I think you’ll agree that having time for yourself is the reason you’re on holiday in the first place.
So why spend hours and hours planning the thing? That’s why I’m here. In 10 minutes I’m going to show you the places to visit in Barcelona in 3 days from the main attractions to local secrets.
And just how exactly do I know?
Well, for starters I’ve been in the city six years. So if you need extra advice please leave me a comment below and I’ll get back to you with custom local advice within 24 hours.
Before You Arrive in Barcelona
When spending 3 days in Barcelona there is some essential information to know first.
You’re going to be inundated with options and there’s also a very good chance you’ll be standing in long lines and paying premium prices: with my links below you’ll make sure you get the best prices and skip lines.
Make sure you read:
- How to get from Barcelona airport to city center quickly.
- How to select the right discount travel card.
- Where to buy discounted attraction tickets and skip lines.
- How to find the best area to stay in Barcelona.
- My lists of best budget hotels, hostels and holiday apartments.
Barcelona Itinerary Map
A good part of any Barcelona itinerary is a map with all the attractions.
Here you’ll see how I’ve bunched them all together for your transport convenience and to make sure you don’t go more than a small time without some good food and a drink.
Still have any questions? Fire away below in the comments.
3 Days in Barcelona – Day 1
Sagrada Familia
What itinerary doesn’t have it? If you had just one day in Barcelona the world-famous Basilica of the Sagrada Familia would be the first stop.
This art nouveau behemoth is called ‘the most extraordinary interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages’. I can’t disagree. Get there for 9:00 am since the average tour lasts an hour and a half.
Long lines? Most tourists on a 3 day itinerary get tickets as part of the Barcelona City Pass discount card. It includes skip-the-line access to Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, airport transport, the Bus Turistic, and 20% discount codes to almost every other city attraction.
Snack
Time is of the essence so it’s great to hit up a place just a few steps from the Sagrada Familia at Enrique Tomas in Carrer Marina 261.
Here we try my favourite Spanish tapas dish: jamon iberico (Serrano ham/prosciutto). I recommend going for the Jamon Bellota Premium which is top of the line stuff. They’ll cut it right off the leg at the moment.
The best part? Spend 10 euros or more and mention Barcelonahacks.com for a free coffee!
Casa Batllò
Continuing our homage to master architect Antoni Gaudi we take the purple line (L2) and a few short minutes later get off at Passeig de Gracia.
Here we find the beautifully eccentric mansion called Casa Batllo and revel in its visceral, skeletal qualities. The tour takes an hour. This is my dream house and by the time you’re done with it it’ll be yours too.
Lunch
We’re in tourist trap hell and will need to dodge a few bullets here.
For this reason I suggest lunch at El Nacional (24 Passeig de Gràcia). This multi-zone culinary space serves traditional recipes from nearly every region in Spain.
Fish lovers can’t go wrong at La Paradeta (318 Consell de Cent). Here chefs cook fresh fish that you’ve selected yourself from a market counter. Wash it down with a Blanc Pescador white wine.
La Pedrera (also called Casa Milà)
We’ve barely scratched the surface of things to see when we head to another gem in Barcelona’s architectural crown.
La Pedrera is another Gaudi work and is arguably his best.
You’ll see this wobbling limestone apartment block on all the postcards but don’t miss the view from the incredible rooftop. Get a photo of yourself and the haunting chimneys standing on guard.
Casa Vicens
I want to get you in great position for a late afternoon stroll and an amazing local dinner so we walk up about 15 minutes to the picturesque, bohemian neighbourhood of Gracia for one of Barcelona’s most underrated attractions: the newly minted Gaudi gem Casa Vicens.
This summer chalet mansion with its lush garden is more fairy tale than home and at less than half the price of its contemporaries it offers a tremendous amount of value for both Gaudi fanatics and budget travelers.
If you’re not planning on buying tickets for Casa Batllo or La Pedrera then this would be the best way to experience Gaudi’s home architecture expertise up close.
Dinner
Let’s do this properly – leave a comment with where you’re staying and I’ll recommend you some of the best restaurants in Barcelona.
I do however suggest taking the short walk from Casa Vicens to the famous Plaça del Sol for some tasty tapas at Sol Soler (21 Plaça del Sol). Other nearby tapas restaurants for a great dinner are Cal Boter (Carrer del Tordera 62) and Casa Lopez (Carrer del Topazi 11).
If you’re not interested in exploring Gracia I would go for the paella tasting menu at nearby Bodega Joan since my readers get a pretty healthy discount 🙂
3 Days in Barcelona – Day 2
Breakfast
In winter we’re starting the day with a delicious breakfast in Barcelona city center eating delicious churros con chocolate on historic Petrixol Street.
If it’s summer we’re heading to the even more historic La Boqueria Market for fruit smoothies and tostadas. If you’re looking for something a bit more savory head to the market’s Bar Pinotxo – the classic breakfast here is blood sausage and garbanzo beans.
Get this breakfast in the earlier the better especially at Boqueria where lines get heavy even around 9:00 am.
Park Guell
Any Barcelona itinerary has to include the city’s most beautiful park and I want us to see it early because the temperatures are cooler, there are less crowds, and the light is better for photography!
We take bus 24 from Passeig de Gracia (just a couple hundred meters from our breakfast spots) and 30-40 minutes later we’re left at the gates. We could also take the yellow metro line to Alfons X and grab the free shuttle (with Park Guell tickets only),
Visiting the park in its entirety should take a couple of hours but fear not: the reward at the end (if lucky) is a fantastic panoramic view of the city!
Lunch
Let’s grab that same bus 24 to Plaça Catalunya because we’ll be spending the afternoon in the famous Gothic Quarter, starting with another Spanish culinary classic: pintxos!
These bite-sized toothpicked tapas are famous in the Basque region but El Pintxo del Petrixol (9 Carrer de Petritxol) holds the traditions dear. It’s also according to a Catalan friend ‘the only restaurant near the Rambla that doesn’t serve garbage’.
Another option nearby is La Fonda (10 Carrer dels Escudellers) which is a great place to get some of the best paella in the city at a great price.
Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter
No Barcelona itinerary is complete without a stroll on the world-famous pedestrian boulevard La Rambla. There we find enough shopping, street performers, bars, and museums to last a lifetime!
For more info check out my essential Rambla guide.
After we head into the heart of the old city and wander around the quirky Gothic Quarter. Some of the things we can’t miss are the Barcelona Cathedral, the old Roman walls, and the beautiful squares Plaça Reial and Plaça del Pi.
If we feel like a beer (we feel like a beer) we’ll go to my favorite bar: Bar Jardi, a terrace oasis in the middle of the city chaos. It’s on 17 Carrer Portaferrissa. We look for the camel outside the bar and find it at the back of a store called El Mercadillo.
Dinner
We’re super central and will have to ninja our way around a ton of tourist traps but luckily I’ve found the only authentic place on La Rambla: El Louro. Spanish tapas classics are given a modern twist here and mains like the Galician beef filet and crunchy octopus are to die for.
The kicker? Some of the best original cocktails in the city like the legendary blackberry mojito.
You’ll also get a free glass of cava per diner by reserving no money down via the form below:
A Night on the Town
I won’t pretend to know what kind of music you like but if you’re looking for a big night out I suggest checking out my list of the best clubs in Barcelona.
My first choice is Razzmatazz, a massive five room club. If this is the case we’ll be pre-gaming at Ovella Negra at 78 Carrer Zamora. It’s the ideal pub for all sorts of revelry and it’s easy to get to know locals playing a game of Spanish billiards.
The second choice is Sala Apolo, a former theater that’s been transformed into one of Barcelona’s most famous clubs! We take the green metro line to Parallel.
Pre-drinks in the area go down at Bar Marsella, a dusty ol’ bar that served Hemingway and Salvador Dali in the not so distant past. It’s located at 65 Carrer de Sant Pau. People go here for the absinthe, but if you’re not in the mood for the green fairy they have enough beer to get you through the night.
When we finish we head to bed: the metro opens at 5:00 am (though it runs all night on Saturday).
3 days in Barcelona – Day 3
Shopping or Camp Nou?
We’ve got two choices now and I’ll leave it up to you, my distinguished guests.
There’s tons of world-class shopping in Barcelona city center. The largest shopping areas are Passeig de Gracia, Plaça Catalunya, Las Ramblas and Portal del Angel.
If we’re allergic to shopping (I really am!) we really have to ask ourselves what Barcelona itinerary wouldn’t include a tour of historic Camp Nou stadium – home of Messi and that little squad called FC Barcelona.
From Plaça Catalunya we get there in 15 minutes with the green metro line getting off at Les Corts.
Beach at La Barceloneta
When talking about Barcelona in 3 days you don’t think we’d leave out the beach did you? We get the metro from wherever we are and grab the yellow line for the Barceloneta stop.
Barceloneta is a great neighborhood to explore inner alleyways where elderly residents sit outside playing cards while young people gather to socialize in kitschy bars.
It’s not one of the best beaches in Barcelona but we’ve only got a couple days so let’s be time-effective. For the early afternoon (like locals) you’ll want to work on that tan to make your colleagues jealous so lay down a towel and take it in!
After we can’t stop by without saying hello to Mrs. Leo, a little spark-plug of a woman in her 70’s who owns a bar where on weekend afternoons Andalusian flamenco and live Spanish guitar is the name of the game! Bar Leo is at 34 Carrer Sant Carles.
Lunch
We’re getting really local now by having a late lunch (around 3:00 pm) and for this I’d recommend going for quality tapas at Bitacora (at the back of the restaurant there’s a cool little terrace) at 1 Carrer Balboa.
There’s also the ridiculously cheap wine bar La Champagneria at 7 Reina Cristina. We also can’t miss the minuscule fried fish restaurant Can Maño.
All places are fifteen minutes or less walking from the beach.
Looking for something a little closer to home? One of Barcelona’s best burgers is just what the doctor ordered. Kiosko Burger (Avinguda del Marquès de l’Argentera, 1 bis) is great place to start and it’s no tourist sin! Get the one with traditional manchego cheese.
See? We’re doing Spanish things.
Montjuic
We get to Montjuic Hill by taking the Port Cable Car from the Barceloneta.
At the top of Barcelona’s tallest hill we find the castle with its majestic view of the harbour, the Miro Foundation, the ’92 Olympic Stadiums and the botanical garden.
There’s also the option to experience the fantastic open-air architecture museum Poble Espanyol.
The Magic Fountain
Always high on the list of things to do in Barcelona, this beautiful fountain of towering water sprays to the rhythm of contemporary music – the view of Plaça Espanya is really something!
We find the fountain a short fifteen minute walk away at the foot of Montjuic. Make sure to check the Barcelona Magic Fountain show schedule first.
Dinner
We’re looking to keep it local for the third night so we hit up Can Margarit (21 Carrer de la Concordia) for some authentic Catalan fare. Here it’s all about rustic charm, cask wines, rabbit, squid, and cod.
For something a little more upscale that’s a modern take on Spanish classics we go to Plata Bistro (23 Carrer de Sepúlveda), which is just a short walk from the fountains. You can book your table with a simple message on their Facebook page.
Looking for something a little cheaper?
Head for Calle Blai and its endless supply of one euro tapas and beer bars. I recommend La Tasqueta de Blai (Carrer de Blai 17).
After Dinner
In the Gotico area we’ll head to Manu Chao’s bar. This incredibly eclectic French singer who sings in 7(!) languages sometimes shows up to play guitar.
The bar is called Mariachi and is located at 14 Carrer Codols. Of course, I’ve been a little pushy with my ideas haven’t I? We’d actually be good going to any of Barcelona’s best bars.
That’s 3 perfect days in Barcelona down!
3 Days in Barcelona – Day 4!
Yes, you didn’t think I’d stop there did you? Barcelona has so many attractions that I couldn’t sum it up in just 3 days.
This Barcelona itinerary is heading to day 4.
Tibidabo
Let’s save some cash and grab the free breakfast at your hotel and get elevated!
Tibidabo (I will give you in Latin) is a 3 in 1: a basilica with a gigantic statue of Christ, the highest panoramic view of the city, and a retro theme park counting 25 rides. The latter is truly unique for the antique rides like the airplane one from 1928.
This is a must for Barcelona travelers with kids.
We get there in 45 minutes from Plaça Catalunya with bus T2A.
If we don’t feel like the long bus ride we can just as easily spend a few hours in centrally-located Ciutadella Park. The city’s largest green space has a zoo, a lake for row-boating, and holds a ton of events throughout the year.
The Born
We get back to the city with the same bus T2A and disembark at Plaça Catalunya. From here it’s just a 15 minute walk to another of Barcelona’s most popular neighbourhoods.
Despite its history of jousting this area full of unique bars and boutique shops is one of Barcelona’s best neighborhoods. We get there by metro getting off at Jaume 1 (yellow line).
We can’t walk through without seeing Barcelona’s second Gothic behemoth: La Santa Maria del Mar.
We could also check out the more than 4000 pieces at the Picasso Museum (15-24 Carrer Montcada).
Lunch
When we get hungry we’ll fill up at one of my favourite tapas spots Bormuth (31 Carrer del Rec).
I haven’t mentioned it before but you should be drinking vermouth on your itinerary. This a red or white aromatised wine is a massive part of Barcelona’s drinking culture. We get a couple here with the tapas and boom!
This is so good, how can we ever go back home?
Raval
For those a little more rough and ready I suggest we go for a 20 minute walk to get to the ‘gentrified gem’ El Raval.
There are tons of good value bars and ethnically diverse eateries here – if you’ve skipped my tapas advice above there’s no shame getting a €5.00 curry lunch on the fly at Bishmillah (Carrer Joaquin Costa 22).
Then you can round out the afternoon going to one of my favourite contemporary museums: MACBA (the modern art museum) or the CCCB (a contemporary culture museum).
Flamenco
We round out the evening taking in a show of not only one of the most popular art forms in Spain, but the entire world.
The flamenco shows at the Palacio del Flamenco have been known to bring guests to tears, and you’ll find out if you’re one of them watching the intricate dances, passionate yelps, and spirited guitar rhythms.
Shows run daily at 6:30, 8:30, and 10:30 and can include drinks and dinner.
Fine Tune Your Itinerary in the Comments
We’ve done 3 days in Barcelona and it’s time to go home but wait! If you’re missing that special something that would really tie all of this together please get a hold of me in the comments below for custom advice.
As I said earlier if you need any extra advice fire away! And please let me know how your Barcelona holiday went by leaving a comment below.
Also don’t be afraid to join the 3 day itinerary discussion by first giving me a like on Facebook and then joining my group I’m Off to Barcelona – here you can ask any questions, air out grievances, and chat with thousands of Barcelona travelers.
Anything goes!
Michelle Parnham
Hi Ash
What a fantastic site you have created! I am visiting Barcelona over Easter weekend arriving 9th April and departing 14th early morning I’ve bought “the Barcelona 3 day pass” we will have around 4.5 days in the city can you recommend the must dos? Also we are staying at Catalonia Avinyo Hotel can you recommend any restaurants i will be traveling with my husband and 12 year old son. TIA
Michelle
Ash
Hi Michelle,
Thanks so much!
The must dos I have covered in depth in the article 😉 I am not sure what more you’d like me to add… if I had to boil it down to 3 things I’d say Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and Casa Batllo.
As for restaurants around your hotel I’ve got Sensi, Louro, La Fonda, or Sports Bar… all great food 🙂
For ideas on visiting and eating with kids please consult the dedicated article.
Cheers,
Ash
Mona
Wonderful, concise information; thank you. Can you assist with a 7 day out line for Barcelona. We want to make sure we are not bouncing from one area to another and back again. Thinking of staying in El Born or Garcia area. Married 37 years and still going. We like to walk but want to be able to get on a bus or metro. On day eight we will be going to Bilbao, hopefully by train. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.
Ash
Hi Mona,
You’re very welcome!
I’ve got the first 4 days mapped out here. What I would do is add a couple of day trips for further days… one of these would be to Montserrat and another would be to Girona.
On other days I would definitely try and fit in some of Barcelona’s top museums.
Also, are you football fans? There may be an FC Barcelona match while you’re around so I’d try and include that.
What time of year are you coming anyway? If it’s in spring/summer I’d have some more suggestions on how to fill up another day. Please let me now as well as some of your interests and I can make something a bit more custom for you.
Cheers,
Ash
Urska
Hi there!
I must admit your itinrerary and all tips and tricks were the most useful I found, so thank you! With a friend we are coming to Barcelona for the first time, so we could use some help. I hope you don’t mind few questions and comment on my itinerary made with your help.
1st day
We arrive to the airport on January 30th at 11.30. As we only travel with our backpack, I thought we would first go visit Camp Nou, which is on our way to the hotel (check in is possible after 2 pm, so we have some time). I would appreciate the information which bus or metro to take to Camp Nou, and then from there to our Aneto Hotel? How long does the transport take from airport to Camp Nou and then to our hotel?
Later in the afternoon we will check in to the hotel and spend the evening at La Rambla, which is very close (probably a walk to Gothic Quarter and dinner somewhere nearby).
2nd day
(we will go around with bikes which can be rented for free in hotel, so I think we will not need public transport anymore)
9.00 from hotel to Casa Batllo
11.00 Casa Milla (a quick visit)
around 12.00 Mercado de la Boqueria at La Rambla and lunch
15.00 Aquarium
Dinner and free evening
3rd day
9.00 from hotel to Casa Vicens (quick visit on the way)
10.00 Park Guell
around 13.00 sigtseeing at Gracia and lunch
16.00 Sagrada Familia
18.00 on our way back an obligatory stop at Hard rock Cafe 🙂
back to hotel and free evening at La Rambla with dinner
4th day
early flight back home 🙁
I would appreciate information which transport to take from hotel to the airport – we need to be at the airport at 5.30 already, so I am afraid we would be too late with bus (it leaves at 5.00, right?). I am thinking to take taxi just to be safe and sure.
By your oppinion, do you think we should take any card/city pass for those sightseeing tours or should we just buy tickets online before visit? Those cards really make me confused and different people suggest me different things, to make me even more confused, so I will take your advice 🙂
I hope that my plan isn’t too much to handle in 2 and a half days 🙂
I am really looking forward to our visit and thank you in advance for all comments and your help!
Kindest regards from Slovenia,
Urska
Ash
Hello Urska,
Thanks for writing in with your very kind words 🙂
First of all you can grab the airport metro line to Collblanc and from here it’s just a 6-7 minute walk to Camp Nou. From the stadium you’ll need to walk to Les Corts metro station and grab the green line from there. It’ll take you to Liceu. From here the hotel is just a 6-7 minute walk. Both trips should be about 30-35 minutes.
For 5:00 am the safest bet is a taxi…it may be more expensive but the security is nice. It’s a shame you’ll miss the Aerobus by not long. At any rate though… since you won’t need the Aerobus and you haven’t expressed interest in the Bus Turistic I’m not going to recommend getting a City Pass, or any pass for that matter (given you don’t have a lot of museums on the list).
I would simply book all my attractions individually.
Cheers,
Ash
Urska
Dear Ash!
Thank you so much, you are the best!
Do you suggest to use Taxileader app to order taxi? I checked the price and yeah… Too bad we can’t use Aerobus (unless we risk, as the gate closes at 6.30). Taxi will cost us more than flight ticket
If you will have time, you are welcome to join us for a drink just to pay off somehow for your help
Regards,
Urska
Ash
Hi Urska,
No problem at all, always happy to help 🙂
I think you’re referring to FreeNow? This taxi app utilizes the city’s black and yellow cabs. If you sign up using the instructions in my taxi post you’ll even get €5.00 off your first trip.
Anyway, I love meeting up with readers but unfortunately I won’t be back in the city until mid February as I’m back in Canada visiting family.
I by no means expect anything but for those offering me drinks in exchange for the time I put in I usually direct them to my page on Buymeacoffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/barcelonahacks
Again though, no pressure to do so! Just worry about enjoying your holiday 🙂
Cheers,
Ash
Nengsi
Hi Ash,
Great 3 days itinerary out there….
I am arriving Barcelona at 06:35am most likely will drop off luggage and will start our first day of Barcelona trip.
If our trip start at 09:00am, will that be possible we just follow your itinerary thru out ? And for the Sagrada Familia which time slot should I choose while getting the city pass ?
I am getting City Pass for 2 days, is there any metro pass available for tourist ?
Thank you in advance.
Kind Regards,
Nengsi
Ash
Hola Nengsi,
Starting at 9:00 is perfectly fine, in fact unless I was really a morning person or maybe trying to see the sunrise at Park Guell I wouldn’t recommend anything any earlier. Booking for 9:00 or shortly after is fine.
As for the metro pass there isn’t one specifically for the metro. You’ll get 20% off the Hola Barcelona Card which gives you unlimited transport not just on the metro but buses, trams, funicular etc. I would grab this using the City Pass and you’re good to go.
Cheers,
Ash
Nengsi
Dear Ash,
Thank you so much for your info. I will proceed to my Barcelona city pass.
One more thing, we are staying at Acta Splendid Hotel, is that location convenience for us to travel around ? Or is there any similar hotel but more centralize ?
Thank you.
Best regards,
Nengsi
Ash
Hi Nengsi,
No problem at all 🙂
You’re super central so I wouldn’t worry a bit! You’ll be walking distance to plenty of things not to mention quite close to 4 different metro lines. It couldn’t be any better really. Don’t sweat it, just go out and enjoy your holiday 🙂
Cheers,
Ash
Nengsi
Dear Ash,
Thank you so much for your kind advised.
Kind regards,
Nengsi
Nengsi
Dear Ash,
One more question, if I would compare Eurail Global Pass with Barcelona city pass for travel around Barcelona, which is more convenient ?
Why I am asking, I m traveling across few countries, will start from Barcelona, Paris, Italy. Not sure whether Eurail Global Pass can be use conveniently in the city as well.
Hope my question not too much…
Kind regards,
Nengsi
Jela
Wonderful! I was wondering though, aside from La Boqueria, what is a more “local” market that we can visit? Thank you in advance!!
Ash
Hi Jela,
There is the Santa Caterina market which is found at the top of El Born. Even more local would be the Mercat de la Concepció which has many of the same products but hardly any tourists 🙂
Cheers,
Ash
Jela
Extremely grateful for you! Here in Barcelona already and loving this place!!!
Ash
Wow! Thanks so much 🙂 Please let me know if you need any more help exploring.
Amy Snell
Hello – I echo the thanks for such a wonderful planning site, it is extremely useful and greatly appreciated.
I am planning a trip with my 2 adult kids in late March. We will be in Barcelona for 3 1/2 days. I just ordered the Barcelona City Pass with 1 day bus touristic. I need to choose my time slot for Sagrada Familia, and am wondering it the below plan would work, or if I should schedule it differently.
We are staying at the Cotton House Hotel. We arrive late on Wednesday. I thought on Thursday we would plan the following:
9:00 am Walk to Casa Batllo do tour 60-90 minutes – 10 minute walk to:
10:30 am Walk to Casa Mila do tour, 60-90 minutes – 20 minute walk to Casa Vicens
12:00 – 1:30 pm Lunch – lots of good places for lunch in Gracia neighborhood
2:00 pm – 15 minute walk to Casa Vicens – do tour, about an hour
Find transportation to Sagrada Familia
Book tour at 4:00 pm
Explore that area, go back near hotel have dinner and wander
Would this be a good time to visit Sagrada Familia, or should I flip the schedule and go there first, and then make our way back to the other sites?
I’m sure I’ll have a few more questions as I go, but want to get the visit to Sagrada Familia set.
Thank you!
Amy
Lucile
Hola Amy,
Thanks for you kind words!
Your itinerary seems good 😉
Which type of Sagrada Familia’s ticket did you choose with your City Pass?
If it’s the basic ticket, you can only visit it during the last two hours of the day (from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm depending on the season), so maybe you can’t even visit it first. In March the natural light is still very good at 4pm!
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Cheers,
Lucile
Amy K Snell
We booked the Sagrada Familia ticket with tower and audioguide. Would you schedule the visit to Park Guell on the day we are doing the Hop-on Hop-off bus? What is the best time of day to visit the Park?
Thank you!
Amy
Lucile
Visiting Park Guell on the same day as the Hop-on Hop-off bus could be a good idea, but if I were you I’d probably do it another day if you have time.
The ticket of the Park includes a round trip shuttle from/to Alfons X station, so it’s easy to reach the park 🙂
Also, the blue line of the Bus Turistic, after the Park Guell stop, doesn’t include the main attractions of the City (FYI: it only runs in one way). So, I would say it depends on what you really want to see during your day on the Hop-on Hop-off bus and organize things to lose no time.
The best time of the day to visit the Park Guell, I advise the earlier the better 😉
Cheers,
Lucile
Mary
Hi Ash,
Finally, our Barcelona trip will be in a few days and have been pouring over your very helpful site.
For our last day in Barcelona on Dec. 24, we would like to visit the Abbey of Montserrat and would appreciate your advice. Is there any guided tour you recommend ? I thought it may just make it easy on us and not get lost going to this place or going there is easy?
Ash, is Uber in Barcelona ok? For our last 3 days in Barcelona, we will be staying at Hotel 1882, can you advise me how do we take the Aerobus back to the airport? My flight back to Canada is on Christmas day – Will there be Aerobus on Christmas day ?
Thank you so much,
mary
Ash
Hi Mary,
There are indeed full guided tour packages departing from Barcelona but unfortunately, the one I have done and thus promote, only runs on Mondays and Fridays and so the 24th isn’t available.
It’s also very likely that many will not be running on Christmas Eve.
I would suggest going to one of the big tour mediaries like Viator and searching through there. You may be able to find something. Going on your own is totally doable following my instructions in my Montserrat article but yes, being not from Barcelona, it’s a bit of a challenge. Doable, but not exactly a walk in the park.
Uber does not run in Barcelona. You can go for a company like Cabify but I use the Free Now taxi app which utilizes the yellow and black city taxi fleet. If you follow my instructions in my taxi article you’ll get €5.00 off your first trip.
From Hotel 1882 you’ll need to walk to the metro station Verdaguer. From here you’ll take the yellow line down to Urquinaona anf from here you can walk the 200 meters to Plaça Catalunya where you’ll grab the bus.
Aerobus runs 365 days a year.
For more info on Christmas hours please consult my dedicated article here:
https://www.barcelonahacks.com/barcelona-christmas/
Cheers,
Ash
Louise
Hello,
Thank you for such an amazing website, it is extremely useful!
My boyfriend and I are visiting Barcelona at the end of the month and are trying to plan what we should do and when. We are staying at the Barcelona Century Hotel in Eixample. We hope to walk about most of the time but is there anything you would recommend we get public transport for and if so what’s our best option?
This is our plan so far:
Sunday 29th Dec:
We arrive at night so dinner in either Gracia, El Ravel or Gothic Quarter.
Monday 30th Dec:
Casa Batllo
Las Ramblas
La Bouqueira Market
Gothic Quarter
Barcelona Cathedral
Arc de Triomf (or on Wednesday if we run out of time)
Ciutadella Park (or on Wednesday if we run out of time)
Sagrada Familia (hopefully going to book tickets for this at 4.45pm)
Then dinner again in either Gracia, El Ravel or Gothic Quarter.
Tuesday 31st Dec:
Camp Nou
Placa d’Espanya
Poble Espanyol
Cable car up to Montjuic Castle
NYE at the magic fountain show and dinner near here.
Wednesday 1st Jan:
Turo de la Rovira
Park Guell
Gracia
Casa Vicens
La Pedrera
Casa Batllo
Three Kings Market in Gran Via
Arc de Triomf (if we haven’t been on Monday)
Ciutadella Park (if we haven’t been on Monday)
At night the La Pedrera night show if we haven’t been during the day.
Does this seem manageable in the time we have? Apart from Sagrada Familia is there anything else you would recommend we book in advance?
We are unsure how to get from the airport to our hotel and the same for our flight home, how much would a taxi cost or is there any public transport that would take us to our hotel area?
Thank you!
Louise
Ash
Hi Louise,
Thanks for writing! That’s quite the itinerary you’ve got there 🙂
Let’s see. Let me first start by saying that if you get a reasonably early start on each day you should have no problem at all fitting it all in.
As for walking, given the way you’ve mapped it out it will be possible to walk most of it but you’ll need transport for some of the bigger trips like getting to Camp Nou on the Tuesday. That said, the metro is super easy and will get you pretty much everywhere. Most people use it to get around.
As for the meat of the days… I want to first say that you’ve got Casa Batllo scheduled for two days? If you’re just visiting from the outside I’d put it on day 1 as well as La Pedrera right before you go down to Las Ramblas.
I’d try and fit in the park and Arc de Triomf on day one. It’ll take maybe 30 minutes to walk through and check it out. It’s also kind of a natural successor to the Barcelona Cathedral as it’s about a 10-15 minute walk away.
As for your hotel… it’s fairly central so I’d grab the Aerobus to the Gran Via-Urgell stop and from here it’ll be just a short 10 minute walk. A taxi will set you back about 20-25 euros more… if you have no problem with the money then this is a great option too 🙂
Cheers,
Ash
Louise
Amazing, thank you very much!
Is there anything you recommend we buy tickets for before we arrive in Barcelona?
Louise
Ash
Hi Louise,
No problem 🙂
Buying online in advance always guarantees the cheapest price. Some major attractions like Casa Batllo cost up to €4.00 more per ticket buying at ticket windows – so I always recommend buying as much as possible in advance.
Not to mention the fact that you skip lines having the tickets bought online!
Cheers,
Ash