If you’ve been wondering how to make the most of your 3 days in Barcelona, you’ve landed just the right spot.
Whether you’re wandering through its charming Gothic Quarter or enjoying tapas in a bustling plaza, Barcelona promises an unforgettable experience. But there’s also a downside to the overwhelming number of activities… It can be easy to spend 3 days enjoying Barcelona, only to get home and realize you missed some of the must-dos in the city that has it all. Uh-oh.
My boyfriend and I live in Barcelona. We have received so many visitors here during the last few months, from family to friends. I can now confidently say I know exactly how to pack the best of Barcelona in a 3-day itinerary. And that’s what this blog post is for!
Barcelona is a city where stunning architecture meets vibrant street life, from the awe-inspiring Sagrada Familia to sun-drenched beaches. Infused with rich history, delicious cuisine, and a lively atmosphere, it invites you to explore every corner.
Keep reading as I share how you can make the next 72 hours in Barcelona incredibly memorable 🤍
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Make sure to do a free walking tour during your 3 days in Barcelona
I always recommend doing a free walking tour to everyone who visits Barcelona for the first time. They are truly the best way of learning a lot about Barcelona, even if you are only in town for a short time. You will learn so much about Barcelona’s culture and history!
How do free walking tours work? Free walking tours do not come with a set price, hence they are free. You will spend a couple of hours with your local guide exploring Barcelona’s most important areas and monuments. The local guides are the best part about free walking tours. They truly do an amazing job of showing you the city from the eyes of a person who lives here.
After the free walking tour, you have the chance to leave your local guide a tip. And how much you would like to tip them is completely up to you! It usually depends on your budget and on how much you actually liked the tour.
You can find all free walking tours in Barcelona here. By the way! They offer these tours in different languages too. Check out this link to find them in other languages as well.
FAQs About Spending 3 Days in Barcelona
Is 3 days enough time in Barcelona?
Three days is not a very long time to take in all the sights of a great city like Barcelona. But with just the right planning, you can see all the highlights of the city—and get a taste of what it’s like. And, perhaps save the rest for your next trip? 😉
But I do think that 3 days is the minimum you should stay in Barcelona so that you do not have to rush from one monument to another.
How many days in Barcelona is ideal?
Ideally, 5-7 days would allow you to explore more neighborhoods and take day trips from Barcelona. But three days is still a great introduction to the city. And of course, you can always come back!
Is Barcelona expensive?
I’d say that is pretty much relative. Barcelona is more expensive than other Spanish cities like Valencia and Seville. But at the same time, it will be cheaper here than in London and Paris. So, if you’re coming from Europe, you shouldn’t find it so expensive. And, even if you do (for example, in peak tourist season), there are plenty of ways to enjoy the city on a budget. For example, visiting free attractions or eating at local markets.
I wrote a blog post about free things you can do in Barcelona which you can find here.
Can you spend 3 days in Barcelona on a budget?
Yep! Be sure to research when you can visit Barcelona’s main museums for free. I wrote a blog post about what museums you can visit on what days, which you can find here.
Then, you can always opt for the lower-budget restaurants in Barcelona. And there are tons of free activities you can do in Barcelona! Exploring Barcelona city’s parks, beaches, historic neighborhoods, etc. costs nothing 😁 And of course, you can always do a self-guided walking tour in Barcelona.
What should I pack for 3 days in Barcelona?
For one, comfy shoes. Barcelona is best explored on foot, and you want to be comfortable to have the best experience. Generally, you can also bring light layers, sunscreen, and a secure bag to keep your essentials. You would, however, want to check out detailed guides on what to wear in Spain in winter and summer before you get packing.
Depending on the season you are visiting, you might catch some rain in Barcelona as well (mostly if you come in autumn or spring). So, don’t forget to bring an umbrella and some layers with you.
What are the biggest mistakes people make when visiting Barcelona?
Unfortunately, you have to be able to plan ahead when you visit Barcelona. If you are planning to visit famous Gaudí buildings in Barcelona, you need to get your entry tickets at least one week in advance. The same goes for Parc Güell.
I would also always advise you to make restaurant reservations if you have any bucket list restaurants in Barcelona you really want to visit. Unfortunately, you cannot be very spontaneous when it comes to famous restaurants in town anymore as Barcelona receives many tourists every day!
Then, of course, make sure to always take care of your belongings! Barcelona, as any big city, is infamous for its pickpockets.
I created a Barcelona Gaudi Buildings Map with all the buildings in Barcelona designed by Antoni Gaudi. Make sure to check it out :)
The Perfect 3-Day Barcelona Itinerary
Day 1: Exploring Some of Barcelona’s Landmarks
Morning: La Sagrada Familia
Start your journey with a visit to La Sagrada Familia—everyone’s number one in Barcelona. Or what I like to call it, Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece. Barcelona is famous for the Sagrada Familia and if there is one place you really should visit during your Barcelona stay, this is it!
When my mom visited us in April, we decided to visit the Sagrada Familia together. And wow, we had goosebumps! It is nothing like you have ever seen before in your life, I promise! No wonder this is one of Barcelona’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. It truly deserves it. Make sure to put it on your Barcelona bucket list!
One top tip: Try to get a ticket during the famous “golden hour”, which is around 5-7 pm. The light falling through the colored windows is insanely beautiful.
Out of experience, I do recommend the ticket with the audio guide. You will learn so much about Gaudí’s vision of the Sagrada Familia. Without it, you will not get to understand a mayor part of the history and architecture. You can find the tickets with the audio guide here.
If you are interested in architecture, you can check out the guided audio tours as well. There, an educated guide will tell you the story of this masterpiece. And you will have the chance to ask many questions.
Where to eat: Enjoy lunch at Casa Alfonso. It is one of my favorite tapas bars to take visitors to in Barcelona. They have received several prices for their jamón. You have to try it, it’s incredible!
Afternoon: Montjuïc Mountain
After lunch, head over to Montjuïc Mountain for panoramic views of Barcelona. There are escalators you can take to get to the top, and there you can enjoy the best views of Barcelona!
While you are there you will probably be able to catch one of the many live performances at Montjuïc. Those can be live music performances, piano performances, or dancers. They are usually really good!
Be sure to visit the Montjuïc Castle, which is home to Catalonia’s Nationa Art Museum: Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. You really cannot miss it if you are an art fan!
If you have time you can also visit Barcelona’s botanical garden, which is located in Montjuïc as well. And my secret tip: Check out Mirador del Alcalde. The most breathtaking viewpoint in Barcelona, I promise!
Mirador del Alcalde is definitely one of the hidden gems in Barcelona. If you want to read more about Barcelona off the beaten path places, check out this blog post!
Evening: Passeig de Gràcia
Wrap up your first day by walking along Barcelona’s most luxurious avenue: Passeig de Gràcia. This is a shopping street with modernist architecture, including Gaudi’s Casa Batlló (I highly recommend seeing Casa Battló inside!)and Casa Milá . If you’re a shopping enthusiast, this is the place to splurge on some high-end fashion 😉
You should absolutely check out Spanish shops, like Zara or Mango. They usually tend to be cheaper in Spain than in your home country. My favorite shop for good-quality clothes is Massimo Dutti. Maybe there you will also find a great souvenir from Barcelona?
If you are debating on what other Gaudí masterpieces to visit, I would highly recommend to visit Casa Battló. Casa Milá is beautiful too, but there is so much more to see in Casa Batlló!
Day 2: All About Culture and Relaxation
Morning: Parc de la Ciutadella
Begin your second day at Parc de la Ciutadella—one of Barcelona’s biggest (and most beautiful!) parks. This is home to the city’s zoo, a boating lake, and the majestic Cascada Monumental fountain.
The boating lake is a great activity as well if you are coming on one of the many sunny days in Barcelona. You can simply rent a rowing boat for only 8€ for half an hour. And row around the small pond of the park. My boyfriend and I have done it several times, and it’s always so much fun!
If you’re visiting with family, the kids will love the animals. Apart from the regular ducks, pigeons, and those beautiful green parrots… you’ll also spot over 100 species of birds!
Also, a quick heads up. While you’re here, you’ll see vendors. And lots of them. I’d go so far as to say you can’t walk out of the park without someone trying to sell you something at least once 😅 (FYI—“no thank you” in Spanish is “no, gracias”).
A must-visit: This year the famous green house in Parc de la Ciutadella opened again! It used to be a construction site for ages, but now it is open to the public again and is full of beautiful flowers and plants. Look up “Hivernacle del Parc de la Ciutadella” to find it!
If you are looking for a breakfast place close to Parc de la Ciutadella, try “Gabby’s Brunch” or “Café Menssana”.
Afternoon: Neighborhood Born & Gothic Quarter
Next, venture into the historic neighborhoods of Born and the Gothic Quarter. Your inner history buff will love getting lost in its narrow, winding streets. While you’re there, be sure to visit the Picasso Museum.
Born and the Gothic Quarter are both full of beautiful shops and small restaurants. You can spend hours getting lost in the streets here. If you are looking for a souvenir from Barcelona for your family, this will be your place to go.
If you like vintage shops, you should check out “Le Swing Vintage”. Another beautiful shop is “Cereria Subirá” for gorgeous candle creations. There are so many beautiful small shops there, I could write a whole blog post about it!
Oh, and explore the Santa Maria del Mar basilica. I personally do not think that you need to go inside, since the entry is 7€/person. You can admire it from the outside. And if you feel like it, what about having a drink from the rooftop of the “Hotel Colon” right across it? The entrance is free, and the view is from out of this world!
Hungry? Make a short stop at “Bar del Pi” for delicious Catalan tapas. My top tip for an authentic tapas bar in Barcelona.
Evening: Barceloneta Beach & Bogatell Beach
End your day with some relaxation at Bogatell Beach. My boyfriend and I loved this because it’s a quieter alternative to the bustling Barceloneta Beach. (Plus, it’s 10 minutes via taxi from the Gothic Quarter). Or you can just walk a bit further away from Barceloneta Beach until it becomes quieter.
You will see many beach bars, that the locals call “chiringuitos”, that are perfect for a light snack or a yummy drink.
Where to eat: If you have time, you should absolutely have vermouth at “Bar la Plata”. It is one of the oldest tapas bars in Barcelona and still serves the same 5 tapas as it did when it opened in the 1940s. (And if you have the chance to take one of their vermouth bottles back home, please do so!)
For dinner, check out “Can Culleretes” for incredible Catalan Food. If you are looking for something more casual, check out “Bodega La Palma”. Their torrija is to die for!
Day 3: Gaudi’s Masterpieces and a Night of Flamenco
Morning: Park Güell
On your final day, you want to enjoy another one of Gaudi’s creations: Park Güell. I recommend booking your tickets ahead of time, as entry is limited. But what makes Park Güell so special? For starters, the architecture will have you awe-inspired.
Think vibrant mosaics, striking columns, and whimsical bird nests. The park’s famous Dragon, or “El Drac”, is a must-see (and must-photograph!). You’ll also enjoy panoramic views of Barcelona here. Plus, it’s great to visit if you’re spending 3 days in Barcelona with family.
Park Güell is located a bit further away from Barcelona’s main attractions but it is so worth visiting! You can get book your entry tickets here (If possible, get them some days in advance!)
Afternoon: La Boquería
La Boquería is Barcelona’s most famous market—and a food lover’s paradise. From fresh produce to delish tapas, you’ll find plenty to munch on as you explore these vibrant stalls. The market is open from Monday to Saturday (8:30 am to 7:30 pm), and admission is free.
Evening: Cocktails and a Flamenco Show
I saved some excitement for your last evening—a taste of Barcelona’s nightlife. You can visit one of the city’s renowned cocktail bars. My boyfriend and I love Dr. Stravinsky’s cocktail bar. Fun fact: It is part of the list of the 50 best cocktail bars in the world. And rightfully so!
After enjoying your cocktail, you want to catch a Flamenco Show at Palau de la Música Catalana. Powerful dancing, soulful music, and vibrant costumes only capture a snapshot of this experience! Trust me when I say, a Flamenco show will give you goosebumps and you will be thinking about this experience for a long time!
I know this is one of the more expensive experiences but I recommend it so much more than the touristy Flamenco Shows you will find around La Rambla. The venue is spectacular (another UNESCO World Heritage site in Barcelona to visit!) and the show is just breathtaking!
You can get your entry tickets here.
And if you want to extend the night, visit “Bar Robinson” for music and great cocktails!
Extend your stay: If you are staying longer in Barcelona
- If you are staying longer in Barcelona you should absolutely do a one-day trip to Montserrat. This famous monastery is located on top of a mountain close to Barcelona and is the perfect one-day trip destination from Barcelona.
- If you cannot get enough of the Gaudí buildings in Barcelona, check out Casa Vicens. It is one of the lesser-known Gaudí buildings in Barcelona. I personally do not understand why people do not talk about it more! You can read more about it here.
- I really recommend doing a one-day trip to the surrounding Costa Brava that is famous for its dreamy beaches with crystal clear water. I wrote a blog post about the most beautiful cities in Costa Brava. Check it out!
- If you cannot get enough of Barcelona’s viewpoints, make sure to visit Mount Tibidabo viewpoint in Barcelona. One of the best views in the city!
Final Words
And, that’s a wrap! I hope you enjoyed reading through this 3-day Barcelona itinerary as much as I did putting it together for you. Stay tuned to my blog for more insider tips on traveling to Spain 🤍
