Barcelona Travel Guide: Top Attractions, Itinerary, Transports, FAQs
Last Updated on 26/03/2025
Barcelona, the second-largest city in Spain and the capital of the Catalonia region, is a must-visit destination. This Barcelona travel guide covers the Top 20 things to do, a 4-day itinerary, ticket and tour budgets, accommodation recommendations, transportation tips, and answers to common questions for first-time visitors planning a self-guided trip to Barcelona.
My Barcelona Story
Before the practical tips for Barcelona Travel, I’d like to share a personal story about my connection with this incredible city.
Barcelona was a city where I truly embraced being a “tourist.” During my four-day trip, I visited every single one of the attractions listed below. Though the itinerary was packed, every moment was worth it.
If I were to point out one similarity between Barcelona and Hong Kong, it would definitely be the language. Catalan holds the same significance to Barcelona locals as Cantonese does to Hong Kongers. In fact, some restaurants only have menus in Catalan and English, with no Spanish at all.
I visited during the Christmas season in December, and the Christmas markets were romantic and warm. Gaudí’s architecture is uniquely striking, with each building standing out in its own way. As for the Sagrada Familia, though I’m not religious, I was still moved by its grandeur. I couldn’t help but wonder how devoted Gaudí must have been to dedicate decades of his life to this project without any payment.
In addition to Gaudí, Barcelona is also home to the masterpieces of his mentor Domènech, medieval churches, and the famous Camp Nou. I’ve written detailed articles on each of these attractions.
Barcelona Top Attractions List: Map & Categories
This map includes the top attractions in Barcelona, key metro stations, and recommended dining spots.
Go City Barcelona Pass Includes Most of the Following Attractions
The map is set to English by default. Simply click on the 'Enlarge Map' icon in the top right corner to switch to your preferred language!
For attractions without individual reviews yet, you can still find an introduction and visitor details here ⬇️
Gaudí’s Iconic Architecture
- La Sagrada Família
- Casa Batlló
- Casa Milà / La Pedrera
- Casa Vicens
- Park Güell
- Palau Güell
Domènech’s Classic Architecture
- Palau de la Música Catalana
- Hospital de Sant Pau
Exploring the Old Town
- La Rambla
- Mercado de Boqueria
- Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic)
- Basílica de la Mercè
- Cathedral de Barcelona
- Columbus Monument
- Port Vell / Port Vell Fair Christmas
- Arc de Triomf (Barcelona)
Special Experiences & Activities
- Flamenco Show
- Camp Nou Stadium Tour
- Arenas de Barcelona
Recommended Day Trips
How Many Days In Barcelona? 4-Day Itinerary
How many days to spend in Barcelona? For a first-time visit, it’s recommended to allocate at least 4 days to explore the classic city centre attractions. If you’re planning to visit nearby destinations or even take a trip to the neighbouring country of Andorra, 5 to 6 days would offer a more relaxed experience.
From my own experience, I arrived on Tuesday and departed on Friday. If I were only visiting the city centre attractions, that would have been just enough. However, since I wanted to test *the best value for the Go City pass*, I planned a day trip to Andorra and a half-day visit to Montserrat during my stay.
My Actual (Intense) Itinerary
Day 1: Old Town & Harbour Area
- Barcelona Airport ➡️ Palau de la Música Catalana ➡️ Palau Güell
- La Rambla ➡️ Mercat de Sant Josep (La Boqueria) ➡️ Barcelona Cathedral + Christmas Market
- Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy ➡️ Gothic Quarter
- Dinner at 7 Portes ➡️ Port Vell ➡️ Columbus Monument ➡️ Arc de Triomf
Day 2: Andorra & Flamenco Show
- Day Trip to Andorra from Barcelona: Tour Review – Is It Worth It?
- Dinner at La Rambla ➡️ City Hall Flamenco Show
Day 3: Montserrat & Gaudí’s Architecture
- Montserrat Half-Day Trip
- Guided Tour of Park Güell ➡️ Casa Vicens ➡️ Churros at Xurreria Trebol ➡️ Casa Milà (La Pedrera)
- Local Tapas Dinner ➡️ Late-night Ramen near the hotel
Day 4: Sagrada Família & FC Barcelona Stadium
- Guided Tour of Sagrada Família ➡️ Hospital de Sant Pau ➡️ Casa Batlló
- FC Barcelona Stadium (Camp Nou) ➡️ Arenas de Barcelona Rooftop View & Dinner
- Depart from Barcelona
Total Expenses for 4 Days in Barcelona
- 💰 Total Cost (for 2 people): €1,528 (100.00%)
- ✈️ Flights: €89 (5.82%)｜Gotta love budget airlines in Europe!
- 🏨 Accommodation (3 nights): €360 (23.56%)
- 🎟️ Attractions & Tickets: €504 (32.98%)
- GoCity 3-Day Pass: €368
- Includes guided tours and entry to Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Milà (La Pedrera), Casa Batlló, Casa Vicens, Hospital de Sant Pau, FC Barcelona Stadium (Camp Nou), as well as transport to Montserrat and a full-day Andorra trip.
- Additional Tickets: €136
- Includes entry to Montserrat Monastery and the Black Madonna (€22), Palau de la Música Catalana (€36), Palau Güell (€24), and a flamenco show (€54).
- GoCity 3-Day Pass: €368
- 🚇 Transport: €86.20 (5.64%)
- Train from airport to city (€9.80 one-way)
- Metro (4 rides): €20.40
- Uber (2 city rides): €30
- Uber (Arena de Barcelona to airport): €26
- 🍽️ Food & Drinks (4 days): €489 (32.00%)
- Other Expenses (not included in total): Souvenir magnets & duty-free cosmetics from Andorra
Is the Go City Barcelona City Pass worth buying?
So far, I’ve only purchased city passes for travellers in Barcelona and London, and I must say, I genuinely recommend the Go City Barcelona Pass!
With the Go City Barcelona City Pass, you can skip the line and get free entry to many popular attractions in Barcelona, including the guided tours of Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Milà, Casa Batlló (with the premium gold ticket), Casa Vicens, Hospital de Sant Pau, FC Barcelona Camp Nou, direct bus transfers to Montserrat, and a day trip to Andorra.
According to my itinerary, the Day 1 attractions are not included in the pass. However, for the attractions on Days 2-4, the total cost of individual tickets would be around €275, whereas the 3-day pass costs only €184, saving €91. Even if you cancel the Andorra trip for a more relaxed pace (the cheapest similar tour I found online is €70), and spread the remaining two days’ itinerary over three, you would still save €21.
In addition, there were several included attractions I didn’t have enough time to visit, such as Poble Espanyol, Moco Museum, Picasso Museum, the Barcelona Cable Car, the Game of Thrones Girona Tour, and numerous walking tours. With a total of 46 included attractions, if any of these catch your interest, I sincerely suggest looking into this pass!
Barcelona Transport: City, Airport
Although walking around Barcelona’s city centre is very manageable, the metro is a helpful option if you’re in a hurry or feeling exhausted after a long day of sightseeing! Wondering how to get around using the metro, how to buy tickets, ticket prices, and how to travel between the city centre and Barcelona Airport? Check out the guide below ⬇️
Where to Stay in Barcelona
I was very satisfied with my stay at Hotel Jazz in Barcelona. Check room rates：Hong Kong｜UK｜Taiwan
The hotel is located less than a minute’s walk from Universitat metro station, 13 minutes’ walk to Casa Batlló, 5 minutes to Plaça de Catalunya, and less than 10 minutes to La Rambla and the Boqueria Market (Mercat de Sant Josep). Additionally, the hotel has a rating of 9.4 (based on 1,004 reviews), with a three-night stay costing £300 (excluding breakfast, with free cancellation), which perfectly met my criteria for choosing accommodation.
>>> Accommodation Selection Guide <<<
FAQs for Self-Guided Travel in Barcelona
Q: Do I need a travel visa for Barcelona?
A: The EU has announced the implementation of ETIAS starting from the second quarter of 2025. Visitors from 59 visa-free countries and regions, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the UK, will need to apply for and present an ETIAS authorisation for travel to Schengen countries for tourism, business, or transit purposes.
Q: Do I need to speak Spanish in Barcelona? Can I communicate in English?
A: In Barcelona, the locals primarily speak Catalan and Spanish. However, in most tourist attractions, restaurants, and hotels, you can easily communicate in English.
Ka's Tips：Due to its unique historical background, Catalan holds a similar status in Barcelona to Cantonese in Hong Kong. Some restaurants even have menus in Catalan and English only, without Spanish.
- Hello – Catalan: Hola | Spanish: Hola
- Thank you – Catalan: Gràcies | Spanish: Gracias
- Excuse me / Sorry – Catalan: Perdó / Disculpeu | Spanish: Perdón / Disculpe
Q: What payment methods are accepted in Barcelona, and how much cash should I prepare?
A: Barcelona uses the Euro (€). The main payment methods are credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), debit cards (Visa Debit, MasterCard Debit), cash, and mobile payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Cash is less commonly needed, and most payments can be made by card or mobile payment. However, it's a good idea to carry a small amount of cash for emergencies.
Q: What is the best time to visit Barcelona?
A: Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are the best times to visit Barcelona. The weather is pleasant, and there are fewer tourists, making it ideal for outdoor activities. December (Christmas season) also offers several unique markets, and with milder weather compared to other European countries (such as the UK), it’s another good time to visit.
Q: What is the voltage and plug type in Barcelona?
A: The voltage in Barcelona is 230 volts, and the plug types are C and F (two round pins). It’s recommended for travellers to bring an adapter to use electronic devices.
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