Barcelona in 3 days is perfect to get a good (first) impression of this vibrant Spanish city. Check out this 3 days in Barcelona itinerary for tips!
Why is 3 days perfect for Barcelona?
Do you have a Barcelona city break planned? That’s convenient because in this article you will discover what you can see and do in the city during a three-day city break. Why three days?
Three days in Barcelona is perfect to get a good first impression of the city and experience the highlights. Here are the reasons:
Visiting the highlights: In three days you can visit most of Barcelona’s famous sights, such as the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Milà, and the El Born neighborhood. You can also take a day trip to Montserrat, a beautiful mountain range with a monastery.
Time to relax and enjoy: With three days, you will have enough time to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the city without rushing. You can stroll its charming streets, stroll along the coastline, and enjoy delicious tapas on a terrace.
Varied activities: Barcelona has something for everyone and three days is enough to do different activities. You can visit museums, and stores, go for a bike ride, go on a day trip, relax on the beach, or enjoy the vibrant nightlife at night.
Affordable and efficient: Barcelona is certainly not the cheapest city in Spain, but a three-day city break is enough to see the city’s highlights and not spend too much money.
Enough to excite you: Three days is long enough to get a good taste of Barcelona, but short enough to excite you to come back for more.
Of course, the perfect number of days in Barcelona depends on your interests and travel style. If you have more time, you can delve deeper into the city’s culture and history, or explore the surrounding area. But three days is a great start to discovering why Barcelona is one of the most popular cities in the world.
The perfect 3 days in Barcelona itinerary
I have visited Barcelona several times and in this article, I share my ultimate itinerary for Barcelona in 3 days. Have fun!
Day 1: Introduction to Gaudí and El Born
Start your first day in Barcelona with a visit to the famous Sagrada Familia. Designed by world-renowned architect Antoni Gaudí, this imposing basilica is an absolute must-see. Remember to book your tickets in advance to avoid long queues.
After you visit the Sagrada Familia, you can walk to nearby Park Güell. The walk takes about 35 minutes and on the way to the park, there are plenty of nice cafes and restaurants where you can have lunch.
For Park Güell, it is also convenient to order tickets in advance. Known for its colorful mosaics, this park offers breathtaking views of the city.
Explore this unique park at your leisure before moving on to Barcelona’s next highlight: the cozy neighborhood of El Born. It is convenient to go here by subway. From Alfons X metro station, take the metro towards La Pau (L4) and get off at Jaume I station.
El Born with its charming narrow streets, cozy squares, and historic buildings is a delightful neighborhood just to wander around and explore. Here you can visit several beautiful Gothic churches, buy souvenirs in quaint boutique shops, and explore the cozy squares. Here you will also find the Museu Picasso, one of the finest museums in Spain about the Spanish painter.
In the evening, enjoy a delicious tapas meal at one of the atmospheric restaurants in El Born. Sample various small dishes and enjoy Catalan cuisine. End your day with a drink at a bar overlooking the city, where you can relax and reflect on all the day’s impressions.
Day 2: Day trip to Montserrat
After a full day in Barcelona, today it’s time to get out of town! Yes, you read that right, not only in Barcelona itself there are beautiful places to discover, but also just beyond. Today you will visit Montserrat. This is a mountain range known for its dramatic rocky peaks and spectacular scenery. At the top of these imposing mountains lies the Benedictine monastery of Montserrat, a spiritual and cultural center that has attracted pilgrims for centuries.
To get there, take the train from Barcelona to Monistrol de Montserrat, where you can take the cable car to the top of the mountain. During the ride, enjoy the spectacular views of the jagged mountain landscape and views of the Mediterranean Sea.
You can buy train tickets on the day at the station (Barcelona Sants), but it’s helpful to book a ticket for the cable car on time. These sell out quickly. Book your ticket for the cable car here.
Arriving at the top, you are greeted by the unique rock formations of Montserrat and the monastery built against it. The Monastery of Montserrat with the Black Madonna, a famous statue of the Virgin Mary, is an absolute must-see. Buy your ticket to the monastery here.
After lunch at one of the restaurants on the mountain, you can engage in various activities. For example, follow one of the hiking trails and enjoy the panoramic views or visit the Museum of religious art.
In the late afternoon, you will return to Barcelona. You can relax for a while in your accommodation, or choose to visit Casa Milà. This is a building by Gaudí with an undulating facade and unusual chimneys. Not only the unique architecture is very beautiful to see, but also the interior.
In the evening, enjoy a delicious meal at a restaurant in the Eixample neighborhood. Sample various Catalan specialties and enjoy the lively atmosphere in this trendy neighborhood.
Day 3: Relax on the beach & explore Barri Gòtic
After your breakfast, head to Barceloneta, Barcelona’s popular beach. Relax on the sand, take a dip in the Mediterranean Sea, enjoy water sports activities such as surfing or paddleboarding, or go for a long walk on the beach.
Stroll along Barceloneta’s promenade and enjoy the fresh sea air. Stop at one of the many restaurants or cafes for a delicious lunch overlooking the sea.
In the afternoon, head back into the city and explore the Barri Gòtic district. Like El Born, this is a wonderful neighborhood to stroll around without a plan, admiring its charming medieval streets, historic buildings, and cozy squares. Also, visit Barcelona’s imposing cathedral.
In the evening, enjoy a traditional meal at one of the neighborhood’s Catalan restaurants. Sample various local specialties such as paella, tapas, and crema catalana. End the evening with a spectacular flamenco show at Tablao Cordobes, one of Barcelona’s most famous flamenco bars. Admire the passion and talent of flamenco artists and enjoy this uniquely Spanish tradition.
As far as I am concerned, this is a great itinerary for three days in Barcelona. Three days is enough to get a good impression of this multifaceted Catalan city. Don’t forget to also set aside some time to just wander around, enjoy tapas in cozy restaurants, and sample local Catalan cuisine. Barcelona will surely enchant you!
Other sights to add
Of course, you can adjust the daily schedule to suit your own interests and schedule. Other sights to add:
- Casa Batlló: another modernist building by Gaudí. Similar to Casa Milà, but even more colorful.
- Stroll down La Rambla: Barcelona’s most famous boulevard with street performers, cafes, and stores (be sure to watch out for pickpockets here).
- Go to a soccer game at Camp Nou: the stadium of FC Barcelona.
- Visit Tibidabo: a mountain with an amusement park and panoramic views of Barcelona.
- See art at MNAC: Housed in the imposing Palau Nacional, this museum offers an extensive collection of Catalan art, ranging from Romanesque frescoes to modernist paintings.
- Take the cable car to Montjuïc: for spectacular views of the city.
- Relax in Parc de la Ciutadella: a huge city park with several gardens.
For more Barcelona tips, make sure to check out: 19 fun things to do in Barcelona
Where to stay in Barcelona
Of course, to spend three unforgettable days in Barcelona, it is convenient to stay in a central location in the city. These are some fine hotels in Barcelona:
- Hostal Girona – I stayed in this guesthouse once during a solo trip to Barcelona. The rooms are small but clean. The breakfast is really delicious and it is in a great location for exploring the city. A good option if you are looking for an affordable stay.
- El Avenida Palace (4⭐) – Nice downtown hotel with a rooftop pool. Lovely to take a refreshing dip in the evening.
- Sercotel Hotel Rosellon (4⭐) – Fine hotel with a fantastic rooftop terrace. From here you have a great view of the Sagrada Fámilia.
Check out Booking.com for more tips, availability, and prices.
Tips to make the most of your 3 days in Barcelona
Does this 3 days in Barcelona itinerary sound interesting? have a few additional tips to make the most of your trip:
- Plan your trip in advance and buy tickets to popular attractions online.
- Choose a central accommodation so you can easily walk to most of the sights.
- Wear comfortable shoes because you will be walking a lot.
- Bring a bottle of water, especially in the summer.
- Use public transportation, or rent a bicycle to get around.
- Try local tapas and paella.
- Learn a few basic words in Catalan.
- Relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the city!
Book a trip to Barcelona
These were all my tips for 3 days in Barcelona. Would you like to visit Barcelona? Book your trip now!
✈️ Plane tickets – Barcelona has a large international airport with great connections all over the world. Check WayAway to find the best deals and get cashback on plane tickets.
🚆 Travel to Spain by train – Spain is very well accessible by train from other European countries. Check Rail Europe for train times and tickets.
🚘 Rental Car – Would you like to see more of the Spanish countryside? Renting a car in Spain is cheap and easy. Check Rental Cars to find the best deals.
💊 Travel insurance – Having good travel insurance will give you peace of mind. Check Insubuy to find the best travel insurance that fits your needs.
🎡 Tours and activities – There are a lot of fun tours and activities to do in Barcelona. Check Get Your Guide to find the best-guided tours and activities.
Read more about Barcelona & Spain
Looking for more Barcelona tips? Get one of these guidebooks for more tips and inspiration.
Fodor’s Barcelona: with Highlights of Catalonia
Whether you want to tour Parc Güell, explore the Barri Gòtic, or marvel at the Sagrada Familia, the local Fodor’s travel experts in Barcelona are here to help!
Lonely Planet's Barcelona is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you.
As I mentioned before, I have visited Barcelona several times and travel to Spain every year. It is one of my favorite European destinations, which is why you can find many tips for a trip to Spain on this website. Check out these articles:
- 20 Fun things to do in Costa Brava
- 11 fun and interesting things to do in Figueres
- Galicia itinerary: explore Northwest Spain in 2 weeks
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