03/04/2019
Barcelona in 5 days: a guide to the must-see attractions (while trying something different!)
Are you visiting Barcelona for 5 days and don’t want to miss any of the sites, but, at the same time, you want to break away from the usual script and discover something new and original? We’ve got the perfect itinerary for you. While it’s true that Barcelona is a limitless city that always leaves you wanting more—a perfect combination of beaches, city and mountains with warm summers and mild weather the rest of the year—, take advantage of these few tips to make your trip an unforgettable one.
For days 1, 2 and 3, we recommend you use our post as a guide for a 3-day trip to Barcelona, including a few of the city’s essential activities.
Day 1:
The Gaudí route with a stop at La Pedrera and Sagrada Familia in the morning, Park Güell in the afternoon and, to finish off the day, the Mirablau bar where you can take in spectacular views of Barcelona (booking is recommended).
This circuit can also be done by switching up the order, starting with Park Güell. Although few are aware of it, visitors who arrive before 8 AM avoid paying the €8 entry fee. It’s also the best way to enjoy a visit without having to deal with large crowds, meaning you can snap that must-get photo with the mosaic salamander without having to wait for your turn. Lastly, if the weather is good and you want to put the finishing touch on your plan, conclude your visit to Park Güell in the picnic area with a selection of local gourmet products while overlooking the city below. Sample Jabugo ham, sausages with designation of origin and other treats. It will make getting up early well worth it!
FROM €39! Make your trip to Park Güell completely unique
We’ll deliver a special basket with the best local gourmet products (ham, sausage, chocolate, wine) to Park Güell, making your visit an unforgettable experience. If you’re organising a romantic getaway, this is the perfect plan for your other half.
Day 2:
Tour of the centre, the Gothic quarter and the seafront, including a stop at Casa Batlló by Antoni Gaudí; a walking tour through Plaça Catalunya, La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter; a stroll through the Parc de la Ciutadella; and an evening in the Port Olímpic and the Poblenou district.
Day 3:
A visit to the Columbus monument, a hike through Montjuïc, a tour of the FC Barcelona stadium after a walk through Plaça Espanya and an elegant finish to the day on the rooftop of Hotel Meliá.
For those who prefer to skip the Camp Nou stadium, there are several alternative plans.
If you want to discover a trendy neighbourhood whose charm remains intact despite the growing interest from tourists, head to Vila de Gràcia. Absorbed by Barcelona in 1897, it features several squares, each with its own personality, that are bustling with activity seven days a week. You’re likely to find people enjoying a drink outside a café, children playing, buskers entertaining with music, elderly locals deep in conversation, and more.
Another option is to explore the fascinating El Raval neighbourhood, whose multicultural atmosphere and curious history will keep you guessing around every corner. It’s not only home to a melting pot of communities, such as the Muslim, Sikh, Catholic or Buddhist faiths, but is a favourite among alternative artists and influencers from around the world (one of the most avant-garde contemporary art museums in Europe, the MACBA, is located in this neighbourhood, as well as an impressive Film Library and other cultural facilities). And don’t forget its buzzing nightlife.
Both Gràcia and El Raval can be reached by metro from Montjuïc by taking Line 3 (Green) from Plaça Espanya to Fontana or Liceu respectively.
Día 4:
Option 1: Costa Brava – Dalí Museum
Barcelona is located in a privileged setting, with some of the best beaches and coves in the Mediterranean less than two hours away by train along the Costa Brava. There you can enjoy the sun and the beach, sample exquisite cuisine from the sea and mountains, contemplate beautiful landscapes along picturesque coastal routes and, if you fancy indulging a little, take a trip by boat or hot air balloon to explore the area.
Travelling to that part of Girona gives us the perfect pretext to visit one of Spain’s five most visited museums, the Dalí Theatre-Museum, in Figueres. It had over 1,207,149 visitors in 2017! Occupying an old theatre burnt down during the Spanish Civil War, the museum is faithful to the personality of Dalí, who actively participated in its design.
Near the Dalí Museum you can find different options to enjoy local cuisine at a good price, such as Can Jordi, Trànsit or El Racó de la Xeli.
When travelling to Figueres, the best option is to take the train (RENFE) at Barcelona’s Sants station for the two-hour trip. Tickets are a modest €16 per person.
Search timetables here
Option 2: Montserrat
Another exciting option if you want to disconnect from the city is to take the 50-km trip to the Montserrat abbey. This construction dates back to the 11th century and is located in one of the most spectacular natural surroundings in Catalonia, featuring a mountain range whose unique relief mesmerises nature and culture lovers alike.
On one side, the abbey has a basilica that combines Gothic and Renaissance styles, where the monks live and where spectacular ceremonies are held. On the other side, there are buildings designed to service visitors, including cafés and restaurants, shops and accommodations.
The basilica’s most iconic attraction is the Virgin of Montserrat, whose revelation is believed to date back to the 9th century. Known popularly as “La Moreneta”, due to her dark skin, she is patron saint of Catalonia and marks a pilgrimage point for believers and tourists.
We recommend spending the entire day on this trip so you can enjoy all the nature, culture and cuisine Montserrat has to offer. While many disregard this place on a 5-day visit to Barcelona, mistakenly thinking that it is far away, it is in fact very easy to get there.
The FGC railway group offers a ticket combination that includes the metro ticket, the round-trip train ticket to Monistrol from Plaça Espanya, the round-trip ticket on the Montserrat rack railway, tickets for the Sant Joan and Santa Cova funiculars and entry to the Monserrat Audio-visual Space.
See the following page for tickets tickets
Day 5:
Option 1: Port Aventura
If you plan the first four days well, you can book a day at one of Europe’s best amusement parks (if not the best, after Disneyland): Port Aventura. Located just a few kilometres from Salou, a little over 2 hours from Barcelona by train, Port Aventura broke the record in 2016 with 4 million visitors.
The park features several themed areas, including the Mediterranean, Polynesia, China, Mexico and the Far West. It also has iconic attractions such as the Dragon Khan, Stampida and Shambala roller coasters; the Hurakan Condor free fall; and the water park with rides such as the Tutuki Splash, the Grand Canyon Rapids and the Silver River Flume.
If you have an extra day, you might want to spend some time at the beaches near Port Aventura, in Vila-Seca (Costa Daurada).
Train is the best option for getting to Port Aventura. RENFE has three stations in Barcelona where you can catch the train: França, Passeig de Gràcia and Sants. The journey takes around 2 hours and costs only €8. However, on the Port Aventura website and others, you can find package deals that include bus fare, park tickets and even hotels.
Option 2: Natural parks
If you prefer to use the fifth day for a nature-related activity, Barcelona offers getaways of all kinds, from horse riding through Bages (50 km), routes through volcanic lands in Olot (100 km), bike and canoe trips along the Ebro Delta (in the southernmost part of Catalonia) and much more.
Option 3: Vineyards
Wine culture in Catalonia dates back several centuries. The region produces eleven designations of origin, each with their own particularities and history. If you want to experience something different, yet don’t want to stray too far from Barcelona, try a journey through the cradle of cava (sparkling wine similar to champagne), Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, and savour some renowned varieties. The Penedès region also has exquisite wines. Visitors can book experiences that include hotel stays and winery tours on websites like Enotourisme Penedès.
FROM €39! Put the finishing touch on your 5-day visit to Barcelona
If you want to taste the best local products from Barcelona while doing something different than getting tapas at a busy restaurant, PicnicBCN offers you the option of enjoying a gourmet picnic in one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, such as the Parc de la Ciutadella or the Barceloneta Beach. Choose your basket and surprise your travel partner with a unique plan!
