If you’re looking to take a trip somewhere else in Europe other than France, Italy, or the United Kingdom, then Spain is definitely one of your best options! And, of course, the best way to start is by exploring its capital, Barcelona. The city boasts so many wonders, such as the Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera - Casa Milà, and Mercat de la Boqueria.
But if you’ll only be doing a day trip, then you have to visit its most famous sites! With that, here’s how you can travel Barcelona using different day tours or a combination of must-visit attractions.
Travel Barcelona with the Barcelona City Card & Express Card 🚍
Enjoy discounts at selected attractions when you get a Barcelona City Card & Express Card
Before anything else, you need to secure your essentials first. And since you have plans to travel Barcelona for at least a day, then we highly recommend getting a Barcelona City Card & Express Card. This card allows you to have 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours of unlimited travel on some of the city’s public transportation, like the metro and buses run by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona-TMB and Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya-FGC city services. You also get unlimited access to suburban trains, trams, and more!
Forget about keeping multiple tickets just to get around. With this one pass, you get to travel around easily and quickly, the perfect way to save both time and money!
Must-Visit Attractions📍
1. Sagrada Familia
Starting off the list is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Barcelona’s most famous attraction, the Sagrada Familia. Its unfinished structure is what makes it such a popular site among locals and travelers. When you visit, make sure to take a closer look at the intricate details and overall astounding architecture that reveal the beauty of Spanish art. The Sagrada Familia has been under construction for over 140 years now, but that just proves how dedicated and committed the Spanish are.
You’ll also find that the columns inside the basilica resemble towering trees
While the exterior is already more than enough to marvel at, its interiors are just as stunning because of the stained glass windows and sculptures that portray scenes from the Bible.
2. Park Guell
Park Guell is the perfect attraction to visit if you’re looking for a tranquil escape from the bustling city.
This next one is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Park Guell is known for its architecture and mosaics. Also designed by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, this attraction uses vibrant colors, making it a postcard-worthy destination. Since it’s located on top of a hill, visitors get to see city views from Park Guell, as well as some other features, such as the Dragon Stairway, Serpentine Bench, mosaic-covered terrace, and more!
3. Casa Batlló
Antoni Gaudí used several materials for Casa Batlló, such as wood, stained glass, iron, and stone
When you travel Barcelona, you have to visit Casa Batlló! It’s another one of Antoni Gaudí’s creations, easily making it a must-see. Casa Batlló is known for its distinct style, being an example of Catalan Modernism (a late 19th- and early 20th-century artistic and cultural movement in Catalonia, Spain), like the Sagrada Familia.
Apart from being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it also boasts a whimsical and immersive experience, taking you on a journey into how Antoni Gaudí viewed nature through features like a dragon-shaped roof, mushroom-shaped fireplaces, and so many more.
4. Flamenco Show at Tablao Flamenco Cordobes
Watching a flamenco show will definitely connect you deeply to Spanish culture and tradition
If you still have some time left in your day, one good way to wrap up your trip is by immersing yourself in Barcelona’s culture through one of their traditional art forms, flamenco. This Flamenco Show at Tablao Flamenco Cordobes will delight you with its cave-like interiors that play well with the sound of flamenco onstage. Get ready to watch over 15 performers dancing with passion and love for their tradition and culture.
To level up your experience, you can opt to purchase a ticket to the show that comes with dinner so that as you watch the traditional flamenco show, you also get to taste local cuisine through a buffet with over 40 delicacies and unlimited drinks (beer, sangria, water, coffee, and more).
Must-Experience Day Tours 📝
Now, if you don’t want to manually fix up your itinerary, there’s an easy solution to that — Barcelona tours! Here are some Barcelona tours you should consider during your trip:
1. Barcelona Full Day Walking Tour
Casa Milà is also an example of Catalan Modernism, like the Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló
This Barcelona full-day walking tour will take you to all of the city’s most iconic architectural sites, all in one day! The tour will take you to Antoni Gaudí’s wondrous creations, such as Casa Vicens, Casa Milà, Casa Batlló, and, of course, the Sagrada Familia.
During the tour, you will be given some time to have lunch, and you can go around the area to pick where you’d like to grab a bite before continuing the tour. Please take note that lunch will not be provided.
And hey, you can choose your preferred language for the guide when booking. Your options include English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.
2. Barcelona Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Going on a hop-on hop-off bus tour is a convenient way to explore Barcelona
Going on a bus tour is always so much fun! And yes, you get to do it in this city too through the Barcelona hop-on hop-off bus tour. This type of tour gives you the freedom to explore Barcelona at your own pace, as you get to ride or get off the bus as you please (at the right bus stops, of course). Some stops include Plaça de Catalunya, Sagrada Familia, Arc de Triomf, Torre Glòries, Casa Batlló, and more!
The hop-on hop-off bus tour also allows you to create your own itinerary
There’s Wi-Fi onboard, and you will also be spoiled by amazing views of the city since it will be an open-top double-decker bus.
3. Sagrada Familia Guided Tour
You just can’t leave Barcelona without a visit to the Sagrada Familia!
True enough, the Sagrada Familia is the highlight of Barcelona. So, if you want to experience the attraction to the fullest, then consider getting this Sagrada Familia guided tour. Your local guide will let you in on some stories and possible hidden meanings behind some details of the site’s interiors. Since you’ll be spending over an hour at the basilica, you also have the opportunity to take close-up shots of each and every detail that will catch your eye. The best part about this guided tour is that it also gives you access to the Sagrada Familia’s tower, where you’ll see breathtaking views of Barcelona!
And hey, since this tour will only last about an hour and 15 minutes, you can still add more to your day trip from the list we mentioned earlier in the article.
4. Montserrat Monastery Classic Tour from Barcelona
Montserrat promises scenic mountain views, as well as sacred sites that will give you a deeper understanding of Spain’s culture
For those who have time to spare and want to explore outside of (but close to) Barcelona, this Montserrat Monastery classic tour is the one for you. Montserrat is a mountain in Catalonia, Spain. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The bus or minivan will first drop you off at Montserrat station. From there, you can either take a cogwheel train or cable car to ascend to the Monastery. Once you get to the Monastery, you can visit some must-see sites, such as the Black Madonna of Montserrat, a statue of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, as well as watch the Montserrat Boy's Choir (Escolania de Montserrat) perform some sacred music.
Klook Tip: Make sure to put on sunscreen and wear hiking shoes for this tour!]
You’re now more than prepared and ready to plan your one-day trip to Barcelona. Go and book your tickets, pack your bags, and explore the best of Barcelona! 🇪🇸
FAQs
1. How many days in Barcelona is enough?
It depends on your trip and what you want to do. If you want to explore just some highlights of Barcelona, then you can definitely do so through day tours. If you have more days to allot for Barcelona, the ideal number of days is about 3 to 4 for short trips and 5 or more for longer stays.
2. Dos and Don'ts in Barcelona?
Some dos include:
- Learn a few Spanish words or phrases.
- Respect the siesta culture. This means that some shops will be closed from 2pm to 5pm.
- Try local food and wine like tapas, paella, and crema catalana.
- Dress appropriately for sacred sites.
Some don’ts include:
- Don’t eat dinner before 8pm. Dinner is typically eaten at 8pm onward in Spain.
- Don’t tip generously. They accept tips, but ideally only spare change.
- Don’t just take photos whenever you like. Some shops require permission.
- Don’t wear uncomfortable clothes or footwear. Take note that you will always be moving around or walking in Barcelona.
3. Is Barcelona walkable?
Yes, Barcelona is a very walkable city.
4. What is the best month to visit in Barcelona?
The best months to visit Barcelona are May, June, September, and October, as they offer the best weather — not too hot and not too cold. There are also fewer crowds during these months.
