You’ve done the easy part, you’ve booked a ticket to one of Europe’s most beloved cities, now comes the hard part, planning what to do in Barcelona for 3 days! 3 days in Barcelona for first time visitors is a decent amount of time, it allows you to visit many of Barcelona’s bucket-list hotspots, including Gaudi’s masterpieces, the historic Gothic Quarter, the modern Passeig de Gràcia, Mount Tibidabo and the iconic beach of La Barceloneta.
This is going to be very niche, but I wanted to visit Barcelona since 2002, when the UK pop group S Club 7 filmed their series Viva S Club in the city. It appeared so vibrant, sunny and fun, I was hooked! Finally getting to visit 20 years later as an adult who loves a busy modern city but equally getting lost in the mountains and lazing by the beach, Barcelona exceeded all my expectations.
Not only is this 3 day Barcelona itinerary for first timers packed with fun things to do, I have also shared some non-touristy and high quality places to eat for breakfast/lunch and dinner close to all the attractions I am suggesting.
Please note some of my links are affiliate links, if you purchase via the link I might make a small commission, this does not change the price for you.
Tips For Your 3 Days In Barcelona
- 3 day Barcelona Card allows you free museum entry and transport for €55
- Hola Barcelona Public Transport Travel Card is a 48, 72, 96, or 120-hour unlimited travel pass. 3 day pass costs €35.50
- Many small businesses will close for siesta between 2 to 5 pm
- For the tastiest seafood head to La Barceloneta
- Fonts BCN app shows you where all the water fountains are for free and clean drinking water
- For insurance I highly recommend True Traveller. I have been with them for 3 years and found them to be reliable with quick payout times and comprehensive cover
- If you need mobile data Airalo is a super convenient e-sim that you can just download to your phone and go! Prices start from €4.30. Please note that e-sim packages are data only and you will not get an international number. My code TARA1104 will give you $3 discount.
3 Days In Barcelona Itinerary + Map
Day 1
Morning: La Rambla (3 hours)
Start the day by exploring one of the most famous and iconic boulevards, La Rambla. This lively 1.2km tree-lined, pedestrian-only street is packed full of restaurants and shops. It’s nice to take a walk and just admire all the great architecture and liveliness. The area gets very busy later in the day, so visiting in the morning allows you to take things at a slower pace.
Here are some things I recommend you check out on La Rambla:
- Casa Bruno Cuadros is an eclectic building adorned with a Chinese Dragon, umbrellas and mosaics
- Mosaic de Joan Miró memorial for the victims of the 2017 terrorist attacks
- Güell Palace museum dedicated to Gaudis early work
- Mercat de la Boqueria is a famous market with many fresh produce and sit down stalls
- Mercat de Sant Antoni is a less touristy and slightly cheaper market than la Boqueria, just 13 minute walk from La Rambla
Please be aware that La Rambla is a pickpocketing spot so keep an eye on your belongings, I personally never had any issue here but it’s good to keep your guard up.
Where To Go For Breakfast In La Rambla
- Mercat de La Boqueria is a famous market, try a traditional Spanish breakfast at El Quim, it is delicious!
- Restaurant Núria is a beautiful little restaurant, breakfast menu includes international cooked breakfast, french toast and pastries.
- Ancora Restaurant Boqueria street side eatery located beside the Boqueria Market.
Mid-day: Gothic Quarter (4 hours)
Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter consists of narrow streets with towering medieval-style buildings. Due to the height of the buildings, there is a lot of shade, making it a nice retreat from the Spanish heat. This also causes it to be quite dark, which adds to the Gothic vibe!
There really is so much to do in the Gothic Quarter that you could spend the full 3 days in Barcelona here alone. There are many museums, amazing boutiques, along with endless cafes and restaurants. I would advise choosing about two museums (only if they genuinely interest you) and spending the rest of the time just walking around the streets.
Where To Visit In The Gothic Quarter
Cathedral Of Barcelona
In the heart of the Gothic Quarter stands the 500-year-old Cathedral of Barcelona, known as Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulalia. It is dedicated to and serves as the burial place for the patron saint of Barcelona, Santa Eulàlia, a martyr who died in 290 AD.
This impressive building features a pond with 12 wild geese, an estimated 40 altars, 215 keystones, and 200 gargoyles. You can also visit the rooftop, accessible via an elevator, and the museum which houses the Monstrance and the sacrarium on the throne of King Martí I El Humano.
Basilica Of Santa Maria Del Mar
Santa Maria Del Mar is a 14th-century Catholic church. Built by the Kingdom of Aragon, it has withstood earthquakes, fires, and wars.The stained glass in the interior is spectacular.
Jon Cake
This place sells the most delicious cheesecake! If you like cheesecake, you have to come here, seriously! They have many different flavours, from classic and chocolate to brie and blue cheese, the cheesecakes are the perfect combination of creamy and not too sweet. Prices depend on the weight, but expect to pay about €12 per slice. Gluten-free options are available too!
MOCO Museum
This was my favourite museum that I visited in Barcelona. It showcases contemporary modern art with work by artists including Banksy, Kaws, and Andy Warhol. The exhibits are fun, thought-provoking, and some are even interactive. For me, the highlight was the digital immersive art room. Tickets for MOCO Barcelona can be purchased here.
Want to learn more about the fascinating history of the Gothic Quarter? Join this 2.5 hour walking tour which explores both the Roman and Gothic history of Barcelona.
Where To Eat In The Gothic Quarter
- Orvay puts their own modern twists on traditional tapas. Think chicken curry croquettes, kinder bueno foie gras and duck cannoli.
- Bar del Pla causal traditional tapas restaurant, famous for their oxtail sandwich.
- Sandwicherie just large delicious fresh sandwiches, cannot go wrong!
Afternoon: Arch de Triomf + Parc de la Ciutadella (2 hours)
Arch De Triomf
The Arc de Triomf was built as the main entrance to a World Fair held in 1888 in Parc de la Ciutadella; it was then restored in 1990. Made of red brick and towering at 30 meters, this arch is one of the most iconic sights in Barcelona. Make sure to pause and check out the intricate details on each side of this arch. The north side displays how welcoming Barcelona is to other cities, and the south side displays a religious scene involving Jesus Christ.
It is best to use the entrance on Pg de. St. Joan, which will give you an incredible view of the arch, and you can then walk through it and down the adjacent Parc de la Ciutadella.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Ciutadella Park is one of Barcelona’s largest park at 31 hectares (77 acres), built on the old fortress walls in the 19th century, it is also one of the oldest park in this city.
This park has a lot to see but the highlight is the eye catching and very grand fountain Cascada Monumental. Inspired by the Trevi Fountain, the centre piece is a gold sculpture of Aurora who represents light and freedom. There is also a small lake where you can rent paddle boats, the Catalonian House of Parliament and the zoo. However, I personally didn’t love the zoo, it was a bit bleak and many animal enclosures were closed.
Where To Go For Dinner near Parc de la Ciutadella
- Cafè Menssana, casual and cosy restaurant serving dishes such as burgers, curry, and tacos
- La Terrassa de La Marina Restaurant is an Italian restaurant with dishes like pizza, burrata, and also Spanish paella
- Casa Cabo, casual tapas bar with a daily menu that includes octopus, paella, and honey and lime eggplant.
- Restaurant Estrella is an upscale traditional Catalan restaurant located down a quiet alley. This restaurant has been in the same family for five generations! Their refined menu has dishes such as salmon tartare, smoked deer, sea bass, and veal confit.
You might also like: Best Things To Do In Cadaques
Day 2
A 3 day Barcelona itinerary for first-timers is not complete without its most celebrated architect, Antoni Gaudi! Today is all about him! Many of Gaudi’s designs were inspired by nature, he preferred to work with natural materials to replicate what he saw in nature. His designs are thought provoking, forward thinking and like nothing you have ever seen before.
Morning: Park Güell (2 hours)
This 12-hectare park was a playground for Gaudi’s imagination. Its original purpose was for 60 residential homes to be built here, but the project was never completed. The entire park is inspired by nature, which is why you will see no straight lines here, only curves!
The majority of the park has free admission, you just need tickets for Güell Park Monumental Zone, a small area covering approximately 5% of the park but allows you access to all the best parts of the park that you have likely seen online, such as the Hypostyle Room, dragon fountain, stairway, and Laundry Portico. It is important to buy tickets in advance, as only 400 visitors are allowed in every hour.
Explore all of the best Gaudi attractions in a mini self driven car with this 3-Hour GoCar Tour
Where To Go For Breakfast Near Parc Guell
- Sweet Breakfasts delicious sweet and savoury pastries, especially the pistachio croissant
- Güelly Sandwich Park fresh and filling sandwiches and croissants, food is only available to go but there is a small wall you can sit on outside along with 2 benches a few metres to your left.
Mid-day: La Sagrada Familia (90 minutes)
Gaudí’s masterpiece and Barcelona’s most famous cathedral, La Sagrada Família, is a must-visit during your 3 days in Barcelona. Still unfinished and not due to be completed until 2026, but when it is finished it will be the tallest church in the world.
The cathedral’s design symbolises the mystery of Christianity, with 18 towers shaped like spindles dedicated to each apostle, the 4 evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus. It takes about one hour to walk through it all, with much of that time spent looking up at the colourful and detailed stained glass windows.
Ticket prices start at €26 for the cathedral and crypt, whereas tickets that include access to the towers are €36. Although the tickets are a bit expensive, it is worth noting that it costs approximately €60,000,000 a year to build, all funded by visitors to the cathedral.
There are two small but very nice parks beside La Sagrada, Plaça de la Sagrada Família and Plaça de Gaudí where you can take a distant shot of the cathedral and just admire this extraordinary building.
Afternoon: Casa Batlló + Casa Mila (2 hours)
The second stop of the day is the beautiful Passig de Gracia, a major shopping avenue in Barcelona. Passeig de Gracia has all the designer shops you can think of, as well as high street shops such as Zara and Stradivarius. But that is not all that is here, two of Gaudi’s quirky buildings stand here, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà.
Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló is a converted building, which is fascinating to think that all of this work was a remodelling of a previous building! Gaudi never explained the meaning of the details of the house so you can let your imagination run free. Casa Batlló was the private home of aristocrat Josep Batlló, who resided on the bottom two floors, the top two floors were rented out.
You are allowed access to the main room, a blue stairwell leading to an attic, servants’ quarters, and the rooftop. This comprises about 20% of the entire house. For me, the most impressive part was the outside facade; after all, the house was built to stand out from neighbouring houses! You can also walk along the roof and order a drink at the bar which gives you stunning views of the city below.
After you’ve viewed the outside, you can walk towards Casa Milà up the beautiful Passeig de Gracia, it only takes about 5 minutes to walk between the two building, however you may get distracted by all the shops (I did!).
Casa Milà
Casa Milà was the last private home designed by Gaudí for Pere Milà a wealthy developer, this design became one of Gaudi’s most controversial. At the time, many people did not agree with the iron balconies and the total lack of symmetry in the design! The outside is made of stones from nearby mountains, which leads to its alternative name “La Pedrera,” meaning The Quarry, whereas the inside is bright with vivid colours, round floors, and natural ventilation. It truly is eccentric and a perfect representation of the man himself.
During the night, you can purchase tickets just for the rooftop, which will give you stunning views across the city.
Where To Go For Lunch On Passig de Gracia
Passeig de Gracia has many tourist trap or overly expensive restaurants. These are a few casual options that you might want to save for later which are both delicious and fairly priced.
- Bella Itàlia is amazing value for money! They have a lunch menu with a main, dessert, and drink for just over €10. Not only is the value great but the food is delicious!
- Vinitus is a street side tapas restaurant. Their menu highlights the most ordered dishes. Tapas include cod with honey aioli, mini hamburger, baguettes, and foie with apple.
- 2254 serves up innovative Italian tapas including dishes such as carbonara, duck and foie cannelloni, and spider crab.
Sunset: La Barceloneta
After all of today’s sightseeing, it is time to wind down. The chilled out beach area of La Barceloneta is perfect for watching the sunset, vermouth in hand of course.
La Barceloneta has over 5km of sandy beaches, and the atmosphere is incredible, with trendy bars, outdoor restaurants, and people rollerblading along the palm tree-lined promenade or playing volleyball on the beach.
In the evening, you can get a beautiful view of the sunset, and if you look towards the city (not the ocean), you will even see the Tibidabo ferris wheel in the distance.
I would recommend taking the metro to either Barceloneta or Ciutadella Vila Olímpica and just walking down the promenade. It is a 20 minute beachside walk between the two stations.
Where To Eat In La Barceloneta
- Arenal Restaurant, Mediterranean restaurant overlooking the beach with paella and plenty of fresh seafood on their menu.
- Maná 75 specialises in paella which is highly reviewed. You can see the chefs making the paella in the open kitchen.
- La Malandrina is a simple and casual Argentinian-Uruguayan restaurant serving large portions of steak that have been cooked on a traditional parrilla grill. Sides include creamy potatoes and chimichurri.
- FOC Barceloneta serves up some incredibly tasty Latin American food such as tacos, burritos, Coxinhas and patacones. It is also a fun place for cocktails.
- Las Frites are simply takeaway fries with lots of choices for toppings. Topping include chilli, roquefort, mayonnaise and much more. The portions are huge with the largest basically a bucket. You can cross the road and eat them on the steps of the port where there are often performers.
You might like: Barcelona To Tossa de Mar Day Trip
Day 3
Mount Tibidabo (4 – 5 hours)
The final day of this 3 day Barcelona itinerary for first timers, takes you on an adventure a little bit outside of the city centre to Mount Tibidabo. Part of the Serra de Collserola mountain range, Mount Tibidabo is the highest peak at 1,680 ft. This hill offers sprawling views of Barcelona, and at the top there is even an amusement park and the Sagrat Cor church. This is one of the most fun things to do in Barcelona.
If you are not in the mood for hiking Mount Tibidabo then you can take a funicular from this station at the bottom all the way to the top. A return ticket costs €12.
I would describe the hike as easy to moderate. The paths are well-marked, not too steep, and shaded by the surrounding trees. The views of the city are also incredible on the way up. As you progress further into the hike, the Sagrat Cor church becomes visible, along with the big wheel Giradabo. So, if you can, I would recommend hiking over taking the funicular! It is a busy path with lots of cyclists and joggers, and sometimes you may even encounter wild boars, so if you are going solo, you will not feel alone.
The hike takes approximately 3 hours in total, considering both the ascent and descent. Follow the signs to Cami de Vallvidrera.
Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor (Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus)
At the top is the beautiful mountaintop church, Sagrat Cor. Built between 1902 and 1961, the main features of the neo-Gothic church are a mosaic arch doorway, five towers, a bronze seven-meter statue of Jesus, and two large staircases that hug the exterior.
Tibidabo Amusement Park
Opened in 1901, Tibidabo Amusement Park is the oldest amusement park in Spain. There are over 30 attractions here including the iconic ferris wheel Giradabo, a carousel, the first ever flight simulator, and two rollercoasters.
Entrance tickets for the amusement park cost €35 for adults and €14 for children. However, you can pay €3 per ride in the panoramic area (free entrance) which has the Giradabo, Talaia, Avió, Museu d’Autòmats and Carrusel.
Evening: Magic Fountain of Montjuïc (2 hours)
Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is closed until Spring 2025 due to drought.
While Montjiuc is closed, a fun alternative is this evening Flamenco show, full of music, singing and dancing.
End your 3 days in Barcelona on a high note at the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. Every Thursday to Saturday from 9:00 to 10:00 pm, masses of people turn up for this magnificent display of music, lights, and, of course, water. To say that this completely exceeded my expectations is an understatement; it was brilliant! At 9 pm, the music starts, and the fountain roars to life, transforming the area into a street party.
Due to its popularity, if you would like a seat on the steps, I advise arriving about an hour early, as these seats fill up pretty fast.
Where To Eat Close To Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
- Spice Bcn Parallel is an inexpensive South African restaurant with super tasty chicken. Menu includes their famous spicy chicken in signature sauce, braai, and curry
- Restaurant Funicular, cosy seafood restaurant in a former winery. Do not be fooled by the unassuming experience, the food here is great! Dishes include ,Saint Jacques a la plancha, oysters, pan con tomate and Tarte Tatin
- Samurai Ramen, is a small Japanese restaurant with dishes like gyoza, onigiri, curry udon, miso ramen and sushi
- TAPS Bar serves up delicious traditional tapas in an intimate setting. Dishes include grilled asparagus, padron peppers, tacos, pork cheek, and grilled octopus
Getting Around Barcelona
This city is walkable, you can walk to most attractions, but due to it’s large size you will have to take a public transport at some point. It is worth noting that many metro stations do not have an elevator, if you have accessibility needs the bus is a better option.
- Metro: the best way to get around Barcelona is the metro. With 180 stations across 12 lines, metros are frequent, fast, and also inexpensive with prices starting at 50c per journey.
- Bus: another great way to get around Barcelona, there are many bus routes and there is onboard AC! Traffic can be a nightmare during rush hour and weekends, therefore if it seems busy, take the metro!
- Bike: unfortunately tourists cannot use the city-wide bike sharing system “bicing”, instead you will need to go to a private rental. The easiest way is through the Donkey Bike mobile app
- Taxi: Bolt and Cabbify tend to work out cheaper than regular taxis and Uber. You know what you are paying beforehand and will not be taken on a longer, more expensive route.
For your 3 days in Barcelona I suggest purchasing the Hola Barcelona Public Transport Travel Card is a 48, 72, 96, or 120-hour unlimited travel pass. It allows you to use the Metro, city buses, FGC trains, trams and Renfe suburban trains. This also includes the train from the airport to the city. Once purchased you will receive a code to collect it from any metro station ticket machine. The 72 hour card is €23.80.
Finally, Google Maps works perfectly in Barcelona, the train and bus times are up-to-date along with walking routes. You could also download the TMB app for metro lines, schedules and service notices.
Where To Stay In Barcelona
The best areas to stay for first timers in Barcelona is the Gothic Quarter and Plaça de Catalunya, these are central areas that allow you to walk to attractions and you are surrounded by many restaurants and bars. El Poble-sec is a good option for those on a budget, you will be close to Montjuïc Fountain and just a 15 minute walk to La Rambla.
Budget | Hostal Portugal in the Gothic Quarter has cosy rooms with quirky decor and basic necessities. Some rooms have access to a patio.
Mid-range | Gaudi Hotel, centrally located only 50m from La Rambla and across the road from Palau Güell. Hotel facilities include a rooftop pool, terrace overlooking Palau Güell and a gym. Rooms are cute and cosy, they feature flat screen TV and desk, higher priced rooms have a balcony or terrace with a direct view of Palau Güell.
Luxury | The One Barcelona GL is a 5 star hotel located very close to Passeig de Gràcia and Sagrada Família. Facilities include a rooftop pool with incredible city views, terrace, gym, spa and 2 restaurants. The rooms are elegantly designed and comfortable, they feature a Nespresso coffee machine, smart tv, desk and marble bathroom with rainfall shower.
Barcelona FAQ
3 days will allow you to see many of Barcelona’s highlights. However, Barcelona is huge and has so much to it, you really need at least 5 days here to cover the major tourist attractions, but you will see a lot in 3 days.
I found the rustic medieval buildings and the narrow winding alleys of the Gothic Quarter to be so pretty, along with the long sandy beach of La Barceloneta and its laid back vibes.
Barcelona is huge, if you like walking you will enjoy Barcelona. It’s pedestrian friendly and pleasant to walk through the various neighbourhoods.
Tipping is optional and is appreciated. 5 – 10% is the norm for a meal you thought was delicious. However, it is not expected and you will not be deemed rude if you don’t leave a tip behind.
Excluding accommodation costs, expect to spend an average of €60 per day for food, transport, coffee and tourist attractions.
