2 Days in Barcelona: What to See and Do

Barcelona is a vibrant and historic city with many cultural activities and other ways of entertainment. It’s the perfect destination for a two-day getaway because of its unique mix of gothic and modernist architecture, its incredible beaches and its cosmopolitan vibe. 

If you will be spending 2 days in Barcelona to explore the city, ShBarcelona would like to outline the best it has to offer for your quick visit. In this article you will find a route that shows you all the essentials you wouldn’t want to miss out on. 

What to see in Barcelona on day 1

Morning of the first day

Start your first day in Barcelona by taking a stroll and discovering its most famous street: La Rambla. The city centre is buzzing with tourists, street performers and shops, and we can recommend visiting one of Europe’s most famous markets: the Mercat de la Boquería. This authentic market offers a wide variety of fresh and local produce. There are sweets, spices, fresh fruit, and also meat and seafood. 

This is not the ideal environment to walk around with your bags, and it might be too early to do the check-in at the hotel. But don’t worry! LUGGit offers you the perfect solution, without you having to worry about finding a place to leave your luggage. They offer a complete service that will collect, store and deliver your bags to you, anywhere, anytime.  

Leave La Rambla and head to Barcelona’s Cathedral. The majestic Gothic church dates all the way back to the 14th century. You can go inside and visit the cloister, the chapels and the treasury. Then continue your walk to the Gothic Quarter, which is the historic heart of the city. You will find a myriad of shops here, as well as restaurants, bars, squares, narrow alleys, and medieval buildings. Don’t forget to visit Plaça Sant Jaume. This is where the City Hall and the Generalitat are located. Take your time to have lunch in this part of the city. 

Related article: Tourist Tax in Barcelona – Why, For Who and What is it? 

Afternoon of the first day

After lunch, take metro line L3 (Liceu stop) or L4 (Jaume I stop) to visit the famous Parc Güell. It was designed by renowned modernist architect Antoni Gaudí. Depending on which metro line you take, you get off on the Vallcarca stop (L3) or the Alfons X stop (L4). From there it’s only a short walk to the entrance of the park.  

This lovely green oasis in the middle of the city has quite a number of architectural features and sculptures that were designed by Gaudí. Take your time and visit the main terrace, which offers some of the most amazing views of Barcelona. You can take a free tour to discover the more hidden places.  

After Parc Güell, head back to the city centre for one of Gaudí’s other masterpieces: the Sagrada Família. This is one of the city’s most iconic monuments, and the basilica, which is still under construction, is an absolutely impressive work of art with a unique combination of Gothic architecture, modernism and natural elements. If you’re in awe of the outside, wait until you see inside. The stained glass windows, the central nave and the towers will mesmerize you.  

Then, go over to Passeig de Gràcia at the end of your first day. If you’ve brought walking shoes, you can go by foot, but you can also take the L2. This is where you will find some of Barcelona’s most luxurious shops and characteristic modernist buildings. Two of Gaudí’s most famous structures are here: Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. If there’s still time, check out the inside of these buildings to witness the great designs and the ornament materials. 

What to do in Barcelona on day 2

Morning of the second day

Start your second day by visiting the neighbourhood of El Born. This part of the city is filled with clothes shops, art galleries and gourmet restaurants. Here you can see the well-known church of Santa María del Mar, an impressive gothic building from the 14th century. It’s certainly worth a visit while you’re there. 

Spend the rest of your morning relaxing at Barceloneta Beach. This is one of the city’s most popular beaches, and it’s perfect to soak up some sun, enjoy the views and the sea, and have a drink or lunch at one of the coastal restaurants or beach bars.  

Now is the ideal time to explore the multicultural atmosphere of the neighbourhood of El Raval. This neighbourhood boasts with shops from all over the world. You can visit Barcelona’s Museum of Contemporary Art (the MACBA) here, and because of its impressive collection of contemporary art, this is one of the most important museums of the city. 

Afternoon of the second day

While you’re still in the city centre, take the L3 from Liceu to Plaça Espanya for one of the most spectacular events Barcelona has to offer: the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. The show takes place when it’s dark, and this unique experience of lights and water shouldn’t be skipped.   

As an alternative to the fountain, we invite you to head over to shopping center Arenas de Barcelona. Go up the escalators until you reach the top of the building. From the rooftop you will have a 360° view over a large part of the city. It’s totally free and the ideal moment to take a few pictures!

End your second day in the district of Gracia by taking the L3 again and exiting on the Lesseps stop. Immerse yourself in the bohemian atmosphere of this area, try some local restaurants and visit the boutiques. Gracia is also known for its picturesque squares; perfect to relax and to enjoy your last day in Barcelona.  

Map for 2 days in Barcelona

We have collected the previously mentioned tourist spots for you, so you can see their locations and distance from each other:

As you can see, Barcelona is a bustling and energizing city, and there is so much to see and do. Although two days are definitely not enough to see everything the city has to offer, this guide will show you at least the most iconic places of Barcelona. You can adapt your itinerary according to your personal interests and preferences, and above all: enjoy your visit!