The ultimate (long) weekend in Barcelona

22.05.2024 - 15:47 / lonelyplanet.com / Salvador Dalí

I jump at any chance to visit Barcelona, whether it's for a music festival like Primavera, catching up with friends, or enjoying a solo trip. I love relaxing on the sunny terrace of a tiny bar, people-watching over an ice-cold glass of vermouth and a plate of salty little snacks. That's one of my favorite activities anywhere, but it holds a special charm in Barcelona, where life is lived on the plazas, side streets and terraces.

There are so many ways to enjoy this city, but in a place as shiny and as fun as Barcelona, it's all too easy to get sucked into a tourist trap (especially along La Rambla), as is the case with many popular destinations. To ensure you have a great time on your trip, I've crafted a four-day itinerary based on my personal recommendations gathered over years of exploring the city and sharing favorite spots with friends. Let's dig in.

Plan a trip to Barcelona with our seasonal guide

Morning: Drop your bags off at your hotel in El Born and head straight to Mercat de Santa Caterina for a sticky tortilla at Bar Joan. While most visitors go to La Boqueria to jostle elbows with hordes of other tourists, Santa Caterina feels more like a local market where longtime residents shop for groceries. Afterward, chill by the lake in Parc de la Ciutadella or stroll towards Barceloneta Beach along Carrer de Circumval·lació, where food and crafts market stalls are set up along the street. 

How to spend the day: Back in El Born, visit the Museum of Contemporary Art (Moco), featuring works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, David LaChapelle and Salvador Dalí. I love the Yayoi Kusama mirror room because it feels very trippy, like floating in space. Then, head to the Picasso Museum on the same street. The building is as much an attraction as the work exhibited; it's spread across five medieval palaces and feels very airy and calm. After consuming so much art in one day, I tend to feel overwhelmed (in a good way) and usually need to walk it off or sit in a cafe somewhere to process it all, so if you're like me, decompress at nearby Xiloteca with a coffee.

Dinner: If I lived in Barcelona, I'd eat at Bar del Pla every week. Their small, perfectly crafted tapas menu focuses on quality ingredients, and the wine list is superb. Try the oxtail brioche and picanya roast beef and definitely order the patatas bravas (potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce) because they are, hands down, the best in the city. Don’t let the casual vibe fool you into thinking you don’t need to book ahead. It's always busy.

After dark: Dr Stravinsky is a cocktail bar with low lighting and walls stacked with glowing liquids and where the award-winning cocktails are elevated to an art form. The bartenders are always flipping, shaking and making