Barcelona is a vibrant and sprightly city that combines the pleasures of a city break with the relaxation and beauty of a beach holiday. Its city-by-the-sea vibe lends Barcelona a chilled-out, almost hippie-ish feel in places, with vivid arts, diverse culinary, and electric music scenes that are so infectious that they’ll have you lusting after another visit.
Amidst its blend of modern, Romanesque, and contemporary architecture, the city is dotted with inspirational Gaudi landmarks and historic sites that are on more than a few travellers’ bucket lists. And from the tempting aromas of La Boqueria Market to the hustle and bustle of Las Ramblas, you’re never short of an experience that enraptures the senses during your stay in this European city.
A weekend or midweek getaway to Barcelona is a popular option for Europeans looking for an easy city break or for those travelling from further afield hoping to add this Spanish destination to a wider European itinerary. And walking in Barcelona is the best way to get around, with its stretching pedestrianised boulevards alongside its reliable and well-connected metro system meaning you can see a lot in a small space of time.
For those keen to visit this European gem, we’ve revealed what its best nuggets are for your next whistlestop trip to the city in this guide of what to see in Barcelona in 2 days.
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A key part of your Barcelona itinerary will be deciding where to stay in the city. From more affordable options to high-end luxury, you’ll be spoilt for choice given the range of places that are available for you to stay in during your 48 hours in Barcelona. To make the decision a little easier for you, I’ve rounded up some luxury, mid-range, and budget-friendly options for your next trip to the city.
For those looking to splurge on something truly luxurious, I’d urge you to book a room at the ME Barcelona. This 5* hotel boasts a terrace with an outdoor swimming pool and has delicious breakfasts to give you the fuel you need to venture out and discover the best of Barcelona.
For a mid-range budget, if you love celebrity treatment and world-class service, then you have to book your stay at Nobu Hotel Barcelona now. Only 400 metres from Sants Railway Station, this classic accommodation has its own seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, and a terrace. It offers everything a traveller could want and need when they’re relaxing for 48 hours in Barcelona.
Factory Hostels is just the place to book if you’re looking for your budget to stretch further during your 2 days in Barcelona. Located only 200 metres from the iconic Park Güell, a Barcelona must-see attraction, guests can make the most of the accommodation’s library, panoramic terrace, and communal laundry facilities. You can secure your savings at Factory Hostels Barcelona before your next visit to the city.
Las Ramblas is the busiest and most tourist-centric location in the city. The central strip hosts a daily market with colourful flowers, a symphony of birds, and souvenir stalls taking centre stage.
Also famed for its street performers, which include human statues, Las Ramblas has developed its reputation worldwide and is now renowned as one of Europe’s most famous streets. It’s easy to get caught up in the sights and scenes of Las Ramblas, but be conscious that pickpockets are rife in this part of the city, so you should keep your wits about you as you would in any busy European destination.
And what’s more, many smaller streets snake off from Las Ramblas, which hosts plenty of authentic local restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops. If you take the time to explore these streets and perhaps partake in a spot of window shopping, you’ll have a leisurely start to your itinerary for Barcelona.
The indoor food market just off Las Ramblas is choc-a-block with gastronomic treats, making it a real delight for all the senses. From the aromas of Catalan cuisine to the hum of crowds sampling the market’s many treats, and its colourful stallfronts, La Boqueria will completely enrapture you.
And should you be craving a taste of Barcelona’s exceptional cuisine, then you may find yourself coming away with enough food to feed the five thousand! Whether that be when picking up fresh juice, bagging yourself a selection of freshly roasted nuts, or even a slice of quality cheese, your tastebuds will be tingling after you’ve explored all of the sections of the market.
Alongside food vendors and shops, La Boqueria’s interiors are also filled with bars and restaurants, and I urge you to get your lips around as many delicious free samples as you can! Should you be hoping to pull up a chair at any one of the market’s most popular eateries, be sure to get there early. But, if you have to wait around for a while to have one of the city’s most memorable gastronomic experiences, it’s still worth doing so.
Should you be spending 2 days in Barcelona, the Gothic Quarter is an area of the city that visitors keep coming back to, and it’s no wonder why.
This idyllic neighbourhood is filled with Barcelona’s most beautiful architecture, which forms a labyrinth of stretching streets filled with boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants. You’ll find locals and tourists alike parading through its centre at all times of the day. During the day, its streets are filled with those in search of a bite to eat or a place to shop. But come nightfall, you’ll find partygoers looking to experience the best of Barcelona’s nightlife.
The Gothic Quarter is in fact renowned for being one of the city’s most fantastic nightlife locations, with bars that illuminate the darkened streets and clubs that play anthems of all genres until the sun begins to rise.
Whatever the time of day, every twist and turn you take in the Gothic Quarter will amaze and intrigue you, with no corner or street quite the same as the next. For first-timers or those returning to the city, the Gothic Quarter is one of the Barcelona must-see areas.
If it’s a view of Barcelona that you’re after, then Montjuïc Hill is one of the best sights to marvel at the city from a new perspective. Offering panoramas of Barcelona’s rooftops and the glistening Mediterranean Sea, the vantage point of Montjuïc is difficult to rival in the city.
Montjuïc is the second tallest mountain in Barcelona and is home to several sites in itself, from a performing magic fountain to an Olympic ring, and a castle. Any day can be best finished in the confines of Montjuïc. This is because if you visit at sunset you’ll see the pink and orange sky appear which creates the perfect backdrop for the city’s skyline.
Montjuīc is deserving of the recognition it receives from travellers as it’s a completely different attraction in the city. So when asking yourself what to see in Barcelona, Montjuïc has to be on the top of your list.
The latter half of your tour of Barcelona in 48 hours will commence with a visit to Parque Güell. This colourful and verdant greenspace is one of the city’s top attractions and is known for being one of Gaudi’s most impressive creations. As you take a stroll through its mesmerising interiors, you’ll come across whimsical structures, beautiful tiled balconies, and a bright Guard’s house.
Views from the park over Barcelona’s rooftops are beautiful and stretch outwards to the sea. Whilst you’re here, you can visit the Gaudi House Museum, which was the artist’s residence for nearly 20 years, which now houses a collection of objects that were once his.
Given the park’s popularity, you’d be advised to book in advance so that you don’t have to waste time queuing for tickets and you don’t end up disappointed if these sell out. If you don’t want to forget to secure your ticket early, why not purchase it now to save you the hassle, or disappointment, later?
The high point of culture in Barcelona, and an astounding piece of imaginative architecture, the Sagrada Familia will be your second stop on your Gaudi experience, and you should prepare to be amazed. It is the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world and has gained UNESCO World Heritage status because of its unique structure and design.
It’s one of the city’s most popular landmarks and is the one site that you cannot afford to miss during your 48 hours in Barcelona. Be sure to book your tickets online to head inside the church, which includes forest-like columns, breathtaking stained glass windows, and Gaudi’s tomb.
Book your skip-the-line tickets now to secure your spot to visit Sagrada Familia during your Barcelona itinerary, as tickets sell out extraordinarily fast, and you don’t want to miss out.
And the last stop on your Gaudi day out is Casa Mila. This was the artist’s last complete commission and it lies in the heart of the city. Since its completion, it has gained a UNESCO World Heritage status and it is open to the public at nearly every time of the day.
The building is also known as La Pedrera, and it can either be admired from the exterior or tickets can be bought to explore the inside of the building, which is equally beautiful.
Should you wish to visit the final of Gaudi’s marvels included in this Barcelona itinerary, you’re best booking your ticket in advance which includes skip-the-line access to save any time queuing so you can maximise your 48 hours in Barcelona. What are you waiting for? Secure your ticket today.
It’s not hard to understand why almost everyone who visits Barcelona falls in love with the city. With vibrant greenspaces, architectural wonders, and an exhilarating atmosphere, the culture and vibe of Barcelona are truly unique and you’re right to consider it as your next European getaway.
I hope this blog post has served its purpose in guiding you to choose some of Barcelona’s best sights and attractions to make your short trip to the city as memorable as it can be. Whether you’ll be travelling with family, friends, a partner, or solo, Barcelona has something for everyone.
The very best of Barcelona can be experienced by visiting some of Gaudi’s most impressive and famous sights. And given their popularity, it’s without a doubt that you need to book your tickets to any Gaudi attractions in advance of when you arrive in the city to be sure that you secure your chance to visit them. These include the Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, and Park Güell.
The Sagrada Familia is Barcelona’s top attraction, with 5 million people visiting the cathedral annually and an additional 20 million admiring its beauty from its exterior. When narrowing down the Barcelona famous landmarks to visit during your trip to the city, the Sagrada Familia has to take the top spot.
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