How to spend 3 to 5 days in Barcelona – where to go and where to eat

Did you know Spain ranks as the second most popular destination globally (2024), after France, on the U.N. World Tourism Barometer? There are so many beautiful places to visit and so many things to do – and, of course, when we think about Spain, some cities always come to mind, right: Madrid, the capital, and Barcelona, of course!

And if you are planning to visit, you came to the right place. I’ve been to Barcelona twice – first time was in 2017, when we spent 3 days and we did so many things! The second time, was right after Christmas, in 2024, and we spent 5ish days. Since we already knew a little bit of the city, the second visit was more relaxed.

I decided to compile all my tips on this post – you can easily compact your itinerary in 3 days or stretch it more.

Getting to Barcelona from NYC

If you are flying from NYC, there are plenty of airlines that offer that route, either from JFK or Newark. Good news is that the journey is relatively quick: usually, the flight takes less than 7 hours, which I consider pretty convenient to go to Europe.

Another alternative is flying to Madrid – there are also a plenty of airlines that offer the route – and, from there, you can either take a connecting flight to Barcelona or, for example, stay in the capital for a couple of days before heading to Barcelona. In that case, I recommend traveling by train. The journey is smooth and comfortable and you avoid the airport hassle.
You can always do the opposite as well and taking a train to Madrid after spending some days in Barcelona.

• Book your flight to Barcelona!
• Book your train ticket to Barcelona!
• And by the way: I have a blog post on things to do in Madrid!

How to get to and from Barcelona airport to the city

There are a few ways to get to and from the airport to Barcelona:

• Aerobus – it is the official shuttle that connects the airport to some spots of Barcelona. You can click here and check the routes. We used this service first time we visited Barcelona and it was easy and convenient. As the Hotel Jazz is near Pl. Universitat, the bus was convenient for us. We left the landing area and headed to the departure area of the bus – here is a video showing how to locate it. The ticket costs 7,25 € per person, one way. You can buy it online (they have an app) or on their machines at the airport, by credit card, or also directly with the driver, in cash (they do not accept bills over € 20). There’s room on the bus for baggage. From the airport to Pl. Universitat, it will take about 25 minutes, and you can always follow the next stop on a monitor.
• Train (R2 Nord) – this train departs from Terminal 2 and stops at major stations like Passeig de Gràcia and Barcelona Sants. The journey takes ~25 minutes, and the tickets cost about €5 one-way. In case you land at Terminal 1, there’s a free shuttle to Terminal 2.
• Metro (L9 Sud) –  you can also take the subway from the airport – there are direct line from both terminals to various stations. Takes 30–40 minutes, an airport ticket costs about €5.15.
• Taxi / Rideshare – and, of course, you can always take a taxi or an Uber or Bolt for ride-sharing services – and I recommend always checking both cause the price difference can be significant. This is the most convenient transportation if you have heavy luggage or you’re traveling in a small group. Costs range from €25–€35 depending on traffic and time of day, and takes 20–30 minutes (depending on your final destination, of course. You can always simulate it on Google Maps).

Where to stay in Barcelona

During the two times we visited Barcelona, we stayed in the same neighborhood, L’Eixample – where you will find the famous Plaça de Catalunya. It is a more touristy area, but not too touristy and it’s near subway stations and you can also easily walk to some of Barcelona’s famous attractions.

I recommend Hotel Jazz – our room – featuring a king bed – was super spacious as was the bathroom. The hotel’s internet was excellent – which is atypical, we know! Our daily rate did not include breakfast – but we decided to pay for it one day, and it was impressive: a super complete buffet with different kinds of bread, cakes, yogurts, fruits, and meats.

How to get around in Barcelona

In my opinion, one of the best ways to explore Barcelona – and probably every major city in Europe – is by foot. So, bring comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk a lot.

For longer distances – or for the days you are tired – you can use public transportation. Barcelona has a great subway system. You can buy a single ticket for €2.65  and also a package with 10 for €12.55 – we ended up buying this one. There are also packages for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days for unlimited rides. Remember that tickets can also be used for buses and it is possible to make connections – if you get off the bus and go to the subway or vice versa, your card will not get charged twice.

And you can always take a taxi or an Uber or Bolt for ride-sharing services – and I recommend always checking both cause the price difference can be significant. 

Things to do in Barcelona – classics

• La Boqueria – a famous public market in the city. In addition to restaurants, you will also find vendors selling fruits, meats, pastries, etc. Not every restaurant offers seats – so, remember that, cause the spot can be busy and crowded sometimes.
• La Rambla – just including here to let you know you should not waste your time here. This is a super tourist street in the city – where you need to be extremely cautious, cause there are plenty of pickpockets in town. Plus, mostly places here are tourist traps. Everyone will probably pass by this street when visiting Barcelona, just be aware there’s nothing special.

• Barceloneta – the famous beach area with a lively promenade. I highly recommend visiting the new Mirador on the other side of the iconic W. Hotel. It’s more quiet and it provides beautiful views, especially at sunset. The promenade is also a great spot to run – especially in the morning, if you catch the sunrise.
• Sagrada Família – designed by the famous architect Antonio Gaudí, its construction began in 1882 and it is not finished yet (it is expected to be completed in 2026).  This place is undoubtedly one of the most impressive things I have ever seen in my life. The richness of details and meanings is impressive – and the touch of Gaudí is unique. My tips are: buy your ticket online in advance and preferably choose one of the first available times in the morning. Lines to buy on-site can be crazy. Don’t forget to also get the audio guide. It will be a great resource to enjoy your visit and learn more about Basílica. On average, I think we took about an hour there. Oh, I recommend passing through the Plaza de Gaudí too – it’s the perfect spot to take a picture with the Sagrada Família in the background. Purchase your tickets here!

• Casa Milà / Casa Batlló – two other Gaudí’s masterpieces. First time I was in Barcelona, we only checked from the outside – and I regretted that decision a lot. So, for my second visit, I was decided to visit at least one of the two and a friend of mine, who is based in Barcelona, recommended me Casa Batlló. It is one of Antoni Gaudí’s most famous works, and it was originally a conventional 19th-century building before textile magnate Josep Batlló commissioned Gaudí to redesign it in 1904. Instead of demolishing it, Gaudí transformed the façade into a vibrant, dreamlike masterpiece inspired by nature and Catalan folklore. But please, make sure to get the audioguide so you can understand more about the details, it’s fascinating. If you decide to visit Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera, it’s just steps away, featuring an undulating stone façade and whimsical rooftop chimneys inspired by nature. And did you know? Both places are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• Parc Guell – another fantastic place designed by Gaudí, a famous Barcelona’s spot. Despite being a beautiful place, I confess I was a bit disappointed with the park. It was small and crowded too. I did not regret going there, but I was expecting more. Purchase your tickets here!
• Montjuic – this hill overlooking Barcelona is packed with cultural attractions, lush gardens, and stunning city views. In the past, it was a strategic military site, and now it hosts landmarks like the Magic Fountain, which offers dazzling nighttime light shows (to see the calendar, just click here), and the Palau Nacional, home to the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC). To get there, you have to take the subway to Parallel station, end of Barcelona’s subway L2 to take the Funicular. Or, you can also take the Teleferico de Barcelona, a cable car.

• Arc de Triomf – look, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris is iconic and beautiful, but the Arc de Triomf in Barcelona is also really impressive – and so gorgeous. It is a striking red-brick arch that served as the grand entrance to the 1888 Universal Exposition held in Parc de la Ciutadella. The Arc leads to a lively promenade filled with street performers, skaters, and locals enjoying the open space, making it a perfect spot for a relaxed stroll.
• Soccer match – once you are in Barcelona, you should definitely take advantage of that to attend a soccer match. We had the opportunity to check a Champions League match when we visited Barcelona for the first time. Camp Nou is Barcelona’s team official stadium – and there are bus lines to get there. It was super easy.

Extra tip: Montserrat (if you have extra time in Barcelona)

When we first visited Barcelona – and I only had three full days in the city – everybody told me we should visit Montserrat, which is a day-trip from Barcelona, and after some consideration, we decided to do it. Not that I completely regret that decision – but if was it today, I would probably wouldn’t do it with only three days in the city. I would spend more time exploring Barcelona itself. So, I recommend Montserrat only if you have extra days – let’s say three full days for Barcelona and one day for Montserrat.

Now that we got into my considerations, let’s get to the tips. First of all, if you have never heard of Montserrat, I suggest you take some time to maybe look into some videos, pics or articles. Being completely honest, I didn’t know anything about it until everyone started to tell us we had to visit it.

So, Montserrat is a mountain range near Barcelona (50km or 30 miles), known for its unique jagged peaks and theSanta Maria de Montserrat Monastery. It is a spiritual site that attracts pilgrims and visitors alike. Montserrat is a meaningful reference point in the culture of Catalonia and is called “la muntanya sagrada”, the sacred mountain. It is a revered place with special meaning for Catalonia and many Catalans. Once you get in Montserrat, you not only can enjoy the beautiful views but also explore hiking trails.

From Barcelona, you can get there by train, which leaves from Plaça d’Espanya. It is not complicated: you follow the signs in the station and buy the tickets at the machines. You have two options.

•  Train + Cable Car – take the R5 train (toward Manresa) from Plaça Espanya to Aeri de Montserrat (about 1 hour). From there, board the Aeri de Montserrat cable car, which takes 5 minutes to reach the monastery.
• Train + Rack Railway – Take the R5 train to Monistrol de Montserrat (about 1 hour). Switch to the Cremallera (rack railway), which takes 15 minutes to reach the top.

One thing I can guarantee is that when you start to go up to the mountain, you will be speechless. The views are really incredible.

Where to eat in Barcelona

I can comfortably say one of our favorite thing to do when traveling is eating! And Spanish food is among our favorite cuisines. So, please check my recs, gathered from my two visits to Barcelona. 

Restaurants

• Tropico – an excellent spot for breakfast and brunch. Their menu features foods from different countries – including coxinhas from Brazil.
• Honest Greens – this chain is originally from Barcelona – and we got obsessed with their salads and bowls with fresh and healthy ingredients. I just wish one day, they open in the US. Seriously! The brunch menu is also full of delicious options. They have a lot of locations, include one near the W. Hotel at Barceloneta.
• Teresa Carles – we discovered this vegan spot on our first visit to Barcelona and we went there again during our second visit. They have an excellent price-fixed menu during lunch –  a three-course meal for ~$13.
• Taverna El Glop – it was a recommendation from a friend that lives in Barcelona. Such a delicious paella – and sopa de pescado.
• Restaurante Envalira – another great spot to eat a delicious paella! Portions are huge, the paella is really tasty and price is good.

• Tapas 24 – super casual restaurant with delicious and affordable tapas. We visited during our first time in the city and it was a tip from a local. Highly recommend!
• Tapas 2254 – super busy spot with delicious tapas. You can’t go wrong with any choice here.
• Bodega La Puntual – another delicious spot for tapas. We had a blast. Love the environment – and the tapas were sooooo good! Plus, is located in a super nice area.
• El Nacional – BEAUTIFUL space and environment featuring different eateries and bars. Can be a little touristy, but the food is good.

• Bilmonte – come here for a delicious gelato. We tried the pistachio and also de white chocolate.
• Caua Cacao – hot chocolate with a variety of cocoa beans to choose from.
• JonCake – a follower recommended me this spot and she told me it was the best Tarta de Queso (cheesecake) in Barcelona. We waited in line for almost an hour and IT WAS SO WORTH IT! Just  make sure you don’t go there too late in the afternoon, cause sometimes they sell out.
• Brunells 1852 apparently, they are famous for their croissants – and we loved it.

Laura Peruchi

Content creator and journalist in New York City. Here, I share lifestyle, beauty, NYC tips, thoughts, and the struggles about living in the most amazing city in the world! I’m not gonna pretend to be another person: I’m a Brazilian immigrant and I think this is my soul, it is part of who I am. I hope you enjoy my content! Follow me on Instagram!