3 Days in Barcelona

First of all, congratulations, you haven’t made the mistake of spending just 1 or 2 days in Barcelona! Three days is the minimum any self-respecting traveller should allocate to the Catalan capital. While you can always spend longer, 72 hours will give you time to see all of Barcelona’s most iconic attractions, and to get a real flavour of what makes the Great Enchantress so enchanting, from arts and architecture to craft beers and beaches.

The beautiful, sinuous seating at Park Guell…

There are infinite ways you could cut your own 3-day itinerary, so consider the following suggestions as inspiration for you to remix and tailor to your own tastes, timetable and budget.

Having said that, I’ve done my best to plan each of these days thematically and logistically, to save you travel time. Meanwhile, certain tourist cards could help keep your costs down during your stay, so I’ll drop some advice on those into this article.

I will also mention that, if you have the flexibility, four or five days in Barcelona are even better, especially if you plan on taking day trips to see the likes of Montserrat Abbey, the Dali Museum, the nearby wine regions, or the beaches and coves of the Costa Brava.

3 Days At A Glance…

Before we go into detail, here’s our itinerary at a glance, day by day…

The Perfect 3 Day Itinerary!

If you’ve read my guide on how to spend two days in Barcelona, you’ll notice some similarities between the two agendas… but with that crucial third day in Catalonia, you now have time to take a half or full day trip out to the stunning Montserrat mountain range, with its sacred abbey, as well as extra time for the beach, and other fun distractions.

Let’s get started…

Day 1: Gaudi & the Old Town

Let’s begin by exploring the heart of the Catalan capital.

Morning: Three Gaudi Buildings (Day 1)

The works of Antoni Gaudi define Barcelona’s aesthetic, and you can see two of them on the impressive Passeig de Gracia, a leafy thoroughfare full of designer shops and Modernista architecture.

– Casa Batllo

A personal fave of mine, Gaudi’s Casa Batllo is a fairytale mansion with a marine-themed façade and dragon-topped roof. Day tickets start at €35, while during summer you also buy a ticket for their Magic Night rooftop concerts (and during winter, their Winter Nights experience).

The coral coloured exterior of Casa Batllo on Passeig de Gracia…

– Casa Mila (La Pedrera)

Dubbed La Pedrera (The Quarry) thanks to its grey, undulating façade composed entirely of curved lines, this impressive mansion is just 5 minutes walk from the Casa Batllo. If you have time, it’s worth entering to see the interior stairwells, preserved 19th century apartment and slaloming rooftop with its iconic ‘Stormtrooper’ chimneys. Day tickets are €25 and available on Tiqets.com, or arrive by night for La Pedrera: Night Experience.

Casa Mila’s iconic chimneys are visible above its curving façade…

– La Sagrada Familia

La Sagrada Familia is Gaudi’s legendary, still-unfinished basilica, a church of mindboggling proportions and imagination. You could spend all day marvelling at the allegorical reliefs and sculptures on the exterior, while a visit to the interior to see the spectacular nave and crypt is a must (taking a lift up the towers is also fun… although it costs a little extra!). Tickets cost €33.80 via Tiqets.com, or €46.80 with tower access. You can walk to Sagrada Familia easily enough from Casa Mila (in about 20 mins).

The Tolkien-esque interior of La Sagrada Familia

Afternoon: Exploring the Gothic Quarter (Day 1)

Barcelona’s Old Town is the part of the city that was once encircled by its medieval walls, before they were knocked down and the city was expanded into a modern metropolis. The most interesting of these Old Town districts is El Barri Gotic, or the Gothic Quarter…

– Gothic Quarter

Probably the best way to explore the Gothic Quarter is simply to follow your nose down as many winding passages as possibly… if so you’ll likely find all manner of pleasant squares, impressive churches and dusty museums. The plazas in particular are charming, so keep an eye out for the likes of: Plaça Reial, famous for its Gaudi-designed street lamps, palm trees and nightlife; Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, a quiet spot that was bombed during the Spanish civil war; and Plaça del Pi, a scenic spot next to a basilica with its own market (also the adjoining Petrixol street is full of granjas selling hot chocolate!).

The serene Plaça de Sant Felip Neri in the Gothic Quarter

– Barcelona Cathedral

Whilst in the Gothic Quarter it’s well worth passing by the Barcelona Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic and Neogothic architecture. It’s actually fun to visit the inside too, as the cathedral boasts a famous cloister with 13 geese (representing the 13 years of Santa Eulalia, when she was martyred), a museum and a chance to visit the rooftop. Tickets cost €14 on Get Your Guide.

Have a gander at some Gothic geese…

– Roman Ruins

Barcelona was once the Roman city of Barcino and you can see the impressive remains of the Temple of Augustus for free, if you know where to look. But for a more in-depth inspection of the city’s latin remains, I highly recommend a visit to the Barcelona History museum, where you can visit the well-preserved Roman foundations underneath the city.

Roman remains in the Barcelona History Museum

Evening: Flamenco Show (Day 1)

Flamenco has been a bit part of Barcelona culture ever since Carmen Amaya stamped her way out of Somorrostro shanty town and onto the world stage. Today’s generation of artists are just as passionate and you can catch them at various flamenco tablaos around Barcelona, with perhaps the best being Tablao Cordobes on Las Ramblas. You can buy tickets with a drink for €46, or with tapas (€62) or dinner (€82) for a little more. If you’re on budget, check some more affordable show options here.

Barcelona has a strong flamenco scene…

Day 2: Parks & Recreation

On day two, we will venture outside the city centre a little to round up essential attractions like Gaudi’s Park Guell, Camp Nou (the legendary home of FC Barcelona) and Montjuic, a coastal mountain which is home to several museums, gardens and Barcelona’s castle.

A good way to join the dots on this itinerary is via the Barcelona Tourist Bus, although you could also make use of Barcelona’s pretty efficient metro system (the Hola Barcelona card might come in handy if so!).

Morning: Park Guell & Camp Nou (Day 2)

Let’s start the day with two absolute Barcelona icons…

– Park Guell

Gaudi’s gorgeous gardens are slightly removed from the city centre and it’s actually really nice to get there a bit earlier, when there are less people around and – important during summer – the sun hasn’t reached its zenith. If you can get there for the 9:30 or 10am slots (like Sagrada Familia, tickets come with a entry window, due to the park’s enormous popularity), then you have the best chance to getting a selfie with the gorgeous salamander on the stairs, or taking a great landscape shot from the viewing terrace where you can see Barcelona unfurling in front of the glistening Mediterranean sea.

Sea vistas from Park Guell’s viewing terrace

– Camp Nou

Sports fan probably already have the epic Camp Nou stadium signposted for their Barcelona visit. The arena is situated in the Sants district, and you can grab the metro or the Tourist Bus to get there easily from Park Guell. The Barca Immersive Experience combines a stadium tour with entry to the FC Barcelona Museum, chock full of trophies and multimedia displays of legendary Barça players and moments. (Note: the Stadium is closed for refurbishment for the first half of 2024).

Aerial view of the legendary Camp Nou Stadium

Afternoon: Montjuic (Day 2)

Montjuic is home to at least a dozen cool attractions, and you won’t have time to see all of them. I will highlight a couple here, but you might want to read our guide to Montjuic for all your options.

If you’ve bought a Tourist Bus ticket you can jump on the blue line at Camp Nou and then switch onto the red line and the red line bus will take you anywhere you want to go in Montjuic. Otherwise you can ride the metro to Plaça Espanya, near the foot of Montjuic, and walk from there. Depending where in Montjuic you want to go however the walk from Plaça Espanya could be a long one, so check your maps!

– MNAC

Lodged in a gorgeous palace from 1929, the National Museum of Catalan Art, or MNAC, is one of my favourite museums in Barcelona. Not so much for the two floors of religious iconography, but for a third floor of late 19th and early 20th century art that includes works by Ramon Casas, Santiago Rusiñol and Maria Fortuny. There’s even some furniture by Gaudi on display.

Looking up to Palau Nacional, home of the MNAC

– Teleferic to Castle

Barcelona’s Castle is an unloved, but quite impressive, fortress that crowns the hill of Montjuic and overlooks the city and commercial port. It costs €12 to get in, or a little more if you want to sign up for a guided tour. Getting there can be a rather sweaty walk up a steep final slope to the top… unless of course you want to jump on the popular Teleferic cable car, which will whisk you up there in under 5 minutes.

Enjoy the views as you ride the Montjuic Cable Car!

Evening: Paella Cooking Class (Day 2)

Sure you could swing by any downtown restaurant and dine on paella (some are better than others!), but I would highly recommend learning to cook your own. The iconic round dishes are perfect for literally gathering around with others and sharing a feast of your own making, led by a professional chef. And most classes come with Spanish wine and sangria. The most affordable option is the Paella Cooking Experience, while for a little more you can take more intimate small group class – or even book a private experience!

Day 3: Montserrat, Beaches & El Born

It’s your final day in Barcelona… but no time to cry about leaving, I’ve planned a busy schedule for you!

Morning: Montserrat Abbey & Mountain (Day 3)

Set your alarm, we’re going on an excursion…

– Montserrat Half Day Trip

Nestled high up on the limestone peaks of a jagged mountain range, Montserrat Abbey is a breathtaking sight to behold, and by far the most popular day trip out of Barcelona. As such dozens of tours leave every day, on either half day or full day trips. In each case, your guide will take you inside the abbey’s church and explain some of the history of the monastery and legends that surround the Black Madonna, and you should also have time for a short hike to enjoy the area’s natural beauty. More info on our complete guide to visiting Montserrat.

Plenty of tours head to Montserrat on a daily basis

Afternoon: Beach, El Born, Picasso Museum (Day 3)

Round off your Barcelona sojourn with a beach stroll followed by a bit of (optional) culture…

Barceloneta Beach

Barceloneta must be one of the world’s liveliest beaches, full of strollers, skaters, sunbathers, paddle boarders and just about anyone else who wants to catch some rays and soak up the Mediterranean vibes. If it’s not hot enough to roll out a towel, then you can enjoy a coffee or cocktail instead at a chiringuito or other beachside venue.

The lively Barceloneta beach, with W-Hotel in the background

El Born District

Right next to Barceloneta is one of Barcelona’s cutest districts… El Borne. A place of narrow alleys, charming squares, the impressive Santa Maria del Mar church, plenty of sassy boutique stores and countless bars and restaurants, it feels tailormade for folks to enjoy some downtime. So I suggest you do just that! If you do have some energy though, keep reading…

A sleep back street in El Borne district

Picasso Museum

…because Barcelona’s most famous museum is found in El Born, and it’s well worth a visit. The Picasso Museum was founded by one of Pablo’s best buddies and was the beneficiary of many donations from the artist himself, the majority of which are from his formative days, including his time in Barcelona. Tickets are available on their website, although entry is free with the official Barcelona Card. Arguably a better option is book a guided tour that takes you to some of Picasso’s former hang outs and his art school, as well as a guided visit of the museum.

Chart the evolution of an artistic genius….

Prefer Banksy to the Blue Period… well the MOCO Museum recently opened just down the street to the Picasso Museum, with an impressive collection from modern and contemporary artists. Also free with the Barcelona Card.

Evening: Cocktail Masterclass & Tapas (Day 3)

It’s your last night in BCN so cut loose a little with this fun and social cocktail class, where a professional instructor teaches you how to mix four classic concoctions. I did this recently and it was a lot of fun, and the drinks were delicious. They organisers also serve up some excellent pintxos and other tapas to keep you from keeling over!

I was pretty tipsy by cocktail number 4!

That’s it! Three action packed days that I’m confident you’ll find unforgettable. If you are looking for more inspiration or activities, keep reading for a few more suggestions to remix your agenda with…

I’ve also written long lists of the best things to do by night and by day in the Catalan capital!