Barcelona is a magical city that has been at the top of my bucket list for over 10 years. With enchanting Gaudí architecture, lively tapas bars in the Gothic Quarter, sandy beach cafes, and one of the most storied football clubs in the world, Barcelona is brimming with culture and full of incredible experiences. While I could spend months in this city and only scratch its mosaic tiled surface, we spent 3 days in Barcelona and managed to see every corner of the Gothic Quarter, a Barcelona game, and all of Gaudí’s most iconic architecture while still having ample time to wander the romantic cobblestone streets. Here’s my itinerary for the perfect 3 Days in Barcelona.
Where to Stay in Barcelona
No matter where you chose to stay in Barcelona, just make sure it’s within walking distance to the Gothic Quarter. My absolute favorite part of our trip to Barcelona was getting lost in the medieval maze that is these lantern lit, winding streets.
We stayed at the Hotel Indigo Barcelona- Plaza Catalunya which I highly recommend. The hotel is luxurious without being overly expensive plus conveniently located between all of the attractions. We walked to the Gothic Quarter for dinner every night and were also able to walk to Sagrada Família and Casa Batlló. The hotel is just a few blocks from 2 major tourist streets: La Rambla and Passeig de Gràcia which are great for walking and exploring.
Make sure to book a room with a terrace overlooking Gran Via de Les Corts Catalanes (city view room).
Day 1 in Barcelona:
Brunch at Alice’s Garden
Start your first day in Barcelona with brunch and coffee at Alice’s Garden, an incredibly cool cafe with ample outdoor seating and a whimsical Alice in Wonderland vibe. Sit on the back patio and order lattes with Spanish tortilla (Spanish omelet) and pastries.
Casa Batlló
After brunch, head one street over and meander down Passeig de Gràcia, which is essentially Barcelona’s Champs-Élysées, lined with designer stores and cafes. Stop and admire two of Gaudí’s most iconic architectural works on this street: Casa Batlló and Casa Milà. Book tickets ahead of time if you want to go inside for self-guided tours of each.
For easy booking and a great deal, book all of your Barcelona/ Gaudí attractions in one place at: MegaPass. We did the Classic MegaPass which allowed us to book 3 top attractions for just $109 which is about the same price as booking each attraction separately and well worth it for the ease of booking everything in one place and the fantastic customer service provided by the company. You simply buy your pass then select the activities you’d like to do, and then MegaPass emails you the tickets! They also contact you via WhatsApp before and after each activity to remind you it’s coming up and make sure you’ve had a good experience. We chose to use MegaPass for entry into: Casa Batlló, Park Güell, and Sagrada Família. Casa Batlló and Park Güell were entry tickets for self-guided tours. Our Sagrada Família experience included skip the line entry and a fantastic tour guide who provided fascinating historical and architectural information about Gaudí and the temple.
Casa Milà
After the self-guided tour of Casa Batlló, stroll up Passeig de Gràcia and admire Casa Milà and its unique architecture.
The Rooftop at Sir Victor
Head up to The Rooftop at Sir Victor Hotel for lunch and a drink with the best views of Casa Milà. I can only handle so many “tours” and after shuffling through the very busy Casa Batlló, I preferred to relax and see Casa Milà from the outside.
Siesta or Museums
Still a little bit jet lagged from travel the day before and fully embracing Spanish culture, we chose to take an afternoon siesta before heading out for sunset. If a siesta isn’t your thing, I’d recommend visiting one of the many incredible art museums in Barcelona. In the Gothic Quarter: Moco Museum (Modern and Contemporary Art Museum), Banksy Museum, or the Picasso Museum. In Sants-Montjuïc: Fundació Joan Miró or The National Art Museum of Catolonia.
Sunset at Park Güell
Around 5pm, we took a taxi to Park Güell where we had booked a 5:30pm entry time through MegaPass. I recommend entering at 24 Carrer de Marianao and meandering through the park by first climbing up towards The Three Viaducts, The Trias House, and The Hill of Three Crosses before making your way around and down to the most iconic views at Hypostle Hall, The Monumental Staircase, The Salamander, and The Greek Theater for sunset. These areas are super busy. Be prepared to share the space with hundreds of other tourists. Nonetheless, it’s an incredible work of architecture and cannot be missed on a trip to Barcelona.
Dinner at Bar del Pla
For an authentic tapas experience in a tiny bar tucked away in the Gothic Quarter, reserve a place at the bar at Bar del Pla. This spot is such a hidden gem. We got lucky and got seats at the bar at 9:30pm, but saw lots of people get turned away. There seemed to always be people waiting outside of the restaurant. To guarantee a spot, call ahead and make a reservation. Everything we ate here was delicious plus the atmosphere at this tiny bar was phenomenal. Make sure to order the Picahna Roast Beef which was kind of like a unique version of beef carpaccio with the most delicious flavors. Also order the Canelon de Carne. The Canelon is the Spanish take on cannelloni. Our dish was stuffed with the most delectable duck meat and covered in a mushroom sauce.
Bar Hop in the Gothic Quarter
After dinner, bar hop through the Gothic Quarter. For a unique cocktail experience, check our Dr. Stravinsky’s, which is listed on the Top 50 Bars in the World. For incredible natural wines and funky decor, I recommend Bar Brutal. Also check out Story, a cool gin bar with a “library” vibe and live music.
Day 2 in Barcelona:
Sunrise at Sagrada Família
On the second day, we left the hotel around 7am and walked to Sagrada Família, about 1 mile away. This incredible temple is one of the top attractions in Barcelona and rightfully so. Entry into the temple starts around 9am and tourists surround the place by about 8:30am. I highly recommend arriving to the temple before 8am to enjoy it before the crowds arrive. Make sure to take a photo at Plaça De Gaudi near the pond. We met our tour guide and group at 8:55am at the stairs at Plaça De Gaudi. Our tour, which we booked through MegaPass, was fantastic. Our tour guide explained the history and future plans of the temple as well as so much of the symbolism and architecture of the temple both inside and outside of the building. I learned so much and the visit was much more enjoyable with the guide who also allowed our group to “skip the line”. Make sure to dress modestly as this is a holy site.
Walk La Rambla and Visit The Barcelona Store
After the morning at Sagrada Família, head back to the hotel to regroup before walking to La Rambla to explore some great spots and grab lunch. Admire the statues and fountains at Plaça de Catalunya on the way. Then stop in and check out the Barcelona Store on La Rambla. Here you can buy Barca gear or simply enjoy the displays.
La Boqueria Spanish Market
Farther down La Rambla, you’ll find La Boqueria, a huge outdoor market selling everything from pig feet to churros and souvenirs. Walk through the market and grab some food or a drink at one of the several outdoor bars.
Lunch at Gats
If you’ve left room for a couple of tapas, grab a spot on the patio at Gats. I recommend the Prawns “al ajillo” and croquettas which are both traditional Spanish tapas. Enjoy these snacks with wine, beer, or vermouth. “La Hora del Vermut” or Vermouth Hour, is a Spanish tradition of basically drinking vermouth with friends around noon. It is common to enjoy the vermouth served over ice with an orange slice and olives. The tradition began in Spain in the 19th century and reflects the Spanish culture where food and drink are about community and enjoyment.
Lamaro Hotel Rooftop
After lunch, head up to the Rooftop at Lamaro Hotel. You will be asked to pay 4 Euro per person to access the roof, but it is well worth it! The rooftop has the best views of The Cathedral of Barcelona, great drinks, and incredible vibes.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Next, walk over to the Parc de la Ciutadella for sunset/golden hour. The views here are gorgeous and the park is stunning at sunset.
Mimo’s Born Patio for Dinner
From the Parc de La Ciutadella, you can walk to Mimo’s Born for an incredible tapas dinner in the center of Plaça de Jacint Reventós. Make a reservation ahead of time to ensure a place on the patio. I recommend the Spanish Tortilla, pan con tomate, and the aged beef sirloin served with patatas bravas and padron peppers (huge portion, split it). Finish dinner with Catalan Cream for dessert.
Day 3 in Barcelona:
Breakfast on The Beach
Take a taxi down to the beach and grab breakfast and coffee at Bo Kapp or Pantea and watch some footvolley or beach volleyball from your seat.
Salts Montjuïc Terrassa Bar
Next, take a taxi up to Montjuïc Hill and grab a drink at the Salts Bar. This huge bar has one of the best views in the city and overlooks the pools which held the Olympic Diving Competition in the 1992 Olympics. Afterward, explore the area including the Jardins de Laribal (gardens) and the Montjuïc Castle which can be reached by taking the cable car from the station across from Salts to the top of the hill and back.
Catch an FC Barcelona Game
Generally, FC Barcelona play at Camp Nou. While we were visiting, Camp Nou was closed for renovations, and the game was held at Estadi Olimpic de Montjuïc. We walked to the game from Salts Bar, but generally if you plan to catch a game at Camp Nou, you’ll need to take a taxi over there. Even if you aren’t a huge soccer fan, the atmosphere in the stadium is electric and by the end of it, you’ll be singing the Barca chants along with the crowd.
Dinner and One Last Night in the Gothic Quarter
For our last night in Barcelona, we walked through the Gothic Quarter and eventually found a bar called Bar Veni located near Plaça Castella. The food was good, glasses of wine were 3 Euro a piece, and the vibe was fun with La Liga games on the TV at the bar. It was a perfect evening for us. Afterward, we wandered through Barcelona until nearly 1am before getting gelato and heading back to the hotel. This city seems to never sleep.
After spending just 3 days in Barcelona, this city immediately feels like somewhere I will want to return to again and again. The laid-back Spanish culture, the tapas, the wine, the architecture, and the late-night energy is unique to this city. Spending 3 days in Barcelona is magic. I truly can’t wait to return.