Barcelona is one of the most touristy cities in Europe, and for good reason. The weather is amazing, their unique tourist attractions are plentiful, and best of all, their well-preserved culture and unique language, unlike any other part of Spain, is something you have to experience for yourself.
For this guide, I will show you the best things to do, what to see, and where to stay in Barcelona with our 2-day itinerary. Given that you need way more than 2 days to see all of Barcelona, this guide will only focus on the very best things to do for people who do not have a lot of time. Without further ado, here is the ultimate 2-day itinerary for Barcelona for solo travelers.
- 2 Days in Barcelona Itinerary Map
- Where to Stay in Barcelona?
-
10 Best Things to Do in Barcelona for 2 Days
- A Morning Stroll Uphill at Park Güell
- Check out by Casa Milà
- Check out the Dragon's Scales Roof of Casa Batlló
- Discover the Palau de la Música Catalana architectural gem
- Hangout at the Gothic Quarter
- Admire the Art Nouveau Architecture of Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau
- Be Amazed by La Sagrada Familia
- Check Out Plaça de les Cascades in the Evening
- Beach day at Nova Icaria Beach
- Relax at Ciutadella Park
- More Barcelona Activities
- When to Go to Barcelona?
- How to Get to Barcelona?
- How to Get Around Barcelona?
- What to Pack for Barcelona, Spain?
- Further Reading for Spain
2 Days in Barcelona Itinerary Map
Tips: Get the Barcelona Card if you wish to visit many museums in the city to save money on entrance fees, public transportation, and more.
10 Best Things to Do in Barcelona for 2 Days
1. A Morning Stroll Uphill at Park Güell
I always like to start the day early with the furthest attraction and then make my way in so that in the evening when I am most tired, I don't have to go back too far. That is why I would recommend starting with Park Güell.
Go for a stroll at Park Güell in the early morning when there are fewer people out and about, and the weather is not too hot. You can expect to spend at least 2 hours in the park, exploring all the beautiful corners on one of the many walking routes.
The park is open from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM every day, and the majority of the park is free to walk around. However, if you wish to take that iconic photo of Gaudí's houses, then you will have to pay 10 EUR to get into the Monument Core and gain access to that balcony. You can buy the ticket here.
- Yeah Hostel Barcelona (Budget)
- Hostal Portugal (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Boutique Hotel H10 Catalunya Plaza (High-End)
- Barcelona: Sagrada Familia Entry Ticket with Audio Guide (1 day) 🏅 Top Pick
- Sagrada Familia: Fast-Track Access Guided Tour (1.5 hours)
- Barcelona: Sunset Cruise in a small group with Open Bar (1.5 hours)
After you are done with the Monument Core, you can spend some time and explore some of the walking paths here. Some of them will reward you with a pretty stunning view of the city from above. One of these paths is the Turó de les Tres Creus or the Three Crosses, located on top of a hill in the park. Either way, you are sure to have an amazing view from the park.
Where to Stay in Barcelona?
2. Check out by Casa Milà
Now, make your way down to the city center and visit another of Gaudí's stunning architectural works, Casa Milà, a Catalan art nouveau period building with a dynamic quarry-like facade you can spot from miles away.
You can clearly see Gaudí's signature straight away the moment you set your eyes upon the exterior of Casa Mila, particularly the fluid shape of the balconies that appear as if they are carved out of the building.
You can also go inside and witness Gaudí's work up close and check out the otherworldly design of the chimneys on the rooftop. The place is open from 9 AM to 11 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 25 EUR if you buy it online or 27 EUR at the entrance. You can buy the ticket here.
3. Check out the Dragon's Scales Roof of Casa Batlló
Since we are already knee-deep into Gaudi's work, we might as well check out another one of his creations at Casa Batlló, which is located just around the corner from Casa Milà.
Casa Batlló is famous for its beautiful color-shifting dragon's scales rooftop that glimmers under the blazing sun as you observe it from afar.
What surprised me the most about this work of his is, when you look at it, you start to notice how few straight lines were used in this masterpiece. Everything is either curved or shaped in a fashion you don't often see in architecture. It is truly quite a sight to behold, so be sure to check it out as you make your way across the city center.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
4. Discover the Palau de la Música Catalana architectural gem
After admiring Gaudí's work for half a day, it is good to switch it up a little and see what other types of architecture Barcelona has to offer. Palau de la Música Catalana is a great place to do that, with its beautiful Modernista architectural style unlike anything you have seen before.
The building was designed by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner and was built in 1905. The exterior is constructed with red bricks, adorned with lavishly decorated sculptures, columns, and murals scattered throughout the building.
The inside is even more expensive, with a theatre that features some of the most stunning ceiling designs I have ever seen. It is definitely worth paying the entrance fee of 13 EUR to see it. Be sure to book your time slot online before your visit. The place is open from 9 AM to 3:30 PM every day.
5. Hangout at the Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter is a great place to take a little break from all the exploration and relax to the sound of street performers and the stunning view of the Cathedral of Barcelona. You can also shop around here for souvenirs or eat at one of the oldest restaurants in Barcelona, Can Culleretes.
If you are looking for that famous Gothic Quarter photo (shown above) of the Bishop's Bridge, the street is just around the corner, near the Cathedral, so be sure to check that out before we continue our exploration.
6. Admire the Art Nouveau Architecture of Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau
This might be a little walk from the Gothic quarter, but since we will be making our way towards La Sagrada Familia church for sunset as our final destination, I would recommend walking a little further and visiting the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau or the Hospital de Sant Pau, another architectural masterpiece designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner with stunning Art Nouveau-style for which Barcelona is famous.
It will cost you 16 EUR to get in, but it comes highly recommended as one of the most uniquely designed interiors in Barcelona, with stained glass windows, paintings, and mosaics, all illuminated by natural light through huge windows - not something you would expect to see in a hospital.
The place is open from 10 AM to 6:30 PM every day, and you can explore the hospital with a self-guided audio tour that you can book from here.
7. Be Amazed by La Sagrada Familia
Now, we have arrived at the highlight of Barcelona: seeing Gaudi's ongoing masterpiece at La Sagrada Familia, possibly one of the most beautiful churches you will ever see in your life.
At this point, you probably realize by now that Antoni Gaudí, the famous Catalan architect, is a national treasure, and his legacy lives on in all of his work across Barcelona. But nothing compares to his final work, La Sagrada Familia. It is even more fascinating when you realize that the construction of this church started way back in 1882, and they have yet to complete it... 140+ years later!
The outside is impressive and all, but what made me fall in love with this church is its interior design and the way it manipulates natural light to illuminate the inside.
For the best light, I found that an hour before sunset is the ideal time, as the exterior is no longer too bright from the midday sun, and the light shines at an angle that perfectly aligns with the mosaic windows, illuminating the interior the way it is designed to do.
I highly recommend you book the ticket in advance as the entry is operated in time slots and it can get booked out quickly, especially during the summer months. Book at least 2 days in advance to avoid disappointment.
If you want to learn more about the church, you can also get a tour guide here, as well as an audio guide here.
8. Check Out Plaça de les Cascades in the Evening
After visiting La Sagrada Familia, you can come and hang out at Plaça de les Cascades, a staircase surrounded by fountains that leads up to Montjuïc National Palace, for sunset and stay there until around 8-9 PM to witness the fountain light show.
The area is extremely lively in the evening as people come out in droves to experience sunset over Barcelona, thanks to its elevated patio that provides a stunning vantage point over the city.
With the carefully choreographed fountain light show, the place will keep you entertained for the whole evening before you can go and enjoy the wonderful nightlife in Barcelona for the rest of the night. Be sure to check the light show schedule before you go, just in case.
9. Beach day at Nova Icaria Beach
For the next day, if you are still hungover from the night of partying and exploring the incredible nightlife of Barcelona the day before, you can spend the next day at Nova Icaria beach and relax on its stunning sandy beach.
The place can get pretty crowded during the day, but thanks to its large sandy strip, you should have no trouble finding yourself a nice spot to enjoy a little swim in the Mediterranean Sea. If you want to avoid crowds at all costs, try coming here in the morning and go for a swim before we continue our second day in Barcelona.
10. Relax at Ciutadella Park
After spending time at the beach, you can continue your relaxation day and go for a stroll around Ciutadella Park. The park is also known as the green oasis of Barcelona, thanks to its abundance of trees and bodies of water that will cool you right up as you walk along its many crisscrossing walking paths.
Within the park, you will find plenty of space for picnicking or you can rent a boat and row around the small lake while being surrounded by stunning architecture. The park is open from 10 AM to 10:30 PM and the entrance fee is free.
When to Go to Barcelona?
Late April to May or September to October are great times to go to Barcelona as the weather is neither too hot nor too cold, and the number of tourists, although still high, is not as high as in July or August.
How to Get to Barcelona?
You will be able to find plenty of direct flights to Barcelona, no problem, as it is a popular destination. However, for the best possible deal, I would recommend that you browse the airfare comparison website, Skyscanner or Expedia, to find cheap flights for the trip.
If you are already in Europe and on a budget, you can also take a bus from anywhere with Flixbus for only a few EUR.
How to Get Around Barcelona?
There are several ways you can get around in Barcelona, but the best way to see the city is on foot. The small alleyways crisscrossing the city grid hold the secret beauty of Barcelona, where you can experience the city in a quieter, more peaceful way without having to deal with the tourist crowds.
Most of the attractions included in this guide are all within walking distance from one another. So, if you are staying in the recommended hostel, you will have no problem getting around on foot.
If you want to travel a little further, metros are the easiest to navigate. You can download the metro map from here. A single metro ticket will cost you €2.40 within the city. Keep in mind that if you are traveling to or from the airport, the airport line uses a different ticket, and you will have to buy it separately.
If you plan to use a lot of public transportation, I highly recommend getting the Hola Barcelona Card, which will grant you free unlimited access to all public transportation across the city, allowing you to easily travel between places without having to walk.
Daily Budget
Traveling here will typically cost you more than visiting most other countries. You can expect to spend around $45 - $65 USD per day per person, including food, accommodation, and transportation.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Barcelona, Spain?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Barcelona, Spain:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Spain
I hope you found this guide helpful in your trip planning. If you want to read more about Spain, I have written a few more travel guides, all listed here:
- Looking for a complete travel guide to Spain? Check out my 10-day backpacking itinerary for Spain.
- Are you traveling to Spain as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
- Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe is extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
- Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
- Madrid is a great place to start your journey in Spain. Here's a 9 Incredible Things to Do in Madrid, Spain to get you started.
- Seville is home to one of my favorite pieces of architecture in Spain, the Plaza España. If you are heading to Seville, be sure to check out our travel guide on 8 Best Things to Do in Seville, Spain.
- Granada is also another great city to visit. The city is full of culture, cheap tapas, and the beautiful Alhambra fortress waiting for you to explore. Check out my 8 Best Things to Do in Granada, Spain.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 23 photos that will inspire you to visit Spain.
- You can also watch my Spain travel video here: "Spain to Leave Spain" travel video.
- To view all articles about Spain, visit the Spain Travel Guide page.
- Looking for a place to go after Spain? How about France or Portugal? Visit our France travel guide page and Portugal travel guide page for more information.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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