Barcelona - Spain
Overview: Major attractions in Barcelona, Spain
Duration: 3 and a half days
Locations visited: Park Güell, Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Tibidabo, La Rambla, Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Camp Nou, Arc de Triomf, Parc de la Ciutadella, & Barceloneta Beach
How to get there: Fly into Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
How to get around: Taxi, walking. The FREENOW app can help you call a taxi.
When to go: Fall, winter, or spring—we went around New Year’s.
Pace: Moderate
Future trips: Madrid, Granada, Valencia, Balearic Islands
View from Park Güell
Barcelona Day 1: Arrival, Plaça de Catalunya, La Rambla, & Cathedral of Barcelona
Starting off with a few notes on Barcelona:
Buy tickets in advance, especially for Park Güell and the Basílica de la Sagrada Família. These often sell out days ahead, which is why we ended up visiting them on our final day.
Crime, petty theft, and pickpocketing have been on the rise in recent years, especially post-COVID, so always stay aware and keep your belongings close.
Dinner in Spain is very late (9 PM–11 PM), and many stores and restaurants close in the late afternoon and early evening, so plan accordingly.
After arriving and checking into our accommodations, we set out to explore a bit before our dinner reservations.
We spent most of our two and a half days walking around Barcelona, where you really get a sense of the city, its architecture, and multiple examples of Antoni Gaudí’s work. Gaudí is Barcelona’s most famous architect, known for his Catalan Modernisme style. Park Güell and the Basílica de la Sagrada Família are his most iconic designs, but the streets of Barcelona are also filled with houses and buildings he worked on.
We started by exploring some landmarks near where we were staying, including Palau Baró de Quadras and Gaudí’s Casa Milà and Casa Batlló.
Next, we headed to Plaça de Catalunya, considered the city center of Barcelona and known for its fountains and statues. Here, you’ll find the Monument a Francesc Macià. Off the plaza is one of Barcelona’s most famous streets—La Rambla, a tree-lined pedestrian walkway.
We walked the length of La Rambla, stopping at Mercat de la Boqueria, a public indoor market. Near the end of La Rambla, we found the Columbus Monument. Slightly off La Rambla, you’ll find Plaça Reial, a lively plaza with bars and restaurants.
Finally, we checked out our last two sights of the day—Plaça Sant Jaume and the Cathedral of Barcelona.
Barcelona Day 2: Plaça d'Espanya, Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Camp Nou, & Flamenco
After grabbing brunch, we started our walk, passing by Casa Golferichs on Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes. We continued to Plaça d'Espanya, which was built for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition. From here, we turned onto Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina and headed toward the Montjuïc National Palace. Along the avenue, you’ll pass the convention center, and at the end, you’ll find the Font Màgica de Montjuïc, the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, and Plaça de les Cascades. At the top of the steps is a scenic viewpoint of Barcelona, along with the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
At the top of the hill, you’ll also find several gardens and views of the Torre de Comunicacions de Montjuïc.
While we didn’t get a chance to stop, Montjuïc National Palace and Montjuïc Castle are also in this area.
Next, we hopped in a taxi to check out Camp Nou, the football stadium where FC Barcelona plays. They offer a stadium tour and museum experience when there aren't any games.
We ended the night with a Flamenco show, a traditional Spanish performance that combines dance, song, and guitar.
Barcelona Day 3: Arc de Triomf, Parc de la Ciutadella, & Barceloneta Beach
Our third day in Barcelona was another day of walking around the city, though a bit shorter since we were going out that night.
We started the day at the Arc de Triomf, which was built as the main entrance for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair. The arch sits at the north end of Parc de la Ciutadella, so we continued into the park. In or near the park, you’ll find the High Court of Justice of Catalonia, the Rius i Taulet Monument, the Castle of the Three Dragons, and the Citadel Military Church. There are also additional museums, statues, and even a zoo inside the park.
We exited through the south end and walked past Frank Gehry’s El Peix (The Fish) sculpture. Afterward, we stopped for a bit at Barceloneta Beach, which is lined with nightclubs, day clubs, restaurants, and bars along the waterfront.
Barcelona Day 4: Park Güell, Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Tibidabo, Parc del Laberint d'Horta
On our final full day in Barcelona, we finally got tickets to Gaudí’s Park Güell and the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, two of the city's most famous landmarks.
Park Güell, which opened to the public in 1926 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a strong reflection of Gaudí’s style, particularly his naturalist phase. The project was originally designed as a residential neighborhood, with Gaudí himself living in one of the houses. The area has since been turned into a park, and Gaudí’s former home is now a museum.
After Park Güell, we headed to the Basílica de la Sagrada Família. Construction on the church began in 1882, but after the original architect resigned a year later, Gaudí took over. The basilica, which has been under construction for over 100 years, blends Gothic and Art Nouveau styles, emphasizing bright, open spaces with its large windows and stained glass—giving it a very different feel from traditional cathedrals. The church is currently set to be completed in 2026, with additional artwork and sculptures expected to be finished by 2036. Once completed, La Sagrada Família will be the tallest church in the world, featuring a total of 18 spires. It has three main façades: the Nativity to the east, the Passion to the west, and the Glory to the south, each with unique designs. To the east of the church, there’s a park that offers great photo opportunities, and several rooftop bars in the area also provide good views.
Next, we hopped in a taxi to Tibidabo, the tallest hill overlooking Barcelona. At the top, you’ll find the Sagrat Cor church and an amusement park, along with panoramic views of the entire city.
Finally, we took another cab to Parc del Laberint d'Horta, one of the oldest parks in Barcelona. Originally a private family estate, the park features a hedge labyrinth along with classic garden elements.
This was our last stop of the trip. We then headed back to the hotel to prepare for our flight.
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Barcelona is a city full of history, stunning architecture, and vibrant energy. From Gaudí’s masterpieces to scenic viewpoints and lively neighborhoods, our four days were packed with incredible sights, great food, and plenty of walking.
