With its spectacular architecture, unique Catalan culture and inescapably authentic vibes, Barcelona is one of the prettiest and most remarkable cities to visit in Europe. The more time you spend in Barcelona, the deeper your love for this gorgeous city becomes. If your vacation time is limited though, here’s what to do in Barcelona in 4 days for a trip to remember. <music> The capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia, Barcelona is a city built along the coast of northeastern Spain. Famous for the architectural wonders of Antoni Gaudi and other Catalan Modernists that adorn its streets, Barcelona is a city of rich cultural heritage, a destination you should visit at least once in your life. Walking is the best way to explore Barcelona. Yet, the city’s public transport is also very efficient and easy to use. When in Barcelona, don’t miss the chance to mingle with locals in no-frills restaurants and bars. That’s where the city’s real soul resides. But let’s go into more detail about what to do in Barcelona in 4 days. <music> Your first of 4 days in Barcelona should be dedicated to the better part of the Old Town. Barcelona’s Ciutat Vella reflects the melting pot of people and cultures that the city
has been throughout the centuries. Start your walk at the Basilica de Santa
Maria del Mar, a fine example of Catalan Gothic architecture. Right next to the church, you can also see the memorial built in honour of the Catalans who died in the War of the Spanish Succession. Your next stop is the city’s Picasso Museum, one of the best places to visit in Barcelona. Housed in a complex of medieval palaces, the museum features a collection of Pablo Picasso’s early works. From there, take a stroll around the Old Town until you reach Barcelona’s very own Arc de Triomf and the nearby
Parc de la Ciutadella, probably the most popular park in Barcelona. The best place to end your first of four days in Barcelona is La Barceloneta. This seaside neighbourhood was built in the 18th century and it’s famous for its urban sandy beach. One of our favourite parts of Barcelona, La Barceloneta is the ideal place to relax, unwind and enjoy epic city views any time of the day. Before you head back to your hotel,
drop by Can Paixano for a glass - or bottle - of cava, Spain’s signature sparkling wine. <music> Υοur second day on this 4-day Barcelona itinerary is also dedicated to the Old Town. However, this time you’ll be focusing on two specific neighbourhoods: the Gothic Quarter and El Raval. Τhe World Begins With Every Kiss is a mural created in 2014 to commemorate Catalonia Day. The mural is in essence a mosaic of 4000 tiny photos that locals sent to El Periodico newspaper. A stone’s throw from the Kiss mural, several Barcelona attractions await, such as the city’s Cathedral, the remains of the Roman Temple
of Augustus and the Sant Felip Neri Square. The latter is known for Franco’s bombings in 1938 that killed several innocent people, most of whom were children. Continue your walk until your feet bring you close to the sea. This time, there’s no beach to dip your toes in the sand but a beautiful seaside square and promenade. Stroll along the Rambla del Mar, one of Barcelona’s wide boulevards known as Ramblas, until you reach the Columbus Monument. From there, continue on La Rambla, probably the most famous street in Barcelona. A tiny detour will bring you to Reial Square, one of the city’s best nightlife hubs. The square’s lampposts were designed
by Antoni Gaudi. Back on La Rambla, right before you reach your next stop which is the Boqueria Market, look down. An impressive mosaic by Miro awaits. The most famous market in Barcelona, La Boqueria is the best place to grab something to eat, in the company of locals and visitors alike. Resume your walk, this time along the Rambla del Raval and don’t forget to take a selfie
with the street’s most popular resident. No trip to Barcelona is complete without a visit to the city’s oldest bar. The likes of Picasso and Hemingway used to frequent Bar Marsella, drinking absinthe to their heart’s
content. Not much has changed since then. The walls and ceilings of this establishment can attest to that. <music> Even if you’re not an avid architecture lover, Barcelona will amaze you. The city is a study in Catalan Modernism, an architectural trend that emerged at the end of the 19th century. If you’re planning to see Barcelona in 4 days, it’s worth spending a day admiring the city’s several architectural masterpieces. Most of them are in L’ Eixample, Barcelona’s iconic grid-like neighbourhood, constructed at the turn of the 20th century as an expansion of the existing city. The majority of Barcelona’s emblematic modernist buildings were created by Antoni Gaudi, the most famous representative of Catalan Modernist architecture. That said, your first stop for today isn’t one of Gaudi’s buildings but the jaw-dropping Hospital de Sant Pau, one of the finest works of another Catalan Modernist architect, Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Constructed between 1901 and 1930, this architectural wonder was a fully functioning hospital until June 2009. Hospital de Sant Pau is a complex of pavilions surrounded by lovely gardens. Those pavilions are connected by underground tunnels. Stepping inside Hospital de Sant Pau is one of the best things to do in Barcelona for the monument’s historic value and architectural splendour. Next up is the ultimate symbol of Barcelona. La Sagrada Familia is Gaudi’s swan song, a project he had been working on from 1883 until his death in 1926. When Gaudi died, it was estimated that less than 25% of the church was finished. According to Wikipedia, La Sagrada Familia remains the
largest unfinished Catholic church in the world, expected to be completed in 2026. However, this only adds to the monument’s legendary quality. La Sagrada Familia is utterly impressive when looking at it from the outside. Yet, it’s the church’s interior that’s utterly mind-blowing. La Sagrada Familia is unlike any other church you may have seen, a unique masterpiece of architecture that inspires nothing but awe. Passeig de Gracia is one of Barcelona’s most elegant shopping avenues. It is adorned by two of Gaudi’s most famous works, both of which were built as private residences: Casa Mila and Casa Batllo. Casa Batllo is one of Gaudi’s most
recognisable masterpieces. The building’s facade, inspired by the Legend of Saint George, feels like a wild dream coming to life. The building’s interior is equally impressive. As you walk past corridors, windows and doors that seem to have a life of their own, the genius of Gaudi is revealed in the way he tackled mundane aspects, like ventilation or heating. During your visit, you can also enjoy the view from Casa Batllo’s terrace. Right next to Casa Batllo, you can have a look at the beautiful facade of Casa Amatller, another modernist building designed by architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch. Probably the most striking expression of Gaudi’s brilliance is Park Guell, your next stop. Eusebi Guell, a Catalan entrepreneur, envisioned building a community of luxury residences at the top of Carmel Hill. He assigned the project to no other than the master himself, Antoni Gaudi. However, the housing project never came through but Barcelona is graced with one of the
most fascinating parks in the world. The best way to delve into the enchanting world of Gaudi is to join a tour that visits most of his masterpieces while exploring the artist’s genius through fun facts and anecdotes. During our most recent trip to the city, we joined one of the best Gaudi tours in Barcelona. You can find the link to this specific tour in the description below. A short taxi ride from Park Guell, one of the best viewpoints in Barcelona awaits, the perfect place to wrap up your third of 4 days in Barcelona. Turo de La Rovira is a hill overlooking Barcelona, dotted with the remains of anti-aircraft batteries that date back to the Spanish Civil War. This spot is particularly popular with locals who climb the hill to take in the view of their beloved city. By the time your last of 4 days in Barcelona comes, you will have already fallen desperately in love with the Catalan capital. That’s why your last day in Barcelona should be absolutely amazing. We recommend starting with a visit to yet another of Gaudi’s works, the magnificent Casa Vicens in the neighbourhood of Gracia. Gaudi’s first major project, Casa Vicens stands out for its oriental elements, vivid colours and warm interiors. Commissioned by Manuel Vicens i Montaner as a summer residence, Casa Vicens is also home to a quaint garden and a lovely terrace. Gracia is one of the prettiest neighbourhoods in Barcelona. This is why you should allow time for a quick stroll before or after visiting Casa Vicens. An artistic hub and shopping district alike, Gracia is the ideal place to mingle with locals and watch life go by, over a cup of coffee or a glass of vermouth. The neighbourhood’s two main squares, Placa del Sol and Placa de la Vila de Gracia were made for people-watching and sweet, slow-paced moments. Yet, don’t get too carried away. The treasures of Montjuic await and you’ll need as much time as possible to make the most of your visit to Barcelona’s hill of wonders. On or around Montjuic Hill there are
several fantastic things to see and do. What you decide to add to your itinerary is entirely up to you and the time you have to spare. At the foot of Montjuic Hill, it’s worth visiting Shelter 307, one of over 1000 bomb shelters that were built in Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War. A visit to Shelter 307 offers a glimpse into the lives of the locals during the Spanish Civil War. You can visit Shelter 307 on a guided tour only, so don’t forget to make a reservation in advance. The easiest way to get to the top of Montjuic Hill is a combination of the Montjuic Funicular and the Montjuic Cable Car. Once there, don’t miss the chance to learn everything about the Barcelona-born surrealist artist Joan Miro and admire several of his
works at the Joan Miro Foundation. You can then take a relaxing stroll around the Teatre Grec or have a cup of coffee with a view at Salts Montjuic Montjuic Hill is home to several remnants of the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition and the 1992 Olympic Games that were held in the city. The Olympic Stadium, the Palau Nacional that now houses the National Art Museum of Catalonia and the Magic Fountain date back to 1929. The impressive Telecommunications Tower, designed by the famous architect Santiago Calatrava, was erected for the 1992 Summer Olympics. Probably the most incredible thing to see on the hill is Montjuic Castle, an old military fortress that dates back to 1640. To enter the castle, you have to cross an imposing bridge built over a moat. However, our favourite part of Montjuic
Castle is its terrace. From there, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Barcelona, especially at sunset. It’s this view of Barcelona, dyed in the warm colours of the golden hour, that will make you keep going back to a mesmerising city whose charms are even more intoxicating than the cheap absinthe that inspired so many artists to create some of their most celebrated masterpieces in the city they held close to their hearts. If you enjoyed our video about what to
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