3 days in Barcelona is enough for a solid getaway.
That said, with a city this full of fun your Barcelona itinerary should be planned in the most time-efficient way possible.
That’s why I’m gonna show you how to visit the must-sees of the city while also living like a local, learning the history, and eating Barcelona’s most iconic foods.
3 Days in Barcelona – Day 1
Sagrada Familia
What Barcelona itinerary doesn’t have it? If you had just one day in Barcelona the world-famous Sagrada Familia would be the first stop.
This art nouveau basilica is called ‘the most extraordinary interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages’. The UNESCO World Heritage Site receives 4.5 million annual visitors.
The way Catalan wonder architect Antoni Gaudi depicts the energy of new life on the Nativity Façade and the cruelty of death on the Passion Façade is great pause for reflection.
The rainbow casting stained glass windows and forest-like columns inside are must-sees.
21,000 five star reviews of Sagrada Familia don’t lie.
Booking tickets in advance is mandatory.
Casa Batllò
On Barcelona’s second most famous street (Passeig de Gracia) we get into the heart of the Ruta del Modernisme.
The showcase piece is the beautifully eccentric mansion by Antoni Gaudi called Casa Batllo.
Stand outside and appreciate the building’s visceral, skeletal qualities. The colourful mosaic facade was crafted using broken tea cups from local factories.
Inside we get a great insight into the mind of a genius. Gaudi designed the ergonomic house inch by inch right down to the doorknobs.
Admission includes an augmented reality tour, the Gaudi Cube, and a visit to the dragon’s back roof terrace.
Lunch Near Casa Batllo
Honestly, we’re in tourist trap hell here so we’re going to have to dodge some bullets.
Right up the street from Casa Batllo though is El Nacional (24 Passeig de Gràcia). This multi-zone culinary space serves traditional recipes from nearly every region in Spain. It’s also got a wine bar, cocktail bar, and oyster bar.
Fish lovers also can’t go wrong at Chao Pescao (318 Consell de Cent). Here chefs cook fresh fish that you’ve selected yourself from a Barcelona market counter. I never go solo here – get some local Blanc Pescador white wine.
La Pedrera (aka Casa Milà)
You’ll barely even have started to digest lunch before my Barcelona itinerary offers another jewel of the city’s architectural crown.
La Pedrera is another Gaudi work (surprise, surprise) and it is arguably his best. It’s just a short five minute walk from Casa Batllo.
This wobbling limestone apartment block is best known for its ‘Garden of Warriors’ rooftop. Getting a photo of yourself and the haunting chimneys standing on guard is another must do.
The Casa Mila apartment itself is a great way to see how upper class families lived in central Barcelona at the turn of last century.
Casa Vicens
Heading further up Passeig de Gracia you’ll find the neighbourhood of Gracia for one of Barcelona’s most underrated attractions: the newly minted Gaudi gem Casa Vicens.
This summer chalet mansion with its lush garden is more fairy tale than home and at less than half the price of its contemporaries it offers a tremendous amount of value for both Gaudi fanatics and budget travelers.
If you’re not planning on visiting Casa Batllo or La Pedrera then this would be the best way to experience Gaudi’s home architecture expertise up close.
Grab a Paella Dinner
You’ve only got 3 days in Barcelona so make your dinner choices wisely.
Of course, if you’re visiting Barcelona let me know where you’re staying and I’ll recommend you some of the best restaurants in Barcelona near your hotel.
In general, there are tons of options but a great Spanish introduction to the city is via a paella tasting menu at Bodega Joan. Other great restaurants near our Barcelona attractions for day one include Lasarte and Can Boneta.
What to See in Barcelona in 3 days – Day 2
Barcelona’s Best Breakfast
In winter we’re starting the day with breakfast in Barcelona city center eating delicious churros con chocolate on historic Petrixol Street.
If it’s summer we’re heading to the even more historic La Boqueria Market for fruit smoothies and tostadas.
If you’re looking for something a bit more savory then Boqueria Market’s Bar Pinotxo has a classic breakfast here with blood sausage and garbanzo beans.
Las Ramblas
When speaking of Las Ramblas, the famous Spanish poet Federico García Lorca once said “it’s the only street I wish would never end”.
Of course, Las Ramblas may have lost the shine of yesteryear (mass tourism has added its share of Dunkin’ Donuts) but it’s still Barcelona’s most famous street.
In particular, we should be looking at the street performers at the bottom the street. La Boqueria Market is also a must, and it’s a great place to pop in some some classic Iberian ham or a cheap fruit smoothie.
Related: Get a two hour walking tour of the Gothic Quarter for just 18 euro.
The Secrets of the Old City: Gothic Quarter Tour
From either breakfast spot we’re just a 15 minute walk to the meeting point of one of the most informative and fun guided tour options going.
There’s no better way to learn about the current political situation, Gaudi, the city’s origins, and the future of Barcelona than with a 2.5 hour Gothic Quarter tour with a pro (video preview here).
That pro is one of the best guides in the business: local Texan Alvaro.
Prepare to be ‘edu-tained‘ with secrets of the old city at La Rambla, Boqueria Market, Barcelona Cathedral, Plaça Sant Felipe Neri, Augustus Temple, the Jewish Quarter, and much more.
You’ll also get an old Picasso cafe haunt, one of Barcelona’s sweetest snack stops, and street art galore.
Interested? Drop me a line at [email protected] with your dates and we’ll find a spot for you!
Traditional Spanish Lunch
It’s 12:30.
The walking tour ends in the heart of the Ciutat Vella (Old City) so we’ve got some options: if you wanna be quick it’s the bite-sized toothpick tapas at El Pintxo del Petrixol (9 Carrer de Petritxol).
According to a Catalan friend it’s ‘the only restaurant near La Rambla that doesn’t serve garbage’.
Another option for more of an elaborate Spanish meal is La Fonda (10 Carrer dels Escudellers) which is a great place to get some of the best paella in Barcelona at outskirts prices.
Park Guell
Every Barcelona itinerary has to include Park Guell: the city’s most beautiful park.
We take bus 24 from Passeig de Gracia and 30-40 minutes later we’re left at the gates. We could also take the yellow Barcelona metro line to Alfons X and walk 15 minutes.
Our reward at the end is Antoni Gaudi’s utopian park vision, which its gingerbread-like porter’s house and famous mosaic salamander. It’s here that you’ll get a fantastic panoramic view of the city
It’ll take 90-120 minutes depending on how much of the Free Zone we care to see.
Barcelona’s Most Famous Aperitivo
For any tourist doing Barcelona in 3 days this is that when in Rome moment.
In particular your travel tipple should involve either a vermut (vermouth, a fortified and spiced wine) or una caña (a small, refreshing glass of beer).
This is best done in nearby Gracia’s charming squares: especially Plaça del Sol.
In particular I’d go to the bar Sol Soler as they have a massive terrace to soak up the sun. Casa Lopez is another great option if you’d like to fit in some homemade tapas.
Both are just a 15-20 minute downhill walk from the park.
Modern Spanish for Dinner
You’re likely staying central and will have to ninja your way around a ton of tourist traps – but luckily I’ve found the only authentic restaurant on La Rambla: El Louro.
Spanish tapas classics are given a modern twist here and mains like the Galician beef filet and crunchy octopus are to die for. The kicker? They make some of the best original cocktails in the city.
As a Barcelona Hacks reader you’ll also get a free glass of cava per diner by reserving (no money down) via the form below:
A Night Out for Drinks
Barcelona’s best bars offer a little bit of everything, though if you visit Barcelona you’ll probably want something unique. For this reason I suggest the high-end cocktails at Dry Martini – it has actually been voted the 6th best bar in the world.
As for clubbing? Of course I’m going to suggest you read my post on the best clubs in Barcelona.
My first choice would be Razzmatazz, a massive five room club. Each room plays a different type of urban music: hip hop, house, dancehall, R&B, reggaeton, and even some rock
The second choice is Sala Apolo, a former theater that’s been transformed into one of Barcelona’s most famous clubs.
What to Do in Barcelona Spain for 3 days – Day 3
This Barcelona Itinerary Involves Sleeping In
Part of us came on holiday to relax, am I right?
We’re going to do just that after all that walking on day two – we roll out of bed at 10:00 am.
On day three of our itinerary we’re grabbing a quick breakfast like a Barcelona local: heading downstairs, finding the closest cafe, and getting a croissant and cortado (a coffee with a splash of milk).
Slow and steady will be the game today.
Shopping or Camp Nou?
We’ve got two choices now and I’ll leave it up to you, my distinguished guests.
There’s tons of world-class shopping in Barcelona city center. The largest shopping areas are Passeig de Gracia, Plaça de Catalunya, Las Ramblas and Portal del Angel. Here you can great some of the best Barcelona souvenirs too.
If we’re allergic to shopping (I really am!) we really have to ask ourselves what Barcelona itinerary wouldn’t include a tour of historic Camp Nou stadium – home of that little squad called FC Barcelona.
From Plaça Catalunya we get there in 15 minutes with the green metro line getting off at Les Corts.
Beach at La Barceloneta
Barceloneta is a great neighborhood to explore inner alleyways where elderly residents sit outside playing cards while young people gather to socialize in kitschy bars.
It’s one of the best beaches in Barcelona. For the early afternoon (like locals) you’ll want to work on that tan – the cleanest waters for a summertime dipa re in the corner near the W Hotel (the sail shaped-one).
After, we can’t stop by without saying hello to Mrs. Leo, a little spark-plug of a woman in her 70’s who owns a bar where on weekend afternoons Andalusian flamenco and live Spanish guitar is the name of the game!
Bar Leo is at 34 Carrer Sant Carles.
Related: How Many Days Should I Stay in Barcelona?
Sunday Lunch
We’re getting really local now by having a late lunch (around 3:00 pm) and for this I’d recommend going for quality tapas at Bitacora – at the back of the restaurant there’s a cool little terrace.
There’s also the ridiculously cheap wine bar La Champagneria at 7 Reina Cristina. We also can’t miss the minuscule fried fish restaurant Can Maño.
All places are fifteen minutes or less walking from the beach.
Looking for something closer to home? One of Barcelona’s best burgers is just what the doctor ordered. Kiosko Burger is a great place to start and it’s no tourist sin! Get the one with traditional manchego cheese.
Montjuic
We get to Montjuic Hill by taking the Port Cable Car from the Barceloneta.
At the top of Barcelona’s tallest hill we find the castle with its majestic view of the harbour, the Miro Foundation, the ’92 Olympic Stadiums and the botanical garden.
There’s also the option to experience the fantastic open-air architecture museum Poble Espanyol.
The Magic Fountain
Always high on the list of things to do in Barcelona, this beautiful fountain of towering water sprays to the rhythm of contemporary music – the view of Plaça Espanya is really something!
We find the fountain a short fifteen minute walk away at the foot of Montjuic. Make sure to check the Barcelona Magic Fountain show schedule first.
Dinner
We’re looking to keep it local for the third night so we hit up Can Margarit (21 Carrer de la Concordia) for some authentic Catalan fare. Here it’s all about rustic charm, cask wines, rabbit, squid, and cod.
For something a little more upscale that’s a modern take on Spanish classics we go to Plata Bistro (23 Carrer de Sepúlveda), which is just a short walk from the fountains. You can book your table with a simple message on their Facebook page.
Looking for something a little cheaper?
Head for the street called Calle Blai and its endless supply of one euro tapas and beer bars. I recommend La Tasqueta de Blai.
After Dinner
In the Gotico area we’ll head to Manu Chao’s bar. This incredibly eclectic French singer who sings in 7 languages sometimes shows up to play guitar.
The bar is called Mariachi and is located at 14 Carrer Codols. Of course, I’ve been a little pushy with my ideas haven’t I? We’d actually be good going to any of Barcelona’s best bars.
That’s 3 perfect days in Barcelona down!
3 Day Barcelona Itinerary – Honourable Mentions
Tibidabo Mountain
Tibidabo Mountain (I will give you in Latin) is a 3 in 1: a basilica with a gigantic statue of Christ, the highest panoramic view of the city, and a 25-ride retro theme park. The latter is truly unique for the antique rides like the airplane one from 1928.
This is a must for Barcelona travelers with kids.
You can get there in 45 minutes from the Estacio del Nord with bus T2A.
If you don’t feel like the long bus ride we can just as easily spend a few hours in centrally-located Ciutadella Park. Parc de la Ciutadella is the city’s largest green space, has a zoo, and is famous for a lake where you can rent rowboats.
The Born
Despite its history of medieval jousting, the Born District is an area full of unique bars and boutique shops.
You can’t walk through without seeing Barcelona’s second Gothic behemoth: La Santa Maria del Mar. What I like about the Santa Maria del Mar is that it’s one of the best free things to do in Barcelona.
We could also check out the more than 4000 pieces at the Picasso Museum (15-24 Carrer Montcada).
Tapas Lunch in a Square
When you get hungry fill yourself up at one of my favourite El Born tapas spots: Bormuth (31 Carrer del Rec).
I mentioned it before, but if you’re up for a drink you should be drinking vermouth on your itinerary.
This a red or white aromatized wine is a massive part of Barcelona’s drinking culture. They pair perfectly at Bormuth with patatas bravas (pictured), a type of potato wedge tapa with spicy sauce.
Even better? Out here you get your first experience of true Barcelona square culture. Watching the world go by in Plaça Comercial is another Barcelona past time to check off on your list.
Raval
For those a little more rough and ready I suggest we go for a 20 minute walk to get to the ‘gentrified gem’ El Raval.
There are tons of good value bars and ethnically diverse eateries here – if you’ve skipped my tapas advice above there’s no shame getting a €5.00 curry lunch on the fly at Bishmillah (Carrer Joaquin Costa 22).
Then you can round out the afternoon going to one of my favourite contemporary museums: MACBA (the modern art museum) or the CCCB (a contemporary culture museum).
Another can’t miss in this area is the enormous bronze cat sculpture (El Gat) by renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero.
Flamenco
We round out the evening taking in a show of not only one of the most popular art forms in Spain, but the entire world.
The Barcelona flamenco shows at the Patio Andaluz have been known to bring guests to tears, and you’ll find out if you’re one of them watching the intricate dances, passionate yelps, and spirited guitar rhythms.
Shows run daily at 7:45, 9:45, and 10:10 and can include drinks and dinner.
Looking for a plan b? If you book your flamenco show at Tablao Carmen it includes free entrance to Poble Espanyol: Barcelona’s open air architecture museum.
Barcelona Itinerary Map
A good part of any Barcelona itinerary is a map with all the attractions.
Here you’ll see how I’ve bunched them all together for your Barcelona public transport convenience and to make sure you don’t go more than a small time without some good food and a drink.
3 Days in Barcelona FAQ
Is 3 days in Barcelona enough?
Three days in Barcelona is more than enough time to see all of the city’s major attractions. It also gives you enough time to see a couple secondary attractions, spend some time at the beach, and sample the city’s best food.
Should I book 3 or 4 days in Barcelona?
Most travelers looking to plan a basic Barcelona itinerary will be able to check off the city’s top sights in three days. That said, if you’re looking to add in some secondary museums, a big night out, or day trips to the Costa Brava then four or more is recommended.
What is the must see in Barcelona in 3 days?
If you’ve only got three days the must see Barcelona attractions would be La Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Casa Batllo, La Pedrera, The Gothic Quarter, and the Barceloneta beach neighbourhood.
What can you see in Barcelona in 3 days?
The average tourist with 3 days in Barcelona can see the city’s top attractions like Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, visit a couple beaches and parks, sample local Catalan food at great tapas restaurants, and have a nice night out at cocktail bars or clubs.
Planning a Barcelona 3 Day Itinerary?
That’s Barcelona in 3 days – with an extra bonus day for your troubles.
That said, if you’re missing that special something that would really tie all of this together please get a hold of me in the comments below for custom advice.
Also, don’t be afraid to join the 3 days in Barcelona itinerary discussion by joining my group I’m Off to Barcelona – here you can ask any questions, air out grievances, and chat with almost 10,000 Barcelona travelers.
You might be interested in:
-
Barcelona Travel Guide & Essential Tourist Information 2023
Tons of tips for the Barcelona virgin with discount transport passes, areas to stay, line skipping tickets, party spots, local foods, festivals, and more.
-
Get Unlimited Pocket Wifi in Barcelona From €3.15 a Day
Whether you need to catch up on work, want to keep in touch with family, or just feel like sending a few photos to friends a good pocket wifi connection is integral to modern travel. But with ridiculous roaming charges and punishing pay-as-you-go sim cards in Barcelona (€15.00 with low data, singular user) it’s hard to know where to begin. Luckily […]
-
Barcelona for Couples: 15 Romantic Things to Do in Barcelona
For this post on Barcelona for couples I’ll start by saying that Spaniards affectionately refer to their better halves as their media naranja (half orange). What I can’t actually explain is why. A cool thing to do though, right upon touchdown at Barcelona airport, is turn to your loved one and utter the words they’ve […]
-
February 25, 2020 at 6:10 pmThank you so much for all the really useful information. My vegetarian husband and I are coming to Barcelona for 3 days arriving at the airport at 16h30 on April 21st departing aon a 17h00 flight on April 24th. It's my 60th birthday on April 23rd and on April 22nd we have tickets to the Barcelona Open Tennis. Based on your information I'm thinking of the following itinerary: Tues 21st: Aerobus to Hotel 1898 arriving at about 18h00. Chill at hotel and have a drink on the terrace before heading for dinner at Rasoterra (my husband rarely gets a chance to eat in a veggie restaurant so I wanted to choose a good one for him - is this the best or would you recommend an alternative?) Weds 22nd: metro to the tennis for the day. Evening: dinner and flamenco. Thinking of Palacio del Flamenco but any better suggestion? Thurs 23rd: Sagrada Familia and Park Guell during the day. Head to Magic Fountain for 9pm show then late dinner at Plata Bistro. Fri 24th: La Boqueria and stroll down la Rambla/Gothic quarter. Then thinking of heading to Baracca or Xiringuito Escribà (any advice on which to choose?) for paella with a sea view before taking the aerobus back to the airport. What do you think? Doable? Any amendments/alternatives you'd suggest? Thanks again for your help and advice.
-
February 26, 2020 at 11:11 amHola Sue, Your itinerary seems very good and doable ;) Rasoterra for your first dinner is a good choice, moreover it's close to your hotel. Don't miss the list of our favorites vegetarian restaurants for the next days. We always suggest Palacio del Flamenco for a dinner+show, in your case it's the best place with their vegetarian option! On Friday, I highly recommend the walking tour of the Gothic quarter with our guide Alvaro at 10am, if you have enough time for a 2.5 hours tour. Then, I suggest Baracca because it's closer of the Gothic quarter and of the Aerobus. FYI, fresh paellas take around 30/40 minutes to be cooked and Barraca opens at 1pm, be careful not to be late for the airport. Cheers, Lucile
-
February 26, 2020 at 4:56 pmThank you very much for your prompt reply. Given what we're planning, would the City pass make sense for us? And should we get a Hola BCN pass too? Also, since it sounds as though paella on the beach on our departure Friday isn't going to work, is there somewhere else with a sea view closer to our hotel and the Aerobus that you could suggest, even without the paella? Many thanks again, Sue
-
February 27, 2020 at 11:10 amTo be honest, according to your current itinerary, I'm not sure the City Pass worth it... It only worth it if you use the 20% discount online at least 2/3 times, moreover I'm not sure you would have time to use the Bus Turistic included in this pass? Hola BCN cards make sense if you plan to move around only by public transports. You can have a 10% discount buying it on our shop ;) About the sea view, maybe your other option Xiringuito Escribà could still be a good idea if you go direct when it opens at 12:00. After that you can take a taxi to reach the Aerobus if needed ;) Cheers, Lucile
-
-
-
-
February 25, 2020 at 9:36 amHey, I'll start saying that your blog helped us my boyfriend and I to plan our trip to Barcelona. We are going on the first week of March from the second to the fourth. We are staying in an Airbnb in Gran via de Les Cortes Catalanes. We gonna buy all the tickets for entering the monument this week and we are also purchasing the Helo Barcelona card dor 72hours and the Barcelona night card for 2 days. We want to go clubbing for the two nights that we are staying there. First day: Check in our Airbnb then go for breakfast. Arc de triomf Placa de la Ciutadella The Picasso museum Gothic Quarter and have lanch there. Then come back to our Airbnb and go the beach and Las Rambla in the evening Second day: Sagrada Defamilia Parc Guell La Boqueria Market Montjuic Third day: We have no idea to do that day knowing that we have our flight back to Geneva at 6 pm. so we were hoping that you will help us to figure it out. PS: Are the sales still available in Spain during the week of March? If yes where should we go? Thank you Alex and Pressley
-
February 24, 2020 at 12:06 amLove your website! My husband and I will be staying in Barcelona for two nights in March at the Hotel Catalonia Sagrada Familia. What is the best way to get to La Sagrada Familia from our hotel for a 9am entry? And do you recommend the tapas tours in the evening? Thanks so much! Patti
-
February 24, 2020 at 10:35 am
Team MemberAshHi Patti, Thanks so much for the very kind words, glad to help :) Unless anybody had any particular mobility issues I would just walk. It looks to me like it's about 12-13 minutes, which is nothing in the brilliant Barcelona sunshine ;) You could also walk to Encants metro station and go one stop on the purple line to Sagrada but that seems a bit excessive to do one stop. Cheers, Ash
-
-
February 21, 2020 at 7:28 pmMay 17 -20 We are staying at Hotel SB Icaria barcelona for three days. Any suggestions for eating and sightseeing near there? What is the best options for transportation from airport to this location? Love your site. Thanks, from Florida
-
February 22, 2020 at 1:52 pmAsh, much appreciation. I look forward to being in Barcelona. Your website is 5 stars. Great job. Dominic
-
February 23, 2020 at 9:23 pm Team MemberAshThanks so much Dom! Have a nice trip :)
-
-
February 22, 2020 at 10:57 am Team MemberAshHola Dominic, There isn't much sightseeing in the area, in fact it's a very residential area with maybe just the beach as a destination. That said, you'll be really close to the Port Olimpic which has the two towers. Here there's a casino and there's also Ciutadella Park which is great for a stroll and the monumental fountain. Around there you've got three of my favorite restaurants within reasonable walking distance: Xiringiuto Escriba (for paella), Bitacora (tapas), and Madre Lievito (amazing pizza). To get there from the airport I'd grab the Aerobu to Plaça Catalunya, walk the 200 meters to Urquinaona meteo station, grab the yellow line of the metro to Bogatell, and then walk the 7-8 minutes to the hotel. It's not the best location for airport transport, but when you're checked in you'll be happy to be so close to the beach and away from the tourist chaos! Cheers, Ash
-
-
February 16, 2020 at 9:47 pmHi Ash, Your website is AMAZING! Thank you for taking the time to put all this helpful info together. My husband and I will be in Barcelona from the evening of 3/15 through EARLY Thursday morning 3/19 (our flight leaves El Prat at 7:55). I have a few questions: 1. We plan on booking lodging through Airbnb and are debating Eixample vs. Gracia. We want the balance of seeing the sites but being able to relax like locals. Do you have input? 2. Because we are flying out so early on Thursday morning, will Aerobus/public transport even be an option to get us to the airport early enough or should we book a night at a hotel nearby instead of our Airbnb? Thank you in advance for the advice. I'm on my way over to Facebook and Instagram to follow you! Andrea
-
February 17, 2020 at 1:10 pm Team MemberAshHola Andy, Thanks so much for the kind words! Always glad to help :) If you're looking for a local and more relaxed vibe then I'd go for Gracia every time. For a 7:55 flight you'll be looking at being there around 6:15... for a 35 minute trip that means you're fine if you grab the Aerobus at around 5:30. It starts running at 5:00 am and goes every 10 minutes. You could easily take the metro down there to the Aerobus spot (Plaça Catalunya) in time. Cheers, Ash
-
February 20, 2020 at 4:45 amSo, we are planning on taking your advice. We are headed to Barcelona in July with our three teenage kids. We would like to book something soon but are a little confused...do we book in Gracia or Vila de Gracia? We appreciate your help!
-
February 20, 2020 at 10:14 am Team MemberAshHi Nora, Great to hear :) Gracia and Vila de Gracia are the same thing and refer to the old village neighbourhood which only became a part of Barcelona recently. Cheers, Ash
-
-
February 17, 2020 at 9:52 pmThank you so much, Ash! That's super helpful and I really appreciate you!
-
February 18, 2020 at 1:00 pm Team MemberAshThanks so much Andy! And I appreciate you as well :)
-
-
-
-
February 16, 2020 at 4:07 amHi Ash, Thank you so much for your information's. I'm planning to visit Barcelona for 3 nights. But i ad few things to your itinerary and please check and correct me with right order. We are family of 4 with 2 Teen girls. So i'm staying bit away from the city center so what do you recommend for the site seeing. Hire the car or Public transport? Day-1 25th Arrive Mid Day from Paris . Checking Hotel. - Novatel Sant Joan Despi Passeig de Gracia Casa Batlló Casa Amatller Casa Milá CASA VICENS El Born Day 2 -26th SAGRADA FAMILIA PARK GUELL Las Ramblas Barri de Gracia Gothic Quarter Day 3 -27th Parc del Laberint d'Horta Bogatell Beach Montjuic Castle Magic Fountain Tibidabo and the Sagrat Cor Day 4 -28th Flying to Nice
-
February 17, 2020 at 12:44 pm Team MemberAshHola Cosy, You're staying quite far out but usually renting a car isn't the solution as parking can be inconvenient and inexpensive. That said, it's going to take about 40 minutes to get central using a combination of tram #3 and the metro L3 line. If you don't mind spending the extra money it'd probably save a lot of time having a car. I would ask this question to your hotel as they're probably more in tune with what the guests have preferred in the past. As for the itinerary, I'll be thinking of it as somebody taking transport... if you're doing day 1 in order I would visit the Gracia district after Casa Vicens as it's much closer. It'll be just a short walk. El Born is much further away. I'd then move El Born to day two after the Gothic Quarter as it's right next to it. For day three though you've got sights in virtually every corner of the city. It seems like it would be a travel nightmare. You would need to get a very early start and would have a lot of travel ahead of you. What do you want to do at the beach? If it's just a quick pass by you could easily put it in after your El Born visit on day two. If you have a car you can both both, but if not I would then select either one of Tibidabo or Parc del Laberint depending on preference. This would lighten the load a bit and make it easier and less stressful. My two cents! Ash
-
-
February 14, 2020 at 3:35 pmHello :) I will be traveling to Barcelona March 25-29 and wanted your opinion as to which method of transportation and what attraction pass card would be more convenient and cost effective for a group of 4 (2 adults and 2 teens 15yo+). We will be staying in the Eixample area - Carrer de Villarroel and need transportation from airport to hotel as well. We are planning to visit all of the standard tourist attractions in your , 3 DAYS IN BARCELONA: AN IDEAL ITINERARY list I just wanted to know what method of transportation and what pass cards would be best. There's a lot of information on your site but I am still confused and I would like to purchase the passes in advance. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.
-
February 15, 2020 at 8:42 pm Team MemberAshHi Michelle, If you're doing the standard 3 day itinerary and need the airport transport (Aerobus serves Eixample very well) I would definitely go for the Barcelona City Pass. You'll be able to book almost everything from the comfort of home and then even save money the more you book. As for transport you could easily just supplement this pass with an Hola Barcelona Card at 20% off with the City Pass... or if you won't be moving around much there's no shame in getting a few T-Familiar which is interpersonal and gets you 8 rides. If you're still a bit puzzled I've got a page explaining the difference between the cards, but for standard itineraries looking to tick the major boxes with entrances the City Pass is the best. Cheers, Ash
-
February 15, 2020 at 9:33 pmThank you Ash for the advice, I will definitely be getting the City pass and the Hola Barcelona card. You have a wonderful, all encompassing website and I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Have a wonderful day!
-
February 17, 2020 at 10:43 am Team MemberAshThanks so much! Have a wonderful day yourself :)
-
-
-
-
February 1, 2020 at 1:06 amHello, I have a few questions about my planned itinerary for our trip to Barcelona, and would appreciate any help. 1) We (there are 3 of us) are arriving from Granada at 20:40 on Wednesday, March 25. We are staying at the Cotton House Hotel. What is the easiest way to get from the airport to the hotel? I did purchase the Barcelona City Pass, but I do not think transportation through that card is available at that time of night. 2) Thursday we are visiting Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, Casa Vicens, and La Sagrada Familia. I booked my time for La Sagrada Familia for 16:00. Do I need to buy tickets for the others in advance, or can we just arrive with the City Pass? 3) For Friday, I was thinking we would walk from our hotel to Las Rambla all the way down to the waterfront. Then get on the hop-on hop-off bus and go to Poble Espanyol, followed by the magic fountain. What time is Poble Espanyol open until? Can we walk from there to the Magic Fountain? On the website for the magic fountain it says it is closed for maintenance, do you think it will be open by the end of March? Is there anything else up in this area that we should be sure to see? Does the hop-on hop-off bus pick up after the magic fountain show? 4) Saturday we are going to either Stiges or Girona, which do you prefer? How far in advance should I purchase train tickets? 5) Sunday we are visiting Parc Guell at 11:00 am (tickets booked), after which I thought we could do some shopping along Passeig de Gracia and visit the Gothic Quarter 6) Monday, our flight leaves for Madrid at 16:35. What time should we be at the airport? What is the best way to get to the airport from our hotel 7) What could we do Monday before we fly out? Should I schedule our itinerary some other way? Is there anything I am missing that we should really see? Thank you so much for all of your help!
-
February 1, 2020 at 3:36 pm Team MemberAshHola Amy, 1) I'd grab the Aerobus to the terminus stop at Plaça Catalunya and from here it's just a 5-10 minute walk. Will be included in your City Pass. Can't be any easier :) 2) The City Pass can only redeem the discounts by using it online with the links you've received in the email from Ticketbar. You'll need to book all of them in advance using those links. It's strongly recommended not just for the discounts but for the convenience and not risking it being sold out. 3) Poble Espanyol hours differ depending on the day but I have them all listed in my dedicated article. It's an easy downhill walk from there down to the fountains, no worries :) They'll be open by the end of March for sure. Do keep in mind though that the Bus Turistic finishes around 8:00 pm and so you won't be able to take it after, I'd just grab the metro from Espanya. Easy peasy. 4) I'd prefer Girona if it's late March and Sitges if it's in the summer. No need to book the trains in advance, you can just buy them the day of at the train station. 5) For a flight to Madrid I'd aim to be there 90 minutes in advance. You can simply take the Aerobus (as explained in #1) in reverse. 6) Before flying out on Monday you could check out one of the museums like MACBA or the CCCB, these are always good additions to the itinerary. They're also not too far from where you'll need to catch the Aerobus. I don't see any need to make any changes... it looks good to me! Please let me know if you need any more help :) Cheers, Ash
-
-
January 30, 2020 at 5:06 pmHi Ash, Thank you for crazy good website, it is very helpful! One in our party of four is gluten-free, your ideas are invaluable. We arrive in October for three nights before departing on a 12 night cruise. We have booked a full-day tour thru Barcelona Day Tours, which includes so many places, including Montserrat and so many sites in Barcelona We are staying at NH Collection Gran. Your thoughts on the area of the hotel and any other comments you may have. We booked the hotel thru CostcoTravel. Thank you!
-
January 31, 2020 at 10:52 am Team MemberAshHi Shelley, Thanks so much for the kind words! Always glad to help :) I'm not sure if you were asking about gluten free or simply complimenting me on the advice? But yeah, if you haven't seen already please take a look at my post of the best gluten free restaurants in Barcelona. It'll also give some tips on what to choose that's traditional at normal restaurants but still staying GF. As for your hotel area: you couldn't be any more central. You'll be walking distance to tons of things and near the best restaurants and bars in the city. I recommend walking up to El Nacional for a great overview of all the best there is to eat in the Iberian Peninsula. Also, make sure you see Casa Batllo and La Pedrera which are two top attractions just minutes away. Cheers, Ash
-
-
January 29, 2020 at 1:06 amHi Ash! We arrive in Barcelona at 5:00pm on a Sunday in mid-September from San Francisco and will have Sunday evening, all day Monday, and then leave for Palma Tuesday after lunch for a week. We want to eat, drink, and see everything in our limited time. We are staying at the AC Hotel Irla. Can you recommend some dinner options in the area of the hotel for our first night? Planning on following your itinerary for our one day, however, based on our location, should we mix up the order? And lastly, what can we squeeze in Tuesday morning before our flight at 2pm to Palma? Seeing some museums- Picasso, Miro, etc. is important to me as well as the cathedrals! Thanks for you advice!
-
January 29, 2020 at 10:25 am Team MemberAshHi Tina, The area where you're staying is a bit outside, still central, but not near most of the things I typically recommend. In that area I can recommend Arroseria Xativa' or Bambarol. Also close but not terribly close is the Dry Martini cocktail bar which would be a good shout for a night cap :) I don't see any need to mix up the itinerary too much based on your location... you can walk down to Entença metro station (about 12-15 min) and grab the blue line of the metro and be at Sagrada quite quickly. For the morning you could get down to Plaça Espanya and head up to the roof top of Las Arenas for a nice view... then if you had time and wanted you could hit up the MNAC - the national Catalonian art museum. Also, it wouldn't be that much further to go to the Joan Miro museum on Montjuic... so if you're up and at 'em early this is totally doable. It wouldn't take you that much to get back to the hotel, grab your bags, and get to the airport. Cheers, Ash
-
