
Craggy mountains looming over ancient architecture, decadent tapas and cava at neighborhood restaurants, twisting and colorful Gaudí architecture blending the old and new—Barcelona, Spain truly has more than you could see in a lifetime! But luckily for you, this 3 days in Barcelona Itinerary is going to help you hit the highlights of this Catalan capital that is on many European bucket lists.
Barcelona is a special, unique place that beckons you back time and time again; in fact, a lot of the foreign residents came for a visit and decided they absolutely had to move there. If you are ready to take that risk, Barcelona will not disappoint.
3 days in Barcelona will just scrape the surface of what the city has to offer, but it will give you enough of a taste that you will fall in love with the food, sights, and sounds of this busy, beautiful, artistic city.
Table of Contents
Psst: Looking for more things to do in Barcelona during your trip? We’ve got a post about our favorite food & wine tour in Barcelona, which we highly recommend. We also have more posts on travel in Europe.
- The Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Barcelona, Spain
- The Perfect Barcelona Food Tour: Tapas and Spanish Wine in Barcelona
- Where to Stay in Barcelona (& Where NOT to)
Psst: Download our self-guided Barcelona walking tour created by a Barcelona resident! It’s the perfect way to spend a day seeing the city on foot.
Barcelona At-a-Glance ✍
Here’s a bite-sized snapshot of everything you need to know to plan your trip!
- When to Go: Visit in spring for blooming flowers and perfect weather.
- Where to Stay: We recommend staying in the Gothic Quarter at Barcelona Hotel Colonial, or in El Born at Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella. More details in our guide to where to stay in Barcelona.
- How to Get Around: You can walk or use metro, buses, tram and suburban rail to get around Barcelona – they all share a fare system. We recommend an Hola Barcelona travel card covering the duration of your stay for unlimited rides on all transit to make things simple.
- Top 3 Highlights: Do our free self-guided Barcelona Walking Tour. Take a walking food tour, or get a taste of Barcelona after dark on a Tapas, Taverns & History Tour. Visit Gaudi’s otherwordly Sagrada Familia (we recommend a skip the line ticket and Park Güell).

3 Days in Barcelona FAQ’s
The best way to experience Barcelona is a combination of living it up like a tourist and also discovering local hideaways and lesser-known sites. Don’t listen to the hype of the main route of La Rambla—we have often seen people say that you must sit in a restaurant on La Rambla and watch the world go by. But no, most people who live in Barcelona avoid La Rambla when possible, and the general rule is that if the restaurant menu has photos of the food on it, then it is a tourist trap and likely not very good.
So here are our top tips for your 3 days in Barcelona!
How Do I Get To Barcelona?
Barcelona is easily accessible by plane, with flights landing at El Prat Airport. From there, you can either take the Barcelona Metro into the city or the Aerobús to the city center.
Barcelona Sants Station is also an international train station with high-speed trains to France and other parts of Spain. If you are arriving here from somewhere else in Europe or heading out on a longer trip, this is a great place to base yourself for a few days.
Another option is to reserve a shuttle with Bookaway, check routes and reserve in advance particularly in busy seasons.
What’s the best time to visit Barcelona?
The best time to visit is late September to late November. The weather is great, you have warm days without suffering from the humidity, and you avoid rain showers. The city has started to return to normal after the chaotic summer season, and the tourist crowds have generally eased. Similarly, Spring is also a great time to visit, from late April to early June it is around 64F (18c); the trees are all in flower, and the city is covered in purple and yellow blooms. Just anticipate a few rain showers and cooler nights.
Being in southern Europe, you may assume Barcelona is warm all year round, you would be sort of right… Winters aren’t especially hard, there is a little rain, and some weeks are “colder”, usually around 59F (15C), so it isn’t so cold you don’t want to spend the day strolling the streets. In fact, if you time it well and pack a warm coat, winter can be a great time to visit. You avoid a lot of the crowds, and drinking a good Spanish red wine under a terrace heater on a cobbled Barcelona street is about as stereotypically local as it gets.
The summer is not the time to make the most of the city. In August, many Catalans take their holidays and many things just close for the whole month. Some start earlier in July. The weather is also HOT and VERY humid, think 85F (29C) and over 65% humidity. Walking anywhere is a sweaty, exhausting experience, and using public transportation is packed with people also not wanting to walk the hot streets to their destination. Avoid July and August unless you absolutely have to.

Things To Know Before Visiting Barcelona?
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, an Autonomous region of Spain, which means it has its own government and, in some ways, operates independently of the central government of Spain in Madrid. Think of it kind of similar to states within America, except the extra detail is that Catalonia also has its own language, Catalan, which is quite different from Castellano Spanish. Once you tune your ear, you will be able to work out who is speaking Spanish and who is speaking Catalan.
Attempt Speaking Spanish/Catalan
Despite being a very popular tourist destination, the locals do have some resistance to anyone who doesn’t try to speak their language. Learn a few basic phrases in Spanish, enough for greetings and ordering the basics of food and drink, and it will go a long way. Chances are, if you attempt it in Spanish, they will reply in English, so make the effort, and they will appreciate it. Extra points if you try in Catalan!
Download Travel Apps
Download the TMB app to work out journeys on the metro and bus system around the city. It has a great journey planner feature, so you can work out how to get from place to place pretty easily. If you feel like exploring on 2 wheels, then download Yego, which has scooters you can pick up around the city and zip around like a true European!
Be Wary of Pickpockets
Pickpockets are a very real problem in Barcelona; if you think you are being careful, be even more careful. Don’t wear expensive jewelry or watches, and carry a bag that is zipped and secure. And be very careful with your phone, when using it in public places, have it attached to you by a strap, NEVER put it in your pocket— secure bag only.
I always carry a bag that can be tied to my chair, so when enjoying delicious tapas and cava on a street terrace, I can focus on enjoying my food rather than keeping a constant eye on my bag.
You don’t need to wander around in a state of fear, but just be very aware that if someone is getting close to you or making a distraction, it is quite likely not a good thing. I know a lot of people who have lived here for years and never been robbed, but I also regularly hear of tourists losing everything. So be mindful and your trip will go without a hitch.

3 Days in Barcelona Itinerary
This itinerary is the perfect 3 days in Barcelona to discover the best parts while also leaving time to enjoy long lunches and sunsets overlooking the city. You can do this over a weekend, or any 3 days in the week—you likely won’t be affected by the opening times changing. But check ahead just in case!
Day 1: Old Town exploring, Gaudí gazing, and art
Welcome to Barcelona! Once you arrive in the city from the airport, head straight to your hotel. I do not recommend wandering around with your luggage, even if it is just a backpack! Take it to your hotel and if you have arrived before check-in, they will most likely be happy to store your luggage until you can return and check in.
Once that is done, you are probably going to be hungry, which is perfect because Barcelona is a hot spot for delicious food!
- Tip: If your hotel isn’t able to store your luggage, use LuggageHero. This service helps you find a safe place to keep your luggage while you’re running around, so you don’t stand out like a blatant tourist! Use the code PRACTICALW for 2 hours of free luggage storage on us.
To start with, we are going to get cultural and explore the old part of the city, El Born. The small streets winding off larger avenues and the Gothic architecture is a great place to stroll and get lost. The streets are packed with cute boutiques, bars, and oddities—it is one of my favorite places to be in the city.
On Carrer de la Princesa is the incredibly indulgent Demasié, a sweet shop with huge cinnamon rolls topped with an array of delicious treats. Try a dulce leche cinnamon roll, or maybe pistachio, or indulge with an Oreo or Biscoff option. We also wouldn’t judge you if you picked up a selection to snack on later, or now, seriously, no judgment… Grab a coffee to go and stroll the streets, or take a seat on a bench and watch the world go by while you descend into sugary goodness.
If you prefer something healthier, we have a second option just around the corner. Nudes is a great little cafe with healthy options and a wide range of hot drinks such as matcha and turmeric lattes. You can sit inside on one of the benches if you prefer not to walk and eat.

Visit the famous Museu Picasso
From here we are going to one of Barcelona’s most famous museums, the Museu Picasso. This museum includes five adjoining medieval palaces on Carrer de Montcada where there are around 4251 of the artist’s pieces, including sculptures, paintings, and sketches. Pablo Picasso spent a lot of his life in Barcelona, and many of his early works are inspired by the city. The museum is the only one that was opened during his lifetime and was originally curated by gifts from his friends and admirers.
The building itself is incredible, with winding staircases, ancient brickwork and terraces. Once you begin exploring the collection inside, you are transported through Picasso’s life and inspiration. The collection starts with drawings he made as a child and continues through the different art styles and eras he experimented with before co-founding the Cubist movement.
Allow yourself at least 2 and a half hours here, longer if you are someone who likes to admire at a slower pace. The collection is vast, so you could spend an entire day absorbed in the creative genius. Look out for the Jamais gramophone, which was gifted to Picasso by Óscar Domínguez and has feet coming out of the center!
After all that culture and art, you’ll be ready for more food! Head just a few doors away from the museum down the street to Euskal Etxea Taberna, one of my favorite spots to eat during the day. This is a classic pintxo bar, which is traditionally from the Basque Country, but wholeheartedly embraced by the Catalans. Pintxos are simply everything on bread, and I LOVE it. The counter is packed with rows of delicious small bites served on a slice of baguette. Think chunks of tortilla topped with peppers, brie with cranberry sauce and walnuts, crab salad, pieces of tender beef and mustard, and anchovies dripping in local olive oil. It is incredible and the perfect way to enjoy lunch in the city.
The way it goes is that you order drinks from the table, then go to the bar, grab a small plate, and help yourself to whatever you fancy. Each piece comes with a wooden stick, some are different lengths. You keep the sticks on your plate, and at the end, they count your sticks and price them based on how many you had! Prices are generally a couple of euros, so you can eat a few pieces cheaply or really go for it and sample everything.
Of course, it is highly recommended that you order a cerveza (beer) or a copa de cava to wash it all down with. In Spain, it is perfectly acceptable to start drinking at lunchtime, also don’t be surprised if you see some old locals with a small beer at breakfast!

Explore the ancient streets of El Born
After you have stuffed yourself silly, we are going for a little more culture. At the end of Carrer de Montcada is Passeig del Born, one of the main plazas in this part of Barcelona. It is lined with interesting shops, bars, and gelato kiosks, but heading up the plaza is the medieval Basilica Santa Maria del Mar. This Gothic-style church was built in the early 1300s at the height of Catalonia’s maritime prominence and is a real showstopper. You can visit the church and climb the tower by purchasing tickets inside. Check timetables online. You can also book a guided tour of the Basilica and the roof, which offers amazing views over the city.
You might also want to prepare in advance for your visit on the flight over by reading the best-selling book, Cathedral of the Sea, or downloading the series on Netflix. It gives you a real sense of the history of the church and how it was such a turning point of development in the neighborhood.
From here stroll through the winding streets straight through Plaça de Sant Pere and down to Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt, as you emerge out the end you will see Palau de la Música Catalana. The first time I stumbled across this on my way home from the fruit shop, I said words my mum would slap me for. It is INCREDIBLE.
Palau de la Música Catalan’s building is in the Art Nouveau style and was built in the early 1900s during the Catalan Renaixença (rebirth/renaissance) era. Today, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Palau is a concert hall and is also open to the public for tours. If you catch a tour at the right time (Saturday mornings in particular), you will see the orchestra practicing, so you can get a tour and a show!
From here, it’s time to get to your hotel to freshen up and spruce up for the evening activities. For the evening, there won’t be so much walking, so if you feel like looking a little fancy and wearing less comfortable shoes, this is your moment!


Visit Casa Batlló and spend the evening on Passeig de Gracia
Now we are going to the iconic Passeig de Gracia, which is one of the main avenues through Barcelona and has many of the most famous buildings in the city. It was once the place where the city’s bourgeoisie lived in grand houses and apartments and rode their horses and carts down the cobblestone street. Now it is still equally grand, but more from the high-end designer stores that inhabit the shopfronts. You cannot go to Barcelona without a stroll along Passeig de Gracia, so this is our next stop!
After marveling at the incredible architecture, stop at the most impressive of all, Casa Batlló. The building that you see now was a conversion of an older building by the famous architect Antoni Gaudí. He was commissioned by the Batlló family in the early 1900s to demolish the original building, however, Gaudí created a stunning design that incorporated the original building, expanding elements to make the stunning and functional masterpiece we see today.
Truly nothing prepares you for how amazing it is inside. I didn’t visit until I had lived in the city for a few years, and now it is my most recommended place. It is so stunning! There is a lightwell running through the building with reflective tiles and stained glass windows, giving the feeling of being on a ship. Don’t miss the roof tiled to look like the back of a dragon.
Take the interactive tour where you are given a tablet that digitally shows you the rooms as they would have been furnished when the Batlló family lived there. There is also a fascinating audio guide to listen to alongside the visit!
Depending on the time of year you visit, you can book the evening tour (it doesn’t run during the winter months, so check online when you book your tickets). Book a later time so you can enjoy the building lit up from the inside.
For your evening activities and dinner, it is just a short walk down the avenue to El Nacional. This quirky building is a hub of restaurants, bars, and champagne stands. The building started life as a theater before burning down in 1889, and it was then rebuilt as a factory and later a car dealership. Now it is a gastronomic experience with a selection of different Catalan cuisine all under one roof.
Pull up a stool at the tapas bar or grab a seat at the seafood restaurant or the grill restaurant. You can even get champagne and oysters at the far end by the stairs. Wash it all down with a cocktail before staggering back to your hotel, full and hopefully a little buzzy!
Day 1 Summary
- Check into your hotel – suggestions later in the post!
- Breakfast: Either an indulgent cinnamon roll from Demasié or a healthier option from Nudes.
- Morning Activity: A creative escape into the life and mind of Pablo Picasso in the incredible Museu Picasso.
- Lunch: Eat as much or as little as you want at the charming Euskal Etxea Taberna.
- Afternoon Activity: Visit Basilica Santa Maria del Mar and Palau de la Música Catalana while strolling the streets of El Born.
- Evening Activity: An immersive tour of Casa Batlló.
- Dinner: At El Nacional on the iconic Passeig de Gracia
- Stay at Praktik Bakery for the smell of freshly baked bread every morning.

Day 2: Taking in all the epic viewpoints in Barcelona
Today we are crossing a few barrios (neighborhoods), so get your comfy shoes on and get ready for a thrilling day!
To start with, you will need to fuel up with coffee and a pastry for breakfast. You can either grab a pastry from the in-house bakery at Hotel Praktik, or if you are really hungry, head over to Eat My Trip to indulge in creative brunch options. Try the eggs Benedict with Iberian jamon & spinach served on a cheesy bikini – a bikini being the local name for a cheese toastie. Or you can dive into a huge stack of pancakes topped with sauces and fruits of your choice and finished with a pile of cotton candy. Wild, but so indulgent and good!
Visit a historical mountaintop amusement park
From here, you are climbing the heights of Mount Tibidabo and thrill seeking with epic views of the city. Stroll over to Provença station to get the L7 to Av. Tibidabo, from there it is a stroll uphill to the funicular that takes you to the top of Tibidabo. Be warned, it is quite a steep uphill and takes about 25 minutes, so an alternative is to take a taxi straight from your breakfast spot. The taxi ride will drive through the old wealthy areas of Barcelona, where you will see huge mansion townhouses and villas, and stunning views back across the city.
Once you reach Tibidabo, it is time for a morning in an amusement park! The mountain of Tibidabo has been an important part of Barcelona’s history for centuries, and in 1889, the first rides of the amusement park opened. Many of the original rides are still in operation today and are an emblematic part of the city, one of which is the 50-meter-high Talaia that was said to have healing properties, curing children of whooping cough! Some of the original automations were so impressive that Walt Disney attempted to buy them in 1957, but the city refused, and he left empty-handed.
Spend the morning whizzing around the mountain and absorb this historical amusement park with the best views in Barcelona.
Take in the best views over lunch
After your a morning of spinning and taking in the sights from the ferris wheel you will be ready for a rest and refuel, so we are heading just a little stroll downhill for lunch at Restaurante Mirabe, here you will be treated to the best restaurant views in the city, the wall to wall windows offer interrupted views, and it is fun to work out what landmarks you can spot while enjoying your lunch.
Go Catalan style and order starters to share, try the crab tartar with green apple and egg yolk emulsion, and the rib-eye croquettes. For mains, share a rice dish, either the classic paella, or the black rice with cuttlefish and saffron alioli. Leave room for the classic local crème Catalan for dessert, and make sure to wash everything down with plenty of wine or cava. When in Spain, after all!
After lunch, you can take a stroll to the funicular to head back to central Barcelona or walk a little further to get to the L3 metro station at Penitents to take the direct line to your next destination, Plaza d’Espanya.

Spend the afternoon exploring another cityside mountain
Plaza d’Espanya is a main hub of the city with a large shopping mall and is the edge of the iconic Montjuïc. From the metro, stroll between the two towers, past the fountains, and up the stairs or escalators to the viewpoint in front of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. The building itself is impressive to look at, so stroll around and take in the views from the opposite side of Barcelona.
Montjuïc is a maze of winding roads with historical gardens tucked away around every corner. It is also home to the Olympic stadium that was built to host the 1992 Olympics, you might know the stadium from Kylie Minogue’s Slow video, or more recently Dua Lipa’s Illusion video. Both are filmed at the Olympic swimming pool with Barcelona views as the backdrop.
Walk off your lunch, just enjoying a stroll around the gardens, stumble across Montjuïc Castle, and grab a drink in one of the streetside cafes dotted around the area. Make sure you find the botanical gardens to see a display of cacti from around the world, cultivated in this spot on the mountain.
As the day starts to end it is time to return to the steps in front of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, crowds gather here to watch the sunset across the city. Often there will be street performers and people selling cans of beer. My advice is to bring your own if you do want to enjoy a drink with the sunset. The atmosphere is always lovely, with performers getting the crowd involved and the sunset doing its thing across the cityscape.
After the sun has set, you can jump on the L3 metro again, this time heading to Drassanes. From here, it is a short walk across the bridge across the marina to the Time Out Market. This is a great hub of various eateries and cocktail bars, and is a great waterside location from which to end your second day in Barcelona.
Day 2 Summary
- Breakfast: Grab a fresh pastry from the onsite bakery at Hotel Praktik or load up on creative brunch at Eat My Trip.
- Morning Activity: Riding historical rides in the heights of Tibidabo amusement park.
- Lunch: Panoramic city views at Mirabe.
- Afternoon Activity: Strolling around the botanical gardens at Montjuïc, followed by sunset at Plaza España.
- Dinner: International options and delicious cocktails at Time Out Market.

Day 3: The best kind of religious experiences
Today, we are diving into the history of faith in Catalonia and exploring some of its most famous religious sites.
Visit one of the Syra Coffee cafes within the city, there is likely to be one close to your hotel. Their coffee is all single origin and sourced from ethical production coffee farms that are owned and managed by local families. The baristas will be happy to help you select the ideal coffee to start your day, and then pick from their selection of delicious pastries to fuel your morning.
Visit an ancient monastery in the heart of the city
From here, you will spend a peaceful morning at the Monastery of Pedralbes. This ancient site is tucked away in the elegant Pedralbes neighborhood and is a serene escape from the bustle of Barcelona. Founded in 1326 by Queen Elisenda de Montcada, the monastery is a stunning example of Catalan Gothic architecture and was established as a spiritual retreat for the Poor Clare nuns, a branch of the Franciscan order dedicated to a life of simplicity and prayer. The monastery has remained an active convent for centuries, with a small community of nuns living here until very recently.
Take the time to stroll around the beautifully preserved complex, getting a glimpse into a life of quiet devotion. The highlight is the grand three-story cloister, one of the largest and most elegant of its kind in the world, where sunlight filters through slender columns to create a magical, almost otherworldly atmosphere. The monastery also houses a remarkable collection of medieval and Renaissance art, including frescoes by Ferrer Bassa that reveal the influence of Italian masters like Giotto.
As you explore the former dormitories, refectory, and chapel, it’s easy to imagine the rhythm of daily life for the nuns who once lived here. The monastery gardens, planted with medicinal herbs and fruit trees, reflect the self-sufficient lifestyle they maintained. The gardens continue to be maintained using ancient techniques, and several old varieties of herbs and vegetables thrive here. There’s also a small museum detailing the history of the monastery and the lives of its residents.
For lunch, go to the charming Bistro Mató directly opposite the monastery; the inside is lovely, but if the weather suits, it is also perfect to sit on the terrace outside and watch the world go by as you enjoy lunch.

Explore the iconic Sagrada Familia
After the morning of peace and rest, it is time to go see arguably the most famous part of Barcelona, Sagrada Familia. My advice is to jump in a taxi; using public transport from here is fiddly. This incredible church was designed by Gaudí and is still under construction, over 100 years later. But its semi-constructed state doesn’t distract from the incredible details and awe-inspiring art of the building. As you stroll around the outside, pay attention to the stone carvings covering every surface. There are bible scenes reimagined in ways you would not expect, as well as animals and pieces of nature hidden in every nook and cranny.
The church towers, when completed, will be 18 in total to represent the 12 disciples, another four representing the evangelists, one for the Virgin Mary, and the highest one in the middle representing Jesus Christ. Some of the towers are topped with stars that sparkle when lit up at night. When a new star is mounted, it is a citywide celebration with many people attending to hear the service broadcast outside the church and the first lighting of the star. I attended one of the inaugurations, and it was a wonderful experience. We drank wine in the street and cheered as the new star lit up.
The best way to experience Sagrada Familia is with a guided tour, there are details you would miss if you took a self-guided tour. There is an audio tour available, but with a dedicated guide, you find out so much more. You will learn about the history of the building, the reasoning behind the design, including why the inside looks like a forest, the different colours reflected by the stained glass windows, and the significance of the number 33. You will need to book the tour well in advance, as they book up weeks in advance, sometimes months, depending on the season. And when tickets are sold out that means you can’t even visit independently, so prepare for this part of your trip as quickly as you book your flights!
Before concluding your 3 days in Barcelona, it is time for that last indulgence of tapas! Head down Av. de Gaudí to Madre Taberna for typical local tapas cuisine. Try the garlic prawns, and the roast chicken and the Iberian ham croquettes.
And that finishes up your trip! Pick up your bags from your hotel and head to the airport. It is also perfectly acceptable to have cava and jamon in the airport to finish up your Catalan adventure, we actively encourage it!
Day 3 Summary
- Breakfast: Specialty coffee and pastries from Syra Coffee
- Morning Activity: Visit the ancient Monastery of Pedralbes.
- Lunch: Cozy lunch at Bistro Mató opposite the monastery.
- Afternoon Activity: An awe-inspiring tour of Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece.
- Dinner: Light tapas dinner at Madre Taberna
- Travel back to the airport

Where to Stay in Barcelona
Deciding where to stay in Barcelona can be overwhelming. Most visitors go straight for the old world charm in the Old Town barrios of El Born and Gothic, which admittedly are charming. However, it is not the best location for transport. Because most of the area is medieval, it isn’t as well connected to the metro system as other parts of the city. It can also be tricky to drive around, so if you are relying on a taxi to get to your hotel, you might not get door-to-door service.
My recommendation for this itinerary is to stay central in Eixample, this is the area that you’ll see most in aerial shots of Barcelona, those perfect red square blocks and streets aligned to OCD levels. It is typically Barcelona style with long avenues, Guadi’s impressive buildings, and beautiful balconies. There are also plenty of bus routes and metro lines that run through here, making it very convenient to get around the rest of the city.
Another important point to note is that Airbnbs (and all tourist rental apartments) are a major conflict point in the city. Barcelona is experiencing a housing crisis with locals being forced out of their lifelong neighbourhoods and prices inflating to unaffordable levels. The city has decided to cancel all tourist licences within the next few years, with hotels being the remaining legal option. Please be respectful of this when you visit the city and choose a hotel instead of contributing to the problem.
Top recommendations for Eixample are:
- Hotel Royal Passeig de Gràcia: Treat yourself to some bougie fanciness right on Passeig de Gràcia with the views to match. The price is a little higher, but it’s not eye-watering. You could go all out for a suite with a private terrace, or just enjoy the equally lovely rooftop terrace.
- If you want to exit your hotel to the smell of fresh bread and pastries, then you need to book Praktik Bakery, with rooms as fresh as the bread and a short walk to Diagonal. Just be sure not to loaf around and go explore (hehehe)!
If you are set on a particular place, here are my best places to stay in the other barrios:
- Barceloneta: Hotel 54 Barceloneta is right on the front overlooking the marina and steps away from the beach. This would be my pick if going for the beach hotel option. The rooftop bar is also like a little garden paradise, perfect for resting after a long day of exploring.
- Gothic: Hostal Fernando is one of those nice sorts of hostels with clean, bright rooms. It also overlooks Església de Sant Jaume, which is a pretty, old church. History on your windowsill!
- Sagrada Familia: Sercotel Rosellón has bright rooms, a great breakfast, and a roof terrace with sun loungers pointing at Sagrada, an iconic place to rest weary feet!
- Old Town/Cuitat Vella: Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella: The hotel is right opposite Ciutadella Park and a short walk to the beach and across from El Born, perfectly placed for exploring the city. The hotel itself is beautiful; it is designed to merge nature with local architecture and style, and the bar area is spacious and overlooks the park. There is also a lovely outdoor area to enjoy an aperitif. It is also a dog-friendly hotel!
For full, really in-depth information on where to stay in Barcelona, we have a full post just for that! Head over to Where to Stay in Barcelona for everything you need to know and more suggestions on hotels in each place!
Summary
Demasié | Address: Carrer de la Princesa, 28, Borne, 08003 Barcelona
Nudes | Address: Carrer del Rec,10, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona
Museu Picasso | Address: Carrer de Montcada, 15-23, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona
Euskal Etxea Taberna | Address: Placeta de Montcada, 1, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona
Basilica Santa Maria del Mar | Address: Plaça de Santa Maria, 1, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona
Palau de la Música Catalana | Address: C/ Palau de la Música, 4-6, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona
Casa Batlló | Address: Pg. de Gràcia, 43, L’Eixample, 08007 Barcelona
El Nacional | Address: Pg. de Gràcia, 24 Bis, L’Eixample, 08007 Barcelona
Hotel Praktik | Address: C/ de Provença, 279, 08037, Barcelona
Tibidabo Amusement Park | Address: Pl. del Tibidabo, 3, 4, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08035 Barcelona
Restaurante Mirabe | Address: C. de Manuel Arnús, 2, Distrito de Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08035 Barcelona
Jardí Botànic de Barcelona | Address: Dr. Font i Quer, 2, 08038 Barcelona
Plaza España | Address: Pl. d’Espanya, Sants-Montjuïc, 08014 Barcelona
Syra Coffee | Address: Carrer Major de Sarrià, 55, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08017 Barcelona
Monastery of Pedralbes | Address: Baixada del Monestir, 9, Les Corts, 08034 Barcelona
Bistro Mató | Address: Carrer del Bisbe Català, 10, Les Corts, 08034 Barcelona
Sagrada Familia | Address: Carrer de Mallorca, 401, L’Eixample, 08013 Barcelona
Madre Taberna | Address: Av. de Gaudí, 11, L’Eixample, 08025 Barcelona
About Our Guest Poster: Natalie is an English girl born and raised in Yorkshire. In 2017, after 13 years working in business development, she quit her job and set up offering business management support to solo business owners. She then spent 3 years living the beach life in a surf village in Morocco before moving to Barcelona with her adopted Moroccan street dog, Zina.
What are your thoughts about this 3 Days in Barcelona Itinerary? Anything you would add? Comment below!
Psst: Planning more trips to European cities? We have explored a few!
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Our Top Travel Tips & Resources
- Booking Flights: To score flight deals, search on Google Flights or Kayak. Money-saving tips: fly mid-week or on the weekend; fly carry-on only on a budget airline; and take red-eyes or early morning flights.
- Accommodations: We usually stay in budget-friendly vacation rentals, boutique hotels or private rooms in hostels. We use Booking.com to book hotels (we love their flexible cancellation policy) and Hostelworld to book hostels (low deposit, easy change/cancellation, and excellent reviews). For vacation rentals, we prefer to book using VRBO because they've got lower fees and better support than Airbnb, and we're not fans of Airbnb's unethical track record. You can also book vacation rentals on Expedia and Hotels.com. We also use TrustedHousesitters as both hosts (for our home and our fur-child) and travelers!
- Travel Insurance: We always, always, ALWAYS buy travel insurance for international trips, and we STRONGLY suggest it - visit our Travel Insurance Guide to find out why. We recommend either World Nomads or SafetyWing for international travel insurance. SafetyWing is one of the few policies that covers Covid-19, and they have excellent monthly policies that are perfect for Digital Nomads and long term travelers!
- Travel Credit Card: We book all of our trips on our favorite travel credit card. Not only do we earn cash back that we can spend on more travel, but the card offers fantastic travel perks like travel insurance, trip delay and cancellation coverage, lost baggage reimbursement, and rental car coverage, which helps protect us on our travels. Learn more here.
- Vaccines & Meds: We use the travel guides on the CDC website to research recommended medications and vaccines for international trips. We always recommend getting every vaccine recommended by the CDC! You can get them at your primary care doctor's office or a walk-in pharmacy.
- Tours: We love booking guided tours, especially food tours and walking tours, to get a local's perspective and a history lesson while sight-seeing! We book our tours using Viator and GetYourGuide.
- Transportation: We use Rome2Rio to figure out how to get from place to place, and book local transportation online using Bookaway wherever we can. When we book a rental car, we use DiscoverCars to compare rental companies and find the best deal.
- Luggage Storage: Whenever we're checking out early or taking advantage of a long layover, we use LuggageHero to safely store our luggage while we're running around. Use the code PRACTICALW for 2 hours of free luggage storage on us.
- VPN Service: A VPN keeps your digital information (like website login details, bank info, etc) safe, even when you're connected to an unsecured network while traveling. Plus, it lets you use Netflix & other streaming sites abroad! We use NordVPN. Use the code WANDERLUSTPROMO when you sign up!
- What to Pack: Here are the travel essentials that we bring on every trip. We also have packing lists for hot weather, cold weather, and many more. Take a look at all of our packing guides!
jussie says
It’s so true that Barcelona is a place that calls you back; the anecdote about foreign residents moving there after a visit perfectly illustrates its charm. While 3 days will indeed “just scrape the surface,” you’ve set the expectation that it will be enough to fall completely in love. I’m already excited to see how you’ve curated the highlights for such a vibrant and artistic city! TodayLiveScores