Aerial view of the Sagrada Família rising from Eixample’s grid of city blocks

Barcelona · Spain

Barcelona

Gaudí’s Sagrada Família and Park Güell, medieval lanes in the Gothic Quarter, tapas in El Born and afternoons on the beach. Four days in a city that does art, food and the sea equally well.

4 days
$$ Mid-range
Easy
Good with kids
Couples
Friends
Families
City
Culture
Food

Copy this trip into Andamos See the plan

Day by day

The plan

Times are suggestions. Opening hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Once it’s in your trip, move anything you like.

Day 1
The Gothic Quarter and El Born
1. 09:30
  Barcelona Cathedral
  Activity
  A Gothic cathedral with a cloister where thirteen white geese live; go up to the roof for the view.
2. 11:00
  La Boqueria market
  Activity
  The city’s great food market, just off La Rambla; go early, before it fills up.
3. 13:30
  Lunch: tapas in El Born
  Food & drink
  Patatas bravas, croquetas and pan con tomate in a neighborhood of narrow lanes.
4. 16:00
  Picasso Museum
  Activity
  Picasso’s early years, housed in medieval mansions; book a time slot.
5. 18:00
  Santa Maria del Mar
  Activity
  A soaring Catalan Gothic church built by the neighborhood’s sailors and dockworkers.
Day 2
Gaudí’s Eixample
1. 09:00
  Sagrada Família
  Activity
  Gaudí’s basilica, still being finished; morning light through the stained glass is the reason to go early.
2. 12:00
  Lunch: menú del día in Eixample
  Food & drink
  A set lunch of two courses and dessert is how locals eat midday.
3. 14:00
  Casa Batlló
  Activity
  A house of bone-like balconies and a roof shaped like a dragon’s back.
4. 16:00
  Casa Milà (La Pedrera)
  Activity
  Walk the rooftop among Gaudí’s chimneys, which look like helmeted warriors.
5. 20:30
  Dinner in Gràcia
  Food & drink
  Small squares full of terraces in a neighborhood that still feels like a village.
Day 3
Park Güell and the beach
1. 09:00
  Park Güell
  Activity
  Mosaic benches, the famous dragon and views to the sea; entry to the monumental area is by timed ticket.
2. 11:00
  Bunkers del Carmel
  Activity
  Old anti-aircraft batteries on a hilltop with a full circle view of the city.
3. 14:00
  Lunch: paella in Barceloneta
  Food & drink
  Seafood paella or black rice, eaten at lunchtime as locals do.
4. 16:00
  Barceloneta Beach
  Activity
  Swim, rest or walk the seafront promenade toward the Olympic Port.
5. 19:00
  Ciutadella Park
  Activity
  A big park with a lake for rowboats and an ornate fountain Gaudí helped with as a student.
Day 4
Montjuïc
1. 09:30
  Funicular and cable car up Montjuïc
  Getting around
  Ride up the hill above the port; the cable car gives you the harbor from the air.
2. 10:30
  Fundació Joan Miró
  Activity
  Bright paintings and sculptures in a white building with roof terraces.
3. 13:00
  Lunch: pintxos in Poble-sec
  Food & drink
  Carrer de Blai is lined with bars serving small bites on bread.
4. 15:00
  National Art Museum of Catalonia
  Activity
  Romanesque church murals inside, and the best view over the city from the steps outside.
5. 20:00
  Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
  Activity
  A light and music show on some evenings; check the schedule, as it changes through the year.

Good to know

Tips

Book Gaudí ahead

The Sagrada Família, Park Güell and the Gaudí houses use timed tickets that sell out, especially in summer. Book online a few weeks ahead.

Pickpockets

Barcelona has a lot of pickpocketing on La Rambla, the metro and the beach. Keep your phone out of back pockets and never leave bags unattended on the sand.

Eat on Spanish time

Lunch runs from about 1:30 to 4 and dinner rarely starts before 8:30. A late snack in the afternoon keeps everyone going.

Getting around

The metro is fast and covers everything in this guide. A multi-trip transit card is cheaper than single tickets. Catalan and Spanish are both official here.

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