Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, on the coast of northeastern Spain. If you have only 3 days to spend in the city, this itinerary should be perfect for you! With millions of tapas, Gaudì’s famous works, and amazing local people, Barcelona will stay in your heart forever. I hope this Barcelona itinerary is going to be helpful for your 3 days trip!
You can visit the city every period of the year thanks to its good climate temperature. However, the best period to visit Barcelona is from May to September. Barcelona is a lively, colorful and perfect city also if you are traveling with children or to do a Solo Travel.
barcelona itinerary 3 days
Barcelona itinerary Day 1
First of all walk yourself through La Rambla, the street which connects the sea to the center of Barcelona. La Rambla is full of souvenirs stalls, flower shops, restaurants, bars, painters and more. Be careful about pickpockets. Hold your items until you are out of La Rambla. This spot deserves some of your time even by night. However, I wouldn’t recommend having dinner on La Rambla. It’s expensive compare to other neighborhoods. La Rambla is also a good place to buy souvenirs.
While you are walking, stop by Placa Reial and the Erotic Museum which is dedicated to passions and eroticism. After that, get into Barri Gotic to admire La Catedral. Free access between 8-12.45 and 17.15-19.30, this Gothic Cathedral represents Barcelona history.
Have a quick lunch at the Mercat de la Boqueria. This is the best spot to have a well and cheap lunch. Fresh products like fish, fruits, cheeses, hams and more. Above all, this place is perfect to have conversations about the city with locals.
Casa Batllò
La Rambla ends when you arrive in the center of Barcelona: Placa Catalunia. Go on until Casa Batllò. This amazing Antonio Gaudì’s work is stunning. He experimented with light and architectural forms. Make sure to book your ticket online including the audio guide. It’s important to understand why and how Gaudì made this masterpiece. From the ground to the rooftop, you are inside colorful rooms.
Spend the rest of the afternoon walking in the Eixample. This neighborhood is famous for big brands shops and elegant houses. Here, Antonio Gaudì gave to the city another beautiful work. La Pedrera, or Casa Milà, is an apartmanet building with a beautiful rooftop.
Spend the night in El Raval listening to jazz music. Bar Canete is a good choice to eat tapas with an excellent service. This neighborhood is reminiscent of the poorest areas of the past, the center of the lives of immigrants and prostitutes. It is one of the best place to listen to live music or to see a flamenco show.
Barcelona itinerary Day 2
Your second day in Barcelona begins with the visit to the Sagrada Familia. This church is crowded and the visit it’s gonna keep you at least 2 hours. Book your ticket online. It’s really important to have the audio guide to understand this masterpiece.
Gaudì died before completing the work which is gonna be finished by 2026. Thanks to the audio guide, you will be absorbed in the story of Gaudì’s work. The inside is beautiful, colorful and space. This work is the celebration of God and religious life.
After the visit spend a couple of hours in the Gracia neighborhood. Gracia is a mix of old and new, old taverns next to modern restaurants and fashion boutiques next to local brands. It’s the right place to have a quick lunch with tapas and Catalan specialties.
Parc Guell
Walk a bit until Parc Guell. If you do not book the tickets in advance or you are late on your access time, it’s not sure that you can get inside. This park was made for rich families and you do not have a time limit to stay inside. On top of the park, you have a stunning view of the city. This park, lively and colorful, is the right palce to spend an afternoon in Barcelona. Climb a bit for other 20 minutes until El Carmel. This spot is worth view and after you can get down to the center by bus.
In your second night admire Casa batllò illuminated and have dinner in the neighborhood of Eixample. This neighborhood is full of elegant and good quality restaurants but you need to book in advance if you don’t want to queue. Tripadvisor is a good platform to choose and to book the perfect restaurant.
Barcelona itinerary Day 3
On your last day of this Barcelona itinerary, spend your morning in La Barceloneta. You can sunbathing on the beach or just walking next to the sea. Before lunch, visit La Ribiera and Picasso Museum. This museum is full of Picasso’s works from the youth, the years he spent in Barcelona, the blue and pink period. Guernica, his famous painting, is located in Madrid.
After a quick lunch around this neighborhood, you can walk through Parc de la Ciutadella. This huge park is a beautiful spot to relax for a couple of hours. Inside the park, you can find many nice spots like the zoo or Cascada. Take your time to relax and enjoy yourself. Consequently, from the Parc de la Ciutadella, walk until Arc de Trionf.
Move to Placa d’Espanya. Here you can get inside to Camp Nou or the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. Keep on eye on the timetable to not miss the show of the Magic Fountain in front of the museum.
Before Your Trip
From the airport El-Prat, you can take Aerobus service which brings you to the center of Barcelona. Barri Gotic is a good neighborhood where to spend your trip. The oldest neighborhood of Barcelona is close to La Rambla and Barceloneta. If your trip is in wintertime, Gracia is a good neighborhood where to stay. It’s close to the main attractions in Barcelona. You can book your accommodation by Booking or Airbnb.
Barcelona transport is good, however, I think Barcelona is a perfect walk city, especially if you want to admire all the beauties of this city. Underground Tickets are not so expensive, you can buy them in every station by card or cash.
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