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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Gaudí spent his last years obsessing over the Sagrada Família, this ornate, turreted cathedral with its iconic turrets like melting candles.
Although only the Birth Façade and crypt were completed before he died, and nearly all the plans were lost during the Spanish Civil War, the foundation that owns it has decided to carry on building it according to Gaudi’s surviving drawings.
Funded by ticket admissions, it’s already, even critics admit, the most spectacular church of the 21st century. But it’s quite a labour of love – it’s slated to be finished by 2026.
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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.
For most of the year, you must book well in advance to get in. Don’t just turn up, or think you can book the day before. Take the metro to the Sagrada Familia stop on L2 or L5. There are 50-minute guided tours in English two or three times daily (check the website for timings – the meeting point is at the entrance). There are also audio guides available at any time. Book date- and time-stamped tickets online via Ticketmaster and print them out at home to breeze through the pre-booked entrance.
It’s probably not for you if you suffer from vertigo, but the views from the church’s Passion and Birth Façade towers are extraordinary. Buy the basilica and towers combined ticket when purchasing online.
The cathedral is open year-round, and always busy – go early or late in the day for the best chance of avoiding the crowds and tour groups. Allow around two hours to see the building. Also, return after dark to see the cathedral lit up – a sight to behold (and blissfully crowd-free).
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain[1.2 miles]
Large but stylish and hip modern hotel with all the bells and whistles, in the heart of Barcelona’s shopping district.
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Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain[1.3 miles]
This grand dame offers unrivalled opulence in the form of swish restaurants, a lavish spa and a rooftop pool.
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Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain[1.3 miles]
Glamorous design hotel near Barcelona’s best dining and drinking, with one of the city’s loveliest rooftops.
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Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain[1.4 miles]
This chic, minimalist spa hotel in Eixample has smart rooms, a pretty secret courtyard and an indoor 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[1.4 miles]
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
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain[1.5 miles]
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[2.1 miles]
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[2.2 miles]
Gaudi’s endlessly playful, imaginative garden is a lyrical delight, with majestic views over Barcelona.
Best for ages: 4+ | £6
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain[1.1 miles]
Design is Barcelona’s middle name, and this museum is a temple to it, filled with old and new fashions, furniture, decorative and graphic arts.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain[1.8 miles]
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[2 miles]
The first private home Gaudi designed, this bright Orientalist building only opened to the public in 2017, so it’s a relatively new addition to Barcelona’s Modernista scene – as such, its brightly-tiled and painted interior is often blissfully quiet.
Best for ages: 13+ | £12
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain[2 miles]
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
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
The great civilisations of the past have left a legacy of constructions that still stand out and inspire. Built without the wonders of 20th-century technology, many are also monumental feats of engineering; others offer such grace and beauty, that they’ll literally take your breath away.