Skip to content
  • AB
    • About Us
    • Barcelona Apartments
    • Contact Us
  • Tourist Guide
    • Places
    • Food and Drink
    • Nightlife
    • Shopping
    • Museums
  • Things To Do
    • Activities
    • Events
    • Day Trips
    • Tours
    • Outside Barcelona
  • Visiting Barcelona
    • Accommodation
    • Useful Information
    • Neighborhoods
    • Gaudí
    • Bars, Cafés and Restaurants
    • Summer
  • Spanish life
    • People
    • Culture
    • Traditions
  • EnglishEnglish
    • SpanishEspañol
    • FrenchFrançais
    • ItalianItaliano
    • GermanDeutsch
    • DutchNederlands
    • RussianРусский
    • Chinese (Simplified)简体中文
Menu
AB Blog
  • AB
    • About Us
    • Barcelona Apartments
    • Contact Us
  • Tourist Guide
    • Places
    • Food and Drink
    • Nightlife
    • Shopping
    • Museums
  • Things To Do
    • Activities
    • Events
    • Day Trips
    • Tours
    • Outside Barcelona
  • Visiting Barcelona
    • Accommodation
    • Useful Information
    • Neighborhoods
    • Gaudí
    • Bars, Cafés and Restaurants
    • Summer
  • Spanish life
    • People
    • Culture
    • Traditions
  • EnglishEnglish
    • SpanishEspañol
    • FrenchFrançais
    • ItalianItaliano
    • GermanDeutsch
    • DutchNederlands
    • RussianРусский
    • Chinese (Simplified)简体中文
Hit enter to search or esc to close
Home  >  Home • Things To Do • Tourist Guide • Visiting Barcelona  >  One Day in Barcelona: What to do?

One Day in Barcelona: What to do?

Casa Batlló

If you’re only in Barcelona for one day, whether you’ve come by cruise or on the way to another destination, it can be hard to decide how to make the most of your time. So here we’ve outlined an action packed day, and while it still only skims the surface of what Barcelona has to offer, it will ensure that you hit most of the must-see spots while also getting a sense of the rich culture of the city during your short visit. If you follow this guide, you’ll leave with a good taste of this magnificent city, and chances are you’ll be itching to come back.

 

1. Brunch and Cake and Port VellBrunch & Cake Barcelona

Start the day with a brunch as beautiful as it is delicious at Brunch and Cake, located right on Port Vell at Passeig de Joan de Borbó, 5. Chances are you’ll dock your cruise ship near here, so its an easy way to hop right into the action. Once you’ve finished your meal you’ll be in the perfect location to take a stroll down one of Barcelona’s most iconic sites, Barceloneta beach, where you can soak up the sun, dig your feet in the sand, and browse the souvenir shops and street vendors.

Be sure to find your way up to the terrace hidden at the top of the Museu d’Història de Catalunya, right across the street from Brunch and Cake. Enter the museum and take the elevator to the top floor… you’ll see the restaurant first, but to the right of the restaurant is La Terraza. This magnificent panoramic view of the port will take your breath away!

 

2. Las Ramblas and Plaça Catalunya

Next, take a stroll La Boqueria, Las Ramblasdown up of Barcelona’s most renowned streets, Las Ramblas. It runs right from the port to the center of the city. It is home to plenty of stores, ice-cream stops and street performers, so walking up it is an activity in itself.

If you’ve worked up an appetite walking so much, stop in to the famous La Boqueria Market for a colorful cup of fruit or a delicious empanada along the way. You’ll end up at Plaça Catalunya, one of the most famous and central plazas in Barcelona.

Plaça Catalunya connects just about everything in the city, so it is the perfect place to pop onto the Barcelona hop on hop off tour, which will ensure you get to all the sights you want to see during your short trip to Barcelona.

 

 

3. Hop on Hop off tour

Casa Batlló BarcelonaOn the Barcelona Hop on Hop off bus tour you’ll be able to see everything from the Arc De Triomf to Camp Nou for the sports fans of the family. An all encompassing tour of the city, this is the perfect activity for people visiting Barcelona on a cruise, weekend visit, or day trip. Stay on for as long as you like or hop off to get a closer look at some of the spectacular sites.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, a couple of Gaudí’s most renowned works. You can’t leave your day in Barcelona without witnessing the dramatic modernist architecture, especially of the infamous Antoni Gaudí.

 

 

5. Picasso Museum or Gothic Cathedral

Barcelona CathedralUnfortunately, with limited time, you’ll have to make a few choices. Nobody likes choosing between equally amazing sites, but in a short day visit it must be done. Either head to El Born area where you can check out the Picasso Museum and the Santa María del Mar church, or the Gothic Quarter where you can see the remarkable Roman ruins and the Gothic Cathedral.

If you go to the Gothic Quarter, be sure to hit the Art Montfalcón for some quality souvenirs. Keep an eye out for the Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, a baroque style square surrounded by Renaissance style houses. This square was built on top of a medieval cemetery, and you can still see reminders of the Spanish Civil War around the plaza.

If you choose to go to El Born, hit the Passeig del Born, located between the Born Cultural Centre and the Santa María del Mar Church. This old promenade used to host medieval festivals, fairs, jousting matches, and on a darker note, in the 16th century was where many condemned by the Inquisition were executed.

Both places are rich in historical, cultural and artistic beauty, so we’ll leave you the choice of which to do on your one day in Barcelona!

 

6. Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is the The Sagrada Familiaultimate Barcelona must-see. This Roman Catholic Church is arguably one of Gaudí’s most famous and extraordinary creations. Composed entirely of tiny, strictly thought out details, this massive landmark has taken over a hundred years to build (and still going!) for a reason. You’ll be amazed by the sparkle of the illuminated space as the bright Barcelona sun shines through the artful stained glass windows.

 

 

 

7. The Ciudad Condal restaurant

Ciudad Condal RestaurantAfter packing so many cool activities into the day, its time to rest your feet and fill your belly. In a city as culturally rich as Barcelona, food is a major part of a visitor’s experience. Your day in Barcelona wouldn’t be complete without trying some delicious traditional tapas!

Stop at the Ciudad Condal restaurant, located right on the corner of Rambla de Catalunya and Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, in the very city center. With an extensive menu, and some sensational sangria, this is the place to go to try some patatas bravas, calamares, Catalan escalivada and much more. We suggest you try to get there on the early side, before 1pm for lunch and before 9pm for dinner, as this restaurant is so popular that lines can be long. It’s definitely worth the wait, though!

 

 

 

8. Montjuïc Magic Fountain Show

Montjuïc Magic Fountains, Barcelona

If your cruise leaves after dark or you’re here overnight, be sure to catch a Montjuïc Magic Fountain show. This is the perfect way to top off your short trip to Barcelona. The remarkable fountain dancing to music and illuminated by streams of pink, blue, green lights is nothing short of spectacular. Sure to be a hit with children and adults alike, this is a must-see if you get the chance.

 

 

When your time is limited and you’re exploring a new city with more to offer than anyone really knows what to do with, it’s crucial to have a plan. There’s no way you won’t want to come back to this dazzling city if you follow the recommendations on this one day cruise guide!

 

 

 

Tags: barcelona activities barcelona attractions barcelona beach barcelona culture barcelona day trips barcelona food and drink barcelona places barcelona tourist guide barceloneta barcelona catalan cuisine el born barcelona gothic quarter barcelona sightseeing in barcelona things to do in barcelona tourism in barcelona visiting barcelona
Greta O'Marah

Greta is a writer originally from Boston, Massachusetts, currently living and studying in Barcelona. Greta is an avid traveler with a passion for culture, history and art.

Previous Article Barcelona’s Arqueoticket: a journey from past to present
Next Article IN PICTURES: A short guide to the Born neighbourhood

Subscribe Now to Our Newsletter, It's Free! Get the best content delivered straight into
your inbox!

Related Posts

history-bcn

Following the trail of the Romans in Barcelona – History

Discover the remains of the impressive Roman civilisation in Barcelona and learn more about the history of the city and the region of Catalonia, which was significantly influenced by the Romans for a long time.

Read More about Following the trail of the Romans in Barcelona – History
Posted By AB Apartment Barcelona Posted on February 2, 2023
0

The Best Places to Find Snow Around Barcelona

Love snow but hate skiing? Don’t worry, we have you covered with a load of cool activities to do in these snowy paradises just around the corner from Barcelona.

Read More about The Best Places to Find Snow Around Barcelona
Posted By AB Apartment Barcelona Posted on January 31, 2023
0

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Find an apartment

The Weather in Barcelona

Weather – Tutiempo.net

  • Popular
  • Recent
  • Las Ramblas, Barcelona
    The Tourist Tax in Barcelona – All You Need to Know November 20, 2012
  • montjuic
    The Magic Fountain of Barcelona October 2, 2013
  • pacha-barcelona
    Barcelona Nightlife – The Best Bars and Clubs in Port Olímpic August 5, 2016
  • The Wonderful Works of Gaudí in Barcelona June 20, 2012
  • history-bcn
    Following the trail of the Romans in Barcelona – History February 2, 2023
  • The Best Places to Find Snow Around Barcelona January 31, 2023
  • food-barcelona
    Guide to the Best 5 Peruvian Food Restaurants in Barcelona January 26, 2023
  • The best places to find exceptional souvenirs in Barcelona January 19, 2023

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our Newsletter, It's Free! Get the best content delivered straight into your inbox!

More top Barcelona tips

Tweets by @ApartmentBCN
Facebook Twitter YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

    About us

    AB Apartment Barcelona is an online tourist apartment agency with more than 1000  Barcelona apartments to rent for both short and long-term stays.

    From luxury apartments in Barcelona to studios and from Ramblas apartments to beach apartments in Barcelona, we have a great choice of accommodation in a wide variety of locations across the city. We now also offer apartments in Costa Dorada and Sitges.

    Whether you are coming to Barcelona on a short break, vacation, or even if you want to move here, you will find the perfect home-away-from-home with AB Apartment Barcelona.

    Social Media

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    Categories

    • Accommodation 18 Posts
    • Architecture 48 Posts
    • Bars, Cafés and Restaurants 187 Posts
    • Culture 169 Posts
    • Day Trips 98 Posts

    Recent Posts

    • history-bcn
      Following the trail of the Romans in Barcelona – History February 2, 2023
    • The Best Places to Find Snow Around Barcelona January 31, 2023
    • food-barcelona
      Guide to the Best 5 Peruvian Food Restaurants in Barcelona January 26, 2023
    • The best places to find exceptional souvenirs in Barcelona January 19, 2023
    Apartment Barcelona
    • Privacy Policy
    • Tourist Guide
    • Things To Do
    • Visiting Barcelona
    • Spanish Life