Last year, I took my first trip to Europe and I traveled to Barcelona to visit friends who recently moved to the city. This gorgeous city is located on the Mediterranean and is the most important port city in Spain. It is a fantastic travel destination and 4 days was a great amount of time to make the most out of our trip! This captivating city boasts a unique blend of architectural structures, rich history, vibrant culture, beautiful hilltop parks, etc., and so today, I am sharing a guide to help you explore and experience your time in Barcelona in 4 days.
4 Days in Barcelona
When I travel, I love to spend as much time as I can wandering around to get a feel for the city. You will notice a lot of that in my daily itinerary. I had the advantage of traveling with a friend to visit friends who live there and know the ins and outs of the city, so we also took more of a local approach to our days as well. We had a wonderful time seeing the city and taking in all the sights and sounds on our terms. For any ticketed events you would like to experience, such as museums or visits to La Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, or Casa Batlló, you will want to purchase tickets in advance.
Day One
We arrived a little after lunchtime on our first day, so we arrived at our friend’s place for a little lunch and wine hour before a siesta. Then we woke up and got ready for our first evening out in Barcelona.
We walked to the Gothic Quarter and took in the architecture, including the Catedral de Barcelona, and spotted the “The World Begins with Every Kiss” mural. The cathedral is absolutely stunning and this mural is tucked away in a quiet section of the quarter located close to the cathedral. The mural was created to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Catalonia Day and is made up of 4,000 mosaics of pictures submitted by people in their own moments of freedom. It is a beautiful piece of artwork and worth a visit in the Gothic Quarter.
Dinner
We ate dinner at Amades Restaurant, a delicious tapas restaurant in a quaint, charming space. We ordered potatoes bravas, olives, baked brie, and the seared steak. For that to be our first meal out in Barcelona, it set the bar high, and spoiler alert, we were not disappointed with anything following this either. Make a reservation online!
The Gothic Quarter has quite a lot to offer in terms of nightlife. We had a wonderful time exploring the streets and checking out some of the spots. A noteworthy spot for us was Dr. Stravinsky, a craft cocktail bar where you pick your cocktail based on your flavor preferences. They have a really great selection of zero-proof cocktails as well. This is a must-visit spot while in the city. Two other favorite spots on this first evening were Bodega del Born where we left a wish over a glass of cava before stopping by L’Ànima del Vi for a nightcap.
If you are staying near the Gothic Quarter, consider leaving early and take the 10 minute trip to explore Parc de la Ciutadella.The park boasts many sites including: the zoo, the Catalan Parliament. The Museu d’Art Modern is situated in the building of the parliament. The Zoological Museum and the Museu de Geologia are placed in the area of the park.
Day One Itinerary
- Arrival
- Lunch & Siesta
- Stroll Gothic Quarter
- Dinner Reservation at Amades Restaurant
- Craft Cocktails at Dr. Stravinsky
- Make a Wish at Bodega del Born
- Nightcap at L’Ànima del Vi
Day Two
Day Two started with a little stroll to breakfast at Hardware Société, which is an aesthetically pleasing and flavorful restaurant. We started with a croissant and then ordered the scrambled eggs and I will never want scrambled eggs any other way moving forward.
We then did a little shopping along the way to our next step, which was the Museu Marítim de Barcelona.
Museu Marítim de Barcelona
Museu Marítim de Barcelona is housed in the Royal Shipyards, with the majority of what you see dating back to the 16th century. It was quite an experience to explore this museum and learn more about the influence the shipbuilding and shipyards had on Barcelona’s history. The museum does a fantastic job of preserving history and making its exhibits interactive for visitors. In addition to a variety of exhibits to learn, there is a beautiful courtyard and a cafe, which makes for a nice space to relax and take in the beautiful architecture around this space.
We strolled down the waterfront after visiting the museum for our first glimpse at the Mediterranean Sea before making our way back into the Gothic Quarter. We happened to be visiting while it was Carnaval, so we wanted to catch some of the parades, and we lucked up on catching 3 very different ones throughout the evening. This first one through the Gothic Quarter featured neighborhood drumlines.
Plaça Reial
After joining in the celebration for a bit, we headed over to Plaça Reial, which was one of my favorite parts of the city. We grabbed a late lunch at Rossini where I cannot recommend their margherita pizza enough. The patio seating was nice for being able to do a little people-watching and catch our second of the parades. This one was complete with fire!
We made our way to Las Ramblas and headed to Gràcia for our dinner reservation. Then we left with enough time to do a little oohing and ahhing over the architecture and celebrations along Las Ramblas and in Gràcia, which had the biggest parade. Dinner was at BarraVas and was another outstanding dining experience! The tuna dish that we had was exceptional–so much so, that I didn’t get a photo of it before Amanda & I devoured it.
We walked back up through Gràcia and had a nightcap at Cantina Machito, where we tried our first Vermut. This little spot was so cute and would be a great lunch or dinner spot, too!
Day Two Itinerary
- Brunch at Hardware Société
- Shop
- Visit Museu Marítim de Barcelona
- Walk through Gothic Quarter & Plaça Reial
- Grab a Late Lunch at Rossini
- Walk Las Ramblas to Gràcia
- Dinner Reservation at BarraVas
- Nightcap at Cantina Machito
Day Three
We had another morning with a delicious brunch, this time at Lady Babka. I am still daydreaming about the hummus and challah. So be sure to check out their pastries, too!
Poble Espanyol
After brunch, we took a cab up to Poble Espanyol, which is an open-air architectural museum featuring 117-full scale buildings replicating different places on the Iberian Peninsula. In fact, this was built for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition and is a charming way to spend some time. There is also a contemporary art museum, a theater, restaurants, and artisan shops. The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is right on the other side of Poble Espanyol as well. Unfortunately, during our visit, the fountain was turned off because of the drought.
Castell de Montjuïc
We then took a cab up to Castell de Montjuïc to take in the views of the Mediterranean and explore a little history of this 1640 military fortress. The views are unreal and there are various historical experiences set up to learn more about the impact that this fortress had on Barcelona throughout the centuries. There is even an exposed section of the southern bastion of the fort available for visitors to view as well. While not in service during our visit, there is the Montjuïc Cable Car, which offers what I can only assume are incredible city views. Close to both of these stops that we made is the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. The building itself is breathtaking and is on my list of places to visit on my next trip back!
Once we finished at Castell de Montjuïc, we headed back to siesta and got ready for dinner at La Balabusta. The Israeli-born chef creates dishes from the Middle East that combine Mediterranean, Sephardic, and North African flavors. Do not let the welcoming, cozy interiors fool you! You are in for a culinary experience here.
Following our dinner, we walked to Les Gens que J’aime, which has a really fantastic speakeasy vibe. From 6:00-9:00 every evening, they also offer tarot card readings.
Our last stop of the night was for espresso martinis at the Hotel Majestic bar. Check to see if their rooftop bar is open if you visit.
Day Three Itinerary
- Brunch at Lady Babka
- Explore Poble Espanyol
- Take in the Views at Castell de Montjuïc
- Siesta!
- Dinner Reservation at La Balabusta
- Cocktails & Tarot Card Readings at Les Gens que J’aime
- Espresso Martinis at Hotel Majestic Bar
Day Four
Barceloneta Beach
For our last full day in the city, we grabbed breakfast in the neighborhood at OMA Bistro, a no-frills coffee shop with the best bacon & cheese bikini (panini) one could imagine. So simple and yet, so delightful! We did a little shopping, like popping into nunu, a local jewelry shop before heading to Barceloneta Beach.
This beach was built for the 1992 Olympics when Barcelona hosted the Summer Olympics. We took a stroll down the boardwalk and took in the Mediterranean up close and personal this time. We were also on a mission to find paella and we found it at Gallito. If paella is not your thing, opt to try their Thai vegetable curry!
La Sagrada Familia
Once we finished our time at Barceloneta Beach, we took a cab to see La Sagrada Familia up close and in person. Tour tickets were sold out well in advance of our trip. So if you have enough time, I would definitely say snag tickets to see the inside. I cannot express the sheer magnitude and impressiveness of this Minor Basilica. It has been under construction for the last 140 years and is scheduled to be completed in 2025. Antoni Gaudí, a native Catalonian, was the architect behind this design and broke the rules of architecture, well ahead of his time.
After spending some time taking in all of the exterior details of La Sagrada Familia, we went to see the exteriors of two more of his famous buildings in the city. The first we stopped by was the Casa Batlló, which is designed to look like a vertical garden. We walked down to La Pedrera – Casa Milá and had a drink at Alaire Terrace Bar, a rooftop bar at the Hotel Condes Barcelona. On my next trip, I want to spend some time in Guadī’s famous Park Güell.
We walked back and decided to look for a restaurant and we stumbled upon the best Italian spot, Maramaia. The food and drink were outstanding and we finished our meal with the absolute best limoncello I have ever experienced. This spot is a must for me!
Day Four Itinerary
- Coffee and Breakfast Sammies at OMA Bistro
- Walk the Boardwalk at Barceloneta Beach
- Paella & Views of the Mediterranean at Gallito
- Experience the Beauty of La Sagrada Familia
- Sunset Happy Hour at Alaire Terrace Bar
- Dinner at Maramaia
Where To Stay in Barcelona
Hotel Majestic
This hotel has been a staple since 1918 and is located on Passeig de Gràcia and is close to the nearby Guadí buildings, prestigious fashion stores, and both the financial and business districts. There is a delightful first-floor bar and an expansive rooftop bar with gorgeous views of the city.
The Barcelona EDITION
This boutique hotel was recommended to me and is located in the Gothic Quarter. It is right near the Catedral de Barcelona and the Picasso Museum and steps away from Barceloneta Beach, and Plaça de Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia. There is also an outdoor pool with sunbeds and sweeping city views.
Kimpton Vividora Resort
Located right near Las Ramblas and steps to the Gothic Quarter, the Kimpton Vividora Resort offers plus modern comforts surrounded by historic spaces. Kimpton is my favorite hotel brand because their amenities are simply wonderful and I appreciate their nods to historic preservation.
The architecture and design of the spaces accentuate our historic surroundings while plush modern comforts, superlative service and standout amenities can be discovered around every corner.
Barcelona Etiquette & Customs
- Getting a taxi is incredibly easy, especially at the airport.
- Tips are already included in your bill.
- Everything is contactless. Everything. We did not get any Euros for our trip and it’s a good thing because we never needed them. My credit card has a $0 foreign transaction fee, so be sure to see what your options are before traveling out of the country.
- Lunch is at 2:00 PM and dinner is usually after 8:00 PM. Plan on smaller businesses being closed from 2:00-5:00 for siesta.
Spending 4 Days in Barcelona Itinerary
I packed everything into my carry-on and tote bag. No checked bags for me when I travel and it stayed true on this trip.
Here is a Google Map featuring each day’s itinerary and location for when you visit Barcelona for yourself! Be sure to tell me your favorite places when you visit.
