Thinking about doing Barcelona in one day?
If you’re on limited time then I’ve got the perfect one day Barcelona itinerary for you.
I’m gonna make sure there’s a balance of top attractions, epic local eats, and a couple off the beaten path options – so whether on a layover, a cruise-ship stop, or just too busy here it is:
The perfect one day Barcelona plan.
Barcelona in One Day Itinerary
Getting Central
The clock is ticking so if you’re at the airport take a 20 minute Barcelona taxi for about €30.00.
Other Barcelona airport transport options include the airport train in Terminal 2 (€2.40, 25 minutes but limited departures) or the Aerobus (€5.90, 35 minutes, departing every 5 minutes).
If you’re at the Barcelona cruise ship terminal grab the Autobus Azul shuttle to the famous La Rambla and get on the green line of the Barcelona metro at Drassanes, change at Diagonal (blue line L5) and head to La Sagrada Familia church.
Arriving by train? From Sants Estacio grab the blue line of the metro to Sagrada Familia.
Remember: the best way to see Barcelona in one day is using the metro so grab yourself a Barcelona map and roll.
If you need left luggage check out the central Barcelona left luggage option from just €4.50 at Barcelona Turisme.
Stop #1 – the Sagrada Familia (2 hours)
Yeah yeah, every city in Europe has an enormous Roman Catholic church: but Sagrada Familia just hits different.
This spiky UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by wonder-architect Antoni Gaudi is by far Barcelona’s most visited tourist destination. It’s so detailed that has been under construction for over 130 years.
With over three million annual visitors the lines will stretch into the hours especially during summer.
Go for the English guided tour of Sagrada Familia for the full experience.
Related: Is Sagrada Familia Worth It?
Stop #2 – Passeig de Gracia (1.5 hours)
Take the metro back to Diagonal (blue line, L5) and exit at Passeig de Gracia – Barcelona’s most stylish street known for Barcelona’s best shopping and architecture.
Walk towards the sea, you’ll know because there’s a slight downward slope. Stop in and visit any of the world’s top brands but remember, if you visit Barcelona in one day time is better spent visiting Barcelona’s world-renowned architectural masterpieces.
The Casa Batllo and Casa Mila are both truly original art nouveau mansions that at the very least need to be appreciated from the outside. Look up and stand in awe.
Related: Is La Pedrera Worth it?
Stop #3 – Lunch at El Nacional (1 hour)
El Nacional is Barcelona’s newest sensation.
Here you can find multiple of Barcelona’s best bars: a cocktail bar, a beer bar, a wine bar, and an oyster bar under one roof? There’s also multiple of Barcelona’s top restaurants each specializing in meat, fish, and tapas respectively.
Each cooks using only traditional recipes from the Iberian Peninsula and I’m telling you eating top quality Spanish cuisine is easily one of the top things to do in Barcelona in one day.
You’ll find it at 24 Passeig de Gracia.
Stop #4 – Placa Catalunya (30 minutes)
At the bottom of Passeig de Gracia you’ll find Barcelona’s biggest square and a can’t miss on any one day tour. It’s the city’s true centre and a border of sorts between the old city and the new.
Spend a few minutes dodging the pigeons and contemplating life’s most intricate mysteries, or if you’ve still got the shopping bug duck into the city’s largest department store: El Corte Ingles.
Stop #5 – La Rambla (1 hour)
Just south of Placa Catalunya you’ll find the famous Las Ramblas.
This street that never sleeps is the door into the famous Gothic Quarter. Sure, there are tons of tourist traps to avoid here but you have to see it and at least you’ll get one of Barcelona’s best markets.
Ignore the street salesmen, fast food restaurants, and overpriced souvenir shops and soon La Boqueria Market will appear on your right hand side. Sample some great Serrano ham and get yourself a fresh 1 euro fruit shake. You’ll need the vitamins for the rest of the walk.
At the bottom of La Rambla take a left at the Columbus Statue and follow Passeig de Colom for 10-15 minutes.
Stop #6 – Fresh Air and a Drink in Barceloneta (2 hours)
Feel the sea breeze in Barcelona’s beach neighbourhood – now you’re officially on holiday! It may not be the top of the best beaches in Barcelona but if you’re doing Barcelona in one day you can’t wander far.
The people watching here is amazing and it’s another classic place for photographs.
If you’re looking for a drink head to La Xampanyeria (Carrer de la Reina Cristina 7) for cheap bottles of rose wine or Bar Leo (34 Carrer Sant Carles) on a weekend afternoon – you’ll likely get a Spanish guitar performance.
Finish the night in the neighbourhood with a Spanish classic: Barcelona’s best paella. You can’t miss going to 7 Portes if it’s quality you’re after, and my favourite seafood restaurant in the area is Somorrostro.
Still Wondering How to Do Barcelona in 1 Day?
Was my Barcelona in one day advice a little too flat for your tastes? Drop me a line below and I’ll help you plan it out more thoroughly with some custom advice.
And there it is! An eight hour shift in one of Europe’s best cities. Do book another ticket back now.
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September 28, 2022 at 12:17 amHi Ash. I am reaching Barcelona on 25 Oct at 04:00 pm and leaving 27 Oct 09:00am with my wife and son. Can you please help me with a compact tour programme. Regards,
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September 28, 2022 at 10:03 pm
Team MemberAshHi Madi, I am not sure what you mean by compact tour program? The day itinerary above is a very good start. That said, not knowing the age of your son and your likes and dislikes it's very hard for me to come up with something custom. Please let me know a little more about yourselves. In the end, as a primary suggestion I would say to take a look at my Barcelona itinerary post and try to do day one on Oct 26th (your only full day). I would do Park Guell on the evening of the 25th as well as the aperitivo and dinner options, or you could throw in the Barceloneta and Born neighbourhoods in that spot too. Cheers,
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June 12, 2022 at 11:36 pmHi! I am arriving Barcelona on the 14th evening and have to take the flight to Rome on 16th morning. So it's a little more than a day and am travelling solo. Hears too much about tourist traps and pickpocket.. how safe is it for a solo female traveller? Also tips to purchase metro and bus tickets pls..
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June 13, 2022 at 2:38 pm Team MemberAshHi Satkirti, Unless you're wandering around late at night near La Rambla or in the El Raval neighbourhood you should be totally fine. Just make sure you're very conscious of where your wallet is and don't leave your bag or mobile out in the open/not attended. When you arrive just go to any metro station and buy a 10 ride transport pass at the machines. Will be good for metro and bus. Cheers,
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October 17, 2020 at 5:11 amInternational flight arriving Barcelona at 11:50 AM and Cruise departing the following day and arriving from cruise at 5 AM and departing flight back to New York at 5:10 PM. So half day before the cruise and another half day after the cruise. What should we do? Any suggestions will be truly appreciated.
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October 20, 2020 at 5:52 am Team MemberAshHi Ruben, Thanks for writing in! When exactly do you have this trip planned for and from where? I don't have many people writing with plans these days, it's almost shocking haha. As for your question... I would simply divide the one day itinerary above in two. Start day one at Sagrada Familia, work your way down Passeig de Gracia and then have dinner at El Nacional (instead of lunch). Then when you're back from the cruise you can start the half day 2 at La Rambla (you'll be dropped off at the bottom of it with the Cruise Bus) and work your way up to Plaça Catalunya. From here I'd cut over through El Born back down to the beach neighbourhood of Barceloneta. This way you ensure you see the biggest attractions given your limited time. Please let me know if you have any more questions! Always here to help :) Cheers, Ash
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February 24, 2020 at 5:05 pmHi Ash, Great website with lots of ideas for things to do and see, Im going over by myself for a day and this page will come in very handy! Thank you! Cheers, Rich
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September 28, 2020 at 12:16 pmHi Ash, I absolutely loved the day and all the plan, I followed it all and even added some more like visiting the Gòtic quarter and the National Geography Women exhibition. instead of eating lunch at EL National I had lunch at Ciutut Comtal. It was definitely worth the 40 minutes wait for a table.
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October 5, 2020 at 8:54 pm Team MemberAshThat's so great to hear Mimi! :) I like how you made the ideas your own with some stops aside... and yeah, Ciutat Comtal is a great restaurant option for all those reading!
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February 25, 2020 at 10:24 am Team MemberAshThanks so much Richard! :)
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February 16, 2020 at 8:49 pmI am meeting a friend in Barcelona for the first day of a cruise, I arrive early morning and she arrives in the evening. Where is it safe for me to explore in the city before she arrives? I have also heard that there are rooftop bars near the beach to go to watch the sunset (we are traveling in May so the sunset is around 8pm) - any recommendations? We then have 1 day (until 6pm) to see Barcelona - thanks for the suggested itinerary! We will use it to replace/supplement the cruise's included excursions!
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February 17, 2020 at 1:00 pm Team MemberAshHi Michelle, During the day all of the city's areas are safe to explore! Don't worry about all the pickpocket drama you'll read about... the odds of something happening are so low. I would get right into it with a walk through the Gothic Quarter and check out some of the stuff there. It'll be the easiest thing to do as all the airport transport like Aerobus terminates there. The only well known beachside roof top bar you'll find at the W Hotel. It's quite posh but one of the best in the city. Other than this you'll get a view of the Med from the Hotel Grand Central... it's my favourite one, great views and cocktails! Try and fit it in, it's just off from the Gothic Quarter so would be easy to get to. Cheers, Ash
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February 15, 2020 at 7:24 pmFlying into Barcelona, but staying in Salou for a week. My boyfriend and I want to spend some time in Barcelona the day we arrive and also take a bus there for another day trip. Suggestions?
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February 15, 2020 at 9:10 pm Team MemberAshHola Karly, I am full of suggestions ;) but not sure what you mean? This website is full of maybe 1000 suggestions including this one day post for a day trip... did you have something custom in mind that you needed? If I had to see just a few things I'd do Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and Casa Batllo... then just enjoy the beach, drink some vermouth, and soak up the sights and sounds of the city. Cheers, Ash
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December 27, 2019 at 5:17 amWhat could be a nice itinueary for Madrid for a 2 day stay there? What else is there to do in Barcelona?
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December 8, 2019 at 5:33 pmHi Ash, Your site has been a great source of info in planning my Spain trip with friends. We are from India and barring me everyone else is Vegetarian. Any recommendations on veg eateries, especially restaurants that serve both veg food as well as awesome Tapas, Jamon, Paella that I could partake in? Next question - we are visiting in December 2019. Would you recommend visiting the beach at this time of the year?
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December 9, 2019 at 2:40 pm Team MemberAshHi Vidhya, Thanks for your kind words! Always glad to help :) I will steer you first to my post on vegetarian restaurants in Barcelona because I couldn't have worded it any better than there. You'll find all sorts of places. particularly I would recommend Season. For paella all of the restaurants I mention in my paella article can do vegetarian versions. As for the beach... it is sunny most days but you won't be able to swim or have any sort of traditional beach day out. It's too cold for that. It is quite a nice place to have a walk though in the afternoon. Cheers, Ash
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May 24, 2022 at 2:06 pmHi, id add going to the Colombus Monument and the Barcelona port nearby for some nice waves instead of the beach. Really nice place and tou could take a boat ride around the place. Really beautiful
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May 24, 2022 at 2:16 pm Team MemberAshNice tips, Aaron! One thing, did you go to the top of the Columbus Monument? I've heard from multiple people that it's really claustrophobic.
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October 4, 2019 at 10:22 pmHi Ash My boyfriend is visiting me in Barcelona for four nights (10/11 - 10/14). Where is the best Paella? Best bar scene? Romantic spots in the city that won't be a huge commute? I want to plan a really nice weekend with activities but not an overwhelming or exhausting experience. We are looking for fun and adventurous.
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October 5, 2019 at 12:26 pm Team MemberAshHi Miranda, I couldn't have worded it any better than in my list of best paella restaurants and best romantic ideas in Barcelona. For couples I would say the best bar scene is in the El Born area and specifically the area around Passeig del Born and the cocktail bar Paradiso. Take a look! And let me know if you still have any more questions :) Ash
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September 8, 2019 at 3:05 amHi Ash! So I'm flying to Barcelona in early October with two teenagers and a husband. We'd like to see as much of the area and beyond as we can in a week. The plan is to rent a car and make a loop down the coast (Valencia), go east up to Bilbao and back to Barcelona. I know - ambitious! So as we arrive in Barcelona, I'm thinking we should rent a car from the airport and drive to our hotel. Still not sure where to stay - on the coast or in the city? We're not drinkers, but we are eaters and love to find those local favorites that are less expensive but still classic deliciousness and not as well known. Know of any? Do you have an opinion on where I should be looking for a hotel or if I should trust AirB&B? Should we plan on keeping our car at the hotel and take public transportation around to the sites you suggested (parking is hard to find/expensive)?
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September 9, 2019 at 10:58 am Team MemberAshHi Kara, First off let me say that Barcelona is so well connected via public transit that it would hardly make any sense just renting a car and keeping it in a parkade for a few days. Not to mention the fact that parking is often expensive and can run you like €30.00 a day or more. I've lived here 9 years and maybe twice did I ever wish I had a car... and it was when I was going outside the city. It would make more sense to me to get the car the day you're ready to leave... or maybe get it if you're going up the coast, though I'm not sure what you mean by that. Do you mean staying in a neighbourhood along the water? Or up the coast in a small down? I've got an entire list of the best things to eat in Barcelona as well as the best restaurants. I try to keep them local and fairly reasonably priced... if you've had a look there and still haven't found what you're looking for please let me know. I have a post on the best areas to stay in Barcelona. You should take a look there first and determine the area, then click on the buttons to go to a list of hotels which you can search by amenity. Without knowing your budget and needs it's tough... though in general for families I would recommend El Born or Gracia as they're both a bit more relaxed and authentic. Cheers, Ash
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