The Best of Barcelona in 24 Hours
For good reason, Barcelona is one of the major ports of call on Mediterranean cruises. It pulsates with character at every turn; plus, it’s just so convenient to tour! Thanks to a reliable public transport system that includes the metro, tram, and FGC, with different ticket types and travel cards for your liking, you can easily complete your Barcelona bucket list within 24 hours. Here are our most-recommended stops if you have but 1 day to explore.
Last update: 21 December 2021
Sagrada Familia
Discover Barcelona’s many layers of history from a single neighbourhood. The Gothic Quarter has preserved the legacies of the Roman Empire, olden Jewish communities, the Spanish Civil War, even the times of Picasso and Gaudí, among many other homegrown modernist artists. Walk the winding pedestrian streets from the Cathedral of Barcelona, along ancient Roman walls, through Carrer dels Banys Nous, and out into the harbour.
Barcelona’s most touristy destination is still, without a doubt, the one landmark you mustn't miss. Think of it as a pilgrimage, with the heavenly views of and around the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia as the reward.
Start at Plaça Reial in the Gothic Quarter, toward Las Ramblas and Plaça de Catalunya in the Eixample neighborhood. The iconic elaborate spires soon come into view, and immediately you will feel reverence toward the Catalan architect Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece. Inside is even more breathtaking, so if you want to explore the interiors, we recommend booking tickets online in advance.
In December 2021, the Tower of the Virgin Mary was finally completed, inaugurated by illuminating the shaft and its 7.5-meter-wide glass star at the pinnacle. The tower is the Basilica’s second-highest at 138 meters. The Basilica itself has been undergoing construction for 144 years. Completion is set for 2026, in time for the 100-year anniversary of Gaudi’s death.
3. Barceloneta
A traditional fishermen’s barrio, the Barceloneta neighborhood’s main charms are friendly locals, the relaxing Sant Sebastià Beach, and great food. A classic neighbourhood by the sea, locals love to hang out here to dawdle, and of course eat tapas, and fresh fish and seafood. Join them for beach volleyball, tennis, or table tennis! Or stroll down the streets that branch out from the beach, each one boasting a collection of stunning traditional and modernist architecture, including the arresting structure of the Barceloneta market.
Just one of the many casual highlights in Barceloneta
4. Park Güell
Located on the outskirts of the city, Park Güell was built between 1900 and 1914, inspired by the ‘garden city movement’ of the 20th century.
Designed by Gaudí and named after its sponsor, Count Eusebi Güell, the estate was the artist’s family home until his death in 1926. Park Güell has since become a public space. It is an arrestingly beautiful destination full of otherworldly art and design that only Gaudi and company could have conjured. These include the main terrace, which is the focal point of the park. Its ceramic serpentine bench, designed by Josep Maria Jujol, yet another renowned Catalan architect, is a colorful foreground to amazing views of the city that reach as far as the Mediterranean Sea.
There is also the El Drac, a mosaic salamander statue at the gates of Park Güell. Must-sees in the estate further include the Austria Gardens plant nursery, the Gaudí House Museum, and the Instagram-perfect Sala Hipostila, a collection of 86 columns. Most impressive is the Laundry Room Portico, created with textured walls and statues mimicking the ocean wave but blending with the hillside, and in fact structurally supporting the street above.
Join the locals for merienda come late afternoon or early evening at the Gracia district. Merienda — any snack traditionally eaten between lunch and dinner, usually a pastry accompanied by coffee or tea — is a perfect way with which to soak in the city ambience as you’re seated along the elegant boulevards in Gracia. Afterwards, explore independent Catalan boutiques, galleries, bistros, and wine bars, surrounded by Gaudí’s art nouveau architecture, neo-Moorish mansions, and Park Güell peering down.
6. Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
Located in the hills of Montjuïc, the museum lends amazing views of Barcelona — if you don’t have enough time to wander inside. At night, the city’s biggest ornamental fountain positioned here illuminates for a colorful display of water jets with synchronized music. Do spare a moment to tour the museum itself, which houses over 100 years worth of Catalonian visual art.
The facade of the Catalonia museum
7. Mercado De La Boqueria
The Mercado De La Boqueria is a legendary foodie market dating back to the 19th century. Once a very informal hub of goods for home cooks and chefs, it is now a major culinary — not just foodie — destination featuring the best eats in Barcelona and the whole of Catalonia.
The dishes and spices you can order or buy here are typically made from decades-old recipes of families who have been selling in the market for 50 years, apart from delectable produce, dairy, and seafood. Cap off your visit to Barcelona here, and you will feel that you’ve toured Catalonia through food. It has at least 10 gourmet bars, which are the most sought-after spots in Barcelona.
The Mercado closes at 8:30 pm. Other bars elsewhere in Barcelona typically close at around 1:00 am, so you can easily find a place in which to further maximize your short visit.
Important note:
LokalAmico is not an official source for information on COVID + travel. We strongly encourage you to always check your destination’s government resources online for the latest regulations in force. Please click here for important resources on travel safeguards against COVID-19.
