Barcelona in Spain is the ideal city for a fun city break in Europe. Admire Gaudí’s beautiful works of art such as Park Güell or the Sagrada Familia. Stroll along the Ramblas and eat the best tapas. Or plop down on the beach with a glass of Tinto de Verano. In short, there is a lot to see and do in this vibrant city. Here you can read about the best things to do in Barcelona for a successful city trip. The most beautiful sights, best tapas restaurants and more tips for Barcelona in 3 days!
Day 1 – getting lost in El Born & Barri Gòtic
On the first day of your Barcelona city trip, dive into the city’s old neighborhoods. Get lost in the narrow streets of El Born and Barri Gòtic. Besides some beautiful buildings such as the Palau de la Musica and Barcelona Cathedral, you will also find cool stores and tapas restaurants.
1) Park de la Ciutadella
Depending on where you are staying in Barcelona, you can take the metro to Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf. This 30-meter-high arch marks the beginning of the Park de la Ciutadella. Walk under the arch toward the park. This is Barcelona’s green lung and fun to unwind in. Be sure to take a look at the fountain in the middle of the park. Sometimes salsa parties are held here, where locals spontaneously start dancing. Very nice to see!
2) Palau de la Musica
From the park you can walk in about 10 minutes to the Palau de la Musica in the El Born district. Concerts are held daily in this beautiful building. Catching a concert is definitely worthwhile, but even without a performance a guided tour in Palau de la Musica is highly recommended to do in Barcelona. Even from the outside, this building is a pleasure to look at with its colorful columns in typical Catalan Art Nouveau. Around it you will find the cozy streets of El Born full of nice tapas bars and trendy stores.
3) Barcelona cathedral
If you walk further towards the Barcelona Cathedral, you will also approach the Barri Gòtic district. This Gothic quarter is characterized by its medieval streets, charming squares and centuries-old churches such as Barcelona’s cathedral. You can visit the cathedral inside for €8 per person. Those who want can also go on the roof of the cathedral, but that will cost you €14 per person. Right next to the cathedral you will also find the Pont del Bisbe, a beautiful neo-Gothic bridge and very nice photo spot in Barcelona!
TRAVEL TIP: Instead of paying for the cathedral, we decided to have a drink on the rooftop terrace of Lamaro Hotel just across from the cathedral. We found this to be one of the coolest things to do in Barcelona!
4) Mercat de la Boqueria
Continue walking through the Gothic Quarter until you reach the famous Las Ramblas. This wide boulevard stretches from Plaça Catalunya all the way to the sea. It is often advised to avoid the Ramblas because of possible pickpockets, but we think you can’t come to Barcelona without having walked along the Ramblas. Especially since on the Ramblas you will find the Mercat de la Boqueria. In this covered market hall you will find plenty of stalls selling local delicacies such as manchego, iberico ham and fresh smoothies.
5) Plaça Reial
End your first day of this Barcelona city trip at Plaça Recail, right next to Las Ramblas. This cozy square is surrounded by centuries-old Gothic-style buildings and palm trees. You will find numerous terraces where you can sit down to enjoy a glass of sangria or tinto de verano. In La Gallega Tobogan, by the way, we ate delicious paella while watching the many street performers in the square. A perfect end to a first day in Barcelona!
Day 2 – works of art by Gaudí
The second day in Barcelona is dedicated to the many sights of Gaudí. From the colorful Park Güell to the world-famous Sagrada Familia, today you will visit some of the highlights you must do during a Barcelona city trip.
6) Things to do in Barcelona: Park Güell
Start your day slow to the rhythm of the Spaniards and take the bus towards Park Güell. Designed by world-renowned architect Antoni Gaudí, this park is a must-visit during a Barcelona city break! The absolute highlight is the winding bench with colorful mosaic overlooking the city. Spend 2-3 hours here where you can admire the various works of art while walking through the green garden. Park Güell is incredibly popular, which is why it is recommended that you buy your tickets in advance, as there is only a maximum number of people allowed in the park per day. The park opens at 9:30 a.m., which as far as we are concerned is the best time to go, when it is not so crowded.
7) Houses of Gaudí
Take the bus back toward Passeig de Gràcia where you will find some of Gaudí’s beautiful houses. Gaudi strived to incorporate nature into his designs, and you’ll notice that especially in the unique Casa Batlló. This house is all about the underwater world, with blue mosaics and green stained glass windows making up the decor. A little further on you will find Casa Milà (La Pedrera), another fine example of Gaudí’s architecture where you can also go up on the roof. Finally, you also have Casa Vicens, which is the oldest house Gaudi designed and probably the most colorful. This is a bit further away than the other houses, though.
Also for the houses of Gaudí it is better to buy tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. Who wants can also buy a combi ticket for the three houses together.
8) Sagrada Familia
The most popular sight in Barcelona is undoubtedly the Sagrada Familia, and for good reason. This is Gaudí’s absolute masterpiece and one of the most beautiful churches we have ever seen. Construction was started in 1882 and it is hoped to be finished by 2030. We hesitated for a long time to go in as well since a ticket is not cheap, but can now only recommend it! On a sunny day, the church is bathed in a colorful glow thanks to its impressive stained-glass windows. Furthermore, the ceiling of the Sagrada Familia is also something like you will never have seen before. There is also a museum attached to the church that you can visit with your ticket, learning more about Antoni Gaudi and the evolution of the Sagrada Familia over the years.
Just opposite the entrance to the Sagrada Familia is a small park with a pond. Walk up to the benches behind the pond. This is the best place to take photos of this gigantic church! Since it is the most popular attraction in Barcelona, it is also best to buy your ticket for the Sagrada Familia in advance.
9) Tapas in El Born
After a day full of impressions, finish in one of Barcelona’s many cozy tapas restaurants. There are quite a few, but the best tapas restaurants are undoubtedly located in the neighborhood of El Born. From local bars like El Set to trendy restaurants like Le Bistro Sensi, there is something for everyone!
These are our favorite tapas bars in Barcelona:
- El Set: a local, intimate tapas bar among the locals
- El Xampanyet: one of the most famous and best tapas bars in Barcelona
- Le Bistro Sensi: modern tapas at fair prices
- Casa Lola Barcelona: sangria bar with house-made sangrias and delicious cheese board
Day 3 – Barcelona by the sea
What makes Barcelona such a nice city is that it is by the sea. When you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, you can go to the beach. Bring your towel and watch the locals play volleyball or go to Montjuïc Castle for the best view of the city.
10) Montjuïc castle
Montjuïc Castle is located on a green hill where you will find numerous botanical gardens. You can therefore choose to walk up through the gardens or take the cable car Telefèric de Montjuïc to the castle. A return ticket for the cable car costs €15.30. Once you get to the top, you have a great view of Barcelona and the sea. Here you can also visit the impressive Montjuïc Castle, a military fortress from 1640, very fun to do in Barcelona!
TRAVEL TIP: Every Sunday you can visit Montjuïc Castle for free after 3 p.m., as well as the Picasso Museum. Every first Sunday of the month, both are free to visit all day.
11) Jardin de Mossen Costa
Located on the Montjuïc hill you will find many botanical gardens, but if there is one you must visit it is Jardin de Mossen Costa. This park is full of cacti of all shapes and sizes, with a view of the Mediterranean Sea in the background. A special place for plant lovers. It is also not a very touristy place, making it very quiet.
12) Beach Barcelona
From Montjuïc you can take another cable car (Transbordador aeri del port) that takes you directly to the port Port Vell. This impressive 1.3 km cable car is a unique experience with spectacular views of Barcelona. From the port, sink further down to Playa de la Barceloneta beach and take a dip in its refreshing waters. Other beaches that are less crowded are a little further away such as Playa del Bogatell and Playa Mar Bella. In the evening, we recommend eating at Manà 75, here you will find the best paellas in Barcelona!
Extra: El Nacional Barcelona
If you still have time to spare, consider a visit to El Nacional Barcelona. This is an upscale “foodhall” where you’ll find tapas, fish and meat restaurants under one roof. But it is mainly the interior that makes El Nacional so special. The various restaurants are beautifully decorated with high ceilings, and at the end of the hall you’ll find a giant, crystal chandelier. The food is generally a bit pricier than in local tapas bars, but good food you will definitely find there!
Where to stay in Barcelona
The most popular neighborhoods such as the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic), Eixample and El Born are ideally located and offer an abundance of restaurants, stores and sights within walking distance. We often found accommodations in Barcelona to be pricey, but after a long search we found the lovely Primavera Hostel in the Eixample neighborhood. A very well-kept hostel and for only €4 you get breakfast as well!
Other great addresses in Barcelona include:
- Casa Lit: near the Ramblas you will find this cozy boutique hotel.
- Yurbban Trafalgar Hotel: a great location and with beautiful pool on the rooftop terrace!
- Lamara Hotel: a different price range but then you have the best view in the city at this 5-star hotel.
How to get around in Barcelona
Because of its good public transportation, Barcelona is one of the easiest cities to get around. You can buy a T10 card at a subway station that allows you to take the bus or subway 10 times, which should be just enough for 3 or 4 days. Alternatively, you also have the Hola Barcelona Travel Card, which allows you to take unlimited public transportation for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days. A popular alternative is to rent bikes in Barcelona and explore the city by bike. Just know that Barcelona is hilly, and you will sometimes have to bike uphill.
From the airport to downtown Barcelona
From Barcelona’s El Prat airport, you can take the Aerobus (A1 and A2) to the city center. A single ticket costs €7.5 per person and tickets can be bought locally at the bus stop in front of the airport. Or take the Hola Barcelona Travel Card, which includes the Aerobus. The Aerobus will take you to Plaça de Catalunya, the heart of Barcelona. From here you can easily take the subway or bus to your hotel.
Best travel time Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona in Spain is a year-round travel destination. There is always something to do in Barcelona throughout the year. We ourselves went in February and had gorgeous weather where we could sit outside on a terrace ourselves. April through October is the warmest and sunniest time to go to Barcelona, but then it also tends to be busier in the city.
Do you have any questions or ideas to do in Barcelona? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information about your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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