Weekend in Barcelona

By Robert Heaney
Published: July 18, 2024
Guests dining outside a restaurant on Plaça Reial

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

Image of Adult, Male, Man, Person, Dating, Romantic, Beverage, Coffee, Coffee Cup, Head, Face, Female, Woman,

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

Image of City, Road, Street, Urban, Metropolis, Lighting, Car, Vehicle, Downtown, Person, Bus, Intersection,

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

Image of Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Fun, Party,

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

Continue reading

A bird's eye view over Barcelona
Blog

Barcelona in November

With summer having long drawn to a close, the vibrant streets of Barcelona begin to embrace a period of respite from the tourist high season. Barcelona in November is blessed by milder days and cooler nights, with average temperatures flirting between 50 and 68°F. Alongside this cooldown comes a comparable reduction in tourism, though the city remains as vibrant as ever. This, among some of the reasons below, makes fall a fantastic time to visit the sprawling Catalan metropolis.   Barcelona Jazz Festival From the end of October, the Barcelona Jazz Festival typically runs for a little over a month and showcases – you guessed it – all things Jazz. One of the most significant events of its kind in the world, fans of the genre can jive with concerts from both celebrated names and up-and-coming artists. Those looking for just that little bit extra can even attend masterclasses led by titans of the Jazz scene. Film Festivals Galore Cinema lovers can rejoice at the fact that the city also hosts a multitude of film festivals throughout November. Whether you’re a connoisseur of independent movies, world cinema or short films, moviegoers are likely to find something here to whet their appetite. Recurring festivals include L’Alternativa Independent Film Festival, the In-Edit Festival, the Barcelona International Short Film Festival and the Asian Film Festival Barcelona. Note that some of these events may only offer admission to exclusive parties, but they will likely still be widely televised in this case. And wherever these festivals take place, you can be sure of a fantastic local ambience and some great afterparties. Thanksgiving We know – Thanksgiving isn’t a Spanish celebration in any sense, so you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d have to miss out on your visit to Barcelona. However, should you find yourself absent for the celebrations back home, you’re in luck. Seek out your nearest Irish pub, and you’ll be in good company with fellow American expats and tourists for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. If in doubt, Flaherty’s is a particularly popular venue for Americans abroad. Christmas Having seen out both summer and fall, Barcelona begins to prepare for winter and, more specifically, the holiday season. Towards the end of November, visitors will begin to see signs of the Christmas season popping up everywhere. The streets become adorned with lights and decorations, as market stalls begin to open up on seemingly every other street. Selling everything festive from mulled wine to roasted chestnuts alongside local artisan crafts, the Barcelona Christmas markets are truly a magnificent sight to behold. While there’s always a multitude of different markets dotted throughout the city, the largest and most famous market is Fira de Santa Llúcia, which can be found on Avinguda de la Catedral. November is a fantastic time to visit Barcelona. Experience everything the city has to offer without all of the summer crowds, while also engaging in the many local festivities taking place throughout the month. This month marks both a cultural and literal transition, as locals celebrate the passing of summer, enjoy the autumnal produce of fall, and embrace the coming of winter. See it all and save with a Barcelona attraction pass!
Robert Heaney
Tapas in Barcelona
Blog

Eat your way through Barcelona without blowing your budget – buen provecho!

From tapas tasting to brewery tours, here’s how to enjoy Barcelona’s famous flavors with Go City.
Jake Fisher
Jake Fisher
barcelona kids
Blog

Things to do in Barcelona with Kids

The children are our future - that's just a cold, hard fact. But what about the present? Well, we have to account for that too. Children very much live in the present, so it's important you make today's vacation one they'll remember forever. And where better way to do that than in the beautiful city of Barcelona! It may not be a huge theme park dedicated to their every whim, but there's plenty for kids to do in Barcelona! From fun education excursions to museums dedicated to fun (really), you'll be surprised at the amount of great stuff there is for you and your little one to experience! But with so much to see and so little time to see it, which are the best things to do with kids in Barcelona? Calm your weeping body, settle down, and focus. We've done all the heavy lifting and collated our list of the very best things to do with kids in Barcelona, so you don't have to. You are very welcome. Including: Underwater exploration Historical city wanders Landmark-laden bus tours 4D fun The literal museum of fun and more! L’Aquàrium de Barcelona Most kids love animals, especially those of the exotic variety they only see on TV or read about in books. So why not make their fantasy a reality at the Barcelona Aquarium? There, they'll have the chance to meet more than 11,000 weird and wonderful underwater critters, pass through the fantastic underwater tunnel where they'll be surrounded by chill sea animals just hanging out, and see live feedings for some of the bigger, spookier sealife. They'll also explore 14 Mediterranean aquariums that contain all types of life found in Barcelona's seas. From seahorses to eels, sharks to rays, there's a world of wonderful wildlife down there for young minds to explore. Easily one of the best things to do in Barcelona with kids! Poble Espanyol de Barcelona If your kid's the type to always ask questions about what life was like, or how people used to live, then this one should answer some of their questions. Poble Espanyol is a world within itself, an open-air architectural museum that recreates much of Barcelona throughout time. This results in 117 buildings, streets, and squares, faithfully recreated from history. You and the little one can gaze up at ancient houses on a residential street, or see a centuries-old monastery up close. Truly a city within the city, it's hard to describe what it is - you really have to see it for yourself. They also have expert craftsmen onsite that sell a variety of authentic knickknacks, as well as a whole gallery of art from some of the city's biggest artists. So why not pick something up for the little one to commemorate your visit? Bus Turístic Tour Barcelona is a city packed with history, outstanding landmarks, and bucket-list locations. And with so much to see, it can be tough fitting all of them around a kid-friendly schedule. So why take a hop-on, hop-off bus tour of Barcelona's greatest hits? For one day, you'll be able to board and get off any Bus Turístic service. That means you have complete freedom to see whatever you want, whenever you want. If your little one's eyes widen as soon as they set eyes on the Sagrada Familia, we wouldn't blame them. Simply hop off, explore the monumental building, and then hop on another bus to the next destination. It's a great way to keep kids engaged without dragging them around every landmark until they're bored to tears. Don't worry, you can thank us later. Gaudí Experiència 4D Gaudí's monumental gifts to the architectural world may stand on their own, but to a little mind, they may not be more than a passing interest. This is especially true when you consider the effect that surrealism and strangeness have had on the children's entertainment industry. Do you actually watch those kids' programs with them? They're weird. Really weird. So your little one may be desensitized to the magnificence of the Sagrada Familia or Park Güell in person. Which is a shame but, what are you going to do? Well, what you will do is take them on an interactive rollercoaster of an experience through Gaudí's work, thanks to Gaudí Experiència 4D! This state-of-the-art interpretation of the main man's masterworks involves moving cinema seats, water effects, and a high-budget thrill ride to transport you into the mind of Gaudí. You'll learn about what influenced his designs. They'll appreciate flying through the air and feeling the ocean breeze on their face. To each their own! Museum of Illusions and Big Fun Museum Next up is a two-for-one special. Two museums, two amazing kid-friendly experiences, and only one ticket required! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Big Fun Museum. This wonderful fun house will see you and your kids shrunk to the size of a bug as you explore a Giant's House. Featuring larger-than-life utensils, apparel, and furniture, you'll have a blast climbing in the giant's massive shoe with them, or tightrope-walking along his teaspoon. Then, at the Museum of Illusions which is a part of the Big Fun Museum, they'll have their minds warped and their eyes deceived by some dastardly tricks of perspective. Featuring giant dinosaurs, huge chasms, and floating spaceships that feel like they're just a touch away, it's one of the best things to do in Barcelona with kids! Barcelona Zoo And finally, let's end this list with more kid-friendly animal fun at Barcelona Zoo! Your little one can go face-to-face with over 2000 animals who call it home. They'll find all their favorite animals within, from lions and tigers to giraffes and elephants. If they lean on the scaly side, make sure to visit the Reptile House so they can meet some weird and wonderful green critters. Plus, there are plenty of hidden opportunities to learn there, thanks to talks from zookeepers, conservationists, and others who work there. There are even live feedings, if your little ones can handle the more grisly stuff! And that's our list of the best things to do in Barcelona with kids!
Dom Bewley

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.