Qurayo

3 days · 26 stops

Barcelona in 3 days

Three relaxed days in Barcelona, arriving in the Gothic Quarter, with a Gaudí day and a final day between Montjuïc and Poble Sec, always with plenty of good food.

Pace
Balanced
Budget
Mid-range
Season
May

Day 1 · Barcelona

Arrival and the Gothic Quarter

Arrive at El Prat airport, drop your luggage at Hotel Casa Fuster, then stroll through the Gothic Quarter and El Born with tapas, vermouth and dinner.

  1. 11:00

    11:45

    Travel & transfer: Arrival at the airport and transfer into the city

    After landing, take the Aerobús or Metro L9 Sud into the city centre. The Aerobús stops at Passeig de Gràcia, very close to the hotel.

    Aeropuerto de Barcelona-El Prat

  2. 45 min by public transport

  3. 12:30

    13:00

    Stay: Drop your luggage at Hotel Casa Fuster

    You drop your luggage at the modernist Hotel Casa Fuster. The room is only ready from about 3:00 pm. An alternative would be Hotel Midmost.

    Hotel Casa Fuster

  4. 25 min by public transport

  5. 13:25

    14:35

    Lunch: Lunch at Bar del Pla

    Popular tapas bar near El Born with Catalan cuisine. Try the veal croquettes and the tapas with foie. Alternatively: Cal Pep.

    Bar del Plaapprox. 20–€32 pp

  6. 4 min on foot

  7. 14:45

    15:45

    Sightseeing: Visit Santa Maria del Mar

    Catalan Gothic in its purest form: a plain, airy church interior with wonderful light. Ideal for architecture and history fans.

    Basílica de Santa Maria del Marapprox. €5 pp

  8. 2 min on foot

  9. 16:00

    16:30

    Hidden gem: Fossar de les Moreres

    This small memorial square commemorates the defenders of Barcelona in 1714. A quiet place of great significance for Catalan identity.

    Fossar de les Moreres

  10. 4 min on foot

  11. 16:45

    17:15

    Café: Coffee break at Cafès El Magnífico

    Traditional roastery in El Born with excellent specialty coffee. A perfect break before the cathedral.

    Café del Born (Cafès El Magnífico)approx. 3–€6 pp

  12. 8 min on foot

  13. 17:30

    18:30

    Sightseeing: Barcelona Cathedral

    Gothic cathedral with a cloister that is home to 13 geese. Visit includes access to the choir and cloister.

    Kathedrale von Barcelonaapprox. 9–€14 pp

  14. 4 min on foot

  15. 18:40

    19:10

    Sightseeing: Plaça Sant Jaume

    Plaça Sant Jaume

  16. 20 min on foot

  17. 19:30

    20:30

    Drinks: Vermouth at Bar Electricitat

    A genuine Barceloneta spot with vermouth on tap and seafood bites. An authentic aperitivo before dinner. Alternatively: Vermutería del Tano.

    Bar Electricitatapprox. 8–€15 pp

  18. 25 min by public transport

  19. 21:00

    22:30

    Dinner: Dinner at Cervecería Catalana

    Very popular tapas bar in the Eixample, near the hotel. Try the grilled prawns and the montaditos. Alternatively: Tapas 24.

    Cervecería Catalanaapprox. 25–€40 pp

    Reservations are not possible; arrive before 8:30 pm or expect a wait.

Day 2 · Barcelona

Gaudí and Eixample

Gaudí day between Eixample and Gràcia: Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló and Park Güell, plus tapas and dinner in Gràcia.

  1. 08:30

    09:15

    Breakfast: Breakfast at Hotel Casa Fuster

    A relaxed start at the hotel before heading to the Sagrada Família.

    Hotel Casa Fuster

  2. 20 min by public transport

  3. 09:35

    11:35

    Sightseeing: Visit the Sagrada Família

    Sagrada Famíliaapprox. 26–€36 pp

    Book timed-entry tickets online weeks in advance; on site they are often sold out.

  4. 5 min on foot

  5. 11:50

    12:00

    Café: Quick coffee at Café Sagrada

    A quick coffee near the basilica.

    Café Sagradaapprox. 3–€5 pp

  6. 10 min on foot

  7. 12:30

    13:45

    Lunch: Lunch at Cervecería Taller de Tapas

    Classic Catalan tapas in a relaxed atmosphere in the Eixample. Bar Mut is a good alternative.

    Cervecería Taller de Tapasapprox. 18–€28 pp

  8. 20 min by public transport

  9. 14:15

    15:45

    Sightseeing: Casa Batlló on Passeig de Gràcia

    Gaudí's colourful townhouse with an audio guide, one of the highlights of modernist architecture.

    Casa Batllóapprox. 35–€43 pp

  10. 30 min by public transport

  11. 16:30

    18:15

    Sightseeing: Explore Park Güell

    Gaudí's garden complex with mosaics and views over the city.

    Park Güellapprox. 10–€14 pp

  12. 20 min on foot

  13. 18:45

    19:30

    Drinks: Aperitif at Plaça del Sol

    A drink on the square where the people of Gràcia meet in the evening.

    Plaça del Solapprox. 5–€10 pp

  14. 10 min on foot

  15. 20:30

    22:00

    Dinner: Dinner at Bar Chups

    Small bar in Gràcia with tapas and seasonal dishes. Taberna Cañota is a good alternative.

    Bar Chupsapprox. 25–€40 pp

Day 3 · Barcelona

Montjuïc, market and departure

Last day: market breakfast at the Boqueria, a morning on Montjuïc with art and views, pintxos in Poble Sec, then transfer to the airport.

  1. 08:30

    09:30

    Breakfast: Breakfast at Bar Central

    Bar Central (Mercat de la Boqueria)approx. 8–€14 pp

  2. 09:30

    10:00

    Sightseeing: Stroll through the Boqueria

    The famous market is still quiet in the morning: take your time looking at the fruit, ham and seafood.

    Mercat de la Boqueria

  3. 25 min by public transport

  4. 10:25

    12:45

    Sightseeing: Romanesque art at the MNAC

    Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunyaapprox. €12 pp

  5. 15 min on foot

  6. 13:00

    13:30

    Sightseeing: Cactus garden on the hillside

    A peaceful garden with succulents and cacti and views over the harbour, hardly visited by tourists.

    Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera

  7. 20 min by public transport

  8. 13:50

    15:00

    Lunch: Montaditos at Quimet & Quimet

    Tiny traditional spot in Poble Sec with montaditos and tinned seafood, enjoyed standing up. Backup: Bar Lo Pinyol.

    Quimet & Quimetapprox. 18–€28 pp

    Order the montaditos with salmon and yoghurt-truffle honey.

  9. 8 min on foot

  10. 15:10

    15:50

    Café: Coffee and dessert at Granja Petit

    Cosy café in Poble Sec for one last Catalan sweet treat, such as Crema Catalana.

    Granja Petit Paral·lelapprox. 5–€9 pp

  11. 25 min by public transport

  12. 16:15

    17:00

    Stay: Collect luggage at Hotel Casa Fuster

    Pick up your suitcases and check out, if you left them there.

    Hotel Casa Fuster

  13. 40 min by bus

  14. 17:40

    18:40

    Travel & transfer: Transfer to BCN Airport

    Take the Aerobús from Plaça Catalunya or a taxi to the airport, allowing a generous buffer.

    Flughafen Barcelona-El Prat (BCN)approx. €7 pp

Planned with AI and checked with OpenStreetMap. Opening hours and prices can change – please double-check on site.

FAQ

How many days do you need for Barcelona?

Three days are enough for the major highlights, the old town and some beach time. With four days there is room for Montjuïc or a trip to Montserrat.

Where is the best place to stay in Barcelona?

For first-time visitors, El Born, the Gothic Quarter and the Eixample are practical, because a lot is reachable on foot or by metro. Gràcia is the quieter alternative.

Is Barcelona expensive?

Compared with the rest of Europe, it is in the middle range. Accommodation is expensive, especially in summer, while food and public transport are moderate.

Travel tips for BarcelonaYou might also likeBarcelona: Weekend like a local
Copy this itinerary