The top things to do in Barcelona for one day
Have one day to spare in Barcelona? Here are the top things to see and do during your visit:
Hit up La Rambla
It's where The Cheetah Girls famously taught us how to strut. Stretching almost a mile from the fountain-laden Plaça de Catalunya to the Christopher Columbus Statue at Port Vell, La Rambla is by and large Barcelona’s most famous (and crazy crowded) boulevard.
Amble along the boulevard for a while, wandering in and out of the shops, churches, and tapas bars that line the way. Perhaps visit the Boquederia, Barcelona’s version of Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia or Pike Place in Seattle. This famous market is a mosaic of sunset reds, wildfire oranges, and bleached yellows, displayed in rows of fresh fruit, fish, meat, smoothies, and chocolates. It’s very touristy, but you can score some yummy treats.
Shop your way through the Gothic Quarter
The center of the old city of Barcelona, this area of town is hands-down my favorite. It simply oozes with intrigue, what with its narrow, shop-lined streets and cobblestone squares shimmering beneath the sun. There’s so much history packed into the neighborhood; it’s a treat to see the melding of Gothic architecture with the city's Art Nouveau flavors.
Allot an hour or two just to stroll through the streets, browsing the boutiques, checking out the historic landmarks, and soaking up the medieval flare. Be sure to seek out the remains of the city’s old Roman gate, the gorgeous Pont del Bisbe, City Hall, and Plaça Reial.
Check out a nearby museum
Like most major European destinations, Barcelona is brimming with world-class museums for visitors to engage in any topic. Some options?
The Picasso Museum, nestled in the La Ribera neighborhood, allows visitors a glimpse into how the famous artist's works originated and evolved over the years. Entry is €12, and can be purchased here.
Or, the Museu d ‘Historia de la Ciutat (City Museum of Barcelona), headquartered back in the Gothic Quarter’s Plaça del Rei, provides a glimpse underground, where you can actually examine the excavated ruins of the city's foundations - the largest Roman excavation outside Rome. Tickets are €7 euro and can be purchased here. Note that the museum is closed on Mondays.
Pssst…if your visit coincides with the first Sunday of the month, Barcelona’s museums feature free entry. Because of this, expect longer wait times to get inside.
Bask in the Mediterranean sun
Up for some vitamin D? Head to Playa de La Barceloneta, the city’s most famous beach. Located in the city’s fishing quarter, the trek there from the Gothic Quarter cuts through sunny boulevards reminiscent of Los Angeles. If coming via La Rambla, you’ll pass by the Columbus Monument pointing out toward the New World. Or, if you’re over by the museums, consider cutting through the palm-tree-lined pathways of Ciutadella Park, where you can spot Spain’s immaculate Arc de Triomf.
Barceloneta itself is a Mediterranean dream, where the famous W Hotel holds court and Greek-Island-bound cruise ships glide in and out of the port. Though undeniably crowded, the dreamy vibes may have you inspired. Indulge in the seaside restaurants tantalizing you with paella, and then siesta it out on the beach for a little while.
Gaze at La Sagrada Familia
From the outside, Antoni Gaudi's most famous work crafts a dreamlike spectacle, in which the intricate spires seem to rise towards the sky in an earthly illusion. Arguably Barcelona's most popular attraction, La Sagrada Familia features a flurry of cranes and scaffolding as they work to finish construction.
Standing outside of the church and gazing up at it on my most recent visit, I can’t really say it looked much different from the last time I saw it. But alas…isn’t that part of the romance of it all? A church that’s still being constructed, almost 140 years later…
Stepping inside the basilica feels like walking into a dream; enormous white spires beset with psychedelic jewels disappear into the ceiling as rainbow light shimmers through panels of stained glass. Unlike other European churches, you aren’t herded through La Sagrada Familia or made to feel rushed. Once inside, you can spend as much time as you like taking it all in, which makes the overall experience quite enjoyable.
If you plan to go inside (which you should!), purchase tickets as far in advance as you can so you don’t risk them selling out. Tickets start at €17, and entry is timed. You can purchase them here. La Sagrada Familia is approximately 30 minutes from Barceloneta using public transportation.
Explore Park Güell at golden hour
Another of Gaudi’s dreamlike visions, Park Güell looks a bit like something you’d see out of a Dr. Seuss book. The UNESCO World Heritage site features a golden swath of footpaths, intertwined with claylike columns and mosaic-tiled benches. Not to mention, the view overlooking Barcelona as it spills into the distant Mediterranean is spectacular.
Entry costs €10, and timed tickets can be purchased here up to three months in advance. The park is open year-round from 8AM-9:30PM, with the last timed entry occurring at 8:30PM. Give yourself at least an hour to explore the park.
The easiest way to get to the park is to take the BUS GÜELL. Bus tickets are included in your entry price, and the ride takes 15 minutes from the Alfons X metro station (which is located about 17 minutes from La Sagrada Familia.)
No matter what, sample the cuisine
Hit up one of the city’s zillions of tapas bars (one of the best ones I’ve been to was Taverna Blai Tonight in El Poble Sec - the place may be tiny but it packs a ton of energy, and at a euro a piece, its tapas can’t be beat!), and don’t forget to try some famous local treats like churros con chocolate.
A visit to Spain is not complete without indulging in a glass (or entire pitcher, nobody’s here to judge) of sangria, or perhaps a bottle of rioja. Spanish culture invites lengthy (and late!) dining, which makes the culinary experiences that much more enjoyable.
Getting into the city
Barcelona-El Prat Airport is located 20-30 minutes from the city center, depending on which method of transit you choose to take.
If taking public transit, the Metro’s L9 Sud line links the airport to major stations in Barcelona, where you can switch lines to connect to the city center. A one-way ticket costs €4.60. Aerobus offers an express bus service to the city center, which runs every 5 minutes outside of Terminals 1 and 2 for €5.90 one-way.
Alternately, you can opt to catch a cab to the city center. Fares run approximately €30 from Terminal 1, and €35 from Terminal 2.
Getting around the city
Barcelona has a convenient Metro system that makes it easy to get around. One-way tickets are priced at €2.20. If you plan to use the Metro a lot during your visit, consider purchasing the T-10 card for €10.20, which allows for 10 journeys (including to/from the airport.) You can purchase tickets at kiosks inside the stations using cash or card.
When to go
Both times I’ve visited Barcelona have been in late April/early May, which is a great time to be in the city! Crowds haven’t quite hit their peak like during the summer, and the weather is lovely: think long sunny days followed by light-jacket nights.
Things to note
Like many popular European cities, Barcelona is known for being a pickpocketing hotspot - to the point where it’s become a bit of an art form there. People can steal from you even if you have your bag in front of you with your hand over the opening. Keep this in mind during your visit - particularly at the very popular tourist haunts such as La Rambla and La Sagrada Familia - and maintain a close eye on your belongings at all times.
Barcelona is located in Catalonia. As such, you may hear (and will definitely see) Catalan. That being said, almost everybody speaks Castilian Spanish.
Currency: Euro
Tipping culture? Not really; only tip when you feel like you want to
Don’t forget to pack: Good walking shoes, sunglasses
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