From the Sagrada Família to Casa Batlló, from the Arc de Triomf to Montjuïc, make the most of your trip to Barcelona with this two-day itinerary.
Barcelona is a city that amazes you, whether you’re visiting for the first time or, like me, have been living there for 10 years. It’s the city of Gaudí, modernist masterpieces, hidden squares, the winding alleys of the Gothic Quarter, breathtaking views, world-renowned museums and so much more.
You could easily spend a week here and still not see everything. But if you don’t have that much time, don’t worry. I’ve created a two-day itinerary that will allow you to visit the highlights of Barcelona. It’ll take you from the Sagrada Família to Park Güell, Casa Batlló, the city’s historic quarters, and its stunning viewpoints. And, of course, you’ll have plenty of time to savor some delicious Catalan cuisine.
Keep reading to discover this two-day Barcelona itinerary and save the handy maps.
Barcelona itinerary: Day 1
10am: Visit the iconic Sagrada Familía
Estimated visit time: 1.5 hours
Metro stop: Sagrada Família (L2, L5, around a 3-minute walk)
There’s no better place to start your exploration than at Barcelona’s most iconic landmark. The Sagrada Família is the unfinished masterpiece of Antoni Gaudí. Construction is still ongoing to complete the original ambitious project. With its soaring towers and intricate details, this magnificent basilica embodies the pinnacle of Catalan modernism. I strongly recommend booking your entry tickets well in advance to avoid spending hours in line.
To fully enjoy this experience, consider joining a small group tour of the Sagrada Família, with priority access and a local guide who’ll reveal all the details and stories behind this work of art.
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Midday: Admire the architecture of Hospital Sant Pau
Metro stop: Guinardó | Hospital de Sant Pau (L4, around a 4-minute walk)
A pleasant 20-minute walk from the Sagrada Família takes you to this modernist gem. Hospital Sant Pau is the city’s old hospital, built in the early 20th century and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex is vast and truly impressive, with interconnected pavilions, gardens and enchanting decorations.
If it’s your first time in Barcelona, I’d recommend admiring it from the outside then continuing with your itinerary. However, if you’ve already visited the Sagrada Família or Park Güell, I suggest taking a tour to explore this site.
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Lunch nearby
Head back to Avenida de Gaudí to look for a place where you can eat well and relax. Here you’ll find various eateries, catering to all tastes and budgets. If you manage to find a spot, take a break at Sagradas Tapas and enjoy a cozy meal of tapas enjoying the flavors of Catalonia.
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2pm: Explore the wonders of Park Güell
Estimated visit time: 2 hours
Bus stop: CAP Larrard (H6, around a 9-minute walk)
After a satisfying meal, it’s time to head to the next sight. Park Güell is another iconic Barcelona attraction designed by Antoni Gaudí. It’s a park that blends green spaces and spectacular views with modernist architectural elements.
Admire the stunning panorama from the Nature Square and snap a photo on the colorful sea serpent-shaped bench. Climb the scenic Dragon Staircase and reach the Hypostyle Hall, with its 86 columns inspired by Doric style.
For a more exclusive experience, I recommend booking a private tour of Park Güell with a local guide, which can be tailored specifically to your interests.
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Afternoon: Stroll along Passeig de Gràcia to Casa Milà
Metro stop: Catalunya (L1, L3)
After all the exploring, dedicate your afternoon to some shopping along Passeig de Gràcia. From the Catalunya metro station, walk for 20 minutes until you arrive at La Pedrera – Casa Milà, which, for the moment, you’ll admire only from the outside.
After snapping some photos of the undulating façade, it’s time for a break. Here are two options:
- Cafè La Pedrera is located right inside Gaudí’s masterpiece. Here, you can enjoy a drink and light snack while relaxing in a work of art.
- Café Vienés is a café inside a beautiful modernist building. Here, you can have a coffee, cocktail or a sweet or savory snack.
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8:30pm: Enjoy Casa Batlló in the evening
Estimated visit time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Metro stop: Passeig de Gràcia (L3, around a 1-minute walk)
Did you know that Casa Batlló can also be visited in the evening? With the last entry at 9:15pm, this Gaudí masterpiece becomes even more enchanting after sunset, thanks to its expert lighting. Once again, make sure to book your entry well in advance and immerse yourself in this magical experience.
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Dinner in the Eixample district
To end the day in style, enjoy a lovely dinner in the Eixample district. Here are my recommendations for some local restaurants:
- Los Tortillez: A simple place, it has the best tortilla in the city.
- Casa Masana: Excellent grilled fish and meat, with a daily menu that’s quite affordable.
- MariscCo: One of the best seafood restaurants in the city, it has competitive prices. The arroz caldoso and baby squid are particularly delicious.
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Barcelona itinerary: Day 2
10am: Admire the view from Torre Glòries
Estimated visit time: 1 hour
Metro stop: Glòries (L1, about a 2-minute walk)
Start the second day with a stunning view of the city from the Torre Glòries observation deck. This extraordinary tower, visible from miles away, has been a city skyline icon since 2005 and recently joined the World Federation of Great Towers.
The visit begins in the basement with the audiovisual and interactive exhibit Hipermirador Barcelona. Then, in just half a minute, the elevator takes you to the 30th-floor observation deck. This is the only place where you can enjoy a 360º view of the city. You’ll see landmarks like the Sagrada Família, Montjuïc, the W Hotel, Avenida Diagonal, and much more—most notably, a stunning view of the sea. The art installation Cloud Cities also deserves a mention.
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11am: Discover Barcelona’s historic center
There’s nothing better than exploring a city on foot—it’s the only way to uncover hidden gems and truly immerse yourself in the local atmosphere. That’s why this itinerary includes a walk to discover some of Barcelona’s highlights and its historic districts. It’s a route I’ve walked many times.
Arc de Triomf
From Torre Glòries, you can reach the Arc de Triomf in 25 minutes on foot (or take the metro as an alternative). This 30m-tall monument was the main entrance to Barcelona’s Universal Exhibition in 1888 and, contrary to its name, has no military significance. It’s definitely worth taking a photo here, but the walk from the arch to Parc de la Ciutadella along Passeig de Lluis Companys is even more enjoyable, and often filled with street performers.
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Parc de la Ciutadella
Parc de la Ciutadella is one of my favorite green spaces in Barcelona. It was once home to a citadel, hence its name, but today, both locals and tourists come here to relax on the grass, go for a walk, or visit its attractions. In the park, you’ll find a zoo, a pond with a waterfall, a statue of a mammoth, and a lake where you can rent a boat.
El Born
From the park, less than five minutes away, you enter one of Barcelona’s most authentic districts: El Born. The highlight of this historic neighborhood is El Mercat del Born, a former market hall where you can view ruins of medieval Barcelona. Nearby is the majestic Santa Maria del Mar, a Gothic church with an impressive rose window. Feel like a coffee break? Grab a cortado at one of El Born’s many terraces.
Gothic Quarter
From Santa Maria del Mar, a short walk brings you to the heart of old Barcelona: El Barrio Gótico (the Gothic Quarter). This maze of alleys and squares exudes medieval charm. Admire the imposing Barcelona Cathedral and discover hidden squares like Plaça Sant Felip Neri. Then, continue to Pont del Bisbe, the iconic neo-Gothic bridge connecting two buildings and one of the most photographed spots in the neighborhood. It’s always crowded, but I think it’s worth it.
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Lunch in La Barceloneta
After all that walking, you’re sure to have worked up an appetite. In about 25 minutes, you’ll reach La Barceloneta, the old fisherman’s district of Barcelona, full of small restaurants and seaside terraces.
A highly recommended spot for delicious seafood paella or fideuà is La Mar Salada restaurant on Passeig de Joan de Borbó—make a reservation if you can.
After lunch, take some time to relax and maybe soak up some sun on the beach.
4pm: Take the cable car to Montjuïc
Travel time: 8 minutes
Metro stop: Barceloneta (L4, about a 15-minute walk)
Barceloneta is the starting point for the cable car (Teleférico del Puerto) that leads to Montjuïc. Purchase a single or round-trip ticket and one of the cabins will take you up to this iconic hill of Barcelona in less than 10 minutes. It’s another fantastic way to enjoy the city views.
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4:30pm: Discover Montjuïc
Once you arrive at this lush hill full of culture, history and panoramic views, you have the following options:
- Visit the Montjuïc Castle, a 17th-century fortress with spectacular views of the city and port.
- Admire the art at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), known for its modernist and Gothic Catalan works.
- Stroll through the Jardins de Miramar or the Anella Olímpica (Olympic Ring), the site of the 1992 Games.
Evening plans
After an exciting day full of adventures, you can enjoy a delicious dinner at a nice restaurant or one of the city’s many rooftop spots.
Recommended restaurants:
- Time Out Market Barcelona, Port Vell (Maremagnum)
- El Xampanyet, Carrer de Montcada 22 (Ciutat Vella)
- Bezina, Passatge de Pere Calders 6 (Sant Antoni)
- Albé, Carrer de Mallorca 196 (Eixample)
Rooftop bars:
- Pulitzer Rooftop, Carrer Bergara 8 (Plaça Catalunya)
- Tope, The Hoxton, Avinguda Diagonal 205 (Poblenou)
- Rooftop Sir Victor, Carrer del Rosselló 265 (Eixample)
- Terraza Sercotel Rosellón – perfect for the best selfies with the Sagrada Familia, Carrer del Roselló 390
If you want to keep exploring Barcelona, take the cable car back to La Barceloneta and head toward Moll de Mestral, where you’ll board a sailboat for an exciting sunset cruise.
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