3 days in Barcelona: a day-by-day itinerary

Day 1 · Gaudí and the Old Town

Begin at the Sagrada Família with a booked time slot, walk down Passeig de Gràcia to Casa Batlló, taste your way through La Boqueria market and end in the cathedral square.

1. 1

   Sagrada Família

   Attractions

   Gaudí's unfinished basilica. Book tickets online in advance.

   Directions Tickets
2. 2

   Casa Batlló

   Attractions

   Gaudí's dragon-roofed house on Passeig de Gràcia.

   Directions Tickets
3. 3

   Mercat de Sant Josep - La Boqueria

   Attractions

   Directions
4. 4

   Catedral de Barcelona

   Historic

   Gothic cathedral in the maze of the Gothic Quarter.

   Directions Tickets

Day 2 · Park Güell and the hills

Visit Park Güell in the morning light, then the Modernist Sant Pau hospital. Climb to the Bunkers del Carmel for the best free view over the city at sunset.

1. 1

   Park Güell

   Attractions

   Mosaic terraces and city views designed by Gaudí.

   Directions Tickets
2. 2

   Hospital de Sant Pau

   Attractions

   Directions
3. 3

   Bunkers del Carmel

   Hidden gems

   Old anti-aircraft battery with a free 360° view of the city.

   Directions

Day 3 · El Born, the sea and Montjuïc

See Santa Maria del Mar and the Picasso Museum in El Born, walk to the old port for the aquarium, and finish at the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc when it is running.

1. 1

   Santa Maria del Mar

   Attractions

   Directions
2. 2

   Picasso Museum

   Museum

   Directions
3. 3

   L'Aquàrium

   Family

   Walk through an 80-metre shark tunnel at the old port.

   Directions Tickets
4. 4

   Magic Fountain of Montjuïc

   Attractions

   Directions

Good to know

• Book the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló and Park Güell online — same-day tickets often sell out.
• Watch your bag on La Rambla and in the metro; pickpocketing is the main risk for visitors.
• The Hola Barcelona travel card gives unlimited metro and bus rides for 2–5 days.
• The Magic Fountain only runs on certain evenings and is switched off during droughts — check before you go.

Questions

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