As the capital of Spain’s Catalonian region, Barcelona is a city known for its art and architecture, tasty food and gorgeous beaches. It’s safe to say that Barcelona is one of the trendiest cities in Europe.
There is so much to see and do, but this 2-Day Barcelona Itinerary will help you explore the city in a short time frame. Whether you want to marvel at Gaudi’s awe-inspiring architecture or eat your way through the bustling La Boqueria market, Barcelona is a city with something for everyone.
What To Expect In Barcelona- 2-day itinerary
Language In Barcelona
Two official languages are spoken in Barcelona, Spanish and Catalan. The majority of locals are bilingual. Many people also speak English so don’t be afraid to ask for help if and when you need it.
Currency In Barcelona
The currency used in Barcelona is The Euro.
Weather In Barcelona
For warm weather, the best months to visit are the summer months of June to September. The warmest months are July and August, where average temperatures are 26°C. The winter months of November to February are cooler, with average temperatures of around 10°C.
Transport In Barcelona
Public transport in Barcelona makes getting around the city easy, despite its size. The good news is the majority of popular attractions are within walking distance of the city’s metro stations, making this a great option for tourists.
During this two-day Barcelona itinerary, It is worth considering purchasing a Barcelona Card. The card includes unlimited free use of the bus, metro, and trains in Barcelona. This also includes travel to and from the airport. Entry to many of Barcelona’s top tourist attractions is also included in the card.
Where To Stay In Barcelona During This 2-day Barcelona Itinerary
There are some great accommodation options in Barcelona to choose from, no matter what your budget is.
Budget Accommodation In Barcelona
If you’re travelling on a budget, consider staying at one of Barcelona’s many hostels. During my visit, I stayed at Sant Jordi Rock Palace – a music-themed hostel with a rooftop swimming pool. You can read a review I wrote of Sant Jordi Barcelona here.
You can stay at an Air BnB in Barcelona for as little as £20 per night if you are just looking for a room. For a private apartment or studio, prices start from around £65 per night.
Mid-Range Accommodation Barcelona
There are plenty of great hotels in Barcelona that you can stay at without breaking the bank. Hotel Brick is a very short walk from the magic fountain, and prices start at around £65 per night.
In the heart of Barcelona Hotel Nouvel is a stylish looking 19th Century build. Prices start from about £90 per night for a double room.
Luxury Accommodation Barcelona
Looking for something more extravagant? Try The One Barcelona GL for its rooftop plunge pool overlooking the city. Or enjoy the Gourmet food and spa at Monument Hotel.
Search For Accommodation in Barcelona Below
Booking.comBarcelona Itinerary – Day One
Take a Free Walking Tour Of Barcelona
Start off your 2-day Barcelona Itinerary with a free walking tour. It’s the best way to gather your bearings and start your trip by seeing some key highlights.
I took the Sandemans New Europe free tour of Barcelona. The tour starts at Jaume I metro exit and finishes by El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria (Plaça Comercial, 12) or by Parc de la Ciutadella.
For 2 and a half hours a knowledgeable guide leads you through the city. Enjoy a worldwide foray into Barcelona’s history, from Roman ruins, and Picasso’s art to Catalan national identity.
For more information or to book tickets, you can visit Sademans website here.
Sagrada Familia
No 2-day Barcelona itinerary would be complete witnessing what is surely the most spectacular church in the world.
This famous Basilica was designed by renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. And although work began on this gothic masterpiece in 1882, it still remains unfinished.
If you want to visit the church, consider buying a fast-track ticket to save time. There are two great options, a skip-the-line ticket with a guided tour, or just the fast-track access ticket.
If you plan to see even more of Gaudi’s great works, you can also get a Sagrada Familia and Park Guell combo ticket.
Tickets are also available direct from the Sagrada Familia Website. These tickets are a few euros cheaper so are good if you’re on a budget.
Las Rambla
Next, take a stroll down Barcelona’s famous boulevard Las Rambla. this 1.2km long pedestrianised street is filled with restaurants and cafes and takes you all the way down to the waterfront.
Note: Beware some of the restaurants here are very touristy and expensive.
La Boqueria
Time to grab some lunch at La Boqueria an amazing market full of fresh produce and tasty treats.
Being a foodie, one of my biggest highlights was La Boqueria. The vibrant market was alive with people savouring the abundance of food on offer. The smell of freshly cooked seafood and crepes with Nutella is enough to make you salivate. The market is a great place to try some different kinds of Tapas, as well as grab a bite for lunch. I had an Argentinian Empanada chased down with an ice-cold beer. Maybe not the most Spanish thing on offer, but they looked too good to say no to.
The market is open Monday to Saturday: 8:00 am – 8:30 pm
Explore the Gothic Quater And Eat Churros
The gothic quarter of Barcelona is trendy, medieval and full of little shops, eateries and bars.
You can easily get lost wandering through the narrow little streets, and it’s so fun to take it all in.
However, whilst you’re exploring this part of town you must make a pit stop for some Churros. La Pallaresa Xocolateria Xurreria is renowned for its Churros with Chocolate. They know what they are doing, and have been doing it well since 1947.
Drink like a local
After your chocolate hit, check out some of the local bars.
Polaroid Bar over on Carrer dels Codols is a shrine to the ’80s and ’90s.
Its themed cocktails are whimsical, and noticing ET flying from the ceiling whilst sipping on a San Miguel will certainly make you chuckle.
If you are around on a Sunday, Polaroid holds a weekly movie night, screening a different film each week. 5 euros gets you tickets to watch the film, plus a drink and a hot dog or nachos. A bargain night out.
Le Cyrano has to be one of the friendliest bars in Barcelona. Owner Teresa will make you fill right at home.
The crazy cool thing about Le Cyrano is you can pour as much spirit in your drink as you like for about 4 euros. Let’s just say there are complimentary bowls of popcorn on the tables for a reason.
Bareclona Itinerary – Day Two
Park Güell
Start the second day of your 2-day Barcelona Itinerary with a trip to Park Guell. The park is one of the largest green spaces in Barcelona and is filled with spectacular artwork, including more Gaudi. The park has been a world heritage site since 1984 and when you visit, it’s easy to see why.
To learn more about the history of the park and the colourful array of artwork, take a guided tour.
Or you can purchase a normal day entrance ticket for less than £10.
Gaudi Houses
If you didn’t get to see the famous Gaudi houses during your walking tour or want to take a look inside it’s time to pay them a visit. Casa Batlló, Casa Mila, Casa Vicens are within walking distance of each other. Follow the map below to see all three easily.
Each house charges a separate entrance fee, so if you want to go inside all three consider getting a three-hour Gaudi pass to save a bit of money.
Picasso Musuem
Next up on this 2-day Barcelona itinerary is a visit to the Picasso Museum. Here you will explore the world’s largest collection of Picasso’s art. The museum takes an interesting focus on Picasso’s early formative years, making it a great place to follow the artist’s journey through his thousands of works.
You can skip the line and take a guided tour with an art expert to maximise your experience.
Camp Nou
A temple to football fans from around the world, Camp Nou is the home to Barcelona F.C. As well as being the largest stadium in Europe, on the grounds, you’ll also discover a museum full of awesome memorabilia. There’s a trophy gallery, multimedia displays and a section dedicated just to Messi. During the tour of Camp Nou, you get access to all areas from the changing rooms to the stands.
Fill up on tapas
Lastly, end your stay in Barcelona by filling up on tapas. When ordering Tapas, choose a few dishes as they are an appetizer or a snack. This means it’s a great way to try lots of new dishes. There are so many different small plates to choose from, but the following are local favourites:
- Bombas – tasty round potato croquette served with garlic aioli and a spicy sauce.
- Crema Catalana– Catalonian take on crème brûlée. The main difference is this delicious dessert is made with milk instead of cream.
- Pa amb tomàquet- bread and tomato may sound simple, but this dish is fresh and highlights quality local produce.
- Calçots and romesco sauce– a seasonal treat of sweet green onions in a nutty romesco sauce.
Check out this local blogger’s guide to finding the best tapas restaurants in Barcelona.
Travel Tips For Your 2-day Barcelona Itinerary
Make sure to carry cash:
On my first evening in Barcelona, I was told: “All the good places don’t take cards,” which turned out to be so very true. It’s always best to carry cash as ATM machines charge you a fee between €3 and €5 each time you use them with a foreign bank card. That will soon add up.
Walk the city:
Some of the best joys in life can be experienced by just walking. Barcelona is such a walkable city, you won’t even need to think about public transport for the most part. Just pack your trainers and get going. Make sure to explore the areas around the harbour and beach, and stroll in Parc Agrari del Baix Llobregat.
Check Flights to Barcelona below
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This 2-day Barcelona itinerary should have given you plenty of inspiration and ideas for your trip. Feel free to swap, change and edit this itinerary as you wish. It’s just a guide to help you discover the city and help you go out and explore.
If you have any questions, or tips of your own you’d like to share your own recommendations, feel free to comment below or message me on social media @begintoadventure.
In the meantime, Happy adventuring!
Bex
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