Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, is a city where Roman stones meet Modernisme curves and the Mediterranean sets the rhythm. Founded as Barcino under the Romans, it blossomed in the Middle Ages and then reinvented itself at the 1888 and 1929 Universal Expositions, paving the way for Antoni Gaudí’s visionary landmarks.

You’ll find world-class sights—Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló—alongside neighborhood traditions: vermouth on Sundays, market-fresh seafood, and lively plazas in Gràcia. Art lives in the streets and museums alike, from Picasso’s formative years to contemporary design hubs.

Practical notes: dinner skews late (8:30–10:30 pm), pickpockets target crowds around Las Ramblas and metro hubs, and many museums close on Monday. Book major attractions in advance and bring comfy shoes—the best discoveries happen on foot in this walkable coastal city.

Barcelona

Barcelona rewards slow exploration. Wander the Gothic Quarter’s narrow lanes, feel the sea breeze in Barceloneta, and look up in Eixample where facades ripple with mosaics and wrought iron. Food is a highlight: seafood rice in Barceloneta, pintxos on Carrer Blai, market-fresh tapas in Sant Antoni, and natural wines in El Born.

Top sights include La Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera (Casa Milà), the Picasso Museum, MNAC on Montjuïc, and hilltop views from the Carmel Bunkers. Balance your museum time with beach hours and evening strolls—“la passejada”—when the city glows.

How to get to Barcelona (BCN):

• Flights within Europe: compare carriers and times on Omio (flights); most routes are 1–2.5 hours and often $40–$180 round trip.
• Flights from outside Europe: search global options via Kiwi.com or Trip.com (flights).
• High-speed trains: Madrid–Barcelona in ~2.5–3.5 hours; Valencia–Barcelona ~3–3.5 hours; Paris–Barcelona ~6.5–7 hours. Compare times/prices on Omio (trains in Europe); typical fares range €20–€120 depending on date and operator (OUIGO, iryo, Avlo, Renfe).
• Airport to city: Aerobús to Plaça Catalunya ~35–40 minutes; metro L9 Sud ~35–45 minutes with a transfer; taxis usually €30–€40 and ~25–35 minutes depending on traffic.

Where to stay (handpicked options):

• Hotel Arts Barcelona (Barceloneta/Beach): Contemporary tower with sea views, great for spa time and sunrise walks along the sand.
• Hostal Grau Barcelona (Gòtic/Raval edge): Eco-conscious boutique stay with homey styling, steps from La Rambla yet calm at night.
• Novotel Barcelona City (Glòries/22@): Rooftop pool and views near Torre Glòries; easy tram/metro links to beach and Sagrada Família.
• Generator Barcelona (Gràcia/Eixample): Stylish hybrid hostel-hotel with social spaces, ideal for design-forward, budget-minded travelers.
• H10 Marina Barcelona (Vila Olímpica): Walkable to the waterfront with a solid rooftop pool and spa for off-beach lounging.
• Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona (Diagonal Mar): Family-friendly option near the beach and mall; tram to the center is straightforward.

Prefer apartments? Browse VRBO Barcelona or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Day 1: Arrival, Gothic Quarter, and El Born Tapas

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off travel with a gentle loop through the Gothic Quarter: Plaça Reial’s palms, the Roman walls by Barcelona Cathedral, and the medieval Plaça del Rei. For a first snack, try Granja Viader (since 1870) for a thick hot chocolate and melindros or La Colmena for traditional turró and honeyed pastries.

Evening: Cross to El Born for dinner: Cal Pep (counter-seated seafood and seasonal tapas; arrive early), Bar del Pla (creative small plates; excellent anchovies and Iberian pork), or El Xampanyet (cava by the glass with classic boquerones). Nightcap at La Vinya del Senyor beneath Santa Maria del Mar, or try Dr. Stravinsky for inventive cocktails with house-made distillates.

Day 2: Sagrada Família and Eixample’s Modernisme

Morning: Coffee at Nomad Coffee Lab (El Born) or Three Marks Coffee (Eixample). Then join a guided visit to Gaudí’s masterpiece to decode its symbolism and ongoing construction:

Barcelona: Sagrada Familia Skip-the-Line Guided Tour and Tickets

Post-tour, walk the perimeter to admire the Nativity and Passion facades; optional tower access offers a kaleidoscope view of the Eixample grid.

Afternoon: Stroll Passeig de Gràcia for Modernisme icons. Consider going inside one: Casa Batlló for its dreamlike light well and scaled “dragon” roof, or La Pedrera (Casa Milà) for sinuous stone and chimneys like sentinels. Lunch nearby: Pepito (elegant takes on the classic veal sandwich), Cerveseria Catalana (beloved tapas, go off-hours), or seafood at La Paradeta (pick your catch at the counter).

Evening: Head to Gràcia’s village-like plazas (Plaça de la Vila, Plaça del Sol). For dinner, try Paco Meralgo (pristine seafood and montaditos), Gresca (neo-bistro with serious wine), or La Pubilla (Catalan market cooking). Vermouth at Bodega Marín or gelato at Paral·lelo to finish.

Day 3: Park Güell, Bunkers at Carmel, and Paella Class

Morning: Early entry to Park Güell pairs best with soft morning light and fewer crowds. For context and priority access:

Park Guell Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket

Afterward, walk or taxi up to the Carmel Bunkers (Turó de la Rovira) for a sweeping, 360° city panorama.

Afternoon: Light lunch in Gràcia: Con Gràcia for seasonal plates, or a simple menu del día at a neighborhood bodega. Alternatively, keep it light—because you’re cooking later.

Evening: Shop La Boqueria’s riot of produce with a local chef, then learn the secrets of proper sofregit, bomba rice, and socarrat in a hands-on class:

Barcelona Paella Cooking Class with La Boqueria Market Visit

End with your own seafood or veggie paella and a glass of sangria; you’ll never look at rice dishes the same way again.

Day 4: Day Trip—Montserrat Peaks, Monastery, and Catalan Wines

Swap the city for serrated mountains and choir music. This full-day small-group experience is a favorite for its blend of nature, culture, and tastings:

Montserrat & Cogwheel Train, Gourmet Wine Tasting & Tapas/Lunch

Ride the cogwheel train to the Benedictine monastery, see the Black Madonna, and—if the schedule allows—hear the famed boys’ choir. Then continue to a countryside winery for tapas and tastings. DIY alternative: train R5 from Plaça Espanya to Monistrol de Montserrat and cable car/funicular (plan ~1.5 hours each way; check schedules).

Day 5: Montjuïc, Art Museums, and Poble-sec Pintxos

Morning: Coffee and a flaky croissant at Hofmann Pastisseria (glazed mascarpone is a local legend). Take the cable car up Montjuïc for castle ramparts, harbor views, and a breezy walk through gardens (Joan Brossa, Mossèn Costa i Llobera cacti). History lovers can stop at the Olympic Ring (1992 Games).

Afternoon: Art time: MNAC (Romanesque frescoes, Catalan modern art) or the Fundació Joan Miró (playful, colorful surrealism). If you prefer museums-free, linger in Poble-sec’s leafy streets. Note: the Magic Fountain evening shows are often suspended during drought alerts—check status locally.

Evening: Pintxos crawl on Carrer de Blai: skewer-snacks at Blai 9, gildas at La Tasqueta de Blai, then graduate to heartier plates at La Mundana (fusion tapas and stellar ribs) or Ticketless alternatives like Xemei (Venetian osteria) by the canal. For a late cocktail, Paradiso in El Born serves showstopping creations behind a pastrami-shop facade.

Day 6: Sant Antoni, Raval, and Beach Sunset

Morning: Brunch in Sant Antoni: Federal Café (Aussie-style eggs and airy workspace vibe) or La Desayunería (American-style stacks if you’re craving sweet). Browse the iron-and-glass Mercat de Sant Antoni and adjacent book stalls on Sundays.

Afternoon: Explore Raval’s cultural side: the MACBA plaza’s skate scene, street art, and indie shops. Lunch at Bar Cañete (old-school Catalan with flair) or Suculent (slow-cooked traditions with modern technique). If the sun calls, head to Barceloneta Beach or the quieter Bogatell/Mar Bella stretch; rent a bike along the boardwalk.

Evening: Seafood feast near the port: Can Solé (since 1903; suquet de peix fish stew) or La Mar Salada (seasonal rice dishes). For dessert, churros at Xurreria Trébol or glossy xuxos at La Estrella. Nightcap on a rooftop—many hotels allow non-guests; order a vermut negre and watch the city sparkle.

Day 7: Poblenou, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Pack, then stroll Poblenou’s Rambla for a local feel—street art, design shops, and cafés. Coffee at Onna Coffee or Syra Coffee, then a final swim if it’s warm. If you prefer museums, slot in the Picasso Museum (note: closed Monday) or MUHBA Roman ruins under Plaça del Rei.

Afternoon: Early lunch before you go: El Chigre 1769 (Catalan-Asturian—octopus, cider) or Bormuth (convivial tapas in El Born). Pick up edible souvenirs: tinned seafood, arbequina olive oil, or local vermouth.

Evening: Departure day—allow 60–90 minutes to reach the airport and clear security. If traveling within Europe, compare last-minute options on Omio (flights); for intercity trains, check Omio (trains). For long-haul, see Kiwi.com or Trip.com.

Optional swap if you want an all-in-one Gaudí day: Replace Day 2–3 mornings with a comprehensive combo to cover multiple icons efficiently:

Park Guell Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket + Sagrada Familia Skip-the-Line Guided Tour. Book ahead—prime slots sell out days to weeks in advance, especially in summer.

Budgeting and tips: Major attractions typically cost €10–€38; tapas meals average €20–€40 per person; rice/seafood dinners can be €30–€60+. Tipping is appreciated but modest (round up or add 5–10% for standout service). Validate train tickets and keep bags zipped on the metro and in busy areas.

Summary: In one week, you’ll see Barcelona’s greatest hits—Sagrada Família, Park Güell, the Gothic Quarter, Montjuïc—and taste its neighborhoods, from pintxos lanes to beachfront rice dishes. A day in Montserrat adds mountains, monastery lore, and Catalan wines for a complete Catalonia travel experience.