one day in barcelona

How to Spend One Day in Barcelona

If you find yourself in a position with the opportunity to visit Barcelona but are concerned with how little time you have, you’re in luck! Barcelona is a phenomenal city destination and a fantastic option for a short trip. Whether you’re spending a weekend or just one day in Barcelona, many of the city’s extraordinary landmarks, architecture and attractions are obtainable by those looking to make a quick stop in the Catalonia capital. In this guide, we’ll cover practical information about visiting Barcelona and how to make the most of your 24 hours.

Spending more than one day in Barcelona? Check out our list of Top 15 Free Things to Do in Barcelona!

Can You See Barcelona in One Day?

As a major tourist destination and popular European city escape, Barcelona is a great option for a quick trip. Many of its highlights and top attractions can actually be seen in just one day. Still, you should hold realistic expectations that you won’t be able to see everything Barcelona has to offer. After spending one day in Barcelona, you’ll likely want to plan a future trip to come back and discover more of it.

Whether you have a long layover or are in the middle of a multi stop European vacation, a 1 day in Barcelona itinerary is manageable. Many of the must see places in Barcelona are outdoors and accessible by public transportation or walking which means getting from one site to another is efficient. As a fair warning, it may not be the most relaxing 24 hours but it will certainly be eventful and memorable. After all, you can sleep when you get back home!

barcelona for a day

Getting to Barcelona

By Plane

Flights to Barcelona’s main international airport of Barcelona Airport–El Prat (BCN) are very affordable, especially within Europe. Given it’s a major hub for European travel, direct flights from nearly every major European city to Barcelona are easy to find. In addition to the frequency of flights, the airport also accommodates many budget airlines such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, Vueling and more.

By Car

For road trips throughout the continent, making a quick stop in Barcelona is very common and worth it. Driving in Barcelona can be somewhat challenging if you’re not experienced, particularly with a larger vehicle. As long as you avoid the epicenter of the city, getting around by car is doable. The major motorways surrounding Barcelona are also very easy to navigate. If you are planning on spending one day in Barcelona with a car, we highly recommend parking it in a garage or paid lot during the day and overnight. Search for parking accommodation before arriving in Barcelona with tools like Parkimeter.

By Ferry

Barcelona also serves as a port city and is connected to other major cities by ferry routes. From the port of Barcelona, it is possible to reach Spanish islands, Italian islands, mainland Italy and even Morocco. Reaching Barcelona by ferry is convenient if you are travelling with a car and do not wish to drive a long haul. Start browsing ferry route options with Omio or Ferryhopper.

For our own experience on taking the Rome to Barcelona ferry, head here to read more.

Barcelona Travel Tips

Currency

The official currency in Spain is the euro (€) and was originally introduced in the early 2000s. If you plan on withdrawing cash at an ATM, you will receive bills in the euro currency. Since Barcelona’s tourism industry is booming, it’s very easy to exchange USD, GBP or other major international currencies while visiting the city.

Tipping

Similar to neighbouring countries, tipping is not expected in Barcelona. If you want to provide a tip out of habit based on where you’re from, it’s not unusual to leave a tip of up to 10% when eating at a mid-range or high end restaurant. Leaving a tip above this amount will be seen as going overboard and not customary.

Language

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia which geographically is in Spain. However, Catalonia is recognized as an autonomous community of Spain. Their official language is Catalan, not Spanish. Catalan isn’t defined as merely a different dialect but an entirely separate language all together. Although it seems like a small detail, it’s important to be mindful of. These kind of tips help support responsible travel and respect for other cultures.

Avoid Tourist Traps

The city of Barcelona is unfortunately not immune to the stereotypical tourist traps that are easy to fall into as a first time visitor. As with any major destination all over the world, you will run into crowds. With crowds, comes petty theft and pickpocketing. You’ve likely heard it before but it’s crucial to stay vigilant of your belongings when you’re in a place that’s packed with people.

One thing to be particularly aware of in Barcelona is the misconception of free tapas. Despite what you may have heard, tapas are not free in this part of Spain. The tradition of free tapas is primarily found in the Andalucía region, way down south. Given that most tourists will not know this, restaurants will try to lure you in with this misunderstanding.

Getting From and to the Airport

Aeroport de Barcelona-El Prat is accessible from the center of Barcelona by public transportation. Utilizing the bus, metro or even train is much cheaper than catching a taxi. However, if you are travelling with a lot of luggage, it may be a hassle to manoeuvre through public transportation and then the city as you walk from the bus/metro station.

The L9 metro line stops frequently at T1 and T2 and will get you downtown in 30-40 minutes. The official Aerobús is the airport shuttle which connects the city to the airport and makes less frequent stops than the metro system. As long as there is no traffic, you can reach the city center in under 30 minutes. A one-way ticket with the Aerobús costs under €7. 

Taking a taxi between the airport and Barcelona center is the quickest and most direct option but not the most affordable. For booking a transfer in advance, head to Kiwitaxi. Kiwitaxi is most ideal if you’re travelling with a group and splitting the cost

Barcelona One Day Itinerary Overview

Morning

  • Park Güell
  • La Sagrada Familia
  • Casa Milà
  • Casa Batlló

Afternoon

  • Lunch in Gràcia neighbourhood
  • Plaça de Catalunya
  • La Rambla
  • Mercado de La Boqueria
  • Gothic Quarter
    • Plaça Reial
    • Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi
    • Plaça de Sant Felip Neri
    • Cathedral of Barcelona
    • Plaça del Rei
    • Carrer del Bisbe
    • Plaça de Sant Jaume

Evening

  • Ciutadella Park
  • Arc de Triomf
  • La Monumental
  • Dinner in Eixample district
barcelona one day itinerary

Barcelona Tourist Map

What to See in Barcelona in One Day

The Marvellous Park Güell

A tour (guided or self) through Park Güell will take up the most time and therefore, recommended as a morning activity. Park Güell is also located in the hills of Barcelona and out of the way in comparison to other attractions. It should however not be missed and if you’re only spending one day in Barcelona, this is a must see item on your itinerary.

Park Güell has been a park since 1926 and is a magnificent homage to architect Antoni Gaudí. The elements found in the park are signature designs of Gaudí and so distinct that you really won’t see anything like it anywhere else in the world. Not only is it one of the best places for photos in Barcelona, it’s also the most playful and arguably the most beautiful. Park Güell sets the tone for Barcelona’s overall lively feel as a city.

itinerary for barcelona

Gaudí Architecture Throughout the City

One of the best things about Barcelona is being able to see Gaudí architecture throughout the entire city and not just at Park Güell. The next prominent attraction which features Gaudí’s work is La Sagrada Familia. To reach the cathedral, you’ll take the L3 metro line from Park Güell and transfer to the L5 metro line which should take roughly 25 minutes.

La Sagrada Familia is notably the most popular landmark in Barcelona and truly mesmerising to see in person. The view of the church is also completely free to enjoy but if you are interested in going inside, you must purchase tickets beforehand. For a 1 day itinerary in Barcelona, entering La Sagrada Familia isn’t necessarily recommended as the queue always take a long time. If you’re focused on maximizing your one day in Barcelona, merely enjoy the cathedral from below instead.

La Sagrada Familia

Additional pieces of Gaudí’s legacy can be found along the street of Passeig de Gràcia. Getting here from La Sagrada Familia is a 20 minute walk or a 7 minute metro ride on the L5. The first building is named La Pedrera-Casa Milà (or Casa Milà) which is also accessible by paid entry to visitors. Just a couple blocks down, Casa Batlló sits on the corner of the very same street. Casa Batlló looks like something out of a Disney movie and is one of the best photo spots in Barcelona.

Spanish Style Lunch

One cannot leave Barcelona without trying a few classic Spanish tapas dishes. Tapas are small plates and meant to be shared but they’re also ideal if you’re the type of person that likes to try a little bit of everything. Aside from tapas, popular menu items you’ll find in Barcelona include seafood and grilled meats. Near Passeig de Gràcia, you’ll find a handful of exceptional restaurants for lunch. Just to name a few, check out:

The Bustling La Rambla and Plaça de Catalunya

As you venture down south on foot, you’ll soon run into Plaça de Catalunya, Barcelona’s largest town square. Surrounding the square, you’ll find many big brand stores, sculpture landmarks and places to grab an after lunch coffee (or ice cream). Plaça de Catalunya is connected by five metro lines and serves as one of the city’s most heavily trafficked transportation hub. The town square also acts as the entry point to Barcelona’s most iconic pedestrian boulevard name La Rambla (or Las Ramblas).

The wide avenue is perfectly tree-lined and idyllic for taking a stroll while letting Barcelona unfold around you. You’ll find La Rambla packed with vendors, outdoor cafes, street performers and shops. 

Placa de Catalunya

The Colorful and Lively Mercado de La Boqueria

Along the La Rambla route, you’ll run into Barcelona’s most remarkable public market. Mercado de La Boqueria sits almost unassumingly along the busy street until you enter the covered area and are hit with hundreds of colors, smells and sounds of the market. Although the typical Spanish market has seen much quieter days, it has most recently turned into one of the pinnacle attractions in Barcelona. Particularly if you are travelling from a country where markets are not common (like the U.S.), you’ll undoubtedly be in awe of La Boqueria Market.

Old Town Atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter

Once you have wandered through Mercado de La Boqueria, you can keep going or turn off La Rambla. If you decide to finish the La Rambla walk, you’ll reach the Columbus Monument which sits at a major roundabout near the waterfront. We recommend ending your La Rambla walk a bit earlier and turning left into the Gothic Quarter instead.

Also known as Barri Gòtic, it’s unquestionably the most charming and magical area of Barcelona. History has taught as that this is where the city of Barcelona actually began and just kept on developing from the Gothic Quarter. When walking through the tiny passageways, it’s easy to feel like you’ve stepped back in time. To experience the unmistakable medieval energy of old Barcelona (and Europe for that matter), there’s no better place than the Gothic Quarter.

You’ll find a handful of significant attractions worth seeing such as the Barcelona Cathedral, all within the same neighbourhood. The picturesque and palm tree filled Plaça Reial is notably a must see item on any Barcelona itinerary. Aside from many other lovely and tucked away town squares, you’ll also find numerous historical landmarks.

As the afternoon comes to an end, consider a break for happy hour at one of the countless bars in the Gothic Quarter. Milans Cocktail Bar in particular is a quirky and casual spot for a drink or two before continuing on.

1 day in barcelona itinerary

Outdoor Oasis of Ciutadella Park and Arc de Triomf

The brilliant Parc de la Ciutadella is a public park in the heart of Barcelona and enjoyable for any and all types of travellers. Take a pre dinner stroll through the well manicured lawns, delightful gardens and countless monuments. One of the highlights of Ciutadella Park is Plaça de Sonia Rescalvo Zafra and the glorious fountain set in the background.  

Leading to the park is the dignified Passeig de Lluís Companys promenade which is outlined with palm trees and many places to take a seat. At the end of the pedestrian path is the colossal Arc de Triomf made of red brick and in the Neo-Mudéjar style. The arch is a renowned landmark to the Catalonia capital and an important stop to make during your one day in Barcelona.

1 day itinerary barcelona

More Delicious Spanish Food & a Nightcap

As you head north and away from Ciutadella Park, try to walk by the La Monumental which is also known as Plaza de Toros Monumental de Barcelona. It is a bullring built back in the early 1900s and interesting to check out from the outside. In this same area, you’ll find another handful of exquisite restaurants to try for dinner. Seating may be competitive but these are some of the best rated eateries:

If you’re not ready to hang up your hat for the day, check out Barcelona’s extraordinary nightlife scene. From dance clubs, jazz venues to unpretentious bars mixing really good cocktails, there’s no shortage of places in Barcelona to end the night. Check out El Bombó Salsa or La Burnessa which are both located in the Gothic Quarter and play latin music into the wee hours.

Best Places to Stay for One Night in Barcelona

Aparthotel Augusta – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

Occidental Diagonal 414 – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

Room Mate Gerard – Book with Booking.com

Catalonia Avinyo – Book with Booking.com or Agoda

Room Mate Pau – Book with Booking.com

Praktik Garden – Book with Booking.com

Barcelona Travel Resources

travel insurance TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage

where to book flights FLIGHTS: CheapOair or Agoda

accommodation icon ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Hostelworld or Trivago

esim icon ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo

booking activities TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator

Ways to Save Money During Your 24 hours in Barcelona

  • Hostels – For solo travellers, staying at a hostel is the perfect solution for budget travel
  • Booked Tickets in Advance – Purchasing admission tickets in person is often more expensive than purchasing them beforehand and online
  • Hola Barcelona Travel Card – An unlimited transportation pass for the use of the metro, bus and tram
  • Free Walking Tours – The best alternative to a paid guided tour. All you have to contribute is a tip!
  • eSIM Card – A cheaper option to paying for an “international” package with your domestic cell phone carrier

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