Top 10 Things to Do For 3 Days in Barcelona 2024
Spend 3 Days in Barcelona: The Top 10 Attractions
Barcelona is renowned for its modern art and beautiful architecture. But the capital of Catalonia is also a fantastic destination for a family trip to Spain. Here’s a guide to spending 3 days in Barcelona, featuring the best 10 attractions for a fun-filled vacation.
Is 3 Days in Barcelona Enough?
Three days in Barcelona is enough to experience the city’s highlights and immerse yourself in its culture and history. From the underwater wonders at L’Aquarium Barcelona to the scenic Montjuïc Cable Car and historic Montjuïc Castle, this Barcelona 3 day itinerary ensures you see the best of what the city has to offer.
Enjoy your family trip and make unforgettable memories with these top attractions! Explore Barcelona in 3 days and discover the magic of this incredible city.
The Sagrada Familia
Attraction Name: The Sagrada Familia
Location: Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013
Opening Hours: Daily 9 am – 6 pm
Public Transport: Sagrada Familia Metro Station
Pricing: Adults €20, Students/Seniors €18, Children under 11 free
Bookings: It is highly recommended that tickets be booked online in advance to avoid long queues.
Kids Activities: While amazing for adults, the Sagrada Familia is not specifically aimed at children, but the intricate designs, towering spires, and multicolored windows will fascinate kids.
Why I Like It: The Sagrada Familia is an architectural masterpiece by Antoni Gaudí and an iconic symbol of Barcelona. Its unique design and ongoing construction make it fascinating to visit. No Barcelona 3-day itinerary is complete without seeing this breathtaking basilica.
La Rambla
Attraction Name: La Rambla
Location: La Rambla, a street in central Barcelona
Opening Hours: The pedestrianized area is always accessible, but events, museums, shops, and attractions along the boulevard open at various times.
Public Transport: Catalunya, Liceu, and Drassanes Metro Stations along Line L3
Kids Activities: You will love the human statues and live performances along the pedestrianized part of this central street.
Why I Like It: The most famous street in Barcelona offers so much to see and do. Highlights include the 197-foot-tall Columbus Monument, which offers panoramic city views, and Boqueria Market, a great place to pick up local produce souvenirs.
The notorious Barcelona Erotica Museum is unsuitable for kids but might be interesting for older family members. La Rambla is a must-see in any Barcelona 3-day itinerary.
The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
Attraction Name: The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
Location: Plaça de Carles Buïgas, 1, 08038
Times: Shows at half-hour intervals during the weekend, with additional times in the summer.
Public Transport: Plaça Espanya Metro
Pricing: Free
Kids Activities: Kids will be mesmerized by how the water dances to contemporary pop songs.
Why I Like It: This spectacular fountain display is captivating, especially with its combination of lights, music, and water choreography. It’s a perfect evening activity for your weekend in Barcelona.
Park Güell
Attraction Name: Park Güell
Location: Carmel Hill, 08024
Opening Hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm in low season, 7:30 am – 8:30 pm during summer high season.
Public Transport: Vallcarca Metro Station
Pricing: €10 for adults, €7 for children 7 – 12, seniors, and concessions. Young children enter for free. Much of the park is free, but tickets are required for the most spectacular areas.
Bookings: Booking in advance is recommended as the park limits the number of visitors.
Kids Activities: While no child-specific activities exist, kids generally love the bizarre buildings and beautiful statues.
Why I Like It: Park Güell showcases Gaudi’s genius with a park full of architectural wonders designed to complement each other within a natural setting. It’s a highlight for anyone wondering what to do in Barcelona for 3 days.
The Picasso Museum
Attraction Name: The Picasso Museum
Location: Montcada Street, 15 – 23, 08003
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 9 am – 7 pm (until 9:30 pm on Thursdays)
Public Transport: Catalunya Metro Station
Pricing: Adults €12, Seniors & Children €7. Free on Thursdays 6 pm – 9:30 pm and the first Sunday of every month. Check the ticket webpage for updates.
Bookings: Tickets can be purchased online.
Kids Activities: The museum features Picasso’s life from childhood, showcasing his schoolwork and progression as an artist, which is great for inspiring kids.
Why I Like It: The Picasso Museum uniquely offers a chronological journey through Picasso’s life and works. It is a fascinating stop for art lovers on their 3 days in Barcelona tours.
4 Barcelona Tours Just For You
Barcelona Zoo
Attraction Name: Barcelona Zoo
Location: Parc de la Ciutadella, 08003
Opening Hours: 10:30 am – 5:30 pm
Public Transport: Ciutadella Vila Olimpica Metro Station
Pricing: Online adult tickets €19.25, children (3 – 12) €11.65
Bookings: Book online for discounts and to avoid queues.
Kids Activities: The zoo offers behind-the-scenes tours and dolphin shows that kids will love.
Why I Like It: Barcelona Zoo is dedicated to conservation and education. It offers behind-the-scenes tours to meet zoologists and learn about animal welfare, making it a great addition to a weekend in Barcelona.
Tibidabo Amusement Park
Attraction Name: Tibidabo Amusement Park
Location: Plaça del Tibidabo, 3, 4, 08035
Opening Hours: High season daily 11 am – 11 pm, low season weekends only 11 am – 7 pm
Public Transport: Penitents Metro Station
Pricing: Adults €28.50, Children (shorter than 1.3m) €10.30
Bookings: Book on the park’s website.
Kids Activities: The amusement park is aimed at children and has many fun rides suitable for all ages.
Why I Like It: One of the oldest amusement parks in the world, Tibidabo offers historic rides and a unique aerial view of Barcelona, making it a highlight for families wondering what to see in Barcelona in 3 days.
L’Aquarium Barcelona
Attraction Name: L’Aquarium Barcelona
Location: del Port Vell, Moll d’Espanya, 08039
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 10 am – 7:30 pm, Friday – Sunday 10 am – 8:00 pm
Public Transport: Barceloneta Metro Station
Pricing: Adults €21.00, Children 5 – 10 €16, Children 3 – 4 €8. Check the website for updates.
Bookings: Tickets can be purchased at the door or online, with cheaper family tickets available online.
Kids Activities: There’s a unique activity called Sleeping with Sharks, where kids can camp in the aquarium overnight and observe shark behavior in the dark.
Why I Like It: L’Aquarium Barcelona houses 35 aquariums with 450 aquatic species. The shark tank, featuring a tunnel that offers eye-to-eye views with sharks, is particularly impressive. This makes it a must-visit spot during your 3 days in Barcelona.
The Montjuïc Cable Car
Attraction Name: The Montjuïc Cable Car
Location: Avinguda Miramar, 30, 08038
Opening Hours: 10 am – 7 pm daily
Public Transport: Poble Sec Metro Station
Pricing: Adults €8.40, Children 4 – 12 €6.60, Children 0 – 3 free. Check the website for updates.
Bookings: Booking online gives you a 10% discount.
Why I Like It: This scenic ride offers breathtaking aerial views of Barcelona as it transports you from Montjuïc Park to Montjuïc Castle. It’s a spectacular way to reach the castle and see the city from above, making it a highlight in any Barcelona 3 day itinerary.
Montjuïc Castle
Attraction Name: Montjuïc Castle
Location: Ctra. De Montjuïc, 66, 08038
Opening Hours: 10 am – 8 pm daily
Public Transport: The cable car is the easiest way to reach the castle; the nearest Metro station is Poble Sec.
Pricing: Adults €5, Concessions €3. Free entry after 3 pm on the first Sunday of the month. Check the website for updates.
Bookings: Purchase tickets online to skip the queue.
Why I Like It: Montjuïc Castle, dating back to 1640, offers stunning panoramic views of Barcelona. The castle’s rich history and the fascinating armor museum will captivate your family, making it a perfect spot during your weekend in Barcelona.
Additional Tips for Your 3 Days in Barcelona
To make the most of your three days in Barcelona, consider purchasing a Barcelona Pass. This pass offers public transport and entry to 20 top attractions at prices starting from €55 (Check website for updates). Plan your visit around the first Sunday of the month, when many museums offer free admission in the evening.
Robert’s passion for nature and history began early when he preferred museums over beaches. An archaeology and anthropology graduate from Cambridge, he volunteered across the UK and explored China. Now, he writes about his adventures while his kids drag him to beaches and theme parks.