Barcelona contains an entire world of sights, culture and flavours that require time to experience fully.

However, sometimes you just have a few precious hours in town and you want to experience the best of the best. To that, we say salud to you and your eagerness to explore! Here’s how to spend 24 hours in Barcelona to get a taste for the Catalan capital.

Tastes & Traditions Food Tour

Start off your 24 hours in Barcelona on a delicious note! Walking tours are a great way to get the lay of the land in a new city, and a food tour takes things up a delicious notch. A walking foodie tour will take you through two of Barcelona’s most authentic, historic neighbourhoods. You’ll start learning your way around town, get a feel for local culture and taste some of our favourite local food!

Check out our Tastes & Traditions walking tour of Barcelona here!

Lunch Like A Local Or Visit The Museum

You probably won’t be hungry after eating your way around Barcelona all morning. However, if you’d like to check out Barcelona’s foodie scene on your own, we suggest hanging around the Barceloneta area for lunch. A traditional fishermen’s barrio, this off-the-beaten-path neighbourhood is full of friendly locals and authentic charm. 

Not hungry? After your tour ends in Barceloneta, you’ll be within walking distance to some of Barcelona’s best museums! The Catalan History Museum (Plaça de Pau Vila, 3), housed in a former 19th-century waterfront warehouse, allows you to take a look back at the history of this fascinating part of Europe. If you fancy yourself an art aficionado, the Picasso Museum (Carrer Montcada, 15-23) in Born pays a perfect tribute to the iconic Spanish cubist.

 
Picasso Museum

Stroll Through The City Centre Towards La Sagrada Familia

Start at Plaça Reial in the Gothic Quarter and head north up Las Ramblas towards Plaça de Catalunya. While this is quite a touristy street, it’s one of the city’s most famous sights and a must-see for 24 hours in Barcelona.

Soon, you’ll start heading towards the most iconic sight in the city: La Sagrada Familia. Catalan architect Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece lies in the heart of the Eixample neighbourhood. If you’re interested in seeing the inside, we highly recommend booking your tickets online in advance to avoid long lines! However, this stunning church will take your breath away from the outside as well. It’s an absolute must during your 24 hours in Barcelona.

 
La Sagrada Familia

Merienda In Gracia

The charming, authentic Gracia neighbourhood used to be a completely separate village until Barcelona swallowed it up in its massive expansion! However, it still retains its small-town charm even centuries later. You can’t spend 24 hours in Barcelona without spending some time wandering through Gracia’s picturesque narrow streets.

Late afternoon-early evening is nowhere near dinner time for the locals. Instead, join them for merienda—a traditional snack is eaten between lunch and dinner. It’s usually something sweet accompanied by coffee or tea. Stop at Pastisseria Príncipe (Carrer de les Guilleries, 10) for a sweet pick-me-up. We love this Arabic bakery so much, we included it as a stop on our Gracia Neighborhood Food & Market Tour!

 
Gracia Neighbourhood

Sunset At Park Guell

Need more Gaudí? You’re in luck! There are many stunning places to watch the sunset in Barcelona, but the colourful park is one of the best. Spend some time wandering amongst the buildings at Park Guell, which looks like a fairytale gingerbread house come to life. As evening falls over the city, head up to the top of the hill and watch nightfall gently blanket the city. This is a must during your 24 hours in Barcelona! Don't miss the sunset during your 24 hours in Barcelona. We recommend checking it out from Park Guell!

 
Park Guell

Dinner In Gracia

Head back into charming Gracia and eat dinner like a local! The neighbourhood is full of fantastic hidden gems most tourists would never find. Whether you want to sample more authentic Catalan fare or have a hankering for tapas, there’s something for everyone! Be sure to check out our guide to the best places to eat in Gracia before you go.

 
Gracia

Experience Barcelona’s Iconic Nightlife

If you’ve only got 24 hours in Barcelona, be sure to spend a few of them experiencing the city’s famous nightlife! With many venues staying open until daylight the next morning, it’s no wonder why locals are so into the siesta culture. Head to one of the city’s best cocktail bars or nightclubs for a night of partying as you’ve never experienced before!

 
Barcelona Nightlife

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