3 Days in Barcelona
Visited in: November 2022, November 2025If you’re looking to visit a city that has great food, a vibrant nightlife, and bold architecture, look no further than Barcelona. The city feels alive — unless it’s time for the midday siesta — and will have you wishing you never had to leave. In fact, during my first visit, my friend and I intentionally missed our train to Valencia, opting to stay an extra night last-minute (oops)!
On a real note: in recent years, Barcelona has been impacted by the strain of over tourism, and residents are (rightfully) upset about it. Remember to practice responsible tourism — avoid adding to the pressure during peak season if you can, support locally owned companies while you’re there, and practice a few local phrases before arriving. Remember, this is someone’s home, and they deserve to feel at home in it.
View of Barcelona with Sagrada Familia visible from Montjuic
What to Do
Discover Gaudí’s Barcelona
Antoni Gaudí’s designs are deeply woven into the city’s identity. Whether it’s the spiritual experience of Sagrada Familia or the views from Park Güell that draw you to his works, there’s no denying the unique beauty that sets them apart from the surrounding architecture. His distinct style has captivated people for over a hundred years, and the crowds have yet to wane. Rumour has it that Sagrada Familia might (finally) complete construction this year, in 2026, after about a century and a half of construction. If that proves to be true, I can’t imagine the interest will end anytime soon.
If you’re interested in exploring some of his work, read all about Gaudí’s Barcelona to help you decide which of his 12 Barcelona designs you want to see.
Picasso Museum
If you’re like me and love a museum, check out the Museu Picasso. Though he relocated to France in 1904 and lived there until his death, he spent his teenage years in Barcelona. It is here that he completed his apprenticeship and thus, in a lot of ways, this is the city that shaped one of art’s most influential movements: cubism.
The collection holds over 4,000 of Picasso’s artworks, making it one of the largest in the world. Whether or not cubism is your cup of tea, if you have an appreciation for art and a couple of hours to spare, I really recommend checking it out.
Find hours and tickets online here.
Enjoy the Beach
Spend a few hours down by the water. The wide strip of sand stretches for about four kilometres (2.5 mi.) of coastline. It was created as part of the redevelopment for the 1992 Olympic Games, when the city invested in transforming the shoreline from an industrial hub into a beautiful man-made beach.
Take a dip in the ocean, read on the sand, grab some food and drinks at one of the beachfront restaurants, or go for a nice walk along the promenade.
Wander the Gothic Quarter
If you love old towns, Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is one you shouldn’t miss. The enchanting narrow corridors are filled with shops, restaurants, and beautiful buildings. You could easily spend an hour or two wandering the picturesque streets.
Be sure to check out the Barcelona Cathedral while you’re here. There is an entry fee, but even a quick stop to admire the exterior is worth the time!
If you’re interested in learning more about the history of the oldest part of the city, consider taking a guided tour through the neighbourhood. There are free tours available, averaging between two and three hours.
Explore Montjuic
If you feel like you need a break from the noise of the city, make your way over to Montjuic. This small mountain — or rather large hill — is right in the city and has plenty to see and do. Enjoy the views of the city and wander through the botanical gardens if you want relaxed vibes, or visit Montjuic Castle* and check out the 1992 Olympic sites if you’d like to take a step into the past.
Though some of the attractions here have an entry fee, there is plenty to see for free, making it a great place to spend one or two hours during your visit.
If you’re able to visit in the evening, consider catching the Magic Fountain* show near the base of Montjuic. The light show has endless combinations of light, music, and water choreographies. I’ve not seen it live, but the videos of it look intriguing! Find showtimes, videos and more here.
Enjoy the Nightlife
The rumours are true, the party lasts all night in Barcelona. A lot of neighbourhoods that feel abandoned during the day are full of life and music straight through the night. I don’t have a long list of recommendations for you, but we signed up for bar crawls through our hostel during my first visit. And we had the best time well into the early morning hours — sleep is for the weak… right?
Even if you’re not staying in a hostel, you can sign up for guided bar crawls (through hostels, or otherwise). They’re a great way to have a fun night out and meet people without the pressure of finding the “right” bars yourself!
Where to Eat
Rekons - Empanadas
Fresh empanadas for great prices? Yes, please! There’s such a wide selection of meat and veggie options, ranging in flavours and spice levels. We got four empanadas, and every single one was a winner. This was a suggestion from our hostel, and they really hit the nail on the head.
Find them on Google Maps here.
Ciudad Condal - Tapas
Definitely more on the touristy side of things, but the prices were decent and there was a great selection. Their happy hour menu includes a lot of tapas to choose from. This place is quite popular; you might have to wait a bit for a table, but they work hard to get you seated quickly.
Find them on Google Maps here.
Lato - Brunch
I’d never given much thought to what a Peruvian brunch spot might be like, but it was one of the best brunches I’ve ever had. Not only was the food beautifully plated, but also full of flavour! My friend and I were told to check it out by someone we met at our hostel, and it exceeded all of our expectations.
Find them on Google Maps here.
The Bagel Family - Bagels
After living in Europe for over 6 months, I was really missing a good old-fashioned bagel. This spot offers New York style bagels, a selection of cream cheese flavours, and breakfast sandwich topping options. It absolutely sated the craving.
Find them on Google Maps here.
Baluard Barceloneta - Bakery
If you’re looking for simple and quality, check out this bakery. Another recommendation, and one that I went back to three days in a row. Delicious flaky croissants, quality coffees, and the incredible smell of fresh-baked bread.
There are a few locations throughout the city; I’ve linked the one I visited here.
Sunset over Girona
Plan a Day Trip
One of my favourite things to do when staying in a big city is seeing what daytrips I can add to the plan. Barcelona has so many beautiful, small towns nearby which are conveniently connected by train. During my visit in 2022, we planned a day in Girona in the Costa Brava region. The old Jewish Quarter was used as a filming location in Game of Thrones, and it is only a 45 minute journey away from Barcelona by train.
A couple towns I have on my list for future visits:
Monserrat* - about 1.25 hours away, this beautiful mountainous area is a popular stop for both religious pilgrimages and people with an appreciation of natural beauty alike.
Tossa del Mar* - it takes about 1 hour to arrive from Barcelona to this beautiful coastal town. Located on the sea in the Costa Brava region, it is the perfect destination if you’re after a relaxing beach day.
Explore more short-stay travel guides below!
Discover Barcelona, Spain’s vibrant, coastal city. Delicious food, midday siestas, iconic architecture, and late nights.