Guests dining outside a restaurant on Plaça Reial

Weekend in Barcelona

By Robert Heaney

Barcelona is one of Europe’s top city break destinations, and makes for a pretty great weekend getaway. Between its famously thriving nightlife scene and its wealth of central cultural attractions, a couple of days is more than enough to see plenty of what the city has to offer.

No matter your preferences, no matter the weather, a weekend in Barcelona is sure to be a fantastic city break. Offering everything from intimate evening dining and electric seafront parties to a vast wealth of cultural sites and classic retail therapy spots, Barcelona has something for just about everyone.

Visiting at the Weekend

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Depending on when in the year you choose to visit, the conditions surrounding your trip will vary quite significantly. Visiting during the summer will mean peak weather conditions but also the largest crowds throughout the city. The spring and fall shoulder seasons are considered ideal times to visit, with often milder weather and more bearable crowds. And of course, winter is therefore the quietest but also coldest period.

No matter the season, however, a general rule of thumb is to expect weekends to be busier than their weekday counterparts. On one side, Barcelona is a particularly popular weekend city break destination, as evidenced by the fact you’re reading this article right now. On the other, many locals tend to visit the city over the weekends while off work or school.

The increase in throughput at the weekend naturally means that attractions, museums and restaurants tend to be significantly busier than throughout the week. What’s more, you should expect hotel rates to increase somewhat over the weekend, often becoming fairly expensive in busier months.

For many, though, this is exactly the appeal of visiting over the weekend. As a city renowned for its bustling atmosphere, this is when Barcelona thrives most. Bars and restaurants see more local clientele, offering a more authentic ambience, and the nightlife scene in particular truly comes to life with tourists, students and locals alike letting loose at the end of the week.

Things To Do

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A weekend in Barcelona is more than enough to see many of the city’s top sights. While seeing absolutely everything would be a stretch and hardly worth the strain, you can put together as extensive or relaxing an itinerary as you’d like and get a great experience either way.

Top Attractions

Most trips to the Catalan capital would be incomplete without ticking off some of the city’s most famous attractions. The Sagrada Familia and Park Güell are Barcelona’s most visited attractions, by merit of their fantastically photogenic architecture. If you have the spare time, Montjuïc is also well worth a visit, as the park is home to a huge selection of iconic landmarks and cultural sites.

Architectural Marvels

If you’re keen on exploring the city’s famous diversity of architecture, many of the city’s most celebrated Gothic and Modernist structures can be discovered one after another on foot, or can be crossed off even quicker using the transport links between each key location. You can also join onto a guided tour of the Gothic Quarter and the best works of Antoni Gaudí.

Cultural Hotspots

For your fill of history and culture, Barcelona is also home to a huge selection of fantastic museums and art galleries. History buffs should be sure to check out the Museu d'Història de Catalunya and the Museo de Historia de Barcelona, while art enthusiasts are bound to enjoy the likes of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, the Museu Picasso and the Fundació Joan Miró.

Retail Therapy

And of course, a European city break destination is nothing without its fair share of shopping opportunities. Spread across the city, you’ll find a wide range of boutique stores, local retailers and shopping centers. One of the most notable outlets is Las Arenas, built into a former bullfighting ring and offering panoramic views of the city, alongside El Triangle Centre Comercial and the Mercat de la Boqueria.

Weekend Nightlife

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Some of Barcelona’s greatest appeal comes from its internationally renowned nightlife scene. Replete with a healthy selection of delightful restaurants, hip bars and classy seaside clubs, the city brims with life in the evenings. And this is never more true than at the weekend.

Historical Plazas

For some great local cuisine and an intimate evening drink, the Gothic Quarter has a wealth of charming traditional squares filled with local bars and restaurants. Most popular among these are Plaça Reial, Plaça del Rei and Plaça de Santa Maria. Grab yourself a hearty meal and a glass of local cava to finish your day in style, or to set the mood for the evening to come.

Beachfront Spirits

If you’re looking to keep up spirits into the night, then your best bet is to take yourself down to the seafront. There, you’ll find the likes of La Barceloneta lined with stylish tapas bars and clubs. If the weather seems up to par, then why not also join many of Barcelona’s youth and the many tourist groups partying on the beach?

Cocktails With a View

Alternatively, if you’re looking for more of a high-class evening with less of the rowdy partying, Barcelona is also host to a great number of chic rooftop bars. Some of the most popular among these include the Grand Central Hotel SkyBar, 83,3 Terrace Bar and El Cel de Gaudí. In summer, you can even book for special rooftop events atop the likes of La Pedrera and Casa Batlló.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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5 days in barcelona
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5 Days in Barcelona

Itineraries aren't for everyone. We get that, you get that. But, if you're spending 5 days in Barcelona, you might be overwhelmed with choice paralysis. Simply put, there's an awful lot to see and do - how do you fit it all in? This is how. So, unburden your petrified limbs and read on. These are our recommendations for how to spend your 5 days in Barcelona! Day 1 Kick-off your Barcelona adventure with an authentic bang by visiting the older parts of the city. It's a great place to do some fresh food shopping if you're cooking for yourself, and there's plenty to see besides the markets.   The Gothic Quarter is one of the most beautiful parts of the city, dripping with Medieval architecture and Mediterranean atmosphere. First, stop off for some breakfast if you haven't eaten already. There are plenty of brilliant local cafes in the area, so let your nose guide you to the most alluring aroma. Then, make sure to visit Barcelona Cathedral. If you get there before 12 pm, entry is free, so make the most of your morning and squeeze some pennies while you're at it! Then, an absolute must-visit is Boqueria Market. Here, you can pick up mounds of fresh produce for all your culinary needs, or simply sample some freshly made tapas. If you want a deep dive into this historical area, you could join a walking tour of the area, learn all about it, and find out which local haunts your guide recommends.   Then, end the afternoon with a trip to the famed Picasso Museum, where you can explore the life, times, and works of the painter. Then, either retire for the day or, if you want a little nightlife fun, stay in the area as the Gothic Quarter has some great hidden bars and pubs for you to discover! Day 2 It's day 2 of your 5 days in Barcelona! No vacation to the Catalan capital worth its salt can miss the great Gaudí's work. The famed architect left his stamp all over Barcelona, and today's the day you see it all. Most of his buildings are in Gracia, so that's our next destination.   Fancy breakfast in the park? Why not picnic at Park Güell? Designed by none other than Gaudí, it's one of the city's best green spaces. Then, when you're refueled, take a tour of the park and see all his masterworks up close. One down, plenty to go. Next, head to Gaudí's Sagrada Familia. Arguably one of Barcelona's most iconic landmarks, it's a feast for the eyes. Inside, it's like being transported to another world, with undulating facades and mesmerizing stain glass worthy of more than a few pictures.   Have a late lunch at one of the many delightful restaurants in Gracia, and then move on to the magnificent Casa Battló. Look around, get your snaps, and then end the day at La Pedrera. There, you did it! All of Gaudí's greatest hits in a single day! Pat yourself on the back and get some sleep; we're traveling out of town tomorrow. Day 3 You're at the midway point now, but you've still got plenty to do. So, wake up early, prepare your own breakfast or get something from the hotel's breakfast bar. Today, you're heading to Montserrat, a beautiful mountain range just outside the city.   You could drive or take the train, but if you want to avoid the hassle, book a bus tour from the city center and let someone else take care of the journey! They'll drive you all the way there, giving you ample opportunity to take photos while in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle. Once you get there, you can spend your day exploring. Besides the fantastic views, an absolute must-visit is the Benedictine monastery. Called the Santa Maria de Montserrat, it's one of the holiest places in Catalonia, attracting many believers from far and wide. You're free to tour the site and admire the 1000-year-old architecture. Then, stop by the local museum to learn about the mountain's history and see timeless artifacts with your own two eyes.   Stop for lunch at Mirador Restaurant, then head to the Stairway to Heaven, a religious sculpture that's worthy of more than a few photos. There are other sights here, like the Santa Cova Chapel and Sant Miquel's Cross, but by this point, you might be all mountained out. If so, make sure you take the cable car down to the bottom of the mountain and make your way home. Day 4 Wake up and prep for another day of outdoor fun, this time in the city itself. Get fed, then head to Ciutadella Park. There's lots to see here, so take to take your pick! If you need some exotic animals in your life, wander over to Barcelona Zoo and see them up close. There are 2000 of the cute critters, so you may be some time.   Then, get your camera ready to snap the famous Cascada fountain, and be sure to stop off at Spain's very own Arc de Triomf. Or, if you want to get a little wild, hop on a Segway and take a tour of the park's highlights. Even newbies can get involved thanks to a short lesson in handling and operation from your guide. Then, zoom off and learn all about the park's history.   Then when the park is fully explored, head to Barceloneta Beach and soak up some rays. You can spend the rest of the day here if you desire, thanks to the myriad bars, restaurants, and watersports on offer. Then, when the sun has set, head home, get some rest, and prepare for your final day. Day 5 For your final day, head to El Poble-Sec and prepare to ascend a mountain. Kind of. Get some food in, and head out. We're spending your final day in Montjuïc Park.   The park itself is magnificent, but the real showstopper is Montjuïc Mountain. If you don't fancy a walk, hop in a cable car and admire some of the best views in the city as you ascend. Then, when you're done, explore Montjuïc Castle - an old military facility - and the surrounding gardens for some great picture opportunities. Then, head back down the cable car and grab some lunch at one of the nearby restaurants. Next, learn more about Barcelona and Catalonia's history at the Museu d'Historia de Catalunya. You'll find tons of artifacts that date back to pre-humanity times all the way to the present.   And finally, end your visit at Poble Espanyol, an awe-inspiring look into snapshots of the city's past thanks to faithful recreations of neighborhoods, markets, and streets from throughout time. And that's your 5 days in Barcelona done!
Dom Bewley
Tourist in Barcelona's Parc Guell
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Things to do near the Sagrada Familia

It’s all about the architecture in and around Barcelona’s Eixample district, where after ogling the show-stopping Sagrada Família, you can check out more (much more) Gaudí eye candy, plus several more architectural marvels including the Hospital de Sant Pau and Arc de Triomf. Join us on our whistle-stop tour of all the best things to do near the Sagrada Família in Barcelona…
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
teens barcelona
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Things to do in Barcelona for Teenagers

Whether you're willing to admit it or not, the ever-dancing, attention-seeking, slang-slinging teens will inherit the Earth. It's enough to make your head shudder uncontrollably. Anyway, yes, teens. They are people too, and as such, have interests we may never truly understand. That can make it hard if you're taking the moody ungrateful specimens on vacation. What is a grown, world-weary sort like you supposed to do? Or, are you a cool, hip, skateboarding teen? Hey there dude; we're down with your sort. We know our front-facing caps from our back-facing ones, and sometimes we get gnarly too! Sigh. No matter who you are, you want to know what things there are for teenagers to do in Barcelona, don't you? Well, lucky for you, we've come up with this bodacious list of awesome things that will satisfy even the shortest of attention spans. So, let's get on with it. These are our picks for the best things to do in Barcelona for teenagers! Including: Soccer stadium studies Street art situations Escape room escapades Segway madness Beach braving and more! And that's our list of things for teenagers to do in Barcelona. Good luck! And grab a Barcelona attraction pass and sightsee while you save!
Dom Bewley

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