48 hours in Barcelona: The perfect two-day itinerary

1. Day 1

   
   1. Morning

      Stroll through Park Güell (1.5 hours)

      

      Start your first day by walking ten minutes from Vallcarca metro station to Park Güell. Designed by the face of Catalan Modernism, Antoni Gaudí, Park Güell is a series of public parks which opened in 1926 and were later named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While exploring, make sure to hike up to its highest point (marked with a cross) for incredible views of Barcelona and the Balearic Sea, stopping by Casa Museu Gaudí to see where the famed architect lived. Book a guided tour of Park Guëll to learn more about Gaudí’s impressive architectural art, including the Dragon Stairway, or simply buy a ticket in advance to allow you to skip the inevitable lines.

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   2. Admire the heights of La Sagrada Família (2 hours)

      

      Walk a mile or so from Park Güell through the Gracia neighborhood and you’ll be tempted along the way by mouthwatering bakeries, cool cafes, and interesting boutiques. Make a quick stop or grab coffee and a pastry to go, before carrying on to another of Gaudí’s masterpieces, La Sagrada Família, which dominates the city’s skyline. A vast Catholic basilica that’s slated to become the tallest building in Barcelona — and the tallest church in the world — its construction started back in 1882 and is yet to be finished, with an ever-changing completion date. There is still plenty of its unique, quirky details to see and it gets crowded, so book a fast-track ticket to bypass the lines. Don’t miss the crypt, underneath the basilica’s colorful interior, to see where Gaudí himself is buried.

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   3. Afternoon

      Refuel at Barcelona’s famous markets (1 hour)

      

      For a classic lunchtime experience, go to La Boqueria, Barcelona’s oldest market, and spend time exploring every stall. Seek out the locals’ favorite spots of El Quim — Anthony Bourdain was a fan — and Bar Pinotxo for a coffee or glass of cava. Die-hard foodies should take a tour with a chef or also visit the more low-key Mercat de Santa Caterina in La Ribera. The best time to arrive at the latter is around 1:00 PM — come armed with cash and an empty stomach to try as many Catalan specialties as possible, like perfectly aged jamón ibérico and crispy croquettes. On your way out, make sure to marvel at Palau de la Musica Catalana, a gorgeous concert hall that has also earned a UNESCO honor.

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   4. Get lost roaming the streets of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and La Rambla (2-3 hours)

      

      Take some time to explore some of the most famous areas of Barcelona, beginning with the historic, narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter. Here, you'll stumble across everything from independent boutiques and cute cafes to weekend art markets — and you can’t miss the impressive Barcelona Cathedral or the mosaiced “The World Begins With Every Kiss” mural as you stroll by. Make a pit stop in the artsy El Born district, where there are plenty of creative hotspots such as Chandel, Studiostore, and El Born Cultural Center, before continuing onto La Rambla, Barcelona’s most famous street, it’s wonderful for people watching, although it can get a little touristy, so veer off into one of its stride streets to find its hidden gems — a beer might be in order. A walking tour of Barcelona’s old town is the perfect way to see it all, from medieval alleyways to more Gaudí landmarks. Want to see more of the city at a faster pace? Opt for a Barcelona bike tour that guides you to the notable sites and secret spots of these districts.

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   5. Check out the beach scene (2 hours)

      

      After all that activity, take some time to pause and relish Barcelona’s beaches. Barceloneta is the most popular, so can get very busy, but Bogatell is a great alternative and more of a taste of local life. If the heat gets too much, head to La Rambla del Poblenou for a drink or an ice cream — it’s an up and coming neighborhood filled with bars and hipster hotspots.

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   6. Evening

      Cruise on a catamaran at sunset (2 hours)

      

      See Barcelona from yet another angle, this time the Balearic Sea, as you climb aboard a catamaran for a two-hour tour, beginning in the Marina Vela. Cruises are available all year around, but May through October is best for lovely, sunny weather. With drinks and snacks included — and possibly a dolphin sighting or two — this is a great way to experience a different side of the Spanish city, especially for couples. Spaces fill up fast, so reserve your ticket a few days in advance.

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   7. Experience the nightlife around El Born (2-3 hours)

      

      Once you’ve freshened up, it’s time to party all night with the locals — things really get going after midnight in Barcelona. Not sure where to go? El Born never disappoints and is home to Antic Teatre, a chilled out bohemian bar, and Marlowe Bar, where you should ask the barman to make you a La Mirada de Marlowe, one of its super creative cocktails. Inspired to turn your own hand to bartending? Book onto a cocktail masterclass with a pro. On Saturdays, the metro is open 24/7 — so take advantage.

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2. Day 2

   
   1. Morning

      Roam around Parc de la Ciutadella (30 minutes)

      

      Kick off a new day’s exploring with a walk around the Parc de la Ciutadella, a vast green oasis right in the center of Barcelona. It’s home to many sights you’ll want to tick off, including the Parliament of Catalonia, the Cascada del Parc de la Ciutadella — probably the city’s most elaborate fountain — and a small lake where you can rent pedal-boats for just a few euros. Better still? It’s free to enter and near the museums you’re exploring next.

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   2. Go museum hopping (2-3 hours)

      

      Barcelona is packed with museums — 55, in fact. If you must choose just one, go with the Picasso Museum to see some of the artist’s most famous and lesser-known works; joining a guided tour will leave you knowing all there is to know about the Spanish master. Other highlights include the Moco Museum and the European Museum of Modern Art or, if you’re really keen on galleries, this skip-the-line ticket lets you enter six of the city’s top ones, including the Joan Miró Foundation.

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   3. Afternoon

      Ride up Montjuïc and see fabulous art at the top (2-3 hours)

      

      To the southwest of Barcelona’s center lies Montjuïc, which translates as “Jewish Mountain” and offers breathtaking views of the city. Want to save your legs? Sit back on the Montjuïc Cable Car and enjoy the panoramic views as you make your way to the top. Once there, you’ll be greeted with beautiful gardens and museums such as the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, which houses two floors of work by European Renaissance and Baroque artists such as Tiziano and Velázquez. Take a picnic to the grounds of Montjuïc Castle (free to enter on Sundays), which also hosts open-air movie screenings during the summer.

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   4. Evening

      Catch a game at Camp Nou (2 hours)

      

      If you’re visiting the city between August and May, try to snag a couple of tickets for a Barcelona FC home soccer match one afternoon — you’ll need to book at least two weeks ahead, but it’s an unforgettable atmosphere for any soccer fan. Visiting out of season or on non-game days? You can still take a tour of Europe’s largest stadium and the club’s museum and soak it all up.

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   5. See Gaudí’s most famous mansion by night

      

      Casa Mila-La Pedrera on Passeig de Gracia is one of Barcelona’s most iconic buildings and exploring it in the evening is a magical experience. Book ahead and skip the lines to enter Gaudí’s famous mansion and head to the roof terrace to watch an incredible audiovisual display, as well as taking in the mesmerizing projections in the stairwells en route. Afterwards, you’re well placed to explore the Gracia neighborhood by night, and see out your final night in its endless cool bars, jazz clubs, and restaurants that attract a mostly local crowd.

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