Barcelona in 5 days

Ciudad Condal offers a wide variety of cultural and leisure activities which lure in millions of tourists each year. Many have a tight schedule available to them and can only visit the most emblematic spots. Others can give the city the time it deserves to enjoy all its attractions in a more relaxed manner.

For those lucky enough to have a full week-stay in Barcelona, the quickest and cheapest way to get around is using the public transport system and buy one of the tourist cards. In this way, all visitors will be able to do their sightseeing around the most famous places and areas of the city without wasting time or money. A possible route to follow and discover every interesting location is as follows:

Day 1: The Raval, Plaza España and Montjuïc

This route starts at Plaza Cataluña, from where you can walk to reach the Contemporary Art Museum of Barcelona. Next, your best option is to get acquainted with the Raval neighborhood by walking down La Rambla and visiting the Palau Güell and the Sant Pau Monastery. After visiting these places, you can stop and get something to eat at any of the many restaurants to be found in the area.

When you are ready to continue, you can take the cable car connecting the city with Montjuïc Mountain, which offers a magnificent view of the city. At the top of the mountain you can visit Calatrava Tower, the Palau Sant Jordi and the Estadio Olímpico (“Olympic Stadium”), to then go into the original Pueblo Español (“Spanish Town”). Those who enjoy museums can also enter the National Art Museum of Cataluña and the Miró Foundation, only to later watch the sun go down from atop the Montjuïc. After getting a full view of the city, you can come down and enjoy the Montjuïc Magic Fountain show before taking a walk along María Cristina Avenue, between Fira Barcelona and the Venetian Towers. Later, there is no best option than to rest and have dinner in one of the restaurants surrounding Plaza España.

3días-sagradaDay 2: Las Ramblas and the Sagrada Familia

The second day begins at the Monumento de Colón (“Columbus Monument”) and then takes you through a relaxed stroll in the always lively Rambla Street. While doing this, you can visit the Liceu Grand Theater, the La Boquería marketplace and Plaza Real. Next, you can ride the subway to the Sagrada Familia Church, where you can take a guided tour, and then get something to eat in one of the restaurants surrounding the church.

In the afternoon you can move down Gaudí Avenue until you reach the Santa Cruz y Sant Pau Hospital. To finish off the evening, nothing better than travelling to Güell Park to enjoy the city view as it gets dark.

Day 3: Paseo de Gracia, Gothic Neighborhood and the Born Area.

The third day’s route starts at Paseo de Gracia, where you will be able to sightsee such building as Casa Fuster, La Pedrera or Casa Batlló, and then walk towards Plaza Cataluña. You can then take Portal de l’Angel Avenue to reach the Barcelona Cathedral in Plaza Nova and later continue to Plaza del Pi. Before catching something to eat, it is best to walk towards Plaza Sant Jaume, where you will find the City Council and the Generalitat.

The afternoon will be dedicated to the Born neighborhood’s passageways, visiting the famous Picasso Museum, the Santa María del Mar Church and the History Museum of Cataluña. At this point you should be getting ready to rest and enjoy yourself at one of the terraces next to the port before dining in any of the restaurants found in the area.

3días-agbarDay 4: Ciutadella and the Olympic Village

In the fourth day you are advised to admire the architectonic beauty of Agbar Tower, one of Barcelona’s most original buildings. Then, you can continue by visiting Encants Market and later walk down Meridiana Avenue until you reach the magnificent Ciutadella Park. You can take the occasion to buy something to eat before entering the park and then enjoy the good weather by having a picnic on the park’s grass.

After you have eaten you can take a walk by the park’s gardens and lakes and even visit the zoo. Walking around the Olympic Village and the sports port, visiting the aquarium and dining at one of the area’s terraces complete the fourth day.

Day 5: Beach, Barceloneta, Camp Nou and Tibidabo

The fifth day’s morning can be used to enjoy the sun in any of the 9 beaches to be found in Barcelona, then walk around the Barceloneta neighborhood and taste the fish and shellfish offered in its restaurants.

In the evening, you can take the opportunity to visit Camp Nou Stadium and the Pedralbes Monastery. To round off the day, nothing like visiting the Collserola Tower and the Tibidabo Theme Park, which also offers a beautiful view of the city and night shows.