Eixample
A good base for a long week: well connected and close to Passeig de Gràcia, with plenty of restaurants and hotels of every kind.
Itinerary · Barcelona
Barcelona in 7 Days: Day-by-Day Itinerary
A 7-day Barcelona itinerary: Gaudí, neighbourhoods, Montjuïc, Camp Nou, Tibidabo and two day trips, to Girona and Montserrat, with no rush and no stress.
- 7days
- 25stops
- 13Areas
This 7-day itinerary is for those who want to get to know Barcelona in depth without rushing. It combines the Gaudí classics, the old town, the viewpoints and Montjuïc with more relaxed days in Gràcia, Pedralbes and the waterfront. It also sets aside two days to leave the city: one to Girona, with its medieval old town, and another to Montserrat, with its monastery high in the mountains. Each day focuses on one area to keep journeys short.
From El Prat airport you have several options. The Aerobús leaves from T1 and T2 and reaches Plaça Catalunya in about 35 minutes. The L9 Sud metro connects both terminals to the network and requires the specific airport ticket. The Rodalies R2 Nord train leaves from T2 for Sants and Passeig de Gràcia; from T1 you reach it by the free shuttle bus.
Tips
- A multi-journey transport card pays off if you travel by metro and bus every day.
- Keep an eye on your bag and phone on La Rambla, on the metro and in the most touristy spots: pickpockets are common.
- Book the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Gaudí’s houses, the Palau de la Música and Camp Nou in advance, especially in high season.
- Lunch is late, around two o’clock, and dinner starts from nine. Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner.
- For Girona and Montserrat, set off early and check the train times the day before; at weekends they fill up.
- With seven days you can change the order depending on the weather: save the viewpoints and the beach for clear-sky days.
Day 1
Gaudí and the Eixample
Sagrada Família
Eixample
Gaudí's basilica, still under construction, is the city's great icon. Book your ticket in advance and try to get in first thing, when it is less crowded and the light through the stained glass is at its prettiest.
Hospital de Sant Pau
Eixample
A Modernista complex by Domènech i Montaner, a ten-minute walk along Avinguda de Gaudí. It is much quieter than the Sagrada Família, and its decorated pavilions can be explored at a leisurely pace.
Casa Batlló
Eixample
One of Gaudí's most famous houses, right on Passeig de Gràcia. You can admire the façade from the pavement, but inside the light well and the roof terrace are the highlights.
Casa Milà (La Pedrera)
Eixample
A few minutes' walk away, its roof terrace of sculptural chimneys makes a fitting finale to the day. Afterwards, take a relaxed stroll along Passeig de Gràcia at dusk.
Day 2
Barri Gòtic, El Born and Barceloneta
Barri Gòtic
Ciutat Vella
The old town brings together the cathedral, Plaça de Sant Jaume and medieval alleyways just steps from La Rambla. A guided tour helps you understand the history of each corner and keeps you from getting lost in the streets.
La Rambla and La Boqueria market
Ciutat Vella
La Rambla is more of a promenade than a destination, and you should look after your belongings. At La Boqueria, you are better off buying fruit or juices than sitting down to eat at the most touristy stalls.
El Born and Museu Picasso
El Born
Narrow streets, small shops and the basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. The Museu Picasso occupies several medieval palaces and fills up early, so book an afternoon slot.
Palau de la Música Catalana
Sant Pere
Another Modernista gem, with a concert hall covered in stained glass and mosaics. It is visited on a guided ticket, which is worth booking, and if you can attend a concert the experience is even better.
Barceloneta
Barceloneta
End the day by the sea, with a walk along the port and the beach. For dinner, look for a rice or seafood restaurant in the inner streets of the neighbourhood, and leave time to watch the sunset from the seafront promenade.
Day 3
Park Güell, Gràcia and the Bunkers del Carmel
Park Güell
Gràcia
Gaudí's Modernista park has colourful mosaics and views over the whole city. Access to the monumental zone is limited, so book in advance and arrive early.
Gràcia neighbourhood
Gràcia
Walking down from the park, you reach a neighbourhood with a village feel, squares with café terraces and local shops. It is a good place for lunch without the crowds of the centre.
Bunkers del Carmel
El Carmel
A 360-degree viewpoint over the city and the sea, built on old anti-aircraft shelters. Go up in time for the sunset, and bring water and a layer in case it is windy.
Tapas dinner in Gràcia
Gràcia
Head back down to the neighbourhood for dinner in one of its squares. A guided tapas tour lets you try local dishes without having to choose between dozens of bars.
Day 4
Montjuïc and Poble-sec
Montjuïc and MNAC
Montjuïc
The hill brings together museums, gardens and viewpoints over the port. The Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) is housed in the Palau Nacional, and its terrace offers one of the best views in the city.
Gardens and Fundació Joan Miró
Montjuïc
The Montjuïc gardens invite you to stroll among fountains and viewpoints. The foundation holds Miró's work in a modern building, and the afternoon is a good time to visit, with fewer people.
Montjuïc Castle
Montjuïc
Take the cable car up to the castle: from its walls you can see Barcelona's port and the coast. It is a military fortress that is now visited as a viewpoint and museum.
Font Màgica and Poble-sec
Poble-sec
Head down to the Font Màgica, whose light and water show runs on specific days that are worth checking beforehand. Afterwards, have dinner in Poble-sec, famous for its pintxo and tapas bars on Carrer de Blai.
Day 5
Camp Nou, Pedralbes and Tibidabo
Spotify Camp Nou
Les Corts
FC Barcelona's stadium is visited with a museum and a tour of the facilities. Check the state of the building works and the match schedule beforehand, as both affect the visit.
Monastery of Pedralbes
Pedralbes
A very well-preserved Gothic cloister in a quiet residential neighbourhood. It is a short, peaceful visit that contrasts with the atmosphere of the stadium.
Tibidabo
Collserola
The highest peak in the Collserola range offers sweeping views and a century-old amusement park. You get there on the blue tram and the funicular; the view from the top makes the journey worthwhile.
Day 6
Girona, the medieval city
Girona Old Town
Girona
You get there on the high-speed train from Sants in under an hour. Its stone streets, the cathedral and the stairways lead to the heart of the old city.
Girona Cathedral
Girona
The cathedral towers over the city from the top of a monumental flight of steps. Its Gothic nave is one of the widest in Europe, and the Romanesque cloister is well worth a visit.
El Call, the Jewish Quarter
Girona
A set of narrow alleyways that were once the medieval Jewish community, with stairways, arches and small squares. An unhurried stroll is the best way to explore it, and it is worth having lunch afterwards in one of the nearby squares.
Onyar houses and the city walls
Girona
The colourful houses along the River Onyar are Girona's postcard view. Afterwards, climb up to the walls to follow a stretch with views over the rooftops and bell towers, and leave time to get back to the station with a margin before the return train.
Day 7 · Day trip
Montserrat
Montserrat
Montserrat is an hour from the city. Take the R5 train from Plaça Espanya to Monistrol or Aeri de Montserrat station, then go up to the monastery by rack railway or cable car. There you can see the Moreneta, walk the trails with views and have something to eat in the area.
Barcelona
Where to stay in Barcelona
Barri Gòtic and El Born
For sleeping right in the old town and doing everything on foot. It is lively at night, so choose your street carefully if noise bothers you.
Gràcia
A good choice if you prefer a neighbourhood atmosphere, with squares and bars, without giving up a quick metro connection to the centre.
Barceloneta and Poblenou
For those who want the beach and a quieter pace. It is a bit far from Gaudí's works, but there is a metro and tram nearby.
Itinerary · Barcelona
More Barcelona itineraries
3 days
Barcelona in 3 days
- Day 1 Gaudí and the Eixample
- Day 2 Barri Gòtic, El Born and Barceloneta
- Day 3 Park Güell, Gràcia and Montjuïc
5 days
Barcelona in 5 days
- Day 1 Gaudí and the Eixample
- Day 2 Barri Gòtic, El Born and Barceloneta
- Day 3 Park Güell, Gràcia and Montjuïc
- Day 4 Palau de la Música, Ciutadella and the Collserola Hills
- + 1 day
Frequently asked questions
Are seven days too many for Barcelona?
Not if you want to combine the city, the beach and day trips. In a week you can see the neighbourhoods at a relaxed pace and spend a couple of days outside the city.
Girona or Sitges for the second day trip?
This itinerary suggests Girona for its medieval old town. Sitges is a good alternative if you prefer the beach, and it is also reachable by train.
Is it worth changing accommodation during the week?
Usually not. Barcelona has good public transport, so a single central base is enough for the whole itinerary.
Photo credits
- Sagrada Família: Canaan, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Casa Batlló: ChristianSchd, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Casa Milà (La Pedrera): Thomas Ledl, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Barri Gòtic: Llull, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Park Güell: essetefano, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Montjuïc: Fabio Alessandro Locati, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons