Heading to Barcelona soon? Here’s what you’ll need to know to plan a perfect weekend in Barcelona.
In this guide to a weekend in Barcelona, I’ll show you where to stay, the top things to do, how to get around, and what to eat while you’re there.
Barcelona is the perfect city to spend a weekend in. It’s filled with incredible food, stunning architecture, and rich culture. You’ll never run out of things to do during your weekend in Barcelona!
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The Perfect Weekend in Barcelona: Itinerary
Day 1 – Flight to Barcelona and Settling In to the City
Getting into the city center from the Barcelona airport is very quick and easy. The most convenient and budget-friendly way is to take the airport bus. The Aerobus costs 5.90EUR ($7) and takes about 35 minutes.
The quickest way to get into the city is to take a taxi. It takes around 15 minutes but costs around 42EUR ($50).
Walk down La Rambla
This iconic street is a tree-lined pedestrian lane that is lined with little shops and cafes. Most days this street is filled with street vendors, musicians, and tons of tourists and locals.
Eat at the Mercado de La Boqueria
The most famous indoor market in Barcelona is the Mercado de La Boqueria. This giant market is filled with exotic fruits, local meat and cheese, fresh seafood, and plenty of other delicious food.
There are plenty of food stalls here so this is a great place to grab a casual lunch or dinner. It’s also just a beautiful market to wander around and take in the sights and smells.
Barcelona Cathedral
The Barcelona Cathedral is located in the Gothic Quarter of the city. This is one of the oldest and most stunning neighborhoods in Barcelona. There are tons of little cafes, bars, and shops near the Cathedral so you’ll have plenty to see in this area.
Ciutadella Park
Ciutadella Park is a huge green area in the heart of Barcelona. There’s plenty to see here including a small lake, museum, sculptures, and the monumental waterfall. Just outside of the park you’ll find Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf.
Day 2 – Admire the Architecture
Barcelona is home to some of the most incredible architecture in the world. The most famous buildings are those designed by Gaudí. With just a weekend in Barcelona, you may not be able to see all of the beautiful buildings and architecture parks but here are some of my favorites to visit:
Park Guell
Start your day at Park Guell. This gorgeous park is filled with beautiful buildings, sculptures, and gardens designed by Antoni Gaudí.
You should get here as early as possible to avoid the crowds. They only allow a certain amount of people in the park at one time so it is highly recommended to buy tickets ahead of time.
Plan to spend at least 1-2 hours in the park.
Casa Batllo
Casa Batllo is another piece of incredible architecture designed by Gaudí. This beautiful building can be admired from the outside or you can pay to enter and learn more about the history.
Get your ticket ahead of time for Casa Battlo here.
La Sagrada Familia
And now for the main event — La Sagrada Familia! This gorgeous cathedral has been under construction since the late 1800s but it is projected to be done within the next few years.
My favorite spot to view the church from the outside was from the park across the street. The trees frame it in such a gorgeous way and it makes for some incredible pictures.
I highly recommend going inside the building as well. It’s just as impressive as the outside!
Get your Sagrada Familia Tickets here.
Day 3 – Enjoy the Beach
Barcelona has an incredible city beach area (La Barceloneta). Walk along the palm tree-lined promenade, grab a bite at a cute beach cafe, and just relax and enjoy the beautiful Barcelona weather.
Port Vell
Take a short walk over to Port Vell to admire the ferry port, maritime station, and Maremagnum, the largest Marine Aquarium in Europe.
Montjuic Cable Car
Take the cable car up to the top of Montjuic, which is a hill overlooking the harbor. At the top, you’ll find incredible views of Barcelona and a beautiful garden to explore.
The cable car runs 11 am – 7 pm daily and costs 8.90EUR ($10.50) one-way or 13.50EUR ($16) roundtrip if you buy your tickets on the website.
Looking to extend your trip? Here are a few more suggestions for things to do in Barcelona:
- Tibidabo Amusement Park
- Palau de la Música Catalana
- Camp Nou Stadium
- Plaça de Catalunya square
Where to Stay for a Weekend in Barcelona
Barcelona has plenty of different accommodation options for every budget.
Hostels:
- Primavera Hostel $$ (9.1 rating on Booking.com)
- Hostel One Sants $ (8.8 rating on Booking.com)
- TOC Hostel Barcelona $$ (8.8 rating on Booking.com)
Hotels:
- El Avenida Palace $$ (8.8 rating on Booking.com)
- Ohla Barcelona $$$ (9.1 rating on Booking.com)
- Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona $$$$ (9.0 rating on Booking.com)
Where to Eat During a Weekend in Barcelona
Barcelona has an amazing food scene. Here are some of the top rated restaurants in Barcelona and some of my favorites:
- Flax & Kale — healthy breakfast & brunch
- La Trocadero — veggie burgers and vegan fast food
- Cerveseria Catalana — Spanish tapas
- La Paradeta — fresh seafood
- La barca de Salamanca — Spanish paella
Getting Around Barcelona
We chose to walk most places in the city because most of the main sights are fairly close together. Don’t forget to pack comfortable shoes because you will be doing a lot of walking!
Another easy way to get around the city is to use the metro. A single metro ticket costs 2.20EUR ($2.60) and will get you almost anywhere you need to go in the city. You can also purchase the T-10 card which allows you 10 rides for just 10.20EUR ($12).
Another great way to see the city is to use the city bikes. There are plenty of bike rental places around and it’s a great way to get some exercise but still get around fairly quickly!
This post was all about how to spend a perfect weekend in Barcelona.
Are you heading to Barcelona soon? Let me know if you have any questions or other suggestions in the comments!
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