Barcelona is one of those destinations that needs no introduction: it is, without any doubt, one of the must-visit in Europe. It is so big and there are so many things to visit, that may seem difficult to organize the days we have to visit the city. To help you, in this article, I talk about our 3-day itinerary in Barcelona, combining free and paid sites, culture, and nature.
Itinerary to visit Barcelona in 3 days
This was my third time in Barcelona, but I organized the trip for some relatives that didn’t know the city. That’s why it is OK for your first time in Barcelona, because you will see the most important sites as well as other that are less known.
Day 1
Not all the great Modernist buildings in Barcelona are from Gaudí. A great example is Recinte Modernista Sant Pau, an old hospital formed by a complex of buildings full of beauty. We start these route of Barcelona in 3 days by visiting it.
After, we stroll though Avinguda de Gaudí to see in front of us the Sagrada Família. It is a good moment to admire its exteriors and take pictures from one of the best spots: behind the artificial lagoon in Plaça Gaudí.
We take the underground, and we go to Plaça de Catalunya to start going down the Rambles. We walk through them, and we enter to Boqueria Market (Mercat de la Boqueria). It can be a great moment to having lunch by tasting some of the elaborations that are offered. Later, we continue down the Rambla until we reach the monument of Colón, by the sea.
After some rest, we go to Passeig de Gràcia to look at the exterior of Casa Milà, and we visit the interiors of Casa Batlló. I have visited both and, if I have to choose one, I would choose Batlló (even though the terrace of Casa Milà is amazing).
Then we walk to Palau de la Música Catalana, whose interior is astonishing. Finally, we stroll around the Gothic quarter (must-see spots: the Cathedral, Pont del Bisbe and «The World Begins With Every Kiss» mural).
Some activities that can be interesting for this day:
- Barcelona Mysteries and Legends Tour
- La Pedrera Night Experience
- Gaudi & Modernism Free Tour
- Barcelona Photography Tour
Day 2
This second day, we go to metro stop Paral·lel, where we take the funicular to Montjuïc cable car. We go up the cable car to the Castle of Montjuïc, and we stroll around it, visiting also several parts of the castles and enjoying with the views (the castle entrance is €12, if you want to save this money, you can simply go around it to see the different views to the city).
We go down the cable car, stopping in the intermediate stop, in the view point. Once we have finished the trip on the cable car, we take bus number 150, that goes down Montjuïc and passes by the Olympic Stadium and Poble Espanyol, and we get off the bus in the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc.
We walk to Plaza Espanya. Here, we enter to Arenas de Barcelona, an old bullring transformed into a shopping centre. We go up to its terrace (it is free if you use the escalators). We have lunch here, where there are several restaurants.
In the afternoon, we go to El Born, and we visit the Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar. We enter through the entrance located in Passeig del Born, and we pay €10 so we can visit its towers and terraces. Don’t go out of the church without going up the tribunes, from here, the views of the building are amazing.
From El Born we go to Park Güell. Last time I was here, it was free to enter to the big part of the park, but now it’s completely under payment. Without tickets, you can’t enter (and usually the tickets for the very same day are sold out, like it happened to us this time).
Our next stop was going to be the bunkers of Carmel. Nevertheless, thanks to the recommendation of a local, we ended up going to the top of a less famous view point and that also has a 360º views: Parque del Carmelo or Mirador de la Montaña Pelada. The trails to go up are sandy, and a little bit complicated, so it’s a must to wear comfortable footwear. Finally, we went to Torre Glòries to see this big building illuminated.
It may be interesting for this second day:
- Barcelona & Montjuïc Castle Tour
- Free Walking Tour of Park Güell
- Tour of El Born District + Tapas & Wine Tasting
Day 3
The last day of our itinerary of Barcelona in 3 days, we make one of the most important activities in the city: visiting la Sagrada Família. Through a guided visit, we get to know its particularities and details, and we know its interior. After having lunch, we go to Sants Station to take our train back home.
If you have more time in the city, you can visit the interior of Palau de la Música or Recinte Modernista Sant Pau if you haven’t already done so. Also, you can go to Barcelona to enjoy the beach.
Other original activities you can do in Barcelona:
FAQs about visiting Barcelona
Let’s answer to some of the frequent questions about visiting Barcelona:
To which attractions should I book in advance?
It is important to book tickets in advance for:
- Sagrada Família
- Casa Batlló
- Casa Milà (also called La Pedrera)
- Park Güell
- Palau de la Música Catalana
- Montjuïc cable car (it is a little bit cheaper than in the box office).
Is 3 days in Barcelona enough?
I think in 3 days is impossible to see Barcelona in its entirety, but you’ll be able to visit the highlights of the city.
Is Barcelona safe for tourists?
Yes, in general is safe, but you have to keep an eye on your belongings, as tourists are a target for pickpockets (specially in El Raval and in Barceloneta), as well as avoid solitary areas in the night.
What are some places worth visiting near Barcelona?
Some interesting day trips from Barcelona are:
- Montserrat
- Figueres (perfect if you like Dalí’s artwork)
- Tarragona
Pictures are from my travel blog in Spanish, Meraviglia, so I own the rights to them. On the other hand, links to Civitatis are affiliate, so, by using, you’ll be helping me to continue making content.
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