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:
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Garcia Llorca called it the ‘most beautiful street in the world’ and it’s hard to argue: curving sinuously for a mile down to the sea, the Rambla is always crowded, bustling with tourists and locals taking their daily constitutional.
It threads past the flower and bird market, news kiosks and cafés, endless ‘living statues’ and street performers, and some of the city’s most important monuments: the Baroque Palau de la Virreina, the Liceu Opera and La Boqueria market.
It can be a bit overwhelming, but it’s worth a quick look on your way to the waterfront, market, or another of the landmarks nearby.
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Spain
Where to go and what to see in Barcelona – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
The Ramblas runs all the way from the Port Vell waterfront (at the southern end) to Plaça de Catalunya (at the northern end). Thanks to the constant crowds and numerous distractions, the Rambla is prime pickpocket territory – beware of scams and anyone who unexpectedly starts talking to you, or tries to ‘help remove a spot’. Most of the restaurants along La Rambla are pricey, awful tourist traps, but if you stop, try the atmospheric Café de l’Opèra, founded in 1929, at number 74.
Early evening, when the street lights come on and the locals are leaving work and heading off to the bars, is the jolliest time for a stroll. Avoid the upper part of the Rambla when FC Barcelona win an important match and supporters gather around the Font de Canalets to celebrate.
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.
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Barcelona, Catalunia, Spain
Historic charm, contemporary chic and great food combine in this beguiling bolthole, on a picturesque square in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter.
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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.
Official star rating:
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
This grand dame offers unrivalled opulence in the form of swish restaurants, a lavish spa and a rooftop pool.
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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
This vibrant market is a Barcelona institution, packed with almost a thousand stalls selling fresh produce or dine-in tapas.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
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
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
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
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
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
Barcelona’s Gothic jewel was built in the 14th century by the sea-faring community in only 50 years – hence its rare stylistic harmony. During the Spanish Civil War, its accumulated Baroque decorations burned, leaving behind the bare bones of its sublime interior.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
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