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City breaking can be difficult to plan, especially if you're only going for a few days and when there is so much to do! Heres my guide on a few day itineraries based on what I've done the few times I've visited.
All about Gaudí
Wake up early and grab breakfast on the go, any bakery will do where a selection of pastries are on offer. Head towards La Sagrada Familia, but on your way walk via;
La Padrera - one of Gaudí’s main residential buildings and one of the most imaginative houses in the history of architecture. This building is more sculpture than a building. The façade is a varied and harmonious mass of undulating stone that, along with its forged iron balconies, explores the irregularities of the natural world. UNESCO recognized this building as World Heritage in 1984.
Casa Batlló - the result of a total restoration in 1904 of an old conventional house built in 1877. Gaudí used for it the typical constructive elements of the Modernisme (Catalan Art Nouveau) that include ceramics, stone, and forged iron. Even though it was highly criticized by the city during construction due to its radical design that broke all the bylaws of the city, in 1906 the Barcelona City Council awarded it the recognition of being one of the three best buildings of the year.
and Casa Calvet - was built between 1898 and 1900 for the Calvets, a family of textile industrialists. This is Gaudi’s most conventional work.Report this adThe stone facade reflects Baroque influences, along with its bay windows, sculptural decoration, and interior decorations. The shape of the balconies can be seen as a forerunner to shapes used at Casa Batlló, where Gaudí turned much more to the inspiration of nature. The roof is topped with two pediments, each supporting a wrought iron cross. They are surrounded by various pieces of stone ornamentation and crowned with statues of San Genis and Saint Peter – Calvets saints.
When you arrive at the famous basilica, take some pics from every angle and grab some lunch from nearby. If you desire, go inside, I'd recommend an audio tour. You'll spend about a couple of hours there, so maybe put this before lunch and it costs around £30 but it definitely is worth it.
Then spend the afternoon walking to Park Güell and strolling in and around the park, maybe even grabbing an ice-cream at some point. Spend you're evening how you wish.
Tip: its best to book both La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell online and in advance to save the queue!
Montjuïc
Head to Port Vell in the morning and leisurely walk and explore before heading up towards Mt Monjüic. Use maps to follow, but its pretty easy since you're just walking through the cool gardens. When you eventually reach the top head into the castle. Its fairly cheap, gives you nice views of the city and provides plenty of history. Then walk back down towards Barceloneta beach. Grab a bite to eat from the Surf House burger bar and then spend the rest of the afternoon sunbathing, people watching and chilling on the beach.
Picasso
Go to the Picasso museum in the morning - the queues can get long so just be aware of this. After finding somewhere for lunch, head to the beach for the afternoon. Then after getting ready and maybe freshening up for the evening, head to the cable cars near the port. Take the cable cars to Montjuïc and stroll through the gardens and the olympic park. Go to see the magic fountains (since they run in the evening) and then either bus back to the center or walk.
