5 Day Barcelona Itinerary: Comprehensive City Exploration Plus Day Trip (Written By Margaret Liu)

Barcelona’s rich tapestry of art, history, and culture rewards those who take their time to uncover its layers. This itinerary blends iconic Gaudí landmarks, historic quarters, museums, and a day trip to Montserrat—Catalonia’s most famous mountain monastery—giving you a deep and leisurely experience. You’ll travel mostly by metro and taxi, with one full day dedicated to Montserrat, balancing sightseeing with authentic Catalan cuisine.

This guide has been written based on my recent 2025 trip to Barcelona. My experience may differ as I went between late June and early July. Many attractions are seasonal, so be careful to see the details beneath each location!

Day 1: Gaudí’s Masterpieces and Gothic Quarter

8:30 AM – Breakfast at Granja Viader
Kick off your trip at this historic café, famous for its traditional hot chocolate and pastries since 1870.
Location: Carrer d'en Xuclà, 4-6, El Raval
Getting there: Taxi or walk (~5–10 mins)
Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Time: 45 mins

9:30 AM – La Sagrada Família
Gaudí’s ongoing masterpiece, begun in 1882, combines Gothic and Art Nouveau forms. The church’s facades narrate biblical stories with intricate symbolism. Its interior evokes a sacred forest, with branching columns and colored light from stained glass.
Location: Carrer de Mallorca, 401, Eixample
Getting there: Metro L2 to Sagrada Família (~10 mins, €2.55)
Admission: €26–€33 (pre-book online)
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Time: 3 hours (including surrounding gardens)

1:00 PM – Lunch at El Nacional
An upscale multi-cuisine food hall on Passeig de Gràcia offering seafood, tapas, and meats.
Location: Passeig de Gràcia, 24
Getting there: Metro L2 to Passeig de Gràcia (~10 mins)
Price: Mid-range to upscale
Time: 1 hour

2:30 PM – Casa Batlló & Casa Milà
Marvel at Gaudí’s fantastical façades and innovative interiors on Passeig de Gràcia. Casa Batlló’s dragon-inspired roof and skeletal balconies contrast with Casa Milà’s flowing stone and chimneys.
Admission: Batlló €29–€35; Milà €25–€35
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Time: 2 hours

5:00 PM – Gothic Quarter & Barcelona Cathedral
Explore medieval streets built over Roman ruins. The cathedral, with its soaring Gothic spires and cloister housing 13 white geese, offers a peaceful retreat.
Admission: €9 (free mornings)
Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Getting there: Metro L3 to Liceu (~15 mins)
Time: 1.5 hours

7:00 PM – Dinner at Tapeo Born
Traditional Catalan tapas with a modern twist in El Born.
Location: Carrer de Montcada, 29
Price: Mid-range
Getting there: 5-minute walk from Gothic Quarter
Time: 1.5 hours

Day 2: Park Güell, Museums & Montjuïc

9:00 AM – Breakfast at Federal Café
Light and fresh breakfast in a modern café.
Location: Carrer del Parlament, 39
Getting there: Taxi (~10 mins)
Opening hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Time: 45 mins

10:00 AM – Park Güell
Gaudí’s colorful, mosaic-filled park with panoramic city views, originally intended as a housing project.
Admission: €10
Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Getting there: Taxi (~15 mins) or metro L3 + 15-min walk uphill
Time: 2.5 hours

12:30 PM – Museu Picasso
Picasso’s formative years and early works displayed in medieval palaces.
Admission: €12
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Getting there: Taxi (~15 mins)
Time: 1.5 hours

2:30 PM – Lunch at Cal Pep
Famous seafood tapas bar.
Location: Plaça de les Olles, 8
Getting there: 5-min walk from museum
Price: Mid-range
Time: 1 hour

3:45 PM – Montjuïc Hill: Castle, Gardens, and Olympic Ring
Funicular from Paral·lel metro to Montjuïc. Visit 17th-century castle, peaceful gardens, and Olympic sites.
Admission: Castle €5
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Time: 3 hours

7:00 PM – Dinner at Casa Ramos
Modernist architecture and traditional Catalan dishes.
Location: Plaça de Lesseps, 30
Getting there: Taxi (~15 mins)
Price: Mid-range
Time: 1.5 hours

Day 3: Markets, Beaches & Modernisme

9:00 AM – Breakfast at Brunch & Cake
Artfully presented hearty breakfasts.
Location: Carrer Enric Granados, 19
Getting there: Taxi (~10 mins)
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Time: 45 mins

10:00 AM – Casa Vicens
Gaudí’s first major commission mixing Moorish and neoclassical styles.
Admission: €16
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Getting there: Taxi (~10 mins)
Time: 1 hour

11:30 AM – Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria
Famous food market with fresh produce and Catalan specialties.
Getting there: Metro L3 to Liceu (5 mins)
Time: 1 hour

12:45 PM – Lunch at Pinotxo Bar (inside market)
Fresh, seasonal tapas.
Price: Budget-friendly
Time: 1 hour

2:00 PM – Barceloneta Beach & Port Vell
Relax on sandy beach or walk marina paths.
Getting there: 15-minute walk or metro L4 to Barceloneta
Time: 2 hours

5:00 PM – Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA)
Roman and medieval archaeology under Plaça del Rei.
Admission: €7
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Time: 1.5 hours

7:00 PM – Dinner at La Paradeta
Casual seafood where you choose your catch.
Location: Carrer Comercial, 7
Getting there: Walk from beach (~10 mins)
Price: Budget to mid-range
Time: 1.5 hours

Day 4: Day Trip to Montserrat

7:30 AM – Depart for Montserrat
Take the R5 train from Plaça Espanya to Montserrat Aeri (~1 hour, €12.40 one-way). Optional cable car (€11.50) or rack railway (€10.50) to monastery.
Getting there: Metro L1 or L3 to Plaça Espanya (~15 mins)
Time: Full day

9:30 AM – Montserrat Monastery & Museum
Famous Benedictine abbey with the Black Madonna statue, stunning mountain views, and a rich musical tradition from the boys’ choir (Escolania). The museum holds works by El Greco, Picasso, and Dalí.
Admission: Museum €8; Monastery free
Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Time: 4–5 hours (explore hiking trails if desired)

3:00 PM – Return to Barcelona

5:00 PM – Rest & Refresh at Hotel

7:30 PM – Dinner at Cinc Sentits
Michelin-starred modern Catalan cuisine featuring tasting menus. Reservation essential.
Location: Carrer d'Entença, 60
Getting there: Taxi (~15 mins)
Price: Upscale
Time: 2 hours

Day 5: Hidden Gems

9:00 AM – Breakfast at Satan’s Coffee Corner
Known for quality coffee and pastries in the Gothic Quarter.
Location: Carrer de l’Arc de Sant Ramon del Call, 11
Getting there: Metro L3 to Liceu (5 mins)
Time: 45 mins

10:00 AM – Palau de la Música Catalana
Modernist concert hall by Domènech i Montaner with elaborate mosaics and stained glass. Guided tours available.
Admission: €20
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Time: 1.5 hours

12:00 PM – Hospital de Sant Pau
UNESCO Art Nouveau hospital complex with mosaics, gardens, and architecture by Domènech i Montaner.
Admission: €16
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Getting there: Metro L5 to Sant Pau | Dos de Maig (~10 mins)
Time: 2 hours

2:30 PM – Lunch at El Xampanyet
Classic tapas bar near El Born with lively atmosphere.
Getting there: Metro or taxi (~15 mins)
Price: Mid-range
Time: 1.5 hours

4:00 PM – Stroll El Born & Parc de la Ciutadella
Wander boutique-lined streets and relax in the park with its Cascada fountain and boating lake.
Admission: Free
Time: 2 hours

6:30 PM – Final Dinner at Tickets Bar
Creative tapas by Albert Adrià in a vibrant setting. Book ahead.
Location: Avinguda Paral·lel, 164
Getting there: Taxi (~10 mins)
Price: Upscale
Time: 2 hours

Author: Margaret Liu (72) 

About me - I am a retired marine biologist, I first fell in love with travel during a university trip to Papua New Guinea. That expedition ignited my lifelong passion for exploring ecosystems across the globe. I've dived with hammerheads in the Galápagos, tracked polar bears in Svalbard, and once joined an Antarctic research crew as a guest scientist. My favourite memory? Swimming beneath Antarctic sea ice beside a curious Weddell seal.

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