Barcelona in 3, 4 or 5 days: our routes for a stay in Barcelona

Are you planning a trip to the capital of Catalonia in northern Spain? Discover how to visit Barcelona in 3, 4 or 5 days!

Barcelona is one of the most visited European capitals in the world. You can admire many gardens, incomparable historical monuments, extraordinary museums, as well as the famous works of the artist Antoni Gaudí The pride of the country. In addition, Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and one of Europe’s largest cities. In addition, this Mediterranean city is very turned towards the great blue and houses one of the most important ports of the Mediterranean basin. This is why it is a major tourist destination, which enjoys a unique cultural heritage. But also exceptional routes.

Therefore, visit Barcelona in 3, 4 or 5 days gives you the opportunity to see the must-sees of the city . Do you want examples of routes in Barcelona complete? So this article is for you!

Barcelona in 3 days

Day 1: Historic Centre

It is unthinkable to plan your itineraries in Barcelona without passing through Las Ramblas . Indeed, it is the most famous avenue of the city, which extends from the port to Plaça de Catalunya, about 1.3 kilometers. The famous street is divided into five parts. You can admire street artists and living statues.

From La Rambla, go directly to the market La Boqueria . This covered market is one of the oldest in the city. Enjoy fresh juice or coffee by admiring the stalls of the merchants.

Link to the Gothic Quarter In the old town. Thanks to the paved alleys, make a journey in time without forgetting to lift your eyes to admire the facades. The Cathedral of Sainte-Croix or the Museum of History of Barcelona are there, like other iconic squares in the city.

Take the time to refresh yourself through Plaça del Rei the king's place. You will discover a true haven of peace, surrounded by palm trees and fountains. The place is perfect to recover after a long day.

Day 2: Quartier Gracia and La Sagrada Familia

Visit of the Gràcia district

For the second day of a route in Barcelona, discover the jewels of Antoni Gaudí. Casa Milà and Casa Batlló , are at 5 minutes each other. They are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is why their exceptional architecture will surprise you and delight you.

If you don’t want to walk anymore, take the metro and stop at the stop Passeig de Gràcia on line 3. This surreal work is inspired by the aquatic world. We're also watching her Casa Del Ossos , the bone house, because of its facade with multiple balconies shaped like skulls. The visit lasts about 1 hour and is part of the Barcelona City Pass.

Gaudí's second work on Passeig de Gràcia Casa Milà is less than 500 metres away. Perfectly recognizable thanks to its white wavy lines, characteristic of Gaudí's work. Just as impressive as the first Casa , walk in the five floors of the house. The discovery of this emblematic place of the city is also planned in the Barcelona City Pass.

Later, direction the Casa de les Punxes , less known, but equally interesting to discover. This unusual place will explain the construction of Barcelona and its history, as well as its different lifestyles.

La Sagrada Familia

It is now time to go to the East, to admire the one that is no longer present: the Cathedral Sagrada Familia . This other work by Gaudí (always it) has been sinking a lot of ink since the beginning of his construction in 1882. This Basilica of the Eixample district is the most visited monument in Spain.

Thanks to its unique curves, the basilica is classified as the UNESCO World Heritage. In reality, it combines an architectural style between gothic art and new art. It is a real mystical place, not to be missed under any pretext during your itineraries in Barcelona. Its construction, at present, is still not completed. His visit will take you at least 1 hour.

It is important to note that a guided tour of the cathedral in French is included in the Barcelona City Pass. In short, you can visit the Sagrada without queued. It would therefore be a pity to deprive yourself of it in the world that is there.

Finally, if Gaudí’s visit to the iconic work doesn’t take you all the rest of the day, head to the Bunkers Del Carmel . As a result, you will enjoy the most beautiful view of the city 360°. This is the city’s former strong place for air cannons during the Spanish War. Access to the place is very easy and the entrance is free.

Day 3: El Born and Montjuic

El Born

For the third day of your visit, here are the last routes in Barcelona. The El Born district is the shopping area of the city with its interesting proximity to the port. The neighborhood was completely renovated in the 1980s. This is why today there are many things to visit, such as mythical art galleries and gourmet addresses and trends.

Visit one of the most popular museums in the city, the Picasso Museum . Quite unique in its kind, discover the impressive permanent collection of the place. Admire more than three hundred and fifty unpublished works by artist Pablo Picasso. The museum, inaugurated in 1963, occupies five former palaces connected to each other.

We advise you to buy your cut-file ticket in advance. You can also enjoy a free visit of the place on the first Sunday of the month and every Thursday from 6pm to 9:30pm.

Later, go to contemplate the very popular park of the Ciutadella . This is where you can see the famous Arc de Triomf Spanish. The park is the green lung of the city. There are some museums, government monuments and a zoo. It is a must-see during your 3, 4 or 5-day routes in Barcelona.

The Montjuic Quarter

This area is located in the height of the city. It was strongly marked by two major events: the Universal Exhibition of 1929 and the 1992 Olympic Games.

In view of the visit to the neighborhood, get to the hill by taking the funicular of Montjuic. He'll take you from the subway station. Parallel to the castle of Montjuic. Go to visit National Palace also called MNAC. You can see the largest collection of Catalan art in the world.

Thanks to the Barcelona City Pass, the ticket for the Montjuic device is included. Head towards the sensational fountain of Montjuic, but also explore the park in search of the most beautiful view of the city. So you can either rest in the park or visit some museums. One of the main museums in the park is the Joan Miro Foundation.

Also, go to the Montjuic Olympic Park, where you can see:

• The Palais des Sports de Barcelona,
• The Olympic Stadium,
• La Torre de Calatrava,
• Palau Sant Jordi,
• The Pavilion of Industrial Spain.

Finally, after a deserved relaxation in the botanical gardens of the park, finish your day with the visit of the Château de Montjuic. Historically, he was a prison but also a military museum in 1960. Today, we are talking about turning it into an international centre for peace and a cultural centre. The visit is free every Sunday afternoon from 3 p.m.

Barcelona in 4 days

Day 4: Güell Park and Sant Pau

Are you staying for a 4-day stay in Barcelona? After discovering several routes from Barcelona during these first three days of visit, head to one of the most beautiful parks in the city.

Park Güell

The Park Güell is still and always a work of Gaudí. Indeed, its architecture oscillates between new art and modernism, giving it fantastic garden looks. It is important to know that this attraction is included in the Barcelona City Pass.

Located in the north of the city, get to the park directly thanks to Line 3 Metro stopping at Vallcarca . Mount up to the Mirador de Virolai, which offers a superb view of some of the most beautiful sites in the city. The park has a free game and a paid part.

The artist testifies in this fantasy place the omnipresence of divine will. This is where you will see the bench covered with mosaics, the famous salamander and arched columns that look like tree trunks.

In the park there are must-sees not to be missed:

• The staircase of the dragon,
• The Hypostyle room,
• The houses of the park,
• The portico of the lavender,
• The place of nature,
• The salamander,
• The bench with mosaics.

Be careful, there are three possible entries. Güell Park has a total of 17 hectares. For the game with the most things to see, you will have to enter the side carrer de Larrard . This is the pay part of the park. Be careful to book your tickets in advance, not to see the refused entry on arrival. It is unthinkable not to include this visit in one of your itineraries in Barcelona.

La recinta modernista de Sant Pau

To finish this day in beauty, walk about 20 minutes to go to the Recinta Modernista de Sant Pau . This work of Lluís Domènech i Montaner is a former public hospital. The building was declared a world heritage of humanity in 1997.

The building is now a centre that houses institutions and organizations. They are all dedicated to research in the areas of sustainable development and health, such as the United Nations or WHO.

Barcelona in 5 days

The port Vell

For your fifth day of itineraries in Barcelona, relax in the direction of the old port. First, stroll over the docks and go shopping. Borrow the floating bridge, the Rambla del Mar , which leads directly to the shopping center of the port and its many shops.

Then, go to the statue of Christophe Colomb . He is also called Mirador de Colòm . Its height situation allows you to have a nice view. In addition, Barcelona in 5 days gives you time to explore the city’s renowned aquarium. It is a must in Catalonia. Moreover, the aquarium has a submarine tunnel of six million litres of water. A unique data in Europe.

From the port vell, notice the Moll de la Fusta , this very nice wooden dock. It was used before, to stop the shipments of wood and to deposit them.

Barcelona in a week

A stay in Barcelona for a week allows you to visit all the places we have cited. However, some more secret or specific places can be integrated into your trip:

• The Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes: founded in 1327, inspired by Catalan Gothic;
• Camp Nou : The official stadium of the F.C Barcelona team is a must-see. The scale of the stadium is impressive. In addition, it has its own museum that retraces all its history;
• To attend a Flamenco show: at Palau Dalmases next to Picasso Museum. Otherwise, prefer intimist institutions, called the tablaos;
• Las Arenas : the old arenas transformed into a mall. Don't miss the breathtaking view from the rooftop terrace;
• Casa Sayrach : another work inspired by Antoni Gaudí;
• La Casa Comalat ;
• The underground bars or hidden bars: which guarantees you a folklore atmosphere,
• The Cemetery of Books: with an area of 600 metres, the library contains valuable books. The place has largely inspired the famous novel by Spanish author Carlos Ruiz Zafon in “L’ombre du Vent”;
• Go through the coastal path, the Passeig Maritim : which is five kilometers long, near the beaches of Barcelona;
• The Antic teatre : Hidden in the Born district is a former outdoor theatre that is now an unusual and charming place to drink a drink.

Transportation in Barcelona

Spain is located right next to the France . Thus, it is relatively easy to visit Barcelona in 3, 4 or 5 days. Several options are available to you:

• By plane, many companies offer flights to Barcelona from France,
• By car, the journey is not very long and is easily made, especially from the south of the country,
• By train, for unprecedented speed. Only 6:30 separate Barcelona from Paris, or 3h since Toulouse,
• By bus, with companies such as Ouibus or flixbus at any time of the week, for a derisory price.

The city of Barcelona is heavily crowded. As a result, your itineraries in Barcelona can easily be done through the appropriate public network, composed of:

• Metro, works every day 5h to midnight. There's a subway every five minutes. In addition, the weekend as well as the day before holidays, it works all night,
• Bus, well developed in Barcelona. It is possible to take buses every day of the week, until 22h. There's a red line for the center, and a night line that starts with the letter N,
• Tramway, which makes it easy to move to the city center. There are 6 lines in total, which also moves where the buses and the subway go,
• Train or R.E.R., which serve the main tourist places of the city with dense hours.

But it is also possible to move to Barcelona with other means of locomotion, such as:

• The scooter, to visit the city with two wheels and be free from your movement,
• The bike, since it is very advantageous in Barcelona, a city with 200 kilometres bike paths.

With all this information and itineraries in Barcelona, you are now ready!