Here’s my ultimate 4-day Barcelona itinerary, which includes some iconic tourist spots, a few lesser-known museums, and an amazing Spanish tapas and flamenco tour.

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An Ultimate 4 days in Barcelona Itinerary

How many days in Barcelona is ideal?

While I have visited Barcelona on multiple occasions and stayed in the city for 1, 2, and 3 days, I’ve always thought that 4 days in Barcelona is ideal. Barcelona is full of unique landmarks, and if you add the nearby hidden gems or weekend getaways, you could easily stay for a week. However, in my opinion, a 4-day itinerary is the perfect way to see all the best places in Barcelona and plan at least one day trip to explore the surroundings. If you’re planning to visit Barcelona with kids, check out this 3-day itinerary instead.

Is Barcelona safe for tourists?

Barcelona is an amazing city, but it has one of the worst safety situations in all of Spain. That being said, I have personally visited the city many times, walking solo through the entire city center, and nothing has ever happened to me (knock on wood), so it doesn’t feel unsafe. However, the biggest risk is getting robbed. You can check out more details in this post, where I compare safety in Madrid and Barcelona. The pickpocketing problem in Barcelona is significant, and there are also several scams to be aware of. Be cautious of individuals approaching you with fake petitions or using distractions to steal your belongings. If you’re traveling by car, check out the scam that happened to my friends in Costa Brava in this post.

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Tapas & flamenco experience in Barcelona

Where to stay in Barcelona

During my multiple visits to Barcelona, I have stayed in various parts of the city. For first-time visitors, I recommend staying in central areas like the Gothic Quarter, El Raval, or even Eixample. However, if you don’t mind using the metro, you can easily choose any neighborhood. Some of my favorite hotels in Barcelona are Hotel La Pau 4 Sup H10 Madison 4* Sup, The One Barcelona GL, Hotel Boutique Mirlo, and Catalonia Magdalenes.

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On one of my previous trips to Barcelona during the winter

How to spend 4 days in Barcelona

While I have visited Barcelona many times, for this 4-day itinerary, I’ve decided to make stops at a few top tourist sites since I haven’t visited some of them in almost 10 years. In fact, my first trip to Barcelona was back in 2006, and since moving to Spain in 2011, I have always made stops in the city – whether on my way to the Pyrenees, the French Riviera, or even during a Mediterranean cruise. So, it’s been too long since I dedicated a few proper days to the city of Barcelona itself. Therefore, I’ve tried to include a bit of everything in these 4 days – from popular landmarks to lesser-known museums, and even a tapas&flamenco tour with a local guide.

You can view this 4-day Barcelona itinerary on Google Maps here.

Day 1 Gaudi landmarks, Barcelona Cathedral, and Palau de la Música Catalana

Sagrada Familia

There’s no Barcelona itinerary without a visit to the Sagrada Familia, the city’s iconic landmark and one of the most unique Spanish cathedrals. It was designed by Antoni Gaudí, one of the most famous Spaniards ever. Despite his fame being closely tied to Barcelona, not many know that he was actually born in Reus. The line to access this landmark is always long, so be prepared to wait. I recommend arriving early or booking a skip-the-line tour to avoid the long queues. It usually takes about 2 hours to fully explore the cathedral, and it is one of the first Gaudí landmarks to open in Barcelona, usually around 9 a.m. (except on Sundays).

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Sagrada Familia

Casa Vicens and Casa Milà

After visiting the Sagrada Familia, I walked along Diagonal Avenue towards Casa Fuster (designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner), now a luxury hotel, and followed along Paseo de Gracia, one of Barcelona’s main avenues. This area is known for its luxury shops and businesses, as well as notable architectural works of Antoni Gaudí’s modernist style (Casa Batlló and Casa Milà).

During these 4 days in Barcelona, I finally visited La Pedrera (or Casa Milà, also designed by Gaudí). I enjoyed Casa Batlló on another occasion, as it would be difficult to visit all of these during the same morning. However, you could leave Casa Batlló for the afternoon or another day. After marveling at the Gaudí architecture, I headed to Plaça Catalunya, considered the city’s most important square and its kilometer zero.

If visiting Barcelona in the off-season on a weekday, you can probably manage to visit all of these buildings in one day. However, they are known for their long waiting lines. On this itinerary, I have also skipped Casa Vicens (Gaudí’s first masterpiece, built in 1883), but you can easily make a stop there as it’s 15 min away from Casa Fuster.

Another option is to visit Casa Vicens on the third day of this itinerary, after exploring Park Güell. However, since I visited Barcelona in June, when the city was quite busy but not too hot, I wanted to enjoy walking around and seeing as much as I could. Because of this, I decided not to spend nearly an entire day visiting La Pedrera, Casa Batlló, and Casa Vicens all in one go.

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La Pedrera or Casa Milà

Barcelona Cathedral and Palau de la Música Catalana

After lunch, I walked to the central square, Plaça de Catalunya, and then visited the Palau de la Música Catalana, one of the most iconic buildings in Barcelona and a true gem of Catalan modernism. Designed by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, it was completed in 1905 and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. Later, I made a stop at the famous Barcelona Cathedral (Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia).

Another popular stop in the area is Mercat de la Boqueria, the city’s most famous and vibrant market. It’s easy to visit since it’s open every day until 8:30 PM, except on Sundays. Established in the 13th century, Barcelona’s market has grown into a bustling hub where both locals and tourists can experience the freshest produce, meats, seafood, and a wide variety of Spanish delicacies. While it is a popular tourist destination, it remains a popular place to shop for Spanish food souvenirs.

In the evening, I went to Plaça Reial, passing through the Gothic Quarter. There, you can find the famous Pont del Bisbe (designed by Joan Rubió i Bellver in 1928, a disciple of Gaudí) and Plaça Sant Jaume, where the Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya, the seat of the Catalan government, is located. An interesting option here would be the Evening Tapas and Drinks Tour of the Old Town, but since I had another tour booked for the 3rd day in Barcelona, I just enjoyed walking around on my own.

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Barcelona Cathedral

Helpful tours for the first day in Barcelona

Day 2 Montjuic, Aquarium, Ciutadella Park, and Arc de Triomf

Monjuic

My second day in Barcelona was focused on the Montjuïc area, which has enough landmarks to fill several days. I chose to visit a few that interested me the most: the National Art Museum of Catalonia, Fundació Joan Miró, and Montjuïc Castle. My day began at Plaça d’Espanya, one of the largest squares in Spain, built for the 1929 International Exposition. There, you’ll also find the Arenas de Barcelona, a former bullring that has been converted into a shopping center. Near the square, you can also spot the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, which is especially popular at night because of its light show (starting at 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM, depending on the season).

Near Plaça d’Espanya, I visited the MNAC National Art Museum of Catalonia. It is closed on Mondays, but for the rest of the week, it’s a great spot for art lovers to enjoy. History enthusiasts might also want to visit the nearby Archaeological Museum of Catalonia, and if you’re into modern art, don’t miss the Fundació Joan Miró. While I’m usually not a huge fan of Miró’s work, since the museum was on my route, I took the opportunity to visit, especially since he is one of Catalonia’s most famous artists of all times.

After an artsy morning, I took the Montjuïc Cable Car to the top of Montjuïc Mountain to visit Montjuïc Castle and the viewpoint at Mirador de Montjuïc. Montjuïc Castle, an old military fortress built in 1640, was originally designed to defend the city from maritime threats. It has a tumultuous history, including serving as a military prison during the Spanish Civil War. Both the castle and the viewpoint were interesting to visit once, though I’m not sure I’d return.

If you want to spend more time in the Montjuïc area, you can explore the Olympic Ring, the open-air museum Poble Espanyol, the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, and the Barcelona Botanical Garden.

Aquarium of Barcelona

In my case, I decided to visit the Barcelona Aquarium. Initially, I thought I would walk about 50 minutes from Montjuïc to the coastal area of the city, but I was lucky when a taxi dropped someone off just as I was walking by, so I managed to get a direct ride. (Otherwise, it’s not easy to find a taxi there, and you’d typically need to order one.) On the way to the aquarium, I also spotted the famous Columbus Monument. The aquarium itself was fine, but to be completely honest, I liked the ones in Valencia and Mallorca more.

Ciutadella Park and Arc de Triomf

After visiting the aquarium, I made my way to the iconic Ciutadella Park, known for its Cascada Monumental fountain and the Catalan Parliament building. Just a short stroll away, I reached the Arc de Triomf, a magnificent brick archway that was originally built as the entrance to the 1888 World’s Fair. Its detailed craftsmanship and reddish color stand out against the backdrop of the wide pedestrian promenade. Although my second day in Barcelona involved a lot of walking, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment, exploring the city’s beautiful landmarks and vibrant atmosphere.

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Ciutadella Park

Helpful tours for the second day in Barcelona

Day 3 Parc Güell, MUHBA, Moco, and Tapas Tour

Parc Güell

On my third day in Barcelona, first thing in the morning, I headed to Parc Güell – one of the most iconic landmarks in Spain, designed by Antoni Gaudí. Built between 1900 and 1914, this park is a masterpiece of Catalan Modernism and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the main entrance, you will find the famous Dragon Staircase, where Gaudí used the trencadís mosaic technique to create unique and colorful patterns. This mosaic work has become one of the most recognized symbols of the park. If you enjoy house museums, you can also visit the Gaudí House-Museum, located within the park. I planned my visit early in the morning, as Parc Güell tends to get very busy later in the day.

MUHBA

After Parc Güell, I took the metro to Jaume I station to visit a lesser-known gem, the MUHBA (Museu d’Història de Barcelona), renowned for its unique collection of Roman ruins. Despite having visited Barcelona several times before, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the underground ruins of ancient Roman streets, buildings, and a forum from the ancient city of Barcino (as Barcelona was called during Roman times).

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Ancient Roman tunnels below Barcelona (at MUHBA)
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2000-year-old Roman columns in Barcelona

Moco

After exploring MUHBA, I walked to another popular museum in Barcelona – the Moco Museum. It’s known for its contemporary art collection, featuring works by modern artists such as Banksy, Dalí, and Picasso. One of its highlights is the Diamond Matrix, which is among the most Instagrammable spots in the city. While the Moco Museum is an interesting place to visit, I found it a bit overrated, especially after seeing so many impressive museums during my 4 days in Barcelona.

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The Diamond Matrix at Moco Museum

Tapas & Flamenco Tour

In the afternoon, I booked a unique tapas and flamenco experience with LivTours. It was so amazing because it was just me and three ladies from Australia, so our guide, Alfredo, kept adapting the original itinerary to show us around the Gothic Quarter, along with a few hidden gems in the area. Our small group of four started the tour at Barcelona City Hall. Since we arrived a bit early, Alfredo offered to show us a hidden gem nearby: 2,000-year-old Roman columns in Barcelona. After learning about the city’s Roman past, we headed to an amazing local restaurant that specializes in tapas.

If you’re new to Spanish cuisine, tapas are some of the most iconic dishes. Though they are essentially small plates, tapas emphasize Spanish traditions of sharing, variety, and social interaction. While each region of Spain has its own take on food, there are certain tapas that you absolutely must try when in Barcelona. So, what did our local guide order for us?

  • Patatas Bravas (These are popular throughout Spain. Almost every restaurant and bar prepares the dish in its own unique way.)
  • Embutidos del Pirineo (Different varieties of cured, dry sausages from my favorite Pyrenees region of Spain.)
  • Pimientos de Padrón (Grilled green peppers.)
  • Albóndigas con Sepia (An interesting combination of meatballs and cuttlefish.)
  • Bomba de Barcelona (A deep-fried mixture of mashed potato and minced meat, served with a spicy sauce. It is similar to Spanish croquettes, but not the same.)

My favorite dish from our tapas tour was the Bomba de Barcelona – I loved the spicy touch. Despite learning how to make croquettes in Madrid, I find that croquetas and bombas are rarely prepared by my Spanish family, so it feels great to try these dishes in different places across Spain.

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Best Tapas in Barcelona – Patatas Bravas
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Embutidos del Pirineo
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My favorite local dish – Bomba de Barcelona

After enjoying local tapas and discussing inspiring Spanish destinations with our guide over a glass of wine, we had some time before the flamenco show. So, Alfredo took us to another local gem in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter – the Plaça de Sant Felip Neri. This square has a dramatic connection to the Spanish Civil War, and you can still see the marks of a bomb explosion on the walls. These days, however, this picturesque corner has been featured in several romantic travel movies (like Vicky Cristina Barcelona) and music videos (like Evanescence’s My Immortal).

The final part of our unique experience in Barcelona with LivTours was the Spanish flamenco performance. Flamenco is a passionate and expressive art form that combines singing, guitar, dance, and clapping. While its origins lie in the southern region of Andalusia, flamenco has a strong presence throughout the Iberian Peninsula. The show was set in a small, intimate venue, which is almost mandatory (since it allows the audience to feel the energy and connection with the performers). It was amazing – I felt like the dancers were giving their all. The guide had also suggested that the best rows for sitting were the third or fourth ones (the first row isn’t ideal, as you might get some sweat tossed on you).

Since the Flamenco show was located near the famous La Rambla, one of the most iconic streets in Barcelona, I ended my third day in the city with a pleasant walk through its heart. I’ve always had a conflicted attitude towards La Rambla, as it’s one of the most touristy areas in Barcelona, filled with cheap souvenirs and street performers. It’s also one of the easiest places in Barcelona to get robbed. However, as night fell, this bustling promenade, lined with trees, cafés, and restaurants, looked quite charming nonetheless.

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Plaça de Sant Felip Neri in Barcelona
 Plaça de Sant Felip Neri in Barcelona
Exploring Barcelona Gothic Quarter: Plaça de Sant Felip Neri
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Tapas & flamenco experience in Barcelona

Other unique private & semi-private tours in Barcelona

While I really enjoyed my tapas and flamenco experience in Barcelona, LivTours offers a few other unique experiences in the city with local guides that you might love:

Day 4 A day trip from Barcelona

On the 4th day in Barcelona, I recommend enjoying at least one of the following day trips: Montserrat, Sitges, Tarragona, the Dali Triangle, or Andorra. By clicking on each of these destinations, you can read the full details on the blog. In my case, I dedicated this day to exploring a few hidden gems near Barcelona, as I had already checked out all the well-known day trips over the years.

Additionally, many nature lovers consider visiting Congost de Mont-rebei, even though it’s located about three hours from Barcelona. For more ideas, you can also check out my post about the best weekend trips from Barcelona. On a more personal note, I’d say that my favorite Barcelona getaway was the Dali Triangle. Although I was fortunate enough to spend more than one day exploring the Dali landmarks during my Costa Brava road trip, many travelers still prefer Dali landmarks as a day trip from Barcelona.

Alternatively, if you prefer staying in Barcelona, instead of a day trip I would suggest taking a cooking class or ceramic workshop in the morning and then visiting one of the popular panoramic spots in the city, such as Tibidabo Park (open from March to December) or Mirador torre Glòries. Also, if you haven’t managed to see any of Gaudí’s landmarks within the previous three days, this could be a great chance to do so (or to enjoy La Pedrera Night Experience).

Best food tours and cooking classes in Barcelona

Besides foodie tours, you can find some great cooking classes in Barcelona. However, it’s important to note that paella originates from Valencia. While it is a popular dish throughout Spain, taking a paella cooking class in Barcelona is not something Spaniards would do. That said, if Barcelona is the only city you’re planning to visit in Spain, learning to make paella there can still be a fun and worthwhile experience, but if you can choose – take a paella cooking class in Valencia.

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4 days in Barcelona itinerary

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