Hola! Bienvenido a Barcelona! Barcelona is one of my all time favorite cities I’ve traveled to. Colton and I spent 3 days in Barcelona, and by the end we were completely in love. So much so, that when I ask Colton where he would live in Europe if we ever moved abroad, he always says Barcelona, Spain.
What do we love about Barcelona? The people, the food, the culture, the weather, the architecture… I could go on and on. Truly, Barcelona just has really good vibes.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you.
I’ve been to Barcelona twice now, and both times I adored my time there. The city has such a lively atmosphere with a social scene that never sleeps and something to see around every corner.
It’s like the city itself has a big personality, and you can feel it while walking down La Rambla, getting lost exploring in Barri Gòtic, or admiring Antoni Gaudì’s iconic architecture.
There really is nowhere else like Barcelona.
•Packing For One Week In Europe, Summer & Winter
•10 Essential Items To Pack For A Trip to Europe
What to Know For Your 3 Days in Barcelona
Currency: Spain uses the Euro
Plugs: Spain uses F plugs. The standard voltage is 230V. I recommend this universal adapter.
Language: Spanish and Catalan. Everyone speaks Spanish, but you may hear or see Catalan from time to time. This is because Barcelona is in the region of Catalunya in Spain.
Where to Stay
I recommend staying in either El Raval or Barri Gòtic during your 3 days in Barcelona. El Raval is a hip, young area of town near the central tourist strip. Barri Gòtic, or the Gothic Quarter, is the oldest neighborhood in Barcelona with winding medieval streets filled with local markets, trendy bars and restaurants, and lots of shopping.
This area of the city is very walking friendly, and it’s so fun to meander through the narrow streets to see what gems you’ll wander upon.
Another nice area, and a large one, is Eixample, which includes tourist attractions like Casa Milà and La Sagrada Famìlia. This area is also teeming with great shopping and restaurants.
Wherever you decide to stay, make sure you’re located close to a metro station and you’ll have no problem getting around. Use Booking.com to find amazing hotels in Barcelona, and check out the ones I’ve recommended below.
Barri Gotic
Eixample
El Raval
Spain Time
Spaniards are FUN, and you’ll notice they like to stay up into the wee hours of the morning catching up around delicious Spanish food and drinks. So, don’t be surprised if the street where you’re staying is lively long after you go to sleep.
This is one of the beautiful things about Barcelona: the vibrant street culture.
Spanish culture highly values quality time spent around long meals and a slow pace of life. Spaniards savor life, and I promise you’ll notice this shortly after arriving in Barcelona.
Aperitivo begins around 8pm, with dinner usually around 10pm. Spain eats late. To get an authentic Spanish food experience, try to eat like the Spainiards!
/aperi’tivo/ – An aperitivo is a pre-meal drink; the experience of aperitivo is a cultural ritual meant to increase appetite before a meal. Often served with complimentary snacks such as marinated olives.
Eat a heavier, later lunch during siesta (the time between 2pm and 4pm when some stores are closed and people take a break for lunch). Sit down for aperitivo around 8pm, and then hold out for your late tapas dinner at 10pm.
So, let loose and embrace the beautiful Spanish way of life!
What to Eat and Drink During Your 3 Days in Barcelona
- Paella – a rice dish that can be found all over Spain, originally from Valencia. This is a must have while in Spain!
- Tapas – These are small plates enjoyed during aperitivo or as a small meal. This is the list of my favorite tapas: Croquetas, Patatas Bravas, Padròn Peppers, Tortilla, Jàmon Iberico, Tomato Bread. I’m drooling.
- Churros and Hot Chocolate – Now, we are not talking about the hot chocolate I’m sure you immediately thought of. No, we’re talking about thick, rich drinking chocolate that you dip your churro into. HEAVENLY.
- Spanish Wine (Rioja) – Spanish wine country, the region of La Rioja west of Barcelona, produces some amazing wines. Be sure to try some while in Spain!
- Aperitif – Vermouth is the typical aperitivo drink of choice, so try some while you’re in Barcelona! Aperol Spritz is another very popular aperitif.
How to Get Around
You definitely do not need to rent a car in Barcelona. The public transportation is wonderful. For the next 3 days in Barcelona you will walk a lot and use the metro!
You can buy metro tickets individually per ride in the metro station for around €2.40 per ticket.
Or, you can purchase a Barcelona Card to get unlimited rides on public transportation plus discounts on popular tourist attractions.
Only get the Barcelona Card if you plan to take advantage of the attraction discounts, otherwise paying per ride on the metro will end up being cheaper.
•Packing For One Week In Europe, Summer & Winter
•10 Essential Items To Pack For A Trip to Europe
Your 3 Days in Barcelona, Spain Itinerary
Below is an itinerary for 3 days in Barcelona. As always, customize this itinerary as much as you’d like, or just pick bits and pieces out of it that you like. I’ve created it to be a helpful starting point or a full itinerary depending on how you want to use it.
I didn’t pack this itinerary full on purpose because I believe one of the best ways to explore any city is to allow yourself time to just explore.
I didn’t want to plan a trip for you where you’re unable to take in the beauty and pleasure of just being in Barcelona because you’re running around like a crazy person trying to hit a million spots.
Barcelona is an incredible city with so much more to offer than the typical tourist spots. While I think you should visit those, I can’t create spontaneity in your itinerary. Only you are able to set aside the time in your day to allow Barcelona to show you what it has in store for YOU.
Day 1 in Barcelona
Park Güell
For day 1 in Barcelona, we’re starting heading to Park Güell, one of Antoni Gaudì’s famous landmarks.
Anotoni Gaudì was a Catalan artist whose work can be found all over Barcelona, and Spain. His style is instantly recognisable, with some of his most famous works being La Sagrada Famìlia, Casa Milà, and Park Güell.
Gaudì’s art is especially important to Barcelona because much of his artistic work is based in architecture, so many buildings in the city have Gaudì’s unique style.
What to See in Park Güell
You’re going to want to give yourself a good while to explore: the park is rather large and there is a lot to see. Be sure to admire the mosaics in the Hypostyle Room, the Casa del Guarda in the front of the park, the iconic Dragon Stairway, and the beautiful Greek Theater.
Have a nice walk around and get lost in the freeform, modern architecture Gaudì is so well known for. There are many great photo spots to snap a pic, as well.
La Rambla
The central street of La Rambla is the heart of Barcelona. With a wide walking median in the middle of the street, you can walk from one end to the other by starting at Plaça de Catalunya and ending at the Port de Barcelona and the Monument a Colom.
There are so many fun turn offs from La Rambla, so don’t be afraid to explore. On one side is the Barri Gòtic, and on the other is the neighborhood of El Raval, both of which you’ll visit later on in this itinerary.
Plaça Reial
From La Rambla visit Plaça Reial, well known for its resemblance to St. Mark’s Square in Venice. This plaça is relaxing and beautiful, so sit down for an afternoon snack or drink in one of the many cafes and enjoy the atmosphere.
Port de Barcelona
At the end of La Rambla is the Port de Barcelona. I absolutely love being by the water in Barcelona. The port is so beautiful and has a nice walking path all along the water, which makes for a nice stroll for yacht spotting.
There are tons of huge yachts parked in the port at any given time and it’s fun to check them out and ‘yacht shop’.
Day 2 in Barcelona
On Day 2 in Barcelona, you’ll be visiting the iconic Sagrada Famìlia. I suggest going early to beat the crowds, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend.
Today is a really fun day packed with some of my favorite Barcelona spots, so let’s get going!
La Sagrada Famìlia
The absolutely iconic Sagrada Famìlia is a must visit in Barcelona. Another of Gaudì’s works, and his most famous, the cathedral has been under construction since 1882 and is still not finished.
There is truly no other cathedral in the world like La Sagrada Famìlia. You’ll notice how unique the striking facades of the structure are the closer you get. As you come above ground from the metro, the cathedral towers over everything around it.
Gaudì was a lover of symbolism and every inch of this breathtaking church has heaps of it. The audio guide is a must when you visit, and you’ll learn of the artist’s love for his art and God, which is what inspired him to create such amazing works. It is free through the Sagrada Famìlia Official app.
It’s enough to bring you to tears, and I did cry both times I visited!
Give yourself ample time to admire the wonder that is La Sagrada Famìlia before moving on.
The parks across the street on the front and back of the church are great spots to admire the beauty from afar.
You can purchase tickets online ahead of time and download the audio guide using the Sagrada Famìlia Official phone application, available on both iPhone and Android. *note that you should bring headphones to listen to the audio guide on your phone*
Mercado de La Boqueria
Next, you’ll actually head back to La Rambla, where you will go to the colorful La Boqueria market for lunch. This market is amazing and so much fun to explore.
The market dates all the way back to a 1217 meat market. Yeah, you read that right. So not only are you getting a great food experience, but also a history lesson as well.
Be sure to try the tapas (small plates) and pintxos (Spanish Basque Country’s small plates). The Iberico ham, fresh fruit smoothies, and empanadas are a must.
The best way to experience the market is to wander and see where the experience takes you. Walk around and order a handful of small bites that catch your eye to get a well rounded experience, or sit at one of the many bars for drinks and tapas.
El Raval
The neighborhood of El Raval is a fun, hip neighborhood on the same side of La Rambla as La Boqueria. If you have some time, wander the streets and stop in some of the unique, local stores, admire the Spanish architecture at every turn.
A great spot to stop if you’re looking for more to do is Palau Güell, another piece of Gaudì architecture.
In El Raval, eat dinner at Bar Lobo for tapas and drinks.
Day 3 in Barcelona
It’s the last day of your 3 days in Barcelona itinerary. Big sad. But, today is going to be a great final day in this lovely city!
Casa Milà
Yet another Gaudì masterpiece is Casa Milà. Also known as La Padrera, Casa Milà is a residential apartment building that was commissioned to Antoni Gaudì in 1906.
The building is known for the way it stands out among the architecture around it, thanks to Gaudì’s recognizable style.
When visiting Casa Milà, you can go all the way up to the roof where Gaudì designed a fascinating scene resembling a stone quarry. You can walk around on the roof and get nice views of Barcelona.
You can purchase tickets online beforehand, starting at €25.
Gothic Quarter
Barri Gòtic, or the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, is teeming with history and trendy spots to discover. The best way to explore this area of the city is truly just to get lost, and it isn’t’ hard to do so with the windy, narrow streets.
Stop at The Cathedral of Barcelona, browse at Mercat Gòtic flea market, and admire the Basìlica de Santa Maria del Pi.
Try Can Solè near the port for good Paella.
Cable Car & Montjuïc
A great activity and an amazing way to get views of Barcelona from way up is by taking the Teleferic del Port, or the Port Cable Car, from the port up to Montjuïc.
Montjuïc is a hill that overlooks Barcelona and where you can get wonderful views of the city. You can even see La Sagrada Famìlia from up here!
The cable car itself is such a fun activity and we loved it. It takes you over the Port of Barcelona and you get 360 views of the beautiful landscape.
Don’t confuse the Teleferic del Port with the Teleferic de Montjuïc, which are two different things. The Teleferic de Montjuïc is a ski lift looking cable car that operates on top of Montjuïc, while the Teleferic del Port is a large red cable car that transports you from the port to the top of the hill.
I hope that you love your time in Barcelona as much as we did. You’re in for beautiful culture, mouthwatering food, and an amazing experience.
Adiòs!
