Should you’re planning on spending 2 days in Barcelona, maybe over a weekend, then we’ve put collectively this itinerary that will help you plan your excellent go to.
Barcelona is a metropolis that Jess and I’ve visited many occasions. There may be a lot to see and do, actually greater than would match into two days. Nonetheless, with cautious planning, you may undoubtedly see a number of the town and most of the highlights in a few days.
In case you have roughly time, take a look at our information to spending a day in Barcelona, in addition to our 3 day Barcelona itinerary.
On this information, we’re going to share with you our thought of spend two days in Barcelona. This focuses on the highlights {that a} first-time customer is more likely to wish to see, nevertheless it additionally features a few of our favourite sights that aren’t so in style.
In addition to the itinerary, we’re going to let you know every little thing that you must know to plan your time in Barcelona. From the place to remain, to get round, to how to save cash on sights, this information has you coated. Let’s begin with the itinerary itself.
2 Day Barcelona Itinerary
As with all our itineraries, this one must be taken as a place to begin so that you can plan your individual time within the metropolis. We expect it makes for a very good two days, however we recognize that everybody has completely different pursuits. So you may personalize it as wanted.
Moreover, we wish to pack quite a bit in after we journey, so if you happen to desire to see much less, or are visiting Barcelona as a household with kids, do tweak it to satisfy your individual journey model.
Lastly, you additionally wish to examine the opening occasions and dates for every attraction as some are closed at some point per week or may need annual closing durations. So make certain they’re open earlier than you set out.
Barcelona Itinerary Day 1
At the moment you’re going to see one of many world’s most well-known cathedrals, in addition to a variety of different sights across the metropolis! Let’s get began.
Hop on Hop off Bus
At the moment, I’m going to suggest you get round utilizing the Hop on Hop off bus. A number of of as we speak’s sights are spaced a bit aside, and Barcelona’s Hop on Hop off bus is a simple option to get between them. It’s additionally a good way to study concerning the metropolis as you go, due to the included audioguide.
In fact, you could possibly get between as we speak’s sights by public transport or different types of transport, as coated within the part on getting round Barcelona. However as most of the metropolis passes for Barcelona embrace a minimum of a day of hop on hop off bus journey, it’s price profiting from.
There are a few sightseeing bus providers in Barcelona. We suggest the Barcelona Bus Turistic which is operated by the town’s tourism workplace. For this itinerary, we’re particularly recommending you are taking the Blue route.
This begins in Placa de Catalunya, and visits all of the sights on as we speak’s itinerary. Buses run a minimum of each 20 – half-hour, you will get on and off as many occasions as you want, and repair usually begins at 9am.
You possibly can e book your tickets on-line prematurely right here. Additionally included on the Go Barcelona go and Barcelona Metropolis Cross.
Sagrada Familia
Your first attraction cease as we speak goes to be on the unimaginable Sagrada Familia cathedral. In our opinion it is a must-see sight within the metropolis. We suggest coming right here earlier within the day, and it is among the first stops on the Hop on Hop off bus route.
While there’s at the moment timed entry, there is no such thing as a restrict to how lengthy folks can keep, so it may well get busier because the day progresses.
The Sagrada Familia is doubtless essentially the most well-known and spectacular construction from the thoughts of architect Anton Gaudi. He was accountable for an awesome many works within the metropolis (see our information to Gaudi in Barcelona for a lot of extra), however the Sagrada Familia is by far the most important and most well-known.
Should you have been to solely go to one Gaudi construction in Barcelona, we’d suggest making it the Sagrada Familia.
There may be a lot to see right here, and because the constructing continues to be below building, what you may see modifications on every go to. Highlights for us embrace the unimaginable “forest” of pillars holding the nave up, in addition to the massive exterior façades. Nonetheless, there’s greater than sufficient to see right here to final for a minimum of a few hours.
See our full information to visiting the Sagrada Familia, which has every little thing that you must know to plan a go to.
It’s essential e book your entry to the Sagrada Familia prematurely. You are able to do so on the official web site right here. Third get together websites additionally supply tickets and excursions, together with GetYourGuide, Tiqets and Viator. These is usually a good choice if the official web site has restricted availability, or if you happen to’d desire to take a guided tour.
Lastly, the Sagrada Familia is included on a number of the metropolis’s attraction passes. You’ll wish to examine precisely what the go consists of, as some embrace a guided tour at a particular time, while others simply present entry.
Presently, the Sagrada Familia is included on the Go Barcelona Cross, Barcelona Metropolis Cross and Gaudi Bundle.
Sant Pau Recinte Modernista
After the Sagrada Familia, our subsequent really useful cease (and likewise the subsequent cease on the hop on hop off bus blue route), is the Sant Pau Recinte Moderniste. Alternatively, it’s round a 20-minute stroll between the 2 places if you happen to desire to stretch your legs.
This advanced was initially constructed as a backyard metropolis for the sick. It was constructed between 1905 and 1930 within the artwork nouveau model, and designed by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner.
At the moment, the situation is a UNESCO world heritage web site, and is residence to one of the crucial spectacular collections of artwork nouveau buildings in Europe.
We love wandering this location, it feels very completely different to the natural constructions employed by Gaudi, and because it’s much less in style, it additionally makes a pleasant break from the crowds of Gaudi’s sights.
There’s a charge to go to, and it’s included on the Go Barcelona Cross. You may as well e book tickets on-line prematurely right here.
Park Guell
Your subsequent cease in your first day exploring Barcelona is Park Guell. This is among the subsequent stops on the Hop on Hop off bus, a 20-minute trip by public transport from Sant Pau, or a 30-minute stroll.
Park Guell is one other of Gaudi’s works within the metropolis. It was initially conceived as a housing growth which might supply residents clear air and good views. The setting is a big park.
Sadly, the imaginative and prescient was by no means absolutely realised. Two of the homes have been constructed, though they weren’t really designed by Gaudi. As an alternative, the architect was accountable for the park design. He additionally lived in one of many present properties on the location for 20 years, from 1906 to 1926. That is now open to the general public because the Gaudi Home Museum.
Most guests to Park Guell come to discover the Park, and it’s so-called Monumental Zone. This a part of the park has a charge to enter, and is the place one can find highlights just like the terrace and mosaic installations. It’s a very spectacular place to go to and nicely price spending a minimum of an hour exploring.
While a lot of Parc Guell is free to go to, the principle sights of the Monumental Zone do have a charge.
Presently, Parc Guell is included on the Go Barcelona Cross, Barcelona Metropolis Cross and Gaudi Bundle.
You may as well e book tickets for Parc Guell on the official web site right here and GetYourGuide right here. There may be additionally a mixed ticket which incorporates the Gaudi Home Museum and Parc Guell right here.
Camp Nou or Tibidabo
Your closing cease in your first day in Barcelona will rely in your pursuits. The hop on hop off bus route continues round Barcelona, with the choice to go to each of those places.
Possibility 1: Camp Nou
Camp Nou has been the house of FC Barcelona since 1957. FC Barcelona are certainly one of Europe’s most well-known and profitable soccer (soccer for these of you within the USA) golf equipment. They’re additionally one of the crucial supported golf equipment on the planet, with followers hailing from each nook of the globe.
As such, many guests to Barcelona have an curiosity in visiting Camp Nou, to see the place their favourite gamers play. You possibly can after all attempt to see an precise match, but when that’s not doable, you may take a behind the scenes tour of the stadium.
Now, I’ll be sincere, neither Jess nor I’ve an awesome curiosity in soccer. Nonetheless, we have now visited the Camp Nou stadium and we each loved it. The tour was fascinating, it was enjoyable to see behind the scenes, and we bought an actual sense of the historical past of the staff and the eagerness the followers have.
In fact, if you’re an FC Barcelona fan, or have a normal curiosity in soccer, then you’ll most likely get pleasure from it much more.
A go to to Camp Nou features a go to to the FC Barcelona Museum, in addition to places just like the stand, the pitch, the away staff altering room, tunnel and pressroom. There are additionally further, extra premium experiences obtainable that grant additional entry.
Camp Nou is included on the Go Barcelona Cross. You may as well purchase particular person tickets right here.
Possibility 2: Tibidabo
Should you aren’t so excited a couple of go to to a soccer stadium, or would identical to an alternate choice to think about, then we propose as an alternative contemplating a visit up Tibidabo.
Tibidabo is a hill to the north-west of the town, which presents spectacular views throughout the town and surrounds. The highest of the hill is topped by the spectacular Sagrat Cor church, and there’s additionally an amusement park right here known as Tibidabo Amusement Park.
The park presents a small variety of rides, together with a simulated airplane trip which dates from 1928 in addition to a big Ferris wheel. Woody Allen followers will recognise the park from the film Vicky Cristina Barcelona, a part of which was shot right here.
The best option to attain the Tibidabo summit is by the Tibidabo Funicular. Conveniently, the hop on hop off bus has a cease on the station. There’s a charge to trip the funicular, and you will get tickets on web site. The Tibidabo Amusement Park additionally has a charge, which provides you entry to all of the rides. It can save you by shopping for tickets on-line prematurely right here.
I’d add that I nonetheless suppose it’s price going to the highest of the Tibidabo for the views and to go to the church, even if you happen to don’t go to the amusement park.
That brings us to the top of your first day exploring Barcelona, a minimum of when it comes to sight-seeing. Now you may head again to the town, chill out, or head out for dinner and enjoyable.
In case you are on the lookout for one thing enjoyable to do within the night, you may take into account a dinner present with leisure. Flamenco reveals (typically with an accompanying meal or tapas) are a well-liked choice for guests to the town. For instance, take a look at this present with elective dinner and drinks, or this present solely choice.
Barcelona Itinerary Day 2
Your second day in Barcelona has you exploring a number of the metropolis centre sights. Let’s get began.
Casa Batlló
While the Sagrada Familia is spectacular in each design and scale, it’s clearly not a construction that’s designed for dwelling in. So if you wish to get an thought of the kind of home that Gaudi constructed for really dwelling in, then you’ll want to go to one (or each) of the 2 properties firstly of this itinerary.
First, the Casa Batlló. That is discovered within the metropolis’s Eixample district, only a few minutes’ stroll from Placa Catalunya.
This home was really a rework of an current home, accomplished by Gaudi in 1904. It’s well-known for the balconies which appear to be opera masks, the dragon-like rooftop, and the flowing natural really feel of the inside.
At the moment the home varieties part of the Gaudi UNESCO world heritage web site and is a highly regarded vacationer attraction. As such, we suggest beginning your day right here in order to keep away from the worst of the crowds which have a tendency to construct up because the day progresses.
Entry to Casa Batlló is included on the Go Barcelona Cross. You may as well purchase particular person tickets right here. It’s undoubtedly one of many pricier sights in Barcelona, so if you happen to do embrace it in your itinerary an attraction go is very more likely to prevent cash general.
La Pedrera
A few blocks from Casa Batlló is Casa Mila, which is extra generally often called La Pedrera, or “The Quarry”. That is one other Gaudi property, well-known for the natural concrete facade that wraps across the constructing.
Not like Casa Batlló, this condominium constructing nonetheless has residents, so a go to right here solely grants you entry to sure areas. These embrace the vaulted roof house the place there’s a good museum about Gaudi and his work, in addition to the gorgeous chimney-dotted roof which presents good views over the town and throughout to the Sagrada Familia.
There may be an entry charge to La Pedrera, and additionally it is included on the Go Barcelona Cross. Alternatively, you should buy tickets on-line right here.
Should you aren’t planning on investing within the Go Barcelona Cross, we’d most likely suggest guests to Barcelona choose both Casa Batlló or Casa Mila to save cash. You might also want to save lots of time when you’ve got a number of actions booked later within the day. Each of them have uncommon exteriors which can be fascinating to see even if you happen to don’t go to them.
La Rambla / Gothic Quarter Strolling Tour
One in every of our favorite elements of Barcelona to wander round is the Gothic Quarter. That is within the oldest a part of Barcelona, which was based by the Romans in 15BC. The Gothic Quarter is bordered by the ocean to the south east, and the well-known La Rambla road to the south west.
Las Rambla was initially a stream on the border of the Roman metropolis wall which encircled the town. At the moment it’s a in style place to take a stroll, have a drink or snack, and do some folks watching. It’s additionally residence to La Boqueria, one of many metropolis’s most well-known public markets.
The Gothic Quarter continues to be very a lot medieval in feeling. Not like the broad avenues and symmetrical format of different elements of the town, the Gothic Quarter options slim streets with looming buildings on both aspect. It’s largely pedestrianised, nice to wander round, and fairly straightforward to get misplaced in.
We suggest taking a strolling tour of the world if you wish to study extra about its fascinating historical past. Now we have a listing of really useful strolling excursions additional on in our itinerary, however a pair we suggest that embrace the Gothic Quarter are:
Should you plan on taking a tour, you may need to regulate this itinerary to take note of the beginning time of the tour. I’d additionally add which you can after all go to the Gothic Quarter by yourself and simply wander round and not using a tour must you desire. Each are nice methods to discover.
Santa Maria Del Pi
One in every of my favorite spots in Barcelona which isn’t usually too busy is that this church within the Gothic Quarter. The Church of Saint Maria of the Pine is a fifteenth century Gothic church, with a peaceable inside. It usually performs host to live shows and performances.
The explanation I prefer it although is the big octagonal bell tower. This tower is sort of 200 toes (60 metres) excessive, and you’ll go to the highest for incredible views over the Gothic Quarter. It’s a really spectacular building, with partitions virtually 12ft (3.5 metres) thick on the base.
Visiting the church itself is free, however there’s a charge to climb to the highest. The charge is nicely price paying in my view because it features a guided tour, and once I took the tour the information gave a number of details about the historical past of the town and its format.
Examine the web site for opening occasions and costs. You may as well purchase tickets on-line prematurely via the official web site.
Montjuic and Magic Fountain
To finish your day of sightseeing, you’re going to go up Montjuic Hill. This hill is discovered simply to the southwest of the town centre, close to to the port.
There’s a lot to see on the prime of Montjuic hill, from the seventeenth century Montjuic Citadel via to the Joan Miro basis, Poble Espanyol open air museum, Nationwide Artwork Museum of Catalonia, tiered gardens, Barcelona Olympic village and extra. There are additionally glorious sweeping views throughout the town.
In case you are desirous about visiting a very good museum in Barcelona, then we will undoubtedly suggest the Nationwide Artwork Museum of Catalonia (Museu Nacional d’Artwork de Catalunya). It has a big assortment of each artwork and historic objects. Simply word that if you happen to do plan a go to right here, you’ll have to skip or shorten visits to a number of the prompt locations above to make sure you have sufficient time for a day go to. It’s situated a couple of 5 minute stroll from the fountains.
You could possibly stroll to the highest, however we predict a greater choice is to take the Montjuic Funicular adopted by the scenic Montjuic cable automotive which runs from Estaciò Funicular on Avenida Miramar as much as the Castell de Montjuic.
The Funicular is a part of the metro service, and departs from Paral·lel station. The Montjuic cable automotive is ticketed individually however is included on the Go Barcelona Cross. You may as well purchase tickets prematurely right here.
One factor we undoubtedly suggest planning for the top of your day is to try to take within the Magic Fountain show. It is a free sound, mild and water show which occurs most evenings.
The fountain is discovered under the Palau Nacional on the head of Avinguda Maria Cristina. It’s a beautiful option to finish a day within the metropolis in our opinion. You possibly can see the timetable of the present right here.
That winds up the itinerary part of this information. We’ll now cowl numerous sensible data that will help you plan the right journey to Barcelona.
2 Day Barcelona Itinerary Abstract
Right here’s a fast abstract of this 2-day Barcelona itinerary for reference.
- Barcelona Itinerary Day 1 – Hop on Hop off Bus, Sagrada Familia, Sant Pau Recinte Modernista, Park Guell, Camp Nou or Tibidabo
- Barcelona Itinerary Day 2 – Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, La Rambla / Gothic Quarter Strolling Tour, Santa Maria Del Pi, Montjuic and Magic Fountain
Map of Barcelona Issues to Do
For ease of visualisation, here’s a information to the sights on the itinerary. We’ve additionally included some really useful inns so you may see the place they’re in relation to the town’s sights. You may as well see this map on Google Maps right here.
The place to Keep in Barcelona
Barcelona has an enormous quantity of alternative relating to lodging, and we’ve stayed at a variety of completely different places within the metropolis in each residences and inns.
Our most well-liked choice when reserving lodging is reserving.com (see their Barcelona listings right here). They checklist every little thing from inns to residences to hostels, and we discover they often have the widest vary on the best costs.
To offer you an thought of what’s obtainable, listed below are some choices we suggest:
- Hostel One Ramblas – a really nicely reviewed and really central hostel choice
- The 8 Boutique B&B – a extremely rated and nicely situated mattress and breakfast
- Resort Barcelona Catedral – a 4* property in Barcelona within the coronary heart of the Gothic Quarter. We’ve stayed right here, and loved the roof prime pool and unimaginable central location.
- Leonardo Resort Barcelona Las Ramblas – a part of the great worth Leonardo chain, this 3* property is just a few moments from Las Ramblas. We loved our keep right here, and the breakfast particularly was glorious.
- Duquesa de Cardona – a 4* property on the waterfront with a roof prime bar
Residence leases via websites like Plum Information, Airbnb, and Vrbo are additionally obtainable. One factor to concentrate on is that in Barcelona these should be registered with the town. When they’re registered, they are going to be issued a license quantity. If you wish to keep in an condominium rental in Barcelona, then we suggest choosing one which has the license quantity on the itemizing.
Should you would favor to remain in an condominium in Barcelona, then we suggest Plum Information. We’ve stayed at a variety of their properties all over the world, and you’ll see our evaluate of the Plum Information right here. See their listings for Barcelona right here. We additionally suggest Vrbo, see their Barcelona listings right here.
Should you can’t discover what you need from the above decisions, otherwise you need some new choices to check out, we wrote an entire submit on the greatest alternate options to AirBnB which you must take a look at!
The best way to Get Round Barcelona
Barcelona is simple to get round, with an in depth bus, metro and lightweight rail community. It’s additionally simply walkable for essentially the most half, though you’ll seemingly wish to take public transport for a number of the barely additional out locations resembling Parc Guell, Tibidabo, and Camp Nou.
Alternatively, you may go to these places on the hop on hop off bus, as outlined in our itinerary. Extra on that shortly.
If you’ll use public transport you’ve gotten two choices, relying on how a lot you wish to journey.
First, you should buy particular person tickets as you go. Should you resolve to do that, essentially the most cost-effective method to take action is the ten ticket (T-Informal) card. That is less expensive than shopping for particular person tickets and likewise helps you to change transport choices inside an hour and fifteen minutes of beginning your journey.
The opposite choice for public transport is the Hola BCN card, which provides limitless entry to the transport community within the metropolis, and is obtainable for durations from 48 hours to 120 hours. You should buy that on-line right here.
There are a few different choices for paying in your Barcelona transport.
First, if you happen to buy a Barcelona Card or a Barcelona Card Specific, you get free journey on the metro, buses, trams and trains throughout the cardboard. This consists of the airport metro and prepare. These playing cards additionally embrace some reductions and sights.
Second, if you buy a Go Barcelona Cross or Barcelona Metropolis Cross, these each include at some point entry to the Hop On Hop Off Barcelona Bus Tour, which covers practically each main vacationer web site within the metropolis.
Alternatively, you may buy 1 or 2 day hop on hop off bus tickets immediately right here.
Should you’re arriving into Barcelona by air, you may take a taxi or prepare into the town centre. There’s additionally an airport bus service, which is what we usually use. You should buy tickets on the day, however we usually reserve ours prematurely in order to not have to fret about it. You possibly can purchase tickets for the Barcelona Aerobus right here.
Advised Strolling Excursions in Barcelona
We love taking strolling excursions after we go to a metropolis. It’s a good way to study quite a bit about its historical past, tradition and folks, in addition to get tips about what to see and the place to eat.
There are a variety of strolling tour firms providing excursions within the metropolis. Should you choose up one of many aforementioned passes, a few of these embrace a strolling tour, so undoubtedly benefit from that.
In any other case, we often suggest strolling tour firm Take Walks. We’ve taken excursions with them in cities all over the world, and benefit from the small teams and educated guides. They provide a variety of excursions in Barcelona, a few of which we’ve included under together with different strategies.
Clearly, if you happen to resolve to take a strolling tour you will want to tailor this itinerary to go well with.
Naturally, there are additionally many different strolling excursions to select from. See this choice on GetYourGuide and these choices on Viator for extra concepts.
Saving Cash with Barcelona Attraction Passes
One of many primary prices when touring is the value of entry to sights. Clearly, when you’ve got traveled an extended option to go to Barcelona, you’ll wish to see some sights and go inside them. Nonetheless, you don’t wish to spend greater than you need to when doing that.
Like many cities all over the world, Barcelona has a variety of completely different attraction passes that may prevent cash in your sight-seeing. Barcelona has fairly just a few to select from which provide various things, and we’ve really put a submit collectively evaluating the principle Barcelona attraction passes. We even have a full evaluate of the Go Barcelona Cross.
Which go will give you the results you want will rely upon which sights you actually wish to see. First, let’s have a look at the whole value. Assuming you go to all of the sights on our itinerary, selecting Camp Nou as an alternative of Tibidabo, and utilizing the Hop on Hop off bus for a kind of days, you’d be paying round €200 per particular person.
Our advice, if you happen to plan on visiting the vast majority of the sights we checklist, could be the Go Barcelona Cross. This at the moment prices €104 per particular person (as of Might 2022), and consists of the next from our itinerary:
- Sagrada Familia with guided tour
- Parc Guell with guided tour
- 1 day Hop on Hop off bus go
- Casa Batllo
- La Pedrera
- Camp Nou Tour
- Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau
- Montjuic Cable Automobile
- Gothic Quarter Strolling Tour
It additionally features a nice many extra sights throughout the town, together with strolling excursions, museum entry and far more. You possibly can see all of the sights it consists of right here. We’ve used this card on a number of visits to the town and it has at all times saved us cash.
We additionally like that it features a guided tour of each Parc Guell and the Sagrada Familia, which is a further worth. The one factor to concentrate on is that these excursions run at particular occasions, so you will want to plan your itinerary accordingly.
While we predict this card presents glorious worth for many guests to Barcelona, we recognize that not everybody will wish to embrace every little thing. On this case, the opposite playing cards we propose are:
- The Barcelona Card. That is supplied by the town tourism workplace and consists of free entry to some museums, free public transport, and a spread of reductions on in style sights
- The Barcelona Metropolis Cross. This consists of entry to the Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell, entry to the Hop on Hop off bus, a few audio guides and 10% low cost on further sights within the metropolis.
Once more, for many guests we really feel that the Go Barcelona Cross presents one of the best value financial savings and essentially the most inclusions, however you must undoubtedly examine the financial savings and inclusions towards your itinerary to make certain it really works for you. You should buy yours prematurely of your go to right here.
Additional Studying
Properly, that’s the top of our information to spending two days in Barcelona! Hopefully you discover it helpful. In addition to the above, we have now a variety of different sources we’d wish to suggest that will help you out, each content material we’ve written ourselves, and sources we’ve discovered on-line. Between this submit and these sources, you must be capable to put collectively the right journey!
And that sums up our thought of spend the right two days exploring Barcelona! We hope you discovered this itinerary helpful. Are you planning a visit to Barcelona? What do you wish to see once you do? Tell us within the feedback under!
