Barcelona 3-day itinerary
Spain
Where to go and what to see in Barcelona – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
Bucket list experience:
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This effervescent food market manages to pack almost a thousand stalls into its walls.
It’s famed for its fresh produce: the seafood is just off the city’s fishing boats that morning and the fruit and vegetables are locally grown and seasonal, plus there’s the usual selection of Iberian hams, olives and other Mediterranean treats.
Though busy with tourists, it’s a real local institution – the buzz is especially vibrant early in the morning and at lunchtime, when locals gather at the counters to eat tapas and street food, available to take away or eat at the counter, perched on (limited) stools.
The stalls in front take advantage of the passing tourist trade from Las Rambla: head into the interior to take in the truly mind-boggling array of goods (and lower prices).
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Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
Spain
Where to go and what to see in Barcelona – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
Open all year round, seven days a week. Get there early if you want to sit at a counter for lunch – around 11am.
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
A chic, intimate boutique hotel set in a former jewellers, right on the Ramblas, perfect for shopping and sightseeing.
Official star rating:
Barcelona, Catalunia, Spain
Historic charm, contemporary chic and great food combine in this beguiling bolthole, on a picturesque square in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter.
Official star rating:
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
A thoughtfully-designed, modern boutique hotel in a striking building with historic features, hidden away in the heart of old Barcelona.
Official star rating:
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
A stylish, central hotel in the hip El Born district, with 1920s features and one of the best rooftop pools in town.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Catalonia, Spain
Spain’s cultural heart has unforgettable architecture, a pioneering arts scene, creative cuisine and nightlife that buzzes till dawn.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Gleaming white museum housing a cutting-edge collection of international and Catalan contemporary art.
Best for ages: 18+ | £10
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Absorbing collection of early and late works by Picasso, in a beautiful Gothic palace. The collection includes Picasso’s 58 paintings inspired by Velazquez’s Las Meninas.
Best for ages: 18+ | £11
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
The former home of the Batllo family, Gaudí’s shimmering, colour-drenched townhouse is a Modernista masterpiece.
Best for ages: 8+ | £32
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Marking the culmination of his experimentation with natural forms, Gaudi’s landmark apartment building resembles a giant cliff face battered by the sea. Inside, a remarkable Gaudi-style apartment, an attic filled with architectural exhibits, and the extraordinary roof and chimneys.
Best for ages: 8+ | £25
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
A thrumming, lively street running through the heart of Barcelona towards the sea, is a magnet for outlandish street performers – and tourists.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
This massive pile is Catalan Gothic at its most grandiose, full of wonders: lavishly ornate chapels, Renaissance sculpted choir stalls, and crypt of patron saint Eulalia. The cloister is especially charming.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Catalan’s gorgeous Modernista concert hall, Palau Musica, is a must-see for its extraordinary architecture. It’s now a UNESCO world heritage site.
Best for ages: 18+ | £17
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Barcelona’s seafaring past comes to life in this venue set in the city’s 14th-century shipyards, starring a life-size model of Don Juan’s flagship at Lepanto.
Best for ages: 13+ | £5