A Perfect Week in Barcelona

Barcelona is an exciting city! There is so much to do and so much to see, visitors sometimes feel overwhelmed by the choices. So if you are staying in Barcelona for a week, and don’t know where to start? Here are some suggestions by ShBarcelona.

Related article: Storing Your Luggage in Barcelona

Day 1: City Center

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What better place to start your visit than the heart of the city? Go to Plaza Catalunya, the most famous plaza in Barcelona.

Afterward, start walking towards the sea going down Las Ramblas, the main touristic point in the city, full of souvenir shops, street performers, markets and much more.

Stop along the way to have lunch at La Boqueria, Barcelona’s most famous market, where you can choose from a variety of sweet and salty items like chocolate truffles and jamón serrano.

If when you finish seeing Las Ramblas you find that you still have a lot of time to spare, stop by one or more of the museums closest to that area: the Wax Museum, the Erotic Museum, or the Maritime Museum.

Day 2: Gaudí’s Works

Antoni Gaudí is one of the most important names in Spanish architecture, a central figure in the development of the Modernist movement in the country. Start the day visiting Casa Batlló, a gorgeous private home turned museum inspired by elements of nature and the sea.

Stop at El Nacional, a multi-restaurant center resembling an old greenhouse where you can try a variety of Spanish dishes. After a good and satisfying meal, take the bus or the metro to Carmel Hill for a visit to Park Güell.

Day 3: The Old City

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Start close to the water at Passeig de Colom and make your way towards the center walking inside the Gothic neighborhood. When you feel like you have explored that area enough, cross Via Laietana to the right side, towards Born, one of the hippest barrios in town.

After visiting the area and stopping for a bite, make your way to Parc de la Ciutadella for a nice and peaceful post-lunch walk. Exit through Passeig Pujades so you can see Barcelona’s own Arc de Triomf.

Day 4:  Montjuïc & Poble Sec

There are several places to visit in the Montjuïc neighbourhood: the Montjuïc Castle, Poble Espanyol, MNAC and the mountain itself. Choose the order you prefer and get to know this magnificent area.

When the sky finally starts becoming dark, stop at the top of Avinguda Maria Cristina for a show of music, color and light at Montjuïc’s Font Màgica. End your day in Carrer del Blai where you will find dozens of  pintxos bars, where you can have a meal of small slices of bread with an enormous variety of toppings.

Related article: The Beaches on Barcelona’s Coast

Day 5: Gaudi’s Works – Part II

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If you became a fan of Gaudí after your visit to Casa Batlló and Park Güell, dedicate another day to visiting other famous buildings by the Catalan architect.

Start your day at the single most visited monument in the city: La Sagrada Família. Take your time to explore this intricate and majestic piece of work whose construction began over 100 years ago, in 1882.

Go back to the center and have lunch in Passeig de Gràcia, one of the most beautiful and most expensive avenues in Barcelona. After exploring the avenue, head up to Casa Milá, famously known as La Pedrera.

Day 6: Shop ‘till you drop

After spending five days exploring the city, allow yourself to get lost in the many shopping malls and street shops around the city. There are several malls in Barcelona. The most significant ones are Diagonal Mar, Maremagnum, Las Arenas, L’Illa Diagonal, Glòries and La Maquinista.

There are also great streets for shopping like Portal de l’Àngel, where you will find the most famous, popular brands; Passeig de Gràcia and Avinguda Diagonal where you will find the most expensive brands; and Carrer de Avinyó, where you will find several vintage and alternative dress shops.   

Day 7: Fun day

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End your trip with a smile by trying one of the many fun activities offered by the city. If you like animals, visit the Aquarium or the Zoo.

If you like games and rides, go to Tibidabo Amusement Park.

If you are into adrenaline, try an extreme sport like bungee jumping, Flyboarding and sky diving.

Is there anything else that should be on this list when you visit Barcelona for a full week?