Wandering Barcelona: A Traveler's Guide to Gaudí's City (5-Day Itinerary)
- Shruti Lal
- Sep 18, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Jan 11
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to products, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through my links, at no extra cost to you.
Check out the latest video on my YouTube channel, where I share photos and videos from this trip at the end of the blog.
When I planned my solo trip to Paris, Rome, and Barcelona, I dove into countless blogs and YouTube videos. Most offered general tips on where to stay, what to eat, and where to go, but they often lacked the nitty-gritty details. So, I’ve crafted this guide for fellow travelers who, like me, want to explore Barcelona (and other cities) on a budget, capture photos with their phone, and get every detail they need for planning. I spent five days each in Paris, Rome, and Barcelona during July-August 2024. Here’s what I learned about visiting Barcelona affordably and efficiently.
Credit Card Tips
I used the Visa Sapphire card for my trip, which offered 70,000 bonus points if I spent $4,000 in 3 months. With a $95 annual fee, it includes a $50 hotel credit and other perks. Booking through Chase Travel earned me 5X points, compared to 2X on other websites. Points can also be transferred to airlines for potentially better flight options. You should check the current offer or find similar offers.
What to Wear
I visited Barcelona during the peak of summer when the weather was hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 80-90°F and humidity levels of 50-70%. I packed light, breathable clothing like sleeveless cotton blouses, pants, and capris. A good cap or hat, along with sunscreen such as Scoop Girl Oil, is essential. Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking 3-4 liters of water daily, and using a hydro flask will help keep your water cool. Comfortable shoes are a must for all the walking and stair climbing. My go-to options were the Hoka Gaviota 5 and Hoka Gymnastics Shoes Hiking, paired with Superfeet Green insoles for extra support. Be prepared to log over 15,000 steps each day!
Flight: Rome (CDG) to Barcelona (FCO)
I booked my flight two months in advance, with Air France charging around $800 for the economy and $1,500 for premium economy in July, though prices can vary. I chose premium economy for extra comfort on the 10-hour flight from San Francisco to Paris. After spending five days each in Paris and Rome, I flew from Rome to Barcelona with Vueling, paying about $200 for a two-hour economy flight. For European flights, the check-in baggage allowance is limited to 15 kg (compared to 23 kg for the San Francisco to Paris leg), with an additional fee of €15 per kg over the limit. I recommend carrying an extra light backpack or a foldable backpack to adjust your items and avoid excess baggage fees. You can also book your travel via Expedia or WayAway.
My return flight was from Barcelona to Lisbon. Unfortunately, there were no direct flights available from Barcelona to San Francisco. I had a overnight layover at Lisbon so be sure to have some snacks or food as no shops would be open at the airport. A good neck pillow is also a must for a more comfortable stay. I booked in a business class in Tap Portugal for $1,565. The business lounge opens at 5 am and while it offers shower rooms, it doesn’t quite compare to the lounge in Barcelona. The business seat was comfortable and food and wine were great. Make sure you head to the gate 2 hours in advance as there will be a huge line to clear the immigration if you are flying out of Europe.
Airport to Hotel
I took a taxi from Barcelona Airport to my hotel, a quick 20-minute ride costing €23 but around €29 for the ride back to the airport. Taxis are easily accessible from the terminal—just follow the signs for "Taxi" or ask airport staff for directions.
Hotel
I stayed at the ibis Barcelona Cornella, a clean hotel with a bar and restaurant. The room was surprisingly spacious and very comfortable, with daily cleaning and a quiet atmosphere. I paid around $500 for five nights, plus €2.86 in city taxes and €15 for a late checkout. The continental breakfast, priced at €10, was quite good. The only drawback was the 2 pm check-in time, which is later than the usual 12 pm check-in at most hotels. You can also book your hotel via Expedia or WayAway.
Metro
Like Rome and Paris, Barcelona has an excellent public transportation network with buses and metro lines connecting the city. I purchased a 30-day multi-entry T-usual metro card for around €30 at the metro station, which was also valid for buses. I used both the metro and buses to get around the city. Unlike in Rome and Paris, Barcelona’s trains and buses are air-conditioned, making travel more comfortable. However, metro trains in Barcelona are not as frequent as those in Paris.
Where to Stay
I chose to stay near the airport because hotels closer to the main attractions were much more expensive. This added about 30-40 minutes to my daily commute. When booking your hotel and flights, use your travel credit card's website to earn maximum points. Choose a hotel based on ratings, proximity to the metro, and essential amenities like air conditioning. The metro station was about a mile (a 15-20 minute walk) from my hotel and no direct train to any attractions.
Plan your Activities for 5-Day Itinerary Barcelona:
I recommend making plans for each day. I have provided the itinerary I made. You can take this itinerary as a starting point and make yours. Use the following websites to book tours and buy tickets to the museums, monuments, parks, etc.
Day 1:
Passay del born
After landing around 12:30 pm, I started exploring around 4 pm. I first visited Passay del Born, a charming and historic street in the El Born neighborhood with a variety of cafes, bars, and restaurants, perfect for enjoying an evening drink or a meal and shopping for local crafts. Close by is the stunning and elegant Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. Entry is free. End your day with Mercat de Santa Caterina, a vibrant and historic market in Barcelona. Bring a good selfie stick, like the Bluehorn with 360° rotation.
Day 2:
The next day, I visited the Sagrada Família (https://www.sagradafamiliatickets.org/), one of Barcelona's most iconic landmarks, designed by the renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. Be sure to purchase your tickets (€68 without tower access) well in advance. Construction began in 1882 and is still ongoing. It is truly the most unique church I have ever seen in my life. Plan for 2-3 hours there and don’t forget to buy souvenirs from their shop.
Casa Batlló (https://www.casabatllo.es) (€45) and Casa Milà (https://www.lapedrera.com/) are some of the other famous landmarks designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí. Be sure to purchase the ticket in advance. Visit Hospital de Sant Pau which is close by.
Day 3:
Parc de Montjuïc, a key location of the 1992 Olympic games and Montjuïc Castle offers panoramic views of Barcelona and the harbor. Don’t miss the Montjuïc Cable Car ride that offers breathtaking views of the city, harbor, Barcelona’s skyline, the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding areas. The cable car starts near the base of Montjuïc Hill, close to the Montjuïc Park area, and travels up to the Montjuïc Castle. You can buy the tickets on-site (€17).
Magic Fountain, located at the base of Montjuïc, this large fountain is famous for its evening light and music shows. The Montjuïc National Palace (Palau Nacional) is a grand and historic building located on Montjuïc Hill in Barcelona. It houses the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC), which is one of the city's major art museums.
Walk down to Plaza de España is one of Barcelona’s major squares and a key transport. It is a major transport interchange, connecting various bus and metro lines. It’s a central point for accessing other parts of the city. Explore the Eixample district which offers a variety of shopping and dining options. El Raval district offers a mix of culture, history, and modern urban life, making it a fascinating part of Barcelona to explore. La Rambla is a bustling street lined with shops, restaurants, and street performers. It stretches from Plaça de Catalunya to the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell.
Day 4:
Catedral de Barcelona located in Gothic Quarter, is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. Canaletes Fountain is a popular landmark and meeting point. It’s known for the legend that drinking from the fountain ensures a return to Barcelona. Palau de la Música Catalana, near the Gothic Quarter, is a stunning concert hall that hosts a range of musical performances. Don’t miss Arc de Triomf, at the entrance to Ciutadella Park near the Eixample district.
Day 5:
Park Güell (https://parkguell.barcelona/) is a public park designed by Antoni Gaudí, located on Carmel Hill in Barcelona. It's one of Gaudí’s most famous works and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park is known for its colorful and imaginative design, blending natural forms with architectural elements. Buy your tickets in advance (€10).
Visit Mirador Torre Glòries (www.miradortorreglories.com) to see Barcelona from a high vantage point and experience one of the city’s modern architectural landmarks. You can buy tickets on-site (€10).
End your last day in Barcelona with a walk on the seafront promenade that stretches along Barcelona's coastline, offering a pleasant walk with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. Walking the seafront promenade from La Barceloneta to the Olympic Port offers a refreshing and scenic experience, with key landmarks like Passeig del Trencadors and the Seashell Building adding to the charm of the route. The area is perfect for enjoying Barcelona’s coastline, modern architecture, and vibrant atmosphere.
Additional Tips
eSim: I used Maya Mobile’s (https://maya.net/) 10 GB data plan for Europe. Activate your eSim upon arrival and use WhatsApp or FaceTime on Wi-Fi for international calls. 10 GB was enough for Google Maps and basic browsing for 2 weeks.
Weather: Pack light, breathable clothing. Carry a water bottle and stay hydrated.
Luggage: European flights have a 15 kg baggage limit; weigh your luggage
beforehand. Use a luggage scale such as Etekcity Luggage Scale with a hook and a backup front-facing backup if needed.
Pickpockets: Unfortunately, Barcelona is also very famous for pick pocketers. Be cautious in crowded areas. Take minimal cash (not more than €100) and distribute them in different pockets so that if you do get pickpocketed you won’t lose all the money. Carry only one credit card. Hold your backpack in front. Secure the backpack with a lock. Secure your money and card in a FlipBelt kind of waist belt. Hold your backpack in front. Keep other valuables (cash, passport, laptop, etc) secure in your locked suitcase and leave them in hotel room. Secure phone with CACOE Phone Lanyard.
Electronic Accessories:
o MEE audio Connect Air in-Flight Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter Adapter: Use this adaptor in flights to use your own noise-canceling headphones. Just insert it in the jack of the airplane and connect it to your headphones via Bluetooth.
o Noise Cancelling headphones: My favorite is Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds. I can easily connect this to the MEE audio adaptor via Bluetooth during my 10+ hour flight.
o Apple AirTag: I would recommend to leave one air tag in your suitcase, in case, the airline loses your luggage you can track where your suitcase is and leave one air tag in your backpack hidden in some pocket and if possible, in your wallet as well. You can track it via Find My Phone.
o Multiplug adaptor: Remember to carry Conair Universal Travel Adapter with USB to use a hair dryer, hair straightener, etc. It is also needed to charge your phone, iPads, and headphones.
o Portable Charger: You will need to carry a portable charger such as T-CORE Power Bank if you are staying outside for longer hours.
Beauty Accessories: Pack a travel-size hair straightening brush such as Drybar The Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush and heat protection spray such as CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection.
iCloud: Please remember your username/password for your iCloud account in case your iPhone is stolen then you can quickly log in and erase the data. Also, memorize your immediate relative/emergency contact phone number.
Photocopies: Keep photocopies of important documents (driver's license, passport, flight and hotel details, etc) in your suitcase.
Cards: Write down the hotel name and address on a card and give it to the taxi driver. It is very difficult to speak different languages correctly. Google Translator is helpful for navigating language barriers.
Book your flight or hotel :
Book tours and buy tickets to the museums, monuments, parks, etc.
Buy travel gear :
Enjoy your trip to Barcelona! If you have any specific questions or need more details, feel free to ask.
Check out the latest video on my YouTube channel, where I share photos and videos from this trip.
P.S. All products featured in this post are items I have personally bought and used, so you can be sure my opinions are based on my own experience. I only recommend products I genuinely find valuable and beneficial.
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