What to see in Barcelona in three days is what we will show you in this complete guide with all the interesting attractions of this city with so much personality.
We are going to choose the essentials if you only have a few days and want to take a nice tour of this city that has so much to offer. In our case, we spent 4 days there, it was not our first visit, we had already been there on other occasions so it was fine, but it may happen that you only have about three days, so we are going to try to summarize the activities so that you can actually do them in those days.
Indice:
Lodging
We chose a hotel a short distance from the Paseo de Gracia station, and about 300 meters from Plaza Cataluña, the Continental Palacete, was a good option with breakfast included and the dining room open 24 hours a day with an all-you-can-eat buffet that is of great help for those moments when you arrive at the hotel to rest or shower before doing a new activity or going out for dinner.
↓FIND YOUR HOTEL OPTION IN BARCELONA↓
Booking.comData Sims to Be Connected
If there is something that travelers need, it is to be able to communicate and not have a huge bill for roaming. Throughout the trip I used the Holafly eSIM, and it gave me very good results. You can buy them on the website in advance of your trip, activate them on your mobile easily using a QR code, and then you have everything ready when you arrive at your destination, super convenient! Here is the link with a discount for followers of Europa Acompañada! Discount Code Holafly, EUROPAACOMPAÑADA5
Now, let’s get down to business! Travel companions, let’s begin this tour of Barcelona together!!
Day 1 of what to see in three days in Barcelona
Free Tour
It is very difficult to decide where to start, but we will tell you that as always, we chose to do it with a free tour. The meeting point will be in front of Plaza Cataluña, and from there we will have two hours to walk and start to get in touch with the city.
It is a good option as it will give you a summary of the history of the city, as well as facts that are very useful for tourists. You make the reservation through the website in advance and that day you show up at the indicated time, at the end of it you will give a tip according to what you thought of the tour. Book ►FREE TOUR OF BARCELONA
Gothic Quarter
Although you will be able to explore it with the walking tour, come back, I always do, once I have the information I go back to visit the places in a more calm manner. I think that the Gothic Quarter has a very, very special charm, and it is a place where entering those narrow streets has a lot of magic. The Plaza Sant Jaume and its surroundings are charming, the Roman wall of Barcelona, the Call the old Jewish quarter, in short, there is a lot to discover and you can spend many hours there.
Barcelona Cathedral
We will find there the Cathedral of Barcelona, you can enter it, the cost €9 and the tourist visit hours are from 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., the last access is at 6 p.m. For more information we leave you here their website
Felipe Neri Square
Here in the Gothic Quarter we can stop at Plaza Felipe Neri. It is a small square, named after the baroque church that is located there. On the walls of the church you can still see the marks of shrapnel caused by a bomb during the Spanish Civil War.
Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar
The other visit we made in Born was to the Basilica of Santa María del Mar, the so-called Cathedral of the Sea, known for the novel by Ildefonso Falcones La Catedral del Mar, later turned into a television series. It is a very nice visit, we enjoyed doing it, the climb to the roof was a success since you have very nice views from there. The price of the general entrance is €5, and with a climb to the roof €10, being €15 for two people.
►For more information ►Website Basilica Santa Maria del Mar
On the way out we stopped at the Foso de las Moreras, at this point located in the middle of the Born neighborhood, is the pit with those who fell during the siege of Barcelona in 1714.
Santa Caterina Market
If you want to eat or have a drink before continuing your tour, the Santa Caterina Market is a good option, just 400 metres away and you can enjoy it. Opening hours: closed on Sundays, open from 7:30 to 15:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and until 20:00 on the rest of the days.
Santa Caterina, built in 1844 on the site of an old convent from which it inherited its name and remodelled in 2005, is the oldest covered market in the city.
The spectacular cover of colorful mosaics was designed by the artist Toni Comella, which is based on the metaphor of an immense sea colored by the memory of fruits and vegetables.
Born Market
Then, on this tour of what to see in Barcelona in three days, we can head towards the Born Market, this old market now converted into a cultural center. It opened in 1876 and was one of the first markets in Barcelona with this magnificent iron structure. Today it is a cultural center where we can see the archaeological remains of the Ribera neighborhood inside.
Arc de Triomphe
We will continue on our way to the Arc de Triomf in Barcelona. It was designed as the main entrance to the Universal Exhibition in Barcelona in 1888 and is a must-see stop in the city to admire it and take some photos.
Citadel Park
We can end the day at the Ciudadela Park, a beauty indeed, and a relaxed walk to do.
It was designed by José Fonteseré and inaugurated in 1881. A few years later, in 1888, it hosted the Universal Exposition of Barcelona. There are many spaces and buildings that stand out in it, but perhaps one of the best known is the Monumental Waterfall.
We review the map of this first day of what to see in Barcelona in three days to see that all the points are relatively close and that we can easily cover these distances on foot. As I always tell you, group the things to visit by areas as much as possible.
Day 2 of what to see in three days in Barcelona
As I always say, I take my own starting point, where I was staying, but you will arrange the order of the visits according to what is most convenient for you from your accommodation.
So, this second day we will begin by visiting two of Gaudí’s renowned works, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. Partly because of their proximity to our hotel, but more because even though we had already bought the tickets in advance, it is better to visit them early because there are usually fewer people and one can feel a little more free when visiting.
Casa Milá (La Pedrera)
We chose it as the first place to visit not only because it was close to our hotel, but I prefer to see the attractions that attract a lot of visitors in the first available hour since there are usually fewer people and you can explore them more calmly.
I advise you to bring the tickets in advance. You have different types of visits, among which we highlight the essential, with a cost of € 25 for adults, the schedule is from 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Then you have the one at night, a guided tour that ends with a light show on the roof, the price is € 38 and the schedule from 7 pm. You also have both combined at a cost of €45. As you can see, the prices are not cheap at all, so you may choose to choose only a few paid visits in the city. ►Book your ticket
►If your visit to Barcelona is more focused on seeing Catalan modernism, I advise you to start with the modernism free tour and then make the visits, since you will have some more information when immersing yourself in each of the works. We did and recommend it 100%!.
In 1900, the Passeig de Gracia was the most important avenue in the city, the wealthiest bourgeoisie decided to build their houses and, in a race of exhibitionism, they commissioned the projects to the most prestigious architects of the time.
This is how in 1905 Pere Milá bought a house on Paseo de Gracia and commissioned the work to Antonio Gaudí, with the intention of occupying the main floor and renting out the rest of the apartments, which would become Casa Milá.
The tour will take us through the house and its furnishings, and an audio guide will tell us in detail the history of the house. Official site of La Pedrera ►web
►How about using a tourist pass in Barcelona? ►Find out more with Go City
You have several must-see attractions included, so it can be a very good option to achieve some savings on visits.
Casa Batlló
At the exit of La Pedrera, a short walk will take us to Casa Batlló.
For me, if you can only choose one ticket besides La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló would be the one. The visit is impressive, I really enjoyed it and I recommend it. The opening hours are from 9 am to 6:30 pm from Tuesday to Thursday and until 8 pm from Friday to Monday. It is also recommended to go with a ticket purchased in advance. The price is €35 for adults. ►Book your ticket
Originally this building was built in 1877 by Emilio Sala Cortés (one of Gaudí’s teachers), in 1903 it was acquired by Josep Batlló, a prominent businessman. Batlló hired Gaudí to completely renovate the house, giving him complete creative freedom.
Along with Casa Batlló, other houses were renovated by prominent architects that competed for urban planning awards convened by Barcelona City Council, which is why this area became known as the apple of discord. Official site ►web
Palau de la Música
After these wonderful tours as a sample of Gaudí’s work, we go to visit another modernist work but by the architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner, the Palau de la Música.
The visit can be done in two ways with a guide or with an audio guide, the cost is €18 and €12 respectively. The schedule is from 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. but may vary if there is a show scheduled. Official Site ►web
In this case we also bought the ticket online so that we could arrive at the right time and not worry. Is it worth it? It’s a beauty. They allow you to take photos inside the auditorium but not to film.
The visit takes 50 minutes. ►Book your ticket
Boqueria Market
After so much architectural art, we will surely feel like eating something. A walk along the Rambla in Barcelona, buying some souvenirs, will take us to the Boqueria Market.
The Sant Josep market, known as La Boqueria, was opened in 1840 in the open air, where vendors gathered. The current metal roof was inaugurated in 1914, and over the years it has become the most emblematic market in Barcelona.
The Boquería’s opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
If you found it crowded and you want to see more markets, I recommend you delve a little into the Raval to the Ensanche and head towards the Sant Antoni Market.
With the due care that all the guides give us regarding the Raval, but that we have not felt at any time, we headed out passing first on the walk by the old Hospital de la Santa Cruz, then by the Gato de Botero, to then arrive at the Sant Antoni market.
Sant Antoni Market
The building, inaugurated in 1882, was designed by the architect Antoni Rovira i Trías, and was the first market to be held outside the old city.
It has a wonderful structure. In 2007, the City Council called for a competition to remodel it. The rehabilitation began in 2009 and it reopened in May 2018.
The opening hours of Mercat Sant Antoni are from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8.30 p.m
Palau Güell
We retrace our steps, all this last route you see how much time you have to do it, but from the boqueria we head towards the Palau Güell.
The Palau Güell is one of the first major commissions that Gaudí received at the beginning of his career. Eusebi Güell, industrialist, politician and patron, wanted Gaudí to build this peculiar urban palace as an extension to the family home he had on the Rambla in Barcelona.
Opening hours are from 10 am, in summer until 8 pm and in winter until 5:30 pm, last admission one hour before closing.
The entrance fee is €12. I recommend the rooftop, it is very nice as well as its views. More information on theirweb
La Barceloneta
If you are not tired yet, and you started early enough to still have time, we will take the Rambla again towards the Columbus statue and from there we will make the journey to Barceloneta.
This monument in homage to Columbus was also built as part of the Barcelona Universal Exposition.
From here all that remains is to enjoy a nice walk to the beach. If the day and temperature are right, perhaps many of the above things will change so that we can just rest on this coast. If it is not hot enough to swim, don’t miss out on ending the day here enjoying the sun.
Here we see the map with what we have done on this second day.
Day 3 of what to see in three days in Barcelona
We begin this last day of what to see in Barcelona in three days, with the most emblematic building in Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia. As I was saying, I prefer to visit this type of attraction that attracts so many people first thing in the morning and to buy tickets in advance to avoid the queues.
The Sagrada Familia
The schedule is from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information on their website.
The entrance fee is €26. The price, as you will see, is not cheap, but if you have to choose only one visit in the city, which is it, it is a wonderful work.
Designed by Antonio Gaudí, it is still under construction and those of us who have been able to see it in recent years are noticing its changes.
I am speechless to explain to you what you will see, just as you will surely be speechless when you enter this wonder.
►Guided tour of the Sagrada Familia
Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site
From here we start a walk towards Sant Pau.
The Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau was founded in 1401 as a result of the merger of six hospitals that existed at that time in Barcelona. The Hospital de la Santa Creu was located in the heart of the city, in the current Raval district (where we only passed through on our second day).
At the end of the nineteenth century, Barcelona’s demographic growth made the Hospital too small. For this reason, the construction of a new building was proposed, on January 15, 1902, the first stone of the new hospital center, designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, was laid. The inauguration of the new facilities would not come until 1930.
There are no words to describe it, just to tell you that it is a must-see in three days in Barcelona.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10 am – 2.30 pm weekends and holidays: 10 am – 5 pm
Last access to the Venue 30 minutes before closing
Admission €16. ►Book your ticket
Montjuic
What will we do now?, let’s go a little to enjoy the outdoors, we will go to visit Montjuic
We get off at the Paralel metro station and from there we will find the signs that take us directly to the funicular that will leave us at the Montjuic cable car.
The funicular that takes you to the cable car is taken with a metro ticket for lines L2 and L3. The cable car does have a cost, and it is differentiated according to what you want to do. You can also get there by bus, lines 55 and 150. The cable car has three stations, Montjuic Park, which is where we will take it from, Montjuic Castle, and the Montjuic viewpoint.
The schedule is from 11 am to 6 or 7 pm depending on the time of year. The cost of a round trip ticket is €15, you can go up to the castle and then stop at the viewing point before returning, or you have a one-way ticket that takes you only to the castle and you can then walk down, the cost is €10. ►Book your idea and return ticket
The views from the cable car are super nice. From the castle stop you have a good view towards the port. You can visit the castle, the cost is € 5, we have not done it so we cannot tell you what kind of views you get from there or if it is worth the visit.
After the return, we walk down to the building of the Museum of Art of Catalonia.
We did not enter it, but we can tell you that this whole area is impressive and beautiful to spend many hours touring its museums, the Olympic stadium, the Spanish Village, and then descending to the magical fountain of Montjuic.
If you want to get a view of Montjuic, go up to the terrace of the Arenas de Barcelona shopping centre, this former bullring converted into a shopping centre. Go inside and it’s free to go up, the panoramic lift outside costs €1.
Park Güell
And we will end our day watching the sunset from Park Güell.
This park was designed by Antonio Gaudí, commissioned by the businessman Eusebi Güel. Built between 1900 and 1914, it was inaugurated as a public park in 1926.
The cost of admission is €10 and the access hours are from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., 6 p.m. or 7.30 p.m. depending on the time of year.
A tour of it will make us continue to admire Gaudí’s work, and appreciate the views from it. The sunset in it will be without a doubt…. Something magnificent
Camp Nou
And so in this way we end the tour of what to see in three days in Barcelona. We have to tell you that if you have more time you can visit the Camp Nou, the stadium of the Barcelona club is another important visit in the city. The ticket price is €33.
And an endless number of other places like Casa Vicens, Casa Amatller, Mercat des Encants, any of these places can be added instead of any other on this tour of what to see in Barcelona in three days.
Do you want to visit art museums in Barcelona, the Articket BCN pass is a very good option↓↓
Here is the map of this last day
[icon name=”info” prefix=”fas”] DOWNLOAD PDF ITINERARY MAP
If there is one thing you cannot forget, it is to travel with travel insurance. We are never free from something happening to us on our trip, from losing our luggage to a health problem, for all this we must be proactive and take out insurance that covers any setback.
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What to see in three days in Barcelona
NOTE: The information in this article is based on our own experience, being totally objective. This article contains affiliate links
