So you’re looking for a Barcelona Spain itinerary? I’ve been there!
This amazing city stole my heart when I first visited Spain, and I somehow managed to pack the highlights into 24 hours (though I was exhausted afterward!).
I’m sharing my tried-and-tested route through the city that hits all the must–sees without making you feel like you’re running a marathon.
From GaudÃ’s mind–blowing buildings to tapas that’ll make your taste buds dance – here’s how to make the most of your quick trip to Barcelona.
Barcelona Spain Itinerary: 9:00 AM – Breakfast at La Boqueria
Start at La Boqueria market on La Rambla. Trust me, your stomach will thank you!
This market’s been feeding locals since the 1200s, and the energy here is contagious. Here, you’ll find an array of fresh produce, local cheeses, cured meats, and other regional specialties.
Find a spot at one of the tiny bars tucked between the stalls – I loved El Quim de la Boqueria. Order some tomato bread (pa amb tomà quet) with Iberian ham (jamón ibérico) and a glass of fresh orange juice.
I still dream about that bread – so simple but incredible. Watching the vendors call out to customers while you eat is half the fun.
Practical Info
- La Boqueria (La Rambla 91) is open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM.
10:00 AM – La Rambla & Gothic Quarter
With a full belly, head down La Rambla. This street never sleeps! Look down to spot the colorful Miró mosaic on the pavement.
Oh, and if you pass the Canaletas Fountain, locals told me you should take a sip – supposedly guarantees you’ll come back someday (though I was too chicken to try the water!).
The real magic happens when you duck into the Gothic Quarter. The streets twist and turn like a maze, and sometimes you’ll turn a corner and stumble onto a hidden square that’s been there for centuries.
The Cathedral of Santa Eulalia took my breath away – those soaring ceilings make you feel tiny!
I accidentally found bits of Roman walls while I was wandering around. Mind-blowing to think parts of this neighborhood are 2,000 years old!
Make sure to sit for a minute in Plaça Reial – those palm trees and that fountain are perfect for a quick rest and people-watching.
Practical Info
- The Cathedral of Santa Eulalia (Pla de la Seu) is open Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM-6:30 PM (last entry at 5:45 PM), Saturdays 9:30 AM-5:15 PM, and Sundays 2:00 PM-5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM).
- Main areas are free to enter, but some sections require a ticket (€14-28, available online).
12:00 PM – Santa Maria del Mar
Next, head to El Born neighborhood to check out Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar.
This place isn’t as famous as some others in the city, which means fewer crowds! The inside feels so open and peaceful compared to more ornate churches.
My friend had just read “Cathedral of the Sea” before our trip, so she was extra excited to see this place. We paid the small fee to climb to the roof, and wow – totally worth it for the views!
Practical Info
- Santa Maria del Mar (Plaça de Santa Maria 1) is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Sundays 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM.
- Entrance fee: €5-10, tickets available online.
Barcelona Spain Itinerary: 1:00 PM – Lunch Break in El Born
By now, you’re probably getting hungry again (I was!). El Born has tons of cute places to eat.
We stumbled on El Xampanyet and lucked out with a table. The place was packed with locals – always a good sign! Their tapas are to die for, and you’ve gotta try the cava (local bubbly wine).
We ordered way too many patatas bravas and this amazing seafood paella that I still think about sometimes.
If you can’t get into El Xampanyet, try Mercat de Santa Caterina. The building itself is super cool with this wavy, colorful roof. Inside there are food stalls where you can sample a bit of everything.
Practical Info
- Mercat de Santa Caterina (Francesc Cambó 16) is open Saturday to Thursday from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM, and Friday from 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM.
- Closed on Sundays.
Barcelona Spain Itinerary: 2:30 PM – Sagrada Familia
OK, I know it sounds cliché, but Sagrada Familia really is mind–blowing. Pictures don’t do it justice! This massive church has been under construction since 1882, and they’re still working on it.
The outside is wild enough, but the inside? Those tree-like columns and the way the colored light streams through the stained glass windows… I just stood there with my mouth open for like 10 minutes.
Be sure to buy tickets online in advance to avoid long queues. A guided tour of the basilica’s interior takes about 1.5 hours.
Practical Info
- Sagrada Familia (Carrer de Mallorca 401) is open:
- November-February:
- Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
- Sunday 10:30 AM-6:00 PM
- March-October:
- Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
- Sunday 10:30 AM-7:00 PM
- April-September:
- Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-8:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
- Sunday 10:30 AM-8:00 PM
- Special hours:
- December 25-26 and January 1-6: 9:00 AM-2:00 PM
- November-February:
Barcelona Spain Itinerary: 16.00 – Park Güell
From Sagrada Familia, grab a taxi or bus to Park Güell. This place feels like you’ve stepped into a Dr. Seuss book! It’s a park designed by Gaudà with these bizarre buildings and wild mosaic work everywhere.
Don’t miss the famous mosaic dragon/salamander near the entrance – everyone takes photos with it.
My favorite spot was the long wavy bench covered in broken tiles where you can sit and see the whole city spread out below you. Sunset from here is pretty magical.
Practical Info
- Park Güell (Carrer d’Olot 5) is open daily:
- February 7 to March 28: 9:30 AM-6:00 PM
- March 29 to June 29: 9:30 AM-7:30 PM
- June 30 to August 30: 9:00 AM-7:30 PM
- August 31 to October 24: 9:30 AM-7:30 PM
- October 25 to February 6: 9:30 AM-5:30 PM
- Entrance fee: €13.5-18. Book tickets online to avoid queues.
7:00 PM – Sunset at Montjuïc
Cap off your day with a visit to Montjuïc Hill for breathtaking panoramic views of Barcelona and its port.
Take the cable car or bus to the summit, where you’ll find Montjuïc Castle, a former fortress turned viewpoint.
Watching the sunset from Montjuïc is truly magical. As the city lights begin to twinkle against the backdrop of the Mediterranean, you’ll create memories to last a lifetime.
As it gets dark, head to Montjuïc Hill. You can ride the cable car up (which is an experience itself) or just grab a bus if heights aren’t your thing.
We timed it to reach Montjuïc Castle right as the sun was setting, and wow – watching Barcelona light up as the sky turns pink and orange is something else.
You can see all the way to the Mediterranean on one side and the mountains on the other. I took about a million photos but they don’t capture how beautiful it really was.
Practical Info
- Montjuïc Castle is open daily:
- March-October: 10:00 AM-8:00 PM
- November-February: 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
- Tickets cost €12-16. On the first Sunday of each month and on Sundays after 3:00 PM, admission is free.
- The Montjuïc cable car operates:
- January-February: 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
- March-May: 10:00 AM-7:00 PM
- June-September: 10:00 AM-9:00 PM
- October: 10:00 AM-7:00 PM
- November-December: 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
- December 25, January 1 and 6: 10:00 AM-2:30 PM
- A one-way ticket costs €11, and a round trip is €17. To save money, it’s best to buy tickets online.
9:30 PM – Dinner with a View
For a perfect end to your Barcelona Spain itinerary, enjoy dinner at one of Montjuïc’s panoramic restaurants.
I suggest Terrassa MartÃnez, known for its delicious paella and seafood, complemented by stunning city views from its terrace.
End your Barcelona Spain itinerary with a nice dinner somewhere with a view.
I suggest Terrassa MartÃnez up on Montjuïc. Their seafood paella is incredible, and eating on the terrace with the city twinkling below makes for a perfect last memory of Barcelona.
Fair warning – eating at 9:30 PM is actually early by Spanish standards!
Practical Info
- Terrassa MartÃnez (Ctra. de Miramar 38) is open daily:
- Saturday: 1:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Sunday: 1:00 PM–10:30 PM
- Monday–Thursday: 1:00 PM–4:00 PM, 7:30 PM–10:30 PM
- Wednesday: 1:00 PM–4:00 PM, 7:30 PM–10:30 PM
- Friday: 1:00 PM–11:00 PM
Barcelona Spain Itinerary: If You Have Extra Time
We couldn’t fit these in one day, but visited most in the following days, thanks to locals and other travelers’ recommendations:
- Casa Batlló: Another weird and wonderful Gaudà building that looks like it’s made of bones and has an amazing roof. Open daily 8:30 AM -10:00 PM. Tickets: €25-59 (online booking available).
- Museum Of Wax Barcelona: If you’re into that sort of thing! Open Sunday to Thursday 10:00 AM-8:00 PM, and Friday & Saturday 10:00 AM-8:30 PM. Tickets from €21 (online booking available).
- Barcelona Zoo: Nice break from buildings if you’re traveling with kids. Summer hours: 10:00 AM-8:00 PM daily. Tickets: €21.4 (online booking available).
- Barcelona Aquarium: Home to sharks and all sorts of sea creatures. Summer hours: 10:00 AM-9:00 PM. Tickets: €27-32 (online booking available).
- Picasso Museum: For art lovers – shows his early work before the cubist stuff he got famous for. Opening hours:
- April 15 – October 12:
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday: 9:00 AM-8:00 PM
- Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 9:00 AM 9:00 PM
- October 14 – April 13:
- Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Closed Mondays.
- April 15 – October 12:
Tickets: €14 (online booking available). Free admission on the first Sunday of each month (prior reservation required).
- Casa Milà : Yet another Gaudà masterpiece with a crazy rooftop. Everyone calls it “La Pedrera” (the quarry) because it looks like it’s carved from stone. Opening hours:
- March 7 – November 9:
- Daily, including holidays: 9:00 AM-8:30 PM
- Night sessions: 8:40 PM-10:20 PM
- November 10 – January 4
- Daily, including holidays: 9:00 AM-6:30 PM
- Night sessions: 9:00 PM-11:00 PM
- Tickets: €29-39 (online booking available).
- March 7 – November 9:
Where to Stay in Barcelona
Barcelona has places to stay for every budget (though nothing’s super cheap):
- Luxury: Mandarin Oriental
Extremely elegant hotel in the heart of the city, on the famous Passeig de Grà cia street, known for GaudÒs houses. Rates from €700/night.
- Mid-range: H10 Cubik
A modern hotel in the center, at Carrer de VÃa Laietana 69, close to the metro and main attractions. Rates from €215/night.
- Budget: Hostal Operaramblas
Simple but clean hostel in a great location, on the famous La Rambla street. Double rooms from €115/night.
Prices jump like crazy in high season, so book early if you’re coming in summer!
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Barcelona Spain Itinerary: One Last Thought
Cramming Barcelona into one day is like trying to eat a whole paella in one bite – you’ll get a taste, but you’ll definitely want to come back for more!
I’m already planning my next trip to see everything I missed.
Have you been to Barcelona? Did you discover any hidden gems I should check out next time? Shoot me an email!
If you found this Barcelona Spain itinerary helpful, feel free to share it. Enjoy your trip!
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