If you are planning a weekend in Barcelona, time is short. Find out the must-see and do when you spend 48 hours in Barcelona.
The average tourist stay in Barcelona during 2022 was just 3.1 nights. Many people visiting Spain tend to travel around, staying a few nights in different cities. European travelers fly in for long weekends to Barcelona to either absorb the city’s sights, to party, or a mixture of both. In this article, we explore the things that you really must see and do during a weekend in Barcelona.
If you plan to spend a weekend in Barcelona, you must plan and create an itinerary before arriving. Good planning means you can leave your hotel, head for the nearest metro and arrive at your first place of interest without wasting any time. It is worth purchasing a Barcelona travel card before arriving, so you are ready to use unlimited transport to move around the city.
Weekend In Barcelona
We have created a 48-hour literary of the most important things to do during a weekend in Barcelona. It is essential when visiting a city as unique as Barcelona, you see the top attractions and explore the main areas. You can find more places to visit by downloading our app.
Below, we have created our own bucket list of the must-see and must do when you are visiting for a weekend in Barcelona.
- SAGRADA FAMILIA – Whatever you do, don’t come to Barcelona and not visit the Sagrada Família. This Gaudí world—renowned masterpiece is the most influential building in the city. Towering over Barcelona, the Sagrada Família is one of Spain’s most visited tourist attractions and an iconic part of Barcelona. Mark a visit to this attraction at the very top of your list.
- PARK GÜELL – Another great Gaudí creation and the most visited Gaudí attraction in Barcelona. Park Güell is a park like no other that highlights Gaudí’s talents and influences, with many modernist details almost everywhere you look. Also within Park Güell is the Gaudí House Museum, a chance to visit the house where Gaudí lived in his final years.
- GOTHIC QUARTER / LA RAMBLA – The Gothic Quarter is Barcelona’s historic center. Narrow medieval streets lead on to large squares where such building as Barcelona Cathedral await to be discovered. The Gothic Quarter is an essential visit when staying the weekend in Barcelona. Furthermore, next to the Gothic Quarter you will find La Rambla, Barcelona’s most infamous street. Here you will find all sorts of artists, acrobats and just about everyone in between.
- L’EIXAMPLE / PASSEIG DE LA GRÄCIA – The more wealthy district of Barcelona, it is here you will discover the city’s modernist delights. The Block of Discord, as it is known, is a collection of Barcelona’s most important modernist buildings. Casa Batllo, Casa Lleo Morera and Casa Amatler await to be discovered. This is a must-visit place for your weekend in Barcelona, also many great shops are also to be found on the Passeig de Gràcia.
- ARC DE TRIOMF / CIUDATELLA PARK – The Arc de Tiomf was actually the entrance to the 1888 Worlds Fair Exhibition and still stands today. A historically important structure, it is free to visit. Just down from the Arc de Triomf is Ciudatella Park. This historic park has been an indispensable green space in Barcelona for over 100 years. Within the park is Barcelona’s Zoo, almost as old as the park itself, it is a fantastic place to visit.
What To See And Do At Night In Barcelona?
The first thing to do during the evening is to find a great place to eat. The district of L’Exiample has some great restaurants to visit and is a good place to start the evening. A short walk towards Placa Catalyuna and you will find Belushi’s Sports Bar with a lively international crowd. Walk down from Placa Catalyuna and you can head in to the Gothic Quarter where a few Irish Bars and other interesting small bars tucked in to the narrow streets await.
Generally, I prefer the Gothic Quarter to enjoy a night out in Barcelona. The narrow streets and lively bars are all waiting to be discovered when exploring the maze of streets of this district. Furthermore, another thing I like about a night out in this area is that the clubs are typically a short walk away. Great nightlife spots such as Jamboree can be found in Placa Reial to keep you parting until the early hours.
What Else Can You Do During A Weekend In Barcelona?
Barcelona has more or less 100 attractions to see and visit. If you only have a weekend in Barcelona, you will be quite limited to how many places you can visit. If you’re in the city during the summer months, Barcelona has some great beaches, such as Barceloneta Beach. You can also visit the Roman Ruins of Barcino in the MUHBA museum. Art lovers can visit the Pablo Picasso museum in El Born district. A trip the Montjüic Park is also highly recommended.
A weekend in Barcelona should be planned to include things that interest you. If you like the historic attractions, plan your itinerary around these. If you are in the city to party, make sure you consider the hangovers! The best weekend in Barcelona comes to those who plan and think through what they want to visit and do. As they say, time flies by when you’re having a great time.
