at least waistline-changing, experience.

So, if you want to ensure that you visit Barcelona properly, let me help.

Below you’ll find my top Barcelona travel tips, meticulously collected over trial and error from my four visits.

… Enjoy!

Save these Barcelona travel tips for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

Barcelona Travel Planning Tips

Let’s start with some planning-related Barcelona tips to help you with flights, booking hotels in Barcelona, choosing dates, the best times to visit Barcelona, etc.

Learn the tricks for getting cheap flights TO Barcelona

If you haven’t booked your flights to Barcelona yet, be sure to check out my guide on  how to get the cheapest flights to Europe . I promise it’ll save you hundreds of dollars on your flight!

Avoid visiting Barcelona in peak season

If your Barcelona visit is planned for July or August, well… *hands you oxygen mask and a bag for tears*

Just kidding! Kinda.

The truth is, Barcelona is probably one of the most visited cities in Europe, and while I’ve never visited in peak-peak season, I’ve seen enough human mobs during my January and May visits to imagine just how frightening it is with massive crowds, sweltering heat and every unpleasant thing about travel squished together in one photogenic  moderniste package.

I would strongly advise if you hate crowds as much as I do to visit in the off-season (January – March).

I recently went in January and was greeted with pleasant temperatures, blue skies,  sunshine, and of course, a fraction of the crowds one might encounter in July or August.

Still prepare for crowds in the off-season

However, just to cover my butt and confusingly backtrack, I should say that just because Barcelona is quieter in the off-season, doesn’t mean it’s a magical ghost town either.

In fact, I still found main spots like La Boqueria, Las Ramblas and Placa Catalunya to be teeming with tourists in January…

BUT there were significantly less crowds at most paid attractions, and ticket availability was generous even on the day-of, which can’t be said for the peak season, when it’s advised you book every activity in advance.

So, if you fancy a bit more spontaneity during your Barcelona visit, be sure to time your Barcelona trip for the off-season.

Book your hotel well in advance

Barcelona is one of the busiest tourist cities in the world, which means the best hotels (and most affordable ones) book up quickly, especially during peak season.

So, book early!

I know that committing to a hotel early can feel scary, but if you use  Booking.com , you can find hundreds of hotels that offer free reservations and free cancellations up until a certain point.

This means you can get some peace of mind without putting down any deposits or committing to a hard date until much later.

Here are some of the places I’ve stayed in Barcelona and can recommend:

• Budget: This fun hostel
• Mid-range: This clean and central hotel
• Unique: This cool yet affordable hotel or this one

Know the difference between the European hotel star system vs North America

If you’re currently looking for accommodation in Barcelona: here’s another tip – look at reviews rather than star rating alone.

In North America, the star rating system for hotels usually means 5* = opulent luxury and 1* = you may lose your kidneys.

This is not the case in Europe. With European hotels, instead of stars matching quality on a scale of 1-5, the stars actually correspond to a checklist of amenities/requirements.

SO, you can find some wonderful 2* properties that are just smaller and lacking amenities like a spa or pool, while also finding mediocre 4 or 5* properties that have earned that rating simply due to amenities like fitness centers and valets.

Learn more about the criteria for star ratings here.

Make sure you have travel insurance

As you’ve probably heard countless times, travel insurance is an important must for every trip… but this is especially true in touristy cities like Barcelona, where there are pickpockets everywhere.

Trust me, the peace of mind you get with insurance is worth the cost, especially for dreamy bucket list destinations like this!

Click here to check rates with WorldNomads.

Download helpful apps before you go

There are plenty of apps you can download that will make your time in Barcelona 100x easier.

I’ve previously written a full list of the  best travel apps for Europe  so be sure to check that out, but here are some especially good options for Barcelona:

• Google Translate:  A must for translating signs/menus on the go. Download Spanish to be used offline if you can
• The Fork:  Great for making restaurant reservations

Consider adding other Catalonian destinations to your itinerary

Barcelona is an amazing city, but I can also highly recommend Tarragona , Girona, and Montserrat.

If you have extra time during your trip, planning at least a day trip to one of these spots is a must!

Barcelona Metro Tips & General Tricks For Transport/Getting Around

Getting around Barcelona can be really daunting for a first-time visitor, so here are all my best Barcelona tips related to getting around:

Buy a T-10 Ticket for public transportation

While public transportation in Barcelona isn’t too expensive compared to other major European cities, buying single tickets over and over is not only a hassle, it can add up quickly.

Instead of constantly getting single tickets then, the best ticket you can get as a tourist in my opinion is a T-10 ticket which gets you ten trips for only 10.20.

Doing some not-so-complicated math, this evens out to about 1 euro per trip which is half the price of a single ticket, with the happy bonus that you don’t need to constantly buy new tickets every time.

If you’re looking for the best value transport ticket in Barcelona, this is it!

Avoid taxis if you can in Barcelona

On a similar note, I would avoid taking too many taxis. This is because Barcelona is a delightfully walkable city marred with hilariously bad traffic.

Given that the city’s public transportation system is so clean, safe and cheap, I wouldn’t advise trying to take a taxi anywhere. Instead, just use public transport, or your good old fashioned legs.

Use the Aerobus Express to get to/from the airport

If you are travelling light (e.g. you can easily carry your bags), then the most affordable and convenient way to get to/from the airport in Barcelona is by far the Aerobus Express. You can easily book/compare options on Omio or through their official site.

This option costs only 5.90 each way, and is quick and convenient. This is the option I pick every time I go to Barcelona.

Book an airport transfer for minimal stress

That said, if you are travelling with a lot of bags, a big group, or as a family, then booking an airport transfer might be wise.

For the least stressful option, consider booking a  Welcome Pickups transfer,  which is a set price, includes an English speaking driver who monitors your flight arrival time, and offers free cancellations up until 24 hours before.

This saves you the hassle of trying to get a taxi/navigate the language barriers to do so… while of course helping you avoid getting scammed too!

Easily rent a bike

While you can of course book a bike tour in Barcelona like  this one,  there’s a super simple way to rent a bike in Barcelona whenever you need one – through an app called  Donkey Republic, which allows bike-sharing across the city.

You simply pick up a bike when you see one, use it, then drop it off at one of many docking points around the city.

Click here for a guide on how to use it.

Easily rent a scooter

For a transport option that’s even more fun, Barcelona also has many companies that offer e-scooter rentals that are activated through an app.

Here is a guide on how to use them.

Barcelona Tips For Attractions

Odds are, if you’re visiting Barcelona, sightseeing til you drop s part of the plan. So, here are some of my best Barcelona travel tips related to sightseeing, attractions and itinerary planning.

Book Barcelona attractions in advance

If it has always been your dream since birth to drool over the Sagrada Familia, explore the whimsical Pedrera, or skip and twirl your way through Parc Guell, book it.

Book it now. Build yourself a time machine and book it last week. I’m not joking.

The last thing you want during your Barcelona trip (besides a sugary sangria hangover) is to wait too long for tickets then realize that there are none left, or worse yet, rot in a line-up for 1.4 million years just to catch a glimpse your Gaudi of choice.

When in Barcelona, time is money, so be smart and get your tickets well in advance. Here are some helpful links where you can get skip the line tickets:

• Sagrada Familia: Get fast-track tickets here
• Camp Nou Experience: Get fast-track tickets here
• La Pedrera: Get skip-the-line tickets here
• Palau de la Música: Get a self-guided tour ticket here
• Casa Vicens: Get skip-the-line-tickets here

Take advantage of Barcelona’s many combo cards and tourist passes

One of the best things about visiting Barcelona is the amount of amazing attractions and touristic offerings that are around to dazzle and impress.

That said, hopping from attraction to attraction does add up quickly in Barcelona, which means your future will involve plenty of emptying your wallet while crying.

So here’s another money-saving Barcelona tip for you: buy a combo card or tourist pass which gives you entry to multiple attractions for a single price!

Here are some Barcelona sightseeing passes you might be interested in :

• Articket: entry to six of Barcelona’s top art museums for only €30; valid for 3 months
• Barcelona iVenture card: allows you bundle 3 or 5 of Barcelona’s top attractions for steep savings (or there’s an unlimited option too!)
• Barcelona Express Card: 2 days of unlimited public transport for €20 plus a lot of discounts/savings on Barcelona’s top attractions
• Barcelona Pass Modernista: 7 days’ skip-the-line access to 15 of the most famous Moderniste works in Barcelona for steep savings

Avoid overstuffing your itinerary

Barcelona is one of those cities where you’ll inevitably run around like a headless chicken, attempting to fit an entire guidebook’s worth of fun into a whopping 48 hours.

And while that might sound like a good idea at first, it’s a delicious recipe for almost dying.

Trust me, Barcelona is a city with attractions for days. I mean, I tried to summarize the highlights of things to do in Barcelona and STILL ended up with a (mildly terrifying) 79 activities.

So, remember: people can live in Barcelona for an entire lifetime and still not discover everything that the city has to offer, so as a tourist, don’t expect that you’ll be able to cover everything in a few days.

Rather than break your legs trying to fit every single must-see, select a few that are non-negotiable for you, and instead pencil in extra time to relax and soak in all the wonderful vibes that Barcelona has to offer.

Trust me, that’s when you fall slowly but surely in love.

Wake up EARLY

The morning hours are the best time to explore Barcelona. Yes, I’m talking sunrise-early if you really want to make the most of the city’s “empty hours”.

Barcelona is hands down one of the busiest cities in the world when it comes to tourism, and waking up early is pretty much the only way to experience it without tons of crowds.

My pro Barcelona tip for avoiding crowds? Pick the #1 attraction you’re most excited for, and plan to see it as soon as it opens, with some sunrise explorations beforehand.

Enjoy ALL the free Barcelona viewpoints

Barcelona is a stunning city with plenty of incredible vantage points… many of which are free!

Here are some you should make sure you don’t miss.

The Bunkers del Carmel: To me, the best view in the city. A bit of work to reach but absolutely magical at sunset. Read my guide on how to visit the Bunkers del Carmel in Barcelona for more.

Las Arenas de Barcelona: A bullring-turned-shopping mall that is now home to a free 360 degree viewing platform overlooking Plaça d’Espanya. Access is free via escalator, while the elevator is 1 euro.

El Corte Inglés: A popular Barcelona shopping center, with an epic view over Plaça de Catalunya from its top floor.

Tibidabo: The highest viewpoint in Barcelona, with the bonus of having an amusement park on site!

Seek out beaches beyond Barceloneta

Barcelona is known as a beach destination, and while the city has plenty of beaches to visit, most tourists flock to crowded Barceloneta and inevitably leave feeling disappointed.

So, if you’re craving some fun in the sun, look beyond Barceloneta and  click here for a great guide to the different beaches around the city.

Do NOT scour the streets of Barcelona for bullfights and flamenco

Looking around Barcelona for bullfights and flamenco is like pillaging Seattle in search of the best New York Style pizza… you could do it, but it’s definitely not the best use of your time.

As mentioned above, Catalonia is rather different from the rest of Spain, and most attempts to fulfill Spanish stereotypes are created to indulge tourist fantasy more than anything else.

For instance, while you may be able to find flamenco performances in Barcelona, this is conventionally more an ‘Andalucia’ thing, and isn’t a Catalan tradition at all.

And as for bullfighting, you should know that bull fights have been outlawed entirely in Catalonia. SO, instead of looking for flamenco and the like, try seeking out more Catalonian traditions instead, like attending a local street festival.

Make time to visit other Barcelona neighbourhoods

Last but not least, I implore you to avoid the key mistake of missing Barcelona’s many diverse neighbourhoods!

After all, Barcelona is more than a tourist hotspot, it’s home to 1.6 million locals who enjoy the city just as much as visitors do, so one of the best things you can do is try to see a more local side to the city, and uncover your own hidden gems along the way.

If you’d like a nudge in the right direction, these are two great neighbourhoods I love:

El Born (AKA La Ribera): Located a stone’s throw from the beach, I love El Born because it is packed with amazing cafes and restaurants, as well as interesting sights like The Santa Maria Basilica and the El Born Cultural Centre. My top tip? Grab yourself a mascarpone croissant from Pastisseria Hofmann and marvel at how you’ve lived this long without it.

Gracia:  Largely hailed as the most authentically Catalonian piece of Barcelona left thanks to a huge population of native Catalonians, Gracia is Barcelona’s hipster hood, teeming with independent boutiques and (organic) grocery stores. You’ll also find plenty of dreamy attractions here including top sights like Park Güell and Casa Vincens.

Safety Tips For Barcelona

Like in many busy European cities, petty crime can be an issue in Barcelona, from pickpocketing scams to fake police officers. Here are some tips for staying safe in Barcelona.

Learn how to avoid pickpockets in Barcelona

Of all the complaints and tourist mistakes I’ve heard about Barcelona, getting duped by pickpockets and scammers is like the ultimate  Barcelona rite of passage.

Make no mistake, pickpockets in Barcelona are PROFESSIONALS that often work in teams all around the city, certainly in tourist hotspots like Las Ramblas and busy hubs like Metro stations.

I’ve already written a full guide on how to avoid pickpockets in Europe , but below are two basic rules of thumb to follow to avoid robbery when you visit Barcelona…

Do NOT bring valuables to the beach

One very important Barcelona tip all visitors should remember is to NEVER bring your valuables with you to the beach, because petty thieves in Barcelona loooove the beach.

When possible, take turns with your travel companions watching belongings, or maybe invest in a beach safe or a waterproof case to bring with you swimming.

Never have your valuables out in the open

The last thing you want is to make yourself into a shiny walking target.

When in Barcelona, remember to not walk around with your phone in your hand, and definitely don’t leave your phone somewhere snatchable, like on a table while dining out, in your pocket on public transport, etc.

Know Barcelona’s emergency numbers

In North America, 911 is the go-to when you have any kind of emergency.

If you face an emergency in Barcelona, there’s a few options for numbers you can call:

Police, ambulance, fire brigade : 112 Police : 091 Local Police : 092 Fire brigade : 080 Accident / Ambulance : 061

English-speaking police officers: +34 932 903 000 (police headquarters), Via Laietana 43

Have a plan in case of a worst case scenario

This isn’t just a good Barcelona travel tip, but a good tip for travelling anywhere – make a plan for the worst case scenario.

Imagine your bags get stolen in Barcelona with your passports and all your cash/cards – what would be your backup plan? What would you do if you lost your phone?

Having a plan in place can minimize stress in the event that anything does happen, and having that peace of mind is very important for any vacation!

Food And Drink Tips For Barcelona

Eating and drinking well is a quintessential part of any Barcelona trip. Here are some Barcelona travel tips related to food and drink!

Avoid tourist trap restaurants (especially on Las Ramblas)

Barcelona is an incredible city with amazing food culture – both traditional and international.

That’s why one of the saddest mistakes you can make in Barcelona is getting caught at a tourist trap restaurant and even more depressingly, paying extortionate amounts for a terrible meal.

The area where this often happens is Barcelona’s (in)famous main drag: Las Ramblas.

Over the years, it has become a commonly accepted rule of thumb that those terrace restaurants along Las Ramblas do nothing but heat up frozen paella.

So, if you’re trying to avoid these establishments, a good sign of imminent tourist trappage = aggressive stock photos, or English words being thrown around in large blocky letters.

Instead of munching on mediocre tourist trap food, I would recommend booking a food tour or getting local tips and searching up restaurant reviews online before you go.

Expect to eat dinner later

If you’re accustomed to eating dinner before 9pm, then know that you’ll probably have to adjust slightly to adapt to typical Barcelona dinner times, which usually begin around 8:30pm or often later. 

Of course, you will still be able to find restaurants open earlier than that, but most locals won’t be eating much earlier than 8:30pm.

Try the “Menu del día”

Many restaurants in Barcelona will offer a “Menu del día” or “Combo of the Day” at lunch time which is typically a set menu that includes your starter, main course, dessert and drink for one low price.

This is a great way to sample local cuisine at a more affordable price, and of course get a great meal for less.

Shop at local markets

Barcelona’s food markets are legendary, and are great places to grab tasty and fresh local fare for an affordable price.

La Boqueria is of course world-famous, but I prefer the Mercato Santa Catarina for a quieter experience.

Consider a food tour

For foodies looking to get a great overview of Catalan cuisine, I can highly recommend doing a food tour while you’re in Barcelona.

I personally did a food tour with Devour Barcelona and had an amazing time.

Not only do you get to sample tons of great local cuisine, you also get a lot of insider local knowledge and context around the region’s most famous foods… and yes, there’s much more to the food scene here than paella (which is actually from Valencia).

Take a cooking class

The only thing better than sampling local cuisine is learning how to make it yourself! How’s that for a delicious souvenir?

Hands down, if you love food, one of the best things to do in Barcelona is taking a cooking class.

Here are some options:

• This market tour + paella cooking experience
• This grandma’s cooking class

Get a croissant from Pastisseria Hofmann

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this is one of my top Barcelona tips as far as food is concerned…

GO TO PASTISSERIA HOFMANN. Just do it.

The mascarpone croissant from here is still probably the best croissant I’ve ever had in my life – yes, even better than the dozens I’ve eaten in Paris. Make sure you try one – they’re award winning for a reason!

Don’t drink the weird mojitos they sell at Barceloneta Beach

Specifically, I’m referring to the ones being sold by random guys who approach you on the beach. They are painfully gross and watered down. Avoid at all costs!

Barcelona Etiquette & Culture Tips

Wondering how not to be rude in Barcelona? Here are some important must-knows related to Barcelona etiquette to keep in mind before you visit.

Learn some basic Spanish (or Catalan) in advance

Let’s face it: we English speaking tourists usually have it pretty easy when we travel. After all, most of the time, English is widely spoken and understood, so we get to smugly glide on by without worrying about being heard or understood.

Unfortunately, things are a little different in Barcelona.

While you can get by with English, a basic command of Spanish or Catalan is tremendously helpful (and more polite!), especially when you’re at smaller establishments like little cafes, restaurants or supermarkets.

I found myself on numerous occasions relying on my broken Spanish to get by, so my tip is this: at the very least, know your numbers and practice your best pointing 😉

Remember that Barcelona is in Catalonia

While Barcelona is indeed a city in Spain, many visitors forget that it belongs to the state of Catalonia, which is culturally unique from many other parts of Spain, and therefore confusingly different from the Spanish stereotypes and cliches you may have in your head.

In fact, many Catalonians will not refer to themselves as Spanish, and there’s even a pretty heavy separatist movement as well, but that’s another story for another time.

So, don’t forget that Barcelona is in Catalonia, and be ready for plenty of cultural surprises that defy conventional Spanish stereotypes.

Don’t overtip

North Americans like me might feel pressured by habit to tip the same amount that’s expected at home,… but here’s some nice news for your wallet: tipping isn’t really expected in Barcelona.

In fact, even 5% is considered generous for exceptional service. While I’m sure most of the time, tips are appreciated, most locals don’t at all, so there isn’t the expectation that you need to.

Packing Tips For Barcelona

What should you wear in Barcelona? And what shouldn’t you wear? What important things should you definitely pack for your Barcelona trip? Here are my best Barcelona travel tips related to packing.

Bring comfy shoes

Barcelona is a stunning city made for walking, with droolworthy landmarks and sights around every corner.

And so, while you might be tempted to pack the cutest shoes in your wardrobe for your Barcelona trip, I’d suggest packing only practical shoes that you can walk a whole day in. Your feet will thank you later.

Bring a theft-proof bag

Unfortunately, pickpocketing and petty theft is common in Barcelona, particularly with tourists as easy targets.

For peace of mind, you should definitely look into buying theft proof bags  like this one , which is slash-proof and also has an abundance of hidden pockets to keep your belongings safe.

Bring bags with hidden pockets or a money belt

If you don’t want to buy an entirely new bag for your trip, that’s understandable, but you should still take a few measures to “theft-proof” your own bags.

A few ideas would be to pick only bags that have an additional layer of security (e.g. a zippered compartment inside the bag, or in the back where it’s inaccessible to grabby hands), or to simply wear a  money belt  or hidden passport scarf  like this one.

Make sure you have a universal adapter

Power sockets in Barcelona have two round holes and if you’re visiting from overseas, odds are you’ll need an adapter for your plugs to fit.

I’d strongly recommend buying a universal adapter  like this one  if you don’t have one already.

It’s cheap, can be re-used for every trip, and covers you in all situations. Definitely some of the best money I’ve ever spent!

DIY your own travel sized toiletries

This is a very basic  packing tip  I always recommend, but it’s very easy these days to buy small reusable bottles that you can fill with your own toiletries of choice.

This allows you to bring your favourite products with you, and saves needless one-use toiletries from ending up in the landfill.

Need help picking the right one?  Read my guide to  reusable toiletry bottles  for more info.

Have a re-usable bag handy

You can’t go wrong with a tote bag or two, and I always like to keep one in each purse when I travel.

You never know when you’ll need an extra bag, whether to haul goodies back from La Boqueria or simply carrying whatever souvenirs you’ve gotten that day, so remember to pack some just in case!

Bring protective wraps

If you’re travelling with an expensive camera, or anything else fragile, I highly recommend  these amazing protective wraps.

I bought mine a few years ago and use them every trip. They’re padded velcro wraps that you can use to protect…. pretty much anything! So handy and they don’t take up too much space.

Alternatively, you can also look into product-specific protectors, like  these awesome wine protectors  to ensure your precious cargo doesn’t break in transit.

Final Barcelona Travel Tips

Okay, last but not least, here are some miscellaneous Barcelona trip tips that will help ensue your trip to Barcelona is as magical as you always dreamed!

Know how to find free WiFi

WiFi for tourists is a big deal – I get it! Luckily, there’s a lot of free hotspots scattered around Barcelona.

Here are some Barcelona tips for always finding free WiFi:

• Head to (or outside) a McDonalds or Starbucks – they always have WiFI
• Download an app like Wifi Map which will help you find hotspots
• Look on FourSquare, where people will often share the password of protected hotspots in the tips section

Keep receipts for a VAT refund

If you come from outside the EU and plan to do a lot of shopping, you may qualify for a VAT tax refund when you leave Barcelona. This can amount to huge amounts depending on what you buy!

Here’s more info on how to claim your VAT refund before you leave Barcelona.

Use Instagram, Pinterest and Blogs to research more offbeat Barcelona activities

Guidebooks and Google are great, but if you really want to find Barcelona hidden gems that are specific to your interests, be sure to dig deeper!

Psst: I’ve done some of the digging for you in this epic list of things to do in Barcelona.

From local blogs and Instagram accounts to the official tourism board website, there are a lot of great free resources available to help you find unique places to go that are more off the beaten path.

Need more guidance? You might find my guide on  How to Find Cool Stuff to Do Near You  helpful for this.

Use Google Maps to save spots you want to see

Another excellent Barcelona travel tip I have for you is to take advantage of Google Maps for more than just navigation.

One of my favourite  travel hacks  is using Google Maps for saving cool places.

Long story short, I star every location I deem interesting on Google Maps (I do this by pressing the Save button when I search up that spot), which gives me a visual map of all the cool cafes, street art murals, attractions, restaurants, etc. that I’ve saved during my research.

I love doing this because I’ll often end up in new areas during my explorations, and I can just look at my map to see if anything interesting I read about happens to be nearby. Saves a lot of planning!

Do you have any other Barcelona travel Tips to add?

Let me know in the comments! I hope you enjoyed this guide to visiting Barcelona. Safe travels!

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

1 thought on “50+ Helpful Barcelona Travel Tips & Tricks: Must-Knows Before You Visit Barcelona!”

At La Boqueria they sell awesome combinations of blended fruit drinks. Our tip is to walk past the stalls at the front of the market and head to the second and third rows of stalls. You’ll find the same drinks, except they’re quite a bit cheaper than the stalls at the front of the market.

Barcelona’s La Boqueria should perhaps come with a health warning because there’s so much to-die-for food & treats wherever you look!

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Travel Guide

• Things to Do
• Best Hotels
• Things to See
• Best Restaurants
• Best Nightlife
• Getting There
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• Discount Tips
• Visitor Information
• Entry Requirements & Customs
• Tips for Multicultural Travelers
• Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism
• Calendar of Events
• Health & Safety
• Orientation
• Organized Tours
• Neighborhoods in Brief
• Tips for Families
• Tips for Gay and Lesbian Travelers
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• Staying Connected
• Walking Tours
• Active Pursuits
• Suggested Itineraries

Planning a Trip in Barcelona

Barcelona is unlike any other Spanish city. Its entrepreneurial energy and artistic creativity have shone through even in the hardest times, and its complex and brilliant cultural world is the envy of the country, although arch-rival Madrid would be the last to admit this. Gothic buildings and world-class museums fill the historic center, while the whimsical creations of the modernisme movement and cutting-edge contemporary architecture line the wide boulevards of the newer city.

You'll find more sophisticated shops, avant-garde restaurants, and sleek hotels here than anywhere else in Spain, plus an eclectic nightlife that extends way around the clock.

Nature, too, plays a surprisingly prominent role. Wooded hills enclose the Catalan capital, oasis-like parks alleviate the urban sprawl, and sandy beaches extend north from Barcelona's lively port area. North toward France the cove-indented Costa Brava offers what many regard as the loveliest scenery in all the Mediterranean, while inland the towering Pyrénées boasts some of the finest mountain walks and skiing in Europe.

The delights of a visit to Barcelona, with its glorious architecture and enviable seaside setting, are made easy for visitors to experience, despite its three million inhabitants, sometimes humid climate, congested streets, and inevitable rush-hour traffic jams. You don't need to bother with the hassle of arranging visas before you set off, and once you arrive, there's an abundance of helpful oficinas de turismo (tourist information offices) to ensure you're briefed on what to see and do.

A very good local transportation system includes buses, the Metro (subway), tramvías (the new, streamlined trams), and rodalíes (suburban train services); plus the cost of travel is extremely low—particularly if you purchase the 10-tickets-in-one deal available on all transport. Additionally, there is an ever-increasing number of amenities for travelers with disabilities.

The benign Mediterranean climate ensures Barcelona is rarely uncomfortably cold, even in winter. Summers can be hot and humid, though, and this may restrict mobility for older visitors when they're touring the sights. But you can always take a break and relish verdant shady areas like Parc de la Ciutadella, Montjuïc, and Tibidabo, which have panoramic Mediterranean and city vistas.

Violent crime is fairly uncommon, but you should definitely watch out for potential bag snatchers and muggers in the narrow lanes around La Rambla and around the Plaça Reial—especially late at night.

If you take your laptop you'll find a choice of places where you can connect to the Internet. Most of the more expensive hotels are equipped with Wi-Fi, and there are plenty of cybercafes throughout the city.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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The Ultimate Packing list for Barcelona

Here is what to pack for barcelona, spring barcelona packing list, clothes and footwear.

Spring is a season of changing weather, and it's a good idea to dress in layers. Barcelona people aren't on holiday: they are working, so if you want to blend with the locals, wear casual urban clothes. There's some rain, but not a lot, so your need for rain gear will depend on what's the forecast for the next days, basically. And unless you are visiting end of June, it'll probably be too cold for the beach, so no swimgear either (unless your hotel has an indoor pool .). By the way, don't forget to check out our blog posts about what to do in Barcelona in March , April and June .

• Long sleeve tops (warmer in March, lighter in the months closer to Summer). Blouses, light sweaters… Maybe some short-sleeve tops if the temperatures are hot.
• Long sleeve dress.
• Long pants: jeans, leggings, slacks…  Maybe crop pants or capris. If you wear chinos you might need tights underneath.
• Skirt around the knee-length or longer.
• Belt, if you need it for your trousers or skirts.
• Denim or leather jacket, trench coat, blazer or other not too warm equivalent. Or at least a cardigan for the evenings (if it’s hot, you’ll still use it on the plane!)
• Flats such as Mary Janes, comfy walking shoes, moccasins. Ballerinas if it’s starting to get warm. Dark urban trainers (avoid white ones and models that look too much like sportwear).
• Long sleeve but light pajamas.
• Underwear: bras, panties, underpants, socks or nylons, opaque tights if wearing skirts or dresses.

Other complements

• Locals rarely wear hats in Spring. But sunglasses can come handy.
• If you are coming in June (or your hotel has an indoor pool) consider packing for the beach (see “swimgear” below). April and May are usually still too cold for bathing.

Summer Barcelona packing list

• Short sleeve tops, tank tops, cotton and linen shirts, polos, t-shirts.
• Light cardigan for the evenings (or the plane!).
• Crop pants, capris, chino shorts.
• Sundresses and romper dresses.
• Skirts around the knee-length or longer – you won’t need tights.
• Cotton or linen summer jumpsuit.
• Light shawl for the ladies, if planning to visit the Cathedral or Sagrada Familia, in case that day you aren’t wearing a top that covers your shoulders.
• Comfortable walking shoes: espadrilles, strappy sandals, vans sneakers.
• Your usual underwear. Plus ladies may want to include a strapless bra depending on the outfits they are packing.
• Short sleeved or strap Summer pajamas.

What about Summer hats ? Local adults don’t wear them in the city (children do, to prevent heat strokes). But then, you’ll be outdoors more than they do. Baseball caps are an easy gender-neutral solution. Ladies may opt by a raffia fedora or a straw sun hat. Men don’t go for cloth bush hats unless you are going hiking in the mountains.

• Women  swimwear : ladies in Barcelona use swimsuits and bikinis, and it’s also legal (and pretty common for all ages) to go topless.
• Men swimwear : swim shorts and swim boxers are the norm. Briefs and trunks are only used in lap pools by swimmers (well, and you may also see them in beaches frequented by male gays… and in France).
• Towels : If you are staying at a hotel with a pool, they probably provide complimentary towels. Or if you are planning to go to the beach, quick-dry microfiber beach towels will help you pack light.
• Cover-ups . Walking around the city on your swim wear or without a top is fined in Barcelona. If you are staying less than a couple of blocks from the beach, it’s OK to put on a cover-up that is closed (not open in front) to go to the beach. But if you are further than that, just put on a dress or shorts and a t-shirt. Cover-ups over a bikini are only OK if you are staying in a beach town, but not in Barcelona city.
• Flip-flops . Locals don’t walk around on flip-flops: we carry them in our beach bags and only put them on to walk on the sand, so our normal summer shoes don’t get ruined. The only exception is if you are staying at a beach town outside of the city.

Additional gear

• Sunglasses . A must.
• Protection agains the heat : small fan (normal or electric), cooling towels, cooling spray.
• Sunscreen and after-sun . Sunscreen every time you get out. After-sun probably only if you the beach is a big part of your plans, or if your skin is very pale.
• Insect repellent . Only if you are going to the Pyrenees or if you are traveling with kids and will spend time in playgrounds.
• Water photo gear : Consider a disposable water camera or a waterproof phone pouch if you’ll spend a lot of time in the water.

Autumn Barcelona packing list

• Long sleeve tops (warmer in September), blouses, light sweaters…
• In September and sometimes even October, probably also some short sleeved tops, polos and t-shirts.
• Denim or leather jacket, trench coat, blazer or other not too warm equivalent. Bonus if the material blocks the wind.
• Long pants: jeans, leggings, slacks…  
• In September, probably also capris and crop pants.
• Long sleeve dress – remember to pack opaque tights.
• Skirt around the knee-length or longer – remember to pack opaque tights.
• Flats such as Mary Janes, comfy walking shoes, moccasins. 
• Underwear : bras, panties, underpants, socks or nylons, opaque tights if wearing skirts or dresses. In November you may consider adding some undershirt.

• Locals rarely wear hats in Autumn.
• Sunglasses can come handy in September and early October, but probably not later.
• If you are coming in September (or your hotel has an indoor pool) consider packing for the beach (see “swimgear” below). Locals don’t get in the water from October on.

Winter Barcelona packing list

• Long sleeve knitted and woven tops, oversized sweaters. Flannel and oxford shirts.
• Long sleeved knitted dress
• Long pants: jeans, thermal leggings, slacks, wool-blend, cashmere, corduroy or velveteen trousers…
• Belt, if you need it for pants or skirts.
• Parka with optional hoodie, wool coat.
• Chelsea boots or ankle boots (bonus if they are waterproof, just in case). It’s a good idea to get them a plush insole, too.
• Long sleeve warm pajamas.
• Underwear : bras, panties, underpants, thermal socks, and thermal tights if wearing skirts or dresses. Undershirts (they only need to be thermal or long-sleeved if you are planning to head to the Pyrenees for skiing ).

Winter complements

• Hats : I must say I rarely need a hat to keep my head warm during the winter in Barcelona. When I was young I used wool bonnets for fashion, but now it’s usually too warm for them and I keep losing them.
• Scarfs : these can be useful, but it’s so easy to lose them when you are out and about. For practicality I prefer infinity scarfs and neck warmers.
• Gloves . Another complement that I rarely use in town unless we are going under an unusual Siberian wave or I’m heading to the mountains, because keeping my hands in my pockets is enough to keep them warm. But if I use them, I go for knitted and leather gloves, specially those that are touch-screen compatibles so i don’t have to take them off to use my phone.

What to pack for a trip to Barcelona with kids

Babies and toddlers.

• Nappy changes . You can purchase nappies at any supermarket and pharmacy. Pack only what you need for the first couple of days of your trip. Enough for the flight and your first two days in town, so you have some buffer time to find a place near your accommodation to buy a package. you an also find disposable wipes pretty much everywhere, so bring a small package that fits in your nappy bag, and then buy a larger one for the rest of your trip. Bring your own nappy change cream (a size that is airplane allowed, to not have it confiscated at the airport). And bring a travel nappy change mat that fits in your bag: most public places have a changing units, but you’d rather lay something on top before placing your baby there.
• Carrier or stroller? Both have their pros and cons. Strollers help you carrying bags and other items, but many local sites involve stairs that make it difficult for a stroller. Plus they are bulky and airport staff don’t treat them very well. Carriers are great to avoid stairs and the baby can sleep on them at the plane when you do. But they take a toll on your back if your baby is big. Check out my post about baby strollers and carriers for travel .
• Child car seat? Taxis do not require a child car seat, but they’ll let you use yours if you bring it. But if you are renting a car you’ll need one – either bring your own or rent with the rental car company.
• Breastfeeding . Breastfeeding is legal in Spain anywhere, even in public. But not often you find private spaces designed for his end in tourist sites or shopping areas. Nursing covers aren’t common in Spain and they are likely to attract curious looks: if you need to breastfeed in public and don’t want to show much skin, the best way to go is breastfeeding clothes: dresses and tops specially designed for nursing. If you haven’t tried them yet, they allow you to breastfeed showing almost no skin. And if you need pumping, consider a wearable hands-free pump so you can discreetly pump on the go.
• Eating . Most restaurants are kid-friendly and have high chairs, so you’ll only need one if you are staying at an apartment that can’t provide one. But unless you want to keep washing cloth ones by hands, disposable bibs will be your best friends at meal times. If your child still does baby food, you can easily buy it in supermarkets and pharmacies.

General recommendations if you are traveling with kids

• Multiple passport holder , to make customs less stressful knowing all your family documents are together on the same place.
• Travel games and toys . To entertain them during the flight or long rides without using screens.
• Protection from the sun . Hat, sunscreen, after-sun, baby sunglasses and if you are going to the beach, sun-proof swimwear are a must. BTW, if your beach destination is the Costa Brava, get them some water shoes to protect their little feet from the rocks and thick sand there.
• Protection from the cold . While adults don’t usually wear hats or gloves, babies and preschoolers usually need more protection. Bring wool bonnets, gloves, scarfs and undershirts for them if you come in the winter.
• Sanitizing gel . Not just because kids hands get dirty. But because they’ll be using lots of public toilets and as a mom nothing reassures me more than knowing I’ve killed all the germs on that toilet seat.
• Band aids . You know they’ll need them at some point!

What to wear in Barcelona at night (restaurants and clubbing)

Restaurants.

Barcelona is a quite casual city, and you’ll very rarely required to wear jacket and tie to eat even at most fine dinning restaurants. I can only think of the Michelin Star restaurant Caelis, that indicates on their website that they require long trousers and closed shoes for men, and no sportswear. Although if you want to fit in, the more elegant the restaurant, the more classy you should dress. An smart casual style will work for most places. Dress up a bit more for dinner than for lunch, unless you chose a lunch spot that is frequented by business people. 

TIP : Check out the restaurant website, you can often get an idea of how people dress to eat there from the pictures.

Like in most places around the world, the way people dress for clubbing varies a lot depending on the place where you are heading. In Barcelona people doesn’t dress up to go to beer bars, but specially girls and women dress up when they go to the disco. Men are usually fine with trousers or brand jeans and a polo . Women might also wear tight jeans, miniskirts and all sorts of fitting tops. Again, check the club website to get an idea of what people wear there, to fit in (and avoid being bounced at the entrance).

As for shoes,  white sneakers for men are a big no-no. Ladies: high heels are optional. If you’ll be dancing most of the night, choose a height that is comfortable. 

Other essentials you need to add to your packing list for Barcelona

Documentation.

• Passport with more than 3 months before expiration date (with visa, if required for your country) or ID if you are from another EU country.
• International driving license , if you’ll be renting a car.
• Student ID / Teacher ID / ICOM card / Press card (if entitled to one of them, for discount purposes)
• Credit cards (even if you usually have them on your phone, in case it’s stolen or lost). You can now pay pretty much everywhere (including taxis and tips at restaurants if you ask in advance) by credit card. Cash isn’t really needed much. If any, bring Euros (people will look at you like wtf if you try to pay or tip in dollars). But you can just get some change out of an ATM at a bank (avoid the ATMs at groceries and shops that aren’t a bank because commissions tend to be higher).
• Travel insurance . After the pandemic, are you really going to travel abroad without one?
• Copies of all your important documents , on paper and online. I like to keep them on Dropbox , where I can access them from my cellphone. Flight/train tickets and tour/hotel reservation confirmations can also be uploaded to the related event on your Google Calendar, for easy access from your phone, too.

Travel essentials

Packing gadgets.

• Airtags . To keep track of your luggage (unless your airline bans them)
• Packing cubes . To keep your luggage organized.
• Dirty clothes bag . To avoid putting on that smelly top again. Plus when you get back home, putting the washing machine will be a breeze.

RESTING DURING LONG FLIGHTS

• Earplugs . For a quiet sleep at the airport or if your accommodation is in a noisy area.
• Sleeping mask . If you need total darness to sleep, on the plane or elsewhere.
• Travel pillow . The final gadget for a relaxing flight.

DURING YOUR STAY

• Light foldable reusable shopping bag or tote bag . Now that shops don’t give shopping bags for free anymore, it’s always a good idea to throw one of those in your purse.
• Refillable water bottle . With or without a filter, Summer or Winter, you need to keep hydrated if you’ll be out and about. Plus in Barcelona there aren’t that many public fountains (and the water taste is terrible) and restaurants won’t give you free jars of water but they’ll rather make you pay for a bottle. So I guarantee you’ll be thirsty.
• Jacket clip . My must-have when I’m out on tour. The karabiner clips to my bag and I can hang there small shopping bags if needed, and the strap holds my jacket when it’s too warm to wear it on.
• Tide-to-go pen . To get rid of annoying stains on your travel clothes.
• Journal . If you prefer the old fashioned way to keep memories of your trip instead of social media.
• Travel guide book . Yes, you’ve already done your research online and have read all my Barcelona blog, but… how nice it is to have a summary of all this on a book?
• Other Barcelona books . Either paperbacks or e-books, on whatever catches your interest the most: books about Antoni Gaudi ? Fiction set in Barcelona ? History books ? 

Safety gadgets

• To carry your belongings : my favorite is a cross-body bag. They can’t snatch it and run, and if you keep the zipper opening towards the front, it makes it more difficult for pick-pockets to open the bag and throw their hand in. Theft-proof backpacks, neck wallets and money belts are great if you are staying somewhere that isn’t safe enough to keep your money and important documents there, like a shared room in a hostel, or a shared train cabin, or a ferry seat, but they aren’t very convenient to keep money and credit card for your daily expenses.
• Luggage locks . If your suitcase doesn’t have its own lock, or if you are traveling with a backpack.
• Cellphone strap . The pocket of your jacket might seem like a safe place for your phone. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. A strap that attaches your cellphone to your body also ensures that you won’t forget it on top of a restaurant table or inside a taxi.
• Cellphone and its charger .
• Laptop, tablet or Kindle … and their chargers.
• Camera . With its charger, extra batteries, lenses, flex tripod and any other gadgets you have for it.
• Portable charger or power bank . Have you seen those tiny lipstick-like ones?
• Power adapter . If your country uses sockets other than F and C. 
• Voltage converter . Spain’s voltage is 220V – 240V. If in your country uses a 110V to 127V frequency, you’ll need a converter. But first, check your devices really need it. If their instructions say 100-240V, 50/60 Hz, then they are adapted internationally and don’t need one.
• Noise cancelling earbuds or headphones .
• SIM Card valid for Spain . If your phone contract doesn’t include a roaming service or it’s too expensive, or if you’ll be staying long enough in Spain that you’d rather have a local number.
• Electronics organizer . Avoid having all those lose inside your luggage.

Toilettries and meds

Personal hygiene.

• Hand soap, gel, shampoo and conditioner . Most hotels carry these type of amenities, but if you are staying at an airbnb or hostel you may need to pack some. And if you are picky about the brands you use (as a curly girl, for instance, I only use very specific hair products), then remember to pack your own favorite brands in travel-size containers.
• Hair brush, comb, hair styling products . 
• Hand sanitizer . As I mentioned on the Kids section, it’s a life-saver when you need to use a public toilet and need a clean seat.
• Cosmetics . Eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, foundation, blush, lipstick… whatever your basics are. But don’t bother with eyelash extensions and the like: Spanish girls don’t really use them unless it’s a very special day. Do bring some facial cleansing wipes – they are easier when traveling than an entire set of make-up remover, cleanser and cotton disks…
• Lip balm, moisturizer and facial lotions . Your usual hydration and skincare products.
• Toothbrush and (travel-size) toothpaste . And if your toothbrush is electric, don’t forget its charger!
• Deodorant .
• Feminine hygiene products . Menstrual cups work great, but don’t buy them in purpose for a trip: try them first at home to make sure they are the right solution for you (plus inserting them correctly and removing them without making a mess takes some practice). Period underwear isn’t a great idea unless you’ll have access to a washing machine.
• TSA approved toiletry bag .

MEDICATION AND OTHER HEALTH-RELATED ITEMS

• Eyeglasses, contact lenses and contact solution .
• Hearing aids . And their cleaning set if you’ll be away more than a few days.
• Your personal medication, including any painkillers and vitamins , organized on a pill box, so you only bring the doses you’ll need for your trip. If your medication needs to be kept on a fridge, consider a specific travel cooler.
• Jet lag and motion sickness relief pills.

Anything you shouldn't be packing for barcelona?

• Avoid sweatpants unless you are a teenager or you are planning to go jogging in the morning (but then switch to something a tiny bit less informal).
• Avoid mini-skirts and mini-shorts unless you are a teenager or are going clubbing.
• And here are the outfits that immediately single you out as a tourist .
• Most hotels have hair dryers: you probably won’t need to pack one unless your hair routine is non-negotiable.
• Selfie-sticks. They are forbidden in many sites nowadays, and you are probably good enough at using your arms to take selfies anyway.
• Unless you’ll be hiking, you don’t need to pack a first-aid kit. You can get anything you need from a pharmacy (see here some pharmacies that are open 24/7 in Barcelona ). You don’t need to pack either things I’ve read in other blogs such as electrolytes or activated charcoal (unless you use them already at home regularly): you are not likely to get dehydrated or poisoned in the city, and you can buy them at pharmacies and supermarkets if needed.
• Spanish phrase book. Unless you are a language freak, you shouldn’t have much problems communicating in English. And if you do, there’s so many apps that will do the trick without occupying valuable space on your luggage.

Hope to have help you deciding what to pack for Barcelona!

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Barcelona Travel Tips

What to pack for barcelona – the essential barcelona packing list.

Wondering what to pack for Barcelona?  Read on for all my recommendations in this essential Barcelona packing list!  I’ve suggested what to wear in Barcelona according to the seasons, with some cute Barcelona outfits you might like to try.

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This is a Barcelona packing list for women, sorry guys, I’m not an expert in men’s clothing, but you can at least check the other items off your list.

Barcelona Packing Tips

One of my top travel tips wherever you go is to pack light, and if you can squeeze everything into a carry-on bag you’ll save money and time at the airport as you won’t have to wait for the luggage carousel.

While I don’t think you’ll want to spend your whole trip shopping in Barcelona, don’t worry if you forget something as you can always buy it here.  Some brands might be different in Spain than they are at home, but you can buy everything you might possibly need.

That said, I’ve tried to make this Barcelona packing list as comprehensive as possible so you can pick and choose what you think you will need, according to your travel and clothing style.

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What to Pack for Barcelona – The Ultimate Barcelona Packing List

OK so let’s crack on with my recommended packing list for Barcelona.  I’ve split it into sections to make it easier to manage:

Barcelona Travel Essentials

Passport, tickets & insurance.

Whatever you do, don’t forget these!!  Make sure you check carefully what is required for your entry into Spain from your country in terms of passport and ID, travel insurance and any other documents you might need.

If you are not a citizen of the European Union, to enter Spain you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements .

Your passport must be:

• issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

Even if you have an e-ticket for your flight on your phone I also like to have a paper copy just in case!  I also have a photocopy of my passport, as well as a scanned electronic version stored on my phone in case it gets stolen.  It’s also useful to have a paper copy of your insurance details, and the policy number and claim phone number somewhere handy in case you need it.

Other Paperwork You Might Need

• Your hotel or other accommodation confirmation so you have the address & payment details handy
• If you plan to hire a car in Barcelona you’ll also need your driver’s license and an international driver’s permit for Spain and any other countries you plan to drive to.
• If you’re a student, bring your student ID as you may be able to get a discount and some of the museums in Barcelona.

Tickets for Tours, Transport & Activities

Barcelona is a popular destination and tickets for activities can sell out so I’d advise you to book in advance for things you know you really want to do.

If you plan to take public transport in Barcelona then a Hola Barcelona Travel Card can be good value for getting around the city, or you might want to pre-book an airport transfer or an Aerobus ticket for a smooth trip into the city without queues.

POPULAR BARCELONA ACTIVITIES TO BOOK IN ADVANCE:

1: Sagrada Familia Skip the Line Ticket  – a must-see in Barcelona!

2: Park Guell Admission Ticket  – colourful mosaic terraces and gorgeous views

3:  Casa Batlló Entry with Self-Audioguide Tour  – stunning Modernist Building & rooftop terrace

4. Tapas and Wine Food Tour – Delicious food and drink in the Gothic Quarter

5. Paella Cooking Class with Sangria & Market Visit – Yes, Yes Yes!!

eSIM for Spain

Before you travel to Spain, check if your phone contract includes roaming in Spain, and if you have any data allowance to use while you are travelling.

To avoid excess charges for roaming data use, an eSIM is a cheap and useful way to make sure you stay connected, as long as your phone is eSIM compatible.  Most new models do have eSIM capability but double-check before you purchase.

I’ve recently got a new Samsung phone and have been trying out different eSIMs.

Airalo is super easy to use and set up, and sends you email notifications when your eSIM is about to expire so you can top up easily if needed.

If you’re just travelling to Spain, check out the eSIM options for Spain, which start from $4.50 for 1GB of data which lasts for 7 days.  If you are going to different countries then a European eSIM or Global eSIM might be more useful.

Travel Credit Card & Euros

The currency in Spain is the Euro.  It’s useful to have some Euros in cash, although the vast majority of places accept credit cards these days, some cash for tips and other expenses can come in handy.

Having access to money while travelling is essential, but it can be expensive with excessive fees and charges for withdrawing money or using your card abroad.

I have a travel bank account with Wise (formally TransferWise) which allows me to receive money in various currencies and easily convert it into euros and other currencies without the hefty fees you expect at most bureau de change facilities.

The exchange rates and fees for taking money out of the account abroad are much better than using regular bank accounts or credit cards too.  There are other options worth looking into depending on where you are usually based; Monzo is another popular option in the UK for example.

Personal Medication

If you take any medication on a regular basis then make sure you have enough to last the length of your trip, plus at least a couple of days spare just in case, and keep it with you in your carry-on bag, not in check-in luggage.  Bring your prescription and the original packaging for your medication where you can as this will make it easier to explain what it is if border control agents want to take a look.

Theft-Proof Bag

Unfortunately, while Barcelona is a safe city, it is well-known for being a pickpocket hotspot, so I highly recommend bringing an anti-theft backpack with slash-proof material and securable zippers will help keep everything safe while you’re out and about sightseeing.

There are various styles of anti-theft backpacks to choose from.  Muted colours are more common in Barcelona, so you’ll blend in with the locals instead of sticking out like a blatant tourist.  These are a few of my favourites:

Travel Scarf with Hidden Pocket

Travel scarves are great as they can keep you warm in cold weather, a damp scarf will keep you cool when it’s hot, and these travel scarves from Waypoint Goods have a hidden pocket for storing phones, wallets and passports to keep your belongings nice and safe.

I love my  Waypoint travel scarf and wear it everywhere, it comes in a variety of colourful patterns and you can wear it in various styles including as a headscarf and a shawl, but most importantly it helps me to feel safe in the knowledge my passport and cash are safe too – even in pickpocket hotspots like Barcelona!

Money Belt / Other Hidden Pocket Clothing

A money belt is the classic hiding trick for cash and credit cards, but they can be uncomfortably sweaty, and every pickpocket and thief knows to look for them.

Other ways to hide money while travelling include actual belts with hidden compartments  to fit cash in,  hidden bra pockets , hidden pocket wrist wallets and more.  Anything that helps keep your money safe in Barcelona is worth the investment!

Browse Hidden Pocket Clothing on Amazon

Phone Case with a Long Strap

If you go to the beach, I’d also recommend a waterproof phone pouch so you can keep your phone with you at all times.  Don’t leave anything valuable unattended at the beach.

Canvas or Cotton Tote Bag

I always carry at least two cotton totes with me on my travels, as they come in handy for so many different things I inevitably need more than one!  Use them as laundry bags, shopping bags, beach bags and anything else you can think of to avoid using a plastic bag or single-use paper bag.

Cotton bags can be rolled up and stuffed into the smallest of spaces when you’re not using them, whereas canvas totes are usually larger and bulkier to pack.  There are hundreds of different designs and colours to choose from, Etsy has some cute designs like this Wanderlust tote bag .

BUY ON ETSY

Water Bottle with a Filter

While you can drink the water in Barcelona it is definitely better to filter it first.  Bringing a filter water bottle with you will save money and cut down on waste plastic as it negates the need for buying bottled water every day.

Water-to-Go is the bottle I use everywhere which filters 99.9999% of illness-causing contaminants, including those as small as a virus.  You can drink water from taps, water fountains or any freshwater source wherever you are, without fear of a dodgy stomach or waterborne disease.

All Why Visit Barcelona readers can get 15% discount on a Water-to-Go filter bottle with the code BYORB

GET YOUR WATER BOTTLE

What to Wear in Barcelona

In Barcelona, locals dress smartly and relatively conservatively, and seem to have a competition to wear as many clothes as possible even in the sweltering heat!

For women, dresses and skirts are usually more common than shorts in hot weather, and for men light and loose troursers/pants and short sleeve shirt or polo are more common than shorts and t-shirt, at least among the locals. Then there is the alternative style, which is more hippy or hipster, with dreadlocks, tattoos and harem pants.

As there is a large international population you’ll see lots of styles and I’d say you can wear whatever you like in Barcelona and no one will really care, as long as you’re respectful and don’t show too much skin.

Remember that Barcelona is a big city, and while you might want to walk around in a bikini all day, that’s not really appropriate when people are going to work. Make sure you cover up a bit when you come off the beach, or if you plan to visit the Cathedral in particular as religious sites do have a stricter dress code.

Comfortable Shoes

One thing you absolutely cannot do without in Barcelona is a comfortable pair of shoes.  You will be doing a lot of walking around and sightseeing, so keeping your feet comfy and blister-free is a must.  Sports shoes or walking sandals are good options in the summer, and flat ankle boots in winter are ideal when the weather is a bit cooler.

Flip flops, thongs, beach sandals, whatever you call them, are a must for your Barcelona packing list.  Whether you wear them for heading down to the beach or mooching around the hotel, having something to slip on your feet is essential.

BUY ON AMAZON

Lightweight Dress

Dresses are a good choice for what to wear in Barcelona at any time of year, and they can be dressed up or down with shoes, sandals or boots and some funky accessories.  Avoid anything too skimpy as you’ll stand out as a tourist, but don’t be afraid of patterns and colours.

Even if you visit Barcelona in the winter when it’s too cold for sunbathing there might be a pool in your hotel, or you might fancy a trip to the spa, so it doesn’t do any harm to pack a swimsuit or two!  Anything goes on the beach, topless sunbathing is quite common and there are a couple of nudist beaches in Barcelona, but as soon as you come off the beach, put something on over the top.

If you plan to do some watersports like kayaking or SUP when you’ll be out in the sun a lot, a long-sleeved rash guard will protect your skin.

Coverup / Kimono

Perfect to keep the sun off your shoulders when worn with shorts and a strappy top during the day, as an extra layer in the evening or for wearing over a swimsuit, a lightweight kimono is a very useful travel accessory for a trip to Barcelona.

Underwear – Bras, Pants & Socks

Just making sure you don’t forget these!

Anti-chafing underwear is very useful to wear under a skirt or dress on hot days, or anti-chafe balm can also prevent painful chafing!

A Light Jacket (for Summer)

If you’re visiting Barcelona in summer you probably won’t need a jacket, but I always like to bring one just in case – even if I only use it on the journey or in places where the air-con is in overdrive!  In the evenings it can feel cooler, so a light jacket or sweater can come in very handy.

Barcelona Packing List – Sun Protection & Toiletries

Sunglasses & sunhat.

Whether you’re sightseeing or lying on the beach, sunglasses and a sunhat are essential for any Barcelona outfit.  I like this fedora-style hat which can be packed flat or rolled to fit in a suitcase and has an adjustable band to make it fit perfectly.

Reef-Friendly Sunscreen

Protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is essential while you are in Barcelona, but lots of sunscreen contains chemicals which can damage fragile reef systems and pollute the ocean.

SUN BUM sunscreen is Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Gluten, Cruelty and Paraben Free to ensure a fun day in the sun in the most eco-friendly way possible!  I used this on my trip to Australia and now take it everywhere with me.

After-Sun Bar

If you do get burned, soothe your skin with aloe vera or cocoa butter.  There are plenty of liquid aloe vera lotions you can try, but if you’re in the UK I highly recommend Kin Kind after sun lotion bar.   I love how compact it is, and effective at cooling and calming my pale skin after too much sun!  Badger also makes an organic after-sun bar which gets great reviews too.

Travel Toiletries

Having travel-sized containers to decant your own toiletries into is a fabulous space-saving trick, as well as reducing pointless plastic use when buying mini-sized toiletries at the airport.

If you’re flying and plan to put any liquids in your carry-on you will need a clear bag to put them in – I usually use a ziplock freezer bag but once was forced to switch to a smaller bag by the security guy.  A TSA approved toiletry bag can set your mind at ease, and this one has a handle for hanging in the shower too.

I recommend bringing the following toiletries, plus your make-up and nail varnish (and remover pads ) if you choose.

• Bar of soap in a container
• Solid shampoo and conditioner bars (more detail below)
• Solid facial cleanser (more detail below)
• Folding toothbrush
• Toothpaste tabs
• Perfume or aftershave in a refillable mini bottle or free samples
• Moisturizer & lip balm (both with SPF)
• Travel hairbrush with mirror

Solid Shampoo & Conditioner Bars

Solid shampoo and conditioner bars are much smaller and lighter than bottles, don’t contribute to your liquid allocation for hand luggage if you’re only taking a carry-on for your Barcelona trip.  They’re better for the environment too!

There are lots of brands making solid shampoos and conditioners with eco-friendly ingredients that are vegan and cruelty free, and without nasty chemicals and parabens.  My personal favourites are the Kin Kind NOURISH me! shampoo bars and  Ethique shampoo and conditioner which are the only brands I’ve found that lather like a normal shampoo and leaves my thick hair clean and soft.

Facial Cleanser Bar

I have quite oily skin that is prone to breakouts, so I am very fussy about how I cleanse my skin.  I’ve used various liquid cleansers but I now use a solid facial cleanser from Ethique and I LOVE IT!

It leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft, but without any dryness and more importantly without spots!  The only downside for travel is the shape of the bars doesn’t fit into any of my travel containers, so I have to cut them in half to fit inside the travel tins I already have.  For short trips to Barcelona, check out their mini trial packs .

Electronics to Pack for Barcelona

Phone and charging cable.

I assume you’ll have this with you anyway – I don’t go anywhere without my phone but I wanted to put it on the list just in case!

Travel Plug Adapter (with USB Sockets)

Just like the rest of Europe, the voltage in Spain is 230 volts, and you’ll need to make sure you have the correct adapter if you don’t have a rounded 2 pin European plug, also known as Type F or Type C plugs.

Something like this universal charger socket is bulkier than individual adapters, but the USB ports are very useful for charging multiple devices like your phone, portable charger, kindle and more, and you can use it in every country you travel too.

BUY AN ADAPTER

Portable Power Bank

In Barcelona, there are lots of photo opportunities so a portable power bank can be a life-saver to stop your phone from running out of battery.  Don’t forget to bring the charging lead with you, and charge up the power bank at your accommodation in the evening ready for the next day.

Anker is one of the best brands for portable chargers and after testing out several brands I always choose Anker.  I have a small version which is great for overnight or weekend trips and a larger one which can charge a phone several times for long periods without electricity.

If you can’t find the one you want on Amazon, try eBay – there is a shortage of new electronics at the moment so you might get lucky with a second-hand one.

BROWSE POWER BANKS

Lightweight Camera

While it isn’t a backpacking essential, having a camera to be able to take photos of your travels is a very nice extra.  You can of course use your camera phone quite happily in most cases, but for those special photos of Barcelona then a lightweight camera for travel  is very useful.

Kindle or a Book

If you plan on spending a lot of time chilling at the beach or by the hotel pool, then bring a book or a magazine with you to read.   A Kindle is a great way to bring lots of books without weighing down your suitcase, and I love my Audible subscription for listening to audiobooks.

FIND A KINDLE

Bits and Bobs You Might Not Think Of

Barcelona streets can be noisy at night so if you’re a light sleeper, earplugs will help you to sleep soundly – I can’t sleep without them!  You can buy earplugs from pharmacists in packs of two or three, or bulk buy online before you travel, safe in the knowledge you can get a good night’s sleep.

Having a little case to put them in is also really useful to keep them clean and dry while you’re on the move.  I like to use simple foam earplugs like these , which I trim down to size (they’re often too long and make sleeping on my side uncomfortable, but snipping a bit off the end solves that!), although there are lots of different designs and materials to choose from .

White Noise App

I’ve also recently discovered a white noise app which helps to drown out background noise. I use ​ White Noise Lite ​ and I love it – my personal favourite white noise is Rain on Lake – it helps me sleep like a baby!

Eye Mask / Sleep Mask

An eye mask can also make a huge difference to how well you sleep, especially if you’re visiting Barcelona in the summer when it gets light early.  They’re also useful if you have a long flight or bus journey to snooze through!

I love this eye mask which is soft and comfortable, and you can adjust it around the nose so it fits closer to your face and blocks out more light.  It also has a handy little carry bag too.

GET AN EYE MASK

Microfibre Beach Towel

More compact and quicker drying than normal towels, these microfibre towels don’t take up much space and can be very useful for taking to the beach.

Microfibre travel towels are quick-drying, easy to wash and come in a variety of colours and sizes. If you’re visiting Barcelona in the summer and want to pack ultra-light you might get away with a sarong instead of a quick-dry travel towel, but personally, I can’t do without a towel!

If you like to lock your luggage while it’s on the plane or if you’re staying in a hostel in Barcelona you will need a lock for the hostel lockers.  These padlocks are TSA approved and come in packs of two and I also like flexible loops as you’re never quite sure how big the lock mechanism will be in a hostel!

BUY YOUR PADLOCK

Travel Umbrella

What, bring an umbrella to Barcelona?  While I would love to say it never rains in Barcelona, you will occasionally have some rain.  Of course, you can buy an umbrella in Barcelona if you need one, but I like to be prepared, and a colourful umbrella can double as a parasol in sunny weather too.

FIND AN UMBRELLA

Optional Extras to Pack for Your Journey to Barcelona

While you won’t need these in Barcelona, if you’ve got a long flight then these little beauties will help you have a comfortable journey!  You can also check out more tips for long-haul flights here .

Inflatable Travel Pillow

Hostel beds with rubbish pillows, long journeys on uncomfortable buses or trying to sleep on a plane – all these mean a neck pillow comes in mighty handy when you’re travelling to Barcelona!  I prefer an inflatable travel pillow over the cushion type, to save a bit of extra space in my rucksack when I’m not using it.

CHECK PRICES ON AMAZON

Noise Cancelling Headphones

Do not under any circumstances watch a movie or listen to music without headphones while you’re travelling – either out and about or on a plane.  Having noise-cancelling earphones will also help to drown out background noises and is much better for everyone around you!

There is a wide range of headphones and earbuds available so you can choose whichever works best for you.  I have Anker Soundcore headphones which are good value and get great reviews too.

BUY YOUR EARPHONES

Airfly Bluetooth Transmitter

If you have Bluetooth headphones, this handy travel gadget plugs into the plane headphone socket to allow you to connect to the inflight entertainment with your own headphones to give you a much-improved listening experience.  It works for Airpods and any Bluetooth headphones or earbuds.

BUY AN AIRFLY

What Luggage to Bring to Barcelona?

Now you know what to pack for Barcelona, you actually have to pack it!  Whether your team backpack or suitcase check out these luggage options that are perfect for a trip to Barcelona for check-in luggage and carry-on.

Checking in luggage always comes with the risk of it going missing, so keeping an eye on it with some AirTags or other tracker can be useful to see where it has got to!

Packing Cubes

I am a recent convert to packing cubes , and I love how organised they make me feel – however, you can of course travel quite happily without them so I class them as very useful instead of essential for a trip to Barcelona.  If you’re desperate for more space and don’t mind more weight then you could also get some compression cubes to stuff in some extra clothes!

GET SOME PACKING CUBES

Check-in Luggage for Barcelona

When travelling with check-in luggage, a good quality suitcase that can withstand being banged around is essential.  Samsonite is a good brand and reasonably priced.

Check-in Backpacks for Barcelona

Osprey Backpacks are THE name travel backpacks.  They make excellent quality backpacks for travel, hiking and a whole range of other activities so you can choose the right backpack for you.

The Osprey Fairview 70 Women’s Travel Backpack is a firm favourite for backpackers and it comes with a d etachable daypack with a built-in laptop and tablet sleeve.  Carry them separately when you’re flying so you can check in the larger section and take the day pack on the flight as carry-on, or attach them so you can keep your hands completely free when you’re on the move.

The Fairview 55 is basically the same design but with a smaller capacity, so better for carrying around if you can pack that bit lighter.  The Farpoint 55 and Farpoint 70 are men’s travel backpack equivalents.

Wheeled Backpacks

If you don’t want to carry everything on your back but want the flexibility to do it if needed, then a wheeled backpack is a combination of the two.  I am currently using an Osprey Sojourn 60 for my backpacking trip around Australia and New Zealand and I love it!

They don’t seem to have new models of these on sale (I got mine second-hand) but there are Osprey Sojourn 45l packs on sale which apparently fit into most overhead luggage compartments.  It has wheels like a regular suitcase, but also has a backpack harness, hipbelt and backpanel that can transform it into a backpack.

I haven’t actually used mine as a backpack at all (so far!), but it is nice to know I can do if needed, without having to carry it around all the time.

Carry-On Luggage

Smaller backpacks with a maximum of 40-litres capacity are great for taking as carry-on only if you can fit in everything you need.  They are perfect for short trips or ultra-lite backpacking adventures and can be combined with a day pack as a personal carry-on item if you need some extra space.

I love the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40l which is the most comfortable backpack I’ve ever worn, thanks to the adjustable shoulder straps which you can alter to suit your height, and the padded hip belt which can take up to 80% of the weight off your shoulders.

You can read my full review of the Tortuga backpack here , or check out the Tortuga website for the full specs and other reviews.

I also have the 40 litre Osprey Fairview pack for women which I have used as my main luggage for weekends away, and I have also used as it a carry-on when checking in a larger suitcase for longer trips.  The Fairview is designed for women, and the men’s equivalent is the 40 litre Farpoint which is just as good.

These travel backpacks meet carry-on restrictions for most airlines, and are flexible if you don’t overfill them, so they will squeeze into luggage racks.  They all have a separate laptop sleeve, supporting hipbelt and open fully so you can easily access anything you’ve packed.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks

If you’re looking for a cheap travel backpack for carry-on, the Asenlin 40 litre travel backpack is a unisex design, and gets excellent reviews.  It opens fully like the Osprey backpacks, has a 17-inch laptop compartment, is water-resistant and comes with a set of 3 packing cubes included.

Final Thoughts on What to Pack for Barcelona

I hope this Barcelona packing list has got everything you might need for a trip to Barcelona – if there is anything I’ve missed please let me know in the comments and I’ll add it to the article!  Although, if there is something you do forget to pack you can always buy it in Barcelona.

Claire Sturzaker

I'm Claire and I love Barcelona! I first came to Barcelona as a student almost 20 years ago, and adore this city. I want to share all of my insider tips to help you to enjoy Barcelona as much as I do. If you want to visit Barcelona and have an amazing time – you are in the right place!

The top 10 day trips from Barcelona, from divine sights to beautiful beaches

Dec 6, 2023 • 7 min read

Tarragona has lots of lovely restaurants in the square surrounding the cathedral © frantic00 / Getty Images

You could spend weeks in Barcelona and never run out of neighborhoods to explore , things to do , food to try and bars to hop.

But for a taste of Catalan life beyond the metropolis – or simply for a change of pace – take a day trip from Barcelona to experience the mountains, beaches and pretty little towns that are just a short ride away. Here are the 10 best short escapes from beautiful Barcelona. 

1. Savor divinely beautiful views in Montserrat

Travel time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

The mountain of  Montserrat  is home to  Catalonia 's holiest site, the monastery of the same name. The views are spectacular – take walking shoes – and season permitting, you might be able to catch a choir performance inside the  basilica . Afterward, ride the funicular or take a walk down to the  Santa Cova , the spot where La Moreneta – a holy effigy of the virgin – was found, or up to the Sant Jeroni peak for a splendid view of the valley below.

How to get to Montserrat from Barcelona:  The R5 line trains operated by FGC run half-hourly to hourly to and from Barcelona's Plaça d’Espanya station. Next, get the AERI cable car to the monastery from the Montserrat Aeri stop. Alternatively, take the R5 to the next stop (Monistrol de Montserrat), from where cremallera trains run up to the monastery every 20 to 40 minutes.

2. Escape the city to the forests of Collserola

Travel time: 15 minutes

Barcelonins seek out the vast  Parc de Collserola  up in the hills for an escape from city life. Walking and cycling trails run throughout the park, which is dotted with farmhouse-style restaurants. Pick up a map of the various routes from the info center at Carretera de l’Església 92, close to the Baixador de Vallvidrera FGC train station. From here, those with a bit of energy can walk across the hills to Sant Cugat and take the train back to Barcelona from there.

How to get to Collserola from Barcelona:  Get the FGC suburban train from Plaça de Catalunya, Carrer de Provença or Gràcia to Baixador de Vallvidrera.

3. Sunbathe and party in Sitges

Travel time: 40 minutes

The pretty, whitewashed town of  Sitges  is perfect for seafront promenading and sun-worshiping, so in warmer weather, you’ll find the most central beaches quite crowded. Luckily, there are quite a few to choose from, so pick your spot for a morning of sunbathing (or skinny dipping off the nudist beach) before choosing a seafood restaurant nearby.

It’s not all about the sea in Sitges. If you have an interest in contemporary art and in the Modernisme movement, the classy old center’s array of elegant buildings – many housing museums – is well worth some of your time. The town also has great nightlife and a vibrant LGBTIQ+ scene. One of Spain's best Carnaval celebrations is held here (dates change annually), and October brings the Sitges International Film Festival to town.

How to get to Sitges from Barcelona:  From 5am to 10pm, regular trains run from Barcelona Passeig de Gràcia and Sants. Monbus runs from Barcelona every 15 to 50 minutes.

4. Walk through a rainbow in Girona

Travel time: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Girona 's old town is a tight huddle of ancient arcaded houses, grand churches and sloped cobbled streets, with the grand cathedral  looming over it. Until the virtual expulsion of the Jewish population in 1492, Girona was home to a huge Jewish community, and the  Museu d’Història dels Jueus  tells their story.

For a different slice of history, visit the 12th-century  Banys Àrabs  (Arab Baths), which was used as a filming location in  Game of Thrones , and the pretty Romanesque  Monestir de Sant Pere de Galligants . Stroll along the Onyar River to look at the colorfully painted houses that flank it or to reach the newer part of town, where you’ll find some excellent tapas bars.

If your pockets are deep enough, Girona also has one of the world’s best restaurants:  El Celler de Can Roca .

How to get to Girona from Barcelona:  Take the train from Barcelona, which runs about every 30 minutes.

5. Relax in friendly and welcoming Vilanova i la Geltrú

Travel time: 45 minutes

Just down the coast beyond Sitges (there is a lovely, hour-long walk along the cliffs you can do to reach it), Vilanova i la Geltrú is a larger, more down-home version that has long dedicated its efforts more to fishing and industry than the leisure business, with a pleasantly unpretentious air.

If you want to spend the day on the beach, Vilanova i la Geltrú is an excellent place to do it. There are some decent, wide beaches (head straight to the south for a lovely little cove) and an interesting railway museum, the Museu del Ferrocarril . 

How to get to Vilanova i la Geltrú from Barcelona:  From 5am to 10pm, regular trains run from Barcelona.

6. Revel in Roman ruins in Tarragona

Travel time: 1 hour

Of a similar size and scale to Girona,  Tarragona  is known for its Roman remains. Since the  Museu d’Història de Tarragona  – which comprises the main Roman sites – tends to be busiest from mid-morning onward, it’s best to start with its  Amfiteatre Romà  and the  Fòrum Provincial  or the excellent  Museu Nacional Arqueològic de Tarragona , which gives a useful overview of the city’s impressive Roman past.

Afterward, head for the grand  cathedral , followed by lunch in one of the many restaurants thereabouts or in the fishing neighborhood of El Serrallo, where you’ll find many fine seafood restaurants.

How to get to Tarragona from Barcelona:  The train station is a 10-minute walk south of the old town near the beach, with services to and from Barcelona every 10 to 30 minutes.

7. Get surreal in Figueres

Travel time: 2 hours

Figueres  has some handsome Modernista architecture, a sprawling 18th-century castle  and a delightful little toy museum, the  Museu del Joguet , but it is best known for the  Teatre-Museu Dalí .

A former theater, it was converted by Dalí himself into a palace of surrealism, protected by tall red walls that bristle with giant eggs, Oscar-like statues and plaster croissants. Inside, you’ll find paintings, a jewelry collection designed by Dalí and some entertaining trompe l’oeil installations. A Teatre-Museu Dalí ticket will get you free entry to the  Museu de l'Empordà , a fantastic art and archaeology museum that's considered one of the best in the region.

How to get to Figueres from Barcelona:  Figueres train station, 800m (0.5 miles) southeast of the center, has half-hourly trains to and from Barcelona.

8. Step back in time in medieval Montblanc

Montblanc is a good-sized medieval walled town with a decent selection of places to eat and sleep. It’s worth a visit on its own merits; however, ideally, you should go with a car to fully explore the Cistercian Route, a triad of stunning monasteries within easy reach of one another at  Poblet ,  Vallbona de les Monges  and  Santes Creues . You’ll need to set off early if you are hoping to see all three.

How to get to Montblanc from Barcelona: Five direct trains a day run from Barcelona Passeig de Gràcia and Sants; the first is around 7am.

9. Shop the local markets in Vic

Travel time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Vic, with its attractive historic center and some fine restaurants, dominates the flatlands of La Plana de Vic to the south of the Pyrenees and is an easy train ride from Barcelona. Plaça Major, the largest of Catalunya’s central squares, is lined with medieval, Baroque and Modernista mansions. It is still the scene of regular markets, hence its other name, Plaça del Mercadal.

How to get to Vic from Barcelona:  Regular rodalies trains (line R3) run to and from Barcelona.

10. Find a buried treasure in Colònia Güell

Apart from La Sagrada Família , Gaudí’s last big project was the creation of a utopian textile workers’ complex for his magnate patron Eusebi Güell outside Barcelona at Santa Coloma de Cervelló. Gaudí’s main role was to erect the colony’s church,  Colònia Güell , although he only managed to finish the crypt, which is open to visitors. Its mostly brick-clad columns that support the ribbed vaults in the ceiling are inclined at all angles in much the same way that trees in a forest lean and are key to understanding the physics behind his magnum opus, the Sagrada Família.

How to get to Colònia Güell from Barcelona:  Take FGC lines S4, S8 or S33 to Colònia Güell.

This article was first published Jun 21, 2019 and updated Dec 6, 2023.

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Barcelona in 3 Tagen

Sehenswürdigkeiten in barcelona an 3 tagen: mein programmvorschlag für ein wochenende.

Wenn es eine Stadt gibt, die alles hat, was ich mir wünsche, dann steht Barcelona ganz weit vorn. Obwohl du es nicht schaffen wirst, alle Highlights an einem Wochenende zu erkunden, hilft dir dieses Programm, die meisten Highlights in Barcelona in 3 Tagen zu erkunden. So holst du das Beste aus deinem Kurztrip heraus.

In Barcelona kannst du nicht nur viele historischen Gebäude, Geschichte und grandiose Architektur in Hülle und Fülle bewundern, es gibt auch einen Strand, du kannst wandern und am ziemlich guten Nachtleben teilhaben. Nicht zu vergessen den Panoramablick von den Hausbergen Tibidabo und Montjuïc. Was willst du mehr?

Stimmt, gutes Essen. Aber dank der guten spanischen Küche gibts auch in Barcelona zahlreiche kulinarische Höhepunkte.

Hier ist mein Vorschlag für deine dreitägige Barcelona-Reiseroute in der Hoffnung, dass du deine Zeit in der Hauptstadt Kataloniens genauso genießen wirst wie ich (ich war bereits achtmal hier, und kann nicht genug von Barcelona bekommen). Dazu gibts hilfreiche Reisetipps, die deinen Wochenendtrip nach Barcelona noch entspannter machen.

• Wesentliche Reisetipps vorab

Beste Reisezeit: Das ganze Jahr, Sommer (Juni-August sehr heiß, trotzdem sehr beliebte Monate). Mein Tipp: Frühling (März bis Mai) oder Herbst (September bis November). Silvester in Barcelona ist ebenfall ein tolles Erlebnis. Reiseführer : DuMont direkt Barcelona (kompakt mit allem, was du wissen musst) Anreise : Flüge finden / Bahnticket buchen / Bus (Flixbus) Unterkunft buchen: booking.com 💶 Geld sparen mit dem Barcelona all-inclusive Pass oder Explorer Pass Aktivitäten & TIckets vorab reservieren : Get Your Guide Kulinarische Touren: EatWith

Dadurch, dass meine beste Freundin in Barcelona studiert und gelebt hat, war ich in den vergangenen 20 Jahren mehr als 8 Mal in der katalanischen Hauptstadt.

Route für Barcelona planen

Vor deiner Städtereise solltest du zunächst überlegen, wie viele Tage du in Barcelona verbringen möchtest. Als Nächstes empfehle ich dir darüber nachzudenken, ob du die Zeit nur in Barcelona verbringen, oder auch einen Tagesausflug nach Girona oder Montserrat unternehmen möchtest. Option 3 ist, du bist ohnehin auf einem Roadtrip in Spanien entlang der Costa Brava unterwegs.

Wie du entscheidest, hängt von dir ab. Jede dieser Optionen ist richtig. Es gibt viel zu sehen, vorwiegend in Barcelona gibt es viel zu tun. Daher rate ich dir, am Morgen früh aufzustehen und so viel wie möglich auf deinem Aufenthalt herauszuholen. Wir neigen dazu, die Tage vollzupacken, da wir neugierig sind und so viele Attraktionen wie möglich ansehen möchten.

Wie viele Tage sollte man in Barcelona verbringen?

Für Barcelona gibt es kein Limit. Ich könnte dir auch ein Programm für 1 Woche erstellen, ohne dass Langeweile aufkommt. Aber ich schätze, dass du wahrscheinlich auf einer kürzeren Reise zu Besuch in Barcelona bist. Daher stelle ich diese 3-tägige Barcelona-Route zusammen.

Meine persönliche Empfehlung ist es, mindestens 3 Tage in Barcelona einzuplanen. Das Minimum, um die wichtigsten Highlights und ein wenig Kultur (und auch das Nachtleben) entdecken zu können.

In Barcelona ist immer viel los, daher achte darauf, am besten Tickets ohne Warteschlange (vor allem für die Sagrada Família) vorab zu kaufen.

Reichen 3 Tage für Barcelona?

Wenn du 3 Tage in Barcelona Zeit hast, ist es die ideale Dauer, um die wichtigsten Attraktionen der Stadt zu erleben und sogar abseits der bekannten Touristenpfade Orte zu entdecken. Die katalanische Hauptstadt ist voll an Kultur und Highlights.

Anreise nach Barcelona

Mit dem Flugzeug: Der Flughafen Barcelona ist gut mit anderen europäischen Städten verbunden. Ich verwende die Flugsuchmaschine Skyscanner, um gute Flüge zu finden.

Mit dem Zug: Die Bahn ist vielleicht nicht das billigste Transportmittel in Spanien, aber das schnellste. Dazu kannst du mit dem Zug nachhaltiger anreisen als mit dem Flugzeug. Du kannst bei der Bahn nach Spartickets suchen .

Mit dem Bus: Fahrten zwischen Barcelona und anderen europäischen Städten wie Paris, Brüssel und München sind dank Flixbus supergünstig. Schau gleich mal nach der schnellsten Verbindung bei Flixbus .

Nutze Omio , um Dauer und Kosten von Bus-, Bahn- und Flugreisen zu vergleichen.

Verkehrsmittel in Barcelona

• U-Bahn: Die schnellste und einfachste Art, sich in Barcelona fortzubewegen. Spare Geld mit einem Tarjeta T-Casual (10 Fahrten-Ticket)
• Bus und Straßenbahn: Auch das sind gute Möglichkeiten, sich in Barcelona fortzubewegen. Fahrten werden ebenfalls durch das Tarjeta T-Casual (10 Fahrten Ticket) abgedeckt.
• Standseilbahn : Diese besondere Fortbewegungsart verbindet den Montjuïc-Park mit der Stadt und ist ebenfalls im Ticketsystem enthalten.
• Taxis : In Barcelona gibt es kein UBER. Du kannst normale Taxis benutzen, ich rate davon ab, da sie teuer sind und immer viel Verkehr auf den Straßen ist.
• Fahrrad : Barcelona ist eine sehr fahrradfreundliche Stadt. Mach eine geführte Fahrradtour, leih dir ein oder schalte dir eines über die mobile App frei. Ich hätte es selbst nicht gedacht, allerdings getestet und war begeistert.
• Hop-On Hop-Off-Bus: Okay, diese Busse sind touristisch. Aber für einen ersten Kurztrip ideal für einen Überblick.
• An- und Abreise zum Flughafen Barcelona: Nimm den Aerobus zum/vom Plaça de Catalunya für 6 €, der alle 30 Minuten fährt.

Hole dir die Hola BNC Karte für 3 Tage in Barcelona (72-Stunden-Pass à 20 €). Dieser beinhaltet alle Züge, Straßenbahnen und Busse, einschließlich des Flughafentransfer.

Ich habe hier alle Reisetipps für Barcelona zusammengefasst : von der Anreise zum Flughafentransfer und den öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln vor Ort.

Beste Reisezeit

Barcelona ist ein ganzjähriges Reiseziel. Der Sommer (Juni-August) kann sehr heiß und stickig in der Stadt sein. Obwohl es eine beliebte Reisezeit ist, wäre es nicht meine Wahl, da die Stadt überfüllt ist. Viele Urlauber an der Costa Brava machen Tagesausflüge in die Stadt oder Kreuzfahrtschiffe "fluten" das Zentrum. Dann musst du unbedingt Tickets vorab reservieren ( GetYourGuide ist gut dafür).

Meine präferierten Jahreszeiten sind der Frühling (März-Mai) und der Herbst (September-November). Schöne Jahreszeiten, um Barcelona mit angenehmem Wetter und weniger Menschenmassen zu besuchen. Auch der Winter (Dezember bis Februar) ist keine schlechte Reisezeit. Ich habe nach Weihnachten schon Silvester in Barcelona verbracht. Die Tage sind angenehm warm und sonnig (ca. 18 - 20° C), nur die Nächte sind kalt. Die Gebräuche zu Weihnachten und Silvester fand ich sehr spannend.

Hotel-Tipp: Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella (El Born, Sant Martí)

Das  Motel One  bietet gewohnte Qualität wie in Deutschland. Es liegt nur 20 Minuten vom Strand entfernt  und befindet sich direkt am Botanischen Garten. Ich mag die Lage in besonderem Maße, da Freunde lange im angrenzenden Viertel Poblenou gelebt haben.

Hier kannst du das Hotel ansehen und buchen

Generell finde ich für einen Kurztrip die Viertel Gracia und das Barri Gotic ideal.

Günstiges Hotel: Auch preiswert mit guter Lage ist das Praktik Rambla . Eine Ruheoase in einem Palast aus dem 19. Jahrhundert. Neben den gemütlichen Zimmern gibt es einen schönen Terrassenbereich mit Sitzgelegenheiten im Innen- und Außenbereich. Zur Nebensaison ab 70 Euro/Nacht buchbar .

• Zum Wochenend-Programm (Fr-So)

Wenn du schon mehrere meiner Reiseberichte gelesen hast wirst du bemerkt haben, dass wir uns die Tage gerne von morgens bis abends mit Sightseeing und Aktivitäten vollpacken.

Hier folgt also mein Vorschlag für ein Wochenende in Barcelona:

Nimm an einem Stadtrundgang teil

Um einen ersten Eindruck einer Stadt zu bekommen, empfehle ich dir, an einer Walking - oder Fahrradtour teilzunehmen. Empfehlen kann ich die Free Walking Tours (Start um 11 und 15 Uhr), diese Fahrradtour bei Get your Guide oder diese Fototour zu den Wahrzeichen der Stadt .

Falls du nicht gut zu Fuß bist, kannst du auch eine Tour mit den roten Hop-on Hop-off Bussen unternehmen .

Die Free Walking Tour oder Fahrradtour sind meine bevorzugte Art , eine Städtereise zu beginnen. Die Guides sind ortskundig, sodass du einen guten ersten Eindruck und ein paar Geheimtipps für Barcelona bekommst.

Falls du schon in Barcelona warst, kannst du spezifische Touren zu Themen wie Gaudí, Geschichte der Tapas oder ähnliche Touren unternehmen.

Spaziergang durch Las Ramblas und das Gotische Viertel, die Altstadt von Barcelona

Erkunde die Innenstadt von Barcelona vor oder nach deiner Stadtführung. La Rambla , die berühmteste Allee Barcelonas, mag sehr geschäftig und touristisch sein, aber sie ist eben das pulsierende Herz der Stadt. Verbringe etwas Zeit damit, hier herumzuwandern, aber versuche nicht hier etwas zu essen oder einzukaufen. Die Dinge hier sind mit Abstand am teuersten, das Essen nicht wirklich gut.

Hast du doch Hunger? Dann kannst du beim Café Viena ein Flauta d'ibéric d.o. jubag o (Sandwich mit typischem Schinken) bestellen. Dazu ein Caña (ein kleines frisch gezapftes Bier) und du gehst schon fast als Local durch. Nicht günstig, dafür verdammt lecker.

Dank einer 2.000 Jahre alten Geschichte ist das Gotische Viertel (Barri Gòtic) unweit La Rambla ein weiteres Muss für ein Wochenende Barcelona

Wenn du durch die Gassen wanderst und die tollen Gebäude und Balkone mit ihren sonnigen Plätzen bewundert hast, wirst du sicher verstehen, warum so viele Menschen, wie ich von Barcelona schwärmen. Mit dem Wissen, dass sowohl Picasso als auch Gaudí von diesem Viertel bei ihrer Arbeit inspiriert wurden, lässt das Barri Gotic gleich mit einer größeren Faszination dastehen (für mich zumindest).

Hier kannst du wirklich viel Zeit verbringen, um die Atmosphäre einzusaugen und die Architektur zu bewundern. Besuche die La Rambla (katalanisch: Les Rambles), die Kathedrale Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia , den Plaça Reial mit seinen berühmten Laternen und das Kolumbus Denkmal . Der kleinere und ruhigere Platz Plaça del Pi ist ein toller Ort, um eine Kleinigkeit zu Essen und eine Pause einzulegen.

Das Highlight im gotischen Viertel ist für mich allerdings der Markt La Boqueria Market:

La Boqueria

Einen Crashkurs in der katalanischer Küche machst du am besten auf einem der vielen Lebensmittelmärkte der Stadt, wo Stände kostenlose Verkostungen anbieten und Bars einfache Köstlichkeiten mit frischen Produkten des Tages zubereiten.

La Boqueria sagt über sich selbst, der beste Markt der Welt zu sein. Bilde dir selbst ein Urteil. Es gibt hier wirklich viele köstliche und frische Zutaten und Gerichte, die du probieren kannst. Nicht günstig, aber für mich ein Muss. Über 200 Händler bieten alles von Fisch, Fleisch, Käse, Brot und Oliven bis zum fertigen Gericht an.

Barcelona ist ganz einfach das Schlaraffenland für Food-Fanatiker. Die katalanische Hauptstadt ist vollgepackt mit Cafés, Bars, Restaurants, Feinkostläden, Eisdielen, Konditoreien und Weinhandlungen und Märkte. Außerdem gibt es alle Arten von spezialisierten kulinarischen Produzenten für jeden Geschmack, von Feinschmeckern und Feinschmeckern bis hin zu wählerischen Essern und kleinen Geldbeuteln.

La Boqueria gibt es seit 1836 in Barcelona, an dem Ort wurden angeblich schon 1217 frischer Fisch von Händlern verkauft.

Du kannst eine Tour auf dem Markt mit einheimischen Köchen buchen, um alle Insights zu erfahren und die besten Händler genannt zu bekommen.

Auf den Spuren Gaudís: Casa Batlló und Casa Milà

Vom Gotischen Viertel aus kannst du jetzt einen 20-minütigen Spaziergang machen (meine Empfehlung), oder die 8-minütige Fahrt mit der U-Bahn in Kauf nehmen, um einige der schönsten Meisterwerke Gaudís zu entdecken. Keine Angst, es handelt sich dabei nicht um eine Galerie, denn Gaudís Kunst kannst du von der Straße aus bewundern.

Casa Batlló und Casa Milà liegen 5 Gehminuten voneinander entfernt am Paseo de Gràcia .

Casa Batlló

Dieses Gebäude wurde Gaudí übergeben, und er konnte hier zwischen 1904 und 1906 seine ganze kreative Ader ausleben und baute das Gebäude um. Die markante Fassade hat ihm einen Platz auf der Liste des UNESCO-Weltkulturerbes eingebracht und zieht jedes Jahr mehr als eine Million Besucher an.

Infos zu Casa Batlló:

• Tickets kosten 35 Euro (mit Audioguide) , Tickets am frühen Morgen ohne viele Menschen sogar 45 Euro. Es lohnt sich. Das Ticket beinhaltet die Aussicht auf den neuen Gaudí Dom, den Gaudí Cube und die Dachterrasse sowie neue Treppe von Kengo Kuma.
• Für Gaudi Fans wie ich:   Stadtführung mit E-Bike „Auf den Spuren Gaudís“
• Öffnungszeiten:  9 bis 21 Uhr. Letzter Einlass 20 Uhr.
• Dauer des Besuchs ca. 1 Stunde
• Offizielle Webseite Case Batlló

Obwohl es von außen nicht sofort so beeindruckend wie Casa Battlo aussieht, ist dieses zweite architektonische Juwel, auch bekannt als La Pedrera, wegen der markanten Skulpturen auf dem Dach des Kriegers und der renovierten Altbauwohnung einen Besuch wert.

Das Gebäude wird umgangssprachlich nur Pedrera genannt, da es bei den Bauarbeiten eher einem Steinbruch als einem architektonischen Meisterwerk glich. Dabei beauftragte die Witwe Milà Antoni Gaudí damit, einen prunkvollen Palast zu bauen. Der Spitzname Pedrera gefiel der Witwe genauso wenig wie der Entwurf Gaudís.

Weitere Infos zu La Pedrera:

• Eintritt Casa Milà ohne anstehen
• Für Gaudi Fans wie ich:  Stadtführung mit E-Bike „Auf den Spuren Gaudís“
• Öffnungszeiten: 27. Februar – 2. November: täglich von 9 bis 20.30 Uhr, 3. November – 24. Dezember: täglich von 9 bis 18,30 Uhr, 26. Dezember – 3. Januar: täglich von 9 bis 20.30 Uhr, 1. Januar: 11 – 18,30 Uhr, geschlossen am 25. Dezember. Letzter Einlass ist 30 Minuten vor Ende der Öffnungszeiten.
• Offizielle Webseite La Pedrera - Casa Milà

Palau de la Música Catalana

Nur 15 Gehminuten (oder eine kurze Bus-/U-Bahnfahrt) von den berühmten Häusern Gaudís entfernt liegt der spektakuläre Palau de la Música Catalana (Palast der katalanischen Musik). Er wurde zwischen 1905 und 1908 vom Architekten Lluís Domènech i Montaner entworfen und ist atemberaubend schön. Berechtigterweise zählt dieses architektonisch bedeutsamste Gebäude der Stadt zum UNESCO-Weltkulturerbe.

Kauf dir ein Ticket und erhalte Zugang zu dem Labyrinth aus Räumen, einschließlich des Konzertsaals mit einer unfassbaren detaillierten Buntglasdecke. Spaziere die prachtvollen Treppen empor und staune über die vielen Verzierungen der Säulen und Glasfenster. Besonders bei Tageslicht ist die Lluís-Millet-Halle einer der schönsten Orte im Palau de la Música Catalana.

Hinweis : Du kannst die Tour mit Audiguide auf dem Handy ohne Guide machen. Dazu empfinde ich es als hilfreich, Kopfhörer fürs eigene Handy dabeizuhaben, um die Hände frei zuhaben.

• Eintrittspreis: Ticket inklusive Führung kostet 20 € (bzw. 11 € für Studierende).
• Adresse: C/ Palau de la Música, 4-6, 08003 Barcelona.
• Öffnungszeiten: täglich 10 -1 5.30 Uhr und von Ostern bis August bis 18 Uhr.

Sundowner in der Bar 1881 mit Blick über den Hafen

Um den ersten Tag deines Barcelona Städtetrips zu beenden, begibst du dich zum Hafen in die Bar 1881 per SAGARDI auf dem Dach des Museu d'Història de Catalunya (Historischen Museumin Barceloneta ). Wenn du noch Zeit hast, kannst du das Museum auch noch besichtigen (Eintritt kostet 6 Euro).

Die Bar ist etwas teurer, aber wenn nicht am ersten Tag, wann dann sollte man sich etwas gönnen? Der Blick über den Hafen ist wirklich toll. Webseite der Bar .

Alternativ empfehle ich dir eine Tapas Bar im Barri Gòtic oder in El Born. Zum Beispiel El Chigre 1769 oder eine der ältesten Tapas Bars der Stadt Bar La Plata . Im Barri Gotic findest du in der Carrer de la Mercè einige Tapas Bars und du kannst frei auswählen.

Als alternative Bar am Abend empfehle ich CDLC Barcelona (Carpe Diem) , eine besondere Strandbar, die sehr beliebt ist. Am Tag ein Restaurant, am Abend ein Club mit DJ.

Ich hoffe, du hast heute bequeme Schuhe an. Heute geht es weiter, um die schönsten Bauwerke Gaudis zu besichtigen. Ja, ich bin ein riesengroßer Fan, aber ich verspreche dir, dass diese Orte auch dir gefallen werden.

Start in den Tag mit einem guten Frühstück

Je nachdem, für welche Unterkunft du dich entscheidest, gibt es folgende Optionen: Picnic wäre die erste Wahl mit einem guten Brunch (ab 10 Uhr) und ist ideal, damit du gestärkt in den Tag startest. Eine weitere Empfehlung ist Brunch & Cake , mit gleich drei Locations in Barcelona. Es gibt vom Hummer mit Garnelen Benedict bis zu Schoko-Pancakes alles, was es braucht, um dich sattzumachen. Monsieur Bosc ist ein weiterer Tipp.

Falls du ein typisch spanisches Frühstück möchtest (ich liebs) musst du wissen, dass zu Hause oder Unterwegs erstmal ein Kaffee getrunken wird. Gegen 10 Uhr wird dann das zweite reichhaltigere Frühstück zu sich genommen. Normalerweise besteht dies aus einem Gebäck oder kleinen Baguette-Sandwich mit einem Kaffee und frisch gepresstem Orangensaft.

Auch beliebt sind Bikini (ein Sandwich mit Käse und Schinken), mein Favorit Pa amb tomàquet (Brot mit Tomaten, Knoblauch und einem Spritzer Olivenöl) oder eine Scheibe spanisches Omelett. Diese nimmst du in einer Granja zu dir. Die bekanntesten Granjas in Barcelona sind Dulcinea , Xocoa und Granja la Pallaresa , die sich alle in der Carrer de Petrixol befinden. Du findest allerdings auch immer in der Nähe deiner Unterkunft kleine Cafés (meist in Hinterhöfen), wo du Pa amb tomàquet bestellen kannst.

Sagrada Familia 

Jetzt geht es zur berühmtesten Sehenswürdigkeit Barcelonas: Gaudís unvollendete Kathedrale Sagrada Familia. Auch wenn viele der Top-Sehenswürdigkeiten überbewertet sind und Besucher danach enttäuscht sind. Hier wirst du dich nicht sattsehen können. Die verträumten Türmchen, Säulen und die bunten Details sind einfach unfassbar. Ich war schon viermal im Inneren und komme immer wieder zurück, um den Fortschritt zu sehen.

Gaudí begann 1883 mit der Arbeit an der Kathedrale und war noch dabei, seine Vision zum Leben zu erwecken, als er 1926 starb. Die Sagrada befindet sich bis heute im Bau, wobei das geschätzte Datum der Fertigstellung auf 2026, ein Jahrhundert nach seinem Tod, festgelegt ist.

Infos zu Tickets für die Sagrada Familia

• Da das Basisticket (17 €) nur den Innenbereich beinhaltet, empfehle ich dir, auf ein Ticket mit Aufstieg zu den Türmen mit Führung zurückzugreifen. Eine Nahaufnahme der Türme ist fantastisch, ebenso wie die Aussicht von oben über die Stadt.
• Falls du Höhenangst hast (oder Platzangst, denn die Wendeltreppe ist sehr eng), dann solltest du die Tour mit Guide buchen, da er dir viele Details zeigt, die du auf eigene Faust nicht erkennst oder findest.
• Um Zeit in der langen Warteschlange zu sparen, solltest du dir ein Ticket ohne Anstehen im Voraus besorgen .

Update : Aufgrund der aktuellen Sicherheitsanforderungen sind die Türme aktuell geschlossen. Auf der offiziellen Webseite findest du die neuesten Infos dazu.

Hinweis : Mit dem Barcelona Pass von Go City ( hier kaufen ) ist der Eintritt frei (mit Führung und reservierter Zugang, wenn verfügbar).

• Nächste Metrostationen: Monument, Verdaguer und Escants. Alle nur einen kurzen Spaziergang entfernt.

Ein weiterer wichtiger Stopp (und mein Lieblingsort) bei deinem Städtetrip in Barcelona ist der Park Güell. Dieser 17 Hektar große Park ist nicht nur eine der größten Grünflächen in Barcelona, sondern ein guter Ort, um an einem sonnigen Tag spazieren zu gehen. Das UNESCO-Weltkulturerbe ist voll von weltberühmter moderner Kunst.

Der Bau des Park Güell begann 1900 , im selben Jahr, in dem der Jugendstil auf der Internationalen Ausstellung in Paris triumphierte. Der Unternehmer Eusebi Güell wollte einen stilvollen Park für die Aristokratie schaffen und beauftragte daher mehrere Architekten mit der Arbeit am Park Güell. Dazu gehörte Gaudí, der vor fast 20 Jahren sein Haus Palau Güell auf Las Ramblas entworfen hatte.

Einige der besten Fotomotive findest du am farbenfrohen Drachenbrunnen , dem Mosaik-Sitzbereich und der Casa del Guarda , einem Torhaus im Märchenstil, in dem Fotos und Filme ausgestellt werden. Zu den weiteren Aktivitäten im Park gehören eine Besichtigung des Casa Museo Gaudí (Haus Gaudís, 7,50 €) und der Aufstieg zum Mirador für einen unvergleichlichen Blick auf die Stadt.

• Eintrittspreis : 10 € / 22 € inkl. Führung. Mit dem Barcelona Pass ( hier kaufen ) kostenlos.
• Anreise zum Park Güell: 12-minütiger Spaziergang von der Metrostation Vallcarca der Linie 3.

Bunker del Carmen

Zum Sonnenuntergang geht es heute zu den Bunkern aus dem spanischen Bürgerkrieg, die auf einem Hügel thronen. Vom Park Güell aus kannst du 20 Minuten nach oben durch den Park gehen und schon bist du bei den Bunkern.

Schnapp dir ein Essen und ein paar Bier und bewundere den Himmel, während er sich rosa und orange färbt.

• Adresse: Carrer de Marià Labèrnia, s/n, 08032 Barcelona, Spanien.

Erwäge für deinen letzten Tag im wunderschönen Barcelona die folgenden Aktivitäten:

Am Morgen – Entspannen am Strand von Barceloneta

Um die vielen zurückgelegten Schritte der letzten paar Tage zu belohnen, fahre nach Barceloneta zum Schwimmen, Surfen und SUP (und vielleicht einem Besuch in den schicken Strandbars, wenn du ein wenig mehr Geld ausgeben möchtest). Die Zeiten als ruhiges Fischerdorf sind in Barceloneta lange vorbei. Das Viertel und der Strandabschnitt sind heute Hotspot für Einheimische und Touristen.

Wenn du keine Lust auf den Strand hast, besuche das Museum für katalanische Geschichte, das Picasso Museum, das Aquarium oder den Markt La Barceloneta. Komme am Abend nochmals für einen Sundowner her und genieße ein Abendessen mit frischen Meeresfrüchten.

Nachmittag: Die schönesten Panoramablicke

Beende deine 3-tägige Barcelona Reise mit einem Panoramablick über die Stadt. Ich würde empfehlen, eine der folgenden Orte zu besuchen. Ich würde den Tibidabo bevorzugen, aber nur weil ich sogar zu den Olympischen Spielen 1992 (und noch viel öfter) auf dem Montjuïc war.

Auf dem Montjuïc befindet sich eine Burg mit einer unglaublichen Aussicht auf die Stadt. Im Sommer finden hier auch Open-Air-Kinoabende statt. Es gibt ein Schwimmbad, in dem Kylie Minogue das Video zu Slow filmte. Um dorthin zu gelangen, nimmst du die Standseilbahn (im Metro-Ticket enthalten) oder entscheidest dich für die touristische Seilbahn (11 €, kostenlos mit Barcelona Pass –  hier kaufen ). Du kannst auch den Bus 150 nehmen, aber da würde ich noch eher den Fußweg auf mich nehmen.

Der Tibidabo ist mein Favorit. Auf diesem Berg gibt es einen Vergnügungspark mit einem riesigen Retro-Riesenrad. Der Eintritt kostet 28 €, aber wenn du nicht viel Geld ausgeben möchtest, kannst du die beeindruckende Kirche besuchen (und auf den Turm hinauf), durch die wunderschönen Gärten schlendern und einfach den Panoramablick genießen.

Steigen Sie am Plaça de Catalunya in den T2A-Bus. Ich rate dir, zu Fuß zu gehen und diesen Artikel von mir zum Tibidabo in Barcelona zu lesen.

• Tagesausflüge von Barcelona

Hast du einen zusätzlichen Tag, um einen Ausflug zu unternehmen? Erwäge, deine 3-tägige Barcelona-Städtereise auf 4 Tage zu verlängern. Folgende Ausflüge kann ich empfehlen:

Diese charmante Stadt ist eine fantastische Möglichkeit, der geschäftigen Stadt zu entfliehen. Girona ist in nur 40 Minuten zu erreichen. Die Züge sind sehr komfortabel. Der Ort ist wunderschön, das haben auch die Macher von Game of Thrones erkannt. Die Stadt diente als Filmkulisse.

Das Kloster auf dem Berggipfel ist absolut sehenswert. Es dauert ungefähr eineinhalb Stunden, um Monistrol de Montserrat zu erreichen (von der Plaça Espanya nimmst du die Linie R5 bis Aeri de Montserrat). Von dort aus kannst du in die Seilbahn steigen, die dich nach Montserrat bringt.

Ausflug mit Transfer im Barcelona Pass inklusive ( hier kaufen )

• Tipps für 3 Tage in Barcelona

Lohnt sich ein City Pass in Barcelona?

Stellt dir vor, du bist in Barcelona. Du hast nichts im Voraus geplant und stellst vor Ort fest, dass die Warteschlange an der  Sagrada Familia  extrem lang ist (sie geht oft um mehrere Ecken!),  Tickets  für andere  Sehenswürdigkeiten ausverkauft  sind und überhaupt alles in Summe  viel zu teuer  wird. Das wäre wirklich ärgerlich, oder? 

Darum unser Tipp:  Kaufe dir vor deiner Reise eine Touristenkarte der Stadt. Die bekannteste Karte ist die  Barcelona Card . Als Alternative gibt es den  Barcelona Digital Pass , den von uns empfohlenen Barcelona Pass von Go City , sowie den  Turbopass Barcelona.

Lies in diesem Artikel, wann sich welcher Barcelona City Pass für dich lohnt . Wer mag schon bei einem Kurztrip ständig in Warteschlangen stehen? Zeit und Geld zu sparen, klingt doch viel besser! Oder? Für uns ist aktuell der Barcelona Pass der Beste ( hier kaufen ).

Beste Reiseführer für Barcelona

Für Barcelona greife ich gerne auf die Reiseführer von Dumont zurück. Dazu kaufe ich den aktuellen Bildatlas, da weitere Tipps und auch Geschichten enthalten sind:

• Bischoff, Helmuth (Autor)

• Schmidt, Lothar (Autor)

Essen und Trinken

Es gibt so viele ausgezeichnete Tapas-Lokale in welchen du hervorragend essen kannst. Folgende kann ich sehr empfehlen:

Tapas essen

• Quimet y Quimet (Poeta Cabanyes, 25): Eine der besten Tapas-Bars der Stadt.
• Can Condina Carrer del Torrent de l'Olla, 20, Gracia)
• Samsara (Gracia): Fusion Tapas wie Meeresfrüchte mit weißer Schokolade oder Auberginen-, Ziegenkäse- und Balsamicosalat.

Kult: El Xampanyet

Es gab eine Zeit, als meine beste Freundin in Barcelona studiert hatte und wir jeden Abend in der "Champagneria" waren. Cava für wenig Geld, dazu Bocadillos con queso oder Serano Schinken (Brötchen mit Manchego Käse und/oder Schinken). Seit diesem Zeitpunkt (2019) komme ich bei jedem Besuch zurück. Der kleine Laden ist schon lange in jedem Reiseführer, aber einfach zu gut!

• Bobby Gin (Gracia): Tolle Gin Bar im authentischen Viertel Gracia

Achte auf deine Tasche und Wertsachen

Die Stadt ist für Taschendiebe bekannt und bei so vielen Besuchern mangelt es gewiss nicht an Möglichkeiten. Bewahre dein Telefon und deine Brieftasche in den Innentaschen auf und passe vor allem auf der Rambla auf.

Trage bequeme Schuhe

Wenn du in Barcelona bist, solltest du die Stadt am besten zu Fuß erkunden! Selbst wenn du dich auf einen bestimmten Bereich beschränkst, wirst du wahrscheinlich Tausende von Schritten gehen, bevor du es merkst. Turnschuhe oder Sneakers sind ideal.

Starte am frühen Morgen mit dem Sightseeing

Barcelona zieht viele Besucher an. Mir oft zu viele, besonders während den beliebten Sommermonate! Wenn du Warteschlangen vermeiden oder Fotos ohne größere Menschenmassen machen möchtest, solltest du am Morgen nicht zu lange warten mit deiner Erkundung.

Danke, dass du meinen Vorschlag für ein Programm, um Barcelona an einem Wochenende zu entdecken gelesen hast. Wenn dir der Artikel gefallen hat, teile ihn.

Folge mir auf  Facebook ,  Instagram ,  Pinterest ,  Threads  oder abonniere regelmäßig Neuigkeiten per  Newsletter .

☕️.  Bloggen kostet Zeit und Geld. Du möchtest unsere Arbeit wertschätzen, damit wir weiterhin unsere Tipps als Experten mit dir teilen können?  Wir freuen uns über ein Trinkgeld in unserer virtuellen Kaffeekasse bei PayPal →  VIEL UNTERWEGS Kaffeekasse . Dank dir, können wir unsere Leidenschaft und ganzes Herzblut in diesen Blog stecken.

Transparenz und Vertrauen: In diesem Artikel befinden sich Empfehlungslinks (Affiliate-Links). Das bedeutet für dich: Keine Mehrkosten. Aber: Wenn du über einen Link etwas kaufst, erhalte ich eine kleine Provision. Dir entstehen keine Mehrkosten, aber helfen mir, diese Seite zu betreiben und den Blog und meine für dich kostenlose Informationen und Expertentipps zu unterstützen! Vielen lieben Dank!

Hi ich bin Katrin!

Ich bin Katrin, viel unterwegs und echte Reise-Expertin! Mit Campervan oder Rucksack möchte ich die ganze Welt entdecken. Um meine Erfahrungen & Erlebnisse mit dir zu teilen, habe ich diesen Reiseblog gegründet!

Diese Artikel könnten dich auch interessieren

Das sagen unsere Leser

Hallo Katrin, wir kommen am 25.10. nach Barcelona und wollen gemeinsam mit unserem Sohn das Fussballspiel FC Barcelona gegen FC Bayern München ansehen (wir sind NICHT aus Deutschland, sondern aus Österreich), Kannst du mir Tickets besorgen oder mir sagen, wie ich welche bekomme (ausser Viagogo, seatsnet, StubHub usw.) Vielleicht kennst du da ja jemanden, der helfen kann. ps deine Seite ist echt super !!

Katrin Lehr

Hallo Andrea,

leider kenne ich mich damit nicht aus. Waren spontan mal bei einem Spiel, aber bei der Champions League geht das glaube ich nur direkt über die Clubs.

Liebe Grüße Katrin

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The Best Time to Book a Flight for Domestic, International, and Summer Travel

Here are our best tips for booking travel in 2024.

When to Book Flights for Domestic Travel

When to book flights for international travel, when to book flights for summer 2024 travel, when to book flights for holiday 2024 travel.

Buying plane tickets is something of an art form. Ideally, you want to secure your spot months in advance to avoid the inevitable price spike as your travel dates get closer. But sometimes the best time to book a flight also depends on the destination and whether it's domestic or abroad. The trends are always changing, but experts say the sweet spot for booking domestic flights is 28 days, or 60 days for international flights.

Flights generally open for booking about a year ahead of time, and the airfare will change often between then and takeoff. Although you can book just a couple of weeks before the departure date in some cases, prices are likely to be astronomical. In other cases, when you want to go somewhere popular or during a big travel weekend, flights could fill up faster than normal. Our advice: Track flight prices on Google Flights or Hopper as early as possible so you can keep an eye on cost fluctuations. Read on for more advice about when to book flights from the pros.

According to Expedia's 2024 Air Travel Hacks report , you should aim to book 28 days before your domestic flight. "Doing so can save travelers up to 24 percent compared to those who wait until the last minute, from zero to six days out," Expedia travel expert Christie Hudson tells Travel + Leisure.

For domestic trips, pricing is elevated when tickets are first released, about a year before the flight. Those prices will slowly creep downward, all the way to their lowest point in the prime booking window, after which you'll likely see a huge increase in cost for last-minute travel.

Meet the Expert

Christie Hudson is a travel expert at top booking site Expedia.

You're better off booking earlier rather than later for international travel, but the Expedia report says ideally no more than four months before your desired departure date. The sweet spot is around 60 days. "This is a big change from 2022 data, which showed the cheapest fares were secured when travelers booked four to six months out." Hudson says. "2023 data revealed that people who booked that far in advance actually paid more on average." The report says the least expensive day of the week to book is Sunday and the most expensive is Friday, for both domestic and international travel.

But there is some regional variance. Going , a platform that tracks flight prices and notifies members of good deals, has found the best months to book flights to Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Latin America, for travel about 60 days out. Here's what it says.

Africa: Book in May.

Asia: Book in August or October, followed by April or September.

Oceania: Book in November, January, or July.

Europe: Book in August, October, or November.

Latin America: Book in October.

The real trick to finding good deals on international airfare is to avoid booking your travel for peak times, which include summer and major holidays (don't forget — that includes holidays in your destination, too).

Summer is traditionally one of the most popular times of the year to travel, which means it can be tough to find a good deal on airfare. Ideally, you should book flights for summer travel as soon as possible, preferably at least six months in advance.

"The best time to book for peak season is … the opposite season," says Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going. "While most of us are scrambling to focus on our winter holiday plans, we should also keep our eyes open for some great summer fares."

She notes that the booking window for peak season ranges between three and seven months for domestic flights and four to 10 months for international trips. "And if you do book something, keep that flight alert on," says Nastro. "If it drops again, depending on your ticket type, you can call to rebook and get a refund or travel credit back with the difference."

Katy Nastro is a travel expert at Going, a website that finds flight deals to more than 900 destinations around the world.

Around the winter holidays is the priciest time to travel, Nastro says. "Your best bet is to remember the Goldilocks zones: look to book between three to seven months ahead for domestic travel and four to 10 months ahead for international travel."

Hudson advises that at the very latest, your holiday travel should be booked by mid-October. "But the biggest holiday travel savings actually come from choosing the right dates," she says. "Avoiding the busiest days like the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Friday and Saturday before Christmas will yield major savings."

Track flights and book your holiday tickets as soon as you find a decent deal, but make sure to book a fare that will give you a credit if you cancel (generally speaking, that means don't book basic economy). That way, if prices drop between the time of booking and your travel dates, you can cancel your original ticket and use the credit to book the cheaper fare. The only downside is you'll still have some remaining credit, but you can then use it to treat yourself to a future flight. Just don't let that credit expire.

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