Itinerary · Barcelona · Spain
7 days in Barcelona
A day-by-day plan grouped by neighbourhood, so you spend your time seeing Barcelona, not crossing it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
7 days is enough to see Barcelona's highlights at a comfortable pace, with time for day trips. Day 1: Sagrada Família and Casa Batlló. Day 2: Casa Milà (La Pedrera) and Park Güell. Day 3: Casa Vicens and Gothic Quarter walk. Base yourself in Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter).
Key facts
- Days
- 7
- Sights covered
- 11
- Day trips
- 2
- Best base
- Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter)
- Book ahead
- Sagrada Família and Park Güell
Day by day
Day 1: Sagrada Família and Casa Batlló
Sagrada Família and Casa Batlló, then Palau de la Música Catalana in the evening.
Morning
Sagrada Família
Eixample · 1.5–2 hours · mid-priced. Entry is by timed ticket only and sells out days ahead in high season; buy on the official website.
Late morning
Casa Batlló
Eixample · 1–1.5 hours · expensive. Prices rise at peak times; booking online is cheaper than buying at the door.
Lunch
Lunch: Bread with tomato
Every tapas bar and Catalan restaurant; order it alongside cured meats.
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.
Day 2: Casa Milà (La Pedrera) and Park Güell
Casa Milà (La Pedrera) and Park Güell, then El Born in the evening.
Morning
Casa Milà (La Pedrera)
Eixample · 1–1.5 hours · mid-priced.
Late morning
Park Güell
Gràcia · 1.5–2 hours · low cost. Timed tickets for the Monumental Zone sell out in high season; book online.
Lunch
Lunch: Patatas bravas
Tapas bars all over the city, especially in Gràcia and Poble-sec.
Evening
El Born
Cocktail bars along the Passeig del Born and in the surrounding medieval lanes.
Day 3: Casa Vicens and Gothic Quarter walk
Casa Vicens and Gothic Quarter walk, then Gothic Quarter and Plaça Reial in the evening.
Morning
Casa Vicens
Gràcia · 1 hour · mid-priced.
Late morning
Gothic Quarter walk
Barri Gòtic · Half a day · free.
Lunch
Lunch: Bomba
Old bars in Barceloneta, where the dish was created in the mid-20th century.
Evening
Gothic Quarter and Plaça Reial
Bars around Plaça Reial, plus jazz and late clubs under its arcades.
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.
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.
Day
Montserrat
Funiculars climb to hiking trails with views across Catalonia.
Evening
Back in Barcelona
Dinner: try Black rice.
Day 5: La Rambla and La Boqueria market
La Rambla and La Boqueria market, then El Raval in the evening.
Morning
La Rambla
La Rambla · 1 hour · free.
Late morning
La Boqueria market
La Rambla · 1 hour · free.
Lunch
Lunch: Black rice
Seafood restaurants in Barceloneta and around Port Olímpic; rice dishes are usually for two or more and eaten at lunch.
Evening
El Raval
Bohemian old-school bars, including a 19th-century absinthe bar, and late cocktail spots.
Day 6: Day trip to Sitges
About 40 minutes by train each way. Getting there: Rodalies R2 Sud from Sants or Passeig de Gràcia.
Morning
Travel to Sitges
About 40 minutes by train (Rodalies R2 Sud from Sants or Passeig de Gràcia); about 40 km.
Day
Sitges
It is known for its carnival and for an international fantasy and horror film festival, usually in October.
Evening
Back in Barcelona
Dinner: try Fideuà.
Day 7: Barceloneta beach and Picasso Museum
Barceloneta beach and Picasso Museum, then Port Olímpic in the evening.
Morning
Barceloneta beach
Barceloneta · Half a day · free.
Late morning
Picasso Museum
El Born · 1.5–2 hours · mid-priced. Timed tickets are required; book online in advance.
Lunch
Lunch: Fideuà
Seafood restaurants in Barceloneta and around Port Vell.
Evening
Port Olímpic
Big beachfront clubs popular with visitors and students.
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 7 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 17–21 hours of visiting over 7 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
Questions travellers ask
+Is 7 days enough in Barcelona?
7 days is enough to see Barcelona's highlights at a comfortable pace, with time for day trips. How many days Barcelona needs.
+What should I book before visiting Barcelona?
Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, Picasso Museum and Palau de la Música Catalana.