What to see in Barcellona in three days? In this article you will find my travel itinerary, I would recommend it to those who have only one weekend of few days to visit it.
Day 1
My arrival was in the evening. I took the chance to visit Plaça de Catalunya, got dinner in Las Ramblas area, and had a first quick tour of the city centre. If you go straight along the Rambla, you’ll see the statue of Christopher Columbus at Port Vell, the impressive old port which is usually lively during the summer evenings.
Port Vell
Day 2
If you want, you can pick a detailed city map at the tourist information desk in Plaça de Catalunya and ask for some advices on what to see. In the morning (quite early to avoid long queues), you may opt for a visit to Sagrada Familia for a first dip in the world of Gaudì, the genius who gave Barcelona its original and unusual character, designing its most distinctive monuments.
Sagrada Familia is still under construction, so you’ll see cranes in action and will hear all the typical noises of a building site. Its gothic charm is a little bit ‘disquieting’: the dark colour of its decorated surface, the presence of many symbolic and sacred sculpted images creating a mix of historic and modern parts. All of this will give you the chance to experience strong and unusual emotions.
During the afternoon, you can visit the eccentric casa Batllò!
It has a soft and rounded shape, its interiors are full of light, colours, mosaics, there are light slots that provide natural illumination using the external sources as much as possible, there is an innovative and clever ventilation system: nothing is left to chance. The sensation you can feel here is really strange, it seems that the house has a life of its own!
Casa Batllò, front details
Casa Batllò windows, interior view
Casa Batllò, main hall doors
Casa Batllò, chandelier detail
Spiral stairs and ventilation system
Casa Batllò, a light point with a special coating
Day 3
You can spend the morning shopping and looking for some souvenirs, and then you can go to the great Boqueria Market. An explosion of colors, sounds, smells, you cannot miss it!
I would recommend you to buy your lunch here and then move to Parc Guell, where you can have a great time surrounded by the architecture of Gaudì.
In the afternoon, if the weather allows it, don’t forget to spend some time at Barceloneta beach. A nice mojito on the seaside (but also two or three ..) is priceless!
Where to eat?
There really is plenty of choice! I would only suggest to avoid touristic restaurants on Las Ramblas: the food is cheesy and quite expensive. I would recommend to taste the Tapas (if you like strong flavours) and to choose Les Quinzes Nits in Plaça Reial for dinner: there is always a line outside, but the location is sophisticated and the paella is really good! For a light meal you can go to Mas Q Menos, all at reasonable prices.
There are lots of the restaurants in Barceloneta, here we had more and more paellas! Play attention to cappuccino at the cafés.. check the price if you don’t want to have any unpleasant surprise (up to 2.55 euro in a coffee bar in Sagrada Familia area).
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Ilaria, this is a great tour of Barcelona and wonderful pictures. I particularly like the round and abstract elements in the stained glass at Casa Battlo; the colours celebrate the natural light rather than distorting it. Wonderful shots of La Boquria also !
Grazie Paul! Casa Battlo has very unusual shapes. Every single particular is studied to gain ventilation and light from the ouside. Brilliant!
Absolutely stunning photos! Particularly the market! Because photographing food is difficult. The architecture is more modern than I imagined!
Thank you Jacquie! Gaudì gave BCN its most distinctive buildings and monuments, so it has an original taste of modern.
Barcelona looks pretty awesome. Just out of curiosity, will they EVER finish Sagrada Familia? I feel like they’ve been building that thing my whole life. Anyway, you take some great pictures. Perhaps you’ll come back for a Barca match?
It doesn’t seem anyone is in a hurry to finish it! Who knows?
I don’t follow football so much but maybe I’ll be back for a match or to visit the stadium. For now I’ve bought the BCN football club tshirt as a souvenir 
Barcelona is one of favorite cities. For lunch we would go to the market and get fresh jamón, cheese and bread. It was delightful. We stayed at a hotel close to the Rambla and enjoyed walking during the day and night as it does change. Your pictures are beautiful.
Good choice Arleen! How much delicious food there was at that market?
Your pictures are stunning!! Barcelona looks like an amazing place. Thanks for all the information.
Thank you so much Mina!
Its been many years since I was last in Barcelona but some things never change. The construction on the Sagrada Familia is one of them. It is such a gorgeous place to visit and your pictures do it justice. The Ramblas back in the 80’s was definitely the place to be so sad to hear that it is now overly touristy; but I guess that’s what happens.
Really? I’m curious to hear from you how Rambla looked like during the Eighties.
You’ve got some amazing pics of Barcelona here! I particularly enjoyed the ones of Casa Batllò as we didn’t have a chance to go inside that totally unique building! One thing I would add to your list is the Chocolate Museum. Barcelona’s is one of the best in the world.
Casa Batllò is really unique. I heard about Chocolate Museum, so it worth a visit?
WOW!Lovely pics! Portvell and Casan Batlo looks marvelous! With the Fifa wc starting in a week,i guess the temperature would be high in Barcelona..
You’re always well informed about football events
Thanks Tuhin!
Haha…starting from today I will be glued to my TV.
Hi Ilaria
Your pictures are beautiful as always. the architecture is amazing and the food shots made me hungry. You are so blessed to me able to visit places like this and you are very skilled in bringing the information to others so they want to go. Lovely share.
Lenie
Thank you so much Lenie, I am very pleased to read your words
Great photos. I was in Barcelona last summer and I loved it. Your three day itinerary was perfect to cover the highlights.
Thank you Donna! I guess you had a great time in Bcn
I’ve been wanting to visit Barcelona. My husband is most interested in its architecture. Thank you for your great and inviting pictures.
Without any doubt, its architecture is very interesting and original! Thanks Beth
We once had a Spanish foreign exchange student from Galicia. We have made a promise to her to visit sometime in the future. One of the cities she has on her must se list is Barcelona. I can see why now. Thanks for these awesome pictures etc.
So you should keep that promise Susan
Thank you!
Could you please recommend a hotel to stay at within walking distant to all the highlighted places you mentioned?
Hi Debbie, I stayed in an apartment, if you write me an email (see contact page) I can send you more details about it
Where did you stay? In a hotel? If so do you remember the name and would you recommend it?
I stayed in a flat with a good location in El Born neighbourhood, I’ve found it via Homelidays.com. Do you want me to send you the details?