Getting to know Barcelona in a weekend is possible, as long as you have a good advisor to help you focus on what's important and most authentic and make the most of every minute of your trip. Make a note of our route because we tell you what to see and do in one, two or three days in the Catalan capital and soak up the magic of the city like a real local and not a tourist.
Just in case, here's a link to the article on how to get from the airport to the city.
If you only have one day in the Catalan capital, you should put on some comfortable shoes and get ready to walk.
To get off to a good start, ideally you should already have bought your Sagrada Familia tickets online and be at the door at 8.30am to be able to get in with the first shift at 9am.
Then, yes, take a break in one of the small cafés in the surrounding area - there are some that make exquisite coffee, it's worth spending 5 minutes looking for the right one - and, with your batteries recharged, head for the metro to take the purple line - just this 2020 they've changed the public transport tickets, you'll have to buy a T-Casual, one per person -.
Get off at "Paseo de Gracia" (it's only 3 stops), and you'll discover a large avenue with a lot of life and the most exclusive shops in the city. Look at the ground, the lampposts, and the imposing modernist houses of the bourgeoisie. Among them, of course, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, better known as "la Pedrera", both by Antoni Gaudí. If you're interested in architecture, here's a map with another must-see modernist works in Barcelona.
For when you get hungry, El Nacional is a lovely place to have a snack in the area. If you can hold out a little longer, walk down Paseo de Gracia towards the sea and you'll reach the mythical Plaza de Cataluña and then Las Ramblas until you reach the famous La Boquería Market on your right.
And here you have two possible routes:
Then, along the seafront promenade, you can walk to the Hotel Vela, at one end, or the Forum Zone, at the other, passing through the Olympic Village. There you have the Diagonal Mar shopping centre with the mythical "Primark" (there is another one in La Illa).
In any case, if you're running late or tired, you can take a tourist bus to finish seeing some of the places you've missed.
Our recommendation is to split the previous day's route in two. You can also take the opportunity to visit the mountain of Montjuic, with the Magic Fountains, the Poble Espanyol and the Montjuic Castle, to name a few of the most popular destinations among tourists.
Of course, you can't miss a stroll through Park Güell, in the upper part of the city, and the Barça Football Stadium.
If you feel like connecting the two and you're not too lazy to walk, from Park Güell you can go to the distinguished neighbourhood of Sarrià and stop for one of the best bravas in the city at Bar Tomàs. After the break, it's a 20-minute walk to Camp Nou (it's all downhill).
With three days of travel, you'll even have time to see the surrounding area. Here are some of the most recommended getaways:
The Aquarium, the zoo or Portaventura, just over an hour away by train, are some of the most popular activities to do in Barcelona with the family.
From the apartments for rent per day or per month in Barcelona Fisa Rentals we wish you a great stay in Barcelona!
We are in the most central points of the city to make you feel at home.