If you want to visit Barcelona but you only get one day off, don’t worry: although you will certainly run out of time to see everything in one visit, it is possible to see some of the most important landmarks in a single day. Moreover, if you plan your itinerary properly, you will still spare some time to enjoy a show at the end of the day. Wanna come along?
Sagrada Familia
You can’t go to Barcelona and miss the chance to visit the Holy Family. Gaudi’s unfinished temple is the undeniable star of Barcelona’s skyline and, therefore, deserves a quick visit. If you are short of time, you won’t be able to step inside the temple and enjoy the view from one of its towers, but you can wander around the outside and admire the mix between the part built by Gaudí before his death and the more modern area, still under construction.
Hospital de Santa Creu i Sant Pau
If you like Modernism, very nearby the Sagrada Familia, you have another outstanding example of this architectural trend: the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, the work of Lluís Domènech i Montaner, a group of buildings declared a World Heritage Site, because of its incredible beauty and history.
Park Güell
We move on with Gaudí’s heritage in Barcelona by going for an outdoor visit, the Park Güell, located in the upper area of Barcelona. Here it is possible to appreciate the influence of nature in the art of the Catalan genius, reflected in the wonderful colorful tiles that make up the main image of the park. Be sure to visit the Sala Hipóstila (Hypostyle Hall), the Escalinata del Dragón (Dragon Staircase) and enjoy the view of Barcelona from the Plaza de la Naturaleza (Nature Square).
Paseo de Gracia
If you want to take advantage of this opportunity to do some shopping, nothing better than going to Paseo de Gracia, one of the main roads of the city. It hosts the best international brands’ stores as well as some of the best restaurants in the city. In addition, in this avenue you will find the next stop on our list: Casa Milá, better known as La Pedrera.
Casa Milá
The Casa Mila, also called La Pedrera, was designed as a housing project. It draws attention for its sinuous shape and its incredible rooftop, full of original chimneys. It is worth spending a couple of hours to get to know its interior and its history, but if you only have one day in Barcelona, we recommend that you book your ticket in advance: the queues at the ticket office can be discouraging.
Plaza Cataluña
Once you have soaked up the purest modernism in La Casa Mila, you can walk to the heart of Barcelona, Plaza Catalunya, where Paseo de Gracia and Las Ramblas come together, surrounded by stores, malls, restaurants and coffee shops. It’s time to take a break to rest and get a snack: we recommend El Corte Inglés, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the square.
La Rambla
You shouldn’t leave Barcelona without a stroll through what might be its most emblematic avenue: Las Ramblas, a wonderful boulevard filled with flower stalls, coffee shops, in terraces, stores and restaurants, bustling with life at any time of the day. Also, you can take advantage of your visit to see some sights, such as the Mercado de la Boquería (Boqueria Market), the Museo de la Erótica (Erotic Museum) or the Gran Teatro del Liceu (Liceu Opera House).
Palau de la Música Catalana – Gran Gala Flamenco
Nightfall does not mark the end of the adventour in Barcelona: you can still make the most of your time by enjoying a show. Did you know that some of the best flamenco shows in the world are performed in Barcelona? We recommend that you don’t leave Barcelona without visiting the Gran Gala Flamenco show, either at the Palau de la Música Catalana or at the Teatro Poliorama: it will be the perfect final touch to your day of sightseeing in Barcelona.
