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A magical city, able to excite at first glance. The Catalan city is one of those places that are loved, right from the start. Visiting its beauties in a couple of days is a very difficult task: there is really a lot to see in what, in our opinion, is one of the most beautiful and welcoming cities in the Iberian Peninsula.
WEEKEND IN BARCELONA: DAY 1
A weekend in Barcelona could start with what can be considered to all intents and purposes the symbol of the city: the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família. Do it now and, right in the afternoon, because on Saturdays, Sundays and mornings, the queues to enter and to buy tickets are sometimes endless! The destination is easily reached by public transport and in particular by metro (L2 Purple, or L2 blue) getting off right at the Sagrada Família stop.
Gaudì he worked his entire life on this work, which is currently unfinished and whose completion time is expected after 2030. The themes of all the decoration include words from the liturgy; the towers are decorated with words like “Hosanna”, “Excelsis”, and “Sanctus”. The large door on the Passion facade reproduces words from the Bible in various languages, including Catalan.
With its stunning facades and richly decorated interiors, the Sagrada Familia is a real jewel of the Catalan city. It is no coincidence that it is one of the most visited monuments in all of Spain. Practical information and tickets online through this link.
From Plaça Catalunya towards MACBA, along the Paseo de Gracia, the Sagrada Familia, the Vila de Gràcia, the Park Güell, the Tibidabo, Pedralbese the stadium of the Futbol Club Barcelona. Or if you prefer, towards the Parque de la Ciudadela, the Diagonal, the Estación de Sants, Montjuïc and Port Vell. With a tour on the tourist bus you can have an overview of the city from the comfort of your seat: a rather relaxing method of what to see in a weekend in Barcelona.
For the evening, you will be spoiled for choice. The restaurants in the city are so many, and many offer excellent dishes. An excellent idea could be the AGUA RESTAURANT, at Paseo Marítim de la Barceloneta 30. It can be reached by metro, getting off at the Barceloneta or Vila Olímpica stop.
Barceloneta is one of our favorite areas, with lots of entertainment both day and night, including clubs, tapas bars and fish restaurants. Do not miss a paella overlooking the dock and the sea.
If you find yourself in the morning, in summer, you can go to the beach of San Sebastia. Or take a wonderful walk around the Olympic Port.
At the Barceloneta market, housed in a 19th-century building, you will find meat and fish kiosks and tapas bars. It is open every day, from 07:30 to 14:00.
DAY 2 WEEKEND IN BARCELONA
You say Barcelona and immediately think of the… Ramblas. All the spirit, soul and liveliness of the Catalan city are concentrated in these long pedestrian streets (whose name of Arab origin means sand). La Rambla par excellence is the long pedestrian boulevard that connects Plaça de Catalunya with Mirador de Colom and Port Vell. Shopping, tapas bars, street artists and much more await you along the approximately 1400 meters. It is undoubtedly one of the busiest streets in the city, both during the day and in the evening.
Plaça de Catalunya, where La Rambla begins, is a truly wonderful place, with beautiful fountains and shops. It is also one of the main transport interchanges: buses, metro, regional lines all pass through these parts!
In less than 15 minutes on foot from the square (in the opposite direction to the Rambla) you can reach two symbolic places of Barcelona and the genius of Gaudi: Casa Battlo and La Pedrera. If you prefer, you can easily reach them by metro, getting off at the Passeig de Gracia stop. Just outside the station, you will be drawn to the extravagant Gaudi building: Casa Battlo.
Bizarre and of unique beauty, this work by Gaudi represents one of the greatest expressions of the Spanish artist, consecrating him as one of the most visionary architects in Europe. Inside is a whirlwind of waves, curves and spirals. Practical information and online tickets from this link.
In front of the museum there is a tapas bar: the “Tapa Tapa” that we recommend, otherwise you can stop at one of the restaurants on the street: if you hadn’t done it the night before, you must definitely try the paella!
Continuing on Passeig de Gracia, after 500 meters you reach number 92, at the corner with Carrer de Provença: here, in all its glory, another masterpiece signed by Anton Gaudì, or Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera (literally, quarry stone). Built between 1905 and 1912 on behalf of Roser Segimon and Pera Milà, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Currently, it is possible to visit the entrance hall, the roof and an apartment furnished with period furniture, partly designed by Gaudí himself, according to his “Catalan modernism”. There are 6 floors, on each of which there are eight apartments. In addition, there are two internal courtyards, which guarantee high brightness. In the attic there is an interesting museum on the construction techniques of Antoni Gaudí.
Open every day, from Monday to Sunday, from 09:00 to 20:30 (from December to February, it closes at 18:30). From 21:00 to 23:00 it is possible to make night visits, according to the calendar. The adult ticket costs €25 per person. For the night visit, the cost is 35€. Tickets can be purchased directly online, from this link. You will avoid the queues at the ticket offices and you will be able to enter the building directly.
The adult ticket costs €20.50, while for children from 7 to 12 it costs €10.25. Free up to 6 years.
Back in Plaça de Catalunya it’s time to walk down the Rambla. Walking on the right, there is the famous Mercado de la Boqueria, where, amidst a riot of colors and scents, you can spend time trying Catalan Doc products and above all, lots of Jamon in chunks, slices, with bread or cheeses. All exquisite. Our advice is to go there because you will not regret it.
Going down, turn left, at Placa Reial: you arrive at the historic Barrio Gotico, the Gothic quarter of Barcelona, made up of narrow streets, churches, squares. Here, everything has remained intact or almost, as in the Middle Ages.
In the square stands the silhouette of the beautiful Barcelona Cathedral, a true jewel of the Gothic, absolutely unmissable during a Barcelona weekend.
From the Port (Passeig de Joan de Borbó, 88) with the Telefèric you reach the splendid Montjuc hill (Avenida de Miramar).
The cable car is already an extraordinary attraction in itself and offers a truly incredible view over the whole city.
Beautiful especially at sunset, with the play of lights and colors!
Each cabin holds up to 8 seats, which is why you can use it for the whole family. In addition, it is accessible for personnel with reduced mobility.
The ticket costs €14.20 for adults and €10.20 for children from 5 years old, and can be purchased here. Children under the age of 4 enter for free.
Open from Monday to Sunday at the following times:
- January, February, November and December: from 10:00 to 18:00
- March, April, May and October: from 10:00 to 19:00
- From June to September: from 10:00 to 21:00
Along the cable car there are 3 stations, including the Castle which offers a spectacular view of the harbor. Access is free for Barcelona Card holders.
Montjuc Castle is the terminus of bus 150 with which you can reach the interesting Poble Espanyol, a place that children in Barcelona will certainly appreciate.
Two figures of Gigantes await you at the entrance. Inside, however, you can admire a real open-air museum.
It is a reconstruction of the main Spanish architectural styles; in Poble Espanyol there are 117 buildings, streets and squares, strictly pedestrianized, a real village.
You will also find numerous clubs, tapas bars and restaurants where you can eat and have fun until late in the evening. In fact, there is no shortage of events and concerts scheduled throughout the year.
Open every day from 09:00 until late evening (Friday and Saturday until 03:00 at night). In winter the closing is anticipated to midnight. The ticket costs 12.20€ per adult.
Characteristic is to spend December 31st in Poble Espanyol between fires, music, dancing and many good things to eat.
When you arrive in the splendid Plaça de Espana, your gaze is lost among beautiful works of art; not far away you will find the Palau Nacional, the museum of Catalan art. Visiting this fantastic square is recommended at sunset or in the evening, when it is possible to admire the Font Màgica, that is the magical fountain of Montjuic: colored lights to the rhythm of music make it one of the most popular attractions of a weekend in Barcelona.
DAY 3 WEEKEND IN BARCELONA
Whether you are with friends, as a couple or as a family (above all), you cannot leave Barcelona without visiting the wonderful Park Guell. It is an extraordinary complex that extends for about 17 hectares, including gardens, paths, beautiful mosaics and splendid architectural elements that are perfectly integrated into the landscape. Another work by the brilliant Gaudi included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The park is located in the upper part of the city, not far from the elegant district of Gràcia. With the Metro (Line 3 – Green) you get there, getting off at the Lesseps or Vallcarca stops. Practical information, timetables and tickets from this link.
Much more complex, considering the distance, it would be to visit Tibidabo in a weekend in Barcelona. Not to be missed if you have a lot of time available, because you will have to allow at least a couple of hours to reach it by public transport. Do not miss a visit to the Sacred Heart, with an elevator ride to the panoramic point, for a spectacular view of the city to say the least. The Tibidabo also houses an impressive theme park, one of the oldest in Europe.
If you are on holiday in Barcelona with your kids, do not miss the wonderful Barcelona Aquarium, the Zoo and the Citadel Park, the Wax Museum. Of these, and more, detailed information on our special page dedicated to holidays in Barcelona with children. Without forgetting a trip to the splendid Camp Nou, where you can visit the museum and stadium of one of the most important and titled football teams in Europe.