Barcelona is a city that skillfully combines history, culture, architecture, and a Mediterranean beach ambiance. If you have only 48 hours to explore this wonderful city, this 2 days in Barcelona itinerary will help you make the most of your time.
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2 Days in Barcelona Itinerary Day 1:
Begin your 2 days in Barcelona itinerary at La Boqueria Market and explore the bustling booths that sell delicacies from the region as well as fresh seafood and vegetables. There are samples of Iberian ham, cheeses, and fruit juices available for your consumption.
Next, spend some time learning about the history of the Gothic Quarter. This medieval labyrinth is characterized by its Gothic architecture, its little squares, and its twisting streets. Placa Sant Felip Neri and the beautiful Cathedral of Barcelona are two sights that should not be missed.
In the afternoon visit the Picasso Museum and allow yourself to become totally interested in Pablo Picasso’s art. This museum, which was originally one of Picasso’s apartments, is currently displaying some of the artist’s most significant paintings. Visitors to the museum can also obtain some insight into the progression of Picasso’s career by exploring the museum.
After several hours at the museum, stop for lunch at Els Quatre Gats, a renowned café and restaurant that was a favorite hangout of Picasso and other modernist artists. Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine may be enjoyed in a setting that has a long and illustrious artistic tradition.
Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the extraordinary architecture of Antoni Gaudi. Your first stop is Casa Batlló, a masterpiece of Art Nouveau that is well-known for its forward-thinking design and enchanted interiors. After Casa Batlló, take a short walk to La Pedrera-Casa Milà or Casa Milà, one of the most famous and impressive buildings of Modernism. This is also the last building by Antoni Gaudí before he devoted himself entirely to the construction of the Sagrada Família.
After a long day of sightseeing, stop and admire the Arc De Triomf and spend some relaxing time at Parc de la Ciutadella, one of the most idyllic parks in Barcelona. The green oasis that is Parc de la Ciutadella gives you the perfect setting to unwind, surrounded by lush nature, tropical palms, and more. You can also visit the Museu d’Art Modern, the Catalan Parliament, and the city zoo if you have some extra time. Otherwise, opt for a lazy boat row in the picturesque lake.
Finish up your first day with an ardent flamenco performance. Visit places like Tablao Flamenco Cordobes or Tablao de Carmen to experience the passion and emotion of this historic Spanish art form. If you have time why not combine the experience of the Spanish culture during a night of genuine flamenco with tapas dinner and drinks such as the Sangria, Spanish wine. With this option, you’ll enjoy an iconic style of music and dance while treating your tastebuds with regional cuisine.
2 Days in Barcelona Itinerary Day 2:
Start the second day with a visit to Park Guell, one of the most well-known works by Antoni Gaudi. This park, which Gaud imaginatively created, is a masterpiece that has received UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Wander through magnificent gardens, fascinating statues, and intricate mosaics as you take in the vast views of the city.
Next, head to the Sagrada Familia. The enormous basilica that Antoni Gaudi created is a masterwork of modernist construction. The artistically crafted interior is worth exploring, and the play of light through the stained glass windows is captivating. The Sagrada Família is Antoni Gaudí’s best-known work and has become an undisputed symbol of Barcelona. This unique modern temple has been under construction since 1882.
Enjoy your afternoon at Barceloneta Beach relaxing in the warm rays of the sun, take a dip in the refreshing waters of the Mediterranean Sea, or dig your toes into the warm sand. Due to the fact that there are restaurants and bars located all along the beach, Barceloneta Beach is an excellent location to have a beachfront drink.
In the late afternoon and evening, ensure to pay a visit to Montjuic Hill. There are so much to see and do in this area including the Magic Fountain, a spectacular dancing fountain show with music, water acrobatics, and light.
The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), a national museum also located here. The museum has a very extensive collection of Romanesque art that is considered to be one of the most complete in the world. On top of that, the MNAC has a collection of Gothic art as well as works from the Baroque era and the Renaissance. If you are looking for modern art, you’ll find this section (Catalan modernism) in the MNAC, and it has one of the most valuable collections of murals in the world.
Other important sites located here are such as the Poble Espanyol, and the Olympic stadium.
While you are here, a visit to the Castle of Montjuïc is a must. You can easily get from the harbor to the Montjuïc castle at the top by cable cars. This castle was built on the hill in 1640 to control the city. From here, you’ll have a stunning view of both Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea.
Another highlight on the Montjuïc park is ‘Foundation Joan Miró’ the museum of the artist Joan Miro. If you enjoy Miro’s work, this museum is certainly worth a visit. Both paintings and sculptures are on display in the museum.
Finally, end your last day in Barcelona with Tapas which are best enjoyed when consumed in the lively neighborhood of Poble Sec. Carrer Blai is a street in Barcelona that is well-known for the pintxos (little nibbles) and tapas bars that can be found along its length. This street also offers a wide selection of cuisines. Taste dishes from the local cuisine and take in the lively nightlife as you mingle with natives and fellow tourists.
Video Guide: 2 Days in Barcelona Itinerary (Coming Soon)
Travel resources for planning a trip to Barcelona
To make planning a trip to Barcelona easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do at each destination during your trip to Barcelona.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: EuRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportation and transfer options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
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Need help planning a trip to Barcelona?
Want to plan a trip to Barcelona and other cities in Europe but don’t know where to begin? If you find this type of multi-city trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
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