Dylan and Maddy
3 Days in Barcelona: The Ultimate Itinerary for First-Timers
Barcelona is a city that’s full of surprises—one that kept us on our toes and left us wanting more with every turn. If you’ve only got three days, don’t stress about cramming in every sight. Instead, here’s how we’d genuinely recommend spending your time if you want to experience the city’s energy, creativity, and hidden corners (with a few lessons we learned along the way).
Table of Contents
Day 1: Gaudí’s Genius & City Strolls
Sagrada Familia (Start Big)
Walking up to Sagrada Familia for the first time, we both got that “wow, we’re really here” feeling. The sheer size and wild details are even more impressive in person—honestly, it’s one of the coolest landmarks we’ve ever seen, and you just can’t plan a Barcelona itinerary without including it. We didn’t buy tickets in advance to go inside (rookie mistake!), so we missed out, but the exterior alone is spectacular. If you want to see the inside, make sure to buy your tickets at least a week ahead—we were definitely bummed to miss it!
Park Güell (A Colorful Escape)
Park Güell is such a stark contrast to the rest of the city: calm, peaceful, and full of color. Gaudí’s mosaic Dragon Fountain, the whimsical Gatehouse, and his old home are all here. We loved finding a quiet bench and just soaking in the scenery. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance (around 11€)—the park has strict capacity limits, and we watched quite a few people get turned away at the entrance. Trust us, it’s definitely money well spent and one of the best things to do in Barcelona!
Passeig de Sant Joan & Arc de Triomf (Unexpected Favorite)
We next wandered down Passeig de Sant Joan—a lively avenue full of local cafés and shops—towards the Arc de Triomf. The energy here was infectious, with families, skaters, and musicians everywhere. Another performer was blowing huge bubbles and taking photos with them. It was so fun! We spent a while just having fun and soaking it all in. This was surprisingly one of our favorite things we did during our 3 Days in Barcelona!
La Rambla (Classic Stroll to End the Day)
To wrap up our first day, we made our way to La Rambla. It’s famous, it’s busy, and yes, it’s touristy—but there’s something about strolling down this tree-lined boulevard that just feels like Barcelona. The flower stands and places to eat are genuinely charming, but honestly, the sheer number of souvenir shops can be overwhelming (and the haggling is wild!). Even so, it’s worth experiencing La Rambla at least once—just to soak up the atmosphere and get a real feel for the city. Heads up: keep your bag close, as pickpockets are known to hang around here. Despite the crowds, the energy can be infectious.
Day 2: Cool Architecture, Beach Vibes & Fútbol
Casa Batlló & Casa Milà (Gaudí’s Wild Side)
We started our day checking out Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (La Pedrera). Both are really unique and definitely stand out from anything else you’ll see in Barcelona. We ended up spending longer than planned just looking at the facades and noticing all the cool details—Gaudí’s style is truly one of a kind. You don’t have to go inside to appreciate them, but if you’re interested in architecture or just want some cool photos, they’re worth the stop.
Barceloneta Beach (Beautiful, But… Real Talk)
After soaking in all that architecture, we headed for some relaxation at Barceloneta Beach. The beach itself is beautiful and iconic, with golden sand and a lively atmosphere. But to be honest, our experience was a bit mixed. We were approached by vendors almost every five minutes—trying to sell everything from drinks to massages to random souvenirs. It got pretty irritating after a while and made it tough to really unwind. Maybe it’s not always like that, but it’s something to be aware of. That said, if you can look past the constant sales pitches, Barceloneta is a great spot to enjoy the sun, people-watch, and dip your toes in the Mediterranean.
Camp Nou Stadium (A Must for Fútbol Fans)
To wrap up the day, we made our way to Camp Nou Stadium. Even though we didn’t catch a game, it was still really cool to walk around the outside, check out the activities they have set up, and browse the massive souvenir shop. The scale of the stadium is wild, and you can just imagine the energy when it’s packed for a match. If you’re a fútbol (soccer) fan, this place is a must, but even as casual fans, we had a blast checking it all out.
Day 3: Hilltop Views, Historic Streets & One Last Adventure
Mount Tibidabo (Epic City Views & Unexpected Fun)
We started our final day with a trip up to Mount Tibidabo, and honestly, it’s hard to beat the views from up there. You get a full panorama of Barcelona—perfect for photos or just taking it all in. You can even see the Sagrada Familia, and it looks so small from up there, but at the same time, so big in comparison to everything else! There’s a mini amusement park at the top, which is a fun bonus whether you’re traveling with kids or just want to feel like one for a bit. We mostly just enjoyed wandering around, soaking up the scenery, and taking in the fresh air. As you’ll see in the picture above, we decided to be goofy by each wearing a fruit on our clothing for the day, LOL.
The Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus sits right at the summit, and it’s absolutely stunning. The placement alone—perched above the city—makes it feel special, and the architecture is beautiful both inside and out.
Gothic Quarter (Wandering Through History)
After Tibidabo, we made our way back down and dove straight into the Gothic Quarter. This part of Barcelona honestly feels like a maze—in the best way possible. One minute you’re passing a centuries-old stone arch, the next you’re in a tiny square with a street musician playing guitar or spotting a cute little café. The Barcelona Cathedral is a must-see if you’re in the Gothic Quarter as well!
Bonus: Barcelona Aquarium (If You Have Extra Time)
If you find yourself with some extra time (or if the weather isn’t cooperating), the Barcelona Aquarium is supposed to be a fun way to spend a couple of hours. We personally didn’t have time to go in, but so many people rave about the experience! It’s right down by the harbor, and the walk there is a nice change of pace after the busy city center.
Got Another Day? Try a Three-Country Day Trip!
If you have an extra day in your Barcelona itinerary, we seriously recommend considering a day trip that crosses three countries—Spain, France, and Andorra. This was one of the most jam-packed day trips we’ve ever done, and it’s something we won’t forget.
We started early in Barcelona and made our first stop in Baga, Spain. Baga is a tiny mountain town—honestly, you only need a couple of hours here, but it’s a great place to grab coffee and pastries and just enjoy the peaceful vibe. The town is small but really charming, and it was the perfect way to kick off the day.
From there, we headed to Ax-Les-Thermes in France. Compared to Baga, Ax-Les-Thermes felt much bigger and had a really cute, almost homey atmosphere. The village is surrounded by mountains, and there’s something about the scenery that just makes you want to slow down and take it all in. We wandered around, checked out the shops, and just enjoyed being somewhere that felt so different from Barcelona. Also, there was a cute bakery where we got an incredible strawberry tart from Pain & Patisserie Artisanale!
The next part of the drive was both beautiful and a little terrifying—our driver was absolutely flying through the mountains, taking the sharp twists and turns at full speed. The views of the Pyrenees were incredible, but I’ll admit we were hanging onto our seats a few times!
Finally, we made it to Andorra, which is honestly one of the most unique places we’ve ever visited. We don’t know anyone else who’s been there, which made it feel even cooler. The capital, Andorra la Vella, is super modern and surrounded by mountains. We spent some time just walking around the city and even checked out their big shopping mall. It’s a quirky mix of ski town and shopping destination, and the whole experience felt really different from anywhere else we’ve traveled.
It was a long day, but crossing three countries, seeing so many different landscapes, and collecting stories along the way made it totally worth it. If you’re looking for something unique to add to your Barcelona trip, this adventure is hard to beat! Just be prepared for A LOT of driving)! For more details on our day trip, check out our Barcelona to Andorra day trip blog post!
Practical Tips for Barcelona
- Book Major Attractions Ahead: Sagrada Familia and Park Güell both require advance tickets—don’t risk showing up without them.
- Getting Around: We mostly walked or used the metro, which was relatively easy to navigate. Grab a multi-trip pass for savings.
- Pickpockets: Barcelona felt really crowded and unsafe at times. Make sure to keep your belongings close.
- Language: Most people speak Spanish and Catalan.
What We’d Do Differently Next Time
- Buy tickets well in advance to go inside the Sagrada Familia!
- Try a food tour or cooking class for a deeper dive into Catalan cuisine.
- Visit Montjuïc Castle—we ran out of time, but heard the views are incredible.
Final Thoughts: Our Honest Take on Barcelona
We’ll be real—our feelings about Barcelona are complicated. On one hand, we absolutely think it’s worth visiting, especially if you’ve never been before. Sagrada Familia completely blew us away and honestly ranks in our top three favorite landmarks we’ve ever seen. Gaudí’s architecture in general is reason enough to make the trip, and spots like Park Güell and Mount Tibidabo really made our time memorable.
But we’d be lying if we said we loved everything about the city itself. Outside of the big sights, we found Barcelona to be crowded, sometimes felt a bit unsafe, and the constant street vendors got old fast. There were moments when we just didn’t click with the city vibe, especially when we weren’t actively exploring a landmark or major attraction.
So, would we go back? Probably not in a hurry. But do we think you should go at least once? Absolutely. The highlights—especially Sagrada Familia—are truly special and unlike anything else we’ve experienced in our travels. If you’re planning a trip, go in with an open mind, soak up the best parts, and don’t be afraid to step away from the crowds when you need a break. Barcelona is a must-visit, even if it leaves you with mixed feelings like it did for us.
We’d love to hear from you! If you’ve been to Barcelona, share your experiences or tips in the comments below—what did you love, what surprised you, or what would you do differently? If you have any questions about planning your own trip, feel free to ask—we’re always happy to help fellow travelers.
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