5 days in Barcelona

Day by day

1. Day 1: Sagrada Família and Casa Batlló

   Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (La Pedrera), then Palau de la Música Catalana in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sagrada Família

      Book a late-afternoon slot for the warm light through the western windows, and add a tower visit only if you are happy on narrow spiral stairs. (1.5–2 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Casa Batlló

      See the façade lit up after dark from across Passeig de Gràcia, and visit early in the morning for fewer people inside. (1–1.5 hours, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bread with tomato

      Every tapas bar and Catalan restaurant; order it alongside cured meats.

   4. Afternoon

      Casa Milà (La Pedrera)

      Visit at the end of the day for rooftop light, and check whether an evening visit with a light show is running. (1–1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Palau de la Música Catalana

      A concert ticket for guitar, choral or chamber music can cost little more than a guided tour, and you see the hall used as intended.

2. Day 2: Park Güell and Casa Vicens

   Park Güell, Casa Vicens and Gothic Quarter walk, then El Born in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Park Güell

      Take bus 24 towards the upper entrances to avoid the steep climb from Lesseps or Vallcarca Metro, and book the first or last slot of the day. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Casa Vicens

      Combine it with lunch in Gràcia's squares and an afternoon at Park Güell. (1 hour, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Patatas bravas

      Tapas bars all over the city, especially in Gràcia and Poble-sec.

   4. Afternoon

      Gothic Quarter walk

      Walk early in the morning or after 9pm, when the tour groups have gone. (Half a day, free).

   5. Evening

      El Born

      Cocktail bars along the Passeig del Born and in the surrounding medieval lanes.

3. Day 3: La Rambla and La Boqueria market

   La Rambla, La Boqueria market and Barceloneta beach, then Gothic Quarter and Plaça Reial in the evening.

   1. Morning

      La Rambla

      Walk it once for the Boqueria and the Liceu, then turn off into the Gothic Quarter or El Raval for food and drink. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      La Boqueria market

      Come in the morning for breakfast at a counter bar, and buy fruit from the back stalls rather than pre-cut cups at the entrance. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bomba

      Old bars in Barceloneta, where the dish was created in the mid-20th century.

   4. Afternoon

      Barceloneta beach

      For more space, walk 15 minutes north to Nova Icària or Bogatell, and never leave bags unattended on the sand. (Half a day, free).

   5. Evening

      Gothic Quarter and Plaça Reial

      Bars around Plaça Reial, plus jazz and late clubs under its arcades.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Montserrat

   About 1 hour 15 minutes by train each way. Getting there: FGC R5 from Plaça d'Espanya, then the rack railway or cable car.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Montserrat

      About 1 hour 15 minutes by train (FGC R5 from Plaça d'Espanya, then the rack railway or cable car); about 60 km.

   2. Day

      Montserrat

      The jagged mountain ridge holds a Benedictine monastery and the basilica of the Black Madonna (La Moreneta), where the boys' choir, the Escolania, sings regularly. Best for culture, first-timers and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Barcelona

      Dinner: try Black rice.

5. Day 5: Picasso Museum and Santa Maria del Mar

   Picasso Museum, Santa Maria del Mar and Parc de la Ciutadella, then El Raval in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Picasso Museum

      Entry is free at certain times each month, but those slots still have to be reserved online and go quickly. (1.5–2 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Santa Maria del Mar

      Visit during free entry times for a quiet look at the nave, then book a rooftop tour for a different perspective. (45 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Black rice

      Seafood restaurants in Barceloneta and around Port Olímpic; rice dishes are usually for two or more and eaten at lunch.

   4. Afternoon

      Parc de la Ciutadella

      Rent a rowing boat on the lake, then picnic on the lawns with supplies from the nearby Santa Caterina market. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      El Raval

      Bohemian old-school bars, including a 19th-century absinthe bar, and late cocktail spots.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, Picasso Museum and Palau de la Música Catalana before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, El Born ($$$) suits couples, food lovers, nightlife and shopping. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 18–24 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.2 hours in December to 15.1 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Barcelona
• 2 days in Barcelona
• 3 days in Barcelona
• 4 days in Barcelona
• 7 days in Barcelona

Questions travellers ask