The real essence of Barcelona is ensconced between the cobbled alleyways of old Barcelona and structures of Gaudi's marvels speckled around the city. This 3 day itinerary of Barcelona takes you through this very essence with a concretely crafted plan that ticks off all the prime attractions and the lesser known gems of Barcelona in just 3 days! If you plan to stay in Barcelona for 4 days, we have you backed then as well.
3 Days in Barcelona - How To Spend Your Days
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Barcelona In 3 Days - Detailed Itinerary
A Blast of Culture
La Rambla & La Boquería Market
Gothic Quarter
Poble Espanyol
La Barceloneta Beach
Find your way to the famous La Rambla- undoubtedly the most touristy street in Barcelona. This tourist magnet is bustling for a worthy reason. Flanked by greenery, take a sneak peak into the rich Catalan culture through its inspiring architecture. La Ramblas is mostly famous for its street performers and human statues. Hop into one of the many chilled café terraces here and lull yourself into a calm amongst the chaos. Shoppers are in for a treat here as the market stalls selling countless everythings and nothings are a good pastime.
After sauntering through La Rambla, head to the La Boqueria. You may not want to buy groceries on your first day in Barcelona, but you surely want to feast your eyes on the freshest local produce ever. Sip on some homemade wine from the tiny stalls around and walk through an assortment of meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, flowers and just about everything your kitchen would ever require to whip up a delicious meal.
- Beware of the seedy parts to this neighbourhood and steer clear of these areas once the night falls.
- If you're shopping at La Rambla, make sure you buy at half the quoted price.
- La Rambla is known for an alarming instances of pickpocketing, thefts and con artists.
- Tickets to the El Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona Contemporary Art Museum is available at a discount on the Barcelona Museum Pass
Popularly known as the Barrio Gótico, this quaint neighborhood is part of the old city (Cituat Vella) and unfolds from La Rambla to the Via Laietana in a labyrinth of meandering cobbled streets with colourful walls. This charming part of the city nestled in a bohemian aura is exactly where you should start your Barcelona holiday and you’ll know why we say so once you are strolling the streets of Barrio Gótico. We say, turn off your GPS and get lost on your very first day in Barcelona! Grab a meal while you’re and smear some gelato on your upper lip too.
- Comfortable shoes and casual clothing is recommended to avoid discomfort while walking
- Grab a local suis (hot chocolate with cream) at Barrio Gotico
- If you're in Barcelona during the La Mercé Festival in September, watch the human castle-building — Castellers at Barrio Gotico.
- Taking a bike tour through the Barrio Gotico is highly recommended to cover more ground
- If you're looking to visit the Museums and Galleries in Barrio Gotico, The Barcelona Museum Pass and iVenture Pass will come handy.
Poble Espanyol which translates to Spanish Village, is a unique combination of architecture, contemporary art, traditional crafts, artisan shops, and authentic culinary delights, in a pleasant setting free from the hordes of Barcelona.It cashes in 1,300,000 visitors a year, is open on all 365 days and is the perfect place to consume a copious gulp of Spain’s diverse cultural sangria. A charming space with over 20 craft shops spanning from pottery, leather, jewellery, glass and display of over 300 contemporary pieces by Picasso, Dalí, and Miró, the Poble Espanyol is a rewarding stroll all in all.
- It is highly recommended to buy tickets online as the queues during peak season can take upto 1 hour.
- If you’re in Barcelona during summer, the Mecal Air film festival takes place at Poble Espanyol, where short films are screened outdoors.
- If you’re opting for the Barcelona Hop on Hop Off Tour, you can hop off right outside the Poble Espanyol and amble at your pace.
Before you head home, make one last stop- Barceloneta. The is the city’s classy neighbourhood by the Mediterranean sea stretch with clean boardwalks and course golden sand speckled with pebbles is sure to pull you for an night stroll by the beach.The shacks turn into night clubs after sunset with soothing music to which you can groove and shake a leg. Dine under the moon and starlit sky and dip your feet in the cold waters of the Mediterranean. It's the perfect way to end your day in Barcelona.
- Nights in the beach are free from pestering vendors, hence this is the best time to enjoy solace under the stars.
- If you want to enjoy the balmy sun, you can visit the beach in the morning. Afternoons can get very hot, hence not recommended.
- Strolling by the beach promenade on a bicycle is a recommended experience too.
A Touch of Tourist Magic
Park Güell
Sagrada Familia
Barcelona Zoo
Barcelona Aquarium
Camp Nou
A UNESCO listed World Heritage Site, the Park Güell is an enchanting space where Gaudi tried his hands at landscape gardening. The Park Guell clocks in over 4 million visitors each year despite the fact that they allow only 400 people into the park every 30 minutes. While you’re here, make sure to visit the Casa-Museu Gaudí, a slender house converted into a museum where Gaudi lived for 20 years ( 1906-1926). It contains the furniture used by him and many other memboralias. Before leaving, gently touch the ceramic dragon. It is said to bring you luck! Peruse your Park Güell ticket options here.
- If you have booked your tickets online, make sure you reach at least 15 minutes before the slot you have booked to pick up your tickets.
- There are 3 entrances to Park Guell. Figure out which entrance is closest from your hotel beforehand so that you don’t waste time and money on travel.
- Comfortable shoes are recommended because of the walking involved.
The captivating Sagrada Familia is the most iconic attraction in Barcelona and is undoubtedly the magnum opus of the world renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. I would go to the extent of saying that your trip to Barcelona is pointless without a visit to the Sagrada Familia and there are many reason why. Ranked the #1 thing to do in Barcelona by Tripadvisor, this modernist masterpiece is Gaudi’s best work ( read lifelong obsession) and it has earned this status without being completed! It has been under construction since 1882 ( completing 136 years in 2018) and despite the end not remotely in sight, it amasses tourists like no other place in Barcelona. Check out your Sagrada ticket options here.
- Queues outside Sagrada Familia can take upto 80 - 90 minutes, hence grab skip the line tickets coupled with a guided tour online.
- Reach 30 minutes before the slot.
- Sagrada Familia is wheel chair accessible, but the Towers are not.
- The mass at Sagrada Familia starts at 9 AM on Sunday morning.
- The crypt is open only from 9-10 in the morning and from 6-9 PM in the evening.
The Barcelona Zoo is one of the biggest and best equipped zoos in Europe. This zoo was opened in 1892 in the green lung of old Barcelona and over the years it has faithfully reproduced the natural habitat of the animals it houses. The Barcelona Zoo was also the house to the only ever albino gorilla in the world, Snowflake who lived here since 1966 for 37 years until his death in 2003.
In the Barcelona Zoo you can see a host of animals - leopards, tropical birds, reptiles, sea lions,flamingos, giraffes, elephants, kangaroos, Komodo dragons, Muntjac deers, Brazza monkey hippos and a whole lot of animals you may never have seen or heard of! With restaurants, bars, miniature railways, electric cars, souvenir shops and a picnic spot, the zoo is perfect for a day out, regardless of your age. Check out your Barcelona Zoo ticket options here.
- The Dolphin Show happens thrice a day - 11.30, 13.00 and 16.30
- You can feed and pet ponies, rabbits and donkeys in the Children’s Zoo
- The ticket window closes 30 minutes before the zoo closing time everday
- The queues during peak season can get pretty long and if you're traveling with kids,hence,Fast track tickets are recommended.
- The zoo is wheelchair accessible
The Barcelona Aquarium located in Port Vell is Europe’s only Oceanarium with over 11,000 water dwelling animals from over 450 different species along with an ocean tank for sharks, rays and other large fishes. If you’re travelling with kids or are a fan of aquariums yourself, going to L’Aquàrium de Barcelona is an assured fascinating visit.
You can even scuba dive ( only certified scuba divers ) in the 4-million-litre oceanarium surrounded by sharks and fishes! If you’re not qualified to scuba dive with them, you can walk beneath the Oceanarium through a transparent moving tunnel for a unique perspective on the marine life. Watch out for gilt heads, moray eels, ocean sunfishes, Nautilus,sand tiger sharks and sandbar sharks during your walk.
- Scuba diving with the sharks takes place only thrice a week - Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
- Though the queues outside the Barcelona Aquarium aren't exceptionally long, buying tickets online help save a few euros and earn cashback offers.
- The Barcelona Express 2 day card gives a 20% discount on L’Aquàrium de Barcelona tickets
Camp Nou Barcelona is one of the most historic and renowned football stadiums in the world. If you’re a football fanatic or a mere football viewer, a visit to this decorated stadium which also happens to be the largest football stadium in Europe and the second largest in the world, is an absolute must! A visit to Camp Nou is will give you a glimpse of the Catalonian culture because it is safe to say that football is a very important element ingrained in their culture. If you can catch a football match during your visit here, nothing like it. If not, a tour of the stadium which takes you through the trophies, players, museum, the locker room where legends from Maradona and Messi have stepped foot in and the impressive football pitch is an inspiring walk through. Grab Camp Nou tickets before you head over to this must-visit attraction.
- If you're watching a match at Camp Nou, make sure you reach well in advance to collect your tickets to avoid the long redemption lines.
- For experience the victory celebrations after the match, head to Canaletas fountain at Las Ramblas to celebrate with the fans
- Smoking and consumption of alcohol inside Camp Nou is strictly prohibited.
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Where Art Meets Excitement
Articket Barcelona
Palau de la Música Catalana
Las Golondrinas De Barcelona Cruise
Tibidabo Amusement Park
Art Museums have a way to walking you down the history of a country in a creatively beautiful manner. The Articket Museum Pass which offers you Skip the Line Access to the top 6 art museums in Barcelona is a fabulous choice for those who want to spend a day getting to understand the cultural and artistic heritage of Barcelona. Spend the day going through paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, posters, coins, silver and goldsmithing, coins and exhibitions with the Articket Museum Pass that offers great savings (45% savings) and consume generous amounts of Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Antoni Tàpies and many other pieces of traditional and contemporary art.
- The Articket is valid for 1 year after the first use.
- The lines to Picasso, Miro, and Catalunya can get quite long ( 1- 2 hours during peak season) hence this economical pass comes handy then.
- If you book a ticket to the Picasso museum individually,you are required to specify an entry slot at the time of booking. However, with Articket pass, you gain jump the queue access to any time of the day.
Barcelona Articket Passport: Admission to 6 museums
Headout Price: €35
Located in a cul-de-sac at Casc Antic, Palau De La Musica is a 100 year old ornate concert hall designed in ‘Catalan Modernista’ style by Lluís Domènech i Montaner. In 1997, the Palau de la Música Catalana was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site putting it on the tourist radar of Barcelona , clocking in three million visitors each year. This colourful explosion of rightly places mosaics is the only auditorium in Europe to be completely illuminated by natural light. The most coveted space in Palau De La Musica is the 2146 glass roofed Art Nouveau Hall. The Petit Palau is a smaller hall with 538 seats and a more modern touch. This hall has been specially designed for chamber music concerts, with a keen attention to the acoustics and reverberation.
- The Barcelona Express Card allows a 20% discount on the Palau De La Musica ticket.
- Buying your tickets advance online is strongly advised to ensure that you get your desired time slot and skip the 3 hour long queues.
- There are only limited spots per day, hence you may have to wait for long or postpone your visit if there is a large influx of people during your visit.
- The only way to visit Palau De La Musica is by booking a guided tour and buying tickets for a show inside. There is no concept of self guided tour here.
Palau De La Musica Catalana
Headout Price: €10
Sail out of the Port Vell harbour on the famous Las Golondrinas along the Barcelona coast and devour the Mediterranean flavour with the salty breeze kissing your face and flitting through your hair. Soak in the balmy weather under the comfort of your boat and experience Barcelona from the sea on this cruise. You will glide past Barcelona’s beach and indulge in captivating views of the World Trade Center, Porta d'Europa Bridge,Fisherman’s Quarter, International Cruise Terminal, Nova Bocana, Torre del Rellotge,Olympic Port, among others.
- There is no commentary onboard.
- Refreshments are available onboard, however it is not included in the ticket price.
- Washrooms are available onboard as well.
Las Golondrinas Boat Trip
With a history of over 100 years, Tibidabo Amusement Park is one of the oldest theme parks in Spain and is a merry blend of tradition and modernity. This compact amusement park built in 1899 with a selection of 30 adrenaline pumping rides has been designed for kids, teenagers and adults alike. Perched on top of the Tibidabo Mountain, this mountain is 512 meters (1680 ft) above sea level and boasts of splendid views of the city from each and every ride. Tibidabo Amusement Park has an array of shows, street theatre, picnic spots, restaurants and cafes, indoor dining making it the ideal spot for a day out with the family, especially those with kids and teenagers.
- The ticket prices for children vary upon their height (for children under 1.2 m in height {10.30 €} and for children under 0.90 m height the tickets are free). Measure your child's height in advance to avoid confusion.
Tibidabo Amusement Park Tickets
Spend 3 Days In Barcelona Under 250 Euros
Barring your accomodation and food expenses, here's an approximate of how much you'll spend in Barcelona in 3 days. Book your tickets with Headout, ensuring you won't have to wait around in ticketing queues, and enjoy a 5% cashback on every purchase you make!
Day 1 : La Rambla & La Boquería, Gothic Quarter, Poble Espanyol & La Barceloneta Beach
€46
Day 2 : Park Güell, Sagrada Familia, Barcelona Zoo, Barcelona Aquarium & Camp Nou
€114
Day 3 : Articket Barcelona, Palau De La Musica Catalana, Las Golondrinas De Barcelona Cruise & Tibidabo Amusement Park
€77
Total
€237
Book your Barcelona Attractions tickets on Headout, and spend just €237 on your 3-day vacation in Barcelona! Hit up all the prime attractions in the city and save more while you explore more.
More Barcelona Itinerary Options?
Have some more time to kill in Barcelona? Check out our 1 day in Barcelona and 5 days in Barcelona itineraries for further inspiration.
More Barcelona Guides
Here are a few detailed guides that will help you plan your trip to Barcelona better.
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