How to spend 3 Days in Barcelona: The Best Itinerary + Where to Stay

You’re planning to spend 3 days in Barcelona and you’re looking for the best itinerary?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared for you the perfect itinerary to visit Barcelona in 3 days.

I will start this guide with my best tips to avoid the long waiting lines (often more than 2 hours!) in front of the most visited tourist sites such as the Sagrada Familia.

Then, I will give you my optimized 3-day itinerary to make the most of your stay in Barcelona.

In addition to the best places to visit and activities for each stage of your itinerary, I will also give you all my best tips and accommodation suggestions depending on your budget.

So, what are the best things to do in Barcelona in 3 days? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

My best Tips to Save Time at Barcelona’s Must-See Attractions

It’s the first image that comes to mind when we think of Barcelona: the Sagrada Familia. Of course, you can’t even think of not discovering it during your 3-day visit to Barcelona!

And it’s no secret that you certainly won’t be the only one with that idea. Just like the Colosseum in Rome or the Duomo in Milan, other iconic European landmarks, you might often have to wait for hours before being able to enter!

However, there are several very simple ways to avoid this inconvenience and not waste time during your 3-day trip to Barcelona.

Here, I give you my 2 best solutions to avoid queuing at Barcelona’s main tourist attractions!

1. The Barcelona City Pass

The first solution to visit as much as possible during your 3-day trip to Barcelona: buy the Barcelona City Pass.

Like all major tourist cities, Barcelona offers a City Pass to skip the long lines at the most famous sites while also saving money.

But with one key difference, the Barcelona City Pass has no time limit. It doesn’t need to be used within 24 or 48 hours from the first use, as is the case for most other passes, which is really convenient!

Another advantage is that all skip-the-line tickets for the attractions are sent directly to your email. There’s no need to visit a pick-up point to collect them.

You simply have to show them on your smartphone at each entrance. This saves you even more valuable time!

This pass is the most comprehensive and convenient for visiting Barcelona in 3 days.

Here is everything included in the Barcelona City Pass:

• A skip-the-line ticket to the Sagrada Familia. When you buy the City Pass, you will be asked for the desired date and time of visit as everything is organized by time slots.
• A skip-the-line ticket to Park Güell. You will also need to specify the date and time wanted.
• A ticket for the hop-on hop-off tourist bus
• An audio guide to discover more than 100 places of interest in the city
• Discounts on museums and attractions including Casa Batlló, Casa Milà and flamenco shows. You will receive your 10% discount code once you order the Barcelona City Pass. You must then book your visits on the same site to use the promo code.

To buy your Barcelona city pass now, simply click the button below:

2. Skip-the-Line Tickets for Barcelona’s Tourist Attractions

The second solution for fast access to all the major tourist sites: buy a skip-the-line ticket for each museum or monument, depending on your planned itinerary.

You’ll be spoiled for choice, as there’s a multitude of these tickets for almost all the must-see attractions and activities to do in Barcelona during these 3 days.

Here’s a list of all the ones that might interest you and that match the itinerary we propose below. You just have to click on the links to book them!

You will also find them throughout this article:

3 Days in Barcelona: Must-See Attractions:

• Casa Batlló
• Casa Milà
• Gaudi’s 3 Houses Pass
• Flamenco Show
• Park Güell
• Sant Pau Recinte Modernista
• Sagrada Familia Skip-the-Line
• Sagrada Familia Guided Tour
• MNAC
• Barcelona Museum Pass
• Montjuic Cable Car
• Palau de la Musica Catalana
• Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus

3. The Barcelona Card

There’s another card available to explore the city: the Barcelona Card.

But I don’t recommend it for this trip as it won’t be useful to you.

The Barcelona Card mainly allows you to visit Barcelona in 3 days with free public transport. Since you hardly need to use public transport for our program, the cost of the card will not be worthwhile.

Regarding the benefits and discounts offered by the Barcelona Card, it is more focused on museums and not necessarily on the main attractions. Therefore, it’s not really useful for a first trip to Barcelona where you prefer to focus on the highlights.

I recommend it more if you have already been to Barcelona and want to delve deeper into your discovery by visiting museums.

At that point, you can book it by clicking here:

One Last Tip for a Perfect 3-Day Stay in Barcelona

If you already know your travel dates (or as soon as you will have them!), you should really book your accommodation.

As Barcelona is one of the most touristic cities in the world, the hotels offering the best value for money are often fully booked months in advance.

As a seasoned traveler, I can assure you that it’s always by planning as far in advance as possible that I’ve found the best hotels or apartments deals.

You agree that it would be a shame to somewhat ruin your stay in Barcelona by ending up in a not-so-great hotel that costed you a fortune, right? 😅

So your best bet is to take 5 minutes now to have a look at traveler’s favorite hotels in Barcelona.

And if you like one of the hotels you find, book it!

It’s fast, it’s easy and most accommodation offer free cancellation. That’s the best way to protect yourself from the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the best hotels deals in Barcelona, simply click on the green button below:

After securing your dream stay, it’s time to continue reading this guide!

3 Days in Barcelona: The Best Itinerary

Let’s now see how to visit Barcelona in 3 days.

For each day, I will give you an optimized itinerary with all the details you need for your visits, along with a map of Barcelona. This will help you optimize your trip and enjoy a stress-free stay in the city!

I assume that you will be staying in Barcelona for 3 full days and that you have purchased your Barcelona City Pass or skip-the-line tickets in advance. This way, you will be able to see as many places as possible during your 3 day stay!

If you still have questions after reading this guide (or need help organizing your holiday), don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section located at the very end of this article.

I will be glad to help you plan your trip 😄.

So, what are the best places to visit in Barcelona in 3 days?

Barcelona Itinerary: Day 1 – The Historic Center

Visits for Day 1:

A. The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and the Gothic Quarter
B. La Rambla
C. Mercat de la Boqueria
D. Casa Batlló
E. Casa Milà
F. Flamenco Show

A. The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and the Gothic Quarter

I suggest starting your 3-day stay in Barcelona with a visit to the Barrio Gòtico, one of the city’s most emblematic districts.

Depending on where your hotel is located, you can reach the Gothic Quarter by foot or take the metro to the Jaume I stop.

Barcelona’s historic center is a very beautiful medieval neighborhood where you can admire, among other things, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Considered one of the flagship monuments of the Catalan capital, it is particularly imposing.

You should not just admire it from the outside but also visit the inside.

For 7€, you get access to the cloister, terraces, choir, various chapels, and a small museum of paintings. Take some time on the terraces, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of Barcelona.

After visiting the cathedral, don’t hesitate to wander around the surrounding alleys and stroll peacefully through the Gothic Quarter to discover:

• Plaça Sant Jaume
• Plaça del Rei (King’s Square)
• Museum of History of Barcelona
• Plaça Nova
• Plaça del Pi

B. Strolling along La Rambla

Less than 10 minutes on foot from the historic center is La Rambla, also simply known as “La Rambla”. It’s a must-see during your 3-day itinerary in Barcelona!

This pedestrian thoroughfare, the most frequented promenade in the city, is another must-see tourist spot. It connects the port of Barcelona to Plaça de Catalunya (Catalonia Square) over approximately 2 km.

To get there on foot from the Gothic Quarter, go through Plaça del Pi, continue on Carrer del Cardenal Casanas until you reach Plaça de la Boqueria.

From there, you can head down to the port to see:

• The Gran Teatre del Liceu, the oldest theatre in the city, which you can discover during a guided tour
• Joan Miro Mosaic
• Plaça Reial
• Palau Güell

And then head back up towards Plaça Catalunya, discovering along the way:

• Fountain of Canaletes
• Palau de la Virreina with its temporary exhibitions

All along La Rambla, you will also find numerous shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as street performers: musicians, magicians, living statues.

C. Mercat de la Boqueria

Along La Rambla, you’ll also come across Mercat de la Boqueria.

You can easily find it, as the entrance is marked by a large Art Nouveau-style portal which is hard to miss (on your left as you move up the avenue towards Plaça Catalunya).

La Boqueria is Barcelona’s oldest market and one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. That means it’s always crowded (less so in the morning between 8 and 10 a.m.), but that’s part of the charm.

You should enjoy your walk among the stalls to immerse yourself in the warm atmosphere of the place but also indulge in tasting tapas, fresh fruit, and other typical Catalan products.

D. Casa Batlló

To continue your day, I now suggest heading towards the Casa Batlló, one of Barcelona’s landmarks and a masterpiece by the iconic architect, Antoni Gaudi.

Located on Passeig de Gracia, it’s about a 20-minute walk from the market. You can also take the metro from Liceu station to Passeig de Gracia station (line 3).

This villa with its surreal architecture, inspired by the aquatic world, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

You’ll immediately notice the very special curves, details, and incredible colors of its façade, which are characteristic of Gaudi’s work. You will also see its multiple skull-shaped small balconies, which have earned it the nickname Casa del Osos (the house of bones).

Impressive from the outside, Gaudi’s villa is even more interesting on the inside, so I strongly recommend you take the time to visit it during your 3-day trip to Barcelona. The visit lasts about 1 hour.

E. Casa Milà

Continuing on Passeig de Gracia, walking northward for about 5 minutes from Casa Batlló, you’ll come across the second villa designed by Gaudi: Casa Milà, which locals call La Pedrera (meaning “the quarry” in reference to the cliffs that Gaudi might have taken as inspiration).

This villa (built between 1906 and 1910) is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is identifiable by its white façade with undulating lines typical of Antoni Gaudi’s works.

Stunning from the outside, Casa Milà is, of course, also visitable inside, where over five floors you can discover all the genius of its architect. Also, do not miss the exceptional Barcelona view from the villa’s rooftop terrace.

Just like for Casa Batlló, purchase your entrance ticket to Casa Milà from Tiqets with the discount received when buying your Barcelona City Pass.

F. Attend a Flamenco Show

You simply can’t spend 3 days in Barcelona without experiencing a flamenco show!

A very popular Andalusian dance in the Catalan capital, flamenco is showcased all year round in Barcelona’s tablaos, establishments where you can have a drink, enjoy tapas and local dishes while watching musical performances.

You should spend the evening at Los Tarantos, one of the oldest and most renowned tablaos in the city, located on Plaça Reial just a few steps from Las Ramblas.

You can walk there from Casa Milà by revisiting Casa Catalunya and then heading down Las Ramblas. It will take you about 30 minutes.

If you don’t want to walk back the same way, take line 3 of the metro from Diagonal station (a 2-minute walk on Passeig de Gracia north of Casa Milà) towards Zona Universitària and get off at Liceu station. You will then have a 3-minute walk to Plaça Reial.

To book your flamenco evening, just click here!

If tickets are sold out, here are some other places to see a flamenco show during your stay in Barcelona (click on the orange links to book):

• City Hall, in the theater of Barcelona City Hall
• At the tablao Flamenco Cordobes, in Rambla district
• Tablao de Carmen, located in Poble Espanyol district.

Day Two in Barcelona: What to Do and See?

The visits for day 2:

A. Park Güell
B. Bunkers del Carmel
C. Recinta Modernista de Sant Pau
D. Sagrada Familia
E. El Born District

A. Park Güell

For your second day in Barcelona, I suggest you start with a visit to Park Güell, built between 1900 and 1914.

This park was intended to house gardens and about sixty houses, but due to a lack of budget, only four houses were built. Nonetheless, it remains a small gem of Modernist architecture and Art Nouveau.

It is located in the north of the city and is accessible via metro line 3 at Vallcarca station.

The park is divided into two sections, one paid and the other free. In the paid section (the “Monumental Zone”), you can notably admire the famous undulating bench covered with mosaics, the salamander, and the columns resembling tree trunks.

Exploring the park will take you several hours, so you should go early in the morning.

Don’t miss climbing up to the Mirador de Virolai, which offers a superb viewpoint over the most beautiful sites of Barcelona.

Entrance to Park Güell is included in the Barcelona City Pass.

If you do not have the Barcelona City Pass, you can also get your skip-the-line ticket directly by clicking here.

To make sure you don’t miss any of the park’s best spots, you can also opt for a guided walking tour organized by Barcelona’s tourist office.

You’ll find all the information you need and be able to book by clicking here!

B. Bunkers del Carmel

Wondering what to do in three days in Barcelona? I now suggest heading towards one of the city’s most beautiful viewpoints: the Bunkers del Carmel.

Perched atop Turo de la Rovira is a former anti-aircraft base used to defend the city during the Spanish Civil War, offering an incredible 360-degree view.

The Bunkers del Carmel are not actual bunkers but rather a former stronghold for anti-aircraft cannons, now gone (though you can still see traces of them).

Access to the Bunkers del Carmel is free and completely open; you just have to make the effort to climb up. But rest assured, it’s quite easy and accessible for everyone.

From Park Güell, you can get there in 20 minutes on foot via Carrer de la Contrada del Carmel, Carrer de Mühlberg, and finally, Carrer del Turo de la Rovira. You can also get there by bus (lines 24 or 86) or taxi.

C. Sant Pau Recinte Modernista

Next, make your way to the Sant Pau Recinte Modernista which is conveniently located on the path between the Bunkers del Carmel and your next stop, the Sagrada Familia.

It’s about a 30-minute walk from the bunkers to Recinte.

This former public hospital now hosts exhibitions. You can also visit the various buildings, which recount the history of the place, but if you’re short on time, you can simply pass by to admire the architecture.

Get your entrance tickets here.

D. La Sagrada Familia

It’s now time to continue this second day of your 72-hour stay in Barcelona with the iconic monument: the Sagrada Familia.

From the Recinte Modernista, it’s only a 10-minute walk to the Sagrada Familia.

Gaudi’s masterpiece, this impressive basilica listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is the most visited monument in Spain. With a unique architectural style that blends Gothic and Art Nouveau, the Sagrada Familia is truly spectacular both from the outside and the inside.

Skip-the-line entry is included in the Barcelona City Pass. Just for this reason, it would be a shame not to purchase it. This will allow you to avoid queuing and visit the basilica at the scheduled time during your booking.

If you only want to purchase a skip-the-line ticket for the Sagrada without the full City Pass, you just need to click here.

If you prefer to opt for a guided tour of the Sagrada with an official guide, simply click here to book!

And of course, if you would like to find out more about the history of this impressive monument, I recommend you to book a guided tour of the Sagrada Familia by clicking here.

E. El Born District

We conclude the day with a stroll through the El Born district, a small historical village within the city.

Together with the Gothic Quarter (Barrio Gotico), it makes up the old part of Barcelona. This authentic medieval quarter has a somewhat strange atmosphere but is also one of the trendiest areas.

Old shops, tapas bars, Gothic churches, trendy restaurants, the Picasso Museum, the Palace of Catalan Music (one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world)…, everything you need for an excellent end to the day.

Also worth seeing in El Born are the Ciutadella Park and the Arc de Triomf.

3rd Day in Barcelona: Places to Visit

Day 3 Visits:

A. Plaça Espanya
B. The MNAC
C. Montjuic Park
D. The Olympic installations
E. Montjuic Castle
F. Plaça Espanya and the Magic Fountain

A. Plaça Espanya

We’ve already reached the last day of your 3-day itinerary in Barcelona.

I suggest taking a trip to Plaça Espanya.

Built in 1929 for the International Exhibition by the famous architect Puig y Cadafalch, the square is recognizable by its large sculpture set in an immense roundabout. Around the roundabout, there are several buildings and congress rooms.

You will also find Las Arenas, former bullfighting rings now transformed into a shopping center. I highly recommend you visit the arena’s rooftop terrace for breathtaking views.

Plaça Espanya is the starting point for many tourist attractions that I suggest you discover throughout this last day.

B. The MNAC

The National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) is located directly opposite Plaça Espanya, past the Magic Fountain (which I’m saving for the end of the day). It’s an easy 15-minute walk to get there.

The museum, housed in a magnificent palace built specifically for the 1929 International Exhibition, is one of the most interesting in Barcelona and one of the largest in Spain. It is home to the world’s richest collection of Romanesque art, no less!

With the Barcelona City Pass, you can get a discount on your MNAC entrance by clicking here.

C. Montjuic Park

You simply cannot spend 3 days in Barcelona without visiting the essential Montjuic Park, the city’s green lung!

The bus 150 will take you there in 20 minutes from the museum (Piscines Picornell-Museu Naçional bus stop on Avinguda de l’Estadi street, a 5-minute walk from the MNAC).

You can also get there on foot in 30-40 minutes, but what I recommend is taking the Montjuic cable car (near the municipal swimming pools, the bus stops there).

The view from the top of the cable car is definitely worth the trip. In that case, you can book your round-trip cable car ticket here.

Montjuic Park consists of several green spaces and gardens on the slopes of Mount Montjuic. It is also home to a few museums including those of the Urban Guard, the Modern Art Museum, the Olympic Museum, and the Joan Miro Foundation.

It is the favorite place for locals to rest, walk, and engage in sports activities, where they come to recharge after work and on weekends.

You’ll have the chance to admire beautiful views of the sea and the city, visit the botanical gardens, museums, and historical monuments.

Among the family activities for a 72-hour stay in Barcelona, here’s a summary:

• Strolling along La Rambla with its street artists
• The Boqueria Market for its vibrant colors and for the kids to discover local specialties. The fresh fruit juices there are delicious!
• Park Güell with its colorful mosaics
• The Sagrada Familia: its architecture is sure to amaze both kids and adults
• Ciutadella Park: great for kids with an elaborate playground.
• The Magic Fountain show
• Tapas tasting (with hands!)
• Flamenco shows
• Barcelona Zoo. Tickets available here!

And for saving money during your family trip to Barcelona, I recommend 2 packages that include a visit to the zoo (click the links to book):

• Barcelona Family Pass with: entrance to the zoo + one-hour port cruise + skip-the-line ticket for the wax museum
• Zoo and Aquarium Pack with: entrance to the zoo + ticket for the aquarium + a trip on the Barcelona port cable car.

You can also add:

• The Poble Espanyol visit: a life-sized replica of a village gathering all types of Spanish houses from across the country.

The Poble Espanyol pays tribute to Spanish culture and features 117 houses representing 33 different Spanish regions. It’s located very close to the Magic Fountain, less than a 5-minute walk away.

It’s a fun and educational place that children tend to love. You can visit it before or as an alternative to the MNAC, for example.

• Mont Tibidabo Amusement Park: located on the outskirts of the city, this amusement park is situated on Barcelona’s highest peak. It’s designed for children aged 6 and up and is a great spot to have an enjoyable family afternoon.

• Museu Blau: children love natural history museums and Barcelona’s is free every Sunday from 3 PM.

D. Olympic Facilities

Did you know that Barcelona hosted the Olympic Games in 1992?

The Olympic facilities are among the highlights to see during your 3 days in Barcelona. So let’s head now to the Olympic Park on Montjuic Hill.

There, you will see:

• Olympic Stadium
• Palau Sant Jordi
• Torre de Calatrava
• Barcelona Sports Palace
• Industrial Spain Pavilion

E. Montjuic Castle

To finish off your afternoon at Montjuic, I recommend a visit to the Park’s Castle.

Built in 1640 to defend the city against Catalan rebels, Montjuic Castle was later converted into a prison and then a military museum starting from 1960. It’s now slated to be transformed into an international center for peace and a cultural center.

During the visit (priced at €5 per adult), you can walk around the ramparts, visit the military museum, and, as the highlight, enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of Barcelona’s coastline.

Montjuic Castle is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM.

F. Plaça Espanya and Magic Fountain

Your journey over 3 days in Barcelona is drawing to a close.

For your last evening, head back to Plaça Espanya to savor some tapas before enjoying the show of the Magic Fountain.

Located between the MNAC and the square, Montjuic’s Magic Fountain welcomes the public every night from Wednesday to Sunday (starting at 8 PM from November to March, and from 9 PM from April to October) with light shows set to music.

This unmissable show, lasting an hour, attracts tourists and locals alike each evening. It’s often crowded, so it’s recommended to arrive early to get a good spot.

Where to Stay in Barcelona

Now you know how to visit Barcelona in 3 days!

Next, let’s consider another essential question: where will you sleep during your 3 nights in Barcelona?

To help you out, here’s a selection of the best hotels to stay in Barcelona:

• Hostel One Ramblas: Hostel located in the center of Barcelona. Dorm bed from €33 with dinner included. Strong points: the atmosphere, the price.
• Hotel Grums Barcelona: Next to Montjuic Hill and 600m from Las Ramblas. Elegant and bright rooms from €134. Strong points: the spa with jacuzzi and sauna, room design, location. It’s our top pick for value for money.
• Ohla Barcelona: Perfectly located luxury hotel in Barcelona, between the Cathedral and Plaça Catalunya, 200 meters from the subway. This 5-star hotel offers contemporary and comfortable double rooms from €325 per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the beauty of the property, inside and out; the rooftop pool with breathtaking views; the 3 gourmet restaurants. The perfect choice for a romantic stay in the heart of Barcelona.
• W Barcelona: Iconic hotel in Barcelona located in Barceloneta district. Luxurious and well-equipped double rooms from €363. Strong points: the view, the 2 pools, the amenities, the restaurants. Without a doubt the most famous hotel in Barcelona!
• Hotel Arts Barcelona: 5-star hotel in the Olympic Port district, 250m from the beach and 300m from Ciutadella Park. Design and ultra-spacious double rooms from €670 per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the 2 Michelin-starred restaurant, the outdoor pool with panoramic views, the design and contemporary art collection. Our recommendation for a luxury stay in Barcelona.

If these hotels are already full for the period of your stay, or if they don’t meet your exact requirements, I recommend reading my other article with a wider selection of accommodations. Conveniently, hotels are sorted by location and budget.

All you have to do is click here to read it: The Best Hotels to Stay in Barcelona.

Visiting Barcelona in 3 Days with Family

If you are planning to visit Barcelona with your children for 3 days and you’re wondering if they will enjoy it as much as you, rest assured that Barcelona is very family-friendly!

More Things to Do and See in Barcelona in 3 Days

So, you have followed our entire 3-day itinerary in Barcelona!

If you still have time left and are looking for other places to visit, you should read our complete guide to Barcelona.

There, you’ll find even more ideas on things to do and see to wrap up your 3-day vacation in Barcelona without missing any of the must-sees.

You just have to click on the following link to read it: What to Do in Barcelona? The Ultimate Guide!

Map of Your 3-Day Barcelona Itinerary

To help you visualize your routes during these 3 days in Barcelona, I have created a map listing the places to visit day by day. You can show the legend of the map by clicking on the button at the top left with a small arrow. This will allow you to see the routes for each day.

Going to Barcelona for 3 Days: Flight Prices

Since flight prices to Barcelona vary greatly, it’s a good idea to compare them as early as possible. To do this, you can use our flight comparison tool, in partnership with Skyscanner. It’s your ticket to getting the best fare.

Need help organizing your 3-day itinerary in Barcelona? Feel free to ask me your questions in the comments.

You’re traveling in Spain? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Spain: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Spain are listed there.

• Barcelona: Top 25 best places to visit
• Madrid: The 21 best things to do

• 2 days in Barcelona – The best itinerary to visit the city in a weekend!
• 3 days in Barcelona – The best 72-hour itinerary in the Catalan capital!
• 4 days in Barcelona – The best day-by-day program!
• 5 days in Barcelona – The ultimate itinerary for visiting the Catalan capital!
• One week in Barcelona – Our detailed, day-by-day itinerary!

• 2 days in Madrid – The best way to visit the city in a weekend!
• 3 days in Madrid – The best itinerary for visiting the city in 72 hours!
• 4 days in Madrid – The ultimate itinerary for visiting Spain’s capital!
• 5 days in Madrid – The best detailed day-by-day itinerary!

• Where to stay in Barcelona? My guide of the best places to stay for all budgets
• Where to stay in Madrid? All the best areas and hotels to stay in Madrid as a tourist

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