Day 1: Barcelona’s Old Town and the seafront
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0:00– Have a relaxing breakfast in one of the bar terraces overlooking Barcelona Cathedral. You could try a cortado, a shot of coffee with a splash of milk; rocket fuel to start your day.
10:30– After admiring the Cathedral’s magnificent façade, with the statue of Santa Eulàlia perched on top of the spire, step inside. Important religious paintings line the lateral altars. Get headsets for a guided tour and soak up the historical details. Make sure you visit the cloisters, with its 13 white geese that represent the age of Santa Eulàlia when she was martyred.
11:40– Walk around the Cathedral; watch the street performers, listen to the buskers and leer back at the gargoyles.
11:50– Explore the narrow streets of the Gothic district. See if you can find the El Call Jewish quarter, which has one of the oldest synagogues in Europe, on Carrer de l’Arc de Sant Ramon del Call.
12:45 Emerge from the Gothic labyrinth into Plaça del Pi, a beautiful square with an artisan market. If you’d like a rest we recommend a stop at the classic Bar del Pi.
13:15 Visit the church of Santa María del Pi, which has the largest stained glass rosette in Europe.
14:00 Cross Las Ramblas and make your way to La Boqueria market. You’ll find plenty of tapas bars where you can enjoy a selection of delicious traditional meals for lunch. Stash some bread in your pocket for later.
15:30 Walk down Las Ramblas, noticing Miró’s mosaic mandala on the ground and the pretty flower stalls. Pass the statue of Christoper Columbus and you’re in Port Vell.
16:00 Take a few moments to look out to sea, and down into the port’s waters where you can feed the massive mullets with crumbs from your lunch baguette.
16:20 If you feel like a burst of shopping, cross the bridge into the Maremagnum shopping center, an elegant construction with top high street brands and bars with great views. Alternatively you could take tour of Barcelona from the sea in a glass-bottomed boat or catamaran.
18:30 Take a leisurely stroll along the seafront, following the port as it curves down Passeig Joan de Borbó in Barceloneta.
19:30 You’ve reached the beach. It’s time for an aperitif along the seafront. The fabulous Eclipse Bar on the 26th floor of the W Hotel offers designer cocktails and spectacular views. You’ll also find plenty of nearby bars if you turn left at the bottom of Passeig Joan de Borbó.
21:00 Feeling peckish yet? We recommend you go for an authentic paella in one of the less touristy seafront restaurants, such as Ca La Nuri or L’Arenal on Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta.
22:30 it’s time to hit the nightlife. You’ll find one bar after the next in Port Olympic, from Arabic terraces with hookah pipes to salsa dance floors and commercial discos. Enjoy!
Day 2: Gaudí and the Modernist Route
10:00 Start the day in style at Cacao Sampaka, at Carrer del Consell de Cent, 292. This chocolate emporium was created by Albert Adrià, brother of celebrity chef Ferran Adriá. Try their hot chocolate, chocolate croissants, or chocolate anything…
10:45 Go to Passeig de Gràcia and walk up the elegant boulevard until you see Gaudí’s magnificent Casa Batlló on the left. Definitely worth visiting.
12:00 Continue to walk up Passeig de Gràcia. You’ll see Gaudí’s fabulous Pedrera building on the right. Perhaps you´d rather visit this Modernist masterpiece instead?
12:30 Hop on the metro at Diagonal to Vallcarca and follow the signs to Park Güell. Gaudí’s landscaped gardens are truly spectacular, and so are the views. Take a selfie by the iconic dragon statue, and enjoy some live music in the park.
14:00 Keep walking downhill, and you´ll reach the Gràcia district. This lively bohemian area has many squares which are surrounded by great bars and restaurants. For some alternative tapas (with good veggie options too) try Sol Soler (Plaça del Sol 21).
15:30 Take the metro to La Sagrada Família, the world’s only Modernist basilica and prepare to be amazed. Book your tickets online to avoid the queues.
17:00 Avinguda Gaudí stretches all the way from La Sagrada Familia to Hospital Sant Pau, another gem of Catalan Modernism. By this point, however, you may prefer to chill out in one of the terrace bars with a caña (beer) or ice-cream.
18:00 You’ve probably done enough sightseeing for today. Take the metro to Jaume I, and go down Carrer de l’Argentería towards Santa María del Mar. There are plenty of delightful bars and cafés to discover in this trendy neighborhood, such as the Café del Born on Rambla del Born, and Guzzo on Pl. Comercial, 10.
20:00 You could go for dinner and a flamenco show at Restaurante Nervión (C/ Princesa 2). Or, check out the live music program at the MEAM European Modern Art Museum at Carrer de la Barra de Ferro, 5.
