Planning a trip to Barcelona and not sure where to start? This Barcelona 4 day itinerary covers the perfect mix of Gaudí magic, delicious food, and vibrant neighborhoods.
Barcelona is a one-of-a-kind destination that cannot fail to captivate and enthrall. An architectural marvel, it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The blend of unique Catalonian culture and rich history spills out on every street. You could spend a year in this vibrant city and never get bored, but a 4-day trip is the perfect length to catch all the amazing things to see, eat some unforgettable food, and fully immerse yourself in the city’s ambience. We've put together the perfect Barcelona 4 Day Itinerary below.
Jump to:
- Day 1
- Passeig de Gràcia
- Casa Milà
- Illa de la Discòrdia / Casa Batlló / Casa Amatller
- Lunch – El Nacional
- Las Ramblas
- La Boqueria
- Sant Pau del Camp
- Dinner – Roig Robi
- Have a cocktail at Boadas Cocktails
- Day 2
- Breakfast – El Quim
- Gothic Quarter - Barcelona Cathedral
- Gothic Quarter - Templo de Augusto
- Lunch – Frankfurt Valles
- Museo Picasso
- Parc de la Ciutadella
- Dinner - Baracca
- Day 3
- La Sagrada Familia
- Park Guell
- Dinner – La Pepita
- Day 4
- Camp Nou
- Lunch – El Nacional
- Head Back to the Gothic Quarter
- Dinner - Berbena
- Bonus: Where to Stay in Barcelona
Day 1
Passeig de Gràcia
Take a stroll down the Passeig Gracias, one of the most luxurious avenues in the city. As you walk you will see the architecture morph into surreal shapes and designs. You will see entire buildings that are works of art. We found starting a stroll down this famous avenue to be the perfect introduction to the unique charms of the city.
Casa Milà
Walk by Casa Mila designed by Antoni Gaudí. The rippling façade and rows of weaving balconies is the perfect gateway into the mind of Gaudí.
Illa de la Discòrdia / Casa Batlló / Casa Amatller
Continue down to the Illa de la Discòrdia (The Block of Discord). Commissioned by affluent industrialists in the 19th century, the city’s famous artists and architects competed to design the most impressive and shocking façade. A century later the row of five buildings still imbibes shock and awe to passersby.
With its scaled dragon back roof, Gaudí arguably steals the show with the Casa Batlló. Pre-book a tour and go inside one of the most unusual homes in the world. We were amazed that a family actually lived in this house.
Gaudí’s style isn’t for everyone. Next door is Casa Amatller by Josep Puig i Cadafalch another stunning example of Catalan modernism. We honestly found the Casa Amatller to be actually more to our tastes. The tour was much less crowded than the Casa Batlló.
Lunch – El Nacional
Stop at El Nacional for lunch. A beautiful space with a variety of restaurant options under one roof. Whether you’re in the mood for a light bite or something heavier, you’ll find it here.
Las Ramblas
When putting together a Barcelona 4 Day Itinerary we know we need to feature Las Ramblas. No matter what time of year you go Las Ramblas is likely going to be very crowded. Lined with vibrant markets and human statues the world-famous boulevard will always be a spectacle. We went there on our first day and basically tried to avoid it for the rest of the trip. Make sure to keep your belongings safe.
La Boqueria
Halfway down Las Ramblas is the world famous La Boqueira. This vibrant food market has hundreds of stalls offering a huge array of culinary delights. Meat eaters make sure to buy some Jamon (Iberico Ham). You can even buy it in vacuum sealed packaging so you can bring some home without refrigeration (needless to say, we did just that). Tip: if you’re on the fence about trying a paella while in Barcelona, this is a great place to try. We shared a paella from one of the stalls and it was delicious and not too expensive.
Sant Pau del Camp
Take a break from the bustling crowds at the Sant Pau del Camp, a beautifully preserved Romanesque church. On busy city breaks we love to find spaces to take a moment of peace and contemplation, and we loved this historical gem.
Dinner – Roig Robi
For dinner grab a table at Roig Robi for a blend of innovative and classic takes on Catalan cuisine.
Have a cocktail at Boadas Cocktails
It doesn't take long to get steeped in Barcelona culture. If you don't want your first day to end go for a drink at Boadas Cocktails. Serving cocktails since 1930’s, it really did like stepping into a bygone era of elegance and cool. You can almost imagine Hemingway joining you at the bar.
Day 2
Breakfast – El Quim
Wake up at early and head back to La Boqueria and have breakfast at El Quim. This is one of the most famous restaurants in the market, but there is almost always a long line. Getting there first thing in the morning is the best way to beat the lines. We tried their signature dish ‘Fried Egg with Baby Squid’ and it definitely did live up to the hype.
Gothic Quarter - Barcelona Cathedral
Make your way to the Gothic Quarter and get lost in the labyrinth of narrow medieval streets. While it lives somewhat in La Sagrada Familia's shadow as an attraction, Barcelona Cathedral is a stunning Gothic structure. The interior is breathtaking and admission is reasonably priced.
TIP:- It is considered appropriate to cover knees and shoulders before entering the Cathedral.
Gothic Quarter - Templo de Augusto
Just behind Barcelona Cathedral is a hidden medieval courtyard that contains the Temple of Augustus, the remaining ruins of a once majestic Roman temple that dominated the city. The Medieval city of Barcelona was literally built on top of the Roman city so, although only a few columns remain, the ruin is a powerful visual of Barcelona’s rich, tumultuous history. It's Free, so well worth checking it out while in the Gothic Quarter.
Lunch – Frankfurt Valles
For lunch grab a hot dog Frankfurt Valles (there are several in the city). Yes, that’s right, it’s just a hot dog. But a very good one! We tried a sausage called “cervela” and it was delicious.
Museo Picasso
Head to the Museo Picasso. You don’t need to be a huge fan of Picasso’s work to find this museum fascinating. We have to be honest, we didn't quite "get" Picasso, but after viewing this enthralling collection we went away with much more appreciation. The museum displays a lot of his early work which is more formal in style than the abstract art he is famous for. The museum is demonstration of how Picasso truly mastered standard forms of art before embarking on his famous abstract experimentations.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Escape the hustle and bustle by taking a walk through the beautiful Parc de la Ciutadella. A few minutes away is the Arc De Triomf, and Barcelona zoo is also contained in the park.
Dinner - Baracca
Finish day 2 of your Barcelona 4 Day Itinerary by making your way to the seafront, and grab a table at Baracca. We enjoyed the paella which we had heard was one of the best in the city and the restaurant has great views of the Mediterranean.
Day 3
La Sagrada Familia
Ok. No Barcelona 4 Day Itinerary would be complete without it. So it’s time to visit one of the most breathtaking sites in the entire world, Gaudi’s unfinished church, the Sagrada Família. Construction started in 1882 and it’s still not done (the current planned completion date is 2026, but don’t hold your breath on that!). Once you experience this mind-blowing building up close you understand why it has taken so long to complete. Every inch of this vast church has been intricately designed.
You can get a ticket that includes a climb up to the tower which apparently offers stunning views (Here’s a potentially controversial tip: we never pay to go up iconic buildings for a view of a city. Your view is literally missing one of the most iconic monuments by being on top of it!). If you skip the tower, don’t worry, there will be breathtaking views abound at the next item on the itinerary.
Heads up when buying your Sagrada Família tickets — There are quite a few scammy third-party websites out there that look legit but charge way more than the actual ticket price (or don’t deliver at all). Make sure you’re booking directly through the official site sagradafamilia.org or a reputable platform like GetYourGuide if you’re doing a guided tour. Don’t get tricked into paying triple for something that should’ve cost under €30!
Park Guell
Take an evening stroll at Park Guell. The park is an exquisite wander into Gaudi’s creative mind. It can get busy around the terrace and entrance, but there are many pathways for a perfect golden hour walk (Make sure you a grab a map as the walkway can get twisty and bit confusing).
Dinner – La Pepita
We went through A LOT of Tapas on our trip, but we both agreed La Pepita was our favorite. Cool atmosphere with creative, modern takes on tapas. Next door there is Mini Pepita, their sister bar which is perfect if you’re looking for a more casual vibe or a light bite.
Day 4
Camp Nou
Start off your final day at Camp Nou. Now, you don’t need to be a soccer fan to appreciate this place. Soccer is so intertwined in Catalonian culture and identity, following FC Barcelona is like a religion. Believe it or not this is Barcelona’s most popular museum.
Lunch – El Nacional
El Nacional offers so much it is worth more than one visit.
Head Back to the Gothic Quarter
Head back to the Gothic Quarter. The El Born neighborhood is a local artistic rich in bohemian spirt. The neighboring Barrio Gótico has narrow, cobbled streets that lead to charming Medieval squares, and is home to the famous bridge on Carrer del Bisbe, a back-drop for many Instagram posts.
Dinner - Berbena
For your final dinner, Berbena is a Michelin starred gem that you don’t to need to break the bank to enjoy. It can be difficult to get a table, so if you see an opening online just book it, or if you have a hotel concierge ask them to call. There are hints of Asian influence with traditional Catalan flavors. We loved the gyoza. And they have a lettuce salad which was unusual but unforgettable. You won't regret it. It was the perfect meal to end our trip.
Bonus: Where to Stay in Barcelona
We highly recommend staying in the Gràcia neighborhood when visiting Barcelona. It has such a fun, local vibe with plenty of great restaurants, charming streets, and easy access to major sites without feeling overly touristy. We stayed at Seventy Barcelona and absolutely loved it! Beautiful design, super comfy rooms, and a great location for exploring the city.
