Spain / City guide

Barcelona

Gaudí, the old town and three days in Barcelona

For a first visit, spend a day on Gaudí's buildings, one in the old town and one on Montjuïc. The routes below group places you can combine without repeatedly crossing the city. Book the interiors you want to visit; several buildings are also worth seeing from the street.

See the three-day itinerary Find flights to Barcelona

Barcelona, Spain

Length of stay3 days, plus travel days

SeasonApril–May or September–October

Getting aroundMetro between areas; walk between stops

01 / Suggested itinerary

Three days in Barcelona

Follow the stops in order or choose the parts that interest you. Rearrange the days around your booked entry times.

01
Day 1
Sagrada Família and Passeig de Gràcia
1. Sagrada Família — begin with your booked basilica visit.
2. Casa Milà, La Pedrera — continue to the house on Passeig de Gràcia.
3. Casa Batlló — walk south to see the façade or take a booked tour.
Start with your booked Sagrada Família time. Continue to Passeig de Gràcia and walk south between the two Gaudí houses. Choose at most one house for an extended interior visit.
02
Day 2
The old town, El Born and Barceloneta
1. Barcelona Cathedral — start in the square and walk through the Gothic Quarter.
2. Museu Picasso — visit the collection or explore the surrounding El Born streets.
3. Barceloneta — continue towards the beach and seafront promenade.
Walk from the cathedral through the old town to El Born, finishing at the sea. The museum visit is optional; without it, the day focuses on streets and beach time.
03
Day 3
Montjuïc and its art museums
1. Plaça d'Espanya — start here and head towards Montjuïc.
2. MNAC — see the view from the museum surroundings and decide whether to go inside.
3. Fundació Joan Miró — continue here if you choose Miró's work as your main visit.
Start at Plaça d'Espanya. The route up to the museums involves climbing. Choose either the MNAC or Miró for a longer visit rather than attempting two complete museum visits consecutively.

02 / Areas

Areas to explore

Eixample

Gaudí's buildings

Choose Eixample for Sagrada Família, Casa Milà and Casa Batlló. The two houses stand on Passeig de Gràcia. For accommodation, a nearby metro station matters more than an Eixample address alone.

El Born

Museu Picasso and small streets

El Born suits an art visit followed by a walk towards Barceloneta. Choose the Museu Picasso for art, or the streets around Santa Maria del Mar if you prefer exploring without a museum ticket.

Montjuïc

Museums and gardens

Montjuïc is home to the MNAC and Fundació Joan Miró. It is hilly and larger than it may appear on a tourist map. Choose one main museum and check transport between the places you plan to visit.

03 / Season

When to go

Spring and autumn

March–May · September–October

Good seasons for walking and architecture. Rain is possible, so move a museum visit to a wet day if your ticket allows.

Summer

June–August

Hot weather makes the beach more appealing. Tackle Montjuïc's uphill sections in the morning and keep midday walks shorter.

Winter

November–February

Usually milder than northern Europe, but not a reliable swimming season. Gaudí's houses and the museums work even when beach plans do not.

04 / Arrival

Airports and transfers

Your airport affects both journey time and cost. Check which one is on your ticket.

BCN

Barcelona–El Prat

The main airport. Metro L9 Sud serves T1 and T2, with a change needed for many central addresses. Check which terminal your flight uses.

GRO

Girona–Costa Brava

Outside Barcelona. Check the coach connection and full transfer cost before choosing a cheaper flight here.

REU

Reus

Reus also requires a separate transfer to Barcelona. Check connections both ways, especially for an early return flight.

05 / Before you travel

Practical tips

Book the right Sagrada Família time

Your ticket is valid for the selected entry time. Buy through the official website or app and bring photo ID.

T-casual does not cover the airport metro

Aeroport T1 and T2 have specific ticket rules. Check that your pass is valid there before heading to the gates.

Separate façades from interior visits

Casa Milà and Casa Batlló can be seen from Passeig de Gràcia. Decide which interior interests you before buying several architecture tickets.

Sources and updates11 November 2026

The itineraries are compiled by Nemello. Practical details have been checked against the sources below. Check current opening hours, tickets and transport with each operator before travelling.