Visit Barcelona in 48 hours: things to do and see
We can already say that Barcelona is a good choice, if not the best, for a city break! A city decorated by Gaudí, the master of modernism, and a city who knows how to take advantage of the Mediterranean seafood at its table. The cultural baggage is from another world. Come on, we have 48 hours ahead!
Explore things to see and do in Barcelona in 2 days, from attractions, activities, gastronomy, culture, events and nightlife.
Transport
Barcelona offers several transport options for exploring the city in 48 hours, including: The Metro, which is efficient, fast and one of the best ways to get around the city; the Bus, whose network is extensive and a good option for getting to places not reachable by Metro; the Hop-On Hop-Off Tourist Bus, giving you the chance to discover Barcelona at your own pace; Taxis, which are available all over the city and are a convenient option, although they can be a little more expensive; and, also, Private Transfers, which offer personalised and exclusive transport, being adjusted according to passengers' individual needs and guaranteeing a tailor-made travel experience.
Attractions
Gothic Quarter and Picasso Museum
Start your day in the “ciutat vella” (old town) to explore Barcelona's most famous neighborhoods, El Born and the Gothic Quarter. Lose yourself in the immensity of Gothic architecture and take some time to visit the Picasso Museum. The artist originally from Malaga lived during his early years as a painter in Barcelona and it is this phase of the artist's life that the museum portrays.
Camp Nou Stadium
In addition to all this cultural value of Barcelona, the city is also home to one of the best football clubs in the world, F.C. Barcelona. If you like football, you are sure not missing a visit to Camp Nou.
Sagrada Familia and Park Guell
Did you really think you would leave Barcelona without visiting Gaudí's works? In fact, the artist spread throughout the city several works of invaluable value, however, with only 48 hours, we chose the most famous and must-visit. We're talking about the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell!
Barceloneta Beach
Located in the Barceloneta neighbourhood, just a few minutes from the centre of Barcelona, this urban beach offers a perfect combination of seaside relaxation and the liveliness of the city. La Barceloneta beach is known for its long stretch of golden sand and is the ideal place to relax, sunbathe and swim in the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Montjuïc
Venture up the Montjuïc Cable Car and discover Montjuïc Park, the Montjuïc Viewpoint and Montjuïc Castle, where you'll enjoy the best panoramic views of Barcelona. Let yourself be enchanted by the beauty of Barcelona, where Gothic and modernist styles intertwine in truly special places in the city, exploring its most significant historic neighbourhoods.
Activities
Helicopter tour
Explore Barcelona's history on a thrilling helicopter flight. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Barcelona coastline and the Mediterranean Sea. Feel the adrenaline as soon as you board this helicopter! This aerial adventure offers a mixture of stimulating sensations and intense emotions.
Bicycle Tour, Cable Car and Boat Trip
Get the chance to enjoy a complete package in Barcelona: a guided e-bike tour, a ticket for the Montjuïc cable car and a relaxing boat trip. Experience the freedom of exploring Barcelona with state-of-the-art electric bikes. They are comfortable, safe and extremely easy to handle. Explore Barcelona from multiple perspectives during this excursion by land, sea and air.
Sunset Cruise
Seize the last minutes of the day enjoying the city sunset. The Mediterranean Sea not only presents Barcelona with the best seafood but also with overwhelming views. Enjoy a relaxing cruise to the sound of jazz music.
Flamenco
End up in a great way and see the art of flamenco at Theatre City Hall! This is a perfect opportunity to feel the culture and soul of these people who sing and dance like if it was the last time.
Discover what makes Flamenco music and dance so unique.
Gastronomy
Markets
Discover fresh flavors in Barcelona food markets. The most popular and the ones we recommend a visit are La Boquería and Santa Caterina markets. Colorful markets where you can experience the local cuisine in the best way, tasting!
Tapas and wine
Probably you didn't wait until the 2nd day to taste the famous tapas and wine! Wherever you go, you will find delicious dishes served in small portions. Take a break and enjoy the most typical Spanish food.
Restaurants
Barcelona is a city that offers a wide variety of restaurants, such as: El Bosc de les Fades, a themed restaurant with a very rich and attractive decor; Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona, which offers a very interesting themed experience, with a variety of classic American dishes; Cerveceria Catalana, one of the most popular places for tapas in Barcelona and with reasonable prices; Bo de B, famous for its generous sandwiches at affordable prices; Els Quatre Gats, which offers an affordable menu of the day, where you can try local dishes for an acceptable price; Adrià, which offers a creative and innovative gastronomic experience; ABaC, a restaurant with three Michelin stars, which offers a high-level gastronomic experience with a surprising tasting menu.
Culture and Events
Museums
Barcelona is home to some of the world's most renowned museums. The aforementioned Picasso Museum is a highlight, but other notable museums include the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona (MACBA) and the Joan Miró Foundation.
Take the opportunity to discover the museums with free entry in Barcelona.
Concert halls
Barcelona is a city with a rich entertainment atmosphere, with a number of venues such as: the Palau de la Música Catalana, an emblematic venue to enjoy concerts of classical music, jazz or Catalan folk music; the Razzmatazz cultural space, which provides a more alternative and underground atmosphere, hosting everything from rock and pop to hip hop and techno; the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona's main opera house and known for its programme of opera, ballet and classical concerts; and the Sala Apolo, an iconic venue offering everything from electronic and indie music to themed parties.
Theatres
You can also check out the programme at: Teatre Liceu, a renowned opera theatre; the Teatro Nacional de Catalunya, to see a play, opera or ballet; the Teatro Lliure, known for its contemporary theatre productions, including Catalan and international plays; and also the Teatro Poliorama, a historic theatre in the heart of Las Ramblas that includes comedy, musicals and much more.
Cinemas
Barcelona offers a wide variety of cinemas, from: Multicine Cinemas, the most common in Barcelona, with Cinesa Diagonal and Yelmo Cines Icaria as the main ones; Art and Rehearsal Cinemas, which show independent and European films, such as Cine Verdi and Filmoteca de Catalunya; Open Air Cinema, during the summer, in various locations around the city, such as beaches, parks and building rooftops; and also Historic Cinemas, with a rich history and charming architecture, such as Cinema Texas.
Festivals
Barcelona is a city that celebrates a series of vibrant festivals throughout the year, such as: La Mercè, Barcelona's main festival, with cultural events, concerts, parades, fireworks and Catalan traditions such as the construction of castells (human towers); Barcelona International Jazz Festival (October/November), one of the biggest jazz festivals in Europe; Grec Festival (June/July), a performing arts event featuring a variety of theatre, dance and music productions; Sonar Festival (June), a popular electronic music festival; and Primavera Sound (June), which features a wide variety of musical genres, including rock, indie, electronic music and hip-hop.
Nightlife
Animated neighbourhoods
Explore the city's different neighbourhoods to discover their unique atmospheres. The Gothic Quarter, already mentioned, and El Raval are known for their charming alleyways and a variety of bars and clubs. The Gràcia neighbourhood offers a more relaxed atmosphere, with plenty of tapas bars and places to have a drink.
Stroll along Las Ramblas
An evening stroll along Las Ramblas is a unique experience. You'll find street musicians, artists and popular nightspots such as the Mercado de La Boqueria, which stays open late.
Rooftop bars
Barcelona has a very pleasant climate at night, which makes rooftop bars excellent places to relax and enjoy drinks with a view of the city. Try the Eclipse, located in the W Barcelona, or the Mirablau, with panoramic views of the city.
Around Barcelona
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Immerse yourself authentically in the essence of Barcelona and the spirituality of Montserrat and let yourself be impressed by the majestic Montserrat Mountain, famous for its rock formations. Also embark on an exciting journey that will lead you to explore the Spanish city that served as the setting for one of the most revered series of all time, Game of Thrones!
You can also explore the Dalí Museum, where you'll find Salvador Dalí's most significant works and where you can immerse yourself in the artist's fascinating life. Also, take the opportunity to explore Costa Brava, which stands out for its majestic mountains, stunning beaches and enchanting maritime atmosphere. Finally, embark on this journey that offers the perfect opportunity to explore the majestic Pyrenees mountains and embark on a fascinating historical experience.
In just two days, you can absorb a lot of the beauty and diversity that Barcelona has to offer, and that beauty of the city always leaves you wanting to come back for more. So plan your itinerary well, make the most of your time and let yourself be enveloped by the charm and energy of this captivating city.
Barcelona is a jewel of Spain, and even a short visit will leave a lasting impression on your memory.
Take the opportunity to also explore the Top 10 activities not to be missed in Barcelona.
If you want to have other experiences when you visit Barcelona, explore the excursions, things to do and Flamenco shows selected for you.
Visit Living Tours for more travel experiences in Portugal and Spain. And explore more travel ideas on the Living Magazine Blog.
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