72 hours in Barcelona: What to see and do

Combining the very best of Mediterranean cities in striking architecture, a relaxed pace, months of sunshine and phenomenal food, Barcelona is one of the best places to spend a long weekend or short break in Europe.

Whether you’re an avid foodie, sports fan, culture vulture or simply looking to explore somewhere a little different, Barcelona will welcome you with open arms. Here’s what you can get up to in just three days in the Catalan capital.

Day 1

Street performers are a staple of Las Ramblas.

Morning: Head straight for conic Barcelona strip Las Ramblas. Built over an ancient riverbed, it is now a wide semi-pedestrian street that trails down to the port, where all sorts of stalls, shops and street performers line the way. If you want a souvenir, this is the place to get it.

La Boqueria Market is a hive of activity.

The market can be expensive, but the best way to do it is get small bites so that you can taste as much as possible.

Afternoon: The Mercat de la Boqueria, a colourful marketplace along Las Ramblas, is perfect for a lunchtime pitstop. Whether you want a little midday tapas, a fruity pick-me-up smoothie or some of the city’s freshest seafood, you’ll leave with a satisfied stomach, ready for the rest of the day.

Make a beeline for the Gothic Quarter, which is full of charm and captivating history. Here you can find out about Barcelona’s Jewish past in the Jewish Quarter, stop for a drink or snack at Can Culleretes, Barcelona’s oldest restaurant, visit the stunning Gothic Cathedral and go shopping down Portal d’Angel.

Evening: Combine a visit to another of the city’s most stunning architectural gems with an evening of live performance at the Palau de la Música Catalana. Designed by the architect Lluís Domènech I Montaner, this stunning concert hall regularly hosts live performances of opera, classical dance and flamenco, and is, without a doubt, one of the finest music venues in the city.

The Arenas de Barcelona is a shopping centre with a restaurant and bar terrace.

Catch amazing sunrise views from the Arenas de Barcelona terrace.

If you’re feeling a little peckish, head to the outdoor deck at the top of Arenas de Barcelona. An old bull ring converted into a shopping centre, the top floor is home to a multitude of fantastic restaurants where you can feast and enjoy city views as the sun goes down.

Day 2

Sagrada Familia’s exterior basking in the Barcelona sunshine.

Sagrada Familia’s jaw-dropping interior.

Morning: Every visitor to Barcelona should see at least one Gaudí masterpiece (to be honest, they’re pretty hard to miss), so make your second day a Gaudí day and kick things off with a trip to global landmark Sagrada Familia, a monolithic basilica that has been under construction since 1882 and is expected to be completed in eight years on the centenary of Gaudí’s death. If you wish to go inside and view the forest-like interior, pre-book your ticket as they often sell out and can be unavailable for purchase on the day.

Gaudi fans will be in paradise on a visit to Park Guell.

Afternoon: Tour the beautiful Park Güell and enjoy panoramic views across Barcelona as you also enjoy the beautiful gardens and Gaudí’s mosaic work. Take the Metro back into the centre and walk to Casa Battló, one of two great Gaudí-designed buildings on Passeig de Gràcia.

Evening: Head to El Raval where there are a number of fantastic tapas spots, from traditional Spanish fare to vegetarian dishes. Finish the night with an El Raval live performance, whether jazz or flamenco, at Robadors 23.

Day 3

Camp Nou is Europe’s largest stadium by capacity. Just excuse the yellow glasses.

Morning: Day three is an active one, so get your skates on and beat the crowds to Camp Nou, home of the city’s biggest football team FC Barcelona. Even if you’re not a sports fan, you’ll be able to appreciate this palace-esque structure. Discover the club’s history from humble beginnings to the global powerhouse of today in the museum, then get the chance to go into the stands, walk out of the players’ tunnel and sit in the dugout.

Walk this way: from the Arenas de Barcelona, head towards the MNAC museum and over to the Olympic Park.

Afternoon: Treat yourself to paella at one of the city’s great paella restaurants such as Martinez on Montjuïc hill, which is reachable via cable car. Savour this tasty traditional dish while soaking up the views before walking over to the nearby Olympic Park, which played host to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. You can look around the main Olympic Stadium and pay a visit to the Olympic and Sports Museum.

Evening: Finish off your trip by going pintxos bar-hopping on Carrer Blai. Pintxos are small bites of food served spiked on a skewer. Take a look at what’s on offer as the pintxos are laid out on the bar and pick a restaurant that takes your fancy. Jump from bar to bar sampling different delicious bites and eat your way through the evening.

Is there anything you would include on a 72-hour Barcelona itinerary? Let me know in the comments!