I spent 2 days in Barcelona and have put together the perfect Barcelona itinerary for anyone planning a short trip to this magnificent city in Spain.
Barcelona boasts a reputation as one of the most attractive cities in Europe and there are many activities and attractions to enjoy!
2 days is just the right amount of time to experience everything from shopping, dining, architecture, beaches, and more – let’s dive in!
2 DAYS IN BARCELONA OVERVIEW
Here’s a quick overview of an ideal 2 Days in Barcelona with my recommendations of places to visit:
DAY 1:
- Las Ramblas Walking Street
- Mercat Market
- La Barceloneta Beach
DAY 2:
- Park Guell
- Sagrada Familia
- Casa Battlo
- Plaza de Catalunya
If you wish to spend longer in Barcelona, be sure to check out this 5-day Barcelona itinerary.
WHERE IS BARCELONA?
Barcelona is located on the northeast coast of Spain on the Mediterranean Sea. The population of Barcelona is 1.6 million.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
HOW TO GET TO BARCELONA?
The two most common ways of reaching Barcelona are by plane or by train.
By Plane
Barcelona International Airport is very well connected with daily flights available from anywhere in Europe and also international arrivals from the UAE and South America.
I always use Skyscanner to search and book all of my flights as they generally have the cheapest rates.
By Bus
You can get a bus to Barcelona from many places in Europe, such as Venice, Montpellier, or even Arinsal. Prices are affordable but it’s obviously going to take longer than flying.
By Train
Arriving in Barcelona by train is the next best option for reaching this seaside city in Spain.
Daily trains operate in and out of Barcelona Train Station, connecting Barcelona to other major countries in Europe such as Portugal, France, Switzerland, Germany, and the United Kingdom to name a few.
Traveling around Europe by train is one of the best ways to get around at an affordable cost.
I highly recommend purchasing a Eurail Pass to make the most out of your Europe trip.
There are many different passes available that give you access to the majority of trains, buses, and boats within 31 countries in Europe!
Get your Eurail Pass today!
BEST TOURS IN BARCELONA
2 DAYS IN BARCELONA – DAY 1
LAS RAMBLAS WALKING STREET
Las Ramblas is a MUST on everyone’s Barcelona itinerary 2 days!
The world-famous La Rambla walking street stretches for 1.5km from Plaza de Catalunya all the way down to the Colombus Statue on the waterfront.
Along this pedestrian boulevard, you can find market stalls, restaurants, cafes, bars, street performers, and more!
A weekend in Barcelona would not be complete without a stroll down Las Ramblas!
Have you got travel insurance for your trip?!
We all know accidents can happen and having Heymondo Insurance will save you thousands of dollars if something goes wrong.
Heymondo offers low-cost Travel Insurance to keep you covered on all your adventures.
MERCAT MARKET (LA BOQUERIA)
While you are strolling down Las Ramblas, don’t forget to stop at the Mercat Market, also known as La Boqueria – it’s one of the best things to do in Barcelona during your visit.
Once a local fruit and veg market, La Boqueria has recently become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Barcelona!
Inside the Mercat Market, you can find countless food stalls, tapas bars, fruit and veg shops, local meat butchers, sweet shops, and many other vendors selling their products inside this labyrinth!
La Boqueria is the perfect addition to your 2 days Barcelona itinerary when you are out and about exploring this part of the city.
Search All: Hotels in Barcelona
LA BARCELONETA BEACH
After experiencing Las Ramblas walking street and the Mercat Market, La Barceloneta Beach is next on this Barcelona itinerary 2 days!
La Barceloneta is the most popular beach in Barcelona and for a good reason… Glistening white sand and turquoise waters await!
Beachgoers flock here in the hundreds, especially on a hot summer day when the sun is shining and the ocean temperatures are just right.
There are several beach bars and restaurants along the promenade, one of the best places in Barcelona to have a seafood lunch, complemented with a cold glass of Cerveza or sangria at a reasonable price.
If you don’t fancy sitting down at a beachside restaurant, I recommend purchasing some snacks and drinks from a convenience store on your way down to Barceloneta Beach and then finding a place on the sand to perch up for the afternoon.
Surfboards and stand-up paddleboards can also be rented along the beachfront if you wish to have some fun in the water!
Search All → Tours in Barcelona
Pssst! Check out this AWESOME travel bag!
The Nomatic 40L is the best travel bag on the market, perfect for weekend trips or month-long adventures!
Featuring multiple compartments for clothes, shoes, laptop, water bottle, RFID-protected pocket, and more.
It’s designed to fit the maximum size allowed for carry-on luggage, so you’ll never have to spend money on check-in baggage again!
2 DAYS IN BARCELONA – DAY 2
PARK GUELL
On Day 2, I highly recommend visiting Park Guell for sunrise or as early on in the day as possible to beat the crowds.
The garden terrace at Park Guell offers one of the best viewpoints to watch the sunrise over the city with panoramic views stretching as far as the eye can see.
Park Güell comprises wonderful gardens and architectonic elements that distinguish the city’s most beautiful public park.
Park Guell is also popular for its serpentine benches and buildings which are covered in mosaic tiles.
It is free to roam around the grounds of Park Guell, however, if you wish to head inside to visit the park’s museum you’ll have to purchase a ticket at the entrance, or alternatively, you can get your Park Guell ticket online in advance.
Click Here to get your Park Guell ticket online and skip the queue!
SAGRADA FAMILIA
La Sagrada Familia is one of Antonio Gaudi’s most famous works that are not to be missed on your Spain itinerary!
Gaudi, a well-known Spanish architect, began constructing La Sagrada Familia back in 1882 and almost 150 years later, even after his death, the construction of this giant Basilica is still ongoing and when finished it will be the tallest church building in the world.
The Basilica of La Sagrada Familia dominates Barcelona’s skyline and it can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.
Simply marvel at the incredible architecture of Sagrada Familia from the outside or purchase a ticket to explore inside the monolithic walls of this magnificent building.
Click Here to get your La Sagrada Familia ticket online and skip the queue!
The BEST Affordable Camera For Travel
If you’re on the hunt for a professional camera for traveling, check out the Canon G7 X Mark II.
This tiny camera fits in your pocket, captures high-quality photos and videos, and has Wi-Fi so you can instantly transfer to your phone!
CASA BATTLO
Not too far from Sagrada Familia is the twisting building of Casa Battlo, another one of Gaudi’s unique creations!
From the outside, it looks like the balconies have been made out of skulls and bones and stained glass windows give Casa Battlo a vibrant touch.
They say Gaudi used colors and shapes in his creations which were inspired by those found in marine life such as corals.
Barcelona is one of the best 30th birthday destinations in Europe, and visiting the amazing architectural works of Antonio Gaudi while here is a must!
Again, if you wish to take a look inside Casa Battlo you’ll have to purchase a ticket at the entrance. Alternatively, you can book tickets online in advance.
Click Here to book your Casa Battlo ticket online and skip the queue!
PLAZA DE CATALUNYA
Last but not least on this Barcelona itinerary 2 days is Plaza de Catalunya. It is considered to be the center of Barcelona city and in turn, is one of the largest squares in Barcelona.
Plaza de Catalunya boasts a large water fountain as the centerpiece of the square which is surrounded by retail stores, restaurants, bars, metro stations, and more.
It is the perfect meeting point to begin your adventures in Barcelona and a great spot to enjoy a meal during breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
WHERE TO STAY IN BARCELONA
Barcelona has hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Grand Hotel Central
Mid Range: The Level at Melia Barcelona Sky
Budget: TOC Hostel Barcelona
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
GETTING AROUND BARCELONA
The best way to get around Barcelona is by using the underground Metro.
You can grab a 10-trip pass which costs €10 or a single-ride ticket costs €2.20. Metro tickets can be purchased from any Metro station in Barcelona.
Alternatively, you can buy an All-In-One Barcelona Travel Card which gives access to every tram, bus, and metro!
Choose from either a 1 day, 2 day, 3 day, 4 day, or 5 day travel card.
Buy Now → All-In-One Barcelona Travel Card
Barcelona City is also reasonably walkable if your legs aren’t painted on and if you have the time.
I always recommend walking where possible as it’s a great way to see other cool and random places along the way.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
The best time to visit Barcelona is from April to June and from September to November when temperatures are moderate and there are fewer tourists.
And if you plan a Spain itinerary during these months, make sure to include Barcelona!
The peak season in Barcelona is typically between June and September which is smack bang in the middle of summer, so expect large crowds and many tourists during these months.
The currency in Barcelona is Euros and the exchange rate is approximately 1 Euro = $1.10 USD
Need A Travel Money Card?
Wise offers multi-currency cards that can be used worldwide and you’ll save $ on transaction fees.
Get a Wise card today for FREE!
WHAT TO PACK FOR BARCELONA
When visiting Barcelona, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
Must-Have Travel Essentials
Keep your cash and other valuables safe with this anti-theft hidden money wallet!
The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!
FINAL THOUGHTS – 2 DAYS IN BARCELONA
If you have any questions about how to spend a weekend in Barcelona please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
Please know this post may contain affiliate links. When making a purchase through one of my links, I earn a small kickback at no extra cost to you and it’s a big help to keep the site up and running. Rest assured, I only promote products and services that I personally use and recommend.
Click here to find out how you can support the site organically.
Many thanks!
Hi there,
I love your list of what-to-do in Barcelona. You have some really good ideas about the city, you did a great job. If you are ever back in Barcelona I would love to show you some amazing places to eat in the city. I run a food tour company called Eye on Food Tours drop me a line some time.
all the best,
-A
Glad you like this guide! I will for sure get in touch next time I am in Barcelona! Cheers 🙂