Essential tour: 72 hours in Barcelona

The Catalan capital fascinates us because of its traditional attractions, its innovations and its bustling nightlife

Barcelona is always looking for innovations. We all know that the Catalan capital is full of historical sights and classic tourist activities.
Some of them are strolling through the centenary Boqueria market, going to visit Picasso and Miró’s masterpieces, or posing with Gaudí’s
houses in Parc Güell, which seem to come out of fairy tales. However, the dynamism of the city also shows up in other places. To
discover the current face of Barcelona, we recommend looking for the new contemporary art museums, visiting the fun tapas bars and
enjoying the vibrant nightlife that shakes the outlying districts. It’s essential to have an eye for the new and take time to get to know the
classics. Here you’ll find a special guide for spending 72 unforgettable hours in the city.

Day 1


The ongoing construction of the Sagrada Familia, which began more than 140
years ago, means that two visits to the cathedral are never the same. Even those
who have already visited it should check out the latest developments, such as
the recent installation of the 5-ton luminous star on the second-highest tower of
the church, at 127 meters high. The stained glass, arches, and stonework are
already magnificent, but imagine how spectacular this architectural feat will be
when the extraordinary job is finally completed in four years, according to the
schedule.

For lunch, we recommend one of the best restaurants in the city, Lasarte. It has three Michelin stars and is situated in the Hotel
Monument – reservations are mandatory! The ten-course tasting menu costs €250 per person, but you can also order your meal à la
carte. In this beautiful area, you can walk, stroll through the tree-lined avenues of the city and admire, even superficially, some of the
famous masterpieces of the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Leaving L’Eixample, head up Passeig de Gràcia, passing the curved facade of
Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera, and the fascinating exterior of Casa Batlló. Continue along La Rambla to Palau Güell, an impressive
mansion. Here you can appreciate Gaudí’s genius, from the underground stables to the extravagant chimneys on the roofs. 


A short walk takes you to Tapas 24, one of the best tapas bars in the city, which has been a favorite place of locals and tourists for 15
years. Carles Abellan, one of the most famous chefs in Barcelona, runs this fantastic place. You can’t miss out on trying the exquisite
craft beer that Abellan brews and his famous fried eggs tapas (fried eggs with soft yolk). The finishing touch to this incredible day is a
visit to Eclipse, a buzzing nightclub on the 26th floor of the W Hotel. You’ll dance near the clouds and by the sea!

Day 2

Baluard, a famous, very well-known bakery among the locals, is in the heart
of Barceloneta. The best idea is to fill your picnic basket with Baluard’s
delicious products and enjoy them at the beach. At the exit, take the sand
road: the further north you go, the fewer tourists you’ll find. A great place to
lay out your picnic towel and make the most of it is Bogatell beach, north of
Port Olimpic.
 Take a break at the famous El Xampanyet to have a glass of cava - a typical
Catalan sparkling wine - and delicious anchovy tapas. This place is one of the great
stars of the Born district and is always full of customers, but you won’t regret
waiting for your turn to try its excellent food! The Picasso Museum is on the same
street, where you’ll admire the famous Guernica, among many other masterpieces.
In this neighborhood, you can visit the fascinating European Museum of Modern Art
or MEAM, which exhibits works of classical Catalan sculpture from the 20th century
and examples of contemporary figurative painting.

There is always something new happening at CaixaForum, a cultural center situated in an old textile factory, where you can enjoy
everything from conferences and photography exhibitions to musical performances. The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, a free nightly show
with light and music, is just a few steps away.

Day 3


Montjuic is one of Barcelona’s great attractions, and you can spend four to
five hours admiring its outstanding parks and museums without even
noticing. This beautiful mountain has a privileged view of the city, and you
can effortlessly reach the summit because the 55 bus takes you to the
highest point. Other options are the cable car, or you can walk from the
Plaza de España and use its escalators. You will have a great time visiting
the Olympic complex, the Joan Miró Foundation, Montjuic Castle and the
National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC).

The traditional Boqueria market is a mandatory place to have an excellent

lunch; if you are in Montjuic, you can get to the market by bus or metro. This
fascinating market has been operating since the 19th century, and it has
more than 250 stalls and a wide variety of products – you must try its
delicious artisanal hams and salami! Leaving the market, walk a few minutes
to the Palau de la Música Catalana, where there are guided tours that take
you to its great concert halls. Take the opportunity to have a cup of coffee on
the first floor and have a look at the fantastic entrance portal.

To end your stay in the city, visit El Paraigua, an excellent place to have a drink. This exciting bar has a modernist design upstairs and
music in a brick-walled basement downstairs.

What do you think of these 72 hours in Barcelona? Let's go!

ADVERTISING
4 fantastic beaches that you can’t miss in Barcelona


You’ll freak out with this beach itinerary in one of Spain’s favorite tourist destinations

A short getaway to the old continent is our best suggestion for today! We want to take you on an extraordinary tour of Barcelona’s best
beaches so you can prepare your itinerary and make the most of the next European summer.

And don’t forget to pack your swimwear before starting your trip to Spain!

Playa de La Barceloneta



Its 578 meters in length make this charming beach one of Barcelona’s largest
and most traditional. It’s also the most popular beach because it’s situated right
in the center, so tourists and foreigners visiting the coast of Barcelona can get
there quickly by public transport. You can also try delicious dishes on the menus
of the varied Mediterranean restaurants.

One of the reasons for being one of the most visited beaches is that there are many great attractions for tourists to have fun enjoying
different activities on the beach. La Barceloneta offers a wide range of exciting sports and fun leisure facilities, including volleyball courts,
exercise areas, ping pong tables, bicycle rentals and playgrounds.

2. Playa de Sant Miquel


The name of this lovely beach is related to its closeness to the majestic
Church of Sant Miquel del Port and is one of the most popular beaches in the
city, like La Barceloneta, although this one is smaller. Its length of 420 meters,
however, doesn't mean that the intense energy and lively atmosphere of the
beach are less than in La Barceloneta!

Everybody can visit this beautiful beach because it has easy access points for tourists with reduced mobility.
 3. Playa Nova Icària



Sometimes we need to disconnect ourselves for a while and take a break. Then,

if you want to spend a quiet and relaxed time in front of the sea, our tip is to

enjoy the advantages that Nova Icària beach offers. Its peaceful atmosphere

invites you to relax, which is why it’s one of the favorite destinations for families

with children and groups of friends. Besides resting, you can also have much fun

and enjoy the beach energy by spending a great time in the leisure spaces

playing volleyball on its courts or ping-pong with your friends.

In its 400 meters of extension, the stunning beach of Nova Icària stands out for being inclusive for everyone, just like Sant Miquel,

because its areas for people with disabilities count on the help of volunteers so they can get refreshed in a delightful sea bath.

4. Playa Mar Bella


Mar Bella is the most popular beach for young visitors with a relaxed profile. It

extends for 500 meters, and a curious fact is that it was renovated during the

urban remodeling carried out on Barcelona’s coast to celebrate the 1992 Olympic

Games. Its captivating atmosphere is full of entertainment and offers various

options for trying different foods and drinks and practicing multiple sports. Let’s

not forget to mention that one of its most striking features is its space used as

a nudist beach!

Also, suppose you want to face the unique challenge of living a marine adventure. In this case, Mar Bella has a nautical base that is the

starting point for exciting water activities, such as a sailing cruise and a kayak tour along the charming coast, catamaran tours and much

more!



Don’t forget to write down this exciting itinerary along the charming Barcelona coast! So prepare your trip with LATAM!
3 one-day tours that you can’t miss, departing from Barcelona

Recommendations to enjoy Girona, Montserrat and/or Andorra in one day

Going to the fantastic city of Barcelona is worth an entire trip. However, its surroundings are also fascinating: there are charming historic
villages, excellent ski resorts in the Pyrenees region, and even a tiny country just a few hours from the Catalan capital.

Let’s show you three options for a return trip departing from Barcelona.

Montserrat

It’s probably the best known one-day trip departing from Barcelona. Montserrat is the perfect destination for anyone
looking to escape, even for a few hours, from the whirlwind of the big city.

The impressive city of Montserrat is at the same time a monastery, a mountain, a national park, a basilica and a
sanctuary. At over 1,200 meters high and shaped in a unique way, rounded and eroded over millions of years, Montserrat
dominates a large area with its stunning rock formations, which can be seen even from Mallorca on clear days. This place
is sacred for the Catalans since it’s home to Our Lady of Montserrat sculpture, the patron saint of Catalonia, carved in
the 12th century. Although this piece is only 95 cm high, it makes this place a pilgrimage point for devotees and a huge
tourist attraction.

Also, because of its unique geographical location, Montserrat is one of Spain’s best trekking and hiking destinations, with a network of
paths to discover countless beauties. The mountain also offers excellent climbing opportunities for more experienced mountain lovers.

Near the monastery, you can buy tickets to go up the funicular, on an almost vertical path to the top of the enormous mountain. This
structure was inaugurated in 1918, connecting the monastery and Sant Joan hermitage with a fantastic viewpoint at the top of the hill.
In 1997, the infrastructure was modernized, and new panoramic vehicles were added to the funicular so that visitors would enjoy the
fantastic view.

How to get there:

Car: Barcelona and Montserrat are only 53 km away so you can get there in about 40 minutes by car.


Train: Regional trains run between the cities, covering the journey in just over an hour.

Andorra

This small country between Spain and France is the only one where Catalan is the official language. Many spanish
people define Andorra as “The Country of the Pyrenees,” referring to the majestic mountain range representing the
frontier between Spain and France. Much of the tourism explored by the country has always focused on its exuberant
nature. Skiing, trekking and mountaineering are widespread practices among its many visitors - the country receives
around 10 million tourists a year - thanks to its average altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level.

Romanesque art and architecture are part of the country’s rich past, and visiting its many attractive churches is one of the best things to
do in Andorra. More than 40 date back to medieval times and can be admired in a simple car trip across the country. We recommend
you visit the churches in summer since most are closed in winter. For example, Sant Climent de Pal church was built at the end of the
11th century and has a three-story bell tower with stained glass windows, while Sant Miquel d’Engolasters church is by the roadside and
became famous for its 12th-century paintings.

Instead, if you prefer to venture around the capital, you can go to the Casa de la Vall, a 16th-century building open to visitors, Sant
Esteve church and the beautiful old town.

How to get there:

Car and bus: From Barcelona, the trip by car takes 2h30; by bus, 3h20

Girona

If you have to choose a single destination to visit near Barcelona, we strongly recommend Girona. This
beautiful historic town is considered one of the most important on the Costa Brava, which corresponds to the
stretch of coast between the province of Girona and the French border. In the past, Girona faced several wars,
and the fortresses and walls that witnessed that time are still standing – and well preserved – to this day.



Recently, the city got a new role in international tourism by becoming the setting for the 6th season of the renowned series Game of
Thrones: the cathedral, the streets of the historic center and, of course, the walls appear in several scenes (alert spoiler: at the end of
season six, Cersei blows up the castle where the clan met; that castle is actually Girona Cathedral).


A large part of the city’s activity is concentrated in the historic center and its surroundings, where most streets were closed to vehicular
traffic and became exclusive for pedestrians. The Jewish Quarter is trendy and visited by tourists, and it’s one of the oldest and best-
preserved in Europe. A warning to travelers: consider that Girona is full of stairs, as it is on a hill flanked by the Onyar and Ter rivers. The
best recommendation is to visit the perimeter of the walls to have an unforgettable view from above.


There are several entry points to the walls, but we recommend starting the tour behind the cathedral or in the Jardins de la Muralla. And
don’t forget to take a few minutes to photograph these unique places or climb one of the many towers and walls to get the best view.
Besides, in Girona, you’ll find one of the best restaurants in the world, El Celler de Can Roca, run by the brothers Joan, Josep and Jordi
Roca (you can’t enter without booking, and remember that the restaurant does not open on Sundays or Mondays).


How to get there:


Car: It takes 1h30 to travel the 100 km that separate Barcelona from Girona.


Train: They are high-speed trains, so it takes 30 minutes.


Bus: The journey takes a little less than two hours; the buses leave from the Nord station in Barcelona.

What do you think of our recommendations? Have you already thought about including Girona, Montserrat or Andorra in a tour of
Barcelona?

Follow us

Want to publish with us? Get the Vamos/LATAM media kit

ventas@spafax.com