A weekend in Barcelona is one of the best getaway ideas for a three-day dose of Mediterranean spice at the end of the working week or during your Eurotrip! This Barcelona travel guide will be a perfect itinerary for your trip!
Barcelona is well connected to almost all parts of Europe and the world! Flights are cheap and from any corner of the Old Continent, you can be at the beach in 1-3 hours flight!
This destination is not only interesting during the summer season. In Barcelona, you can find interesting activities and attractions throughout the year. That’s what makes it our weekend trip idea of the today!
- Barcelona: Hola Barcelona public transport ticket for 2 – 5 days (recommendation)
- Barcelona: Sagrada Familia Ticket (Includes Audio Guide)
- Barcelona: Sagrada Familia with access to the tower
And don’t forget to check my Instagram! 😉
How to Set off that Barcelona Getaway?
Barcelona is one of the few cities in Europe that is super well connected to more or less every country. Flights are super cheap! Example on the photo:
You can look for flight to Barcelona directly in search bar:
From the Airport to the Barcelona City Cente
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) is connected to the city center in several ways.
First is the official shuttle to the airport. The price of a one-way ticket is 7-9€. There is an option of a return ticket for about 12 euros, which must be used within 14 days of its purchase. It is worth it for a weekend in Barcelona, or for a stay of less than 2 weeks. Tickets can be purchased online.
Metro is another option that connects the city center with the airport. There are two metro lines to choose from:
A1 line that connects Plaça Catalunya with the airport (Terminal 1) every day. The ride takes about 35 minutes.
The A2 line connects Plaça Catalunya with the airport (Terminal 2). The ride takes about 50 minutes.
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Be aware of different time tables. Metros run as frequently as it is neccessary due to rush hours. Sometimes it can happen that the metro and bus do not operate during the night. This information is best checked during travel planning.
If you are coming from the surrounding areas of Spain or France, a relatively cheap option is the bus or train. It is best to buy a bus/train ticket as soon as possible because the higher the demand for tickets and the closer the travel date, the higher the price!
Alsa bus was my choice when I traveled from Valencia to Barcelona. I paid about 10 euros for the tickets bought a month before. The bus station in Barcelona is Barcelona Estación Nord.
Information about transportation is constantly changing and it is necessary to be up to date when planning your trip.
Accommodation in Barcelona
It depends on priorities, hostels start from 10 euros per night, hotels from 30 euros per night, and apartments from 70 euros per night.
Check your options for accomodation in Barcelona directly in the search bar:
Barcelona Travel Guide: What to See & do in Barcelona?
As part of this Barcelona travel guide, here are few ideas of what to see and how to spend time in Barcelona.
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La Rambla
The famous promenade in Barcelona is 1.3 km long. It consists of a pedestrian section followed by two rows of tall trees and various cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops on the edges. This central street in Barcelona starts from Plaça de Catalunya and ends at the port, on the city’s coast.
The name of this street comes from the Arabic word for “sand”.
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Plaça de Catalunya
Placa de Catalunya is the largest square in the city center. It represents many historical features of these areas. One thing is certain, you can expect countless pigeons on the square all over the place.
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La Boqueria
La Boqueria is the main fresh food market in Barcelona. These types of markets represent a large part of Spanish culture and can be found in every city.
Here you can find everything from fresh meat and fish to various kinds of squeezed juices. La Boqueria is located on La Rambla and has maintained a tradition for over 200 years!
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Sagrada Família
Barcelona travel guide could definetly start from Sagrada Família! Sagrada Familia being the popular place in the city confirmes the constant crowds and thousands of people around the Sagrada who often have one thing in common – like to capture a good picture.
But on the other hand, who can blame them when this master piece of Gaudí is the largest unfinished Roman Catholic basilica, a beautiful and unique building that is not often seen.
The part of the basilica where Antonio Gaudí worked is under UNESCO protection. The construction started back in 1882, and it is still not completely done.
Sagrada Família translates from Catalan as Holy Family.
Entry to the basilica is allowed, it is best to buy tickets in advance, and prices and other information can be found at the link.
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Barcelona Katedrala i Gothic Quarter
The neo-Gothic cathedral with foundations from the 13th century and a facade from the 19th century is located in the wonderful Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, which is a must see on so many levels. A wonderful part of the city, the old streets offer a complete experience of Catalan culture.
Tours around Gothic Quarter:
- Barcelona: Old Town and Gothic Quarter Walking Tour
- Barcelona: El Born/Gothic Quarter Wine and Tapas Bar Tour
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Casa Batlló
Another work of the famous Antonio Gaudí. It is a well-known architectural creation, and also a must-see during a weekend in Barcelona.
Barcelona: Casa Batlló Entry with Self-Audioguide Tour
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Casa Mila (La Pedrera) | Gaudí Building in Barcelona
Once again Antonio Gaudí (and not for the last time) on another architectural feature of Barcelona. Although the idea is a bit reminiscent of Casa Batlló, this is a completely separate building under the protection of UNESCO. It was built way back in 1912.
- Barcelona: Casa Milà Skip-the-Line Ticket and Audio Guide
- Barcelona: La Pedrera Night Experience – night tour of Casa Mila
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This Barcelona Travel Guide Includes Beach Time!
Barceloneta is the most famous beach in this city. Barceloneta ends in the south of the city center with the famous tower of the W Barcelona hotel. Besides Barceloneta, there are Banys del Fòrum, Llevant, Nova Mar Bella, Mar Bella, Bogatell, Nova Icària and Somorrostro. On the outskirts of the city there is a series of beautiful beaches worth visiting if you have time.
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Arco de Triunfo de Barcelona + Ciutadella Park
This Arc de Triomphe is Spain’s version of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It was built in 1888. At the top of the triumphal arch are the coats of arms of the 49 Spanish provinces headed by the coat of arms of Barcelona. Ciutadella Park, the central greenery of the city, is located in the continuation of the triumphal arch promenade. Barcelona Zoo is also located there.
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Park Güell
Park Güell, another symbol of the city of Barcelona, is the work of, you guessed it, Antoni Gaudí.
The construction of this complex began in 1900, and what few people know is that it was originally intended for the construction of apartments for the residents of Barcelona. Only later did it become a real tourist attraction.
The park itself is a real work of art, due to its location, it provides a panoramic view of the entire city.
The park is under UNESCO protection and some parts might be closed due to reconstruction.
Park Güell also did something nice for the environment. They banned leaflets and catalogs and instead all information can be found on their free app.
Other Park Guell entrances and tours:
- Barcelona: Park Güell Admission Ticket
- Barcelona: Park Guell Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
- Barcelona: Park Güell Guided Tour with Skip-the-line Entry
- Barcelona: Skip-the-Line Sagrada Familia & Park Güell Tour
- Barcelona: Park Güell Skip-the-Line Ticket and Guided Tour
- Barcelona: Park Güell & La Sagrada Familia Tickets and Tour
- Barcelona: Park Güell Fast-Track Guided Tour
- Barcelona: Skip-the-Line Park Güell Guided Walking Tour
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Magic Fountain, Montjuïc
The walk starts at the Plaça d’Espanya (Plaza de España), at the foot and continues up the long stairs and ends with the 17th century Montjuïc Castle on top of the hill of the same name. The view from the top falls on this entire part of the city.
Somewhere halfway there are magical fountains that entertain spectators and walkers with light effects every half hour on weekends in the evenings with the water-jumping fountains. This is not my type of entertainment, I think that the water and electricity could have been used more wisely, but also many tourists go there a few hours before the light show itself in order to get a good spot.
This part of the city was built in 1929 as part of the “International Exhibition” in cooperation with several surrounding museums such as the National Museum of Catalan Art, the Museum of Archeology and the Museum of Ethnology.
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Travel Guide: NIGHT LIFE
For those who want to try the night life during a weekend in Barcelona, they will certainly not be disappointed!
Barcelona’s club scene is superb, and combined with the Spanish nightlife, guarantees 100% fun.
The rule for partying in clubs in Barcelona (as well as in the rest of Spain) is to register on the “lists” to enter the club. This can be done through several mobile apps. She is the most famous exceed.
Barcelona Travel Guide – A Take Home Message:
A general rule when traveling to Barcelona, and especially if you decide to spend the weekend in Barcelona, the key is early planning and booking attractions. Depending on the season, for some locations 1-2 days in advance is sufficient, while for others even earlier. Be on time and enjoy your weekend in Barcelona!
Tickets and tours in Barcelona, and excursions in the surrounding area:
- Barcelona: Hola Barcelona public transport ticket for 2 – 5 days (recommendation)
- Barcelona: Sagrada Familia entrance (includes audio guide)
- Barcelona: Sagrada Familia with tower entrance
- Barcelona: Park Güell ticket
- Barcelona: Sagrada Familia & Park Güell Tour
- Flamenco Show in City Hall theater
- Barcelona: Montjuïc funicular- return ticket
- Barcelona: 24 or 48-sata Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tura
Tours / excursions around Barcelona:
- Barcelona: Montserrat Toua, Monastery & optional wine/lunch
- Barcelona: half day tour to Montserrat
- other tours and tickets
If you want to follow my travel adventures, follow me on Instagram. Take a look at my eternal travel inspiration Pinterest. See other travel articles on the blog.
*All photos and text of the article are the property of the author and may not be used without consultation. The text and photos are the author’s subjective impression of the destination and the expression of his own perception of situations and places.
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