Barcelona 3 day itinerary: the best things to do

Barcelona is probably the most famous destination in Spain. That’s because it offers incredible architecture by Antoni Gaudí, incredible spots for panoramic views, beautiful beaches, and delicious local cuisine. There is always the debate of Madrid vs Barcelona, but that’s for another day. In this blog post I will share the perfect Barcelona 3 day itinerary for a first visit. Bonus tip: if you have an extra day, take a day trip to Andorra. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

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Table of Contents

Barcelona 3-day itinerary: Day 1

La Pedrera (Casa Milà)

The architecture of Antoni Gaudi is a symbol of Barcelona. The most well-known buildings designed by him are Sagrada Família, Casa Battlo, La Pedrera (or Casa Mila), and Park Guell. It’s really hard to pick a favorite because all of them are so beautiful and unique in their own way.

the author at casa mila, part of the barcelona 3 day itinerary

Day 1 starts with a visit to La Pedrera not because I think you need to visit it first, but because they offer a sunrise tour at 8am, 1 hour before it opens for regular visitors. I think you should take advantage of this since you’ll be able to explore the place with a guide and no crowds.

My group had only about 10 people, so it’s really not crowded at all at that time. They offer this sunrise tour in English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese.

If you like taking instagrammable pictures, know that during this tour you will have about 15-20 minutes on the rooftop so you can take all the pictures and videos you want. With no people!

If waking up early is not your thing, though, you can opt for a regular visit. While the difference in ticket prices for the two options is not that big, ticket prices for the main attractions in Barcelona are steep. Around 30 euros or more. I was surprised when I saw these prices. Barcelona is definitely one of the most expensive destinations in Europe when it comes to entrance fees for attractions.

Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló is another house designed by Gaudi in the heart of Barcelona. In my opinion, this one is more beautiful than La Pedrera as it’s more colorful and it has such a unique facade and stained glass windows.

If it’s your first time in Barcelona you should definitely go see this house, at least from the outside. If you love unique architecture, then you should explore the inside as well. However, if you’re on a budget, you can skip it since the ticket is pricy.

Walk on Passeig de Gràcia

Both La Pedrera and Casa Batlló are located on Passeig de Gracia, one of Barcelona’s most beautiful avenues. So after you’re done with visiting the two houses, take a stroll here and enjoy the architecture, the shops, and the cafes and restaurants.

La Sagrada Familia

The first day of this 3-day Barcelona itinerary is a Gaudi tour de force. So the last stop for the day is La Sagrada Familia, one of the most well-known cathedrals in the world and an architectural masterpiece.

The cathedral is still under construction. Word on the street is that they will finish the restoration in 2026. That being said, you can still marvel at it and you can also go inside. I highly recommend you get a skip the line ticket because there are long lines of tourists here at all times since it’s such a popular spot.

If you want to take pictures with a nice view of Sagrada Familia, you can go to the park next to it that has a pond. Sit by the pond and you’ll have the most epic view behind you.

I don’t drink, but another thing you could do here to get a nice view of the Sagrada Familia is to go to a rooftop bar nearby.

Barcelona 3-day itinerary: Day 2

La Rambla

La Rambla is probably the most popular avenue in Barcelona. There are plenty of restaurants and shops here. Plus, it’s close to a lot of tourist attractions such as the Gothic Quarter.

There are a lot of people walking on La Rambla and most of them are tourists. So that means that this is pickpocket heaven. Stay on high alert and be careful with your belongings in this area.

Gothic Quarter

This is a historical neighborhood full of narrow streets, trendy restaurants and shops. The best way to explore this neighborhood is to just get lost in the narrow streets.

While you’re there make sure to stop by The World Comes To Life With Each Kiss mural. It’s a mural that shows a man and a woman kissing, but the cool thing is that the entire mural is made from pictures sent by residents of Barcelona. If you go close to the mural you can see these pictures of regular people from Barcelona. I love street art and I love this idea of involving the local community in an art project.

the author next to a mural in the gothic quarter in barcelona

Barcelona Cathedral

This Gothic Cathedral is in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. It’s not as well-known as La Sagrada Familia, but it’s worth a visit nonetheless since it has so much history.

There is a plaza in front of it where people perform or just blow these giant soap bubbles for children. It has a cool vibe.

Palau de la Musica Catalana

Palau de Musica Catalana is a concert hall designed in the Catalan modernista style. Both the concert halls and the facade and its balconies look impressive.

You can visit it during the day. Or you can go to a concert or flamenco show at night. I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary.

Picasso Museum

The Picasso Museum has an extensive collection of the artist’s work (over 4,000 pieces!). If you like his art you should definitely visit.

Barcelona 3-day itinerary: Day 3

Park Güell

This park is probably my favorite park I’ve ever been to. There is so much green space. Plus, you get to enjoy Gaudi’s architecture and you get some incredible views of Barcelona since the park is on a hill.

To avoid overcrowding, you need to buy a ticket before you visit. It’s so worth it though! This park is the perfect place for a stroll. It’s so beautiful that it feels magical. You should spend a few hours here to be able to explore everything.

Montjuïc cable car

I feel like Montjuïc is Barcelona’s hidden gem. Seriously. Everyone goes to Las Ramblas and very few people come here. Not sure why it’s not more popular.

You can take the cable car here that takes you up Montjuïc hill. The views are exquisite! Probably my favorite views of Barcelona. And since there aren’t a lot of people visiting, you can get an entire car for yourself. How cool is that?

The cable car takes you all the way up to Montjuïc Castle. On the way down there is an optional stop at Mirador de l’Alcalde for more incredible views.

Montjuïc Castle

Montjuïc Castle is a military fortress that was built in the 1600’s. There are plenty of rooms with exhibits on the ground floor of the castle.

the author on the rooftop of muntjuic castle in barcelona

However, the coolest thing about it is the rooftop terrace. It’s an enormous terrace with an incredible view of Barcelona. There are also a few benches where you can sit down and enjoy the view. It’s such a great place if you like panoramic views of a city. It’s also a great spot to take some pictures.

Where should I stay in Barcelona?

Mid-budget hotels

Barcelona has plenty of hotel options in central locations for a decent price. Here are some of my favorites: Hotel NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón, HG City Suites Barcelona, Hotel Duquesa de Cardona Barcelona.

Luxury hotels

If you have a higher budget and are seeking a more luxurious option, then Mandarin Oriental, El Palauet Barcelona, or The Barcelona EDITION are all great options.

Hostels

Unfortunately, I am not the right person to recommend you any hostels. I am in my 30s and I value comfort, so I will always choose to stay at a hotel vs a hostel. I can see how a hostel is a great option for younger people, but I’m at a different stage in life, so I prefer hotels.

Airbnb

I also tend to pick hotels over Airbnbs because I feel like it’s less of a risk and it’s a more reliable option. One time when I visited Miami with my friends we booked an Airbnb that looked great in pictures but looked really bad in reality. We ended up going to a hotel instead. After that experience I tend to avoid Airbnbs altogether.

What should I eat in Barcelona?

Seafood paella

Paella is a rice dished that originated in Valencia and it’s probably the most famous Spanish dish. Barcelona also has some amazing paella since they are pretty close to Valencia.

While there are different types of paella, the seafood one is probably the most famous. That’s what I tried. It had shrimp, calamari, and mussels. The rice was flavored with saffron.

I am not a huge fan of rice, but the combination with seafood and that flavored broth was really good. I really enjoyed it. You can try paella at Alegoria Restaurant.

Octopus (or any seafood dish)

Since Barcelona is a sea city, the seafood here is always fresh and delicious. You should try any seafood dish you like, you can’t go wrong with anything.

I loved the octopus with mashed potatoes at El Tastet de l’Artur. Simple and delicious. The restaurant has a few tables outside if you want to dine with a view. Just be aware that they will charge you 1 euro if you opt to eat outside.

Tapas

I love trying a lot of dishes, so I love the concept of tapas where you get a smaller portion of a dish. Every time I go to Spain I try to have tapas at least once.

In Barcelona I went to Cerveceria Catalana and I highly recommend it. It’s centrally located, they have an extensive menu, and they are very fast with service (unlike a lot of places in Europe).

The restaurant is usually packed, so I suggest you make a reservation. Since I traveled solo, they squeezed me in at the bar area even though I didn’t make a reservation ahead of time.

I ordered the mixed fish, a burrata and tomato salad, and some croquetas. Everything was really good and you could tell they use high quality ingredients and everything is fresh.

Crema catalana

Crema catalana is a similar dessert to creme brulee. The main difference is that creme brulee is a vanilla custard made with heavy whipping cream baked in a water bath, while crema catalana is a vanilla custard made with milk.

Crema catalana is lighter and it can also be flavored with lemon zest or cinnamon. A must try if you visit Barcelona. I tried it at Cerveceria Catalana and it did not disappoint.

Torrijas

Torrijas is a Spanish style French toast. It can be served as dessert or for brunch and it’s very popular for Easter and the week before Easter. Torrijas can be made from bread that’s dipped either in milk flavored with vanilla, or in wine. Then the slices of bread are dipped in egg and pan fried. Once it’s cooked torrijas are usually topped with cinnamon sugar.

While regular torrijas are good, you want to try torrija cremada at Cerveceria Catalana. It’s like a French toast and a crema catalana had a baby. The bread is soft, there is plenty of cream, and it has a burnt sugar crust on top. This was my favorite dessert I tried in Barcelona. So good!

Cafe con leche and some little croissants

Coffee is Spain is outstanding. It’s strong, the coffee beans are high quality and they use the perfect ratio of coffee to milk. I always order a cafe con leche.

In Barcelona there are a lot of coffee shop chains, as well as neighborhood cafes. My favorite chain was 365. They have locations all over Barcelona.

cafe con leche and croissants at a cafe in barcelona

You should order some of the little croissants to eat with your coffee. I call them little croissants because they are literally two bites. At 365 they have two kinds: milk chocolate and white chocolate. Not only are they dipped in chocolate, but they have cream inside too. So delicious!

If you want to try additional flavors of these mini croissants go to Manolo Bakes. They are a Spanish chain that focuses on these croissants called Manolitos. They are delicious and come in all sorts of flavors such as: Biscoff, lemon pie, pistachio, salted caramel, and chocolate crunch.

What is the best time to visit Barcelona?

I went in early November and it was perfect. The weather is still pretty warm, but there are less tourists compared to the peak summer months. May could also be a great option.

I tend to avoid Europe summer travel because it gets so hot and there are so many tourists everywhere that it takes away from the experience for me. I’d rather wait a few months and go in the fall so I can properly enjoy the destinations I’m visiting.

The weather in Barcelona gets very hot and humid during the summer months, so it can be very uncomfortable to spend the entire day outside, exploring. August is usually vacation month for most European countries, including Spain, so many restaurants and shops will be closed.

How can I get around Barcelona?

Barcelona is a very walkable city and it has a great subway system with stations near all major attractions in case your hotel is further away from the city center. There are a few ticket options for public transportation

Single tickets

These are tickets that are valid for one trip. If you won’t travel a lot by metro or bus, they can be a great option. Otherwise, it makes more sense to go with a T Casual pass.

T Casual

This is a pass that’s valid for 10 trips on any metro, bus, and the airport train. It’s a great option if you are in Barcelona for a few days and will use public transportation a few times.

Hola Barcelona Travel Card

This is a card that can be valid for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days. It offers unlimited trips on public transportation, including the metro to and from the airport. It’s perfect if you know you’ll use public transportation a lot during your trip.

How can I get to the city center from the Barcelona airport?

Train

You can take the RENFE train from Terminal 2. There are trains leaving every 30 minutes. If you land at Terminal 1 there is a shuttle bus that can take you to Terminal 2 to catch the train.

You can get off at Barcelona Sants, Passeig de Gràcia or Clot and you can transfer to the metro at all 3 stops. You can pay for the train using the T casual card.

Bus

You can take Aerobus which will take you to Plaça España or Plaça de Catalunya in about 45 minutes. You can take this bus from both terminals T1 and T2 and the price is the same. There are buses that leave every 5-10 minutes.

Another option is to take bus 46 which will take you to the city center. Bus Line 46 operates from 05:30 am to 11:50 pm. You can pay for this bus using the T casual card, unlike the Aerobus. It will take a little longer to reach the city center if you opt for bus 46, but it has the advantage of being able to pay with the T casual card.

There is also a night bus. Night Bus N17 runs from 09:55 pm to 04:50 am every 15 minutes.

Metro

You can take the L9 metro to get to the city center. It has a stop at both Terminal 1 and 2. The airport metro ticket is included in Hola Barcelona Travel Pass.

Taxi / uber

This is the most convenient option since it leaves you right in front of your hotel. Alternatively you can also schedule a private transfer.

How to get cell phone data when visiting from abroad?

The cheapest and most convenient way to get data while visiting from abroad is to buy an eSIM. An eSIM is a digital SIM that lets you activate a data plan from a provider without having to use a physical SIM card. They are super easy to use.

I use Nomad eSIM (use code IOAN43TM for 25% off your first purchase). You can go to their website, select the country you’re traveling to, select how many GB of data you want, and how many days you want the eSIM to be active for. After you pay you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to activate the eSIM.

You can activate it on your phone and the process takes under 1 minute. Once the eSIM is activated you don’t have to do anything else. When you’re at your destination you will automatically get data.

Is Barcelona safe for a solo female traveler?

I saw so many posts on social media about Barcelona being full of pick pockets. On top of that, everyone I met in Barcelona on my first day there warned me to always keep an eye out on my cell phone as there are a lot of thieves and they operate so smoothly that you can’t even tell you are being robbed.

Suffice to say I was a little scared. However, I never had any problems in Barcelona. I took the subway, I visited all the popular spots, and I took pictures and videos with my phone and tripod and nothing happened. I also didn’t see any pickpockets or people getting robbed.

Maybe I was just lucky. Maybe the situation is a bit exaggerated. I don’t know what to say. I think that as long as you’re on high alert, as you should be anytime you travel solo, you’ll be fine.

Do I need cash for my trip to Barcelona?

I didn’t use cash at all when I visited, I paid for everything with a credit card. But it’s always recommended to carry some cash with you so you can tip tour guides or buy souvenirs or something else from small mom-and-pop shops who don’t accept credit cards.

Pro tip: always get cash from an ATM in the airport instead of going to an exchange place. Your bank will always have better exchange rates when taking out cash in a foreign currency from an ATM.

Do I have to tip in Barcelona?

Tipping is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged. I usually leave 1-2 euros as tip when I eat out. They highly appreciate it when you do this.

Do I need to book tickets for attractions in advance?

I highly recommend you book all the tickets online in advance of your trip. Barcelona is a very popular destination so it’s very likely that tickets will sell out. Especially if you visit during the summer months. Booking in advance will give you peace of mind.

Do people speak English in Barcelona?

Yes, they do. Barcelona attracts a lot of visitors each year and, as you can imagine, not all tourists speak Spanish. I still recommend you learn a few words in Spanish ahead of your trip though. I do this for every country I visit.

What Spanish words do I need to learn before my trip?

Hola = hello
Adiós = goodbye
Gracias = thank you
De nada = you’re welcome
Sí = yes
No = no
Encantado/a = Nice to meet you
Tarjeta = credit card
Hablas inglés? = Do you speak English?
Me puedes ayudar? = Can you help me?
Dónde está el baño? = Where is the bathroom?
No entiendo = I do not understand
Puedes tomarme una foto? = Can you take a picture of me?

Do you recommend Barcelona as a solo destination?

I do recommend Barcelona as a destination for solo female travelers. There are so many things to do, the weather is great all year round, and the food is delicious.