How to Spend an Amazing 3-Days in Barcelona
My sister, mom, and I were fortunate to spend a week in Spain in 2024. After spending three days in Madrid and visiting Toledo, we headed to Barcelona by train. The ride from Madrid is about 2 1/2 hours on a high-speed train. Barcelona exceeded my expectations with its stunning architecture by Antoni Gaudí, the historic Gothic Quarter, and amazing tapas restaurants. Below, I’ve outlined how we spent our 3-days in Barcelona. It was the perfect itinerary, allowing us to see all the great sights of this wonderful and unique city.
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Day 1 – Exploring the Iconic Sites
Visit La Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Família is an absolute must-see! This magnificent basilica, designed by the legendary Antoni Gaudi, is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The intricate details and towering spires are simply breathtaking. This was our first stop after checking into our hotel.
The inside of the cathedral is stunning. Gaudí’s design is intended to bring in elements of nature, and you will see this in the design of the pillars, the ceiling, and the windows. The stained glass windows are quite amazing and bring in light from the sun, which you can see reflected onto the walls and floor.
The church is so magnificent and historically important that it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 because of its unique architecture. The construction of La Sagrada started in 1882 and it is still not completed; it is projected to be finished in 2026. Click here to see the history.
We booked advanced skip-the-line tickets with an audio guide. The audio guide was accessed through an app on your phone, which is helpful to install in advance (called Sagrada Familia). You can also book separate tickets to ride an elevator to the top of the towers of the church.
Walk through the Gothic Quarter
We stayed at the Ohla Hotel, which was right near the Gothic Quarter. We strolled through the Gothic Quarter on our way to dinner at Sensi Tapas.
The Gothic Quarter is a maze of narrow streets filled with history. From beautiful squares and medieval buildings to hidden courtyards, this area is perfect for wandering and discovering surprises around every corner. On the way home, we heard street performers singing opera with the amazing acoustics of the close buildings; it was a wonderful atmosphere and something I’ll never forget. Also, don’t miss the beautiful Barcelona Gothic Cathedral and the ancient Roman walls.
Day 2 – Eco-Friendly Touring and Bustling Streets
Go on a Welcome Tour to Barcelona in a Private Eco Tuk Tuk
We kicked off our second day during our 3-days in Barcelona with a private tour in an Eco Tuk Tuk, a fun and environmentally friendly way to see the city. Our guide showed us some of Barcelona’s hidden gems and shared fascinating stories about the city’s past and present.
It’s a great way to get a feel for the city without wearing out your feet. You can choose a tour duration from 1 to 4 hours. We did the 4-hour tour, which I thought would feel long, but we got to see so many sights; it was amazing. It was unfortunately raining during our tour, but that didn’t stop us. The Tuk Tuk was covered, and they had blankets for us to keep comfy during the ride.
We were able to drive by the best sites in Barcelona, including the Arc de Triomf, Placa De Catalunya (considered the city center), Sagrada Familia, the Estadi Olímpic, the new Spotify FC Barcelona Stadium, and
Port Vell (Old Port).
Walking La Rambla
In the late afternoon, after our Tuk Tuk tour, we explored Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s most famous street. This lively street is full of energy, with street performers, vendors, and shops. There were great food stands; we stopped at a smoothie stand where they had awesome juice smoothies and also great sangria you could take to go! We had a lot of fun souvenir shopping and enjoying the energy of the area.
For dinner that night, we ate at 7 Portes. This was a fun Spanish restaurant with great Tapas and Pallea. This place was busy in the night hours and super popular, it’s recommended to make reservations here.
Day 3 – Gaudí’s Masterpieces and a Flamenco Finale
Guided tour of Park Guell
On our last day, we visited Park Güell, another of Gaudí’s masterpieces. If you’re only in Barcelona for 3-days, this should be top on your list. This whimsical park is like stepping into a fairytale, with colorful mosaics, unique sculptures, and stunning views of the city.
Gaudí’s architecture is remarkable; his work is all designed with nature in mind. From the rounded pillars to the intentional imperfections, his goal was to resemble the imperfections of nature. The Spanish-colored tiles are amazing, and one of my favorite designs—it’s so beautiful.
We did a guided skip-the-line tour here, which was worth it. The park is big, and having a guide was a great way to navigate through. They allowed time for stops to take pictures and gave a great overview of the park’s history. This was my favorite stop in Barcelona!
Casa Milà (La Pedrera)
After Park Güell, we headed over to Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera. This cool modernist building, with its wavy stone exterior and really cool rooftop where you can enjoy panoramic views, really shows off Gaudí’s unique style. The rooftop chimneys are super interesting and make for great photos.
Our Tuk Tuk tour guide mentioned that the rooftop of Casa Milà inspired George Lucas when designing the helmets for the imperial soldiers in Star Wars. We got skip-the-line tickets for Casa Milà, which was a smart move since it’s such a popular spot in Barcelona.
Casa Batlló
After Casa Milà and just a short walk, we went to tour Casa Batlló, another one of Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces. This building was completed in 1906 and is known for its imaginative design, beautiful mosaics, and another amazing rooftop. The rooftop of Casa Batlló is a must-see with great city views and features the iconic dragon-back design and chimneys that have become a signature of Gaudí’s work.
We also booked a skip-the-line ticket for this tour, these are time savers, and important to book in advance as there can be long lines to get in.
Flamenco Show at Tablao Flamenco Cordobes
Lastly, on our 3-day Barcelona itinerary, we wrapped up our day with an amazing Flamenco show at Tablao Cordobes. The energy and emotion from the dancers, singers, and musicians were just awesome—it was so entertaining! It was the perfect way to end our Barcelona adventure, getting a taste of Spanish culture that’s both lively and touching. We booked the show in advance, and it included a drink. There’s also an option for a Tapas dinner afterward, but we just went for the show, and it was a fantastic way to spend the evening.
For dinner, we ate at 4 Gats, a hugely popular and iconic restaurant where we had some great tapas. This place is famous because Pablo Picasso used to hang out there and even had his first solo exhibition there in 1900. The café’s interior is decorated with art and memorabilia from that vibrant era, creating an atmosphere that’s both nostalgic and inspiring.
And that’s a wrap on our whirlwind 3-day trip to Barcelona! From exploring the vibrant streets of Barcelona to marveling at the architectural wonders of Antoni Gaudí, every moment was filled with excitement and adventure. Whether we were indulging in delicious tapas, soaking in the energy of a Flamenco show, or simply strolling along the beautiful coastline, our time in Spain was nothing short of unforgettable.
How to get around in Barcelona
Getting around Barcelona using public transportation was pretty easy to navigate. You can hop on the metro, which is super efficient and covers most parts of the city. Some buses run frequently and can take you pretty much anywhere you need to go. We also took Taxi’s but found it hard to get one to stop for us at times so we preferred the Metro for its ease of use and accessibility.
- Going to Madrid? Click here for my 2-day itinerary
- Toledo is a great day trip from Madrid. Click here for how to spend the day in Toledo.
Click here for my Packing List of What to Pack for Spain in April
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