3 Days in Barcelona Itinerary – Designed by a Local!

Planning to spend 3 days in Barcelona?  I’ve used all my Barcelona know-how after living here for more than 4 years to create this perfect 3-day Barcelona itinerary so you can enjoy the very best of Barcelona, visiting top attractions, discovering hidden gems and enjoying some of the more unusual things to do in Barcelona!   Read on to discover my top tips and detailed Barcelona 3-day itinerary for your trip.

Is 3 Days Too Long in Barcelona?

Absolutely not!  While you could quite easily follow my Barcelona two-day itinerary and then spend your third day exploring more of Catalonia on a day trip from Barcelona, there are more than enough things to do in Barcelona city centre to keep you busy for three whole days, no problem.

This three-day Barcelona itinerary focuses solely on things to do in Barcelona itself, so if you want to know exactly how to spend three days in Barcelona without any day trips, you’re in the right place!

If you are lucky and have even more time in Barcelona, then you can make the most of the city for three days, and then add some day trips and tours to your travel itinerary too.  Places like Montserrat, Sitges, Girona and the Costa Brava all make excellent day trips from Barcelona.

But for now, let’s focus on what to do in Barcelona in three days!

The Best Things to Do in Barcelona in 3 Days

For this Barcelona itinerary, I’ve assumed that you will be spending a long weekend in Barcelona and planned the activities to suit a stay from Friday to Sunday.

If you come to Barcelona on different days of the week then be sure to check opening times as places like the Boqueria Market are closed on Sundays, and most of the museums in Barcelona are closed on Mondays, so that might mean you’ll need to alter your plans.

I’ve tried to mix up this itinerary to include the best of the big Barcelona attractions, while still exploring different neighbourhoods in Barcelona and finding some hidden gems that go beyond the obvious things to do.

You’ll notice that I haven’t included many museums in this itinerary – for your first trip to Barcelona, I’d recommend spending as much time as you can outside on the streets and soaking up the atmosphere, although there is time to visit a couple of museums if you like.

Football fans may also be horrified by no mention of Camp Nou, so feel free to chop and change my suggested Barcelona 3-day itinerary to best suit your tastes – although Camp Nou is under construction at the moment!

PLANNING TO VISIT CAMP NOU?

Camp Nou is currently undergoing construction work so the stadium tours are not running but the FC Barcelona museum is open, with an option to view the stadium from a Construction Viewpoint. Barça were playing their home games at Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium while the major work was going on, and they have now returned to Camp Nou Stadium, although with limited seating until the works are completed. Tickets for matches are available here which shows you the venue where matches are played, and you can book a museum visit here.  

BOOK A MUSEUM VISIT

Barcelona 3-Day Itinerary: Day 1

For your first day in Barcelona, it’s all about getting your bearings and learning the basics.  A lot of Barcelona itineraries I’ve seen focus on Gaudí first, but I prefer to get a feel of the city before we dive into that.  Of course, you could just as easily switch around the days if you want to – just check the opening times to make sure you won’t miss out on anything.

La Rambla

A walk down the Rambla is a must for first-timers; it is the most famous street in Barcelona but it gets extremely busy, so make this your first stop in the morning before the crowds get too crazy.  It is also a popular street for pickpockets in Barcelona, so watch your belongings at any time of day!

However, first thing in the morning La Rambla is usually the quietest, and you can grab some breakfast at the wonderful Boqueria Market.  Later on in the day, La Rambla fills with stalls, living statues and a lot of people, so if you stay in the market for a while you are bound to see it getting more lively!

Start off at Plaça Catalunya and walk down towards the sea.  Look out for the Joan Miro mural, the uniquely decorated Casa Bruno Cuadros and the Liceu Theatre as you wander.

A surprising hidden gem that is worth seeing on La Rambla is the Ale Hop store near the bottom of La Rambla (get the exact location here), which has an incredible Modernist ceiling in the back section of the shop – it’s well worth popping in on your way past!

La Rambla is currently undergoing construction work, so even early in the morning you might have noise from machinery.  The work is due to be completed in 2027, and the aim is to make Las Ramblas more pedestrian-friendly, encourage more connection between the Raval and Gothic neighbourhoods and regain its importance for local people, not just visitors.

La Boqueria Market & Cooking Class

This market is firmly on the tourist trail for good reason, and is one of the best free things to do in Barcelona.  There are still local residents doing their shopping here, but they do have to fight their way through the crowds of tourists!

Before you take photographs of the stalls, it is polite to ask or to buy something from the stall owners.  Make sure you explore away from the main walkways as the market stretches way beyond the first two rows!  You could pick up some food for breakfast or a picnic-style lunch here, or at least some fruit for a snack.

If you want to learn more about the food and markets in Barcelona then consider a guided tour of the market followed by a cooking class – they are great fun and delicious too!  Check the times of the tours as they aren’t always available in the mornings, but this one starts at 11am so you have time to wander before the class.

Port Vell & the Columbus Monument

At the bottom of La Rambla is the statue of Christopher Columbus, pointing out to sea – bizarrely not towards the Americas.  You can go up to the top of the monument for €8 to enjoy lovely views of the city, or simply stroll by it.  From here, cross over the road to walk towards the water then turn left and walk along the port front.

Port Vell means Old Port, and the Port’s history can be traced back to medieval times when it served as the city’s main harbour, playing a crucial role in Barcelona’s maritime trade and prosperity during the Middle Ages.

The Port Vell we see today was built for the 1992 Olympic Games, when the whole of the beach and waterfront was redesigned.  Now you can admire the boats docked here, including some insanely big super-yachts!

Keep an eye open for the giant lobster sculpture, and The Barcelona’s Head sculpture further down, which was designed by American Pop Artist Roy Lichtenstein for the 1992 Olympics.

Lunch at La Xampaneria or in El Born

If you didn’t have lunch as part of a cooking class, my favourite lunch spot in this area is Can Paixano, affectionately known as La Xampanyeria thanks to the delicious cava they sell.  It is always stuffed to the brim with locals and tourists who come here for the tasty and cheap food and drink.

You can pop in here just for a glass of cava if it’s too early for lunch, but order 2 glasses or more and you need to get some food too.  If it is too early for that too then you could wander around El Born and come back here – it is worth it I promise!

As well as sandwiches there are also plates of tapas such as cheese, morcilla black pudding and croquetas (cheese and ham potato croquettes). All the tapas are served in generous portions, and a meal works out at around 15 euros for a bottle of cava and 2 tapas.

If that sounds like too much, our next stop is El Born, which is home to Puertecillo Born – one of the best and cheapest seafood restaurants in the city and I LOVE IT!

They have a counter like you might find at the market where you point at what you want – prawns, calamari, mussels, crab, lobster etc, as well as incredible tuna steaks and monkfish.  They cook it simply and quickly and call out your number for you to pick it up at the counter.  Not classy but amazing as long as you like seafood!

If not then try one of the many tapas bars in El Born.  Bormuth is a decent option, and I love El Xampanyet near the Picasso Museum but it’s always busy so you will have to wait for a table.

Explore El Born

The Born neighbourhood is a maze of streets, filled with boutique shops, eateries and bars and a lovely area to explore.  The Gothic used to be my favourite neighbourhood in Barcelona, but since I moved to El Born this tops the list!

The old Mercat del Born is now part of the MUHBA (Museum of the History of Barcelona) since renovations uncovered 17th-century ruins beneath the foundations.  It’s free to enter and visit the archaeological site from the balcony, and free audio guides are available in Catalan, Spanish, English, French, German, Russian and Japanese.  You can also join a paid tour to go down among the ruins to learn more about the site.

The Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar is a magnificent church that inspired the novel Cathedral of the Sea by author Ildefonso Falcones, and you can go up on the roof for wonderful views of Barcelona.  If you need a break, have a glass of wine or a tapa in one of the bars in front of the church.

If you want to visit the Picasso Museum or the Moco Museum, these are both on the same street in El Born so now could be a good time to go.

The Picasso Museum houses one of the most extensive collections of artworks from the formative years of the famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. It’s one of the most visited museums in Barcelona, and a must if you are an admirer of Picasso’s work.  Tickets do not include an audio guide unless you book one for €5.

➡️Buy Tickets for the Picasso Museum

➡️Book a Guided Tour of the Picasso Museum

The Moco Museum has a nice collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by greats such as Warhol, Basquiat and Banksy as well as up-and-coming artists.  Many of the exhibitions are interactive so you can enjoy digital immersive art as well as more “traditional” pieces.

➡️Buy Moco Museum Barcelona Entry Tickets 

Wander the Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter is a great place to explore, with impressive buildings and lots of boutique shops, cool bars & restaurants.  It’s a short walk from the Born neighbourhood, just across the busy Via Laietana street.  You could easily spend a few hours wandering in the Gothic Quarter, but here are a few things you shouldn’t miss!

Gothic Cathedral & Surroundings

The cathedral is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture.  The square in front of the Cathedral often hosts special events such as wine tastings, a flea market or Christmas markets if you visit Barcelona in winter, or you can wander around here freely to explore the narrow streets.

If you’d like to take a break and enjoy the view, the rooftop of the Lamaro Hotel opposite the cathedral is one of the best rooftop bars in the city and has stunning views of the cathedral.  There is often a long line to get in, though!

Some of the places to visit in the Gothic Quarter include:

• Plaça D’Isidre Nonell which has a beautiful mosaic artwork 
• Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, a peaceful square hidden behind the cathedral
• The ‘fake’ gothic archway El Pont del Bisbe 

• MUHBA Temple d’August, the remains of a Roman Temple

• Plaça del Rei which is supposedly where the King and Queen of Spain welcomed Christopher Columbus after his “discovery” of the Americas, and home to the History Museum.
• Carrer dels Banys Nous, a pretty street with some lovely boutiques

• Plaça de la Vila de Madrid with the remains of a Roman burial site

Chocolate and Churros

After all that exploring, perhaps you’re in need of some sustenance – how about hot chocolate and churros?  Thick gloopy hot chocolate and finger-shaped donuts to dip are heavenly, and you’ll find some of the best in Barcelona on Carrer de Petrixol at La Pallaresa or Granja Dulcinea.

Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi

The nearby Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi is a beautiful 14^th Century Gothic Basilica which you can take a look inside for a small fee, or just stroll around the square.  There is often a food market or artists selling paintings here too.

Bar del Pi is a great place to eat if you want to grab some tapas, in particular the bomba (a kind of meat and potato croquette with spicy garlic sauce), but my favourite dinner place in the Gothic Quarter is La Vinateria del Call.

Dinner at La Vinateria del Call

Let’s stay in the Gothic Quarter for dinner, one of my favourite tapas restaurants in Barcelona is the Vinateria del Call, hidden away in the old Jewish Quarter behind Plaça Sant Jaume.  It is a popular place for tourists and locals, so it’s best to book a table if you can.

Choose from a range of tapas dishes including local cheeses, Catalan specialities and morcilla blood sausage.  There aren’t too many options for vegetarians, but cheese and meat-lovers will be happy here.  The waiter will recommend a wine to go with each course and make sure you save room for dessert – the chocolate fondant is to die for!

If you’d like a drink afterwards, Ginger is a cozy cocktail bar not too far away, or walk down to Carrer Ample and Carrer de la Merce which both have several cool spots.  El Born neighbourhood is another great place to go for cocktails with lots of bars to choose from, such as Dux and Dr Stravinsky.

3-Day Barcelona Itinerary: Day 2

Your second day in Barcelona is all about Antoni Gaudí, Barcelona’s most famous architect.  Gaudi’s architectural style has left a lasting mark on the city, and his works have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

He’s not the only Catalan architect, though, and this Barcelona itinerary will also give you a chance to see some of the other incredible Modernist buildings here.

La Sagrada Familia

La Sagrada Familia is Gaudí’s most famous work, and this magnificent (if unfinished!) cathedral is absolutely stunning inside & out.  You can just wander around the outside if you like – don’t miss the viewpoint from across the lake in Placa de Gaudí for my favourite view of the Sagrada Familia.

However, inside is definitely worth seeing to fully appreciate the genius of the designs.  For me, the best time to visit La Sagrada Familia is first thing in the morning, when it is a little quieter and ideally on a sunny day so you get the full effect of the sunlight pouring through the stained glass windows.

You must book a ticket online for your preferred date – it is no longer possible to buy tickets at the cathedral.

I’d recommend booking tickets at least 2 weeks in advance as tickets can and do sell out, and I’d hate for you to be disappointed!

Book your tickets here for a specific time and date or consider joining a guided tour for a more personalised experience. After the tour, you can spend as much time as you like inside to take pictures and explore at your own pace.

Inside, you can see how nature influenced Gaudi’s work.  From the soaring tree-like pillars to the rainbow of stained glass windows there are carefully planned details everywhere.

A downloadable audio guide is included with the ticket price.  Children under 11 go free, and discounts are available for students and seniors.

➡️Sagrada Familia Entry Ticket with Audio Guide

➡️Sagrada Familia: Fast-Track Access Guided Tour

➡️Fast-Track Sagrada Familia and Towers Guided Tour

Passeig de Gracia, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera

From La Sagrada Familia, it’s a 20 minute walk to Passeig de Gracia, or you can hop on the L5 blue line metro to Diagonal, where you can stroll down Passeig de Gracia and head down towards Plaça Catalunya.

Passeig de Gracia is one of the most exclusive streets in Barcelona and a great place to shop for designer brands.  It is also home to two of the most famous Gaudí houses in Barcelona – Casa Batlló and La Pedrera-Casa Milà.

First, you’ll come to Casa Milà on your left, also known as La Pedrera, which means ‘the stone quarry’.  It is famous for its wrought-iron balconies, undulating stone facade and rooftop terrace, and it was the final work Gaudí completed before his death.

➡️La Pedrera Entry with Self-Audioguide Tour

A few blocks further down on the right is my favourite building in Barcelona – the glorious Casa Batlló.

You can admire Casa Batlló from the outside for free, where you can see the different colours on the façade.  Casa Batlló is often decorated with a light show or other unique decorations like roses for the Sant Jordi festival on 23^rd April, so at the very least I’d recommend coming here to see it.

However, going inside is well worth it, when you can see how Gaudí worked his magic on the interior as well.  Buy your tickets in advance to avoid long queues or missing out entirely!

➡️Casa Batlló Entry with Self-Audioguide Tour

➡️Fast Track Casa Batlló Guided Tour

Casa Batlló is one of a trio of buildings that make up the ‘Block of Discord’, as each building was designed by a different Modernist architect.  You can see the contrasting styles in each building, so take time to compare Casa Amatller next door and Casa Lleó Morera on the next corner.

Lunch at El Nacional

It must be time for lunch by now, so book a table at El Nacional, a kind of upmarket food court with several different bars and restaurants to choose from.

Alternatively, there are some excellent restaurants on nearby Rambla de Catalunya – Ciutat Comtal is one of my favourite tapas restaurants, but it does get extremely busy, so expect to wait if you haven’t made a reservation.

Plaça de Catalunya

Arguably the centre of Barcelona, Plaça de Catalunya is a main transport hub with two metro lines meeting at the busiest metro station in Barcelona, as well as local rail connections, public buses and the Aerobus stops, so you will probably pass through it at some point!

If you want to do some shopping El Corte Inglés department store is on one side of the square (with free bathrooms on most levels if you get caught short), and there is a large Primark, Hard Rock Cafe and other big-name stores here too.

The centre of the square is usually filled with pigeons, but also often hosts events like food festivals, Christmas markets and other activities.  There are more pleasant places to sit and people watch, but it’s still worth a quick visit.

Palau de la Música Catalana

Not far from Plaça Catalunya is a stunning Modernist concert hall and another UNESCO World Heritage site, this time designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner.  It was built between 1905 and 1908 and has an incredible stained glass roof inside, as well as beautiful details throughout.

A self-guided tour is €18 and you can explore at your own pace – with plenty of time to take photos of this stunning place which is definitely one of the most instagrammable places in Barcelona!

If you prefer, a guided tour is €22 per person and lasts for just under an hour, and gets you access to some places that are usually off-limits to the public.  The last tour of the day is at 3pm so be careful not to miss your slot.

You could also buy tickets for evening performances if they match your travel dates, check the schedule here.

Park Güell

Parc Güell is one of Gaudí’s masterpieces and has gorgeous views of the city from the mosaic terrace.  It is best to come here in the late afternoon, once most of the tour groups have left, and the sun has moved around so it isn’t glaring down over the sea view.

Originally designed as a kind of magical housing estate commissioned by Gaudí’s patron Eusebi Güell.  Only three of the houses were built, yet the gardens surrounding them are beautiful and include some stunning mosaics, the famous Gaudí dragon statue and the terrace.

Don’t miss exploring the rest of the park as there is lots to explore here, and head up as high as you can go for the best views of Barcelona.

Park Guell ticket prices have increased significantly in recent years, and in 2025 now start from €18 per person for entry to the park (discounts for children and senior citizens are available), and you will need to reserve a time slot in advance as tickets sell out.

➡️Book tickets online here.

➡️Park Guell Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access

The View From the Carmel Bunkers

The Bunkers del Carmel used to be a lovely place to watch the sunset, it’s a former anti-aircraft defence point with some of the best views in Barcelona.  A few years ago, it was a hidden gem, but the secret got out, and too many people were visiting at night, so the police now come at closing time to make sure everyone leaves before sunset.

I haven’t been up there for a while so I’m not sure how strict the policy is, but now the official opening hours are from 9am to 5.30 pm in winter (from October to April) and from 9 am to 7.30pm in the summer (from May to September)

If you still have the time to visit (and energy to walk!) it’s around 30 minutes on foot from Park Guell if you leave the park from one of the exits at the top of the park, or you can grab a cab to save your weary feet!

Dinner and Drinks in Gracia

Gracia was a town in its own right before it got swallowed up in the “expansion” and was joined to Barcelona by the Eixample district.  It still has a unique personality and has much more of a local atmosphere than the areas closer to the centre.

There are various Plaças where you can have a drink and a bite to eat, but if you want to try something typically Catalan, head to La Vermu for an aperitivo drink of local vermouth and then to my favourite place for traditional Catalan food – El Glop.

Choose from a wide menu including grilled meats and a variety of rice dishes but I suggest you skip the paella and go for the Black Rice – a rich rice dish made with squid ink, cuttlefish, clams and prawns.  Order it with a side of aioli garlic sauce and a starter of bread with tomato, and you will not regret it!  Booking in advance is recommended.

Afterwards, if you still have the energy for a cocktail, try El Ciclista or Bobby Gin for a Barcelona-style huge gin and tonic.  I’ve got a busy day planned for tomorrow, so don’t overdo it – you want to be up early and ready to go for the rest of your Barcelona itinerary!

Barcelona in 3 Days – Day 3

If you think you’ve already seen the best of the city, make sure you keep some energy for our third day in Barcelona!

Visit the Arc de Triomf

Start the day at the Arc de Triomf.  It isn’t quite as iconic as the Parisian version, but I love the red brick of this one.

It was built as the main entrance for the 1888 Universal Exhibition hosted by the City, and now stands tall – usually surrounded by people taking photographs, human statues and a street musician or two, although it’s blissfully quiet if you get there first thing in the morning!

Stroll Through Ciutadella Park

This large park is one of the few green expanses in Barcelona, and is a short walk from the Arc de Triomf.  The park’s name comes from the large citadel and prison built here by Philip V of Spain after the War of Spanish Succession.

A large area of the city was demolished to make space for the citadel, designed to stop the Catalans from rebelling against Spanish rule (you can see some of the ruins from that period in the Born Cultural Centre we visited on our first day in Barcelona).

Now this large green space is filled with picnicking families and groups of friends, and if you’re lucky you might catch some live music or a street performance of some kind.

Stroll around to the lake and the Cascada Monumental Fountain (Gaudí designed the hydraulics but not the exterior), keeping an eye out for some unusual statues like that of a woolly mammoth.

The area in front of the fountain, and the park’s bandstand, Glorieta de la Transsexual Sònia, are dedicated to a transsexual woman, Sonia Rescalvo Zafra, who was murdered there on 6 October 1991.  Now this is used for music performances and other activities like tango or tap dancing classes, as well as providing some lovely photo opportunities.

If you prefer more manicured gardens, make sure you walk by the Parliament building; the gardens in front of that are well-kept and lovely in the spring and summer.  If you’re interested in Catalan politics, you can also book a tour of the Parliament, which is one of the many free things to do in Barcelona.

The park is also home to the Museum of Natural Sciences of Barcelona and the Barcelona Zoo.  From here it is a short walk to Barceloneta.

Hit the Beach at Barceloneta

Barceloneta is the old fishermen’s neighbourhood, with straight, narrow streets and blocks of small apartments.  You can visit the market here, which is much less crowded than La Boqueria or walk through the streets to the beachfront.

The sail-shaped W Hotel is an iconic Barcelona landmark that stands at the end of Barceloneta beach and makes for a great photo spot.

I love to just look at the sea, although there are plenty of beaches here in Barcelona, the water isn’t that clean, and as you’re only in Barcelona for three days I would suggest leaving the sunbathing for another time, but sitting for a while on one of the benches to enjoy the sunshine is very pleasant indeed.

Lunch in Barceloneta

There are several bars and restaurants on the Barceloneta seafront to enjoy a drink while you admire the view.  For delicious tapas, go off the main streets to try La Bombeta or Bar Jai-Ca, or enjoy some seafood paella at a restaurant like Can Ros or Can Ramonet.

If the weather is fine and you feel like a longer walk along the beach, the paella at Xiringuito Escribà is also delicious – and they even serve paella for one if you’re in Barcelona alone!  It’s best to book a table for lunch if you can, or expect to wait a while for a table.

Montjuic Cable Car

From Barceloneta, you can take the cable car up to Montjuic to enjoy more fabulous views, and for a shortcut to Montjuic Mountain.  If you’re not a fan of heights, you might want to take a cab or the metro and funicular from Paral.lel station instead!

The views of the port and beach area are fabulous, but there can be a long wait to board the cable car, so balance that with how much time you have.

Explore Montjuic

Montjuïc, the hill overlooking Barcelona and the coastline, is a lovely area to explore on a sunny day, with gardens, museums and various other attractions.

For history buffs, Montjuïc Castle is a historic fortress perched on the summit that dates back to the 17th century and showcases Barcelona’s military history as well as panoramic views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea.

If you prefer green spaces, the Barcelona Botanic Garden is home to a variety of Mediterranean plants, the Miramar Gardens offers a tranquil green space where you can unwind with more scenic views, or walk along the many pathways cross-crossing the hillside.

Keep an eye open for El Teatre Grec, a stone amphitheatre which hosts festivals and live performances.

There is plenty to see and do for art lovers too, with the Fundació Joan Miró, and the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) housed in the impressive Palau Nacional which are both well worth a visit, and the view from the Palau Nacional of the Magic Fountain, Plaça Espanya and Tibidabo beyond should not be missed.

Poble Espanyol, which translates to “Spanish Village” in English, is an architectural open-air museum located in Barcelona, Spain. It was built in 1929 for the Barcelona International Exposition as a showcase of the diverse architectural styles and cultures across Spain and has some interesting shops and areas to explore.

I also like going to the Olympic Stadium to get some peace and quiet, it’s rarely busy and has some interesting features – you can also visit the Olympic and Sport Museum there to learn about the history of the Olympic Games.

The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is a stunning light and water show that takes place in front of the National Palace. It’s a free event and is a must-see if you’re in Barcelona at night, and the shows have recently restarted after being out of action for several years due to drought.

One spot in Montjuic I highly recommend for a drink and an incredible view is Salts Terrace Bar in the municipal swimming pool.  There is also a free toilet, which is handy if you’re walking around Montjuic all afternoon!

What you do next depends on how long you spend in Montjuic.  You could easily spend a whole afternoon there if you go into some of the museums or find a sunny spot to enjoy the views.

Whenever you’re ready you could take the funicular down to Paral.lel and head to Carrer Blai for some food and drinks, or explore the area a bit more.

Go Bar Hopping on Carrer de Blai

This is one of my favourite places to have a few drinks and some tasty snacks.  Carrer Blai in Poble Sec is a whole street that is full of pincho bars.  Pinchos are a traditional type of tapas originally from the Basque Country, which are chunks of bread with a variety of tasty toppings that cost around 2 euros each.

Here you can move from bar to bar where you order a drink and a couple of pinchos in each place.  My personal favourite pincho bars are La Tasqueta de Blai and Taberna Blai Tonight, but Blai 9 and L’Atelier de Blai are also excellent.

If you’re looking for more nightlife in the area, El Molino and Teatre Apolo have various kinds of performances, or Sala Apolo is the late-night club with DJs to dance the night away.

For more cocktail bars I also love Eixample neighbourhood – there are three excellent cocktail bars within a block of each other – Sips (recently voted the best bar in the world), Hemingway Gin & Cocktail Bar, and Tandem Cocktail Bar which all have different vibes and delicious cocktails.

Where to Stay in Barcelona

For the purposes of this Barcelona itinerary, it doesn’t really matter where you decide to stay in Barcelona as you’ll be moving around quite a bit.  Somewhere close to a metro line would be ideal if you plan to use public transport, or if you prefer to use taxis then the Eixample neighbourhood is a great choice as there are more passing taxis here.

Some of my recommended hotels include:

• Chic & Basic Lemon Boutique Hotel which is a nice budget hotel in a great location close to Plaça Catalunya.
• H10 Madison is a 4* hotel with rooftop terrace and swimming pool overlooking the Gothic Cathedral.
• Serras Barcelona is a 5* hotel in the Gothic Quarter overlooking Port Vell. It’s a beautiful historic building and also has a rooftop pool.

You can also check out my tips for the best places to stay in Barcelona for your first time visit, and decide which kind of accommodation in Barcelona is best for you.

How to Get Around Barcelona

Public transport is the cheapest way to get around Barcelona, and you can buy tickets for the metro or bus at the machines at any metro station.  There are other forms of transport at your disposal too, including taxis, uber, bike hire and more ➡️Discover the best way to get around Barcelona

Depending on how often you plan to use public transport in Barcelona, the T-Casual 10 journey tickets might be the best value for you, or the Hola Barcelona Transport Card which you can buy online here or from the metro ticket machines.

The Hola Barcelona Travel Card includes public transport for the duration of validity, so if you choose a 72 hour card, you can use the buses, metro, tram and local train throughout your stay in Barcelona.  Read more about the Hola Barcelona Travel Card here.

If you plan on visiting several museums and attractions then a Barcelona city card like the Barcelona Card could be better for you as that includes entry to some of the top museums in Barcelona as well as all public transport for the duration of the ticket.

Phew, I hope this Barcelona itinerary has shown you how to make the most of 3 days in Barcelona!  While there are lots more fun things to do in Barcelona that I didn’t have time to pack into this itinerary this should give you a great taste of what the city has to offer.  And don’t forget, it’s a good excuse to come back again to see what you missed!