Your family or friends are in town for the weekend and you don’t know what to show them? Check out our guide and make the most of your 2 days in Barcelona with them!

Or, if you’re spending your experience abroad in Spain, the Catalan capital is definitely a must-visit destination and you don’t want to miss anything in your 2 days in Barcelona, don’t you?!

What to do in 2 days in Barcelona 

Barcelona is one of the most famous cities in Spain and in the whole world. It welcomes millions of tourists every year and also many international students and young professionals decide to move here to live an incredible experience abroad. By the way, if you want to settle in Barcelona, get a look here and start your flat hunting.

The perfect amount of days to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of Barcelona and enjoy each side (culture and architecture, nightlife, beach activities) you may need three or four days; but if you only have a weekend available, no worries, we got you!

Here’s a list of the unmissable sights to have the most of your 2 days in Barcelona.

Day 1 in Barcelona: Ciutat Vella and La Barceloneta

The first day will be about the Old City district in Barcelona (Ciutat Vella), which holds many enchanting neighborhoods and cultural attractions: the Gothic neighbourhood, La Rambla, El Born area); it borders with the coastline, where Las Ramblas avenues meet the charming Barceloneta promenade.

Have a walk around the Barrí Gòtic in Barcelona

The Gothic neighbourhood is probably the most popular area: a patchwork of styles - medieval and roman architectures creating a unique, captivating and mystifying atmosphere. It’s located in the heart of Ciutat Vella district and, with its more than 2000 years of history,  it attracts millions of tourists in its mysterious cobblestoned alleys and its enchanting squares. 

Which are the unmissable spots in the Gothic area? Well, first of all the Gothic Cathedral, located in Pla de la Seu,

Keep walking to find the lovely and (over)spotted Bisbe Irurita Street - one of the most Instagrammable views in this neighbourhood - and head to Sant Jaume Square, where the City Hall is located.

Then get amazed by the interesting features of Plaça Reial, a square enriched by palm trees and street lamps designed by Antoni Gaudí.

From Plaça de Catalunya to La Rambla and Mercado de la Boquería 

With a surface of 30.000 square meters, Plaça de Catalunya is one of the biggest in Spain and the most famous in Barcelona. It’s the linking dot between the Old City and the Eixample neighborhood. It’s home to several big shops and restaurants but we suggest you to keep walking toward the main Rambla, a long promenade full of boutiques and tapas bars. It’s quite typical of Barcelona and you won’t find it in many other places in the world.

Right off this avenue, you’ll spot the most popular market in the city. Mercado de la Boquería is the largest market in Barcelona and it’s visited both by international tourists and local folks, because of the great quality and freshness of the products.

Have lunch in El Born area

Fulfilled by uncountable dining spots (both traditional cuisine and international restaurants), El Born is one of the trendiest neighbourhood in Barcelona, the perfect location to spend your lunch or to find a great spot that will liven up your night in the city.

Spend the evening around La Barceloneta and eat paella at the port 

La Barceloneta was the former fisherman village, an area that will amaze you with an interesting maritime history and attractions, beautiful beaches and several restaurants located in the Port Vell, where you can stop by and eat a tasty paella.

Day 2 in Barcelona: Eixample and Gaudí’s architecture

The second one of your 2 days in Barcelona will be about the Eixample neighborhood, mostly characterized by the unique masterpieces of the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and some enchanting attractions slightly out from the city centre.

Check out the Eixample and its cultural attractions

Eixample is a very central neighbourhood, designed by the great city planner Ildefons Cerdá, with the idea of an luminous and spacious area. In fact Eixample along the decades of the 1900 had been a cradle for the Catalan modernism and it’s home to the most famous buildings designed by Gaudí, such as Casa Batllò and Casa Milà.

Here you’ll also find amazing shops and uncountable restaurants and bars.

Visit the Sagrada Familia

You can’t miss this one, THE attraction in Barcelona, what you truly can’t miss at all. Sagrada Familia, the world renowned cathedral and UNESCO heritage site (recently upgraded to “basilica” by the Catholic Pope) is the masterpiece signed by Antoni Gaudí, but that hasn’t come to an end yet. Here you’ll admire pure inspiration from the most diverse styles of architecture and it’s worth visiting from the outside. If you only have 2 days in Barcelona, our tip is to skip the inside tour.

Have a walk in Parc Güell

Another unmissable location signed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Take a couple hours to go there and visit Parc Güell, an UNESCO World Heritage site, home to enchanting gardens and magic architectural features.

At night, get amazed by the magic fountain in Montjuïc

Before heading to a dinner place for your last night in Barcelona, make sure you visit the Magic Fountain, one of the main attractions in Barcelona. It’s located on the top of Montuïc mountain and when the sun goes down it offers an amazing show of music, lights and colours.

We hope you enjoyed our brief guide and our tips to make the most of your 2 days in Barcelona, to spend there with your homies or as a quick plan in case your family is visiting you.