Explore Barcelona in 3 Days
One of the most culturally rich cities in Europe, Barcelona is also one of the most popular, especially for city breaks. It is home to architectural wonders such as La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell as well as beaches, history and of course its football club. In this article we’ll take you through how to make the most of a 3 day trip to Barcelona.
Day 1
Once you’ve arrived and got yourself settled, we can begin. Where you stay may affect when you choose to do things, but we’re going to imagine we’re in the city centre. Our starting point will be Plaça de Catalunya. The beating heart of Barcelona, this city square is lined with trees, sculptures and is used for festivals and more. Surrounded by beautiful buildings and bustling roads from here you can go wherever you want. Just off the square is the famous La Rambla which begins at the square and leads down towards the port. Filled with life, everything we’ve put for day 1 is no more than 10 walk from La Rambla. La Rambla is packed with shops, street entertainers, delicious eateries and much more which you can explore up and down the street.
Halfway down La Rambla is La Boqueria a market full of almost everything you could want. Filled with enticing smells and sounds, this market draws you in with endless stalls serving the best Spanish cuisine has to offer. Just off La Rambla and further down, you’ll come to Güell Palace. This ornate mansion was designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi for Eusebi Güell, who’s name is also lent to the park in the north of the city. Inside you can discover the ornate design which leads you around the house.
10 minutes’ walk from the other side of La Rambla is the Cathedral of Barcelona. A spectacular Roman Catholic cathedral which was built between the 13th and 15th centuries and built over in the early 1900s. Not only can you see the beautiful inside of the cathedral but there are a number of exhibitions held there as well. Nearby you can visit the Picasso Museum which is one of the largest collections of his works, with 4,251 works by the prolific Spanish painter. The museum has a number of tours whether it be guided or self-guided and has a number of exhibitions.
Day 2
We’ve put a lot in our itinerary for day 1 and day 2 is no different. We’re starting nearby to yesterday at Casa Batllo. Another of Gaudi’s works, this apartment block is recognisable for its balconies and its curved dragon roof. The block is now a museum about the buildings history and takes you through each its stunningly unique rooms. Further north is the equally charming Casa Mila. This work of Antoni Gaudi is equally stunning but is open at night for guided tours which take in rooms not usually open to the public and finishes on the roof to see the lights of Barcelona.
A 20 minute walk away is Barcelona’s most well-known building La Sagrada Familia. This famously unfinished church is the jewel in the crown of Gaudi’s works and has been in the process of being built for over 100 years. As well as looking around its stunning interior, you can also go up one of the towers to provide spectacular views across the city. The best way to finish of the day is with a stroll around Park Güell. Offering beautiful architecture by Antoni Gaudi and panoramic views across the city, this park is another of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks. One of the largest green spaces in Barcelona, the park also focuses heavily on nature and its biodiversity.
Day 3
Even if you aren’t a football fan Camp Nou is a must see. One of the most iconic and visually distinctive stadiums in the world, there is a large campus with a number of other sports arenas and a museum commemorating the history of FC Barcelona. If that doesn’t take your fancy, explore the Montjuïc a hilly area to the south of the port which is home to a museum, castle, and park. For more to explore visit the Parc de la Ciutadella, the most central of Barcelona’s parks. Being a coastal city, Barcelona has several great beaches. All of them are located north of the port and stretch a long way with beautiful golden sand and plenty of space to relax or play a nice game of beach volleyball.
We hope this has given you an idea of how to make the most of your few days in Barcelona. To find out about other holiday destinations, take a look around our website or read our blogs to see what takes your fancy. If you know where you’re looking to book call us on 0115 784 3388, email enquiries@ct4ntravel.co.uk or fill in our contact form with what you’re looking for. Don't forget to follow us on social media to find out the next Destination of the Week and for all your holiday needs. If you've been to Barcelona, where was your favourite place? What was the best thing you did, or do you think we missed anything? Let us know in the comments or on social media, just click the buttons below which take you to our social pages.