Are you planning a trip to Barcelona and only have 3 days to perfect your itinerary? Worry not! 3 days is the perfect amount of time in Barcelona to squeeze in all the best sites.
Barcelona is one of the most popular destinations in Europe and by far one of my favorites cities. From amazing beaches, famous artwork (especially by well know Spanish artist Antoni Gaudí), fruit markets, tapas, extraordinary cathedrals, museums, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and sangria (!), there are tons of things to do, see, and eat.
I have been fortunate to visit Barcelona multiple times and I never tire of exploring some of my favorite places. I have put together what I believe is the perfect 3 day Barcelona itinerary for your first trip to this amazing Spanish city.
3 Day Barcelona Itinerary: Day One
Art and Architecture
Your first day in Barcelona will begin with you visiting some of the most famous Gaudí designed attractions.
La Sagrada Família
The Basílica de la Sagrada Família, designed by Antoni Gaudí, is an incredible architectural feat of a cathedral. While is started being built in 1882, it is still under construction today. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a work of art.
Gaudí had Nature in mind when we was designing the cathedral. Columns meant to resemble trees and creatures of the forests are hidden throughout the designs. Also, because Gaudí believe human art should not outdo that of God, he kept the cathedral shorter than nearby Montjuic Hill.
Some people find the cathedral to be not so pretty. I, however, find the unique design to be spectacular. The work of Antoni Gaudí is entirely his own original design, which is a marvelous thing in a world full of unoriginal designs and cathedrals that all look the same.
I recommend buying a ticket for the Sagrada Família ahead of time online (currently only online tickets are available). Make sure to be modestly covered in your visit, or they may not let you in. Your visit may take you anywhere from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.
Park Güell
Park Güell is another unique design of Antoni Gaudí. The park has colorful tiled benches, strange (yet cool) looking buildings, and funky rock formations. It also sports a beautiful view of Barcelona.
I highly enjoyed visiting Park Güell and I think it is a must see when visiting Barcelona.
I recommend booking your ticket ahead of time online to avoid waiting in line.
Gaudí Architecture
You’re going to continue this little Gaudí tour by visiting some other his other architectural wonders. If the tickets are too pricey, you can view from just the outside. There are a number of locations you can choose from. These include:
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Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló is a uniquely crafted building and another favorite Gaudí design of many.
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Casa Amatller
This building is right next to Casa Batlló. Inside of it is a yummy little chocolate store selling Amatller chocolate. The melted chocolate is to die for.
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Casa Milà
A bit less popular than Casa Batlló, Casa Milà is never as busy. You can buy tickets and go inside, or simply check it out from the outside as you walk past.
3 Day Barcelona Itinerary: Day Two
The Old City
In your second day you will explore some of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Barcelona.
Explore the Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona lies nearer to the ocean and is beautiful twisty labyrinth of old cobblestone streets. This is one of the most beautiful areas of Barcelona. It’s filled with cute little boutique shops, cafes, and amazing stone cathedrals.
You can spend your morning wandering these beautiful streets and visiting various stores and landmarks.
Gothic District 15th century cathedrals include:
- Santa Maria del Mar
- Romance Catholic Archdiocese of Barcelona
Picasso Museum
The Picasso Museum host a treasure trove of Picasso paintings, one of the most influential Spanish artists of the 20th century. If you love Picasso or art in general, I definitely recommend stopping by to check out some of his work.
The museum is about a 3 minute walk from Santa Maria del Mar. You should book your ticket ahead of time online. Book it in advance to avoid them running out.
Las Ramblas
Las Ramblas is one of the main walking streets in Barcelona, connecting the Christopher Columbus monument to Plaça de Catalunya (a shopping square). It’s lined on both sides of the street with many stores and places to eat, as well as beautiful trees lining the walkway. Many restaurants set tables up outside, which is a great place to get dinner (though a bit pricey).
How to get there: Since you are coming from the Gothic district, you should start at the Christopher Columbus memorial and walk inland. You can easily walk to the starting point or save time by taking the subway. The closest one is metro station Drassanes and you can take L3.
Mercado de la Boquería
Mercado de la Boquería is a large market selling all kinds of fruits, juices, meats, fish, nuts, candy, and chocolate. I highly recommend buying some fresh fruit and trying a couple of the juices (2 euros for a small cup).
The entrance to la Boquería is situated about halfway down Las Ramblas. You can stop for a moment on your walk and enjoy a delicious snack.
3 Day Barcelona Itinerary: Day Three
Montjuïc and Barceloneta
Montjuic Hill and Harbor Cable Car
Montjuic lies in the southwest part of Barcelona, a tall hill with a flat top overlooking the harbor and city center. You can either walk or take the cable car up to the top of the hill. I definitely recommend taking the cable car up and walking down.
Here are some things you can see on Montjuic:
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Montjuic Castle
Sitting at the top of the hill, this historical imposing fortress offers impressive views of the city.
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Joan Miro Foundation
Joan Miro is another famous Spanish artist. This museum hosts over 14,000 of his pieces.
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Poble Espanyol
Poble Espanyol is a lovely little pretend Spanish village that was supposed to be destroyed after an International Fair in 1929. It’s still there, however, to this day, and acts as a sort of live Spanish culture museum.
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The Olympic Ring
The Olympic Rings from the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona is still standing. You can check out the ring from the outside, or you can also go to the Olympic and Sport Museum.
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National Museum of Catalan Art
This museum is spectacular on the outside. Though I did not venture in, I have heard that there are wonderful collections of modern art by some of the most famous painters (Dali, Picasso, etc).
Explore La Barceloneta
After you spent your morning wandering around Montjuic Hill, head back down and into the Barceloneta beach area for the rest of the day. There are lots of cute streets definitely worth exploring.
I also recommend walking out on the peninsula and along the Barceloneta beach front. Grab a bathing suit and go for a swim or simply enjoy the view. It is a very beautiful stroll and there are tons of restaurants near the beach that are perfect for getting dinner at.
More Fun Things to do in Barcelona
If you have more time, there are tons of other fun and exciting things to do in Barcelona. Here are are few options for you to choose from:
Girona Day Trip
I had the most amazing time on my trip to Girona. It was for sure one of the most beautiful Spanish towns I have ever seen. The old architecture of the “Game of Thrones” cathedral blew me away. I highly recommend taking a trip here if you have the time.
Montserrat Day Trip
You can also take a day trip to Montserrat mountain range outside of Barcelona. On top of one mountain lies a Benedictine monastery Though I have not gone, I hear the views over the Catalonian region are absolutely incredible.
Mediterranean catamaran ride
I spent half a day on a catamaran ride that I paid for via Airbnb experiences. It was so much fun jumping off the boat into the bright blue Mediterranean sea. They also often serve free cava, the bubbly Spanish wine popular in the region.
I hope you have a wonderful trip to Barcelona!
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