Barcelona 4 day itinerary: Planning An Amazing Barcelona Itinerary

The Perfect Barcelona Itinerary: 4 Days of Fun

Heading to the Catalonian capital for a city break and wondering how best to start planning your trip? Well, worry not, because along with our remarkable homes in Barcelona, we here at Plum Guide have also got some pretty remarkable advice on how to spend your time in the city. Read on for our expertly crafted take on a Barcelona itinerary: 4 days of fun, sun and sangria. What more could one possibly need? Here is exactly how to spend four days in Barcelona.

Day 1: Enjoy an adventurous day out

Morning: Head to La Sagrada Familia
Afternoon: Take a trip to Tibidabo Amusement Park
Evening: Treat yourself to some paella

Day 2: Admire the art at the Picasso Museum

Day 3: Browse the markets before hitting the beach

Day 4: Visit a museum before enjoying some opera

Morning: Explore Park Güell
Afternoon: Get your culture fix at the Museu Marítim
Evening: Buy a ticket to the opera

Fronds & Tranquillity, Plum Guide home in Barcelona, Spain

Day 1: Enjoy an adventurous day out

Morning: Head to La Sagrada Familia

A view of La Sagrada Familia behind green trees from an adjacent garden on a sunny day, Barcelona, Spain

Once you’ve awoken in your glorious Plum apartment and enjoyed breakfast, it’s time to go and see Barcelona’s most famous sight – La Sagrada Familia. This gigantic, unfinished masterpiece is the ideal start to a Barcelona itinerary of 4 days. Just don’t forget to buy your tickets online beforehand, or you’ll be staring down the glowering faces of your kids as they wait in the queue.

The Golden Globes, Plum Guide home in Barcelona

Afternoon: Take a trip to Tibidabo Amusement Park

A white ferris wheel with different coloured seats on a sunny day at the Tibidabo Amusement Park, Barcelona, Spain

For lunch, Caldeni is nearby and is run by a chef who published a book about the art of cooking different kinds of meat. Need we say more? Next up this afternoon, we’re sending you to get a different perspective on the city – you’re going to the funfair (and you’re allowed to get candy floss is you want). At the top of one of Barcelona’s biggest hills is the Tibidabo Amusement Park, equipped with the best view of the city and the kind of fairground rides you remember from your childhood. Hitch a ride on the vintage blue tram up the hill and go straight for the candy-coloured big wheel. Looking for things to do in Barcelona with children? This is a great option for them (that you’ll no doubt love too).

Evening: Treat yourself to some paella

Once you’ve recovered from the excitement of the afternoon, it’s paella time. While no local would be caught dead eating the famous rice dish after lunchtime (there’s a superstitious belief that the body can’t digest rice at night), we give you permission. Can Solé is the place to go. Very traditional, with a fun atmosphere and an open kitchen so you can see the action, you’ll gasp when the heaping serving of saffron-yellow rice is brought to the table. Then stumble home to your show-stopping Plum home like Las Cornisas and get a good night’s rest.

Las Cornisas, Plum Guide home in Barcelona

Day 2: Admire the art at the Picasso Museum

Morning: Go for brunch at L’Artesana Poblenou

Enjoy a leisurely lie in before heading off for a top-notch brunch at L’Artesana Poblenou, serving Catalonia classics with a breakfast twist. Order eggs Benedict with shards of bacon whilst sitting on the patio with a cafe con leche in hand. Get you – the second day of your Barcelona itinerary of 4 days and you’re already looking like a local. Next up is the Picasso Museum in Barcelona’s El Born neighbourhood. Your kids ~~would rather be playing video games with their friends~~ will love the chance to see 4,251 of Picasso’s artworks. Set across five palaces, it has a lot of his earlier work, so you can observe how his style developed.

Balé, Plum Guide home in Barcelona

Afternoon: Enjoy some shopping, sights and tapas

A low-angle view of Casa Battlo lit up in the evening, Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona, Spain

It’s time to give that credit card some exercise. Passeig de Gràcia is one of Barcelona’s biggest avenues, and combines architecture and shopping into one easily walkable street. As you walk, you’ll see Gaudí’s wavy apartment block La Pedrera. It’s a quick trip up to the roof to grab that perfect holiday selfie hiding among his soldier-like chimneys. Best holiday ever? We think so. Slightly further down is Gaudí’s Casa Batlló, a glittering, undulating marvel. In between, there are enticing shops for everything under the sun. Buy yourself a holiday present. You earned it. Tonight, dinner at El Portalón is on the agenda. Order house red wine by the earthenware jug and order as many tapas as your spot at the bar can hold.

Day 3: Browse the markets before hitting the beach

Morning: Spend time at La Boqueria market

Is that a slight hangover we see? Well, get up, get moving and shake it off because you’re spending the morning at La Boqueria food market. A Barcelona institution, it’s an unmissable stop whether you’re a foodie or not. Choose one of the jewel-coloured fresh juices sold by practically every stall and browse until you find something that catches your interest for a late breakfast (which won’t take long).

The Sunshade Dandy, Plum Guide home in Barcelona

Afternoon: Work up a tan at Barceloneta beach

Tall buildings behind palm trees and sand on a sunny day at Barceloneta beach, Barcelona, Spain

It’s practically illegal to come to this city without spending some time at its world-famous beach. If you’re feeling energetic, you can view the city from the water on a stand-up paddle board. The children in your family will be very impressed when you show them the photos as evidence of your athleticism. Once the sun starts to set, make your way to Barceloneta beach to one of its many lively xiringuitos (bars) and order some Spanish wine to start your evening.

Day 4: Visit a museum before enjoying some opera

Morning: Explore Park Güell

A pink church standing tall over the tops of green trees on a sunny day in Park Güell, Barcelona, Spain

Dust off any cobwebs hanging around on your last morning of this Barcelona trip by spending a few hours exploring Park Güell. Home to the city’s famous mosaic lizard plus some incredible views, it’s a great way to round off your trip.

Metamorphosis, Plum Guide home in Barcelona

Afternoon: Get your culture fix at the Museu Marítim

For a truly memorable lunch, head to Mont Bar. This chic and well-designed space uses seasonal and organic ingredients to make next-level food. You’ve still got time to squeeze in one more museum before your flight home. The Museu Marítim happens to be one of the finest examples of Catalonian Gothic architecture still standing, as well as an extensive collection of everything nautical.

Evening: Buy a ticket to the opera

We’ve saved the best until last – it’s time for the opera. Get dressed in your finery and live your Spanish fantasy at the truly breathtaking opera house, the work of Modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. A riot of chandeliers and stained glass, it’s the perfect spot to celebrate a special occasion like a birthday in Barcelona, or the last night of your city break. For a blowout dinner, book a table at La Barra de Carles Abellan. Run by Carles Abellán, one of the biggest food names in Barcelona, the menu is creative and luxurious. You can even watch a livestream of the kitchen downstairs projected onto the wall of the dining area. A meal here is the perfect way to bid adios to your new favourite Spanish city.

Related Articles

Find a remarkable stay with Plum Guide

Rent Luxury Accommodation for Groups in Barcelona
Barcelona Luxury Homes
Barcelona Holiday Homes with Hot Tubs
Rent Boutique Hotel Alternatives in Barcelona

Featured stays

Dragonfly

8 guests • 4 bedrooms

Eixample, Barcelona

Vértice

4 guests • 2 bedrooms

Eixample, Barcelona

Sol Urbà

2 guests • 1 bedrooms

Eixample, Barcelona

Angel in Anthracite

4 guests • 2 bedrooms

Gràcia, Barcelona

Top destinations

Feast Your Eyes on This Barcelona Food Tour

Top destinations

The Best of Barcelona: 3 Day Itinerary

Local guides

Revealing the Best Places to Stay in Barcelona for Young Adults

Local guides

These 5 Neighbourhoods Are the Safest Places to Stay in Barcelona

Family and kids

Things to do in Barcelona with Kids (That’ll Make Them Love You More)

Local guides

Whistle-stop Tour: A Barcelona 1 Day Itinerary

Stay in the world’s most beautiful homes

Search for a holiday home

4 Days in Barcelona with Kids Itinerary: From Gaudi to Gothic

Perhaps it is the fact that Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, which has a distinct language and culture, that gives Barcelona a tempo and a style all its own. While Madrid feels more like London or New York, Barcelona feels more like Paris. There is so much to do in this beautiful city that 4 days in Barcelona barely scratches the surface.

There are wide avenues to stroll, along with the narrow paths of the Gothic quarter. Everywhere there is gorgeous architecture (even outside of Gaudi’s masterpieces) and a laid-back, sophisticated vibe. It also makes a great family vacation destination, with so many things to do in Barcelona with kids.

Four days are not enough to cover it all, especially if you want to take a day trip from Barcelona, but with so many other places to explore during our two weeks in Spain, we decided to see the highlights. Follow along on our itinerary if you want to do the same. And, my friend Bryanna has a great guide if you only have one day in Barcelona.

Where to Stay in Barcelona

The terrace of the Picasso Penthouse apartment

Since we were planning on staying a few nights, we decided an apartment was the way to go. Even though we can easily squeeze three of us into one hotel room, the comfort of having a separate living space, full kitchen, and washing machine made the slightly higher investment worthwhile. If a family needs at least two bedrooms, apartment rentals are generally a better value.

I booked a penthouse apartment on vrbo.com, which had everything we were looking for: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths (bonus!), full kitchen, air conditioning, elevator, free WiFi, washer/dryer, and, (extra bonus!) a terrace. Plus the location in the Born district on Avenida Marques de la Arangetera was ideal.

It was conveniently located across the street from the train station, minutes from Metro stops, a 10-minute walk to the beach at Barceloneta, just up the street from Parc Cuitadella and Zoo, a short walk to the monument to Cristobel Colon at the foot of Las Ramblas. I don’t think that exact apartment is still available, but there are plenty of other great options on vrbo.

If you prefer to stay in a hotel, some family-friendly options include:

Majestic Hotel
Hotel Arts Barcelona
Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel
ApartHotel Arai

4 Days in Barcelona Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

We arrived on a Saturday after an overnight flight from Boston and a long layover in Madrid so we were pretty tired. After checking in, stocking the kitchen, and taking naps, we were ready to head out to dinner.

Unfortunately, the restaurant I’d meticulously researched, El Xampanyet, was unexpectedly closed. But no worries, we ended up right next door at Lonja de Tapas and had one of our best meals of the trip. Maybe it was the excitement, maybe it was the food, or maybe it was just the sangria, but we couldn’t have been happier.

Truffled eggs with patatas and bacon, salmon, artichokes and more tapas

The atmosphere was terrific with brick walls, beautiful artwork and an energetic vibe. I wouldn’t bother with the paella here but everything else was terrific, including the foie gras, salmon, marinated artichokes, sundried tomatoes, manchego cheese, and especially my daughter’s new favorite, chistorra (small spicy sausages). My favorite was the truffled eggs with bacon and patatas because it combines just about all my favorite foods into one dish. And did I mention the sangria?? I’m not sure how we had room for gelato on the way home but after exploring a bit (thanks to our naps for getting us on Spanish time), we had to introduce our daughter to REAL gelato (she’s a big fan!)

Enjoying a glass of sangria at Lonja de Tapas

I wish I could recapture that excitement and anticipation we had that first evening. It was a trip we had prepared for and planned months, my daughter’s first to Europe, a fact she was quite excited about. (To learn more about how we prepared for the trip, check out my blog post with tips on preparing for vacation with kids.)

4 Days in Barcelona: Day 2

MOrning: Picasso Museum

On our first full day in Barcelona, we experienced the only rain we had on our entire two-week trip, but wow was it a doozy. I had planned on visiting the Picasso Museum first off because I’d researched and learned that it was free on the first Sunday of every month, which is when we were there.

I didn’t take into account that a free museum on a rainy day might appeal to a large number of people so we ended up standing in the rain for about an hour to get into the museum. It was probably the only time on the trip my daughter wasn’t smiling.

Not happy waiting in the rain to get into the Picasso Museum

Of course with all that waiting and none of us huge Picasso fans, the museum was a bit of a disappointment. It just seemed like if you came to Spain, you really should go to the Picasso museum. The paintings we were most familiar with from his Rose and Blue Periods were interesting, but I can’t say they inspired me. Plus the crowds were thick, so we quickly moved on.

But, I will say that the museum itself was a bit of a treasure. It occupies five townhouses or palaces that date from the 13th to 15th centuries. In the coat room area, there was a glass floor that looked into the basement below. There were also small cells (complete with bars on the windows) or rooms on the lower floors. But the real features were the courtyards, which offered amazing architectural details including grand staircases, balconies, arches, and other design elements.

Even the narrow, cobblestone street outside the museum was captivating, with huge, dark wooden doors that at night open up to a dance club, while others hide tapas bars that are closed during the day (like the elusive El Xampanyet).

The entire Barri Gothic (Gothic quarter) and neighboring Born district (where we stayed) just felt so European, yet had a feeling of something more. Something mysterious and interesting. It intrigued me and called up images from the Barcelona I’d read about in The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

By the time we were done with the museum, we were quite hungry so I was very glad I’d already researched a restaurant just steps away from the museum. We ate at Cafe de la Princesa, which is half boutique and half restaurant. The restaurant is set in a very relaxing courtyard. The architecture, as well as the food, has a Moorish influence.

The food was good, but not amazing, with a bit of a limited menu. I had a salad and my daughter had the salmon. What we remember most is the bathroom. It was behind a stone wall, which had two sinks on the backside with plants hanging down and a water feature. Then you could use one of the two stalls. My daughter was amazed that there weren’t separate bathrooms for men and women and they both used the same sinks. The things kids notice!

Afternoon: Gothic Quarter

The famous hospital bridge in the Gothic quarter

With the sun finally coming out, we had a better time exploring the Barri Gothic that afternoon. We visited the Catedral de Seu, which is only open during specific times so be sure to check ahead.

While Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia, which we visited the next day, is the most famous in Barcelona, I think visiting this gothic cathedral is an important contrast before or after seeing La Sagrada Familia, especially for children that may not have experienced old European cathedrals already.

Cathedral del Sur in Barcelona

Since we are Jewish and read about the Spanish Inquisition prior to our trip, we also were on a quest to find what remnants we could of Spain’s once vibrant Jewish community. Searched as we did around the Jewish quarter, we were not able to find the synagogue (turns out it is below street level), but we did at least find evidence that Jews were once there.

Hebrew writing on a building in the old Jewish quarter of Barcelona

The rain cut short any shopping we would do and instead of rambling down Las Ramblas, we jogged, through a downpour, all the way back to our apartment where we had to wring out our clothes right down to our socks. After warming up, we had to head back out though because it was the final game of the European Cup and Espana was playing Italia. Oddly enough, my in-laws were in Italy watching the game, cheering for the Italians of course, while we were in Spain cheering on the local team.

We were a bit nervous about being near any main plazas, knowing how rowdy futbol fans can get after a game so we stuck to our plan for dinner in the Gothic district at Sagardi. Here we were able to sample some traditional Basque cuisine, since we were not able to travel to the Basque region this trip.

Instead of sitting in the tapas (or pintxos as they call it in Basque) bar, we headed for the main dining room, where we enjoyed dishes from their wood-burning grill. We met some lovely airline personnel sitting at the table next to us who frequent Sagardi when they are in Barcelona and gave us some other tips about the places we were going to visit.

They were quite impressed with our daughter, who was very well informed about our itinerary and what she was most looking forward to seeing. Not even the grumpy couple next to us complaining about being charged for their bread (quite common in Spain) could dampen our mood. Especially when we kept hearing enthused exclamations of “GOOOAAALLL” coming from outside.

On the way back to the apartment, people were spilling out of tapas bars into the streets watching the game in anticipation. We were able to peer in just as the win was secured. On the rest of our walk home, we were serenaded with choruses of “Championes, championes…” And an Espana soccer fan was born.

4 Days in Barcelona Itinerary: Day 3

When people think of Barcelona, they think of Gaudi. Antoni Gaudi that is, the Catalan architect and figurehead of Spanish Modernism. His buildings are prominent throughout Barcelona, but the most famous by far is his cathedral, La Sagrada Familia. With only 4 days in Barcelona, we decided to dedicate our third day to Gaudi, starting with La Sagrada Familia.

MOrning: Sagrada Familia

Construction on Sagrada Familia, now an official UNESCO World Heritage site, began in 1882 and is still going on today. And that isn’t just figuratively. When we visited, we saw many construction workers moving in and out of the building. While Gaudi passed away in 1926, his vision lives on and they expect to complete the cathedral in 2026.

Since Sagrada Familia is probably the most popular tourist attraction in Barcelona, you can expect large crowds. I was so relieved that I purchased timed-entry tickets in advance via the Sagrada Familia website, because when we arrived there were long queues outside. As we were leaving, I noticed that two girls that got off the Metro with us and had to queue up outside were just getting to go inside.

Sagrada Familia Nativity Facade

If you think if you’ve seen one European cathedral, you’ve seen them all — think again if you haven’t seen La Sagrada Familia. It is so unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. You could literally spend hours taking in all the details.

I highly recommend renting the audioguides for everyone in your party because you can’t fully appreciate the architectural and creative achievement this building is without it. Even kids, who you think would find old churches boring, find Sagrada Familia fascinating.

There is so much to look at. Each side of the building offers a different facade–the Passion, Nativity, Glory (still under construction) and Aspe facades. You will begin your tour outside the Passion facade. When you move inside, what you notice first is the light.

Where other cathedrals are dark and sometimes gloomy or oppressive feeling, Sagrada Familia is full of light from the towering columns to the sun streaming through stained glass windows. I commented later in the trip that it as is gothic cathedral builders worshipped a God of fear, while Gaudi was inspired by a God of love. There was such a visceral difference between the two styles.

Inside La Sagrada Familia

We took our time to marvel at the symmetry of the columns, the twisty staircase, the chapels, the stained glass windows, the shiny pipe organ, and the somewhat disturbing crucifix. Out the other side of the church, you will spend some time taking in the details of the Nativity facade.

Light streaming through the stained glass windows

The pictures only begin to capture the beauty of this building. It made a huge impression on our daughter as well.

Inside Sagrada FamiliaSpiral staircases with twisted metal handrailsStained glass reflection on the pipe organ

Afternoon: Parc Guell

After taking in our fill at Sagrada Familia, we moved on to another Gaudi landmark, Parc Guell. We took the Metro out to Gracia and then had quite a hike up to the back entrance of the park, where we picked up some smoothies to beat the heat and a picnic to eat in the park.

With the sun out it was a much different day than we had the day before, and much hotter! The good thing about coming into the back of the park was the amazing view across the city and getting to see how Sagrada Familia really towers over the rest of the city.

View of Sagrada Familia and Barcelona from Parc Guell

You could easily spend a day in the park. After picnicking and spending a little time on a playground we battled the crowds to see a few of the other park landmarks including Gaudi’s lizard (we took a magnet version home), his wavy mosaic benches, and the buildings around the entrance that look like they have ice cream cones on top.

Relaxing in the sun on Gaudi’s benches

One of my favorite things was the field of flowers…just like out of a Monet painting.

Field of flowers in Parc Guell

By this time we were pretty hot, tired, and sweaty so instead of hiking back down to the Metro, we decided to take one of the cabs lined up at the front of the park and drive past Casa Mila to Casa Balto, in order to see Gaudi’s other famous buildings.

Once we arrived at Casa Batlo we realized the admission fee was a bit higher than we felt like paying for the amount of time our tired bodies would allow us to spend there. Instead, we walked over to Plaza Cataluyna, at the head of Las Ramblas, the main tourist shopping thoroughfare (and by tourist shopping I mean t-shirts and souvenirs).

Fountains in Plaza Cataluyna in Barcelona Spain

I’m not really sure why people get excited about walking down Las Ramblas. Yes the avenue is wide and there are plenty of street vendors around but the shops are mostly souvenir shops and can feel a bit seedy, which I guess is why you hear so many warnings about pickpockets in that area.

If you are really interested in shopping, the Barri Gothic or the area up by Casa Batlo are much nicer. Of course, the main attraction just off Las Ramblas is La Boqueria — one of the best food markets in Europe.

Afternoon: Las Ramblas & La Boqueria

Candy stall at La Boqueria market

We made a stop at La Boqueria but wished we got there earlier because many of the stalls were starting to close. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, just the sights and smells of the market are a wonderland for kids and adults alike.

You will find fruits, meats, candy, spices, peppers, eggs, seafood, and vegetables in abundance. We bought some tropical fruits to try and bring back to the apartment. We also stopped at the crepe stand, where my husband went savory with cheese, jamon (Iberian ham), spinach and herbs, while my daughter went sweet and got nutella and fresas (strawberries), which she proclaimed to be the best crepe in the world.

It was an exhausting day with a lot of walking in the heat (of course we didn’t know real heat until we got to Seville and Granada where the temps were above 100 degrees Fahrenheit), so when we finally got back to the apartment it was nice to relax on the terrace with a cerveza before cleaning up for dinner.

That night we had planned to have dinner at the famous Cal Pep tapas bar, which was just a few minutes’ walk from the apartment. Since they don’t take reservations you need to line up early or be prepared to wait. We were too tired to do either.

After considering trying again for El Xampaynet and seeing both were standing room only, we decided we really needed to sit down and ended up at a very authentic looking (and tasting) restaurant called Bodega la Tinaga, also in El Born.

Bodega la Tinaja

The restaurant was very rustic looking, with hams hanging from the ceiling and stone walls. We feasted on a cheese plate, pan e tomate (bread with tomato smeared on, a Spanish staple), jamon (of course, always ham — very hard to keep kosher or halal in Spain), my daughter’s new favorite, chistorra (small sausages), and vino roja (for the grown ups at least.) After enjoying the night scene in El Born, we were ready to turn in after a very busy and memorable day.

4 Days in Barcelona: Day 4

Morning: Barceloneta Beach

After three days in Barcelona, we had already seen so much…the Picasso Museum, the Gothic Quarter, Gaudi’s masterpieces, La Boqueria, Las Ramblas…but there was so much more to see. After all the intense sightseeing, we were ready for a change of pace.

So we hit the beach…at least for a walk. Our apartment was about a 10-minute walk to Barceloneta. Barceloneta reminds me a bit of Venice Beach, CA — very artsy, funky and cool.

On the walk over you pass the docks where the yachts and cruise ships are in port. From there you can see the cable car that runs from Barceloneta to Montjuic, which is when we realized there was no way I was going on that, let alone my acrophobic husband. It is so high and so long you can barely see the car traversing between the giant posts.

The beach itself is nothing truly special, coarse yellow sand makes up the short beach. The water is fairly calm and clean, but there is a steep dropoff to deeper water. We weren’t there to swim, but it was nice to put our feet in the water and stroll down the beach.

Testing the water in Barceloneta

We were first planning on stopping for lunch at Can Manel la Puda for some beachside paella, but we weren’t quite hungry yet so we decided to walk along the beach a bit further. The further we went, the more we wanted to see what was that giant golden fish-shaped building at the end of the boardwalk? (Turns out it was designed by Frank Gehry for the 1992 Summer Olympics)

Once we finally arrived we were starving but there were plenty of beachside restaurants along the way. You could tell that this area transformed into a club scene at night by the decor.

We ended up at CNC, where we enjoyed some more tapas including a Spanish tortilla (omelet with potatoes and sometimes other ingredients — a great staple for picky eaters.) I also had my favorite gazpacho of the trip, perfect for the warm day. After a long walk, we really needed a siesta (and I needed to do some laundry before we headed off to Sevilla the next day.)

Afternoon: Montjuic

After some downtime, we were headed to a new area to explore, southwest of the city center where you will find the Olympic stadium, Museu Nacional d’Arte de Catalunya, and other sites. We started with a ride on the funicular up to Castle Montjuic.

Montjuic, which translates to “Jew Mountain” in medieval Catalan, is an old military fortress, first built in 1640 and turned into a castle in 1694. While there isn’t a lot to see in terms of the castle, there is a fabulous view of both the harbor and the city. I’d recommend taking the cable car up and then possibly hiking down if you wanted to spend a day in this area.

In 2007, the site was turned over the city to be used as a municipal facility. The night we visited, they were setting up for an open-air concert. In addition to walking the gardens and grounds, you can climb up to the top of the ramparts for a terrific view.

Gardens at Castle MontjuicThrough the tunnel up to the top of the castleView of the harbor from Castle MontjuicHiding in the castle towerView of Barcelona from Montjuic

We didn’t have a lot of time for hiking so we took the funicular back down the hill. We decided to walk past the Museu Nacional d’Arte de Cataluyna, with hopes of seeing the Montjuic Fountains. They say it is beautiful to sit on the steps of the MNAC and watch the sunset and catch a show of the magic fountain. Unfortunately, the fountains were dry so it was time to move on.

Museu Nacional d’Arte de Catalunya

Evening: Flamenco

Our reservation for the evening was at El de Tablao Carmen for dinner and a flamenco show. Tablao Carmen is located in Poble Espanyol, an open-air architectural museum.

Poble Espanyol was built in 1929 for the Barcelona International Exhibition as a model village to depict the different regions and architectural styles around Spain. (Think Epcot for Spain.) While some tour books recommend Poble Espanyol as a must-see, I would say it is an easy to skip attraction.

Much better to spend time driving around and seeing the real thing. When we finally arrived at Poble Espanyol (taking a cab would have been a better idea as it was much further than it looked on the map), it was pretty much deserted except the other people there to see the show.

Poble Espanyol

Tablao Carmen was about what you might expect from a dinner show. Timed seatings, banquet-style food served quickly to get to the main event. You don’t go for the food — you go for the flamenco. It reminded me a bit of when we went to the Moulin Rouge in Paris.

The flamenco was excellent, at least in our uneducated opinion. The foot-pounding, soul-wrenching song gets you deep inside. It also makes a huge impression on the kids.

Next time, I’d like to stop in one of the smaller flamenco bars in Sevilla and see how it differs. For this trip, being able to make a reservation when we had a free night was worth it to ensure we got to enjoy this Spanish pastime.

And that was a wrap on our time in Barcelona. If you are planning a trip to Spain, be sure to check out these articles:

5 Days in Madrid with Kids
2 Days in Seville with Kids
Visiting the Alhambra with Kids
24 hours in Ronda
Day trip to Segovia
Day trip to Toledo

Find this useful? Share it!

1. 5K
shares

Share13
Tweet
Email

Cruise 4 nights from Barcelona to Costa Favolosa

All cruises on this itinerary are gone – look for other offers from Barcelona

Cruise
Ship
Decks
Reviews

Route
Map
Prices

Information

Countries:	Spain, Italy, France
Company:	Costa
Ship:	Costa Favolosa

Back forward

1 day

Barcelona
Day 2 At sea
3 day

Savona
org/ListItem” itemscope=””>
Day 4

Marseilles
Day 5

Barcelona

Day 1, 5

Day 3

Day 4

Cruise price includes

003

Price not included

Accommodation in a cabin of the selected category

Full board meals in main restaurants (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Port taxes

Drinks

Tips are paid at the end of the cruise depending on the number of days on board

Excursions are paid extra

Light alcohol is not included in the price

Transfer

Cruise categories

Sea cruises
Mediterranean Sea
from Barcelona
Costa
Costa Favolosa

Costa Favolosa

– From April to November cruises the Mediterranean and Europe, the rest of the time – the Caribbean and South America

– Good for a family vacation, as well as for the first sea cruise.

— Italian way of life – lively, noisy, with a great love for life in all its manifestations.

Costa Favolosa more

Deck plan of the cruise ship Costa Favolosa with 1506 cabins, entertainment and dining areas.

Select a deck and hover over a cabin for detailed information about it.

1 Babilonia

2 Alhambra

3 Hermitage

4 Versailles

5 Tivoli

6 La Zarzuela

7 Bobou

8 Encelado

9Villa Bourghese

10 Escorial

11 Luxembourg

12 El Prado

14 Las Duenas

1 Babilonia

Classic (EC) Window Cabin
Premium Window Cabin (EP)
Classic Interior (IC)

2 Alhambra

Classic (EC) Window Cabin
Premium Window Cabin (EP)
Premium Interior (IP)
Classic Interior (IC)

3 Hermitage

4 Versailles

5 Tivoli

6 La Zarzuela

Mini Suite (MS)
Premium Balcony Cabin (BP)
Premium Window Cabin (EP)
Premium Cabin (IP)
Classic Balcony Cabin (BC)
Classic Interior (IC)

7 Bobou

Grand Suite (GS)
Balcony Suite (S)
Mini Suite (MS)
Premium Balcony Cabin (BP)
Premium Window Cabin (EP)
Premium Interior (IP)
Classic Interior (IC)

8 Encelado

Mini Suite (MS)
Premium Balcony Cabin (BP)
Premium Interior (IP)
Classic Interior (IC)

9 Villa Bourghese

Balcony Suite (S)
Premium Balcony Cabin (BP)
Premium Window Cabin (EP)
Premium Interior (IP)

10 Escorial

Grand Suite Samsara (SG)
Suite Samsara (SV)
Samsara Balcony Cabin (SB)
Inner cabin Samsara (SI)
Samsara Mini Suite (SU)

11 Luxembourg

Samsara Balcony Cabin (SB)

12 El Prado

14 Las Duenas

Veronica

1 review

Never again with Costa

Costa Favolosa
|Cabin: internal
|
Mediterranean Sea

We chose this cruise due to the interesting ports of call of the liner. We tried to choose such a route to go where we had not been before. There were problems with boarding the ship, and the Costa staff did not even help us. The liner is beautiful. We had a classic inside cabin that we…

October 2018

Anatoly

1 review

A pleasant trip.

Costa Favolosa
| Cabin: mini-suite
|
Mediterranean Sea

Our cabin on the seventh deck was like most other ships, spacious, clean and very beautiful. We prefer cabins aft. We liked all the services provided by our butler. The ship itself was kept immaculately clean, as were the cabins, although we got up late and…

May 2019

Zhanna

1 review
|Cabin: internal
|
Mediterranean Sea

We traveled together. It’s been about a year since I last took a cruise with Costa. It was cheaper back then. Now we again chose the same 4-day cruise: Savona, Barcelona, Marseille in November. The cruise came as a surprise – some things have been seriously improved, some so. ..

November 2017

What is better to take in Barcelona: City tour or Bus tourist? – Tourism and Leisure

Pros and cons of Bus Turistic and City Tour. Attractions on the route Bus Turistic and City Tour. Ticket prices

Barcelona is the second most populous city in Spain and the main tourist center of the country. Of course, no one argues that excursions with a professional guide who can give you a very personalized view of the city is the best solution.

But if you are in Barcelona for the first time or if you are on a tight budget, there is another good option – sightseeing bus tours.

To see Barcelona in all its glory and in the shortest possible time, it is best to book a 1-day or 2-day bus tour. The cost is from 27 euros.

An additional advantage of such a tour is its dynamism, which, together with an unusual vehicle, will not let young travelers get bored.

In addition, the trip will give you the opportunity to look around and decide where you can go with your child in your free time. Excellent holiday options with children can be found here: Holidays with children

In Barcelona, two main bus and excursion competitors coexist peacefully, the companies City Tour and Barcelona Bus Turistic.

Tickets and timetables:

Today, tickets for these two tours can be purchased at sales points at the main bus stops, online or directly from the driver. It’s good to know that in addition to the ticket, you will receive a book with discount coupons that you can use in more than 180 of the most famous places in Barcelona.

Ticket prices:

Adult ticket costs 26 euros, 2-day tour costs 34 euros;
For children under 4 years old, the tour is free;
The ticket price for children from 4 to 12 years old is 15 euros for one day and 19 euros for two days.

It is worth noting that the purchase of a two-day excursion, the ticket costs an order of magnitude cheaper.

The main similarity between the two tours – Bus Turistic and City Tour is the ability to get off the bus at any time, transfer to another and change your route. The cost of the tour does not change. Bus tours operate daily from 9:00 to 20:00 in summer, and from 9:00 to 19:00 in winter.

Pros and cons of Bus Turistic and City Tour:

The Barcelona City Tour company tour includes visits to the most famous places, Barcelona Bus Turistic offers a sightseeing tour.
City Tour buses are more comfortable;
Bas Touristik offers its tourists a larger number of route lines, as well as tourist buses.

Bus Turistic is divided into three lines. One line operates only from April to October, the other two are year-round.

The following attractions can be visited on this route:

Blue Line: Barcelona FC Stadium, Mount Tibidabo, Parc Güell and Sagrada Familia.