How to Spend 48 Hours in Barcelona, Spain

How to spend 48 Hours in Barcelona? Barcelona is a city with that rare combination of having charisma and excitement, while also being relaxed and carefree. The city’s unique identity is partly due to the large number of artists living and working there in the early 20th century – most notably Antoni Gaudí, whose eye-catching architecture can be found all over the city. If you’re only visiting for a couple of days, get ready to hit the ground running as there is so much to see in Barcelona! Read on for a short guide on how to spend a couple of days in this amazing city:

Day 1 of how to spend 48 hours in Barcelona:

Catch the sunrise at Park Güell

I highly recommend waking up early to go and catch the sunrise at Park Güell, before it becomes too busy to be enjoyable. This Gaudí park is a true feast for the eyes, with swirling coloured tiles and a sweeping view over the city. You’ll be able to see some of Gaudí’s most famous work from the view point. Then simply wander around or find a bench to sit and enjoy the gardens. You’ll need to buy a ticket but this can be done online in advance here.

Visit La Sagrada Familia

Another of Gaudí’s masterpieces, the cathedral La Sagrada Familia is located right in the centre of town. Work on the cathedral is still unfinished, but it is predicted to be completed by 2026. It has been under construction for over one hundred years! I’d suggest taking the walking tour so you can fully experience it and learn its story first-hand. Tickets can be booked in advance here.

Eat Lunch at Mercado de La Boqueria

Barcelona is a true foodie heaven, and one of the most difficult things about only having a short time there is choosing where to eat. Mercado de La Boqueria is a must however, a large covered market (which is said to have been in the same location since 1217!) where you can sample various traditional snacks and treats such as empanadas and baked goods, … followed by fresh fruit or a smoothie. You could easily spend an hour here tasting your way through the market!

Visit Casa Batlló

This pretty house is easily my favourite of Gaudí‘s buildings. Casa Batlló has one of the most beautiful facades in the whole of Europe. The exterior has no straight lines, as Gaudí drew his inspiration from nature, which he noted does not posses any.

Tapas, Tapas, Tapas!

You simply cannot go to Barcelona and not have tapas. I’m a massive fan of peppers padron, especially accompanied by a glass of sangria. I was travelling alone, so I found myself a cosy spot to relax with tapas and a good book – the perfect end to a busy day! Top tip: the locals eat late, so take your time before heading out to dinner – maybe go catch the sunset first with a couple of drinks.

Day 2 of how to spend 48 hours in Barcelona:

Take a day trip from Barcelona to Montserrat

Did you know that a short train ride from Barcelona will take you right up into the mountains to the hidden monastery of Montserrat? And that there are some beautiful hiking trails up there too? It’s easy to find the train from the centre of Barcelona, and takes roughly one hour to reach Montserrat. You can easily spend a whole day here viewing the historic buildings and walking the trails looking out over the unique “saw-tooth” mountains that give Montserrat its name.

Read more about visiting Montserrat here.

Back to Barcelona for dinner and drinks

Spend your last night in Barcelona enjoying what it does best – the food and good vibes! Let me know in the comments below if you have enjoyed these tips for how to spend 48 hours in Barcelona.

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