Barcelona is the capital of Cataluyna and there is so much to see and do here. I’ve read several comments from people claiming to have spent several weeks here and have only just scratched the surface of what Barcelona has to offer. That may be true, but many of us don’t have several weeks to dedicate to exploring one city. I only had ten days for the entire country of Spain, so my time in Barcelona was limited. Because of that, this article is going to focus on how to make the most out of one day in Barcelona.
One Day in Barcelona
I just have a few quick tips to get the most out of one day in Barcelona.
Wake up early and get an early start. By doing this, you have a chance to get to some amazing sights before it’s packed with tourists.
Book your tickets in advance. These will guarantee you can see the things you want while also allowing you to skip the line.
So let’s get in to the itinerary.
9:00 am – Park Güell
9:00 am may seem like a late start, but depending on where you are staying in Barcelona, it may take you some time to get here. From Placa de Catalunya, expect it to take at least 30 minutes to get Park Güell, and that’s with public transportation.
Famed Barcelona architect Antoni Gaudí designed this park to be a residential area, complete with apartments, a market, parks, and everything else a small community may need. However, due to its location, it never became the residential area Gaudí envisioned. Instead, it’s become a park showcasing some of Gaudí’s iconic architectural style. While most of the park is open to the public and doesn’t require a ticket, the most popular areas of the park require not only a ticket, but also a timed entry.
You’ll need to make reservations in advance as the reservations come with a timed entry. When you make your reservation, try to book one of the earliest timed entries for the day. Not only will there will be less tourists, but there’s also less vendors trying to sell you something as you walk into the park. I walked through a peaceful park to get to the ticketed area.
When I walked back out to get to the bus stop, the paths were lined with vendors selling key chains and knock off purses. It completely changes the ambiance of the space and I think it’s worth getting up early to have that peaceful stroll to the ticketed area.
11:00 am – Gothic Quarter (Barri Gothic)
This was one of my favorite areas in Barcelona, and it’s where Barcelona was born. Today it’s filled with shops and restaurants that line the twisting alleyways. There’s a couple good ways to explore this area. You could take a guided walking tour, opt for a self guided tour (I used the free Rick Steves’ app), or you could just wander and see what you find. Regardless of how you explore, you have to spend at least some of your day in Barcelona in the Gothic Quarter.
While you’re here, you can also visit the Barcelona Cathedral. Entry costs 9 euros which includes access to the cathedral and the rooftop. Even if you don’t go into the Cathedral, the steps out in front make a great spot for some people watching. Just make sure to keep an eye on your bags.
12:30 pm – Time for Lunch
While you could do a sit down lunch, it’s kind of early, especially by Barcelona standards. Instead, head over to Las Ramblas and wander through La Boqueria Market. La Boqueria market feels touristy, and I guess in some respects it is. That said, there are areas that definitely seem to be catering more for locals. I’m not sure of too many tourists who are looking to buy uncooked fish.
At La Boqueria, there are restaurants where you can sit down, but it’s also just fun to wander and see what you pass. You’ll find cheap fruit juices and cones filled with jamon and other meats.
Note that you need to keep a hand on your bag if you are walking on Las Ramblas. This is one of the most popular spots for pickpocketing in Barcelona, so keep an eye (and a hand!) on your belongings.
2:00 pm – Traveler’s Choice
You have time before your last major activity so you can decide how you want to spend it. If you only have one day in Barcelona, it’s important that you get to have some time for your top interests.
If you haven’t gotten enough of the architecture check out Casa Mile or Casa Batllo, both of which were designed by Antoni Gaudí.
If you want a little more of a break, you can head to the beach.
If you’re a foodie, you could take a Tapas Tour and sample even more of the great food in Barcelona.
If you’re looking to get to a different part of the city, you could take the funicular to Montjuïc for some amazing views of Barcelona.
And if you’re still not sure, consider taking a walking tour in a different neighborhood in Barcelona.
5:00 pm – La Sagrada Familia
This is Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece. Whether you have one day in Barcelona or one week, a visit to Barcelona is not complete without La Sagrada Familia.
The magnificent cathedral towers over the surrounding area and is a brilliant example of the modernist architecture style. La Sagrada Familia has become a symbol of the city and once you visit, you’ll realize why it’s at the top of every list of things to do in Barcelona.
La Sagrada Familia is so popular that you need to buy a ticket in advance. Your ticket will come with a timed entry and you must enter at that time. While you could pick any time of day, I recommend going in the evening and trying to time your visit with the setting sun. As the sun sets, it hits the stained glass windows perfectly to fill the nave with a warm, orange glow.
No matter when you visit though, expect there to be crowds. This is the top sight in Barcelona and it will be busy, both inside and outside the cathedral.
6:30 pm – Drinks
It’s way too early for dinner in Barcelona, but you’ll have no problem finding a cafe to have a glass of wine to enjoy the evening before you head out to find your actual dinner.
With More Time
If you have more than one day in Barcelona, there’s plenty of ways to fill it. Remember the “Traveler’s Choice” option? Fill in your second day with more activities.
If you have three days in Barcelona, consider a day trip out of the city. Montserrat is one of the most popular options.
Getting Around Barcelona
I did a lot of walking in Barcelona, but the public transportation is fast and efficient. Look to pick up a 24 hour ticket or just buy tickets as you go. At some point during your trip, you will likely need public transportation. In fact, if you only have one day in Barcelona (and are following this itinerary), I highly recommend making use of public transportation.
You’ll want to take a bus to get to and from Park Güell and depending on where else you visit in the city, the metro will help get you to where you want to go.
When to Visit Barcelona
Like any big city, Barcelona can be visited all year round. Expect hot weather during the summer months and crowds, especially from those visiting by cruise ship.
Winter has the coolest weather and the fewest tourists, although there will still be a lot of tourists in Barcelona no matter when you travel.
Spring and fall offer a balance between good weather and tourist crowds.
I visited Barcelona during the first week of October and had excellent weather. There were tourist crowds, particularly at La Sagrada Familia and the Barcelona Cathedral, but that was to be expected.
Final Thoughts
This is just one itinerary that you could follow during your trip to Barcelona. It combines my two and a half days into one day in Barcelona that is full of my favorite parts of the city.
One thing you may notice is that this itinerary ends rather early. This is because I’m not a night owl. Spain and I operate on vastly different internal clocks, so if you’re like me, you will struggle a little bit. Try to eat a bigger lunch (remembering that Spaniards typically have lunch around 2:00 or 3:00 pm) because trying to find a good authentic Spanish meal that’s not catering to tourists before 9:00 pm can be a challenge. That said, don’t let that deter you from enjoying your trip.
Continue Your Adventure
Spain: Learn more about traveling in Spain in my Spain Travel Guide.
Itineraries: Barcelona is a major city that makes its way onto many Spain itineraries. My Best of Spain in 10 Days itinerary is no exception.
More in Spain: Barcelona is amazing, but don’t forget to check out some other amazing cities during your visit. Granada is home to the Alhambra and Seville is a favorite place for travelers to slow down and relax (while also seeing some great sights). While I’m not the biggest fan of Madrid, it does has some awesome day trips in Toledo and Segovia.