The Perfect Five Day Itinerary for Your City Trip to Barcelona
Welcome to the crazy world of Barcelona. In this city, you will experience delicious food and drinks, a unique artistic culture and visit some of the most renowned sites in the world! This perfect five-day Barcelona Itinerary will help you to make the most of it.
Contents
Day 1 - Culture and Controversy
On your first day in Barcelona, you will have your first introduction to the wonderful world of Antonio Gaudí. You will also get to grips with this vibrant city by exploring one of its most celebrated streets.
1. The Sagrada Família
Get an early start and head over to the Sagrada Família. We recommend that you buy your ticket online before you arrive. You can pick them up or even take a virtual tour here.
The Sagrada Família is an incredible place, but it gets very busy, so getting up early is the best way to ensure you will be able to see it in its full glory. Waking up early is essential during the summer where there are thousands of tourists visiting each day. The Basiílica de la Sagrada Família (“The Basilica of the Holy Family”) is a fascinating place to visit. That is true whether you are an architecture expert or a complete novice. The cathedral was designed by one of the most famous architects of the 20th century, Antonio Gaudí.
The Influence of Antonio Gaudí
You will see this cathedral mentioned almost synonymously with Barcelona and the main reason for that is the bold designs used by Antonío Gaudí. Just one example of this comes in the form of the facades of the building, which all represent the different phases of the life of Jesus. The detail and originality of these designs will surprise you. They are, however, not for everyone. George Orwell famously described the Sagrada Família as hideous. The design definitely splits opinion due to its originality and boldness.
The designs used are incredibly fascinating and completely different from anything you have seen before! There is a great focus on the use of nature within the Basilica. The ceiling even resembles a forest canopy! The cathedral design is utterly fascinating. You can spend hours looking around, and you will continue to see something new. The use of light and colour is something very extraordinary. Interestingly, the windows at the top of the Basilica were designed to be very thin. This is to let as much light through as possible. The stained glass leaks so much colour into the Sagrada Família. It is amazing to see the power of the bright colours in creating a joyful place of worship.
Top Tip: The audio guide may make you feel like a total tourist, but if you are not an expert on architectural design, it helps to grab one. The audio guide is a great way to understand the symbolism behind the designs.
2. Take a Stroll Down the famous Las Ramblas
After an eye opening morning, head to Las Ramblas to experience modern Barcelona. This busy street connects Port Vell with Plaça de Catalunya. It is a very special 1.2-kilometre walk down Las Ramblas, it is very busy, full of restaurants and street performers. There is a lot of hustle and bustle here but it is a great way to get a feel for the modern city.
Plaça de Catalunya is where a lot of tours of the city will meet. It is a hub for the city of Barcelona. Many of the largest streets in Barcelona connect up to this square, it is a great starting point for anybody new to the city to get straight to the centre of Barcelona. You can get public transport from this square to almost anywhere in Barcelona, so if you are in doubt, head to Plaça de Catalunya!
Top Tip: Our top tip would be not to eat on Las Ramblas, but pick up some traditional Spanish cuisine at a restaurant on one of the side streets near las Ramblas! We recommend trying a delicious Paella or Arròs Negre (A rice dish coloured black with squid ink!) if you feel like you want some very traditional Catalan cuisine! The restaurants on Las Ramblas itself can be tourist traps! Sometimes a 5-10 minute walk will get you a smaller, locally owned restaurant with a more authentic feel!
Day 2 - Sunshine, Sculpture and Salamanders
Welcome to day two of your adventure in Barcelona. Today you will explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sample some example of delicious Spanish and Catalan cuisine.
3. Visit Parc Güell
If you loved the Sagrada Família, day two holds an extra special treat for you! Step into a wonderland of green spaces and porcelain mosaics in Parc Güell. This park is a perfect way to spend a sunny morning. You will learn about the history of the park and about the relationship between modernist art and design to Barcelona and Catalonia. Parc Güell is even a UNESCO World Heritage site. The designer of La Sagrada Família also designed Park Güell, Antonio Gaudí. You will definitely notice some similar themes, despite the fact the designs themselves are completely different. Do not miss the Salamander, the mosaic structure is endearing and will definitely put a smile on your face!
It is interesting to consider the significance and love which Gaudí felt for his park. He lived in a house he designed in Parc Güel until his death in 1926. The fact he chose to live in this place shows just how important it was for him. You can feel the work and imagination that went into this park with each step.
Top Tip: If your budget is very tight, you can still visit the park. There is a large section which is beautifully designed which you do not have to pay to enter. However, if you want to see the sculptures of Gaudí including the mosaic walls and the salamander, you can buy the tickets online and even book a tour here. The entry cost for an adult is 10 €.
4. Head to El Born for Tapas and to Plaça de Sant Felip Neri
El Born is a fascinating neighbourhood. There is a great deal to see here. This neighbourhood is also very convenient to visit Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. We recommend finding a tapas bar in this neighbourhood as there is a lot of great food here as well as a lot of places with a fashionable, hipster vibe.
This neighbourhood is also within walking distance of the Plaça de Sant Felip Neri where you will find the fountain which, was used in the Evanescence; My Immortal music video. There is a lot of history surrounding the Plaça de Sant Felip Neri. A brutal massacre took place at this square during the Spanish civil war. You will still see the bullet holes in the walls of the buildings.
Day 3 - A Magical, Mystery Ride
5. Take a Cycle Tour of the City
Okay, maybe not everybody loves doing sports on holiday, but trust us! A cycle tour is one of the best ways to see Barcelona, you get a unique overview of the city, you travel through various neighbourhoods, stopping along the way to see places of interest and to soak up the atmosphere of each area. Taking a cycle tour meant we got to travel to and learn about parts of the city we would never have usually found. We saw designated walls just for street art and Michelin star restaurants.
The cycle tour we would recommend is a four-hour loop. Make sure you head around the Arco de Triunfo de Barcelona, the football stadium and finish somewhere near the Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina. This street was developed greatly for the 1992 Olympics which was held in the city.
The crowning glory of this development is the next stop on our adventure!
Top Tip: If you are at an average level of fitness, you don’t need to pay extra for an e-bike, the city is quite flat and the cycle paths are clearly marked and mostly away from traffic.
6. Visit The Font Màgica
The fountain show at the Font Mágica is an absolute must-see for anybody visiting Barcelona. Make sure you check the fountain showtimes before you go. We recommend seeing a show at dusk! The colours of the lights, combined with the powerful water and awesome music is a wonderful way to spend the evening! The show is so much fun and is completely free too! You can find the showtimes here.
Day 4 - Gaudí Gazing
7. Visit Casa Battló
Walking through the streets of Barcelona, through the shops and hustle and bustle of everyday life, you may be surprised when you reach number 47 on Paseo de Graci!
Casa Battló is a unique building in the centre of Barcelona! The impressive design work in this building can be attributed to none other than Antonio Gaudí! Yet another iconic Barcelona landmark designed by the same person who designed the Sagrada Família and Parc Güell! The building itself was renovated by Gaudí having been built in 1877. Gaudí’s designs transformed this unremarkable building into a true work of art.
You can buy a ticket to walk around Casa Battló here. There is even a virtual reality guide that will show you some of the ideas behind Gaudí’s designs! Spend your morning exploring the unique design of this building!
8. Take an Afternoon Stroll Through the Parc de la Ciutadella
The Parc de la Ciutadella was one of the only green spaces in Barcelona for a long time. This changed in the lead up to the 1992 Olympics but it remains clear how loved this park is. The perfectly cut grass, polished statues and crystal clear water fountains display the care taken of this special park. The city zoo is in the Parc de la Ciutadella but the park is sensational in its own right! We know that travelling can be very intense, especially a 5-day city trip, so we recommend taking some downtime at this beautiful park. Maybe take a picnic, you can even take a relaxing boat ride over the lake.
Keep your eyes peeled for the sculptures though as they are truly beautiful! If you look closely you might even see some of Antonio Gaudí’s early work!
Top Tip: If you want to visit the zoo within this park, we recommend hopping onto the Metro and heading to the Ciutadella Vila Olímpica station. If you just want to visit the park itself head to the Parc de la Ciutadella –
Day 5 - Sunbathing, relaxing and a little Dancing
9. Spend the Day on the Brilliant White Sand Beach
We can’t send you to Barcelona and not let you enjoy the brilliant beaches there. The white, soft sand and the warm mediterranean sea make this the perfect place to relax and cool off. It’s a very safe place to swim as there are often lifeguards on duty and the overall feeling of this magnificent stretch of beach is amazing. You are going to love the relaxed vibes!
There is one thing though, we are going to let you into a little secret about that beautiful white sandy beach in Barcelona. It’s artificial!
That’s not to say it’s not there of course! It is, it stretches for over two miles and it is utterly beautiful! You may, however, be surprised to know that before the 1992 Olympics in the city, the beach did not exist! It was put there to secure Barcelona’s place as an incredible world city!
10. Take in a Flamenco Show
After a beautiful day soaking up the Barcelona sunshine, we encourage you to take in a Flamenco show! It is important to mention that Flamenco does not originally come from this part of Spain, however, many amazing Flamenco dancers have moved to Barcelona because of the tourists and culture seekers in the city!
The origins of this incredible dance are largely unknown although it is believed to have resulted from a mix of cultures who came together in Andalusia! In this case, the dance told the story which was also the subject of the song lyrics! The upper body, in particular, the hands and arms are vitally important in this dance. Feel free to sip on a Sangría and take in this amazing show!
Arriving in Barcelona
When you go and visit Barcelona, you will probably arrive at the international hub that is Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
Getting from Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport into the City
The airport is situated fairly close to the city. You can either take a train, metro L9 or bus 46 into the city centre.. We found the cheapest way to travel around for a short trip is to buy a Hola BCN! ticket. Along with other benefits, this ticket gives you daytime public transport in the city including the journey to and from the airport.
Getting Around Barcelona
Barcelona has a very good public transport system. It is well connected with metro and busses.
There are lots of types different tickets you can pick to get around in Barcelona. You can use your Hola BCN! ticket on public transport during the day or you could pick the T10 ticket, this is valid for 10 trips on the metro.
If you are travelling with friends, group tickets are always better value, so keep your eyes open for these!
Top Tip: The metro is a great way to get around Barcelona, but make sure that you watch out for your valuables and keep your bags close to you. It is quite common for items to “go missing” on the metro.
Food You Need to Try in Barcelona
While you are in Rome you should definitely try some traditional Spanish and Catalan cuisine! Here are our top recommendations
Gambas al Ajillo: This classic tapas dish is a delicious example of traditional Spanish cuisine. This delicious dish consists of prawns cooked with garlic and chilli! It is suggest that this dish originates from Southern and Central Spain, yet today it can be found across the country.
Seafood Paella: A classic seafood paella is a must for any visitor to Spain! This is a traditional rice dish which is packed full of seafood and flavour! The dish originates from Valencia, in fact, the word Paella is actually taken from the Valencian language!
Fricandó: This is something typically Catalan and very delicious. The dish itself is a stew of either fine cuts of beef or veal.
Samfaina: This, often vegetarian, dish is associated both with Catalonia and Valencia. It consists of Aubergine and Courgette (Eggplant and Zucchini) as well as chopped garlic, tomato and onion.
Our Favourite Food Places in Barcelona
Bar del Pla: This modest tapas bar is bound to impress. Here you can get lots of traditional Spanish treats as well as some tapas with a modern twist, we particularly loved the wasabi mushrooms! You can find this tapas bar here.
Zodiaco: At Zodiaco, you can get all sorts of Pinchos or Pintxos! These are little sandwiches with a great variety of fillings including chorizo, different types of cheeses and fish. The atmosphere in this humble bar is incredibly homely and laid back. This is also a great budget option! You can find Zodiaco here.
Marisco Plaza Real: This is a really great spot for a high-quality paella. This restaurant boasts great quality seafood. You will find this restaurant in the gothic quarter of Barcelona. You can find this paella restaurant here.
Café Escac: If you are ready for a small meal and a drink on a quiet square away from the hustle and bustle of this city, this is a nice option! We personally loved the garlic prawns. You can find this café here.
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