There are so many amazing things to do in Barcelona that choosing exactly what to do in Barcelona in a day is not easy. So I’m here to help you decide which activities to prioritize to maximise your time in Barcelona! As well as my suggested Barcelona 1 day itinerary, I’ve included other top attractions in Barcelona, so you can pick and choose the best way to spend a day in Barcelona depending on what you like to do best!
How to Spend a Perfect Day in Barcelona
Before you plan your Barcelona day trip, take some time to plan out what you would like to do. My 1 day Barcelona itinerary probably includes a lot (if not all) of the items on your list, but if you want to change things around then you’ll need to check on things like the activity opening times, location and directions for how to get there to see if it will fit in well.
You will find that there are simply too many things to fit into one day, so make a future plan to come back. 1 day in Barcelona isn’t enough, so take this trip as an opportunity to get a taste of the city, and make a note of all the other things to do in Barcelona that you didn’t have time for.
While it’s hard to admit that you can’t see everything, it’s better to take your time and enjoy what you can without rushing around trying to cram in everything but not being able to appreciate it because you have to leave for the next activity.
Barcelona isn’t a city for rushing, it’s best enjoyed at a leisurely pace – trust me!
The other main tip I have is to try to avoid coming to Barcelona on Sundays and Mondays if that’s the only day you have.
The Boqueria (and other markets) are closed on Sunday, and a lot of restaurants are closed on Monday lunchtime so it’s best to avoid these days if you can. Most museums in Barcelona are also closed on Monday, although the top attractions like La Sagrada Familia are still open.
In addition to that, Weekends tend to be busier than visiting during the week, so if you have flexibility in your travel dates or days, Tuesday to Friday are the best days to visit Barcelona for the ideal combination of everything being open without being too busy (hopefully!).
Once you have your itinerary planned, make sure you book the top attractions well in advance. Tickets for La Sagrada Familia in particular can sell out weeks in advance, especially if there are special events taking place in the cathedral.
Other attractions like Park Guell and Casa Batllo also have timed entry tickets which can sell out, so book in advance to make sure you get your preferred entry time and don’t miss out!
➡️Buy Sagrada Familia Entry Tickets with Audio Guide
➡️Buy Casa Batlló Entry Tickets with Self-Audioguide Tour
➡️Buy Casa Mila La Pedrera entry tickets here
➡️Buy Park Güell entry tickets here
Barcelona Day Tours
I’ve got everything you need right here to plan your perfect day in Barcelona, but if the thought of navigating the city by yourself feels like too much, then there are some Barcelona day tours which take care of all of the planning and logistics for you, including transport between the key locations visited.
Walks/Devour recently launched this small group full day tour with a maximum of 15 people, and includes entry to Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, the Barceloneta cable car from Montjuic and a walking tour of the old town. I’ve taken a couple of their food tours in Barcelona and love them, so you will be in good hands on this tour! ➡️BOOK THIS DAY TOUR
This is a similar “Barcelona in a day” tour on Viator, which is a full-day tour of Barcelona including the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell & Old Town as well as Montjuic, although entrance tickets are not included in the price. I’ve not used this company before but they get good reviews, and you can also book a private tour if you wish ➡️CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY
Another private tour option is with LivTours, they’re not the cheapest, but the tours are excellent, so if you are looking for a special private experience, they come highly recommended. ➡️EXPLORE THIS TOUR
Half-Day Tours of Barcelona
Alternatively, there are several walking tours or bike tours of Barcelona which are around 3 hours long and take you around some of the highlights of the city, then you can cover anything you missed in the rest of your time here. Or you could combine two tours to see as much as possible with a guide, such as doing a bike or segway tour in the morning and then a walking tour in the afternoon.
These are some of my top picks for half-day tours of Barcelona:
Take a look at some of these on GetYourGuide:
If you prefer to explore independently, read on for my top travel tips on how to spend a day in Barcelona!
My Recommended 1 Day Barcelona Itinerary
This Barcelona one-day itinerary is packed but I’ve still tried to leave plenty of time in between activities for you to enjoy whatever it is before you have to go to the next stop. As I said, if you are running behind don’t worry – this is meant to be an example Barcelona day trip itinerary, so feel free to make it your own and change whatever you like, or skip anything you don’t have time for!
8.30am – La Sagrada Familia
It’s best to visit this iconic cathedral first thing in the morning before the crowds get too crazy. Doors usually open at 9am, so I recommend getting there early so you have time to visit the small park in Plaça de Gaudí where you get the best views of La Sagrada Familia across the pond (where I took the photo below).
If you’re visiting Barcelona on a budget you might not be able to afford the ticket entry (prices start from €26) but if you can then it is definitely worth going inside La Sagrada Familia to see more of modernist architect Antoni Gaudí’s incredible work. Book your tickets online here as you can no longer buy tickets at the door.
You could opt to take a guided tour if you would like to learn more about Gaudí and his work, but as you’re on a tight schedule then the self-guided tour on the official Sagrada Familia app should give you enough information – bring your own earphones to listen along.
➡️Buy Sagrada Familia Entry Tickets with Audio Guide
➡️Sagrada Familia: Fast-Track Access Guided Tour
➡️Fast-Track Sagrada Familia and Towers Guided Tour
10.45 am – Passeig de Gràcia, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera
Hop on the L5 (Blue Line) metro and get off 2 stops later at Diagonal at the top of Passeig de Gràcia. This is the place to (window!) shop in Barcelona, with designer names and high-end jewellery stores lining this wide avenue.
Two of Gaudí’s most famous buildings are on this street as well, so take a walk to see these two special houses. On the left side of Passeig de Gracia on the corner with Provença, you will see Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera, a large white building with a curved roof that was said to resemble a stone quarry or Pedrera. Gaudí designed this apartment block, and there are still people who live in the building today!
Further down Passeig de Gràcia, on the corner with Carrer d’Aragó, Casa Batlló is one of a trio of buildings that make up the ‘Block of Discord’, where each building was designed by a different Modernist architect. You can see the contrasting styles in each building, but Casa Batlló is my favourite with a gorgeous colourful facade.
You could arrange to go inside either (or any of) of these magnificent buildings, but with just a day in Barcelona to explore everything I’d suggest just seeing them from the outside. Once you’ve finished, continue walking down Passeig de Gracia to reach Plaça Catalunya.
➡️Buy Casa Batlló Entry Tickets with Self-Audioguide Tour
➡️Buy Casa Mila La Pedrera entry tickets here
11.45 am – Plaça Catalunya, La Rambla and La Boqueria Market
This is the centre of Barcelona, with the bustling main square Plaça Catalunya (please don’t feed the pigeons!) and the busiest tourist street in the city – La Rambla – which leads down towards the port. La Rambla is always packed, so be especially careful of your belongings here as you weave your way through the crowds – pickpockets can be a problem, so read this article full of tips on how to avoid pickpockets in Barcelona!
La Rambla is currently undergoing a makeover, with works continuing until 2027, so it isn’t as scenic as usual while works are going on, but it’s still worth exploring!
Make your way to the Boqueria Market (closed on Sundays), where you can pick up snacks if you’re hungry, or just get some fresh fruit juice if you’re thirsty. It’s a fabulous market and one of the best free things to do in Barcelona but it certainly caters more to tourists now instead of locals. There are still a few residents doing their shopping here, but they do have to fight their way through the crowds!
In the market you will find fresh local produce, cured meats, cheeses, fresh fish and meat, and some excellent tapas bars slotted in among the stalls. Be sure to explore the aisles to the back and sides of the market – they are quieter and have better prices than the main entry aisle.
It is a little early for lunch, but if you’re peckish then El Quim is a great place to grab a tapa or two – and much better than eating at one of the tourist traps on La Rambla itself!
As you continue your stroll down Las Ramblas, admire the façade of the grand Liceu Theatre, and keep your eyes peeled for a Miró mosaic on the floor of La Rambla. To your left don’t miss the intricate dragon decoration of Casa Bruno Cuadros on the corner of La Rambla and Pla de la Boqueria.
Towards the end of La Rambla you’ll find the human statues which are certainly entertaining! There is often a craft market here on the weekend too, with stalls set up close to Drassanes metro station.
1pm – Port Vell & the Columbus Monument
At the bottom of La Rambla is the statue of Christopher Columbus, pointing out to sea – 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 busy Passeig de Colom to the waterfront, turn left and walk along the port.
Port Vell means Old Port, but most of it was redeveloped for the 1992 Olympic Games, when the whole of the beach and waterfront was redesigned and rebuilt. One of the old Port buildings still stands, with the newer Maremagnum shopping complex and aquarium beyond. Now you can admire all the boats docked here, including some insanely big super-yachts!
This is also where boat trips like Las Golondrinas depart from. The ferris wheel in the photo below is a temporary and isn’t usually there, although there are often markets and special events going on in the area.
1.30pm – Lunch at Can Paixano
My favourite place in Barcelona for a boozy lunch, this popular spot is a Cava bar, and as well as buying cava (Catalan sparkling wine) to drink there you can also buy bottles to take away. It’s a casual, no-frills kind of place where you stand at the bar to eat and drink, or lean on one of the tables.
Also known as La Xampanyeria, Can Paixano is always full of a mix of locals and tourists, all stuffing their faces with delicious tapas plates or meat-filled bocata sandwiches, washed down with great value cava. All the tapas are served in generous portions and are excellent value too. With prices starting at just under €10 for a bottle of cava or €1,95 for a glass, you can eat and drink well for less than €20 per person. Get directions here.
It’s closed on Sundays and Mondays, so if it’s shut or too busy, there are lots more delicious options to choose from in El Born. Also, it’s standing only and there are no chairs so if your feet need a rest you may prefer somewhere else such as Cal Pep or Bar del Pla (for tapas), El Xampanyet (tapas and cava) or Puerticillo Born (for incredible seafood).
2.30pm – El Born and the Gothic Quarter
Walk off your lunch with a stroll through El Born, one of the prettiest neighbourhoods in Barcelona. The old Mercat del Born is now a cultural centre since renovations uncovered 17th-century ruins beneath the foundations, and you can go inside for free.
The nearby Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar is a lovely church that inspired the novel Cathedral of the Sea by Barcelona author Ildefonso Falcones, and you can go up on the roof for wonderful views of the city for a small fee. There are lots of independent shops, boutiques and bars in the area so have a wander and explore.
Once you’ve seen enough, cross over Via Laietana to the Gothic Quarter, another maze of narrow streets and historic buildings including the stunning Cathedral of Barcelona. The cathedral is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture, but be sure to explore the streets around it too.
My favourite places to visit in the Gothic Quarter include:
- Plaça D’Isidre Nonell with a beautiful mosaic artwork called The Kiss
- Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, a peaceful square near the cathedral
- The ‘fake’ gothic archway on Carrer del Bisbe near Plaça Sant Jaume
- Plaça del Rei which dates from medieval times
If you have time, visit the bar on the rooftop of the Hotel Colon opposite the cathedral. It has stunning views of the Cathedral and is worth seeing, buy a ticket at the hotel for €9 which includes a drink.
Walk back to Plaça Catalunya and take the L3 green line metro to Lesseps to go to Park Güell. Alternatively, a taxi might be better if you’re getting tired, but make sure they will drop you off at the entrance and not at the bottom of the hill.
5pm – Park Güell
Parc Güell is one of Gaudi’s masterpieces, originally designed as a kind of magical housing estate commissioned by Gaudi’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 Gaudi dragon statue and the terrace with some of the best views in Barcelona.
By this time of the afternoon, the sun has moved around and you can enjoy the views of the city from the colourful terrace in Park Güell without the glare of the sun right in front of you. The number of visitors is limited, so book your tickets online in advance to guarantee entry at your preferred time (double check last entry times as they vary throughout the year). Tickets cost from €13 per person
It will still be busy, but the limits on numbers means that some parts of the park will be practically empty and most of the tour groups will have gone by now. Take your time to explore all areas of the park and enjoy the views.
➡️Buy Park Güell entry tickets here
7pm – Dinner and Drinks in Gracia
Once you’ve had your fill of Gaudí, take a walk down the hill to the Gràcia neighbourhood. Gràcia was its own town before it got swallowed up in the “expansion” and was joined to Barcelona by the Eixample district. It still has its own 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 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 which is one of the best things to eat in Barcelona! Order it with a side of aioli garlic sauce and a starter of bread with tomato and you will not regret it! Advanced booking is recommended.
After dinner, check out some of the bars in Gracia, like Bobby Gin or El Ciclista. Alternatively, walk or take a cab down to Eixample and go to Sips (voted the best bar in the World), Tandem Cocktail Bar or Hemingway Gin and Cocktail Bar, or find a rooftop bar to enjoy views of the city as you drink.
Well that is the end of your day in Barcelona. It will fly by, and hopefully leave you wanting more so you can book a return trip to see more of this amazing city. With just one day in Barcelona I hope I’ve given you some ideas for how to make the most of your time here!
The Most Popular Things to Do in Barcelona Not on the Itinerary
As I said at the beginning, this itinerary can be easily adapted to suit what you want to do. For some, there might be glaring omissions that you desperately want to do in Barcelona, so go ahead and switch out my suggestions to match your own Barcelona bucket list.
For football fans, a trip to Nou Camp might be is one of the top things to do in Barcelona, even more so if you happen to be here when Barça are playing at home and can get tickets to the game!
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.If you like the seaside you might want to take a walk along the beach, but with only a day in Barcelona there isn’t really time for sunbathing.
I haven’t included any museums on my Barcelona day itinerary, as there are plenty of wonderful things to see in Barcelona without needing to go inside museums.
That said, if you are a fan of something in particular then there are some spectacular museums here too like the Picasso Museum, the Maritime museum or the the MUHBA museum (Museum of the History of Barcelona) in Plaça del Rei offers a fascinating glimpse into Roman life in Barcelona with a thousand years of history literally beneath your feet.
More Time in Barcelona?
If you are able to spend more time in Barcelona, it certainly won’t be wasted. There are more than enough things to do to keep you entertained for 2, 3, or 4 days in Barcelona or even better with a week in Barcelona you can take some fabulous day trips as well as really getting to know the city.
Check out these articles for inspiration to fill more days in your Barcelona itinerary:
How to Get Around Barcelona in a Day
Public transport is the cheapest way to get around Barcelona, and you could buy a one day T-Dia travel card which allows unlimited journeys on all buses, metros, trams and local trains. It is valid for 24 hours from the time of the first validation. You can also use it for a maximum of one round trip to or from Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2 metro stations on line L9 Sud, or the train journey from and to the airport.
➡️Read more about using the metro system in Barcelona
However, for just 24 hours in Barcelona, you could get taxis to save some time as long as the traffic isn’t too bad. Official Barcelona taxis are black and yellow, you can flag down any black and yellow cab with a green light on the top. All taxis in Barcelona have a meter and should use it, and you can pay with card or cash.
Uber is now available in Barcelona (after being previously banned), but it is often more expensive and takes longer than normal taxis as there aren’t many Uber drivers. If there are no taxis available to flag down on the street you can use the Uber app to call a taxi.