Barcelona 2 Day Itinerary: How to Spend 2 Days in Barcelona

Barcelona captured my heart.  I first lived there for a year as a student, then later I returned to spend 4 years in this magical city before I left to go travelling.  Using all my years of experience in the city, I have put together this Barcelona 2 day itinerary to cover the highlights so you can get a taste of what the city has to offer.  Although there are so many things to do in Barcelona it’s impossible to see everything, I’ve tried to narrow it down so you can get the most out of just 2 days in Barcelona, including some of the top attractions and my favourite places to eat and drink.

I will say though, that if you can spend any more time here I highly recommend spending at least 3 or 4 days in Barcelona to properly explore.  

Things to do in Barcelona in 2 Days

For the purposes of this Barcelona 2 day itinerary, I’ve assumed that you will be spending a weekend in Barcelona and planned the activities as such – if you come to Barcelona on different days of the week then be sure to check opening times as places like the Boqueria Market are closed on Sundays. 

I’ve tried to mix up this Barcelona itinerary to include some of the more typical Barcelona attractions, while still exploring a lot of the different neighbourhoods in Barcelona.

You’ll notice that I haven’t included any museums in this itinerary – for your first trip to Barcelona, I’d recommend spending as much time as you can outside on the streets and soaking up the atmosphere.  Football fans may also be horrified by no mention of Nou Camp, so feel free to chop and change this itinerary to best suit your own Barcelona trip.

Barcelona 2 Day Itinerary: Day 1

La Rambla

A walk down the Rambla is a must for first-timers; it is the most famous street in Barcelona but it gets crowded and busy, so make this your first stop in the morning.   It is also a popular street for pickpockets in Barcelona, so watch your belongings at any time of day! 

However, first thing in the morning La Rambla is blissfully quiet, and you can grab some breakfast at the wonderful Boqueria Market.  Later on in the day, La Rambla fills with stalls, living statues and throngs of people, so if you stay in the market for a while you are bound to see it getting more lively!  Start off at Plaça Catalunya and walk down towards the sea.

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La Boqueria Market

This wonderful market is firmly on the tourist trail, but for good reason and one of the best free things to do in Barcelona.  There are still local people here doing their shopping, but they do have to fight their way through the crowds of tourists! 

If you want to take photographs of the stalls, it is polite to ask or to buy something from the stall owners.  Make sure you stray off the main walkways as the market stretches way beyond the first two rows!  You could pick up some food for breakfast or a picnic-style lunch here or at the very least some fruit for a snack.

Port Vell & the Columbus Monument

At the bottom of La Rambla is the statue of Christopher Columbus, pointing out to sea – not towards the Americas.  You can go up to the top of the monument for €6 to enjoy lovely views of the city, or simply stroll by it.  From here, turn left and walk along the port front. 

Port Vell means Old Port, but it was actually built for the 1992 Olympic Games, when the whole of the beach and waterfront was redesigned and rebuilt.  Now you can admire the boats docked here, including some insanely big super-yachts! 

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Lunch at La Xampaneria

Can Paixano, affectionately known as La Xampanyeria thanks to the delicious cava they sell, is always stuffed to the brim with locals and tourists alike.  If you like it cosy (read: jam-packed) and don’t mind standing up to drink or being trampled on a bit, the cheap cava and delicious sandwiches are worth the scrum. 

You can pop in here just for a glass of cava, but order 2 glasses or more and you need to get some food too.  As well as sandwiches there are also plates of tapas such as cheese, morcilla black pudding and croquetas (cheese and ham potato croquettes). All the tapas are served in generous portions, and a meal works out at just over 10 euros for a bottle of cava and 2 tapas. 

If that sounds like too much, then head to the nearby neighbourhood of Barceloneta.  For delicious tapas, try La Bombeta or Bar Jai-Ca which are probably equally busy, if a little less raucous. At least they have seating, although you may have to wait for a table. 

Barceloneta

Barceloneta is the old fishermen’s neighbourhood, with straight narrow streets and blocks of small apartments.  You can visit the market here which is less crowded than La Boqueria or walk through the streets to the beachfront. 

I love to just look at the sea in Barcelona, although there are plenty of beaches here the water isn’t that clean, and as you’re only in Barcelona for days I would suggest leaving the sunbathing for another time, but sitting for a while on one of the benches to enjoy the sunshine is very pleasant indeed. 

If you’re not bothered about seeing the sea, you could skip Barceloneta altogether and go straight to Ciutadella Park.

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Ciutadella Park

This large park is one of the few green expanses in Barcelona.  It’s often filled with picnicking families and groups of friends enjoying a drink and a smoke, and if you’re lucky you might catch some live music or a street performance of some kind. 

Stroll around to the lake and the Cascada Monumental fountain, keeping an eye out for some unusual statues like that of a woolly mammoth.   

Arc de Triomf

From Ciutadella, walk up Passeig de Lluís Companys to the Arc de Triomf.  It isn’t quite as iconic as the Parisian version, but I love the red brick of this one.  It was built as the main entrance for the 1888 Universal Exhibition hosted by the City, and now stands tall – usually surrounded by people taking photographs, human statues and a street musician or two.  From here, walk down through El Born.

El Born

The Born neighbourhood is a maze of streets, filled with boutique shops, eateries and bars.  The old Mercat del Born is now a cultural centre since renovations uncovered Roman ruins beneath the foundations. 

The Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar is a lovely church which inspired the novel, and you can go up on the roof for wonderful views of the city – if you get there before 5.15pm when the last tour leaves.  If you’re too late for the tour you can enjoy walking around or have a glass of wine and admire the church from below. 

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Dinner and Drinks in Gracia

Gracia was its own town before it got swallowed up in the “expansion” and was joined to Barcelona by the Eixample district.  It still has its own personality and has much more of a local atmosphere than the areas closer to the centre. 

There are various Plaças where you can have a drink and a bite to eat, but if you want to try something typically Catalan, head to La Vermu for an aperitivo drink of local vermouth then to my favourite place for traditional Catalan food – El Glop.  

Choose from a wide menu including grilled meats and a variety of rice dishes but I suggest you skip the paella and go for the Black Rice – a rich rice dish made with squid ink, cuttlefish, clams and prawns.  Order it with a side of aioli garlic sauce and a starter of bread with tomato and you and will not regret it!  Booking in advance is recommended.

Afterwards, if you still have the energy for a cocktail, try El Ciclista or Bobby Gin for a Barcelona style huge gin and tonic.  I’ve got a busy day planned for tomorrow, so don’t overdo it – you want to be up early and ready to go for the rest of your Barcelona itinerary! 

2 Day Barcelona Itinerary: Day 2

Your second day in Barcelona is all about Gaudi.  Gaudi’s architectural style has left a lasting mark on the city, and his influence is everywhere.  He’s not the only Catalan architect though, and this Barcelona itinerary will also give you a chance to see some of the other incredible buildings here.

Park Güell

Parc Güell is one of Gaudi’s masterpieces, originally designed as a kind of magical housing estate commissioned by Gaudi’s patron Eusebi Güell.  Only three of the houses were built, yet the gardens surrounding them are beautiful and include some stunning mosaics, the famous Gaudi dragon and the mosaic terrace. 

Most of the park is free but the iconic terrace and dragon statue are in the paid section.  It costs 10 euros to get up close to those areas (discounts for children and senior citizens are available), and you will need to reserve a time slot in advance.  Don’t miss exploring the rest of the park, and head up as high as you can go for the best views of Barcelona. Book tickets online here.

The park is open from 7.30am in the summer, 8am in shoulder season and 8.30am in the winter.  I’d advise getting there as early as you can before it gets too busy.  An early start also means you’ll be able to fit more into your day!  It also seems that if you arrive before the official opening times above, you can access the paid area for free, but it might still be dark then.

Check out these Park Guell tour options:

Once you’ve finished here, take the metro down to Diagonal.  Change lines and head to La Sagrada Familia.  You can also walk if you’re feeling energetic! 

La Sagrada Familia

La Sagrada Familia is Gaudi’s famous cathedral and is absolutely stunning inside & out.  You can just wander around the outside if you like but inside is definitely worth seeing – book a visit slot in advance online to avoid horribly long queues. 

Inside, you can see how nature influenced Gaudi’s designs.  From the soaring tree-like pillars to the colourful stained glass windows producing rainbow colours as the sun shines through the panes.  If you want to go up one of the towers for beautiful views of the city, you’ll need to buy the audio-guide ticket which includes tower access.

Cheaper tickets are available which don’t include the tower access, but it is totally worth it.  Children under 11 go free, and discounts are available for students and seniors.  

Lunch at El Puertecillo

Depending how much time you choose to spend at Park Güell, you may want to have lunch before or after going to La Sagrada Familia.  Whatever you decide, don’t miss lunch at El Puertecillo – if you like fish!  This is the best and cheapest seafood restaurant in the city. 

They have a counter like you might find at the market where you point at what you want – prawns, calamari, mussels, crab, lobster etc, as well as incredible tuna steaks and monkfish.  They cook it simply and quickly and call out your number for you to pick it up at the counter.  Not classy but amazing food! 

However, if you don’t eat seafood then there are some other excellent restaurants near la Sagrada Familia, including El Glop and Sagradas Tapas.

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Passeig de Gracia, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera

After lunch, a stroll down Passeig de Gracia is the perfect way to let your lunch go down.  If you haven’t had lunch yet, then go another street over to La Rambla de Catalunya to eat. 

Assuming you’ve had lunch, start from where Diagonal meets Passeig de Gracia and head down towards Plaça Catalunya.  First, you’ll come to Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera, which means ‘the stone quarry’ then further down is my favourite building in Barcelona – the glorious Casa Batlló. 

You can admire these striking buildings from the outside or buy tickets or a guided tour to see inside.  I’d recommend booking online in advance if you do want to go inside, and these tour options might be useful for you:

• Casa Batlló Entry with Self-Audioguide Tour

• La Pedrera-Casa Milà Ticket & Audio Guide Option

Casa Batlló is one of a trio of buildings which make up the ‘Block of Discord’, as each building was designed by a different Modernist architect.  

Casa Lleó Morera by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Casa Amatller by Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Casa Batlló by Antoni Gaudí are not only in very contrasting styles but are also considered signature pieces by each of the men, with the name of the block hinting at the competition between them all.  Continue down Passeig de Gracia to Plaça Catalunya.

Palau de la Música Catalana

Not far from Plaça Catalunya, is another stunning Modernist building, designed by Lluís  Domènech i Montaner.  It was built between 1905 and 1908 and has an incredible stained glass roof inside, as well as beautiful details throughout. 

A guided tour is €20 per person and lasts for just under an hour, and is well worth the money.  Alternatively, if there is a performance on in the evening you could get tickets for that.  The last tour of the day is at 3pm (check the times and availability) so be careful not to miss your slot. 

If you book your tickets more than 21 days in advance you can get a discount too, so the early bird catches the worm!  Visit the official Palau de la Musica website here.

The Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter is a great place to explore, impressive buildings and lots of boutique shops, cool bars & restaurants.  I used to live there & it’s still my favourite part of town, although it does get busy!! 

Chocolate and Churros

After all that walking, perhaps you’re in need of some sustenance – how about hot chocolate and churros?  Thick gloopy hot chocolate and finger-shaped donuts to dip are heavenly, and you’ll find some of the best in Barcelona on Carrer de Petrixol at La Pallaresa or Granja Dulcinea. 

Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi

The nearby Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi is a beautiful 14^th Century Gothic Basilica which you can take a look inside for €4.50, or just stroll around the square.  There is often a food market or artists selling paintings here too.

Gothic Cathedral & Surroundings

The cathedral is another magnificent example of Gothic architecture, towering above the square.  The square often hosts special events such as wine tastings of Christmas markets if you visit Barcelona in December, or you can wander around here freely to explore the narrow streets and hidden gems.  

Plaça D’Isidre Nonell has a beautiful mosaic artwork called The Kiss, Plaça de Sant Felip Neri is a peaceful square near the cathedral, there is the ‘fake’ gothic archway near Plaça Sant Jaume and the impressive Plaça del Rei.  

Dinner at La Vinateria del Call 

Let’s stay in the Gothic Quarter for dinner, one of my favourite tapas restaurants is the Vinateria del Call, hidden away in the old Jewish Quarter behind Plaça Sant Jaume.  It is a popular place for tourists and locals alike, so it’s best to book a table if you can. 

Choose from a range of tapas dishes including local cheeses, Catalan specialities and morcilla blood sausage.  There aren’t too many options for vegetarians, but cheese and meat-lovers will be happy here.  The waiter will recommend a wine to go with each course and make sure you save room for dessert – the chocolate fondant is to die for!

If you fancy a drink or two after your meal, there are plenty of bars in the Gothic and Born areas to explore, including the famous Paradiso which was rated as the best bar in the world.

Well, that’s it!  There are so many other wonderful things to do in Barcelona that I simply could not fit into this itinerary – so you definitely need a return visit!  What do you think, have I missed anything that definitely should be included on a 2 day Barcelona itinerary?  I would love to hear your thoughts, please leave your comments below. 

If you’ve only got one day to spend in Barcelona, check out my ultimate Barcelona 1 Day itinerary on our sister site Why Visit Barcelona!

Barcelona Travel Tips

Recommended Guide Books for Barcelona

• The Lonely Planet Guide to Barcelona
• The Lonely Planet Pocket Guide to Barcelona
• Rick Steves Barcelona

Getting There

• Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Barcelona.  Barcelona El Prat (BCN) is the closest airport to the city.
• Public transport is the cheapest way to get around Barcelona, buy the Hola Barcelona transport ticket for unlimited use of the metro, buses, trams and local trains, including the train from the airport to Barcelona.

Where to Stay in Barcelona

• • Use Hostelworld to find the best prices for hostels in Barcelona.  Take a look at these recommended hostels:

Yeah Hostel Barcelona TOC Hostel Barcelona Fabrizzio's Petit Hostel

• • For hotels in Barcelona, check out Booking.com or Hotels.com for the best deals.  Recommended hotels include:

Chic & Basic Lemon Boutique Hotel  Hotel Casa Camper  H10 Madison  Serras Barcelona 

Barcelona Tours and Activities

• • If you're staying in a hostel, check out their tours and activities which are usually free or very cheap - and a great way to meet people!  
  • I use GetYourGuide to book skip the line entry tickets  and tours in Barcelona
  • Recommended Tours and Attractions in Barcelona:

Sagrada Familia Skip the Line Ticket  Camp Nou and FC Barcelona Museum Park Guell Admission Ticket

Beware of pickpockets

• Although Barcelona is a safe city, pickpockets are a problem here, particularly in popular tourist areas and on the metro.  Do not keep your wallet or cash in trouser pockets and keep your hand on your bags at all times.  
• When you are eating at a restaurant or café, keep your bag on your lap, not hanging over your chair and avoid leaving your wallet or phone on the table – especially if eating outdoors.  It only takes a second for someone to distract you and grab it!

Get Travel Insurance

• Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel.  I never leave home without travel insurance, so consider getting insurance for your trip to cover things like stolen items, adventure sports and activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.  
• Get a quote for your trip from True Traveller if you're based in the UK, or World Nomads or SafetyWing which both offer travel insurance for backpackers and long-term travellers.  Alternatively, use a comparison site like Travel Insurance Master to find the best cover for you.

Check Your Travel Documents

• Don't forget to check the validity of your passport and any other documents for your trip.  Use iVisa to check if you need a visa to visit Spain, and get up to date official travel advice from your government, for example on the Department of State website in the US or the UK government website.

Get Cheap Currency

• When travelling to Spain, using a travel bank account like Wise means you get great deals on Euros - including a fee-free transfer of up to £500 or USD equivalent when you use this link to sign up. 

HIRE A CAR IN BARCELONA

• While you don't need a car to get around Barcelona, if you want to explore more of Catalunya and the Costa Brava get a quote for car hire with Discover Cars who compare car rental deals from many companies so that you can choose which is best for your trip.

Top Money Saving Tip for Backpackers

• Work exchanges are a great way to travel for longer and extend your trip as you can save a ton of money on accommodation.  Get an extra $10 discount on Worldpackers here or learn more about work exchanges.

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