6 Day Barcelona Itinerary: In-Depth City Exploration plus Two Iconic Day Trips (Written By Margaret Liu)
This itinerary embraces Barcelona’s rich modernist and medieval heritage with a slow, immersive pace, complemented by two day trips to Montserrat and Girona—two must-see destinations beyond the city that showcase Catalonia’s history, architecture, and natural beauty. You’ll travel mainly by metro and taxi within the city, and by train and cable car for day trips, ensuring comfort without rushing.
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 & Gothic Quarter Highlights
8:30 AM – Breakfast at Granja Viader
Established 1870, this historic café is famed for its rich hot chocolate and
pastries.
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 unfinished basilica, started in 1882, fuses Gothic and Art Nouveau. The
Nativity and Passion façades display biblical narratives, while the interior’s
forest-like columns and stained glass create a divine atmosphere.
Location: Carrer de Mallorca, 401, Eixample
Getting there: Metro L2 to Sagrada Família (~10 mins)
Admission: €26–€33 (book online)
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Time: 3 hours (including gardens)
1:00 PM – Lunch at El Nacional
Upscale food hall offering a variety of regional Spanish dishes.
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 and Casa Milà
Gaudí’s masterpieces along Passeig de Gràcia showcase his natural forms and
inventive architecture. Casa Batlló mimics a dragon with colorful tiles; Casa
Milà features undulating stone walls and wrought-iron balconies.
Admission: Casa Batlló €29–€35; Casa Milà €25–€35
Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Time: 2 hours
5:00 PM – Gothic Quarter & Barcelona
Cathedral
Wander the maze-like medieval streets over Roman ruins. The cathedral’s Gothic
spires and cloister with 13 white geese are highlights.
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
Creative Catalan tapas in the vibrant El Born district.
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
Modern, fresh breakfast in a relaxed setting.
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 imaginative park featuring mosaics and organic shapes. Originally a
housing project, now a UNESCO site.
Admission: €10
Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Getting there: Taxi (~15 mins) or metro L3 + 15-minute uphill walk
Time: 2.5 hours
12:30 PM – Museu Picasso
Housed in medieval palaces, it chronicles Picasso’s early works and
development.
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
Lively tapas bar specializing in fresh seafood.
Location: Plaça de les Olles, 8
Getting there: 5-minute walk from museum
Price: Mid-range
Time: 1 hour
3:45 PM – Montjuïc Hill: Castle, Olympic
Ring & Gardens
Funicular from Paral·lel metro to Montjuïc. Explore the castle, Olympic
stadium, and peaceful gardens.
Admission: Castle €5
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Time: 3 hours
7:00 PM – Dinner at Casa Ramos
Traditional Catalan cuisine in a modernist setting.
Location: Plaça de Lesseps, 30
Getting there: Taxi (~15 mins)
Price: Mid-range
Time: 1.5 hours
Day 3: Markets, Beach & Modernisme
9:00 AM – Breakfast at Brunch & Cake
Trendy café with creative breakfast options.
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 project blending Moorish, neoclassical, and oriental
motifs.
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
Barcelona’s famous food market.
Getting there: Metro L3 to Liceu (5 mins)
Time: 1 hour
12:45 PM – Lunch at Pinotxo Bar
(Boqueria Market)
Fresh, seasonal tapas at a bustling market bar.
Price: Budget-friendly
Time: 1 hour
2:00 PM – Barceloneta Beach & Port
Vell
Relax or stroll marina paths by the Mediterranean.
Getting there: 15-minute walk or metro L4 to Barceloneta
Time: 2 hours
5:00 PM – Museu d’Història de Barcelona
(MUHBA)
Explore Roman ruins beneath Plaça del Rei.
Admission: €7
Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Time: 1.5 hours
7:00 PM – Dinner at La Paradeta
Choose fresh seafood and have it cooked to order in a casual atmosphere.
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 to Montserrat
Train R5 from Plaça Espanya (~1 hour, €12.40 one-way). Then 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
Visit the famous Black Madonna, monastery museum with art by Picasso and Dalí,
and hiking trails offering breathtaking views.
Admission: Museum €8; Monastery free
Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Time: 4–5 hours
3:00 PM – Return to Barcelona
7:30 PM – Dinner at Cinc Sentits
Michelin-starred tasting menus emphasizing Catalan ingredients. Reservation
needed.
Location: Carrer d'Entença, 60
Getting there: Taxi (~15 mins)
Price: Upscale
Time: 2 hours
Day 5: Day Trip to Girona & Costa Brava
7:00 AM – Depart for Girona
Take train from Barcelona Sants to Girona (~40 mins, €16 one-way). Girona
offers medieval walls, Jewish Quarter, and colorful riverside houses.
Getting there: Taxi or metro to Sants (~15 mins)
Time: Full day
9:00 AM – Explore Girona Old Town
Walk the well-preserved medieval city walls, visit Girona Cathedral (largest
Gothic nave in the world), and the Jewish Quarter with its narrow lanes.
Admission Cathedral: €7
Time: 3–4 hours
1:00 PM – Lunch at Le Bistrot
Traditional Catalan food with fresh local produce.
Location: Plaça del Vi, Girona
Price: Mid-range
Time: 1.5 hours
3:00 PM – Relax on Costa Brava Coast
Short taxi ride (~20 mins) to nearby beaches like Platja de Sant Feliu for
Mediterranean relaxation.
Time: 2 hours
6:00 PM – Return to Barcelona
8:30 PM – Light Dinner at El Xampanyet
Popular tapas bar near El Born for casual bites and cava.
Location: Carrer de Montcada, 22
Price: Mid-range
Time: 1 hour
Day 6: Hidden Gems
9:00 AM – Breakfast at Satan’s Coffee
Corner
Excellent coffee and pastries in 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 renowned for its stained glass and mosaics. Guided tours
explain its rich cultural significance.
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 vivid mosaics and gardens designed by
Lluís 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 – Wander El Born & Parc de
la Ciutadella
Boutiques, galleries, and the Cascada fountain offer a relaxed afternoon.
Admission: Free
Time: 2 hours
6:30 PM – Final Dinner at Tickets Bar
Creative tapas from Albert Adrià in a lively setting. Reservation required.
Location: Avinguda Paral·lel, 164
Getting there: Taxi (~10 mins)
Price: Upscale
Time: 2 hours
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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