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Looking for a comprehensive five-day Barcelona itinerary showing you exactly what to see, do, and eat? I’ve got you covered! Five days sounds like a lot, but there is just so much in Barcelona that time goes by in the blink of an eye.
On my recent trip to Barcelona, Spain, I experienced the best things to do in Barcelona with the intention of relaying what I learned to you.
So, to help you plan your trip, I’ve put together this detailed 5-day Barcelona itinerary that takes you from morning ’til night.
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Table of Contents
5 Days In Barcelona Itinerary
Day 1 – Gaudi Architecture
🌅 Morning
Kick off your first morning in Barcelona by heading to the Eixample neighborhood. Start with breakfast from Ugot Bruncherie. Then, make your way to some of the city’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites designed by Catalan modernist architect Antoni Gaudi.
Start with Gaudi’s masterpieces Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (also known as La Pedrera). Once you’ve walked through these architectural wonders, take a stroll on the luxury shopping street of Passeig De Gracia.
⛅ Afternoon
Grab a traditional Catalan lunch with a dessert of Catalan cream at Restaurant Portolès. Then, walk about 15 minutes to the legendary La Sagrada Familia. Get a Barcelona Pass in advance so you can enjoy a skip-the-line ticket (the lines are significant), then wander around the iconic Barcelona basilica after your visit.
After visiting La Sagrada Familia, finish off your exploration of Gaudi’s greatest architectural masterpieces by taking the V19 bus to the Gracia neighborhood.
Here, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Park Güell and experience some of the best views over the city. Stick around Park Güell for sunset before heading back down into the city center.
🌅 Evening
On your first night in Barcelona, make a reservation at one of the best restaurants in Barcelona – Arcano Restaurant. Before dinner, stop by Paradiso (the #1 best-ranked bar in the world) to put your name on the digital queue. Order the tasting menu to get a full sense of the bar’s style.
Around the time dinner finishes, your spot at Paradiso should be ready. Spend the rest of the evening at the world-renowned speak-easy style bar ordering incredible cocktails.
👉 Pro Tip: The easiest (and cheapest) way to visit all the iconic Barcelona attractions showcased on day one is by booking a Barcelona Pass.
Day 2 – The Gothic Quarter & Barceloneta Beach
🌅 Morning
Start your second day in Barcelona in the Gothic Quarter with an egg-filled breakfast at Milk Bar & Bistro. After eating, walk around the impressive, shaded streets of the neighborhood to the Barcelona Cathedral and El Point del Bisbe.
Then, head five minutes away to El Món Neix en Cada Besada to fight your way through the crowds and snap a photo of yourself in front of the famous mural. Finish off the morning by strolling down Las Ramblas to see the shops and restaurants.
⛅ Afternoon
Spend the second lunch of your Barcelona itinerary at the incredible La Boqueria gourmet market. Join this Barcelona Markets Walking Tour around the aisles of fresh, local goods. After the guided tour, grab some tasty tapas plates from El Quim de la Boqueria inside the market.
Then, pop over to Granja Dulcinea chocolate shop on the other side of La Rambla. Buy some sweets before taking the N28 bus to La Barceloneta Beach to watch the sunset over Barcelona.
🌅 Evening
For dinner, go to the nearby seafood restaurant of Barceloneta right near the beach. Enjoy your meal late into the night before returning to your accommodations for a good night’s sleep.
Day 3 – Ciutadella Park & El Born
🌅 Morning
Begin day three of your Barcelona itinerary by buying a big coffee and a pastry from Syra Coffee near the El Born neighborhood. Next, take your light breakfast to a bench or a patch of grass at Ciutadella Park.
Once you’re finished munching, rent a boat to row through the park’s small lake. Wander through the little onsite Jardins Fontserè i Mestre botanical gardens or the Barcelona Zoo.
⛅ Afternoon
In the afternoon, walk out of the park through the Passeig de Lluís Companys to find the massive Arc de Triomf. Stand underneath its shade for a selfie before continuing on a 10-minute walk to Casa Alfonso for lunch.
Next, pay a visit to the nearby Palau de la Música Catalana to see its beautiful stained glasswork. Follow this with stops at the Basilica of Santa Maria del Marand the Picasso Museum 10 minutes away. Then, take a walk around Passeig del Born as the day turns to night.
🌅 Evening
On your third night in Barcelona, get to know the city’s nightlife in the neighborhood of El Born. Sip on a pre-dinner drink at Mariposa Negra Cocktail Bar. Then, head over to your table at GUZZO for a delicious meal accompanied by live jazz music.
After dinner, slip through the back of a convenience store to reach a sneaky speakeasy called Monk. Have a drink or two before hitting up the beloved Dr. Stravinsky cocktail bar. Close out the night with a bit of dancing at Stereo 18 and wrap it all up with a late-night snack from Narciso.
Day 4 – Blanes & Lloret De Mar Day Trip
🌅 Morning
It’s day four of your Barcelona itinerary and today you’re embarking on two of the best day trips from Barcelonajust a few hours away – Blanes and Lloret De Mar.
First stop by Plaça de Catalunya, a large square in Barcelona, and get a pastry and coffee from Dalston Coffee. Then, hop on the R1 metro and ride it for 1.5 hours until you reach the beachside city of Blanes.
Upon arrival in Blanes, grab a taxi to Castell de Sant Joan for striking views over the ocean and Costa Brava. Next, take in some of the region’s striking nature at Jardi Botanic Marimurtra.
Afterward, take a walk along the coastal hiking trails of Cami De Ronda. Finish off the morning with a dip in the sea at Cala Bona Beach.
⛅ Afternoon
Munch on a divine seafood lunch at La Caseta in Blanes. Then, continue your day with a 15-minute taxi ride to Lloret de Mar. Upon arrival, head straight to Playa de Fenals to soak up the sunshine on the beach’s crystal-clear water.
Next, visit the Dona Marinera sculpture and viewpoint. Then, get in some more beach time at Platja de Lloret de Mar. Eat a few light tapas plates from La Lonja and then return back to Barcelona for the night.
🌅 Evening
Take an hour-long bus ride back to Barcelona from Lloret de Mar and make your way toward the city center. For dinner, have a table pre-booked at Casa Lolea, and order the black truffle risotto and homemade sangria.
Then, order a cocktail and appreciate the late-night city views from RoofTop Ohla Barcelona. End the night with a cone of creamy gelato from OGGI and get ready for the final day of your Barcelona itinerary.
Day 5 – Montjuïc & Sant Antoni
🌅 Morning
End your five-day Barcelona itinerary on a relaxing note by discovering the outer neighborhoods of Montjuïc & Sant Antoni. Start the day with brunch from The Egg Lab, followed up with a latte to go from Origin Specialty Coffee.
Walk through Plaça d’Espanya to reach the Magic Fountainand the Joan Maragall Gardens. Take a peaceful trek through the greenery of the gardens. Then, visit the renowned Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, or the National Museum of Catalan Art in English.
Continue onto Telefèric de Montjuïc, also known as the Barcelona Cable Car. Take the cable car ride up the mountain for sweeping views over Barcelona as the afternoon settles in.
⛅ Afternoon
In the afternoon, take a cab over to Mercat de Sant Antoni. Roam around the stalls to find some lunch and maybe even grab some nonperishable foods and spices to bring home.
Next, take the L3 metro line up to Camp Nou, the home stadium of FC Barcelona. Take this F.C. Barcelona Museum Immersive Tour at Camp Nou to learn about the sport’s massive impact on the city.
🌅 Evening
Treat yourself on your last night in Barcelona to an excellent dinner and exciting nightlife around the Raval district. First, eat an elevated Spanish meal at RAO restaurant. Make sure you order the octopus, scallops, and the duck.
Now that you’ve energized yourself with plenty of nutrients, hit the town for some bar hopping. Start it off with Big Bang Bar for a bit of live music and dancing. Then, wander over to Bar Marsella where Hemingway once drank to try an absinthe cocktail.
Next, hit up 33/45 Bar & Gallery for cocktails and bar food to get your energy back up. Finally, close out the night at Moog nightclub for some techno music and dancing into the early morning hours.
Barcelona Itinerary Map
Here is a Google Map with all the stops, attractions, and hotels mentioned in this post.
Where to Stay in Barcelona
Best Hotels
Barcelona’s neighborhoods have a mix of 5-star hotels and budget accommodations. Here is a simple breakdown of the top hotels in Barcelona for every type of traveler:
- 🛏️ Budget – Yeah Barcelona Hostel
- 🌟 Mid-Range – Occidental Diagonal 414
- 🏆 Luxury – Olivia Plaza Hotel
- 👪 For Families – Hotel Margot House
- 💻 For Business – Radisson Blu 1882
- 🚶🏽♀️ For Solo Travelers – Hotel Villa Emilia
- 🏙️ For Central Location – Sixtytwo Hotel
Best Neighborhoods & Areas
Barcelona isn’t the biggest city in the world when it comes to area, yet each of its neighborhoods is unique from the next. When choosing where to stay in Barcelona, consider these neighborhoods:
- Eixample ( Search apartments in Eixample) – A trendy, immaculate neighborhood in the center of Barcelona with many of the city’s top attractions, restaurants, and boutiques.
- El Born ( Search apartments in El Born) – A chic, green neighborhood known for housing Ciutadella Park, several good museums, and a stellar nightlife scene.
- El Raval ( Search apartments in El Raval) – A popular arts and party district conveniently located near many of the city’s other top neighborhoods.
- Gothic Quarter ( Search apartments in The Gothic Quarter) – A historic neighborhood famed for being the oldest part of Barcelona with distinguished architecture and many landmarks.
- Barceloneta ( Search apartments in Barceloneta) – A coastal, resort neighborhood right on the beach with high-end hotels and delicious seafood restaurants.
How to Get Around in Barcelona
🚶♀️ Walking – The best way to get around Barcelona’s city center is on foot. The city is very well-organized and pedestrian-friendly. It’s simple to find your way walking around Barcelona even during your first trip to the city. Plus, it’s a great way to save money.
🚘 Driving – It’s not recommended to attempt driving in Barcelona without being comfortable driving in big, bustling cities. Even then, it’s probably not the best idea. Barcelona is very hectic with lots of pedestrians and limited parking.
🚇 Public Transportation – The public transportation in Barcelona is fantastic for slightly longer journeys around the city or going on day trips. There is a metro system with metro stations, buses, and a major train station in Barcelona. Public transportation in Barcelona is very affordable.
🛵 Bike/Scooter Rentals – Barcelona has bike and scooter rentals that you can get on-demand with apps like YEGO or eCooltra. These are good solutions for traveling distances that are just a bit too long to walk without hopping on a train or bus.
🚕 Taxis/Rideshares – Taxis and rideshare apps are very prevalent in Barcelona. The most commonly used rideshare apps in Barcelona are Cabify, Free Now, and Uber.
Barcelona Itinerary Planning Tips
Tip #1 – Visit Barcelona Viewpoints at Sunset
One of the best ways to finish off a day in Barcelona is by watching the sunset. There are lots of different places to watch the sunset in Barcelona.
You can head to the MUHBA Turó de la Rovira viewpoint or the steps of the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. Alternatively, you can watch the sunset on La Barceloneta beach or at one of Barcelona’s many rooftop bars.
Tip #2 – Visit Outer Barcelona Neighborhoods
Make time to visit the less central neighborhoods when you visit Barcelona. Districts like Sant Antoni, El Poblenou, and Gracia offer a much more serene environment, affordable prices, and easy access to central parts of the city.
Tip #3 – Shop At The Local Flea Markets
The shopping scene in Barcelona is massive and eclectic, so you’ll definitely want to fit some browsing into your itinerary.
While there are lots of shopping streets with popular brands, you should visit some of the local flea markets, too. Barcelona flea markets like Els Encants and El Flea hide secondhand treasures you’d never stumble upon anywhere else.
Tip #4 – Visit Barcelona Museums on Free Sundays
Many of the best museums in Spain are conveniently located right in Barcelona, including the Picasso Museum, Museu Nacional D’Art De Catalunya, and Fundació Joan Miró.
Save yourself money at these museums by visiting on free museum day, which is usually the first Sunday of the month. Some museums are even free all the time, like MUHBA Templo de Augusto. You can check when every Barcelona museum is free on the Barcelona Metropolitan website.
Tip #5 – Eat Local Specialties at Barcelona’s Food Markets
Barcelona’s restaurants can get expensive, but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on Spain’s excellent cuisine. For great food at an affordable price, visit the amazing markets in Spain.
Many of the country’s best markets are located in Barcelona, including the La Boqueria and Sant Antoni Markets.
Tip #6 – Take Free Walking Tours
Visiting all of Barcelona’s major tours and attractions in just five days can be a little overwhelming. Take a bit of the pressure off yourself by joining a guided tour or food tour to get an informed feel for Barcelona.
There are plenty of free walking tours around Barcelona (however, please don’t forget to tip your guide!). You can find the schedule for these budget-friendly walking tours at Free Walking Tours Barcelona.
Tip #7 – Make Reservations for Restaurants
Many of the best restaurants in Barcelona happen to be small or have a long waiting list. Making restaurant reservations is absolutely essential while in Barcelona, especially on weekends and during the high season.
Barcelona is one of the most popular places to visit in Spain, so without a reservation, you could end up standing in the street with nowhere to eat.
Tip #8 – Book Tickets to Major Attractions Online in Advance
Booking tickets for Barcelona’s attractions in advance is essential to ensure your entry. Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and tickets for attractions like the Sagrada Familia tend to sell out well in advance.
Luckily, Barcelona’s top attractions allow visitors to purchase their tickets online in advance. This way, you know exactly what time to show up to the site and you don’t have to worry about any ticket or timing mishaps.
Tip #9 – Beware of Pickpockets and Get Travel Insurance
Even though Barcelona is a fun and exciting city, it has a huge problem with petty crime like pickpocketing. The line at the Apple Store is usually comically long because so many people get their phones swiped.
You should never walk around with your phone in your pocket in Barcelona. Instead, use a zippered and slash-proof cross-body bag. You should also protect your trip and belongings with travel insurance like Visitor’s Coverage.
FAQs About Itinerary Planning for Barcelona
How many days is enough for Barcelona?
Five days is enough time to explore Barcelona and take a day trip. It takes at least 3 days in Barcelona to cover all major attractions and get a feel for its top neighborhoods. After all, there are 10 districts in Barcelona encompassing 73 neighborhoods.
How can I plan a 7-day itinerary for Barcelona?
You can plan a 7-day itinerary for Barcelona by creating a list of all the things you want to see, do, and eat during your trip. Once you’ve compiled an inventory of your Barcelona travel goals, look at a city map to organize those activities over the course of seven days.
This is the most efficient way to develop a structured seven-day itinerary for Barcelona.
What are the top sites in Barcelona?
La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, the Cathedral of Barcelona, and La Boqueria Market are the top sites in Barcelona. While there are many things to do in Barcelona, these attractions tend to receive the most visitors every year. La Sagrada Familia alone receives up to 30,000 visitors every single day during the summer.
Should I go to Madrid or Barcelona?
Madrid and Barcelona are both exceptional cities that each offer visitors different experiences. Barcelona is coastal, busy, and boasts some of the most famous tourist attractions in all of Europe. Madrid is more laidback, affordable, and offers tons of cultural attractions and top museums.
For more, see my full breakdown of Barcelona vs Madrid.
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You’re fully prepared to take on five days with this complete Barcelona itinerary. Taking a trip over to Spain’s capital of Madrid, too? Give my 6-Day Madrid Itinerary a quick read as well. Safe travels!
