Barcelona in 2 Days: everything you need to know

Barcelona is one of the favourite destinations of travellers around the world for a reason: it's a city with a lot to see and do in it; but if you only have two days to get around... How can you organise yourself to see everything important? This article is the answer you're looking for.

Before you start, bear in mind that this itinerary covers two full days, from morning to evening. If you want to see shorter or longer itineraries, I recommend you visit...

• Itinerary to get to know Barcelona in 1 day
• Itinerary to get to know Barcelona in 3 days

One of the best things about visiting Barcelona is having the opportunity to admire some of the most remarkable creations of the visionary architect Antonio Gaudí, who, inspired by organic forms, enhanced the modernist architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Your first day will be spent touring these works and then admiring the best of Barcelona's Gothic architecture. Wake up early on the morning of your first day to explore the two largest works (in terms of fame and size) of the famous Gaudí.

To save time and effort I recommend buying your combined tickets to Park Güell and Sagrada Familia.

Güell Park

Located in the north of the city, Park Güell is a magnificent extension of approximately 17 hectares in which Gaudí's sculptural creativity blends spectacularly with the natural surroundings. It was commissioned by Eusebi Güell, the architect's greatest patron, and although the project began as a residential complex, the idea was soon abandoned.

You will find animal figures of impossible sizes adorned with small coloured mosaics. Gaudí took advantage of the sloping terrain to create a relaxing uphill walk, so I recommend you climb to the top of the Calvary Monument forpanoramic viewsof Barcelona.

• Opening hours: From 8:00 am to 9:00 pm. Closing time may vary slightly at certain times of the year.
• Entry fee: From €10 per person for an adult ticket.
• Duration of the visit: I recommend spending about 2 hours touring the park.
• Transport or route: The nearest metro stop is Lesseps (line 3), located a few minutes' walk from the entrance.

The Sagrada Familia

After your visit to Park Güell I recommend you spend some time exploring Gaudí's most famous modernist work and the most famous monument in Barcelona.

You can find organised tours in Barcelona that include a visit to Park Güell and the Sagrada Familia.

There is a lot to see inside the Sagrada Familia, so I recommend whenever possible to hire an expert guide for a memorable tour; when it comes to Gaudí's work, it's worth the investment!

• Opening hours: From 9am to 6pm in winter, 8pm in summer and 7pm the rest of the year.
• Entry fee: Around €17 for an adult ticket.
• Duration of visit: I recommend spending about 2 hours touring the imposing monument.
• Transport or route: From Park Güell the best way to get there is to take the Barcelona tourist bus which stops at both destinations. You can also take public transport with the V19 bus.

Stroll through l'Eixample

Continue the walking tour exploring other architectural gems of the Eixample district until you reach the oldest part of the city with one of its most emblematic neighbourhoods: Barcelona's Gothic Quarter.

Go to La Pedrera in Barcelona

La Pedrera is the nickname that another of Gaudí's magnificent residential works earned after its construction, although its real name is Casa Milá and it was completed in 1912.

It's well worth a tour of the interior of La Pedrera to take in its sculptural appearance, its curvaceous interiors and its fabulous rooftop terrace, from which you can enjoy spectacular views of the heart of Barcelona.

• Opening hours: From 9 am to 6.30 pm from November to February and until 8.30 pm from March to October.
• Admission fee: From €22 for an adult ticket.
• Duration of visit: One hour to visit all levels and go up to the roof.
• Transport or route: From your location around the Sagrada Familia I recommend taking the tourist bus or, failing that, the public bus lines 33 and 34.

Get to know Casa Batlló

Located on Passeig de Gràcia, one of the most beautiful avenues in Barcelona, is Casa Batlló, a work of Gaudí's civil architecture.

Explore the interior of Casa Batlló in depth to discover a magical building unlike any other residential space you've ever seen.

• Opening hours: From 9am to 9pm every day. At certain times of the year they may close earlier.
• Entry fee: From €25 for an adult ticket.
• Duration of visit: The tour inside will only take 1 hour.
• Transport or route: From Casa Milà, Batlló is located just 3 streets away, on the same avenue Paseo de la Gracia.

Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas

Located in the heart of Barcelona, Plaça Catalunya is the starting point of one of the most iconic and important avenues in the Catalan capital, as well as being the point where the old town converges with the totally modernist part of the city that you've already visited in the morning.

Las Ramblas is a place full of colour, art and life; it's worth spending a few hours wandering its streets. Have a coffee in a bar-restaurant and soak up the lively atmosphere and the warmth of the place.

• Transport: From your location at La Casa Batlló follow your route along Paseo de la Gracia until you reach Plaza Cataluña, which is only a 9-minute walk away.

Visit Barcelona Cathedral

On your way along Avenida las Ramblas take a short detour to see the Barcelona Cathedral.

One of the wonders of Gothic architecture in Spain, the temple was built in the 14th century and houses some truly impressive interiors. Don't miss the Crypt of Santa Eulalia located just below the main altar. If you don't have time for a tour, at least admire the fabulous façade.

• Opening hours: From 8.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 5.45 pm to 7.30 pm.
• Entrance fee: Entrance to the temple is free, if you want to visit the terrace you will have to pay 3€; if you want to visit the museum and the chapel you will have to pay 7€.
• Duration of the visit: Approximately one hour.

Visit the Boqueria market in the evening

Spend the late afternoon and evening touring one of the city's most emblematic spots and also one of the places most loved by the locals, the iconic Boqueria Market.

In approximately 2,500 square metres you'll find no less than 300 stalls focused mainly on gastronomy.

Make the most of your evening to eat delicious local food in one of the many establishments you'll find inside the Boqueria.

• Opening hours: From 08h to 20:30h. Monday to Saturday.
• Admission fee: Free
• Duration of the visit: As long as you like.
• Transport or route: The market is located directly on La Rambla street, so I recommend you go as soon as you finish your tour.

Your second day in Barcelona will be spent marvelling at its beautiful beaches, neighbourhoods and green landscapes. Barcelona's Mediterranean climate makes it the perfect destination to enjoy this type of environment no matter what time of year you decide to explore.

Ciutadella Park

Start the morning of your second day with a leisurely stroll through what was, for a long time, Barcelona's only public park.

It can be a great place to hang out, especially if you're visiting Barcelona with kids, as its 17+ hectares include an extensive garden area to play in, a lake, a greenhouse and the Barcelona Zoo (which I recommend exploring on a more leisurely 4+ day trip to Barcelona ).

• Opening hours: Always open
• Admission fee: Free
• Duration of visit: As long as you like
• Transport or route: The nearest metro or tram stop is Ciutadella / Vila Olímpica.

Walk through La Barceloneta to the Olympic Port:

Leaving the Ciutadella Park behind, take a leisurely stroll through La Barceloneta until you reach the Olympic Port area. La Barceloneta is a favourite neighbourhood for tourists touring the city, famous for its seaside atmosphere and beautiful beaches. In its narrow streets you will find old buildings with facades that have been preserved for more than 200 years.

Take an early lunch at the Olympic Port

Located between two of **Barcelona'**s most beautiful beaches, Somorrostro and Nova Icaria, is the most attractive marina on the Mediterranean coast: the Olympic Port.

As well as offering spectacular scenery, this place is ideal for a delicious lunch in one of the many restaurants overlooking the sea that you can find in the area. Here are some suggestions.

• La Fonda del Port Olímpic, a restaurant serving traditional Spanish cuisine.
• La Taberna Gallega de Marcos, one of the best places for Galician and Mediterranean food.
• Paco Alcalde, ideal for paella, seafood or any type of fish.
• El Cangrejo Loco, Mediterranean and Catalan food. Its terrace is really beautiful.

Spend the afternoon at Montjüic Mountain

Montjuic Mountain is an elevated piece of land, very close to the old part of the city, which in former times was used as a military watch post.

However, two important interventions were carried out here: the first in 1929 in preparation for the Universal Exhibition and the second in 1992 in preparation for the celebration of the Olympic Games in Spain.

These interventions served to convert this area of the city into an important tourist attraction comprising several attractions among which it is worth highlighting:

• Montjüic Castle: Located at the top of the mountain, it is an old military fortress that serves as a viewpoint. From this place you can take great panoramic photographs of the city.
• Pueblo Español: Created to honour the different peoples and customs of Spain.
• National Art Museum: Considered one of the best museums in Barcelona, it exhibits Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, modern and contemporary art.
• Montjuic Fountain: After sunset this beautiful fountain offers a truly impressive light show.
• How to get there: You can go up to the top using the Montjuic cable car. You just need to take the metro (line L2 or L3) to the Paral-lel stop or the Barcelona tourist bus.
• Opening hours: The cable car operates from 10am until 6pm in winter, until 9pm in summer and until 7pm the rest of the year.

Have a night of bars and tapas in Barcelona

The best way to bid farewell to your last night in Barcelona is to take a tour of bars and tapas after sunset.

In the Catalan capital you'll find several companies offering this experience and you can count on the company of an expert guide who will take a small group of tourists through some of the best bars in the area. The best part? The historical tidbits and amusing anecdotes are always guaranteed.

• Hours: Varies depending on the company you hire.
• Price: This type of experience is available from approximately €50.
• Duration: Approximately three hours.