Explore The City Of Barcelona in 1 Day

Popularly known as the Barrio Gótico, this quaint neighborhood is part of the old city (Cituat Vella) and unfolds from La Rambla to the Via Laietana in a labyrinth of meandering cobbled streets with colourful walls. This charming part of the city nestled in a bohemian aura is exactly where you should start your Barcelona holiday and you’ll know why we say so once you are strolling the streets of Barrio Gótico. While you’re here , you are bound to stumble upon history drenched alleyways around the La Seu cathedral, artsy cafes tucked away in cosy nooks,peppy bars overflowing with cocktails, human-castling in Plaça Jaume, the ancient synagogue at El Call and a lot more that will have you wandering about aimlessly ( in awe however) for at least 3 hours. We say, turn off your GPS and get lost on your very first day in Barcelona! Grab a meal while you’re and smear some gelato on your upper lip too.

While you're at Barri Gothic, watch out for :

• Gothic Cathedral
• Sant Jaume Square
• Bisbe Irurita Street
• Church of Santa Maria del Pi
• Plaça del Rei (King’s Square)
• Museum of History of Barcelona on the King’s Square
• Plaça Reial (Royal Square)
• Plaça Sant Felip Neri
• Plaça de la Generalitat

Touring the Barrio Gótico on a bamboo cycle is a highly recommended experience. This is a guided tour which takes you through the old soul of the city, around the best of Barrio Gótico with special attention to discover the unseen street arts and murals of Barcelona. Click here to know more about the Street Art Tour On a Bicycle

Good for

Family

Couples

Must See

Walking Tours

Make your way out of the Gothic Quarter and find your way to the famous La Rambla which happens to be just a stone’s throw away. Undoubtedly the most touristy street in Barcelona, this tourist magnet is bustling for a worthy reason. This beautiful boulevard is flanked by greenery and offers a sneak peak into the rich Catalan culture through its inspiring architecture. La Ramblas is mostly famous for its street performers and human statues. These human statues do an amazing job with their costumes and look so real that you may pass them without realising they are human! Hop into one of the many chilled café terraces here and lull yourself into a calm amongst the chaos. Shoppers are in for a treat here as the market stalls selling countless everythings and nothings are a good pastime.

After sauntering through La Rambla, head to the La Boqueria. You may not want to buy groceries on your first day in Barcelona, but you surely want to feast your eyes on the freshest local produce ever. Sip on some homemade wine from the tiny stalls around and walk through an assortment of meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, flowers and just about everything your kitchen would ever require to whip up a delicious meal.

Things to watch out for at La Ramblas :

• Museu de l' Erotica ( Erotica Museum )
• Gran Teatre del Liceu
• Columbus Monument
• Carrer dels Tallers
• El Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona Contemporary Art Museum
• Miró Mural
• Centre d’Art Santa Monica

Good for

Family

Couples

Walking Tours

Barcelona is synonymous to Antoni Gaudí and to kick start your sampling of Gaudi’s architectural wonders, nothing like the Park Güell. A UNESCO listed World Heritage Site, the Park Güell is an enchanting space where Gaudi tried his hands at landscape gardening. The Park Guell clocks in over 4 million visitors each year despite the fact that they allow only 400 people into the park every 30 minutes.

While you’re here, make sure to visit the Casa-Museu Gaudí, a slender house converted into a museum where Gaudi lived for 20 years ( 1906-1926). It contains the furniture used by him and many other memboralias.Before leaving, gently touch the ceramic dragon. It is said to bring you luck!

To know more about Park Guell, read this detailed blog post on Discover the Brilliance of Antoni Gaudi With These Park Guell Skip The Line Tickets

Good for

Family

Kids

Sightseeing

Couples

Tips

• If you have booked your tickets online, make sure you reach at least 15 minutes before the slot you have booked to pick up your tickets.
• There are 3 entrances to Park Guell. Figure out which entrance is closest from your hotel beforehand so that you don’t waste time and money on travel.
• Comfortable shoes are recommended because of the walking involved.

Recommended Experiences
• Skip the Line Entry Tickets to Park Guell
• Park Guell Guided Walking Tour with Skip the Line Entrance
• Guided Tour of Park Güell and Sagrada Familia with Skip the Line Entry
• Skip the Line: Guided Tour of Sagrada Familia, Towers and Park Güell
• Barcelona iVenture Multi Attraction Pass
• Barcelona Express 2 Day Card

Plan to stay
1-2 hours

The captivating Sagrada Família is the most iconic attraction in Barcelona and is undoubtedly the magnum opus of the world renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. I would go to the extent of saying that your trip to Barcelona is pointless without a visit to the Sagrada Familia and there are many reason why. Ranked the #1 thing to do in Barcelona by Tripadvisor, this modernist masterpiece is Gaudi’s best work ( read lifelong obsession) and it has earned this status without being completed! It has been under construction since 1882 ( completing 136 years in 2018) and despite the end not remotely in sight, it amasses tourists like no other place in Barcelona.

You can read more about the Sagrada Familia, its history, tickets, tip, tours and more on this detailed blog post on why Why Skip The Line Sagrada Familia Tickets Are A Must

Good for

Family

Couples

Shows

If you're not traveling with children and are looking to accomodate some fun for them, you can skip the Gaudi's Architecture Walk and move onto the Barcelona Zoo.

After seeing Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, you’re likely to want more of Gaudi’s wonders. To satiate this craving, dedicate the rest of your day to trailing the architectural wonders designed by Antoni Gaudí. Knitted in an unusual fabric, you will intuitively identify Gaudi’s buildings without a second glance. Antoni Gaudí spent most of his life in Barcelona and the city owes him for converting the city into the marvel it is today. His style is inspired by the elements of nature and boasts unmatched creativity. Shank’s pony being your best friend while in Barcelona, the Gaudi Architecture trailing is the perfect way to discover the hidden gems and alleys of Barcelona. You can rent a bike if you prefer to do as well. Here is a map that suggests the route you can follow to explore all of Antoni Gaudí’s works in a day:

• Sagrada Familia
• Park Güell
• Torre Bellesguard
• Casa Vicens
• Casa Milá ( also known as La Pedrera)
• Casa Battlò
• Casa Calvet
• Palau Güell

To know more about Gaudi's Architecture and in detail about each structure, read this detailed blog post on Discovering the Best Works of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona

Good for

Family

Couples

Walking Tours

Cycle Tours

Barceloneta, the city’s classy neighbourhood by the Mediterranean sea stretch with clean boardwalks and course golden sand speckled with pebbles is sure to pull you for an night stroll by the beach.The shacks turn into night clubs after sunset with soothing music to which you can groove and shake a leg. Dine under the moon and starlit sky and dip your feet in the cold waters of the Mediterranean.It's the perfect way to end your day in Barcelona.

Good for

Family

Beach lovers

Couples

Late Night Strolls

Tips

• Nights in the beach are free from pestering vendors, hence this is the best time to enjoy solace under the stars.
• If you want to enjoy the balmy sun, you can visit the beach in the morning. Afternoons can get very hot, hence not recommended.
• Strolling by the beach promenade on a bicycle is a recommended experience too.

Recommended Experiences
• Street Art Tour On a Bicycle
• Bike Rental

Plan to stay
2 hours

Off the city center, close to the Barcelona Port, the Montjuic Castle is set at a vantage point of 173 m above sea level boasting stunning views of the city, mountains and coast. There are 2 things to look forward to while in Montjuic- the Teleferic De Montjuic ( cable car to Montjuic) and the Montjuic Castle by itself!

The Cable Car cabin seats upt 8 people comfortably and glides you over Barcelona, offering awe inspiring panoramic views of the city. You can get a birds eye view of Sagrada Familia ,Torre Agbar, Park Guell and all the other sites you visited from up here! The Montjuic castle is steeped in history and this can be experienced with a 1 hour tour around the ruins along with a visit to the Military Armor Museum. The information boards dotted in various languages explaining the story of the castle is sufficient for a well rounded self guided tour.

After visiting the castle, you can amble around the Montjuic hill and visit the Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer Gardens, the Montjuic Municipal Pool, Teatre Grec and the Joan Miró Foundation.

Good for

Family

Kids

Sightseeing

Couples

Tips

• The cable car being a star attraction around Barcelona attracts long queues, hence buying tickets online in advance is recommended to by pass the queue.
• If you have the Articket Museum Pass, you can visit the Joan Miró Foundation during your time in Montjuic.
• Trekking up from Fontana Magica at the foothills can take upto 20-30 minutes

Recommended Experiences
• Montjuic Cable Car

Plan to stay
1 hour

Art Museums have a way to walking you down the history of a country in a creatively beautiful manner. The Articket Museum Pass which offers you Skip the Line Access to the top 6 art museums in Barcelona is a fabulous choice for those who want to spend a day getting to understand the cultural and artistic heritage of Barcelona. Spend the day going through paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, posters, coins, silver and goldsmithing, coins and exhibitions with the Articket Museum Pass that offers great savings (45% savings) and consume generous amounts of Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Antoni Tàpies and many other pieces of traditional and contemporary art.

With the Articket Museum Pass, you gain access to the following museums:

• Picasso Museum
• Fundació Joan Miró
• Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
• Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
• Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA)
• Fundació Antoni Tàpies

Good for

Family

Kids

Museum Lovers

Walking Tours

Tips

• The Articket is valid for 1 year after the first use.
• The lines to Picasso, Miro, and Catalunya can get quite long ( 1- 2 hours during peak season) hence this economical pass comes handy then.
• If you book a ticket to the Picasso museum individually,you are required to specify an entry slot at the time of booking. However, with Articket pass, you gain jump the queue access to any time of the day.

Recommended Experiences
• Articket Barcelona Museum Pass

Plan to stay
Upto 1 hour in each museum

Book Now -

Located in a cul-de-sac at Casc Antic, Palau De La Musica is a 100 year old ornate concert hall designed in ‘Catalan Modernista’ style by Lluís Domènech i Montaner. In 1997, the Palau de la Música Catalana was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site putting it on the tourist radar of Barcelona , clocking in three million visitors each year.

This colourful explosion of rightly places mosaics is the only auditorium in Europe to be completely illuminated by natural light.The exteriors are a seamless blend of traditional Spanish and Arabic architecture with elements like stained glass, glazed tiles and mosaics used in abundance to allow natural light in from all sides, giving it an open and airy feel The most coveted space in Palau De La Musica is the 2146 glass roofed Art Nouveau Hall. The Petit Palau is a smaller hall with 538 seats and a more modern touch. This hall has been specially designed for chamber music concerts, with a keen attention to the acoustics and reverberation.

Good for

Family

Couples

Opera Lovers

Tips

• The Barcelona Express Card allows a 20% discount on the Palau De La Musica ticket.
• Buying your tickets advance online is strongly advised to ensure that you get your desired time slot and skip the 3 hour long queues.
• There are only limited spots per day, hence you may have to wait for long or postpone your visit if there is a large influx of people during your visit.
• The only way to visit Palau De La Musica is by booking a guided tour and buying tickets for a show inside. There is no concept of self guided tour here.

Recommended Experiences
• Guided Tour of Palau De La Musica Catalana
• Barcelona Express 2 Day Card

Plan to stay
Upto 1 hour

Sail out of the Port Vell harbour on the famous Las Golondrinas along the Barcelona coast and devour the Mediterranean flavour with the salty breeze kissing your face and flitting through your hair. Soak in the balmy weather under the comfort of your boat and experience Barcelona from the sea on this cruise. You will glide past Barcelona’s beach and indulge in captivating views of the World Trade Center, Porta d'Europa Bridge,Fisherman’s Quarter, International Cruise Terminal, Nova Bocana, Torre del Rellotge,Olympic Port, among others.

You can opt for the 40 minute seafront loop or the 1h’30m variant as per your appetite of gliding across the Mediterranean sea with unparalleled views. On the 40 minute Barcelona Port variant, you will hop on board a traditional Golondrina passenger boat and cruise until the breakwater. On the 1h’30m Barcelona Mar variant, you will cruise on a modern catamaran with glass bottoms so as to observe the underwater from your ride.

Good for

Kids

Family

Couple

Water Cruise