Barcelona is definitely among Europe’s most popular cities for a reason. With beautiful architecture, fabulous cuisine, and sunny skies pretty much year-round, what’s not to like? Sip on a fresh juice at La Boqueria, enjoy some fresh paella, and gape at the masterpieces of architecture liberally scattered around town– from soaring cathedrals to whimsical apartment buildings, romantic boulevards, and leafy parks.
However, be warned that, while beautiful, Barcelona is a heavily, heavily urban place. Not just the capital of Catalonia, it’s also Spain’s 2nd-largest city, with almost 5 million people calling the Greater Barcelona area home.
This translates to a very hectic, frenetic pace of life, with the subways always crowded, streets congested, and pretty pricey accommodations and dining. It’s best to pace yourself during your visit, especially if you visit in the heat of the summer, which is no joke.
Relatedly, there’s so much to do in Barcelona that it can be a bit overwhelming… and also easy to overdo it. For that reason, this itinerary may not be for the faint of heart, as it jam packs a lot into two days.
We also really recommend taking a day trip to Montserrat from Barcelona if you have the extra time, for a bit of a break from the city and a chance to see something different (and splendid!)
We’ve grouped our recommendations by location, since it’s easiest to take the metro around town, hopping on and off to see the different sites.
Barcelona’s El Prat airport is one of the biggest hubs in Europe, with loads of flights coming in and out per day to a variety of locations. To get to the city center from the airport, you can take the metro or a special bus called the Aerobus, which drops you off in Plaça Espanya or Plaça Catalunya. Both are really central places in the city, and it’s easy to hop onto the metro from there if you need to connect elsewhere.
Note: if you’re coming from Paris or elsewhere in Spain (Madrid, Seville, etc.), consider the high-speed train instead!
Recommended Reading
Staying There
There are loads of options for places to stay in Barcelona, particularly due to the super well-connected metro system. This makes it so that you don’t necessarily have to stay in the city center to be close to lots of attractions.
We ended up staying in the Les Corts area, near Camp Nou (where FC Barcelona plays.) This was a fabulous choice– really central (less than 10 minutes from the city center by metro), but still quiet and peaceful at night, with much cheaper accommodation than closer to the city center.
How to Spend a Great Weekend in Barcelona
Day 1
1. Start your day in the Mercado Boqueria
While definitely touristy, the Mercado Boqueria is full to the brim with goodies: fresh-squeezed juices in a rainbow of vibrant colors, delicious fruits, veggies, meats, and cheeses; turrón, candy, and baked goods galore; and a surprising amount of vegetarian and vegan options. From there, walk along iconic La Rambla to Rambla De Mar shopping area.
2. Explore the Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter)
Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, the city’s historic center, is dreamy, a little gritty, and totally enchanting. Its narrow streets date back to medieval times, today packed with restaurants and shops to pop in and out of. However, fun fact– many of the buildings only appear to be medieval, instead having been renovated in a Gothic style to impress visitors coming to Barcelona for the 1929 International Exhibition.
Forming part of the Ciutat Vella (Old City), it encompasses the area from the Rambla to Via Laietana, including El Call, the medieval Jewish quarter, and the city’s original Roman walls. The Gothic Quarter is a fabulous place for photos as the light hits the buildings, and you can check out the Pignatelli Palace (Royal Artistic Circle of Barcelona) and the Barcelona City Hall nearby, with Plaça Sant Jaume a particularly cute area to linger in.
Before leaving the Gothic Quarter, of course don’t miss the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, AKA the Barcelona Cathedral. The seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona, the cathedral dates all the way back to the 1200s, finally completed in 1448. Don’t miss the gargoyles on the roof. The cathedral is named after Eulalia of Barcelona, the co-patron saint of the city.
3. Marvel at the Basílica Santa Maria del Mar
In the nearby Ribera district (still in Ciutat Vella) lies one of the most spectacular churches in Spain– Santa Maria del Mar. Hot tip: if you’re choosing 1 church to pay admission for, choose this one! Also called the Cathedral of the Sea, there’s a popular Spanish TV drama called “La catedral del mar” that you can check out before your visit.
There’s evidence of a church of some sort existing there since the late 900s, but the church in its current iteration was under construction from 1329 to 1383. It’s hard to even fathom something so, so massive being so, so old, but here we are!
Unfortunately, much of the church’s interior (dating back to Baroque times) was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War, but impressively, the structure itself is totally fine– despite having been on fire for 11 days during this time. Again, it’s absolutely mind-boggling to conceptualize a structure dating back to the 1300s surviving being on fire for over a week totally sound!
Elsewhere in Ribera, check out the Museu Picasso and the Museu Barbier-Mueller d’Art Precolombí, and be sure to stop at the beautiful Parc de la Ciutadella.
4. Have a drink or two at Barceloneta Beach
As you leave the Ribera district, walk through hip El Born (stopping at Mercat del Born if you’re so inclined) to the Barceloneta neighborhood. Interestingly, this neighborhood definitely didn’t always exist– it was built in the 18th century because so many residents of Ribera were displaced by the construction of the Ciutadella Park. In fact, until the 17th century it was totally underwater. Today, it’s home to bars, clubs, and restaurants with amazing waterfront views, often considered the best place to order fresh fish or paella in all of Barcelona.
Bonus: Day 1 or Day 2
Take the teleférico to Montjuïc Castle
Montjuïc is a good bonus activity for day 1 or day 2, since it’s easily accessible by public transit but further towards the south of the city than the other main attractions. To get there, first take the Funicular de Montjuïc from Parallel metro stop (you’ll see a fancy green sign.) Then change to the Telefèric dé Montjuïc cable car, which takes you the rest of the way up the mountain to the castle and fortifications.
The park and nightly magic fountain shows are free, and it’s a lovely place to stroll around and explore. The castle is an old military fort that dates back to the 1600s, made infamous as a prison during the Spanish Civil War. While the castle and grounds are a beautiful and serene place today, it’s important to remember that this was the site of a lot of bloodshed and suffering in the not-so-distant past.
Day 2
1. Start your day at the Sagrada Família
No trip to Barcelona is complete without a visit to the Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, AKA the Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s as yet unfinished masterpiece. Construction began in 1882 and has hit all manner of snags ever since, including Gaudí’s death, the Spanish Civil War, and a fire in the crypt destroying many of the original plans. Only 1/4 done at the time of Gaudí’s death in 1926, construction did not pass the halfway point until 2010, and today many of the outside spires still remain incomplete.
However, don’t let the work-in-progress status deter you. We heard from some friends and other blogs that the Sagrada Família wasn’t worth visiting, and indeed, the 26€ entry price is staggeringly expensive for a religious site. After visiting, though, we couldn’t disagree more– it’s definitely worth going inside, and the entry price, while really (really) pricey, is worth budgeting for. You’ll admire the soaring ceilings, see the sun sparkling from the breathtaking stained glass windows, and see Gaudí’s workshop and a timeline of the construction. The supporting columns are designed to look like trees stretching towards the sky, and every single millimeter is decorative and meaningful. As you walk around the outside, you can learn about the significance of the towering spires and 3 façades. The audio guide is fantastic and well-worth downloading.
Note that it is critical to get your tickets in advance, as well as to book for the earliest time slot at 9AM, when it opens. The Sagrada Família is the most-visited place in all of Spain, and it gets absolutely jammed with visitors year-round. It’s definitely worth it to arrive a bit early to be one of the first people in line– you’ll notice when you’re leaving that it will already be packed with visitors, and it really lessens the majesty of the experience of jostling around other people while you’re there.
2. Stroll along the Passeig de Gràcia shopping street
Called the “Champs Elysées of Barcelona” the Passeig de Gràcia is a sprawling, leafy shopping street packed with pricey stores– reflecting its status as the most expensive real estate in all of Spain. Dominating the Eixample area, the massive boulevard spans the areas from central Plaça Catalunya to Carrer Gran de Gràcia. Home to loads of examples of the Catalan Modernism style, as well as Gaudí’s Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, the street dates all the way back to modern times and is timeless, elegant, and beautiful.
3. Walk by some of Gaudí’s most famous exteriors
As mentioned above, there are some spectacular examples of Gaudí architecture located around the Passeig de Gràcia area. One of Barcelona’s most famous sons, the artistry of Gaudí is absolutely in a class of its own, with playful curves, joyful colors, and a mix of styles. You may find yourself thinking “this shouldn’t work, but it does!” as you gaze at his whimsical creations. Casa Milà, Casa Batlló, and Casa Vicens are all visible from the street and absolutely worth a peek, even if you don’t decide to go in.
Everyone disagrees on their favorite, but ours was definitely Casa Batlló. There was quite a line to get in, but we regret not waiting– definitely something to consider for your visit. If we go back to Barcelona, we’ll absolutely go inside.
4. Check out the best views in the city at Parc Güell
As you leave the Passeig de Gràcia and enter the Gràcia area proper, you’ll find another of Barcelona’s can’t-miss attractions: Parc Güell. Another Gaudí masterpiece and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the park is packed with the symbols, myths, and religious iconography that Gaudí was so inspired by. From its serpentine mosaic benches to the colorful mosaic salamander called “el drac” (the dragon) and the 3 iconic crosses atop the Turó de les Tres Creus (Calvary) hill, exploring Parc Güell is simply magical.
Note that it’s a bit of an uphill trek to get there, and takes about 15-20 minutes from the closest metro stop (Lesseps.) We went during the peak heat of the day and can’t say we recommend that, as the park is a bit dusty.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to colorful, chaotic, and fun Barcelona. If you have an extra day, don’t miss a visit to serene Montserrat, a beautiful and serene counterpoint to Barcelona’s urban charm, easily accessible by public transport.
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