Itineraries for Your Trip to Barcelona
2 Days in Barcelona for First Timers
Barcelona’s sunshine, medieval history, and Gaudí architecture are some of the top reasons to visit the city, but I also love its walkable streets, lively atmosphere, and proximity to the sea. I can play tourist each morning, visiting some of the city’s top attractions, and relax on the golden sands of Barceloneta Beach in the afternoon.
The evening is when it’s time to wander—I’ll lap the city’s streets until the wee hours of the morning, sipping on local wine, popping into tapas bars, or just taking in the scene. While a couple of days isn’t quite enough in Barcelona, it’s a solid start. Here’s how to spend 2 days in Barcelona if you’re visiting for the first time.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Sagrada Familia, a famous Gaudí-designed church.
Barcelona is often sunny, but it can be rainy in autumn, so plan accordingly.
Start off your Barcelona experience with a visit to the city’s most beloved landmark, Sagrada Familia. The church has been under construction for years, but this hasn’t stopped visitors from coming. A skip-the-line ticket is essential to avoid long waits and disappointment. Make sure to add a visit to one of the towers for gorgeous views of the city and sea.
Many visitors head to the Gaudí-designed Park Güell in the morning, but visiting in the afternoon or around sunset is the perfect time to see the grounds bathed in pinkish light. You can explore some of the park for free, but it’s best to snap up a skip-the-line ticket ahead of time to see all the best parts, like the mosaic lizard or the kitchy gingerbread-like houses.
Barcelona has an entirely different feel at night, when the sun sets and the city comes alive with action. Experience it with a food tour that can introduce you to some of the city’s best culinary delights, from tapas and paella to wine and cava. You can even add on a flamenco show if you want to keep the fun going.
It’s easy to get around Barcelona on foot or via bike, but a bus tour or a more private tuk-tuk tour is the perfect way to see many of the city’s attractions quickly. With just two days in Barcelona, you’ll want to maximize your time, and you’ll whizz past attractions like Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, and Plaça d'Espanya.
Get an entirely new perspective on Barcelona with a boat cruise along the Mediterranean Sea that leaves from the cruise ports at the end of La Rambla. This activity is especially beautiful to do around midafternoon or at sunset, but you can enjoy it at any time of day. Choose from a booze cruise, a private happy hour sailing, or a boat ride with live music.
Dive deeper into the local food culture with a cooking class. Visit La Boqueria market to pick out ingredients before heading to a kitchen to learn some skills from a professional chef. Depending on the class, you might prepare paella, garlic prawns, Catalan octopus, or Spanish omelet.
