(English) Four days to discover Barcelona

Many people wonder how many days they’ll need to spend in Barcelona to get to see all its charming hidden treasures without having to run around at a sprinter’s pace. Though there’s no definitive answer, four days in Barcelona is probably the right amount of time you need to enjoy a complete tour and a full itinerary. Obviously, visitors arrive with their own ideas of certain things they want to see, but there’s always a multitude of new attractions and events bringing people back to Barcelona year after year.

The key thing is to organise a proper itinerary for each trip, grouping everything you want to see in certain areas together so as to save on travel time. That way, you’ll make the most of your valuable time, squeezing out every drop of beauty from a city that you simply have to live and breathe to understand. Here, we’re suggesting a simple four-day plan for exploring Barcelona, so your visit to our great city can be as wonderful and rewarding as can be.

Day 1

It’s a good idea to start your first day on Las Ramblas, beginning here with a tour of the historic centre of Barcelona. A walk down this popular street is simply unmissable if you want to experience the true feel of the city. 1,200 metres of sights and sounds, where you simply have to stop off at the Boquería Market and the Gran Teatro del Liceo.

After a quick pit stop, think about heading into the Gothic Quarter, one of Barcelona’s best kept secrets. Barcelona’s Cathedral, Calle del Bisbe and Plaza de San Felipe Neri are just some of the great places where you can discover the city’s essence on an unforgettable journey through time on this route.

The Gothic Quarter has a lot to offer and the best way to explore is to simply get lost in its maze of streets. When you’ve spent enough time enjoying the area, it’s a good idea to return to Las Ramblas and walk down to Mirador de Colón, where you can take in some of the city’s most beautiful views from 60 metres up. To round off your day, make sure to relax in the city’s Old Port area, Puerto Viejo, which is nowadays a modern leisure space, home to the fantastic Maremagnum shopping centre.

Day 2

Antonio Gaudí’s immeasurable legacy in Barcelona is well worth dedicating an entire day to exploring. The city simply cannot be understood without appreciating the work of this great and unique artist. And what better way to start your tour than by visiting his ultimate masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia. Get up early to be there just before opening time (9.00am), that way you’ll avoid the worst of the queues.

Your journey through Gaudí’s works can continue down Paseo de Gracia where you should visit Casa Milà (popularly known as La Pedrera) and Casa Batlló, two great examples of Catalan modernism that came to define the Reus-born architect.

So you don’t get too tired of walking, it’s a good idea to take the metro or bus back to the north of the city to explore Parque Güell, another Barcelona icon that takes visitors back on a journey through time.

If you still have the energy and want to continue exploring the northern part of the city, your day can be rounded off nicely at Mount Tibidabo and its amusement park, the Torre de Collserola and the TemploExpiatorio at SagradoCorazón.

Day 3

The magical mountain of Montjuic simply cannot be missed from any tour of Barcelona. Devote your entire third day to seeing this amazing place and the stunning views over the whole city. To do so, you’ll need to go to Plaza de España, where buses regularly depart for Mount Montjuic.

The Olympic Stadium, the Pueblo Español, Castillo de Montjuic and Palau Sant Jordi are just some of the amazing places you can visit on the mountain, which all played a significant role in arguably Barcelona’s biggest ever event – the 1992 Olympic Games.

On your way back, it’s not a bad idea to make a quick stop at Cataluña’s National Museum of Art and the Fuente Mágica, which offers light shows, sound and water spectacles every day.

Day 4

While you may be feeling a little tired on your last day, Barcelona’s many charms will help alleviate any aches and pains. An interesting itinerary for your last day will help you discover the unusual neighbourhoods of Born and Ribera, with their intimate boutiques, interesting cafés, striking restaurants and historic marketplace. But if there’s one thing you simply have to see in this part of Barcelona, it would be the Catedral de Santa María del Mar, a Gothic masterpiece that leaves every visitor speechless in admiration.

And what better way to finish your stay in Barcelona than with a relaxing stroll along Barceloneta beach. A great way to cool off with the sea breeze, the sand underfoot and some wonderful views out over the Mediterranean. It’s an idyllic setting and the perfect way to top off a trip that you certainly won’t forget in a hurry and will surely leave you wanting to see even more of what Barcelona has to offer.

Categories: barcelona