Barcelona in 3 days: our day-by-day itinerary

In short: day 1, Gaudí (the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera) and an evening in Gràcia; day 2, the Gothic Quarter, La Boqueria, El Born and Barceloneta; day 3, Park Güell and Montjuïc hill. Book the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and Gaudí’s houses in advance.

Before you go: what to book

• The Sagrada Família: timed tickets on the official website; the tower climb is booked separately.
• Park Güell: the Monumental Zone requires a timed booking.
• Casa Batlló and La Pedrera: booking recommended, especially for evening visits.

Always check opening days and hours on the official websites: they can change.

Day 1: Gaudí and the Eixample

Morning: the Sagrada Família. Start with Gaudí’s basilica, a masterpiece still under construction, with its sculpted façades and forest of columns bathed in coloured light.

Lunch: Passeig de Gràcia. Head to Passeig de Gràcia, the Eixample’s grand avenue, lined with modernist buildings.

Afternoon: Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. Visit Casa Batlló, with its wavy, colourful façade, then La Pedrera (Casa Milà) and its rooftop of sculpted chimneys.

Evening: Gràcia. Walk up to Gràcia, its little squares and terraces, for dinner in a village atmosphere.

Day 2: the old town and the beach

Morning: the Gothic Quarter. Get lost in the medieval lanes of the Barri Gòtic: the cathedral, Plaça del Rei and palm-lined Plaça Reial.

Lunch: La Rambla and La Boqueria. Walk down La Rambla to La Boqueria market (closed on Sundays) for fruit, ham and tapas at the counter.

Afternoon: El Born. Cross to El Born: the Santa Maria del Mar basilica, the Picasso Museum and designer boutiques, then a break in Ciutadella Park.

Evening: Barceloneta. End by the sea, on Barceloneta beach, with a seafood dinner or a paella overlooking the port.

Day 3: Park Güell and Montjuïc

Morning: Park Güell. With your booked slot, discover Gaudí’s Park Güell: the terrace with its mosaic benches, the gingerbread-style houses and the view over the city.

Afternoon: Montjuïc. Reach Montjuïc hill by metro and funicular: the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) and its view, the Joan Miró Foundation, the gardens and the castle.

Evening: the Magic Fountain. At the foot of the MNAC, the Magic Fountain puts on a light and water show on some evenings (check whether it runs during your stay). Then have dinner in Poble-sec, in the tapas bars of Carrer de Blai.

A fourth day? Day trips

• Montserrat: the monastery perched in a mountain range of astonishing shapes.
• Girona: its medieval old town and colourful houses on the river.
• Sitges: beaches and an old town, south of Barcelona.

Our tips to make the most of 3 days

1. Book Gaudí’s sites as soon as your dates are set.
2. Eat late: in Barcelona, dinner rarely starts before 9 pm.
3. Take the metro: fast and dense, it links every area on this itinerary.
4. Watch out for pickpockets on La Rambla, on the metro and on the beach.
5. Dress appropriately for the Sagrada Família and churches.

Where to stay for these 3 days

The Eixample and the Gothic Quarter are ideal for this itinerary, El Born for couples. Every area is detailed in our guide Where to stay in Barcelona. To go further, see Things to do in Barcelona.