Barcelona in 3 Days

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Barcelona is just like the tapas it serves: it has a little of everything you could possibly want. Beaches, atmospheric old buildings, slivers of lose-yourself streets and Gaudi artwork straight out of your weirdest dreams.

There is so much to see and do, you could never see it all in three days but you can get a flavour of what Barcelona has to offer and check out the best sights.

This is my perfect itinerary to sample all the highlights:

Day 1 AM: The Barri Gotic Walking Tour

• Start your trip off with a free walking tour to get a feel for the city and its history. Meander your way to the meeting point and enjoy the quiet, early morning streets as you get your first glimpse of Barcelona.
• I used Sandeman’s New Europe which meets outside Hotel Suizo on Via Laietana. This is a great main street to skip down side streets, get lost for half an hour, and somehow, inexplicably, find yourself back on the main street.
• The tour takes you around the main sights of the Barri Gotic which is the old, historic centre of Barcelona. If you’re a sucker for maze-like, narrow streets and crumbling old buildings this is the place for you.
• Be warned that although the tour is sold as free by the time the guide has told you they only get paid in tips and that is HOW THEY SURVIVE you will feel compelled to reach into your purse (unless you have a heart of stone). Try to be guided by the quality of the tour and not the stirrings of your conscience!
• The tours are great for explaining random symbols you see throughout the city, such as the yellow ribbons. This is another reason why it’s a good idea to do the tour on your first day.

Top tip: If you’re travelling solo walking tours are a great way to meet people on your first day, or even just to feel part of a group experience when all is new and unfamiliar.

Day 1 PM: Montjuic Castle & Gardens

• Montjuic offers fantastic views over the city and sea/port. It’s a great chance to get a breath of fresh air and enjoy nature out of the bustling city.
• Take the funicular from Paral-lel Metro Station. It goes halfway up the hill and from there you can either walk or take a cable car the rest of the way.
• I recommend walking at least one way (down ideally) as there are some lovely gardens on the way up to the castle. My favourite was Jardins de Mossen Cinto Verdaguer – very peaceful and lush, a real oasis of tranquillity.
• Be prepared for vague uphill meandering because the route to the top isn’t very clear (at least to me – I get lost easily) so make sure you have a bottle of water on hot days!

Top tip: Go on a sunday afternoon after 3pm when it’s free to get in.

Day 1 Evening: Flamenco!

• The Palau de la Musica Catalana has a regular Opera y Flamenco show, which, unsurprisingly, showcases opera and flamenco side by side. Even if you don’t go see a show the concert hall is sumptuously rich and ornate so worth taking a peek!
• Seeing both opera and flamenco is a unique experience and certainly makes for an incredible evening out in a stunning location. If you prefer your flamenco close up and gritty there are loads of smaller, more intimate venues to try.

Day 2 AM: La Sagrada Familia & Park Guell

• La Sagrada Familia is my must see Barcelona attraction. Think medieval church meets fairytale palace meets fairground ride (in a good way).
• Book online in advance and choose an early morning slot for  fewer people and the best light.
• It is one of those places that lives up to the hype and actually make you say wow as you step inside.
• It has some bizarre features like fruit topped spires and Christmas trees nestled amongst stone moulding.
• Prepare for serious neck ache as you gaze upwards at all the incredible architecture.
• Stain glass windows line the walls and colour floods in from every angle. Towering columns stretch upwards emblazoned with unique emblems.

Top tip: After taking the obligatory snaps put your phone away. Take it all in without a screen involved. It looks so much better right in front of you.

• From La Sagrada Familia take the 92 bus up to Park Guell. (You’ll find the bus stop a couple of streets up).
• If you have longer in Barcelona or if you’re staying nearby I would recommend seeing both La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell in those early morning slots. Otherwise it’s easier to lump them together.
• Book a ticket to the Monumental Zone (like La Sagrada Familia you get a time slot). It’s easy to wander the outer park and wonder if you’re missing something.

Top tip: Do not half-ass Park Guell. It’s a trek uphill for nothing otherwise. Also try not to get lost and end up outside the park completely (like me!)

Day 2 PM: Vila de Gracia

• Time to relax and meander back down through the city.
• Head down and right and you should hit Vila de Gracia. It’s a delightful neighbourhood filled with inviting shops, sun drenched squares and a relaxed, upmarket vibe.
• Grab lunch as you wander down. You may find that you discover a nice square to nibble tapas in, only to walk a few metres and find another one. Well tapas is small, have another lunch! 
• This is the relaxed portion of the day: soak up the sunshine, indulge your stomach or nosy round the shops as you amble downhill.

Top tip: Placa del Sol and Placa de la Vila de Gracia are lovely squares to relax in. Grab tapas in Sol Soler on Placa del Sol.

• Walk until you hit the Passeig de Gracia (it’s a big busy street so you can’t miss it).
• This is the street to indulge your designer clothes addiction. (Or to gaze in through the windows, eyebrows raised).
• It’s also home to more Gaudi madness…
• Casa Batllo is very pretty and whimsical. It’s another much snapped image but who can resist such intricate weirdness?
• Casa Mila is a wavy building. I wouldn’t say it’s attractive… just wavy.
• You can explore both inside. I didn’t but if I had I would have picked Casa Batllo from pictures I’ve seen of the inside. (Again worth booking online). 
• Continue through Placa de Catalunya and onto La Rambla. 
• Whilst it is the tourist mecca you’ve heard about you will likely end up there at some point because it is an easy direct route and there are lots of interesting places to see just off it.
•  La Boqueria Market is one such place. So many enticing sights and smells. Definitely worth a look. Pull up a chair at a tapas bar to rest your feet.

Top tip: Get stuck in or get out. Busy markets can be exhausting if you’re too tired or hedging your bets.

Day 3 AM: Wanders in La Ribera

• The final day is the perfect day to take things easy. Exploring a new city is wonderful but tiring!
• Have a lie in then take your time over breakfast in one of the many patisseries. People-watch as you sip coffee and sample  croissants.
• Head towards La Ribera. 
• La Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar is quiet and soothing, a perfect contrast to all the Gaudi madness of day 2!
• Wander on and make sure to find the Hofmann Patisseria. Admire all the delicate desserts and check out the unusual croissant flavours. 
• My marzipan croissant was my favourite thing I ate in Barcelona (I have a major sweet tooth!) If you feel any shame wandering the streets going mmm!! This isn’t the food for you.
• For your dose of nature head to the Parc de la Cuitadella. Wander, read by the lake and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Day 3 PM: Beach/Port

• Finally it’s time to hit the beach. The busiest beaches are closest to Barcelona so if you want a quieter spot you will have a walk/metro journey on your hands. Bogatell is the closer of the quieter ones. Take the yellow line 4 to Llacuna if you’re not up for walking.
• Another option is to stay closer to the city and explore the port. Maybe hop on a boat trip to get a coastal view of the city skyline.
• It’s worth leaving this final afternoon fairly unplanned because you never know how tuckered out you will be by this point.

Top tip: Be open and expect the unexpected. Your travel plans can and will go awry! If the weather turns rough on your beach day there’s nothing you can do about it. You’re in Barcelona! There will always be something to do!

Day 3 Evening: The Rooftop Bar

• It’s your last night so make it a good one. 
• The Grand Hotel Central’s Sky Bar has amazing views. Just picture it: the starry sky above and the puzzle of rooftops below.
• Treat yourself to an expensive cocktail to sip whilst you admire the view.
• This is the perfect moment to reflect on your amazing trip and absorb the moment as you sit above the Barcelona rooftops.

Top tip: Solo traveller? Think moments/views like this are just for couples? NO way! Doing fun, crazy things like going to fancy hotels with doormen and riding the lift to the top floor is a perfect solo traveller moment. So uplifting!

Tips

• Buy a T-10 metro ticket. (10 journeys for €7.50)
• Use a travel money card so you’re not carrying around too much cash.
• Use the hotel safe for valuables.
• Speak Catalan not Spanish (if you can).
• Wear comfy shoes!!

Attraction Prices

• Montjuic Castle: €5.00 (Free on Sunday’s after 3pm) Same price on the door.
• La Sagrada Familia: €15.00
• Park Guell Monumental Zone: €7.50
• Casa Batllo: €24.50 (+€4.00 on the door)
• Casa Mila: €22.00 (+€3.00 on the door)
• Opera y Flamenco: €41.50 (varies by seat choice)

All online prices unless otherwise specified and only basic tickets (I.e no audiobooks, guided tours, extra access…etc).

All that exploring is bound to leave you hungry. Want to know my favourite places to eat in Barcelona? Read my next article: Eat like a local: the top six places to eat in Barcelona.