2 Days in Barcelona: The Ultimate Guide to a Memorable City Break
Last updated on May 1st, 2024
Are you visiting Spain, and need to know how to spend 2 days in Barcelona? Here is everything you can do with just 2 days in Barcelona!
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and one of the most popular cities in Spain. So, naturally, there are tons of sites and attractions to explore!
This begs the question: is 2 days in Barcelona enough? Short answer: No.
With just 2 days in Barcelona, you will only scratch the surface of all the city offers. For this reason, I definitely recommend spending more time in BCN. However! If you only have two days, you can still get a taste of Barcelona & have lots of fun.
As someone who used to live in Barcelona, I will tell you how you can have the best 2 days in Barcelona.
This post is all about 2 days in Barcelona.
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2 Days in Barcelona
Before we jump into this 2 day Barcelona itinerary, I want to note some essential tips.
- If you have specific sites you want to see in Barcelona, make sure to prioritize those! This itinerary will include popular attractions, but feel free to substitute any of the activities on the list with other things you’d instead do.
- The second top tip: Because you’re only spending 2 days in Barcelona, I’m giving the MUST-DO activities & the MUST-SEE attractions. These experiences will help you make the most of your time in Barcelona.
And one last thing to note: this itinerary is based on 2 full days in Barcelona.
Day 1 of this 2 Day Barcelona Itinerary
La Sagrada Familia
The first activity on this list of what to see in Barcelona in 2 days is visiting the Sagrada Familia. If you’ve heard of Barcelona or researched the city, I’m sure you’ve heard of La Sagrada Familia. This church is easily one of the most popular sites in Barcelona, and for good reason.
La Sagrada Familia is a stunning church full of beautiful details, all pointing to the life of Jesus Christ. It is genuinely quite a masterpiece and is not even complete yet! They’ve been building on and off the church for roughly 100 years.
You’ve got to witness the beauty yourself, so grab tickets in advance if you plan on visiting. If you’d prefer a guided tour, you can book one here.
Tapas Tour
A huge staple of Barcelona, Spain in general, is tapas! You CANNOT leave Barcelona without trying the city’s famous tapas. It would be a crime to do so.
Since you’re only spending 2 days in Barcelona, I highly recommend booking a tapas tour where an expert can give you the low down on Spanish food. And you’ll likely try better tapas on a guided tour since the guide knows the best spots in Barcelona to get them.
On a guided tapas tour, you will try several tapas, so this will be your lunch meal for the day. Of course, if you’re still hungry after the tour, you can find a nearby restaurant to get more chow.
On top of the yummy food you’ll get to try, many tapa tours also include a walking tour of the area you’re trying tapas in.
For instance, you can book a tapa tour in El Born. The tour will also include a quick guided tour of the El Born neighborhood. This is awesome because you can see more of the city while doing your activity, which is perfect for those on a quick trip to Barcelona.
You can check out some of the city’s best tapas tours here!
Park Güell
Next is another famous sight in Barcelona: Park Güell. Like the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell was also a project of the architect Antoni Gaudí.
Inspired by nature, the park is full of structures that resemble nature in political and religious aspects. The park sits on Carmel Hill’s slope, designed so that the visitor would experience an upward incline. This represents a path of spiritual elevation. And this is just one aspect of what the park represents. Gaudí designed many other symbolic features for the park as well.
The park also houses the Gaudí House Museum, where Gaudí and his family lived for some years. So, as you can see, there is a lot to see and learn!
Like the other attractions in Barcelona, you’ll need to purchase tickets in advance to visit Park Güell.
Barceloneta Beach
You might be thinking: the beach, really? Yes, really.
Barceloneta Beach is easily one of the top beaches in Barcelona. If you haven’t seen a beach on the Mediterranean Sea, I highly recommend adding this to your itinerary. The gorgeous water is clear, the weather is nice and warm, and everyone is having a good time.
For this 2 day itinerary in Barcelona, you’ll want to arrive at the beach around 6 pm (or earlier if you wish) to see the sunset! The Barceloneta Beach is one of the best spots in the city to catch the sunset; trust me, it’s a sight you don’t want to miss.
**This activity is more geared to the summertime in Barcelona. However! Winters are very mild in Barcelona, so if you’re up to it, you should still go catch the sunset. Although, you’ll want to get to the beach earlier.
Dinner in El Born
To finish off the night strong, grab some dinner in El Born. This neighborhood, El Born, has some of the best food in the city! So, if you’re in the mood for some good eats, you’ll definitely want to stop in El Born.
Luckily, El Born is only a 13-minute walk from La Barceloneta. Alternatively, you can take the metro, bus, or Uber to the neighborhood.
Here are some of the best restaurants in El Born:
- Tucco Real Food Born – some of the best Italian food in the city.
- Tapeo – tapas restaurant.
- Puertecillo Born – seafood restaurant.
- Ziryab Fusion Tapas Bar – tapas restaurant.
- Restaurante Petra – Catalan restaurant.
Day 2 of Barcelona in 2 Days
La Boqueria Market
La Boqueria Market is another top site in Barcelona you don’t want to miss. It is bustling with vendors, fresh fruit, butchers, tapa restaurants, and more! Locals and people from the other Catalonia areas are known to shop here, so this market is a really great way to experience Spanish culture.
La Boqueria does get crowded during lunch hours, so I recommend going early in the morning or later in the afternoon. For this itinerary, we will visit the market earlier in the day.
Las Ramblas
La Boqueria Market is located on the famous Las Ramblas street. While Las Ramblas can be crowded and often full of tourist traps, it is a popular street in Barcelona.
However, if you’re visiting the market, you might as well stroll down the street just to see what it’s all about. Just be aware of people trying to sell you things and pickpocketers!
The Gothic Quarter
Next, explore the Gothic Quarter. This is one of the most famous neighborhoods in Barcelona, known for its ancient history. The Gothic Quarter used to be a Roman village, and parts of the old village still remain. However, Barcelona has been able to modernize the area, all while keeping the historic aspect intact.
The winding streets of the Gothic Quarter are quite a sight to see and one of my favorite parts of the city. It’s as if you’re in a whole new city!
There are several sites to see, shops to explore, and restaurants to eat, so I assure you, you don’t want to miss out on the Gothic Quarter!
Lunch in the Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter is also a great spot to grab some delicious food. So, while you’re exploring the neighborhood, make sure to grab some lunch!
Here are some great options for lunch in the Gothic Quarter:
Parc de la Ciutadella
The beautiful Parc de la Ciutadella is just a 10-minute walk from the Gothic Quarter. It was known as Barcelona’s only green area for several years and has one of its most impressive fountains.
This free park is excellent for walking off lunch, taking a break, and enjoying some greenery before returning to your day. You could even rent a rowboat and stroll on the lake!
The Barcelona Zoo is also in the park, so you can see some animals during your visit.
Camp Nou
Soccer is a HUGE part of Spanish culture, and FC Barcelona is a renowned soccer team that Barcelonians proudly represent. So what better way to experience the culture than to catch a game at Camp Nou?
Even if you’re not a big soccer fan, you’ll still enjoy yourself simply because of the atmosphere. The excitement in the stadium is contagious, and by the time you leave, you’ll be converted into an FC Barcelona fan.
If you’re looking for extra things to do in Barcelona, check out my post on Unusual Things to Do in Barcelona.
2 Days in Barcelona FAQs
Is it worth going to Barcelona for 2 days?
Absolutely! I recommend more than 2 days, but you can still get a lot out of 2 days in Barcelona. So, if that’s all the time you have, use this guide and make the most of your trip!
How many days for Barcelona is enough?
5-7 days in Barcelona is plenty of time to explore the city without jam-packing each day.
Is Barcelona easy to walk around?
Yes, Barcelona is one of the most accessible cities on foot. Walking around is even a great way to experience the city. You see way more walking through the streets than if you rode the metro. So don’t be afraid to venture on foot!
Is Barcelona hard to navigate?
The short answer is no. However, if you’re anything like me, your sense of direction could be better. (I can get lost in my hometown—no joke🤦🏾♀️.)
Good news, though! Even with a less-than-amazing sense of direction, you can navigate through Barcelona without a problem. Naturally, there is a small period where you have to get used to the metro & bus lines. But other than that, it’s straightforward, especially if you utilize a navigation app.
Can I get around Barcelona without speaking Spanish?
Yes, you can get around Barcelona without speaking Spanish. Barcelona is full of multilingual people, with English being one of the languages spoken.
However, you may encounter someone who doesn’t speak English, so I highly recommend learning some basic phrases in Spanish.
As a general rule, don’t assume anyone speaks English. Be polite and ask if they speak English before spouting off in English. Trust me, this will make your trip go much smoother.
Here are some basic Spanish phrases to learn before arriving in Barcelona:
- Buenos días – Good morning
- Buenas noches – Good night
- Exit – Salida
- Hola – Hello
- Adiós – Goodbye
- Dónde está el baño? – Where is the bathroom?
- Por favor – Please
- Thank you – Gracias
- Cuánto cuesta? – How much does it cost?
- Hablas inglés? – Do you speak English?
Are there Uber’s in Barcelona?
The short answer is yes! There are Ubers in Barcelona. Check out my Uber in Barcelona post for all the details.
As you can see, exploring Barcelona in just 2 days is absolutely possible. While you won’t see everything Barcelona offers, you can definitely see significant sights.
Regardless of how much time you have to explore, I’m sure you will have a fantastic time in Barcelona.
Wishing you safe & happy travels.
This post is all about 2 days in Barcelona.
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