6-DAY Barcelona, Spain | Europe ITINERARY

Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, is known for its art and architecture. The fantastical Sagrada Família church and other modernist landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí dot the city. Museu Picasso and Fundació Joan Miró feature modern art by their namesakes. City history museum MUHBA, includes several Roman archaeological sites, according to Google.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotel: Hotel NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderon ($$$); Hotel Barcelo Raval ($$)

CLIMATE

May through June or September to October is a lovely time with lower temperatures in the mid-70's and tons of festivals. Winters are crisp cold but still sunny. 

ENVIRONMENT

Language is Spanish but found many locals who knew English

Currency: Euro (EUR, €); if your exchange rate here

LIFESTYLE

Barcelona attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Besides the historical significance, Barcelona offers great tapas, food and more, beautiful landscapes and elegant architecture. A busy city with a lot of tourism that you'll want to save up for. The atmosphere is ideal for a friends reunion, romantic getaway, a family vacation or a study abroad program.

Day one

Depart for Barcelona. See Travel Tips for how to prepare for an international flight, how to spend your time on the flight and more travel tidbits.

Day Two

Welcome to Spain!

• Greeting: the usual way to greet someone is with a kiss on both cheeks

Arrive in Barcelona, grab a taxi and check-in to the hotel so you can drop off your bags

Goal today = stay awake!

• It’s traditional to eat a big meal at lunch time and smaller meals for dinner, which happens after 9:30 PM

You’re just up the street from Arc de Triomf, walk down to check it out

Entertain your taste buds at Museu de la Xocolata (Chocolate Museum) and stroll through Ciutadella Park

5 PM - Taste and see everything with a Tapas Evening Walking Tour of Barcelona; time spent is 3 hours, $88

• Tipping is not typical but always appreciated

9 PM - Call it an early night, allow the jet lag to take over

Day Three

9 AM - Walk to Plaça de Catalunya and grab a coffee and bite from a local café; personally, starting a day with a churro and chocolate dipping sauce is ideal

• Head over to the Barri Gòtic (Barcelona’s Gothic quarter) neighborhood

  • Things to see: Plaza del Pi and the Santa Maria del Pi, street artists, Palau Reial Major, Sant Jaume Plaza (City Hall) and shopping in Portal De L’Angel Avenue

• And tour the Cathedral of Barcelona on your way

11 AM - Head to the Las Ramblas, then stroll down to the harbor-front

• The street performers are very entertaining, tuck your bag or purse under your arm as you watch. Sometimes little hands will wonder into your bag as you watch the show.

• Sweet-tooth break: Chok – the chocolate kitchen ($, Chocolate Café)

1 PM - Grab lunch along Las Ramblas, wonder into the Mercado de La Boqueria and eat everything

• Stroll all the way to the end of La Rambla to see the Columbus Monument

2 PM - Explore El Born quarter, including a visit to the Picasso Museum; time spent is 2-3 hours, $15

• Shop at Santa Caterina Market for an early bite

6 - 8 PM - Take in a performance with a Flamenco Night at Tablao Cordobes (drinks and buffet dinner); time spent is 2 hours, $100

Discotecta time: check out Club Catwalk or City Hall Nightclub, Razzmatazz is a popular one but it’s a bit of a drive

Day Four

Eat breakfast like a local at Picnic ($$, Brunch)

9 AM - Check out the Eixample neighborhood, touring La Pedrera (Casa Mila) and/or one of the Block of Discord houses: Casa Batlló (with no straight lines), Casa Lleó Morera (guided tour only) or Casa Amatller (guided tour only)

Noon - Eat an early lunch in the Eixample, try La Polpa

1:30 PM - Tour the Sagrada Família, booking your tickets in advance

• The history of this church is really something, read up on it before the tour

4 PM - Take a taxi or bus to Park Güell for more Gaudí artwork

• Check out the Gaudi House Museum then venture to the Dragon Stairway

Dinner – Bar Bodega Quimet or closer to the hotel, Bormuth ($$, Grill) – try the albondigas, fried eggplant and goat’s cheese

Go back to El Born area, and visit the El Paradiso, a stylish speakeasy hidden away behind the cover of a trendy Pastrami Bar

• Evening Options: football game at the famous Barcelona football club Camp Nou, close the Laberint d’Horta Park which is a maze of park and picnic area; see a concert at La Pedrera or the Palace of Catalan Music

Day Five

Big breakfast at Citizen Café ($$, Bruch)

10 AM - Take the bus to tour Montjuïc to enjoy the city view and stopping at these sights: Catalan Art Museum and visit the terrace, Fundació Joan Miró, and CaixaForum

• Don’t leave the Catalan Art Museum without watching the magic fountain show

Continue shopping at the Las Arenas, a bull-ring mall

3 PM - Explore the harbor-front La Rambla de Mar and the must-see Playa de la Barceloneta (and if you’re brave, join the locals and go topless!). Sit or stroll along the beach and just into a water-front restaurant for a hot bowl of Paella. Bar Jai-Ca is a great tapas spot.

7 PM – Revisit the Gothic Quarter and stay for dinner

Day Six

9 AM - Grab something and venture to the Carmel Bunkers for a sunrise and experience the best views of the city.

See sights that may have been rushed previously – Gothic quarters, la Rambla, etc. and finish up the last-minute shopping, souvenir pick-ups, or sun bathing.

Goodbye Barcelona. Head Home.