Day in barcelona: The Perfect Itinerary + Map and Tips!

The Perfect Itinerary + Map and Tips!

We’ve had the privilege of visiting Barcelona a number of times, and on each visit we see a whole host of wonderful sights. But what if you don’t have the luxury of multiple days in the city? What if you’re just passing through, and only have a day in Barcelona?

Well, fear not. We think you can squeeze a lot of adventure and sightseeing into one day, from magic fountains to spectacular churches.

In this post, we’ve put together a recommended itinerary for a day in Barcelona, and included some information on transport options.

Then, at the end of the post we have a couple of extra stop-offs for those of you who really want to fill their day up, as well as some tips and ideas for getting the most out of your day. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

A Day in Barcelona – Detailed Itinerary

1. Placa de Catalunya

The Placa de Catalunya is slap bang in the middle of Barcelona, and a good place to start your day. The main Barcelona Tourism office is situated here, and you can prepare by stocking up on maps, leaflets, and information. It’s also where a number of transport options converge. Sorted? When you’re all ready, it’s time to take your:

Transport to the next stop (Casa Batlló)
Five minutes to walk the 400m up the Passeig de Gracia to the Casa Batlló, which will be on your left.

2. Casa Batlló.

Visiting Barcelona is inevitably going to result in you seeing some of the masterpieces that Anton Gaudi left scattered around the city. And this is the case with the Casa Batlló, one of his more famous houses, and one which is entirely open to the public for viewing.

Like many of the tourist attractions in Barcelona, there’s an entry fee, and you can book your tickets online here to save time.

You will be issued with an audio guide to take you around the rooms, which explains all the highlights of the building, as well as the history behind its’ construction.

I’ve put this as the first stop in the tour as it is a very popular spot, and can only accommodate so many people at a time.

Once you’ve explored as much as you can, and boggled at the dragon like roof, head on out into the sunshine, and decide how you want to get to the next stop on your tour, arguably Barcelona’s most famous attraction: the Sagrada Familia.

Transport to next stop (Sagrada Familia)

Option 1 – 20 minute walk of 1.7km along Carrer d’Aragó, turning left at Avinguda Diagonal onto Carrer de Sardenya

Option 2 – Public transport, 15 minutes. Walk back towards Placa de Catalunya, take metro line L2 towards Badalona Pompeu Fabra for three stops, and disembark at Sagrada Familia stop.

3. Sagrada Familia

I do not believe that the opportunity to see one of the most spectacular buildings in the world should be passed up, so any itinerary I suggest for Barcelona is going to include this fantastic building.

In fact, if you don’t see anything else, just visit this building. It doesn’t even matter if you aren’t a church type, or have been around every church in the world already – nothing is going to prepare you for the interior of Gaudi’s magnum opus. Apart from this picture of course.

Entry isn’t cheap, but the good news is that you are contributing to a bit of actual history here, as your funds go towards the on-going construction of this incredible building.

It’s also a massively popular destination, but for good reason, so don’t be tempted to skip it. You’ll barely notice the crowds anyway, as you gaze upwards at a forest of coral trees.

Note that due to the crowds, the Sagrada Familia operates a timed entry system, which means you need to buy tickets for a specific time slot. We highly recommend you do this online in advance of your visit, as it’s unlikely you’ll be able to turn up and get the time slot you want.

For full details on visiting the Sagrada Familia, see our complete Sagrada Familia guide, which has everything you need to know including ticket times and tips for photography. You can buy tickets online here which include an audioguide.

Transport to next stop (Urquinanoa, Gothic Quarter)

Option 1 – 30 minute walk of 2.4km. Walk southwest along Carrer de Mallorca, turn left onto Carrer del Bruc and keep going until the streets narrow.

Option 2 – Public transport, 11 minutes. Walk southwest along Carrer de Provença around 400m. Take metro line L4 at Verdaguer for 3 stops, direction La Pau, and disembark at Urquinanoa.

4. Gothic quarter (and lunch!)

Now, I’ve allocated you three and a half hours in the gothic quarter. Sounds like a lot, right? Well, to me, this is one of the best parts of Barcelona, and worth taking the time to explore. Nearly entirely pedestrianized, this quarter is just one crazy mess of tiny winding streets, stuffed full of history and opportunities for aimless wandering.

There is lots to see, from the world heritage listed Palau de la Musica, to the spectacular gothic cathedral, to the Picasso Museum. You could literally spend days wandering in this maze – and you just might if you lose your bearings.

This is also a place stuffed full of eateries. I’d recommend finding an attractive looking menu of the day and gorging yourself silly.

Then spend time indulging your inner tourist up and down the street known as La Rambla (Barcelona’s most touristy street, and for good reason), and exploring the Mercat de la Boqueria – Barcelona’s most famous market.

When you’re sated, head along to the Liceu metro stop on Las Ramblas which is where you’ll find the…

Transport to next stop (Castell Montjuic, Gothic Quarter)

Option 1 – 40 minutes walk of 3.2km. Up a hill. If you’re still keen on walking, then head down La Rambla towards the ocean, and turn right onto Carrer Nou de la Rambla. Turn left for a block onto Avinduda del Paral-lel (feel free to hop on the cable car about now), then right onto Carrer de Cabanes and then follow the windy road up the hill until you get to the castle at the top. Well done, you deserve an ice cream.

Option 2 – Public transport, 20 – 30 minutes. From the Liceu take line L3 to stop Paral-lel (diretion Zona Universitària, two stops). From here, you take the funicular (line FM) which goes one stop to the start of the cable car, and then take the cable car up to Castell Montjuic. You can get your cable car tickets online in advance here.

5. Castell Montjuic and Grounds

If you still have time in your day, then I can recommend heading up above the city and finishing your day in Barcelona with a bit of time in the Castle Montjuic and surrounding gardens, followed by a visit to the Magic Fountain. Yes, Barcelona has a magic fountain. How can you not love this city?

Castell Montjuic is perched 180 metres above the city, and will give you a great evening view as the sun starts to lower herself down.

After you’ve sated your castle and city viewing needs, then I can really recommend timing your visit around Barcelona to take in the magic fountain display, and watch the sun set across the city from the steps of the Palau National.

This is either a 20 minute walk from the Castell Montjuic, through a variety of pretty gardens, or a 20 minute bus ride on the 193 bus. Not a bad way to end your day in Barcelona!

Check here for opening times for the Castle Montjuic for your visit, and here for information as to when the Magic Fountain is doing a display.

If you get your timings right you will finish your evening off in style, with the streets of Barcelona below ready to envelop you in an evening of food, music, and good times!

Some optional extras for your day in Barcelona:

If you feel you want to squeeze even more into your day, here are a few optional trips you could do on your day in Barcelona.

Park Guell – This is a big garden complex slightly north of central Barcelona, originally planned as a garden housing development. Only two of the sixty houses were actually built, but the park itself is a remarkable showcase of Gaudi’s talents and ideas. It’s worth a visit, but it is likely to be very crowded. It also offers splendid views across Barcelona. It’s not that central though, so would be a bit of a detour.

If you wanted to add this onto the route, the optimal way would be to go after visiting Casa Battlo, via subway line L3 to stop Vallcarca. Alternatively, if you are using the hop-on hop-off bus, it’s the next stop from the Sagrada Familia. You can book tickets for Parc Guell here.

Casa Milà – Also known as La Pedrera, this is another famous Gaudi designed house. It’s only a short walk from Casa Batlló to La Pedrera, so you could do this as an alternative if you wished, although less of the building is open to the public. It’s worth taking a look at the exterior at least, which is free to gawp at. If you want to go inside, you can book tickets here.

Tips for your 1 day in Barcelona

My route above includes the option of using the metro. Pick up a one zone day pass at the start of your day and you’ll be able to take any transport option in Barcelona for the duration of your stay. If you are in the city for a little longer, consider a Hola BCN travel card.
If navigating the metro or walking seem like a bit too much, then the hop on hop off bus is a great option. You will be whisked in fine style between every important sight in Barcelona, with commentary to boot. If you choose this option, we recommend the Barcelona City Pass, which includes this, as well as entry to some of the cities main sights.
Barcelona is notorious for pick pockets. Keep your belongings secure and locked up. Pay particular attention in busy tourist areas, and on public transport.
Barcelona is a popular destination, and is likely to be busy year round. Take a look at my tips for surviving a European city in summer for some ideas as to how to stay sane.
Barcelona is in the Catalan region of Spain, which has its own language as well as Spanish. This will explain the signs in a language you don’t understand.
Food is remarkably cheap compared to many other European countries. Aim for a weekday lunch deal, where you should be able to score a three course meal, possibly even with drinks and wine, for under €20.
Grab a guide to Barcelona to have something to take with you

A map for 1 Day in Barcelona: Attractions and Route

View Barcelona day itinerary in a larger map

Where to Stay in Barcelona

Finding the best deal on your accommodation is an important part of trip planning – helping you to get the most from your budget, as well as find the property that is right for you.

It’s worth bearing in mind that Barcelona is a city which is a little overwhelmed by tourism, and as such, is taking measures to ensure that residents are able to afford to live in the city.

In particular, there has been a crackdown on city centre vacation rental accommodation, as well as a restriction on new hotel builds in the city centre. So we’d advise booking a hotel if you can. We usually find booking.com has the best deals on accommodation when we travel. Check out their Barcelona listings here.

To give you an idea of what’s available, here are some options we recommend:

Hotel Barcelona Catedral – a 4* property in Barcelona in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. We’ve stayed here, and enjoyed the roof top pool and incredible central location.
Hostel One Ramblas – a very well reviewed and very central hostel option
The 8 Boutique B&B – a highly rated and well located bed and breakfast
Duquesa de Cardona – a 4* property on the waterfront with a roof top bar
Leonardo Hotel Barcelona Las Ramblas – part of the good value Leonardo chain, this 3* property is a few moments from Las Ramblas. We enjoyed our stay here, and the breakfast in particular was excellent.

Apartment rentals through sites like Plum Guide are also available. One thing to be aware of is that in Barcelona these need to be registered with the city. When they are registered they will be issued a license number. If you want to stay in an apartment rental in Barcelona, then we recommend picking one which has the license number on the listing.

If you would prefer to stay in an in apartment in Barcelona, then we recommend Plum Guide.

Plum Guide carefully curate their listings so their options tend to be of a very high quality whilst still being available at a range of price points. We’ve stayed at a number of their properties around the world, and you can see our review of the Plum Guide here. See their listings for Barcelona here.

If you can’t find what you want from the above choices, or you want some new options to try out, we wrote a whole post on the best alternatives to AirBnB which you should check out!

How to Save Money on Your Barcelona Visit

There are three main options for saving money in Barcelona that I’ll quickly cover here.

The Barcelona Card

First, the Barcelona Card. This is the official city card from the Barcelona Tourist Office, which is available in a standard version, and an express version.

The normal version can be purchased for 3, 4 or 5 consecutive days, whilst the Express version is valid for two days. The normal version includes free access to a range of attractions, as well as discounted admission to a number of other attractions. It also includes free public transport.

For a one day Barcelona itinerary such as that described in this post, the Barcelona Card is unlikely to be worth it, however you may consider investing in the Express version.

The Express version comes with free transport for two days, as well as a range of discounted admission, but doesn’t include free entry. However, it is very competitively priced.

The Go Barcelona Pass

The Go Barcelona Pass is from the same people who make the London Pass that we love. It is more expensive than the Barcelona Card, however it includes free entry to a number of attractions on our one day itinerary including Casa Batlló and the Sagrada Familia.

It also comes with:

a day of free hop on hop off bus transport,
a free Barcelona Walking tour,
a free Bike tour,
a free boat tour,
Lots of other attractions!

If you are planning on visiting the attractions covered by the Go Barcelona Pass, it can quickly save you money.

Jess has written a comprehensive review and guide to using the Go Barcelona Pass to help you decide if it is a good fit for your trip to Barcelona.

Note: In 2020 the Barcelona Pass rebranded to the Go Barcelona Pass. This is now a virtual product only – there is no physical pass option. The products included are the same, but the name and branding changed. Our photos are of the older product, from when it was available as a physical pass.

The Barcelona City Pass

A newer pass card, the Barcelona City Pass focuses on convenience, and covering the attractions that most visitors really want to visit. It includes entry to the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, transfer from the airport, hop-on hop-off bus and 10% discount on all the other attractions in the city, including the Casa Batllo.

It also lets you book your timed entrance for both the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, which is something you are absolutely going to want to do before you visit to be sure you aren’t disappointed when you arrive.

For a day in Barcelona, we think the Barcelona City Pass is a good option. However, do note that at the time of writing, this only includes free entry for the Sagrada Familia after 2pm. If you want to visit the Sagrada Familia before this, you will be better off picking up individual tickets for each attraction.

Which discount card should you get for Barcelona?

Despite the fact that the Go Barcelona Pass has a minimum duration of two days, the price is still very reasonable for what you get compared to other options on the market. It includes a Hop on Hop off bus to get you round as well as entry to Casa Batllo, a guided tour of the Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell (plus 40 other attractions!).

For a day in Barcelona, another option is the Barcelona City Pass. This includes your entry to the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, as well as a Hop on Hop off bus. This will get you around all the attractions we’ve listed, and save you from having to navigate the public transport system.

Honestly though, for only one day the cost savings on both of these passes are unlikely to be very great compared to buying individual tickets for each attraction.

However, if you’re staying for two or more days, then one of these passes is very likely to save you money if you plan on visiting a number of the attractions included on them. See our detailed comparison of all the Barcelona discount passes for more information on which might be best for you.

Walking Tours of Barcelona

We love taking walking tours when we visit a city. It’s a great way to learn a lot about its history, culture and people, as well as get tips on what to see and where to eat.

There are a number of walking tour companies offering tours in the city. If you pick up one of the aforementioned passes, some of these include a walking tour, so definitely take advantage of that.

Otherwise, we usually recommend walking tour company Take Walks. We’ve taken tours with them in cities around the world, and enjoy the small groups and knowledgeable guides. They offer a number of tours in Barcelona, some of which we’ve included below along with other suggestions.

This is an excellent value 2-hour walking tour of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter on GetYourGuide
This 3 hour tour of the old town of Barcelona and Gothic Quarter, which is included on the Go Barcelona Pass
Complete Gaudí Tour: Interested in learning about Gaudi? This tour features some of the architects highlights, including Casa Batlló, Park Guell and the Sagrada Família. It even includes a Tower Climb of the latter. This is with Take Walks, one of our favourite walking tour companies.
Barcelona Cooking Class: Want to learn how to cook some delicious Spanish cuisine? This Paella making party with a local chef includes a visit to Boqueria market and Sangria making!
Skip the Line Express Sagrada Família Tour & Tickets – If you want a guided tour of the Sagrada Familia and are struggling to get official tickets, this is a great option
If you prefer your tours to mix history with food, check out this 3. 5 hour food walking tour of the Gothic Quarter which includes tapas tasting, drinks and dinner. This is another Take Walks tour.

Obviously, if you decide to take a walking tour it will affect this itinerary. So it’s up to you how you want to spend your day. We just wanted to give you the option so you can make your own decision as to what works for you.

Naturally, there are also many other walking tours to choose from. See this selection on GetYourGuide and these options on Viator for more ideas.

Itinerary & Where to Go in 24 Hours

As the most popular tourist destination in Spain, spending one day in Barcelona is a must. And while 24 hours in Barcelona may not be enough to time to see everything, it’ll give you a good taste of this charming Spanish metropolis.

From ancient museums and churches to bustling flea markets, there are endless choices of things to see & do in Barcelona to fill the day on your first-time Barcelona itinerary.

Need to narrow down your choices for what to do in Barcelona in one day? Plan out your trip by following along with this complete 1-day Barcelona travel plan…

What to do in Barcelona in 24 hours: A complete one-day itinerary

Your one-day itinerary will take you to some of the most impressive sights in Barcelona, from the famous Casa Batllo to the crowded Boqueria Market.

While you can take your time to explore each sight, you should avoid dawdling for too long.

With just 24 hours in Barcelona, you’ll need to try to move swiftly from one destination to the next.

Most of these destinations are easily reached on foot.

If the day starts to get away from you (as it often can with all of our one-day city itineraries), you can always hop on a bus or take a taxi to make up some time.

If you remember these tips and follow this convenient Barcelona travel itinerary, you should be able to pack your day with fun sightseeing throughout the city.

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Take a whimsical journey through Güell Park

You’ll start your 1-day Barcelona itinerary in the large Güell Park (Parc Güell) and work your way toward the centre of Barcelona. Güell Park is visually unique and serves as a great example of what it would be like to live in a Dr. Seuss book.

The Güell Park area is full of unique structures and vibrant colors. It’s a kaleidoscope of interesting buildings, winding pathways, and large crowds. It’s one of the most interesting places you’ll ever visit and quickly fills up with tourists throughout the day.

Be sure to get your tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment. People have been turned away at the gates due to capacity limits.

Getting there bright and early is a great way to begin your one day in Barcelona. If you’re hungry, you can check to see if the park restaurant is open. You’ll also have plenty of chances to grab a quick bite on your way to the next destination.

PRO TIP: Want to save time and avoid the queue? Book yourself on a Park Güell Skip-the-Line Guided Tour! Your ticket includes both admission to the park and commentary from a licensed expert guide.

Grab some tapas on the way to La Sagrada Familia

When you tire of walking around the colourful buildings in Güell Park, start walking southeast toward La Sagrada Familia. This walk is about 25 minutes and you’ll pass about a dozen tapas bars and restaurants.

Take Carrer de Sardenya. About halfway through the walk, you’ll see La Sagrada Familia Church. It’s the Church of the Sacred Family, which is also the name of the neighbourhood.

The gothic-inspired architecture of the church may make you think that you’re looking at a historical site. Surprisingly, the church was designed by the same individual responsible for the child-like creations at Güell Park.

Antoni Gaudi is a famed architect and was devoted to the construction of this church until his death. The church is technically still under construction and is expected to be completed in 2026.

The contrast between the park and the church is the perfect reflection of Barcelona. It’s a city full of historic gothic-style buildings, bright modern structures, high-rises, and sprawling neighbourhoods.

PRO TIP: Don’t want to waste time in the queue? Book yourself on a Sagrada Familia Priority Access Guided Tour to save yourself a ton of hassle!

Tour more of Gaudi’s work at Casa Batllo

Your next stop is another 25-minute walk, but after this trek, the rest of your destinations on this tour of Barcelona in 24 hours are more closely situated.

Head southwest on Carrer de Mallorca and work your way toward Carrer d’Arago. On this long stretch, you’ll pass several historic churches and buildings. If you start to get hungry again, you’ll also pass many more restaurants and cafes.

As you approach the next location on your one-day sightseeing tour of Barcelona, the bright colours of the massive building should help you guess the designer. It’s another masterpiece by Antoni Gaudi called Casa Batllo.

It’s a renovated house that features the interesting charm of Gaudi’s work. The style of Casa Batllo is considered modern or expressionist architecture. Sandwiched between pastel-coloured buildings featuring the typical Catalonia architecture, Casa Batllo stands out.

The house has been open to the public since 1995 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s another interesting look into the history and culture of this city.

While Casa Batllo is a wonderful Barcelona landmark, the main reason for stopping here is that it’s just a straight walk to the next stop in your itinerary.

PRO TIP: Not keen on wasting your precious time in a line-up? Grab a Casa Batllo Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket to explore this oddball masterpiece with a virtual smart guide!

Explore the heart of Barcelona at Placa de Catalunya

When you leave Casa Batllo, you’re less than 150 meters from Passeig de Gracia, which will take you toward the centre of Barcelona and Placa de Catalunya.

Some tourists start their trip to Barcelona at Placa de Catalunya. It’s near the centre of Barcelona and contains one of the main tourist offices. Starting here would keep you from being able to get all the way out to Güell Park and back.

When you reach this public plaza, you can stop at the tourist office if you feel like loading up on brochures and pamphlets, but the real attraction is the surrounding cafes, restaurants, stores, and sculptures.

This plaza is the heart of Barcelona and where most of the major streets converge. It also separates the main districts.

While you’re in the Barcelona city centre, you should explore some of the shops, including the department store called El Corte Ingles. It’s the only remaining department store chain in Spain.

The plaza also includes several interesting sculptures. If you’re a fan of art, you should walk the public square and try to find the Neo-classical works by Josep Clara and Josep Llimona.

PRO TIP: Looking for a unique experience in Barcelona? Join in on the fun on the Picasso and Gothic Quarter VR Tour! This tour includes a skip-the-line ticket for the Picasso Museum along with a virtual reality experience through the Old City.

Discover ancient Barcelona in the Gothic Quarter

The Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) is your next destination and a necessary stop if you have just 24 hours in Barcelona. It’s the oldest part of Barcelona and right next to Placa de Catalunya.

The Gothic Quarter is a crowded area containing historic buildings and modern shops and cafes. The narrow roads and medieval architecture can help take you back to the past of Barcelona until you spot a brightly-coloured café.

You don’t need a map to walk around and explore the Gothic Quarter. The area isn’t very big. If you get lost, just keep walking until you reach one of the major streets that surrounds the neighbourhood.

Again, you’ll have no problem finding somewhere to eat or grab a cup of coffee. The narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter contain numerous alfresco cafes, clubs, bars, and restaurants. Just make sure that you save room in your stomach for the treats that you’ll find at your next stop.

PRO TIP: Keen on exploring the Gothic Quarter deeper? Book yourself onto the Barcelona Old Town and Gothic Quarter Walking Tour! This 3- to 4-hour walk includes stops at several of Barcelona’s top attractions including Plaça del Rei, Barcelona Cathedral, Santa Maria del Mar, and La Boqueria.

Indulge your senses at the covered Boqueria Market

When you’re trying to see Barcelona in one day, people like to point out the famous architecture and historic museums. There are also plenty of markets in this major Spanish city.

After you’re done exploring the Gothic Quarter, cross La Rambla to reach Boqueria Market. It’s the oldest local market in Barcelona.

You can find all types of food within this covered market. Vendors sell everything from fruit juices to meats like Spain’s world-famous jamón iberico, produce, and desserts. There’s a never-ending line of food stalls.

The area surrounding Boqueria Market is also full of shops. You can go shopping for books, clothing, art, and even artisanal oils. There are also a dozen or so bars and restaurants within the market.

Take your time sampling the local treats. When your stomach is full, it’s time to walk it off.

Start walking southeast on La Rambla. The public thoroughfare that you take cuts through Barcelona. It’s also a major attraction. As this thoroughfare takes tourists from one destination to the next, it’s full of local artists, street performers, buskers, and vendors.

You’re sure to be entertained as you make your way to the Columbus Monument.

PRO TIP: Built up an appetite? Immerse yourself in Barcelona’s cuisine and learn how to cook Spain’s most famous dish on the Paella Cooking Experience and Boqueria Market Tour!

View all of Barcelona at the top of the Columbus Monument

With your day almost over, it’s time to ride to the top of a historic monument and look back at all the places that you explored. The Columbus Monument was built to honour Christopher Columbus and is now mostly used as a scenic lookout spot.

The monument is comprised of a column on a large pedestal. The column stands 40 meters and is topped with a 24-foot tall bronze statue of Columbus.

If you’re lucky, you’ll have made it to The Columbus Monument in time to catch a ride to the top. A small crane elevator is used to lift tourists to the upper part of the statue where you can look out at the nearby port and the rest of Barcelona.

If you’ve still got time to explore after your visit, head down to the port area. You’re already right next to the port authority and harbour, which is lined with more cafes, bars, and clubs to keep you busy through the night.

PRO TIP: Want to end your night with a little excitement? Dazzle your tastebuds and all your senses on the Barcelona Tapas Evening Tour and Flamenco Show! The excursion includes a 4-hour walking through Las Ramblas, tapas tasting, and a flamenco theatre show.

Where to stay with 24 hours in Barcelona

Despite the city’s mega-size and huge accommodations inventory, choosing where to stay in Barcelona can be surprisingly easy. Many of the city’s top points of interest are located within the city centre where many of the city’s best hotels & places to stay are located. Here are a few ideas…

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Barcelona in one day – Guide Barcelona TM

The perfect itinerary and essential tips for those who want to make the most of the Catalan capital in one day. The best travel guide showing how beautiful Barcelona is in one day.

Let’s start our journey and acquaintance with the city from the central square of Barcelona – Plaza Catalunya (Plaça Catalunya). As a rule, buses from Barcelona airport and trains from nearby resort towns come here.

Barcelona in one day starts with breakfast

There are a couple of great places for breakfast in the Plaza Catalunya area: to the city, excellent coffee and affordable prices.

Also, just across the street from El Corte Inglés, there is a Farggi cafeteria where you can have a decent breakfast for about 10 euros (address Passeig de Gràcia, 2).

Let’s move on. The Cataluña metro station is right in front of the entrance to the mall. We go down to the subway, buy a T-Casual ticket from the machine for 11.35 €. This is a ticket for 10 trips for all types of transport. You can also buy a T-Dia Day Pass for €10.50 (ticket valid for 1 person only).

1Let’s go to Park Güell

Parc Güell

We take the metro station Plaça Catalunya on the green line L3 and drive about 10 minutes to the Lesseps station. There, follow the signs for 10-15 minutes on foot to Park Güell. No more than 1.5 hours to visit the park.

Parc Güell is Antonio Gaudí’s masterpiece, with magical gingerbread houses and winding benches covered in colorful mosaics.

This work is the forerunner of the Sagrada Familia, the construction of which took the last 40 years of the architect’s life – you need to prepare yourself for this impression. Therefore, Park Güell cannot be excluded from the route in Barcelona!

2Leaving Parc Güell and driving on to Sant Pau

Sant Pau

We leave the park and go to the bus stop, or back to Lesseps metro station.

Next 2 options:

We drive to the Hospital of the Holy Cross and St. Paul. We take bus number 31 or 74 and drive 5 stops. At the 6th stop of “Cartagena” we get off, go a little back and go down for 10 minutes to the Hospital. On the territory of the Hospital we pass through the parking lot and pass through its entire territory. The architecture is very impressive, a kind of open-air museum. Next, we exit through the main entrance on Avenu de Gaudi. You will have a view of the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. Directly along the pedestrian street we go down to the Cathedral.

If we don’t go to the Hospital. We go down to Lesseps metro station. Then we take the metro to the Sagrada Familia station of the same name (you can take the line L5 (blue) or L2 (purple).

3In one day in Barcelona, you must visit the Sagrada Familia Cathedral

Sagrada Familia Cathedral

All of Barcelona cannot be explored in one day, but allow 1.5-2.5 hours to see the Cathedral. You should definitely go inside the Cathedral, go upstairs and visit the museum of the same name. Ticket prices from 20€.

In order to avoid long queues at the entrance to the Sagrada Familia, we buy tickets in advance via the Internet here.

OUR ADVICE. If you’re planning to visit the Sagrada Familia and other places of interest in Barcelona, check out the Barcelona City Pass to save time and money. The card includes skip-the-line tickets to Barcelona’s main attractions, round-trip airport transfers, a tour bus ride, and discounts on many of Barcelona’s museums and attractions. Detailed information here .

Lunch

We strongly DO NOT recommend eating in touristy areas, particularly restaurants near the Sagrada Familia. And it’s not all about the high prices. In addition, in such establishments you will be offered absolutely poor quality food. We recommend the excellent local restaurant Castell de Xativa, which is a 15-minute walk from the cathedral (address: carrer València, 360).

The restaurant specializes in Mediterranean cuisine and is famous for its amazing paella of different types. There are few tourists, mostly locals. For 20-25 euros you can have a very tasty lunch.

4We go to the central boulevard PASSEIG DE GRAСIA

We return to the Sagrada Familia metro station. We pass two stations on the L5 (blue) line to the Diagonal metro station. We exit the metro onto Passeig de Gracia boulevard. This is the beginning of the boulevard. Then we need to go down to the sea.

5Masterpieces of Gaudí – Casa Mila and Casa Batllo

We go down Passeig de Gracia boulevard down to Plaça Catalunya. On the left we will see the famous house of Gaudi – La Pedrera (or the house of Mila). Going a little lower, on the right we will see the house of the magnate Batllo. This is where the Quarter of Discord begins. We walk along the boulevard to Plaça Catalunya.

In order to avoid long queues at the entrance to the House of Mila, we buy tickets in advance via the Internet here .

In order to avoid long queues at the entrance to Casa Batlló, we buy tickets in advance via the Internet here .

6We go to the famous pedestrian street Las Ramblas

We cross Plaza Catalunya and go down to the central pedestrian street Las Ramblas, along which we continue down to the sea.

7To see the Gothic Quarter and the Cathedral in one day in Barcelona

Cathedral

To the left of the Rambla is the Gothic Quarter. On Portaferrissa street, turn left and go straight, without turning, along a narrow street to the Cathedral of Barcelona.

After seeing the Cathedral and New Square, we return to Las Ramblas again. We walk a little further along the Rambla and on the right we see the Boqueria market – a great place where you can buy fresh fruit and drink fresh juices.

9Palace Güell, another Gaudí masterpiece

Palau Güell – another masterpiece of Gaudí

Further along the Rambla we pass a couple more streets down. On the right, on Nou de la Rambla, we see another creation of the legendary Gaudi – the Guell Palace. We examine the external facade. There is no point in going inside.

10Royal Square

On the opposite side, to the left of the Rambla, is the Royal Square with Gaudí’s lanterns, his first work. There are also many bars and restaurants here, which we would also not recommend you to stay in for the same reasons.

Barcelona will end with a delicious dinner in one day

Just a 5-minute walk from the Royal Square, on one of the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter, there is a wonderful non-tourist restaurant La Fonda, a favorite place of many Catalans. Dinner at this restaurant will cost about 30 euros per person (address: Escudellers street, 21).

So, in order to see the sights of Barcelona on your own in one day, you must anticipate the presence of queues and take care of tickets in advance!

For example: the queue at the Sagrada Familia ticket office in summer is more than 1. 5 hours. The queue to Casa Batlló or Casa Mila is about 40 minutes. A ticket bought in advance for a certain time (you need to decide in advance on the time of the visit) will save you from standing in lines and save not only time, but also your strength.

For your convenience, we have collected tickets from all the official sites of the main attractions on one platform so that Barcelona can be explored in one day. Now you can buy all the tickets you need here, in Russian, without intermediaries and extra charges.

Other guides to Barcelona, both thematic and time, you can find here.

If you want to make the most of your time and money, see non-tourist Barcelona and feel the true spirit of the city, we suggest you take a unique walk through unexpected Barcelona.

You can read more about the walk here.

Barcelona will show a lot of beauty in one day!

Earlier we wrote about what to see in Barcelona in 3 days.

How to avoid queues at Barcelona attractions. Tickets for the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell skip the line.

How not to be deceived by local taxi drivers. Order a taxi in advance with fixed rates online. The most reliable service for ordering a taxi is KiwiTaxi .

Excursions in Barcelona with locals will help you get to know this city for real. The best way to get comfortable in an unfamiliar city is to walk around it with a person who has lived here for many years.

We advise you to take out travel insurance so that there are no unpleasant surprises while traveling to Barcelona.

Barcelona City Pass is a one-stop card that makes organizing your holiday in Barcelona easier and saves a lot of time and money.

Barcelona Hotels: is our selection and recommendations.

Bus Turistic is a tourist bus and a great way to get to all the necessary monuments of Barcelona quickly, with a breeze and comfort.

Drimsim is a universal international SIM card and a free travel application. Best prices, fast internet and worldwide calls.

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Barcelona in 1 day. Spain in Russian

If you haven’t seen Barcelona, you haven’t seen real beauty. So says the Catalan proverb, and few who have visited this beautiful city will not agree with it. Barcelona, the capital of the province of Catalonia and the largest city in Spain after Madrid, combines a variety of cultures and eras. And all because it is also one of the most ancient cities in the Mediterranean. According to one of the legends, the history of Barcelona began in the III century. BC, when it was founded by the Carthaginian commander Hamilcar Barca. Like a royal treasury, Barcelona contains both the pearls of historical monuments and examples of the latest architecture and modern art.

Many tourist guides will be happy to give you the most intense tour of the Catalan capital and show you all of Barcelona in 1 day. However, do not deny yourself the pleasure of discovering its secrets on your own, because here, at every step, an inquisitive guest is waiting for another surprise.

Our article will tell you what to see in Barcelona in 1 day.

“The work of man cannot surpass the creation of God, therefore the height of the Sagrada Familia will be 170 meters, three meters less than Montjuic.” This is how the famous Antonio Gaudi spoke about his future architectural brainchild. For the eminent Catalan, Barcelona became a real muse, and his name was forever associated with this city.

If you only have 1 day in Barcelona, it’s worth starting the itinerary with the magnificent Sagrada Familia, or Sagrada Familia, which tops the list of attractions in the Catalan capital. Its construction began in 1882 and has not yet been completed.

One of the reasons for such slowness was that, according to the plan, construction should be carried out exclusively on private donations, so the temple is being built, as they say, “by the whole world.” Another reason is the unusual architectural forms that require individual processing of each stone block. However, if you decide to visit the temple, be prepared to stand in a multi-meter line encircling the building, like the tail of one of the gargoyles decorating its facade.

The famous architect did not in vain compare his creation with Montjuic. This elevation is another highlight of the city and a definite candidate for the list of things to see in Barcelona in the first place. A wide esplanade with rows of fountains leads to the foot of a majestic staircase, at the top of which is the National Art Museum of Catalonia. On the terraces of the mountain there are parks with gazebos and well-groomed alleys. It’s not crowded here, but if you’re lucky, you can meet a guitarist thoughtfully plucking the strings in the shade of lush vegetation. At 19Barcelona hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1992, which is why there is also the Olympic Stadium and a museum dedicated to these competitions. And art lovers can visit the Joan Miro Museum in Barcelona, which houses the works of this, perhaps, the most famous Catalan artist.

Nearby is the Teleferico de Montjuïc funicular station, which takes passengers to another attraction of Montjuic – a fortress built in 1640 during the Catalan uprising against the Habsburgs. Here you can simply wander among the fortified walls, but if you want to challenge yourself, take the Transbordador Aeri del Port cable car, which connects the mountain with Barceloneta beach. Even the most daring travelers will take their breath away, as soon as the cabin, shuddering, breaks off the ground and floats at a great height above the waves. Between heaven and earth, you can enjoy stunning views of the sea and the harbor, while seagulls will swing far below on the water, looking like scattered bread crumbs from such a height. The intrepid balloonists will be taken to the top of the 78-meter San Sebastian tower, from where they can descend by elevator.

When exploring Barcelona in 1 day on your own, don’t forget to visit Montjuic in the evening. After all, it is after sunset that the famous show of the Magic Fountain of Barcelona begins here, with which the city has been delighting its guests for many years. In obedience to a musical motif, thousands of water jets rise and fall in a complex dance, accompanied by lighting effects. Usually a lot of spectators gather here, because this performance is one of those that you can watch in Barcelona for free. Therefore, we advise you to come early to take the most convenient seats.

And of course, having only 1 day in Barcelona, it is impossible not to walk along the main city street, which is called La Rambla. At its very end is a monument to Christopher Columbus, made in the form of a Corinthian column with a statue on top. In his left hand, the navigator holds a map, and with his right he indicates the direction, but contrary to expectations, not to the west, towards the America he discovered, but to the east. The column can also be reached by an elevator leading to a small observation deck. It is about Rambla that Manu Chao sings in his song Rumba de Barcelona. Here, among the many different shops and cafes, you can best feel the pulse of this vibrant city, where the holiday seems to never end.

We hope this article will help you choose what to see in Barcelona in one day, and love this city with all your heart so that you can return here for a longer time.