Planning a trip to the capital of Catalonia in northern Spain? Find out how to visit Barcelona in 3, 4 or 5 days!
Barcelona is one of the most visited European capitals in the world. Here you can admire numerous gardens, incomparable historical monuments, outstanding museums and the famous works of the artist Antoni Gaudí, the pride of the country. Barcelona is also Spain’s second-largest city and one of Europe’s largest. What’s more, this Mediterranean city is very much oriented towards the deep blue sea, and is home to one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean basin. This makes it a major tourist destination, with a unique cultural heritage. But it also boasts exceptional itineraries.
So visiting Barcelona in 3, 4 or 5 days gives you the chance to see the city’s must-sees. Looking for examples of complete Barcelona itineraries? Then this article is for you!
Barcelona in 3 days
Day 1: The historic center
Photo credit: De V_E / Shutterstock.com
Must-See: Las Ramblas, Barri Gòtic, Boqueria market, Casa Batlló , Casa Milà
Areas to stay: Barri Gòtic, El Raval
Our advice: Go to Plaça Reial, the city’s most emblematic flamenco venue. You can get there directly from La Rambla.
It’s unthinkable to plan your itinerary in Barcelona without visiting Las Ramblas. It’s the city’s most famous avenue, stretching from the port to Plaça de Catalunya, a distance of around 1.3 kilometers. The famous street is divided into five sections. You can admire street artists and living statues.
From La Rambla, head straight for the Boqueria market. This covered market is one of the city’s oldest. Enjoy a fresh juice or coffee while admiring the stalls.
Then on to the Gothic Quarter in the Old Town. Take a trip back in time through the cobbled streets, and don’t forget to look up to admire the facades. You’ll find the Holy Cross Cathedral and the Barcelona History Museum here, as well as other emblematic squares.
Take the time to refresh yourself at Plaça del Rei, the King’s Square. Here you’ll find a veritable haven of peace, surrounded by palm trees and fountains. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite to eat after a long day.
Day 2: Gracia district and La Sagrada Familia
Must-See: Casa Milà, Casa Batlló, Born district, Sagrada Familia, Bunkers del Carmel, Casa Punxes
Areas to stay: Gràcia district
Our advice: Remember to book your tickets in advance to visit the Casa. For an unusual visit, take a night tour of Casa Milà, with its spectacular audiovisual projections.
A visit to the Gràcia district
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Iakov Filimonov
On the second day of your Barcelona itinerary, discover the jewels of Antoni Gaudí. Casa Milà and Casa Batlló are just 5 minutes apart. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Their exceptional architecture will amaze and delight you.
If you don’t feel like walking, take the metro and stop at Passeig de Gràcia on line 3. This surrealist work is inspired by the aquatic world. It’s also known as La Casa Del Ossos, the House of Bones, because of its facade with multiple skull-shaped balconies. The tour lasts about 1 hour and is part of the Barcelona City Pass.
Gaudí’s second work on Passeig de Gràcia, Casa Milà, is less than 500 metres away. Perfectly recognizable thanks to its undulating white lines, characteristic of Gaudí’s work. Just as impressive as the first Casa, take a stroll through the house’s five floors. A visit to this emblematic city landmark is also included in the Barcelona City Pass.
Then it’s on to the Casa de les Punxes, less well known but just as interesting to discover. This atypical place will explain the construction of Barcelona and its history, as well as its different lifestyles.
La Sagrada Familia
Photo credit: Shutterstock – ValerijsJegorovs
Now it’s time to head further east, to admire the Cathedral Sagrada Familia. This other work by Gaudí has been the talk of the town since construction began in 1882. This basilica in the Eixample district is Spain’s most visited monument.
Thanks to its unique curves, the basilica is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In fact, its architectural style is a blend of Gothic and Art Nouveau. It’s a truly mystical place, not to be missed on any of your Barcelona itineraries. It is still under construction. A visit will take at least 1 hour.
It’s worth pointing out that a guided tour of the cathedral in French is included in the Barcelona City Pass. In short, you can visit the Sagrada without having to queue. It would be a shame to miss out, given the crowds.
Finally, if visiting Gaudí’s iconic work doesn’t take up the rest of your day, head for the Bunkers Del Carmel. Here, you’ll enjoy the best 360° view of the city. This is the city’s former stronghold for anti-aircraft guns during the Spanish Civil War. Access to the site is easy, and admission is free.
Day 3: El Born and Montjuic
Must-See: Plaça Espanya, Montjuic Castle, Montjuic Park, Arc de Triomf, Picasso Museum, Palace of Catalan Music, Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona Zoo, Santa Maria del Mar Basilica, Botanical Gardens, Magic Fountain, Olympic Stadium
Areas to stay: El Born, la Ribeira
Our tip: Enjoy the trendy atmosphere of El Born with tapas at El Xampanyet.
The El Born district
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Pit Stock
For the third day of your visit, here are the last itineraries in Barcelona. The El Born district is the city’s shopping district, with its interesting proximity to the port. The district was completely renovated in the 1980s. That’s why today there’s so much to visit, from legendary art galleries to trendy gourmet addresses.
Visit one of the city’s most popular museums, the Musée Picasso. Discover the museum’s impressive permanent collection. Admire over three hundred and fifty previously unpublished works by the artist Pablo Picasso. The museum, inaugurated in 1963, is housed in five interconnected former palaces.
We recommend that you buy your ticket in advance. You can also take advantage of a free tour of the site on the first Sunday of the month and every Thursday from 6pm to 9:30pm.
Afterwards, take a look at the popular Parc de la Ciutadella. This is where you’ll see Spain’s famous Arc de Triomf. The park is the city’s green lung. It is home to several museums, government monuments and a zoo. It’s a must-see on your 3, 4 or 5-day Barcelona itinerary.
The Montjuic district
Photo credit: De Porterre / Shutterstock.com
This district, located high above the city, is in a class of its own. It was strongly marked by two major events: the 1929 Universal Exhibition and the 1992 Olympic Games.
To visit the district, take the Montjuic funicular up the hill. It takes you from the Parallel metro station to Montjuic Castle. Visit the National Palace, also known as the MNAC. Here you can see the world’s largest collection of Catalan art.
The Barcelona City Pass includes a ticket for the Montjuic ring road. Head for the sensational Montjuic fountain, but also stroll through the park in search of the best panoramic views of the city. You can either relax in the park or visit a few museums. One of the park’s main museums is the Joan Miro Foundation.
Also, head to Montjuic Olympic Park, where you can see :
- Barcelona’s Palais des Sports,
- The Olympic Stadium,
- La Torre de Calatrava,
- Palau Sant Jordi,
- The Industrial Spain Pavilion.
Finally, after a well-earned rest in the park’s botanical gardens, round off your day with a visit to Montjuic Castle. Historically, it was not only a prison, but also a military museum in 1960. Today, there are plans to transform it into an international peace and cultural center. Visits are free every Sunday afternoon from 3 pm.
Barcelona in 4 days
Day 4: Parc Güell and Sant Pau
Must-See: The Dragon of Trencadís, The Belvedere, The Portico of the Washerwoman, The Hypostyle Hall, Sant Pau
Areas to stay: Quartier Gràcia, Sant Gervasi-Galvany
Our advice: Allow 4 hours for a leisurely tour of the entire park. Mornings are the best time.
Staying in Barcelona for 4 days? After discovering several Barcelona itineraries during these first three days of your visit, now head for one of the city’s most beautiful parks.
Parc Güell
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Lukasz Szwaj
Parc Güell is still a work of Gaudí. Indeed, its architecture oscillates between Art Nouveau and Modernism, giving it the look of a fantastic garden. It’s worth noting that this attraction is included in the Barcelona City Pass.
Located in the north of the city, you can reach the park directly by metro line 3, stopping at Vallcarca. Climb up to the Mirador de Virolai, which offers superb views of some of the city’s most beautiful sites. The park has both free and paying sections.
In this whimsical setting, the artist bears witness to the omnipresence of divine will. This is where you’ll see the mosaic-covered bench, the famous salamander and the arched columns that resemble tree trunks.
In the park, there are some not-to-be-missed highlights:
- The dragon’s staircase,
- The Hypostyle Hall,
- The houses in the park,
- The washerwoman’s portico,
- The place of nature,
- The salamander,
- The mosaic bench.
Be careful, there are three possible entrances. Parc Güell covers a total of seventeen hectares. For the part with the most to see, you’ll have to enter on the carrer de Larrard side. This is the paying section of the park. Make sure you book your tickets in advance, so as not to be refused entry when you arrive. It’s unthinkable not to include this visit on one of your Barcelona itineraries.
La recinta modernista de Sant Pau
Photo credit: Shutterstock – V_E
To round off your day in style, take a twenty-minute walk to the Recinta Modernista de Sant Pau. This work by Lluís Domènech i Montaner is a former public hospital. The building was declared a World Heritage Site in 1997.
Today, the building is home to a number of institutions and organizations. They are all dedicated to research in the fields of sustainable development and health, such as the United Nations and the WHO.
Barcelona in 5 days
Port Vell
Photo credit: Shutterstock – nito
Must-sees: Mirador de Colòm, Golondrinas, Barcelona Aquarium, Museum of the History of Catalonia
Areas to stay: old town
Our tip: Take a golondrina for a short cruise and see Barcelona from another angle.
On your fifth day of itineraries in Barcelona, head for the Old Port. First, stroll along the quays and do a little shopping. Take the floating walkway, the Rambla del Mar, which leads directly to the port’s shopping center and its many boutiques.
Next, make your way to the statue of Christopher Columbus. Also known as the Mirador de Colòm. Its elevated position gives you a great view. What’s more, Barcelona in 5 days gives you time to explore the city’s renowned aquarium. It’s a must-see in Catalonia. In fact, the aquarium boasts an underwater tunnel containing six million liters of water. Unique in Europe.
From the port vell, note the Moll de la Fusta, a pretty wooden quay. In the past, it was used for stowing and depositing wood cargoes.
Barcelona in a week
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Iakov Filimonov
A one-week stay in Barcelona allows you to visit all the places mentioned above. However, some more secret or specific places can be included in your trip:
- The Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes: founded in 1327, inspired by the Catalan Gothic style;
- Camp Nou: the official stadium of the F.C Barcelona team is a must-see. The sheer size of the stadium is impressive. What’s more, it has its own museum that traces its entire history;
- Attend a Flamenco show: at the Palau Dalmases next to the Picasso Museum. Failing that, opt for intimate establishments known as tablaos;
- Las Arenas: the former bullring transformed into a shopping center. Don’t miss the breathtaking view from the roof terrace;
- Casa Sayrach: another work inspired by Antoni Gaudí;
- La Casa Comalat;
- Clandestine bars, or hidden bars: guaranteeing a folkloric atmosphere,
- The book cemetery: the 600-metre library is a treasure trove of precious books. It was the inspiration for Spanish author Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s famous novel « The Shadow of the Wind »;
- Take the coastal path, the Passeig Maritim, which is five kilometers long, near Barcelona’s beaches;
- L’Antic teatre: tucked away in the Born district, this former open-air theater is now an unusual and charming place to enjoy a drink.
Transport in Barcelona
Spain is located right next to France. So it’s relatively easy to visit Barcelona in 3, 4 or 5 days. Several options are available to you:
- By plane, many airlines offer flights to Barcelona from France,
- By car, the journey is short and easy, especially from the south of the country,
- By train, for unprecedented speed. Barcelona is only 6h30 from Paris, or 3h from Toulouse,
- By bus, with companies such as Ouibus or flixbus at any time of the week, for a derisory price.
Barcelona is a very busy city. As a result, your itineraries in Barcelona can easily be made thanks to the adapted public network, made up of the :
- Metro, runs every day from 5 a.m. to midnight. There’s a metro every five minutes or so. And on weekends and the eve of public holidays, it runs all night long,
- Bus, well developed in Barcelona. Buses are available every day of the week until 10pm. There’s a red line to the center, and a night line starting with the letter N,
- Tramway, for easy access to the city center. There are 6 lines in all, which also go where the buses and metro don’t,
- Train or the R.E.R., which serve the city’s main tourist attractions with dense timetables.
But you can also get around Barcelona using other means of transport, such as :
- Scooters, for a two-wheeled tour of the city and freedom of movement,
- Cycling is a great way to get around Barcelona, a city with 200 kilometers of bike paths.
With all this information and Barcelona itineraries, you’re all set!