How to Spend 3 Days in Barcelona
Barcelona is the buzzing, bright and bustling second city of Spain. Whether you’re heading to Spain on your first European vacation or are a seasoned pro at holidaying on the continent, Barcelona is a great place to visit. Many people choose to spend 10 days in Spain during their holiday and try to see as much of the country as possible by hopping from place to place.
No need to think about how to spend 3 days in Barcelona, for we have done the leg-work for you!
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Home to the world-famous Barcelona FC many people from around the world come to Barcelona solely with the view of watching and supporting the Barça boys do their thing on the field at Camp Nou.
Although the football mentality in Barcelona is strong this great city has so much more on offer. Mini-breaks and long weekends are fast becoming a popular choice for travelers on the continent and with budget airlines getting you from A to B for under $100 return you can easily see why! With new accommodation deals coming online every day and great independent Airbnb rentals too during your time in Barcelona you don’t have to break the bank to have an enjoyable time!
That said, for those who wish to splash the cash there are plenty of luxurious accommodation options in Barcelona too! Boasting stunning panoramic cityscape vistas the hotels of Barcelona will have you spoilt for choice
Travel within Barcelona can be really cheap too. Many people opt to buy the T10 Multi-trip ticket for the metro and bus. This saves you money and time queuing for tickets too!
I also recommend The Ultimate Guide to Barcelona, Spain – 16 Things to See in the Catalan city as a good resource.
How to Spend 3 Days in Barcelona
DAY 1
Day one of any trip to a new city, new country, can be a daunting and nerve-wracking experience even for the most seasoned and experienced of travelers. Fear not, Barcelona is easy! With public transport from the airport terminal straight into the city center. Government-approved taxis are also available to pre-book or hail on arrival.
Try, if you can, to book your flight so that you have as much of the day to explore the city as possible. Once you land leave yourself up to two hours to get into the city once you have navigated customs and immigration, collected your travel backpacks, and got in a cab; it always takes longer than you think!
Once you’re in the city itself first thing is first, drop your bags at your hotel or guesthouse and have a shower to refresh and get yourself ready to explore. Next step is to find food! There is no shortage of places to eat in Barcelona!
Whether you’re looking got a fast-food chain or a quick grab-and-go sandwich from the corner shop, or perhaps some classic Barca cuisine, rest assured you will not go hungry in Spain’s second city! Lunchtime in Spain it is customary to enjoy a ‘caña’ or small beer with lunch! Make the most of it, why not! You’re on holiday after all!
After refueling and a little light boozing make your way to Passeig de Gracia. Passeig de Gracia is also known as Barcelona’s shopping mile, much like London’s Oxford Street but featuring all the top luxury brands and chain stores.
Passeig de Gracia’s most redeeming feature, for those who’d rather opt out of a shopping spree, is that the road is lined on either side with quirky, and unique modernist buildings. This stunning architecture makes for great photographs and a wonderful afternoon wandering around Barcelona getting to understand what the Spanish vibe really is!
DAY 2
Now you have got to grips with how Barcelona works, tried the metro or bus, know exactly where your hotel is and no doubt already found your favorite restaurant or cafe its time to scratch beneath the surface of Barcelona and get to know the city more intimately.
Before heading out this morning remember to refill your water bottle and rub in some sunscreen too! Barcelona can get super hot in the summer and there can be little shade at times in the city center, nothing worse than getting heat exhaustion when you’re on a short but sweet getaway!
A great start to the day will be to head to Casa Batllo. Casa Batllo is one of Antoni Gaudi’s most unique and impressive masterpieces! Set in the heart of Barcelona you would kick yourself if you chose not to visit this magical and magnificent house. Fun fact about the Casa Batllo has 60 catenary arches within the building that look like the ribcage of a living being, some people believe this signifies the ribs of the dragon that sits above the Casa Batllo in the roof terrace. We’ll let you make up your mind!
On this, your second day in Barcelona you could also visit the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia. Quite simply one of the most spectacular, ornate and complex churches you will ever see the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia is another of Gaudi’s awe-inspiring masterpieces. Our top tip is to buy your entrance ticket online before you visit to help avoid the long queues; it’s not unheard of for queues to be two hours long, with only three days in Barcelona you need to spend your time wisely!
If you’re a football fan then an afternoon visit to Camp Nou, home of Barcelona FC is a must do activity. If you’re not the sporty type and want to experience a little more traditional Spanish culture head to Las Rambas and stroll leisurely through this iconic Spanish landmark, maybe grab an ice-cream or smoothie to round off the day nicely!
DAY 3
How can it be? Already day three?! Depending on your onward travel plans you have the chance to cram in as much as possible into your last few hours in Barcelona.
The Montjuic Castle is a great way to spend your last day in Barcelona. The Montjuic Castle offers outstanding panoramic views over Barcelona’s urban cityscape making for some wonderful final photos to add to your collection!
Tickets to the Montjuic Castle include entrance to the museum that explains in detail the castle’s history and heritage in an interesting and engaging way; certainly not to be missed. The Montjuic Castle is Barcelona’s best kept secret, there perfect hidden gem!
If you want to live like a local on your last day in Barcelona head to Bogatell Beach. Join in with the local boys playing football or catch some last rays of sun with a book! Chiringuitos or beach bars line the sandy beachfront and serve coffee and other light beverages, the perfect way to use up those last euros before you leave!
The Font Magica or the Magical Font is a lovely little place to visit in the heart of Barcelona city and a wonderful way to round off your trip. Take the metro line to Place España Station and as you submerge from the underground you will be greeted by this majestic dancing water fountain.
BEAUTIFUL, BRILLIANT BARCELONA
With just three days in Barcelona you can explore this multi-faceted city to the max! With a great mix of history, culture, and opportunities to relax, Barcelona is a great place to spend a long weekend or have a taste of the city for a holiday of 10 days in Spain.
Heading to Barcelona? Here are some great tour options!
- Urban Adventures offers great Barcelona Day Tours with a local
WHEN TO VISIT BARCELONA
Summer is the busiest time to visit Barcelona. Many travelers prefer to wait until the shoulder season to visit Barcelona. This season, which falls between the high and low seasons, happens twice a year: April to June and September to October. Weather-wise, this is a wonderful time: days are mild and nights are cool.
If you enjoyed this article about How to Spend 3 Days in Barcelona, you’ll also love Best Barcelona Food Tour: A Sampling of The Gracia Neighborhood.
Traveling To Barcelona Soon? Here are a few tips:
How to get there: Flights to Barcelona start around $410 from airlines such as American Airlines, Delta, United, JetBlue, Frontier, and more. The Barcelona Sants Train Station is the primary train station for national and international arrivals and departure and is situated in the west of the city.
Where to stay: There are many places to stay in Lane County wine country as well as in Eugene. There is a wide range of hotels, from budget to luxury. For a luxury hotel that won’t break the bank, I recommend the Casa Fuster Hotel which is currently the #1 hotel on Tripadvisor. For a mid-level hotel, I suggest the Duquesa Suites Barcelona. Finally, for a budget hotel, try the Olivia Balmes Hotel. You can also check HotelsCombined for the best Barcelona Hotel Rates.
Did you know?
Barcelona is actually a bilingual city. Spanish and Catalan are both official languages and widely spoken.
Travel insurance: I’m a fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance here.
What to pack: Summer can be terribly hot in the city of Barcelona so packing light clothes is a must. Select a pair of t-shirts, skirts and shorts. You’ll be glad you did! A lightweight dress would also be important, as you could use it either to go out at night or to go to the beach. Don’t forget to get a pair of comfortable sandals and you’ll be ok. Forget about high heels unless you are planning an evening out at an elegant restaurant.
Barcelona Trip Essentials
6 Indispensable Items to Pack for a Barcelona Vacation
Get the Fodor’s Barcelona: with Highlights of Catalonia (Full-color Travel Guide).
Bring a good quality mirrorless camera for getting those beautiful Barcelona landscape shots. I use the Sony Alpha a6000 
Summers are hot in Barcelona, so make sure to bring Neutrogena Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum Spf 45
A great cross body travel bag
Don’t forget sunglasses for the beautiful sunny days. A.J. Morgan Unisex Sunglasses
A nice pair of sandals are great item to pack for a Barcelona getaway it’s a casual city, so you won’t have problems wearing your sandals to a nightspot.
Read More About Barcelona
- Best Barcelona Food Tour: A Sampling of The Gracia Neighborhood
- Cheap Flights to Europe with Wow Air
- How To Choose a Right Viking River Cruise in Europe
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