When planning a visit to Spain, chances are Barcelona is at the top of your list – and for good reason! While it’s only the 2nd largest city in Spain, it receives more foreign visitors than any other city in the country due to its breathtaking architecture, rich Catalan culture, beautiful beaches, and delicious cuisine! And while one day is nowhere near enough time to see even just the highlights of Barcelona, we believe that it’s better to see something once – even if only for a moment – than to hear about it a thousand times! So, if you’re a time-crunched traveler like us and only have one day to explore, we’re here to help you get the most out of your sweet, albeit short, visit to this incredible city!
For a closer look at our time in Barcelona then check out our “One Day in Barcelona” vlog!
If you are fortunate to have more than a single day to spend in the city and are in need of accommodations, these properties come highly recommended…
Or you can view a full list of properties below…
And if you’re interested in booking the best tours/experience in the city, then be sure to check out these experiences from GetYourGuide!
Now, let's get into the itinerary!
8:30am: Light Breakfast
SlowMov (Carrer de Luis Antúnez, 18, 08006)
Syra Coffee - Gràcia (Carrer de la Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, 8, 08012)
La Cherry Coffee Co. (Carrer de Lepant, 330, 08025)
Cafes Caracas ( C/ de Provença, 481, 08025)
9:15am: Visit La Sagrada Familia - Book your tickets HERE!
La Sagrada Família is an unfinished church in the Eixample district of Barcelona designed by Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí and is considered by many to be the symbol of Barcelona. Construction started in 1882 making it the longest-running active construction project and the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. The combination of Late Spanish Gothic, Catalan Modernism, and Art Nouveau architectural styling makes for quite a unique experience and should not be missed!
11:30am: Brunch
EatMyTrip - Brunch & Bakery (where we went - C. del Consell de Cent, 378, 08009)
Billy Brunch (C/ de Bailèn, 115, 08009)
The Benedict Brunch Barcelona (Carrer d'en Gignàs, 23, 08002)
El Petit Príncep Brunch (Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 677, 08013)
Milk Bar & Bistro (Carrer d'en Gignàs, 21, 08002)
1:00pm: Take a stroll through the Parc de la Ciutadella (Ciutadella Park)
Ciutadella Park is a must-do/see for anyone visiting Barcelona. It’s home to many sites such as the Arc de Triomf, the Cascada Monumental (monumental waterfall/fountain), 19th-century buildings now used as museums, a lake for rowing boats and feeding ducks, beautiful pathways, and numerous sculptures. It is also the location of the Barcelona Zoo. And if you happen to see Max set up with his 1920s camera, we highly recommend having him take your photo! He was charging €10 when we visited and it’s our favorite souvenir we’ve ever gotten in all of our travels.
3:00pm: La Rambla
This tree-lined pedestrian street stretches for ¾ mile (1.2 km) connecting the Plaça de Catalunya with the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell. La Rambla also forms the boundary between the neighborhoods of the Barri Gòtic to the east and the El Raval to the west. It's one of the top tourist attractions in the city and is lined with shops and restaurants making it an excellent place to spend an afternoon! Just keep your personal belongings close as it has been labeled the pick-pocket capital of Europe!
4:30: Tapas near La Rambla
Barra & Art (where we went -Rambla dels Estudis, 115, 08002)
Bo De Boqueria (Carrer Petxina, 5-7 bjs, 08001)
Bar Clemen's Boquería (Located in Mercado de La Boqueria - 916-919 Mercado de la Boquería)
Rossini (Pl. Reial, 13, 08002)
Cañete (Carrer de la Unió, 17, 08001)
6:30pm: Sunset from Barceloneta Beach
Barceloneta Beach is the most distinguished and well-known beach in the city. Located in the fishing quarter of the same name, the beach offers nearly ¾ mile (1100 meters) of beautiful sand to enjoy activities and an array of seafood restaurants nearby.
And just like that, your day in Barcelona has come to an end! We hope that this guide has helped you plan your visit to Barcelona, and if it has, we hope that you’ll consider following us on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube Channel for more travel tips!
Disclosure: We only endorse things we've personally used or come highly recommended by trusted peers. If you purchase anything using our referral links, we may get a small commission. However, there's no extra cost to you.
Comments