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Planning a trip to Spain and wondering what to do in 3 days in Barcelona? You’ve come to the right place!
I used to go to Barcelona once a month to visit my friends so I know this city very well.
Throughout the years, I discovered all its secrets. Major landmarks, hidden gems, neighbourhoods… I explored Barcelona from A to Z and yet would always discover something new.
Barcelona has a very unique soul and it’s definitely a place you will enjoy visiting and 3 days is quite a good amount of time.
I love this city and can’t wait to share with you everything I know about it! So let’s go down to business and discover the best things to do in Barcelona in 3 days.
3 Days in Barcelona Itinerary Summary
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1. Casa Milà 2. Plaça de Catalunya 3. La Rambla 4. Mercat de la Boqueria | 5. El Raval 6. Palau Güell 7. Gothic Quarter ️🔥 8. Cathedral of Barcelona | 9. Tapas Tour |
| 2 | 1. Sagrada Familia ️🔥 2. Gràcia | 3. Casa Vincens 4. Park Güell ️🔥 | 5. Tibidabo |
| 3 | 1. Montjuic | 2. Arc de Triomf 3. Parc de la Ciutadella 4. El Born | 5. Barceloneta |
How to get to Barcelona
The best way to get to Barcelona is by plane. The main airport is Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport and that’s the one you should prioritise.
There are also two other airports, Girona-Costa Brava Airport and Reus International Airport, but these are a lot further so they should be a second option.
If you are coming from another major city in Spain or Southern France, you can also consider the train or buses.
How to get around Barcelona
The best way to get around Barcelona is with public transport. The metro and bus system is very good and by far the best way to navigate the city.
You can either buy single tickets (but these will work out more expensive after 3 days) or buy a 3-day travel card from one of the TMB machines.
And of course, walking is something you will also do a lot.
Where to Stay in Barcelona for 3 days
The best area to stay in Barcelona for 3 days is near Plaça d’Urquinaona between l’Eixample and the Gothic Quarter.
This is a very convenient location since there is a metro stop with the lines 1 and 4 and it’s within walking distance of Plaça Catalunya and the Gothic Quarter.
Here are some recommendations of places to stay:
$ Budget: Itaca Hostel is very well located, in the Gothic quarter, and is a great option for travellers on a budget.
$$ Mid-range: BYPILLOW Mothern is incredibly well located, the rooms are modern, with natural light and they serve a great breakfas.
$$$ Luxury: Vincci Gala is a stunning hotel with a rooftop swimming pool, beautiful views and top services.
Your detailed Barcelona 3-day itinerary
You will find below the exact itinerary to follow to make the best of your 3 days in Barcelona.
Before starting, bear in mind that I’ve optimised this itinerary to the maximum which means you will get to do a lot of things.
In that having been said, I appreciate we are all different so make it yours and don’t hesitate to switch it up a bit.
Day 1: Casa Milà, Plaça de Catalunya, La Rambla, Mercat de la Boqueria, El Raval, Palau Güell, Gothic Quarter
The first day is dedicated to the centre of Barcelona. There are quite a few things to see so expect to walk a lot today.
1. Casa Milà
🚇 Nearest metro station: Diagonal | 🕒 Time to visit: 1.5 hours | 🎟️ Tickets here
Start your day at Casa Milà. It opens at 9AM so I’d recommend getting there a bit before.
Also known as La Pedrera, the Casa Mila was Gaudi’s last private residence.
It was built between 1906 and 1912 and was an audacious architectural choice at the time (even for Gaudi).
This house was designed towards the end of Gaudi’s life and you can tell as it has quite a different style compared to the others and has an absolutely spectacular roof-top terrace.
In 1984, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It’s open every day. Tickets start at 28 euros and can be booked here. They include an audio guide as well.
ALTERNATIVE: You can also visit Casa Milà at night so if that’s something you’d be interested in, just switch this activity for the end of the day. Tickets are available here.
Another alternative would be to visit Casa Batlló which was also designed by Gaudi and is ideally located between Casa Mila and Plaça de Catalunya.
You can either simply admire the facade from the street or visit it inside.
2. Plaça de Catalunya
🚶Walking time from Casa Milà: 17 minutes | 🚇 Nearest metro station: Plaça de Catalunya (3 minutes with the L3 from Diagonal) | 🕒 Time to visit: 15 – 30 minutes | 🎟️ Free
Once you are done at Casa Milà, walk from Passeig de Gràcia to reach Plaça de Catalunya. This is the central square in Barcelona and can be quite busy since the Metro station is very big here.
Take a look around, snap some photos (be careful with pickpockets though) and if you want to do a bit of shopping, that’s an option as well.
All the high street brands are here including El Corte Inglés, Apple, Stradivarius.
You can then make your way to La Rambla.
3. La Rambla
🚶Walking time from Plaça Catalunya: 1 minute | 🕒 Time to visit: 30 minutes – 1 hour | 🎟️ Free
La Rambla de Barcelona is without a doubt the most famous street in Barcelona.
It goes from Plaça Catalunya all the way down to the seaside. You will find many restaurants, bars and shops along the way. There are also many artists, musicians, statues, painters around.
There are few things to be aware of though.
You will hear both good and bad things about La Rambla and in all honesty, they are all true.
You should definitely go to La Rambla because it’s kind of unique and Barcelona’s most famous street for a reason. But there are things to be careful about.
Here are my recommendations about La Rambla:
Be aware of pickpockets: there are many pickpockets in Barcelona but La Rambla is the place where you will find most of them.
If they used to be quite discreet, nowadays they even became quite violent.
They will not hesitate to jump on you to steal your phone off your hands so keep your phone in your bag!
Keep your bag in front of you and hold it!
Don’t eat in any of the restaurants on La Rambla. Unfortunately most of them are tourist traps. You can find way better food way cheaper elsewhere!
Don’t have a drink on La Rambla. Bars are not any better than restaurants there and they tend to serve you overly big drinks. For example, if you ask for a beer you will end up with 1L of beer!
Don’t say yes everytime someone is trying to sell you something, otherwise you will never get to the end of it.
If you just bear these things in mind, your experience of La Rambla will be just fine! And don’t get me wrong, it is a cool place. The buildings, the buzz… it’s very lively and definitely something to see.
There are also a lot of souvenir shops here so if you are looking to buy some, it would be quite a good place.
4. Mercat de la Boqueria
🚶Walking time from La Rambla: 3 minutes | 🕒 Time to visit: 1 hour | 🎟️ Free – Food tour available
From La Rambla, you can walk to the Mercat de la Boqueria. This is the most famous market in the city.
It has been running for over 800 years and is open every day except Sunday.
Once you go through the big iron gate, you will discover a gigantic colourful market. Everything you may want is there. Fruit, smoothie, vegetables, meat, fish, spices… Absolutely everything!
It can get quite busy though so try to avoid the peak time and go before lunchtime.
Another thing you can do is a food tour and cooking class in the market. It’s a great way to learn about the products and local food.
5. El Raval
🚶Walking time from Mercat de la Boqueria: 5 minutes | 🕒 Time to visit: 1 hour | 🎟️ Free
Once you’re done at the market, start walking towards Palau Güell. You will walk through a neighbourhood called El Raval.
This is one of the most authentic quarters in Barcelona. It is a bit controversial since it used to be quite dodgy but is now a very much up and coming neighbourhood.
So if you are after authenticity, it’s a must do.
El Raval is one of my favourite places in Barcelona. It’s vibrant, lively, colourful, historic, cultural… I think it has it all!
You will find amazing and authentic little restaurants and tapas bars. But also loads of artists and little shops. Don’t judge the book by its cover and try these little cafes and restaurants.
That’s where you will get the best food in Barcelona.
6. Palau Güell
🚶Walking time from El Raval: 5 minutes | 🕒 Time to visit: 1 hour | 🎟️ Tickets here
The Güell Palace (Palau Güell) is a mansion that was designed by Gaudi.
This time though, it wasn’t for himself but one of Barcelona’s richest entrepreneurs during the industrial revolution, Eusebi Güell.
You will notice that very quickly as it’s quite a different style to any of his other pieces.
The Palau Güell is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday if you want to visit inside.
You can buy tickets online here.
💰BUDGET TIP: If you are on a budget and want to save money, then don’t visit it inside. There are more iconic landmarks and activities you should keep your money for. If you like to discover unique places with less tourists, that will be a good one though.
7. Gothic Quarter
🚶Walking time from Palau Güell: 5 minutes | 🕒 Time to visit: 2 to 3 hours | 🎟️ Walking tour tickets
The Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) is probably Barcelona’s most beautiful neighbourhood.
It used to be the roman quarter and is particularly famous for its catalan gothic architecture.
Walking in the Gothic quarter is a bit like adventuring yourself into a pretty labyrinth. Narrow streets, gorgeous mediaeval architecture, lovely shops… it has it all!
I highly recommend doing a walking tour in the Gothic quarter because there is a lot to learn about this area and the history of Barcelona.
It’s also quite an affordable activity and the recommendations from the local guides are always helpful.
8. Cathedral of Barcelona
🚶Walking time from the Gothic Quarter: 5 minutes | 🕒 Time to visit: 1.5 hours | 🎟️ Tickets here
The Cathedral of Barcelona is a beautiful example of gothic architecture. It’s set in the Gothic Quarter so you will walk past it (whether it’s with a tour or your own) but it deserves a special mention.
Dedicated to Saint Eulalia de Barcelona, co saint patron of the city, it’s also known as Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia.
The construction began in the 13th century which is a lot before the Sagrada Familia.
You need to book your tickets online and can do so here.
9. Evening: Tapas Tour
Meeting Point: Here | 🕒 Duration: 3 hours | 🎟️ Tickets here.
When it comes to food and drinks Spain is famous for quite a few things and if you want to try them, I highly recommend booking this Tapas, Vermouth and Wine Tour in the Gothic Quarter.
There are loads of nice restaurants and tapas joints in the Gothic Quarter so don’t worry about finding food because you will no matter what.
But if you want to be sure to try traditional food, great wine and try some vermouth while learning about the local culture, the tapas tour is definitely a great option.
The guides are very knowledgeable and it’s a lot of fun.
Day 2: Sagrada Familia, Gràcia, Park Güell and Tibidabo
Today is all about discovering the most famous landmarks in Barcelona. Make sure you take your camera because you’ll want to snap these Insta shots!
In the morning, take the Metro to Monumental station and walk to the Sagrada Familia.
1. Sagrada Familia
🚇Nearest metro station: Sagrada Familia (L2, L5) | 🕒 Time to visit: 2 hours | 🎟️ Skip-the-line tickets here
The Sagrada Familia is Barcelona’s most iconic landmark which means it can be quite busy. Since it opens at 9AM (except on Sundays), I would recommend getting there a bit before that so you can beat the crowds.
It’s a catholic basilica that was designed by the extravagant catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi. It is his masterpiece and still unfinished.
It is such a unique sight that came straight out of Gaudi’s imagination and has loads to be known for.
The construction started in 1882 and is still going. Gaudi went a bit crazy when he designed the Sagrada Familia and it became a huge project that is still nowhere near finished. Unfortunately, he died on the construction site before finishing it which delayed the works too.
That said, one of the facades is completely finished and the second one has been completed recently.
There is still loads to do with the rest of the building, but you can get to admire the unique facades of Sagrada Familia. Inside, it’s a whole different work.
There is just so much to see and talk about.
You can visit the Sagrada Familia every day. You can buy a ticket online. I would recommend taking a skip the line ticket, especially if you are going in summer.
The entrance ticket will give you access to the inside of the basilica.
But if your budget allows it, a guided tour would be way better.There is so much to see in the Sagrada Familia that it’s basically impossible to understand it without a guide.
You can still appreciate the beauty of it but if you want to know more about it, a guide would be helpful.
2. Gràcia
🚶Time from the Sagrada Familia: 30 minutes walk – 12 minutes with the metro | 🚇 Nearest metro station: Fontana | 🕒 Time to visit: 2 hours | 🎟️ Free
Once you are done with your visit of the Sagrada Familia, start walking towards the Park Güell through Gràcia.
This is my favourite neighbourhood in Barcelona! It’s so authentic, colourful and quite frankly underrated.
I used to go there 10 years ago and you wouldn’t see a single tourist but now it is a lot more under people’s radar.
Also, in 2017, the Casa Vincens (designed by Gaudi) opened to the public which now attracts a lot of tourists.
If you want to get a taste of what the real Barcelona is, you will find it in Gràcia.The best of Catalan culture is in Gràcia. This colourful and creative quarter is so authentic!
It makes it a great place to go for a walk or drink but also to stay. It’s a very safe neighbourhood, people are very nice and food is amazing!
3. Casa Vincens
🚶Walking time from Gràcia: 5 min | 🕒 Time to visit: 1 hour | 🎟️ Tickets here
Since you are in the area, it would be a shame not to visit Casa Vincens especially since it offers a very different experience compared to the others.
Casa Vincens was the first house designed by Gaudi and considered as one of the first buildings of Art Nouveau. It’s located on Carrer de les Carolines and can be reached on foot.
You need to buy a ticket in advance but I’d recommend opting for the one with the guided tour since it’s almost the same price and you will learn a lot.
4. Park Güell
🚶Time from Casa Vincens: 25 minutes walk – 20 minutes with the bus | 🚇 Nearest metro station: Lesseps | 🕒 Time to visit: 2 to 3 hours | 🎟️ Tickets – Skip-the-line
After Casa Vincens, it’s time to head to the other super famous landmark in Barcelona: Park Güell.
You can do so on foot but it will take 25 minutes and it’s uphill so it’s preferable to opt for the bus which will take a bit under 20 minutes.
This is, in my opinion, the most beautiful place in Barcelona. It has everything! Firstly, it’s a very big park so you can go on nice walks or have a picnic.
Secondly, the views over the city are beautiful, especially if you are staying for the sunset. Locals also love it and you will find a lot of them having drinks and tapas.
And lastly, it’s home to the stunning Gaudi mosaics.
Now, the entrance to the park itself is free but if you want to see the Gaudi Mosaics (which is what we all want), you will need to buy a ticket.
This will give you access to the terrace with the mosaic benches (the ultimate Instagram spot!), but also the columns and the lizards. You can also see the houses at the gate from a closer perspective.
Please bear in mind that everyone that comes to Barcelona goes to Park Güell. It’s incredibly popular so make sure to book your tickets in advance.
PRO TIP: Since it’s so popular, especially in summer, I would recommend booking a skip-the-line ticket with a guided tour. It’s only a few euros more and it’s well worth it.
📷 If you are into photography and want beautiful photos from Barcelona, you should also consider this photoshoot in the Park Güell.
5. Optional Extra Activity: Tibidabo
🚶Time from Park Güell: 1 hour with public transport | 🕒 Time to visit: 2 hours
If you are done quite early and would rather watch the sunset from a higher point, then head to Tibidabo.
This will take about half an hour from the Park Güell but that shouldn’t be a problem if you are visiting between May and August when the days are quite long.
Tibidabo is the highest point in Barcelona and offers some amazing 360-degree views of the city.
From there you will also find the Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, a beautiful church that will become your favourite instagram photo spot in Barcelona!
Tibidabo is also home to an amusement park. If you like roller coasters, you will love this one. The views from there are also fabulous but it closes quite early so you might not be able to make it on time.
Day 3: Montjuic, Arc de Triomf, Parc de la Ciutadella, El Born, Barceloneta
Today is going to be a bit intense but you’ll see a lot of things that will show you how diverse Barcelona is.
Start your day bright and early to head to Montjuic.
1. Montjuic
🚇 Nearest metro station: Plaça Espanya | 🕒 Time to visit: 2 to 3 hours | 🎟️ Cable car tickets
Montjuic is located in the south west part of Barcelona, in between Plaça Espanya and the commercial port. It’s very easy to get there with public transport.
Take the metro to Plaça d’Espanya and then hop on the cable car or bus.
You will get beautiful views of the city from both the cable car and the top.
It looks quite different to the view from the Park Güell since it’s not on the same side but it’s quite interesting to put the elements together.
You will be able to spot: the Sagrada Familia, the W Barcelona hotel and many other landmarks.
Montjuic is also famous for having hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics Games.
The Olympics Games were a real game-changer for Barcelona. Before hosting this famous international competition, Barcelona was quite poor and quite frankly not a place you wanted to visit. Since 1992, everything has changed. Barcelona is now a beautiful and tourist friendly destination.
There are many things to do in Montjuic which is why it can be a good option to go on a tour.
Here are the main attractions in Montjuic:
- Montjuic Castle
- Joan Miro Foundation
- Poble Espanyol
- Olympic Ring
- Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
- Magic Fountain
Once you’re done, make your way back down to go to the Arc de Triomf.
2. Arc de Triomf
🚶Time from Montjuic: 40 minutes with public transport | 🚇Nearest metro station: Arc de Triomf | 🕒 Time to visit: 20 minutes | 🎟️ Free
It may not be as famous as the one in Paris but Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf is still a very cool sight to see.
It’s a memorial arch that was built as the main gate for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair (which is a similar story to the Eiffel Tower’s).
It’s a great photo spot so make sure you have battery on your phone.
You can then start walking to the parc de la ciutadella.
3. Parc de la Ciutadella
🚶Walking time from Arc de Triomf: 7 minutes | 🕒 Time to visit: 1 to 2 hours | 🎟️ Free
The park is open every day of the year and is free to enter so just make your way in and have a wonder.
This little piece of natural environment in the middle of the city is an absolute paradise and the perfect place to escape the frenzy.
You can take a casual walk through the park, lie down on the grass and read a book, admiring the fountains and the pond.
If you happen to go there on a Sunday, look for the carousels. There are usually people dancing flamenco or tap dancing.
4. El Born
🚶Walking time from Casa Milà: 6 minutes | 🕒 Time to visit: 1 to 2 hour
Located in between the Parc de la Ciutadella and the Gothic Quarter, El born is a mediaeval neighbourhood characterised by its narrow streets.
There are many bodegas and wine bars so if you want to make a stop, that’s a good place to do so. Mercat Santa Caterina is also a great place to visit if you want to see where the locals eat.
But the thing that really makes El Born unique is that it’s the best place to learn about the Catalan culture.
Make sure to visit the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. It was built in the 14th century and its construction only took 55 years which is incredibly quick for a building like this.
INTERESTING FACT: This basilica was featured in the book and Netflix show Cathedral of the Sea.
If you are into art, you may also want to consider going to the Picasso Museum. The entrance costs 11 euros and can be booked on the official website.
Bear in mind that this will take quite a bit of time though and the alternative is to go to the beach so choose the one you prefer.
You can then make your way to La Barceloneta.
5. Barceloneta
🚶Walking time from Casa Milà: 15 minutes | 🕒 Time to visit: 2 hours or more | 🎟️ Free
La Barceloneta is a marina located by the olympic port. It’s home to the main beach in Barcelona which is why it can be a bit busy.
PRO TIP: If you want to go to the beach in Barcelona, I’d recommend going to San Sebastian Beach.
It’s the one at the bottom of the hotel W Barcelona. This beach is not private but because the hotel wants to keep it as clean as possible for their customers, they look after it more.
I find it way nicer than any other beach in Barcelona.
This is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunshine before you leave Barcelona.
Another cool thing to do in this area is a sunset sail.
Finally, in the evening, I would also recommend staying in this area because that’s a great place to go out.
There are quite a few restaurants and if you want to try something a bit different, I highly recommend the restaurant Aji.
This peruvian-japanese fusion place is one of the best restaurants I’ve ever eaten in.
You can then go to the marina where you will find all the bars. It’s a great place for drinks but also to go dancing.
I hope this itinerary has helped you plan your itinerary for Barcelona. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to pop your question in the comments.
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