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barcelona it is a cosmopolitan city, as few cities are. In what is considered the princess of the Mediterranean, it is certain that you will meet people from all over the world. And a people very proud of their heritage and tradition.
In this bustling Spanish city, there are some of the greatest works of art in the world, what is considered the best Spanish food, unmissable shows throughout the year, ten beaches for sunbathing and incredible details at every corner.
When to visit Barcelona
Barcelona is a captivating and versatile city with something to surprise every type of tourist. With a unique architectural offer, incredible beaches and vibrant cultural events, knowing when to visit what is considered the gastronomic capital of Spain only depends on the taste of those who visit it and what they expect to find in terms of climate or cultural programming.
Temperatures in Barcelona
As an Iberian neighbor, unlike other countries further north, Spanish weather does not differ much from that of Portugal. With a typical Mediterranean climate, Barcelona has more than 300 days of sunshine a year, 10 hours of sunshine a day in winter and more than 17 hours in summer.
The rain falls more heavily in April, May and September and the city has a moderate average annual precipitation, between 350 ml and 700 ml.
How to get
The capital of Catalonia is one of the most visited cities in Europe. Therefore, Barcelona has four international airports and an executive airport serving the city. So, if you are thinking of visiting Barcelona, you have the following airports at your disposal:
Each of these airports offers connections by bus, train or taxi to the city of Barcelona. You can also count on a busy port and a very efficient train, metro and urban and intercity public transport network.
3 unforgettable days in Barcelona
Like most cities, exploring Barcelona on foot is the best way to get into the Catalan spirit and discover some of the best hidden secrets of a Barcelona that you won’t find described in any itinerary or travel guide. For this three-day itinerary in Barcelona, we are going to divide the city into three: the old city, Eixample and Montjuic. If it’s your first time in the city, these are the points you really can’t miss.
Naturally, whether because you like to do things calmly, appreciating each new discovery in detail, because you took your time enjoying some tapas or because you lost yourself in conversation with one of the locals, it is possible that you do not have time to see all the suggestions that we leave it below, however, we have listed everything you can visit so that you can manage it according to your time and taste.
If you’re a history lover, this is where you should start, because this is where Barcelona’s origins begin. Until the middle of the 9th century, the city was surrounded by walls that were demolished in 1854. Ciutat Vella is divided into large districts: Barri Gòtic, Sant Pere, Santa Caterina and la Ribera, La Rambla, El Raval and Barceloneta.
Las Ramblas is the most famous and lively avenue in Barcelona and one of the largest medieval centers in Europe. In the famous Barri Gòtic, the heart of the city, you will find the royal palace, the imposing cathedral and next to La Ribera several 14th century mansions that are worth a visit.
This is where some of the main museums are located, namely the Picasso Museum or the Museum of Modern Art, as well as the breathtaking Parc de la Ciutadella with 17.42 hectares of beautiful gardens, fountains, an artificial lake, monuments and the Barcelona Zoo.
You can also see some streets and neighborhoods such as: Barloneta, Carrer Montcada, Las Ramblas, El Raval and the Merct de San Josep You can reach this area of the city by metro lines 1, 3 and 4 or by taking the buses available Plaça de Catalunya.
What to see in Ciutat Vella?
museums and galleries
- Modern Art Museum
- Frederic Mares Museum
- Museum of Geology
- Museum of Geology
- History Museum of the Ciutat
- Maritime Museum and Drassanes
- Picasso Museum
- Museum of Zoology
- wax Museum
churches
- Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar
- barcelona cathedral
buildings
- House of l’Ardiaca
- Casa de la Ciutat
- La Llotja
- Palau de la Generalitat
- Palau de la Música Catalana
- Palau Reial Mayor
- Palau Moja
- Palau Guell
- Palau de la Virreina
- Olympic Village
- Gran Teatre del Liceu
- Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts
monuments
- Arc del Triompf
- Homage to Picasso
- Monument to Colom
- Font de Canaletes
park and gardens
- Parc de la Ciutadella
- zoological park
squares
- Plaça Reial
- Plaça de la Boqueria
Where to eat in Ciutat Vella?
Barcelona is considered the capital of Spanish gastronomy and has some of the best restaurants in the world and several Michellin stars, so if there’s one thing you must do in this vibrant city, it’s eat. Before that, go to Escribà pastry shop!
- 1881 By Sagardi
- 3 Nusos Restaurant & Lounge
- 4 Capellas Restaurant Terrassa
- 7 postage
- Water
- Aguelo013
- Attic
- Bar Lobo
- barceloneta
- Bestial
For lovers of art and architecture, this is an area not to be missed as Barcelona boasts more Art Nouveau buildings than any other city in the world. This district connects Ciutat Vella with other cities and towns such as Gràcia, Sants, Sant Martí de Provençals, Sant Andreu, Sarrià, etc.
This part of the city is the result of one of the most important times in Barcelona, when it established itself as an important economic area.
After the walls of the Ciutat Vella were demolished, the city began to grow with a well-defined style designed by the engineer Ildefons Cerdà, who planned an egalitarian city, without asymmetries with homogeneous neighborhoods and uniformly distributed public services.
The city was designed in blocks, however, at intersections, the corners were cut to allow better views.
Keep your eyes open and your camera in hand as you walk along emblematic streets, such as Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla de Catalunya, to admire and record the legacy of the best Catalan architecture from the late 9th and early 20th centuries.
You will find works by the most important architects of the time, namely Gaudí, Domènech and Montaner and Puig and Cadafalch, who built buildings such as the imposing Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, Casa Lleó Morera, Casa Batlló or Casa Amatller.
You can reach this part of the city by metro lines 3 and 5.
What to see in Eixample
museums and galleries
- Fundació Antoni Täpies
- Music Museum
churches
buildings
- Casa Milà, La Pedrera
- Cara Terrades, Casa de los Punxes
- Hospital of Santa Creu i de Sant Pau
- Island of Discord
streets and neighborhoods
- quadrat d’or
- Esquerra de l’Eixample
- Sagrada Familia neighborhood
- Estació del Nord and Glòries
Where to eat in Eixample?
If you are thinking of eating snacks and fast food, get the idea. Barcelona is considered the Spanish gastronomic mecca and has several Michellin stars and some of the best restaurants in the world, so be sure to try one of these restaurants. Before that, go through Colmado Quilezwhere you will find a huge offer of hams, cheeses and wines and brandies.
- “El Bar” Barcelona
- Alta Taberna Paco Meralgo
- balms 103
- bar velodrome
- barcelona milano
- Bembì, Modern Indian
- Bistreau by Ángel León
- Bitxarracu
- Big mouth
- Caelis
Sants-Montjuïc is the biggest neighborhood in Barcelona and a very popular area, both day and night. Rich in art galleries and museums, this is where the largest collection of romantic art in Europe is located, in the Palau Nacional.
Its historic town, Sants, sits above Gran Via, and although Sants-Montjuïc was once a rural area, this part of the city grew rapidly in the first half of the 20th century with the appearance of factories and shops that led to its annexation to Barcelona. in 1897.
But if there is something you cannot miss, it is the most imposing symbol of the city of Barcelona, the Montaña de Montjuïc, also known as Monte Judío, with 185 meters and views of the sea, which offers a stunning view over the city, the port and the coast through its viewpoints, such as the Mirador del Alcalde and the Mirador del Migdia, as well as the cable car that goes up to the castle over the port.
In Sants-Montjuïc you will find art, culture, leisure and sport, fairs and congresses, gardens and nature trails. You can reach this part of the city by taking buses 13 and 61 or by taking the cable car.
What to see in Montjuic
museums and galleries
- Fundació Juan Miró
- National Museum of Art of Catalonia
- Archaeological Museum
- CaixaForum
squares
parks and gardens
Thematic parks
buildings
- Castell de Montjuïc
- Montjuïc Olympic Stadium
- Pavello Mies van der Rohe
Where to eat in Sants-Montjuïc?
- Boria Barcelona
- Canota tapas house
- Elche
- Forestier Miramar
- La Font de Prades
- Montjuïc El Xalet
- Rías de Galicia
- Spice Cafe
- Malamén-Bendita Bodega
- Raw Space
Where sleep
In a city like Barcelona there is no shortage of accommodation, however, we suggest that you make reservations as soon as possible to guarantee the best rooms. For this 3-day itinerary in Barcelona, we suggest ten options that are chosen by Booking users with the highest score:
beaches in barcelona
We told you that Barcelona has it all and it does! After food, art and history… the beaches. There are 5 km of fine, golden sand and shallow waters. A few minutes from any point in the city, they have all the necessary equipment and services, access for the disabled and Wi-Fi.
It cannot be said that they are at the level of the beaches in the Caribbean or even the best Portuguese beaches, however, if the weather invites you to swim, take a dip in one of these beaches:
- Playa de Sant Sebastià
- Playa de Sant Miquel
- Playa de la Barceloneta
- Somorrostro beach
- Playa de la Nova Icaria
- Playa del Bogatell
- Playa Mar Bella
- Playa de la Nova Mar Bella
- Playa de Llevant
- Zone of baths of the Forum
Markets and shops in Barcelona
Barcelona is the right place to go shopping whatever your style and look for what you are looking for, in this city you will find it. If you’re looking for the latest trends in fashion and decoration, start in the streets around Passeig de Gràcia. In the same area you will also find many old shops and some of the most beautiful facades in the city.
In the Barri Gòtic, as you would expect, there are some of the best antique shops and stores selling traditional products and Catalan and Spanish handicrafts. Take note of the shops and markets you cannot miss in Barcelona:
- La Boqueria Market – Las Ramblas, 100
- Els Encants Market – Plaça de les Glòries
- La Caixa de Fang – With Frenzy, 1
- Cereria Subirà – With Libreteria, 7
- L’Estanc – Via Laietana, 4
- La Manual Alpargatera – C/ d’Avinyó, 7
- L’Arca de l’Avia, Carrer dels Banys Nous, 20
- Colmado Quilez – Rambla de Catalunya, 63
- Escribà Pastisseries – Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 546
To visit outside the center
In addition to the suggestions above, there are other places outside the city center that you cannot miss, namely:
- Museum of Science
- Museum of the Football Club of Barcelona
- Monestir des Pedralbes
- Royal Palace of Pedralbes
- Collserola Tower
- Parc de l’Espanya Industrial
- Parc Guell
- Joan Miró Park
- Tibidabo
We have reached the end of our 3-day itinerary in Barcelona. Now, all you have to do is choose the sights that you like the most, buy the tickets, pack your bags and set out to discover this incredible European city. Good vacation!
