24 Hours in Barcelona: The Best of the Catalan Capital in One Day

Barcelona contains an entire world of sights, culture and flavors 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.

people riding bikes in barcelona down a street with palm trees — Barcelona is a great city for biking. Photo credit: J. Shim

Contents hide

1 Late A.M.: A Barcelona food tour

2 Early afternoon: Lunch like a local or visit the museum

3 Late afternoon: Stroll through the city center towards La Sagrada Familia

4 Early evening: Merienda in Gracia

5 Evening: Sunset at Park Guell

6 Late evening: Dinner in Gracia

7 Late night: Experience Barcelona’s iconic nightlife

Late A.M.: A Barcelona 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 is a great way to learn about your new destination while eating at the same time.

Staff picks for morning food tours in Barcelona:

Our Tastes, Tapas & Traditions Tour is the perfect way to kick off your 24 hours in Barcelona. — Step inside the truly local Santa Caterina Market on our Tastes & Traditions Tour!

Early afternoon: 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 neighborhood is full of friendly locals and authentic charm. Check out some of our favorite places to eat in Barceloneta.

Not hungry? After your tour ends in Barceloneta, you’ll be in 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.

Be sure to eat like a local during your 24 hours in Barcelona! We suggest getting off the beaten path at a bar or restaurant in Barceloneta. — Eat like a local in the Barceloneta neighborhood, home to some of the most authentic bars and restaurants in the city.

Late afternoon: Stroll through the city center 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 during 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 neighborhood. 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.

Staff picks for Sagrada Familia tours in Barcelona:

light entering stained glass windows inside a church in barcelona — Gaudí was deeply inspired by nature and incorporated innovative architectural features to optimize the use of natural light inside the Sagrada Familia.

Early evening: Merienda in Gracia

The charming, authentic Gracia neighborhood 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 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.

Be sure to take some time for a merienda during your 24 hours in Barcelona. We recommend Pastisseria Príncipe in Gracia! — Our friend Mostafa is the owner of Pastisseria Príncipe, where he serves up delicious homemade Syrian pastries.

Evening: Sunset at Park Guell

Need more Gaudí? You’re in luck. There are many stunning places to watch the sunset in Barcelona, but the colorful 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!

ceramics seen on a bench with different color designs — Gaudí’s work often incorporated ceramics in striking ways. Photo credit: Rosy Ko.

Late evening: Dinner in Gracia

Head back into charming Gracia and eat dinner like a local! The neighborhood 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.

2 plates of patatas bravas and a glass of vermouth — We’re big fans of patatas bravas.

Late night: 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 like you’ve never experienced before.