Barcelona 3-Day Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in Barcelona

Want to spend three days in Barcelona, but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place!

In this Barcelona 3-day itinerary I have outlined everything you need to know for the ultimate Barcelona trip! Including the best things to do, where to eat, some insider local tips and much more!

I also included some useful logistical tips like where to stay and how to get around Barcelona. Barcelona is one of the most popular destinations in Spain, and it’s easy to see why.

With its laid-back vibe, unique architecture and great weather, it’s a city that attracts all sorts of visitors.

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a party trip or want to dive deep in art history, Barcelona offers both those things, and much more.

I first visited Barcelona at 17 when I finished high school, and over the years I found myself always going back. In this article I have included all my top tips as a return traveller to Barcelona.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in and discover how to spend three days in Barcelona!

Barcelona Itinerary: Day 1

Casa Battló

Start your day bright and early at Antonio Gaudi’s landmark Casa Battló. This is one of the architect’s masterpieces, a hotchpotch of Art Nouveau and Modernism all rolled into one.

Locals have dubbed the building Casa dels Ossos (“House of Bones”) because of its skeletal look.

Visiting here is a must for architecture fans, but it will wow any visitor. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a jewel of the Barcelona landscape.

You can even go inside and learn more about the building with an audio guide (or join a tour). It’s open every day from 9AM to 8PM, and entrance fees costs €35.

Don’t miss out and skip the queues, purchase your Casa Battlo entrance ticket with audio guide here!

Casa Milà

Walk 7 minutes along Passeig de Gràcia and you’ll find Casa Mila. Also called La Pedrera (“The Quarry”), due to its rough, natural look, this is another Antoni Gaudi building.

This former apartment block has some significance to the architect’s life: it was the last private residence designed by him, and was built between 1906 and 1912. 

This marvel of Catalan modernism is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and well worth a peek from outside – as well as a guided tour of the interior if you want to know more.

It’s open every day from 9AM to 11PM, and entrance fees costs €25. Make sure to purchase your ticket online beforehand, so that you can skip the queues!

Click here to purchase your Casa Milà skip the line entrance tickets & audio guide!

La Sagrada Familia

Stroll 20 minutes northeast along Calle de Provenca, and you’ll find the universally famous cathedral of La Sagrada Família. This is a must for any Barcelona itinerary, no matter how long you’ve got in the city.

Construction of this behemoth of modern gothic proportions started in 1882, and continues to this day according to Gaudi’s designs. It was consecrated only in 2010. 

Hailed as a masterpiece in architecture the world over, visiting here is an experience in itself. From the outside it’s amazing enough, but step inside and it’s almost like entering a half-living giant. Incredible. 

It’s open every day from 9AM to 7PM, and entrance fees cost €38.

The queue to get into the Sagrada Familia can get pretty long, since you only have three days in Barcelona, you don’t want to waste them queueing! Make sure to purchase your Sagrada Familia entrance ticket online beforehand!

Click here to purchase your Sagrada Familia Entry Ticket with Audioguide!

Discover the local cuisine!

What better way to round up the first day of your Barcelona itinerary than with food? In this gastronomy-obsessed city, there are plenty of options when it comes to eating – and even making food.

And let’s face it: when travelling food, and the traditions surrounding it, are just as important as landmark buildings!

I did a tapas tour in Barcelona on my first trip, and absolutely loved it! I loved trying lots of little nibbles, with a local guide showing us around and teaching us about the history of what we were eating.

So, why not join a tour like this tapas and flamenco experience, where you can enjoy a flamenco show in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, whilst you tuck into plates of tapas and sip on sangria throughout.

Or maybe you’d like to pick up some paella-making skills? This paella cooking experience sees you accompanying a chef to buy ingredients at the Boqueria Market, and then learning how to whip up your own paella. 

Click here to book your tapas & flamenco show, or your paella cooking class in Barcelona!

Barcelona Itinerary: Day 2

Placa de Catalunya

From the market, the Plaça de Catalunya is an 8-minute walk away along La Rambla. This large, lively square is Barcelona’s central heart, where the old city and its more modern side meet.

It’s also here that you’ll find Barcelona’s main transport hub, so it’s a busy place where buses and trains arrive and depart all day long.

The bustling square is centred around ornamental fountains and historic statues, around which there’s a whole cross-section of Barcelona.

Some people feed pigeons, others paint portraits of visitors; vendors sell snacks, tourists gather, friends meet. Take a moment to enjoy the vibrancy (and take a breather after your lunch!).

La Rambla

Day two on your Barcelona 3-day itinerary begins with a trip to the icon that is La Rambla (or Las Ramblas) – a pedestrianised thoroughfare that is a focal point of central Barcelona.

The tree-lined boulevard runs for 1.2 kilometres and boasts an array of stalls, stores, boutiques, art galleries, street performers, cafes, culminating in a festival of sights and sounds in the city. 

However, this famous street is also very touristy and has become somewhat infamous for tourist traps (and pickpockets).

As a general tip, I’d say don’t eat here – it’s all overpriced (and not very good), but there’s still a cool street with plenty to explore just off the main drag too.

Gothic Quarter

Bordering the street of La Rambla is my all-time favourite part of Barcelona: the Gothic Quarter.

Jam-packed with a variety of architectural treasures and historical delights, here hiding in plain sight you’ll find Medieval churches, pretty cobbled lanes and Roman relics.

There is a whole trove of bars, restaurants, cafes and boutiques to discover along the cute, narrow streets of this quarter.

If you’ve got time, and you’re keen to learn more about the history of this district, stop off at the Museu d’Història de la Ciutat, complete with remains of Roman-era streets.

Barcelona Cathedral

Set within the Gothic Quarter itself is the beautiful Cathedral of Barcelona. This stunning building is considered one of the most Instagrammable spots in Barcelona, and it’s easy to see why.

Strangely, it’s got more in common with Northern European Gothic flavour: the facade is impressively adorned with gruesome gargoyles and intricate stonework.

It’s a decidedly Barcelona landmark – in fact, it was spared any destruction by Anarchists during the Spanish Civil War (one of only a few that did).

This elegant 14th-century cathedral is dripping with detail, from its soaring columns to its marble baptismal font. You can also take a trip up to the roof in the lift for views of the city.

Open (on most days), 8AM – 12:45PM, 1PM – 5:30PM and 5:45PM – 7:30PM ; free admission (guided visit €12; lift €3).

La Boquería Market

By now you’ll be pretty hungry, so it’s time to head to La Boqueria Market. This feast for the senses is a colourful concoction of market stalls, food, vendors and crowds, all just a 10-minute stroll from Barcelona Cathedral.

Though the market started life in the 13th century, the current building it’s housed in dates back to 1914. My advice is to come here hungry and enjoy tucking into a huge variety of delicious foods.

Get samples from the meat and cheese stalls, pick up some fruit, and stop by one of the many eateries (tapas, preferably) to get your fill. There’s no shortage of options. 

It’s a busy place and is usually very crowded, but it’s definitely up there as one of the main things to see in Barcelona in 3 days for good reason! Open every day (except Sundays), 8AM – 8:30PM; admission is free.

If you join a food tour in Barcelona, chances are you will do a stop at La Boqueria Market.

Arc de Triomf

Just a kilometre away from this central square is the Arc de Triomf. This triumphal arch was built by architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas, a main proponent of the Catalan modernism movement.

The impressive archway spans the Passeig de Lluis Companys, and forms the entranceway to the Parc de la Ciutadella.

Fun fact: Unlike many triumphal arches in the world, this one is not military – instead it was built to welcome people to the 1888 World Fair hosted by the city. 

Head to the beach!

If you’re here in summer, a trip to the beach is a must; even if you’re not, it’s a nice place to go for a walk.

Barceloneta Beach (all 1,100 metres of it) is either a 30-minute walk or a 20-minute bus ride away from the Arc de Triomf.

This area, once a traditional, working-class fishing district, really grew up during the frenzy of construction for the 1992 Olympic Games; there’s a port here, too.

Once you’re here, relax, lap up the scenery, and see out the second night on your Barcelona itinerary with a drink at one of the (many) bars and eateries along the beach.

There are plenty of facilities, from sun loungers and kiosks to public Wi-Fi.

Other beaches can be found up and down the coast from here if you finish up the second day of your Barcelona itinerary early, and have time to travel a bit further.

Barcelona Itinerary: Day 3

Park Güell

The finale of your 3 days in Barcelona begins with a trip to Park Güell.

This is one of the largest green spaces in the city, but is more famous for being home to a number of architectural gems by Gaudi, and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site attributed to his works.

It’s a really cool place to wander around for a few hours. The park in itself is lovely, but there are also lots of unique architectural elements dotted all over it, which make it even more interesting.

Add in sweeping views over the Barcelona skyline, and you have an all round winner!

Therefore, as you might expect, the park is full of the architect’s fantastical designs. It’s open every day from 9:30AM – 7:30PM, and entrance costs €13 per person.

Make sure to purchase your Park Guell entrance ticket online beforehand.

I didn’t think to do it, and on my last visit to Barcelona, I wasted at least 45 minute queueing outside under the sun, whilst other travellers who had planned their trip better than me just walked straight through.

Click here to purchase your Park Guell skip-the-queue entrance ticket!

Mount Tibidado

At the north end of Barcelona, the 512-metre Mount Tibidabo towers over the city. Most people make the journey up here to visit the old-school amusement park, and enjoy the panoramic views over Barcelona.

You can take the relatively new funicular railway up to the top (€7.50 for the funicular, or €12 with entrance to the amusement park). But if you’re not here for the amusement park, that’s fine too.

There’s also some architectural goodness up here in the form of the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a neo-gothic marvel designed by Catalan architect Enric Sagnier.

Construction began in 1902, but the church was consecrated half a century later in 1952. Other than that, there are plenty of pathways along a green space with palm trees to stroll around; it’s also a popular running spot.

See the sunset at Bunkers del Carmel

Around an hour away from Mount Tibidabo via public transport (or around 25 minutes in a taxi), you will find Bunkers del Carmel.

With its incredible views of Barcelona, this is the sunset spot in the city, especially for locals.

But it wasn’t always just a pretty place: it was built in 1938 during the Spanish Civil War as an anti-aircraft fortification.

Obviously, with no guns here anymore, it’s a fantastic vantage point of Barcelona – a 360-degree view from the top of the Turo de la Rovira hill.

Locals come here for sunset, and I recommend joining them. Bring wine and cheese if you like!

Eat Pinchos

It’s time for a memorable (i.e. delicious!) dinner to round up your epic weekend in Barcelona. From Bunkers del Carmel, take public transport for around 40 minutes from the peak to Carrer de Blai.

This pedestrian street is also known as Fabrica de Pinchos (literally “Pinchos Factory”) because of the heavy density of pinchos places and tapas joints to be found here. 

Pinchos – meaning “stick” or “spike” – comprises a buffet of pieces of bread piled with different toppings which are then skewered; you pay at the end based on how many skewers you’ve devoured.

Here, Pincho J is one of the the popular pinchos bars, which features a whole ton of different pinchos to try out.

Logistical tips for three days in Barcelona

We’ve seen already seen the step-by-step detailed breakdown of my Barcelona itinerary, but I wanted to include also some useful logistical tips, which you will need to know to make the most of your Barcelona trip.

Where to stay in Barcelona for three days

Choosing where to stay in Barcelona can be tricky, as it’s a fairly big city with lots of distinctive neighbourhoods.

Personally, I really like Plaça de la Universitat, as it’s close to the city center and lots of delicious local restaurants. I listed below some cool places to stay in Barcelona for every budget.

Budget: Bird House – This cosy B&B is an affordable option. Featuring private rooms, there’s also a shared kitchen, as well as the option to include breakfast as part of your stay. 

Click here to book your stay at Bird House in Barcelona!

Mid-range: H10 Casanova – H10 Casanova is a modern, mid-range hotel that features clean, streamlined guest rooms with polished bathrooms and some great city views.

Click here to see prices and availability at H10 Casanova!

Luxury: Axel Barcelona – This adults-only hotel is a lavish option for those looking for a memorable place to stay in the district. Amenities include a cocktail bar, outdoor terrace and large swimming pool.

Check out prices & availability at Axel Barcelona here!

Best tours for three days in Barcelona

I refer to these as tours, as you can buy them on GetYourGuide (my favourite online tour booking platform, since it offers free cancellation up until 24 hours before), but they’re not technically tours (not all of them at least).

They’re entrance tickets to the main attractions in Barcelona, and if you’re planning on going inside any of the famous landmarks like the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell or Casa Battlo, you’ll need them.

I can’t stress enough just how much you need to book skip-the-queue tickets online beforehand.

Barcelona is one of the best cities to visit in Spain, it features on everyone’s Spain bucket list (if not Europe bucket list) and as such, it’s incredibly busy.

Regardless of when you visit Barcelona, the famous sights will always have long lines. If you want to avoid wasting your three days in Barcelona, I suggest booking online the tickets listed below.

Sagrada Familia Entry Ticket with Audioguide: The Sagrada Familia is one of the most popular and most visited sights in Barcelona. Purchase your ticket online beforehand, and skip the queue!

Click here to purchase your Sagrada Familia Entry Ticket with Audioguide!

Park Guell Admission Ticket: I know I sound like a broken bell, but make sure to purchase your admission ticket for Park Guell beforehand, if not, you’ll waste hours queuing outside the park!

Click here to purchase your Park Guell skip-the-queue entrance ticket!

Casa Batlló Entry with Self-Audioguide Tour: This option not only covers your skip-the-line entrance to Casa Batlló, but also include a easy to use audioguide, so that you can visit it at your own pace.

Click here to purchase your Casa Battlo entrance ticket with audio guide here!

Camp Nou & FC Barcelona Museum: Bit of a niche one, but for all the football fans out there, you can’t not add the famous Camp Nou to your Barcelona itinerary!

Book your Camp Nou & FC Barcelona Museum entrance & tour here!

Boat Trip, Cable Car Ticket & E-Bike Tour of Barcelona: You’ve read that right, this unique Barcelona tour includes three modes of transport! It allows you to see lots of different sides of Barcelona in half a day.

Check out prices and availability for your Barcelona boat trip, cable car & bike tour here!

What to pack for three days in Barcelona

Being a city with loads of shops, as well as a super popular tourist destination, there isn’t really much you need to bring to Barcelona. If you forget anything, you can just buy it there.

That said, beyond the usual travel essentials, here are some things I recommend you don’t forget.

Camera – Given how stunning Barcelona is, you want to make sure you capture it in all its beauty!

Reusable water bottle – If you follow this Barcelona 3-day itinerary exactly, you’ll end up walking loads, so make sure to stay hydrated! You can just refill it at the many free water fountains around Barcelona.

Walking shoes – Given how much you will be walking, make sure you have comfortable shoes!

International adapter – You can buy it in Barcelona if you forget it, but it’s always a pain having to head out to search for one with your phone battery dying on you.

Power bank – Regardless of if you have a charger or not, it’s always handy to bring one of these, so whether you need your phone for photos or mapping your way, you know it won’t abandon you when you most need it!

Do you need travel insurance for three days in Barcelona?

After my personal experience spending two nights in a private hospital in Tenerife, and having to pay for it out of pocket (it wasn’t cheap), I always recommend getting travel insurance.

You might not end up needing it, but for a small fee you can travel without worries. Personally, I suggest getting your travel insurance with  Heymondo.

Heymondo offers tailor made travel insurance, providing the best value for money for your specific trip. You can also buy it once you’re already abroad and have forgotten about it before flying (which, if you’re anything like me, is quite likely).

Besides the usual cancellation, medical expenses, luggage coverage and general travel insurance services, Heymondo also has a 24/7 doctor chat and instant assistance through their app.

As a Greta’s Travels reader, you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance!

Click here to get your 5% off Heymondo travel insurance!

How to get around Barcelona

The first thing you’ll need to know to maximise your time in Barcelona is how to get around this cool city. 

Thankfully it’s pretty compact for starters, and it also has a comprehensive public transport network to get you from A to B. 

The Barcelona metro connects the downtown area with the suburbs and a number of surrounding towns and cities (many on the coast).

And the best thing of all for your Barcelona weekend itinerary? The metro runs until 2AM on the weekends (midnight in the week).

Then there’s the bus. This is a pretty good option if you want to get around the city at nighttime.

Both the bus and metro work on the same Barcelona public transport travel card. A single ride on the metro costs €2.40; a 24-hour ticket for all public transport costs €10.50.

Barcelona is also compact enough that you can get around on bicycle.

This has become quite popular in recent years – and it’s not just pedal power. There are also e-bikes and e-scooters, with docking stations all over Barcelona and apps like RideMovi that make it easy to use.

Click here to purchase your Barcelona Public Transport Travel Card!

Are three days in Barcelona enough?

Before we dive into my Barcelona itinerary, you might be wondering how many days you should spend in Barcelona, and whether three days are really enough.

It ultimately depends on your interests and travel style, but given the compact size of the city, it is possible to see Barcelona in 3 days, or a long weekend.

Three days is enough to see all the main sights without rushing it, and sample a taste of what the city’s culture (and culinary scene!) has to offer.

I’ve created this 3 days in Barcelona itinerary for you to make the most of your time in the Catalonian capital. Without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Final thoughts on my 3 days in Barcelona itinerary

There you have it, my complete guide and ultimate Barcelona 3-day itinerary! Have you been to Barcelona before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

Barcelona is one of those cities that I could visit over and over again, and never get bored. It has such a fun and relaxed vibe, as well as simply stunning architecture and plenty of things to do.

There are a few more beautiful spots in Barcelona, such as Plaça Reial, Montjuic Hill, Palau Güell or Casa Vicens that I haven’t mentioned in this Barcelona 3-day itinerary.

That’s because, realistically, in three days you won’t be able to see the whole city, so I wanted to prioritise the more iconic Barcelona sights. You might be able to see these sights as you walk around Barcelona, but you probably won’t have time to go inside.

It’s no secret that I love Spain. Although I’m more of a fan of Tenerife, its great hiking opportunities, surfing spots and winter sun, Barcelona is a close second in my list of favourite Spanish destinations.

I hope you found my Barcelona itinerary, and that it will help you plan your three days in Barcelona. If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!

Going beyond Barcelona? Discover other famous cities in Spain:

• Plan the perfect Mallorca itinerary
• The best Granada day trip from Malaga
• How to spend 3 days in Seville
• Ultimate guide to visiting the Alhambra

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