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.
- The list of the best hostels and holiday apartments in Barcelona.
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
Since time is of the essence and we don’t have a lot of time 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).
The service is quick and you won’t end up wasting much time. 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.
For those living in the EU you can also get a great vacuum sealed portion of ham to take home as a delicious souvenir.
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.
Park Guell
Any list of what to do and see in Barcelona has to include the city’s most beautiful park.
We take bus 24 from Passeig de Gracia and 30-40 minutes later we’re left at the gates. We could also take the green metro line to Lesseps but then we’ll have a steep walk waiting for us.
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 sunset!
Dinner
We deserve a good bite so 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.
For those with a little more energy I suggest we walk downhill to the picturesque, bohemian neighbourhood of Gracia and sit in the lively square called Plaça del Sol for some tasty tapas at Sol Soler (21 Plaça del Sol).
We night cap it with some drinks at any of the cafe-bars in a nearby square called Plaça de la Virreina.
3 Days in Barcelona – Day 2
Breakfast
In winter we’re starting the day with a delicious breakfast in the 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.
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.
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.
Lunch
Before leaving the Gothic Quarter we go grab 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.
La Barceloneta
Over Barcelona in 3 days you don’t think we’d leave out the beach did you? Let’s take a walk down the Port Vell (Old Port) and check out the Columbus Statue, the giant crab, and hundreds of anchored boats.
Feeling lazy? No problem, we hop on bus 59 from La Rambla and get beach-side in no time.
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. A few hours suntanning here and now, finally, the holiday begins!
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.
Dinner
There are quite a few options to eat in Barceloneta.
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.
Optional After Dinner Night Out
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 am (though it runs all night on Saturday).
3 days in Barcelona – Day 3
Lunch
If you’re feeling a bit rough after the night out pass on that hotel breakfast.
We need grease and one of Barcelona’s best burgers is just what the doctor ordered. Kiosko Burger (Avinguda del Marquès de l’Argentera, 1 bis) is a great place to start but it’s no tourist sin! Get the one with traditional manchego cheese.
See? We’re doing Spanish things.
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.
Montjuic
We get to Montjuic Hill with the 150 bus from Plaça Espanya or by cable car from the Parallel metro station. I’d recommend taking the bus, that way you’re left right at the top of the hill.
At the top we find the castle with its majestic view of the harbour, the Miro Foundation, the ’92 Olympic Stadiums and the botanical garden.
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 – Extras
Tibidabo
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
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).
When we get hungry we’ll fill up at one of my favourite tapas spots Bormuth (31 Carrer 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?
For those a little more rough and ready I suggest we go for a walk in the ‘gentrified gem’ El Raval.
It’s not as pretty as the Born but it has never claimed to be. There are tons of good value bars and ethnically diverse eateries here.
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 in my new Facebook group called I’m Off to Barcelona – here you can ask any questions, air out grievances, chat with fellow travelers, and more – anything goes!
Coleen Zoller
18/06/2019 at 2:06 PMI’m staying at Petit Palace Boqueria Garden. I would love your suggestions for food nearby or anything else you would recommend to see/do in that area. Thank you for your terrific website!
Ash
18/06/2019 at 4:54 PMHi Coleen,
Thanks so much for the kind words!
Nearby you’ll have a great selection of places (within 20 minutes) but careful about the tourist traps on the La Rambla and in and around the Gothic Quarter. I would take a look at La Fonda for a value lunch, Ciudad Condal and Cerveceria Catalana for some great Spanish food, and El Nacional for a special, higher class treat.
I would also really recommend El Louro since it’s amazing high quality modern tapas with great service.
I was so impressed when the owner came by to ask how my meal was (and showed a type of friendly service extended to foreigners rarely seen in Spain) that we got to chatting and I even asked him to help me set up a no money down reservation system for my blog readers… here is a link if you’re interested:
https://visitarebarcellona.typeform.com/to/rgus9G
I should let you know that they give me a small commission per diner but that this money helps me pay for rising server costs and the time (which is now pushing 3-4 hours a day responding to requests! amazing) I invest.
Again though, no pressure because you can’t go wrong with any of these choices 🙂
For sightseeing there’s La Boqueria Market, the Barcelona Cathedral, Palau Guell, and a few amazing museums like the CCCB right near you.
This should keep you busy 🙂
Ash
Bec Edwards
17/06/2019 at 6:23 AMHi Ash,
Thank you so much for your tips! We are staying in Barcelona for 3 nights so your guide has come in very handy!
I am travelling with a small group of girls and boys (aged 24)
We are staying at The Apartment Rambla 102.
Can you recommend the best restaurants and bars near here?
Thanks,
Bec
Cait
13/06/2019 at 10:53 PMHi there!
We arrive in BCN in one week. Inspired by your above “Day 1” plan (thank you!), we plan to visit Sagrada Familia, Casa Battlo, Casa Mila and Park Guell next Saturday.
If we purchase the City Pass, do we also need to book the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell online (to have our preferred times)? Also, does the City Pass give you guided tours of the SF/PG, or just free roaming access?
Thank you.
Cait
Ash
14/06/2019 at 11:58 AMHi Cait,
Yes, once you’ve booked the City Pass you’ll be emailed by Ticketbar asking for a time slot to book for both Sagrada and Park Guell (this is mandatory now on all channels)… there also is a City Pass guided tour option for Sagrada using this link here:
https://visitenglish.barna.ticketbar.eu/en/discount-cards/barcelona-city-pass-with-audioguide-/
You can pick from two time slots for the guided tour.
Cheers 🙂
Ash
Lynn
13/06/2019 at 6:23 AMHello! Your guides are super super helpful, thank you so much for posting them!
The following is our itinerary (arranged chronologically) for our 3day trip, can you please help us sort out a few things? I left my questions in caps below.
Wednesday: Casa Batillo, Sagrada Familia [Q: THEY ONLY ALLOW BOOKINGS AFTER 6PM, SHOULD WE TRY TO GO EARLIER OR THE EVENING VISIT IS JUST AS GOOD?], Park Guell (Monumental) [Q: SUGGESTION FOR TIMES TO VISIT?], Aire de Barcelona [Q: DO YOU KNOW OF ANY CHEAPER SPA/MESSAGE EXPERIENCE?], rooftop bar: la isabela at the hotel 1998 or sky bar at hotel central, Razzmatazz, Sala Apolo
Thursday, La Pedera [Q: IS THIS WORTH VISITING OR SHOULD WE FOCUS ON LAS RAMBLAS/GOTHIC QUARTER?], Las Ramblas (really long road), la boqueria market, Gothic Quarter -Barcelona Cathedral [Q: IS THIS INCLUDED THE BARCELONA CITY PASS DISCOUNT?], Museu d’Història de la Ciutat [Q: IS THIS WORTH VISITING AND IS THERE A DISCOUNT?], marta amb tu cuinem paella cooking class, Pedrera night tour [Q: IS THIS INCLUDED IN THE DISCOUNT FOR THE BARCELONA CITY PASS?]
Friday, green line along the beach [Q: DO YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS FOR BEACHES & ACTIVITIES ALONG THIS LINE?], aerobus to airport at 5pm
Thank you in advance! 🙂
Ash
13/06/2019 at 12:36 PMHi Lynn,
Thanks so much for the nice words, I am happy to help 🙂
First of all… I am assuming you’re visiting this summer? A lot of my advice will be based on this belief.
1) When you say they only allow bookings after 6 pm are you referring to Sagrada or Casa Batllo? It very well may be the case that in high season these are simply the only tickets left (many time slots are sold out). In summer I would simply say that visiting at any time is spectacular, there is hardly an ideal time to go because it’s always busy, and that you should try and book whatever is convenient for you 🙂
2) I’d visit Park Guell either very early in the morning (like 9 am) or later on in the evening when the weather cools down, like 7 pm.
3) Unfortunately I am not familiar with many massage/spa places but I will ask around!
4) La Pedrera is definitely worth visiting… I say that if you really enjoy Casa Batllo, then maybe book La Pedrera on short notice. If you don’t I’d go ahead with Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter.
5) The Barcelona Cathedral is free during some parts of the day so I’d suggest visiting at these times. I have the info in my cathedral article.
6) The Barcelona History Museum is not included in the City Pass.
7) The Casa Mila Night Tour is included in the pass. Keep in mind this is the same thing as La Pedrera (it has two names) so don’t be booking it twice!
8) I like Bogatell beach because it’s close to a lot of bars, restaurants, the casino etc. I would wander around here and eventually wind back to the Barceloneta neighbourhood for a vermut at a bar like Bar Leo – this is what locals do! Will be about 40 minutes walking in total, but it’s nice with the fresh sea air and promenade.
Hope this clears it up 🙂
Ash
Margaret
07/06/2019 at 5:39 AMHi Ash,
Thank you for such an informative and helpful website. We are visiting mid August and staying in Eixample.
We are a couple in our early 60’s, moderately active but we cannot walk/sightsee continuously from morning until night. We arrive by train from Madrid on a Sunday at around 3 p.m. for 4 nights, leaving on the Thursday morning. We are thinking to book the Sagrada Familia for around 6.45 that evening (travelling by train is not exactly taxing). We are thinking Casa Batllo for Tuesday evening and La Pedrera for Wednesday evening. Our other must see places are Park Guell, Barceloneta and La Boqueria. We would also like to stroll around Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter. We would have liked a visit to Montserrat but think this may be a bit ambitious. Could you please give us an idea of itinerary as we are concerned we are taking on too much.
Many thanks for your help.
Ash
07/06/2019 at 4:35 PMHi Margaret,
Thanks for the kind words and your in depth explanation of your needs, always helpful 🙂
My first instinct was to tell you that you’ve done a good job spacing out the attractions… you could easily put La Pedrera and Casa Batllo on the same day since they’re so close to each other… but if you’re looking at taking it easy and not overextending this is fine.
I would start out as early as possible at Park Guell perhaps on the Tuesday… the lighting is better and crowds smaller. Then you can take it easy and get back to the city for Casa Batllo.
You could then on Wednesday go do all the Gothic Quarter stuff with Las Ramblas and La Boqueria and then fit in La Pedera on the evening. Seems like a really low stress itinerary that fits in the top sights without going to crazy… this is how I would do it!
Please let me know if you have any more questions 🙂
Ash
Margaret
08/06/2019 at 7:15 AMHi Ash,
Thank you for considering our needs and advising accordingly. We will include La Pedrera before Casa Battlo on the same afternoon, we were working on the assumption that we could be at La Pedrera for the evening jazz concert but on looking into this properly (hmmm should have read your info better!!) we will be at Sagrada La Familia on the Sunday evening. We are therefore hoping we can go to the Casa Battlo concert instead (we will keep checking your website for upcoming dates, hopefully not too long). Would 2 hours between entry times to these 2 places be adequate? We will also go to La Boqueria first thing Monday so we can stock up on some food items as we are in a self-catering apartment and we love fresh food.
Sorry to be so long winded. Thank you so much once again.
Charles
06/06/2019 at 8:06 PMHi.
Great site! We (2 couples mid thirties) arrive in Barcelona by train at 20:00 on a Tuesday night from Madrid.
We then have the whole of Wednesday and Thursday available.
On the Friday we collect our rental car at 12:00 noon and head to Paretallada.
Staying In St Pau
Please advise?
Ash
07/06/2019 at 10:04 AMHi Charles,
Apologies… this blog is full of advice but I’m not sure exactly what advice you wanted? Did you have a specific question? This is an itinerary article and so I would simply say to follow the first two days of it and then cut and paste the things from day 3 or 4 depending on my tastes.
At any rate though please let me know what you were wanting!
Ash
Anxhelina
31/05/2019 at 4:06 AMHello Ash,
Thank you for such a great website with wonderful information! I am trying to plan a 3 day trip in Barcelona, but not sure where to start as we arrive on Thursday around 2 and leave Sunday at 1PM. I was able to get ticket for the Park Guell in the morning and Familia Sagrada around 6PM. Saturday will be Gothic, Rambla, Barceloneta. What do you suggest we can do Thursday evening. Is Montjuic doable? We are staying near Mila house.
Thank you so much for all your help!
Ash
01/06/2019 at 11:53 AMHi Anxhelina,
Thanks a bunch for the nice words about the site 🙂
From Mila House it will be fairly easy to get to Montjuic and after checking into the hotel and eating etc there’s plenty of time… if you have your heart set on seeing this it would be the perfect time to do so. You could even throw in a flamenco show at Poble Espanyol as it’s one of the best night time activities 🙂
In all though this itinerary looks fine!
Ash
Anxhelina
01/06/2019 at 4:11 PMThank you! This is good to know, thought Mountjuic might need a more than just a couple of hours. Really appreciate your suggestions!
Ash
02/06/2019 at 12:49 PMNo problem! Honestly you can do a pretty thorough job of visiting in about 2-3 hours depending on if you enter the castle or Poble Espanyol… it’s all kind of close together so I wouldn’t worry 🙂
Clara
04/05/2019 at 12:14 PMHello, what a great website! We (4 mums and 4 16 year old daughters) are staying at the Aspasios Rambla Catalunya Suites for 2 nights/3 days Sat-Mon in June. We have booked a bike tour for the Saturday afternoon 4pm, which will show us quite a few of the sights, and a restaurant for the Saturday night. We want to do some relatively relaxing sightseeing-maybe the Guell Park or Picasso Musee, maybe on Sunday when most shops are closed? We also want to shop-the girls like Brandy Melville and similar stores-I wasn’t sure which area to head to? I like the look of the food market. We’d like to have cocktails/dinner with a view on Sunday night-I spotted the Barcelo Raval but wasn’t sure? We’d like to have lunch (possibly paella) and a wander by the beach on either Sunday or Monday. I wasn’t sure whether Poblenou or Barcelonata would be better? Many thanks for all your tips regarding our possible ideas.
Ash
04/05/2019 at 2:03 PMHi Clara,
Thanks so much for the kind words 🙂
Let’s see… Park Guell and pretty much every museum is a great option on Sundays as most every shopping option will be closed so you may as well plan the most attractions for that day.
I’m not familiar with Brandy Melville but the two shops are located on the streets I’d recommend: Passeig de Gracia and Portal del Angel… these are the places you’ll find all these types of shops. I explain it more in depth in my article on shopping in Barcelona.
Barcelo Raval is a great option for a view… you may also want to consider Restaurante Martinez. As for the lunch and wander I think Barceloneta will be far superior for your teens because it’s more vibrant, better for people watching, and just gives you so many more eating options.
Cheers,
Ash