Barcelona was somewhere I had overlooked and it wasn’t until I visited with a friend two years ago that I fell in love. This four night itinerary to Barcelona, Spain is a sample of how lively this coastal city just is. It was one of the last places I had visited in Western Europe, and I had wish I would have visited sooner. Four nights in Barcelona is a perfect amount of time to slowly meander your way through the city and see the highlights. 
Barcelona is a special place — the architecture, the cuisine, and the nightlife is hard to beat. I adore wandering through the winding alleys of El Born and popping into the small boutiques that line the streets. The afternoons are perfect for a glass of cava and a sampling of local tapas, where there are endless choices of restaurants (check out this food guide to Barcelona). There’s a magic to Barcelona and it’s somewhere I highly recommend if you’re looking to spend time in Spain.
Take a look at how to spend four nights in this buzzing city.
Four Night Itinerary to Barcelona, Spain
Good to know before:
- Most of the districts are really easy to explore by foot. Uber is not available, taxis are cheap, and no car is needed unless you’re looking to explore outside of the train lines.
- To get into town, a taxi is the fastest option at a fixed rate of 30 euros into the center of town from BCN.
- Always carry cash as some of the places do not accept card.
Where to Stay in Barcelona:
There are plenty of incredible hotels in Barcelona, but I always opt for an Airbnb as I love staying in a local’s house. I’d suggest the area of El Born or near the Gotchic Quarter for proximity.
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Day 1: Arrive & Get Situated
If you’re arriving from the US, your flight will probably arrive in the early afternoon. What I love to do on the first day in a new city, is exploring the mile radius around my accommodations to get a sense of where I am. I’d suggest settling in, doing an early dinner and getting some rest to really enjoy the following days.
Coffee: Satan’s Coffee Corner in the Gothic Quarter
Dinner: Neighborhood spot or head to El Nacional for a wide range of choices.
Day 2: Get lost in El Born and the Gothic Quarter
One area I love to get completely lost in is El Born. There’s so much to see and you can easily spend the day meandering through the alleys. You can head into the Gothic Quarter where you’ll find a sampling of the historic architecture — be sure to see the Cathedral of Barcelona. If you want to make your way to La Rambla, today is a great day to head there as it borders the Gothic Quarter.
Breakfast/Coffee: Nomad Coffee
Lunch: El Xampanyet (the best tapas bar)
Dinner: Casa Lolea or Tapeo Del Born
Day 3: Enter the world of Gaudí.
Today is special — you’ll get a taste of the architectural wonders of Gaudí that in large shaped the city’s culture. The day should start at La Boqueria where culinary worlds collide into a bustling market of produce and eateries. Afterwards, hop in a cab up to Park Güell, Gaudí’s stunning park that overlooks the city. Afterwards, hop into another cab to La Sagrada Familia and be prepared to be amazed. You could easily spend hours here soaking in the wonder of the interior. One last Gaudí icon that can’t be missed is the Casa Batlló, where you’ll find many people looking up at the design. To end the day, you’ll be near the iconic El Nacional where you can hop in and sample some of Barcelona’s best food. *Be sure to reserve all Gaudí sights ahead of time with ticket purchases online.
Breakfast/Coffee: El Quim De La Boqueria — be sure to order the squid/egg dish, it’s a hit.
Lunch: Pending on where you are, I would make the jaunt over to Flax&Kale near the univeristy before continuing with the day.
Dinner: El Nacional or Tickets.
Day 4: The classics.
At this point in the itinerary, you’ve hit most of the highlights in Barcelona, and I always love to save the last day for one or two classics and then take the afternoon to meander back to places I loved. One classic highlight of Barcelona is the Picasso Museum and it’s one you shouldn’t miss while there. You can get tickets the day of and head into the multiple rooms to explore the life of Picasso. The other idea for today if you have seen everything is to head out on a day trip with the train to places like Girona or Montserrat.
Breakfast/Coffee: Satan’s Coffee Corner at Casa Bonay
Lunch: Can Paixano (La Xampanyeria)
Dinner: Disfrutar or 7 Postres for paella
Day 5: Departure
Spend your last morning in Barcelona with a proper breakfast and coffee, and savor the last moments here.
Coffee: Nomads round 2!
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Xx,Jessica
8 Comments
Amazing, can’t wait to plan my trip to Spain!
Amazing, enjoy!!
Barcelona was one of the first cities I ever visited in Europe, and it’s one I’m dying to return to! Excellent post, you’re fueling my wanderlust!
Thank you so much, Taylor!
I live in Spain right now and Barcelona is right at the top of my travelling list to explore this country more!
Dear Disha | A Year Abroad Blog – deardishablog.wordpress.com
Ah how lovely to live in Spain! Definitely make your way to Barcelona!!
Any reason you’d recommend Flax&Kale over Teresa Carles?
It was the place I had eaten at and wanted to recommend it as I loved the food and experience.