How To Plan The Perfect 3-Day Getaway To Barcelona

If you're looking to plan a short yet sweet trip, there are plenty of great weekend getaways across the globe, including Barcelona, Spain, which should definitely top your list. There are several reasons why Spain should be your next dream destination, but Barcelona in particular is a special gem that offers the best of Spain mixed with its own unique heritage. That's because Barcelona is actually the capital of Catalonia, an autonomous region in the northeastern corner of the country that boasts a unique history, dialect, and cuisine.

What's more, Lonely Planet finds that Barcelona is a great spot for both short and long stays. It's a bustling, vibrant metropolis that has plenty to keep you busy, but its city center is compact enough that you won't waste time moving from one attraction to another. Not to mention public transit is fast, affordable, and reliable. Another major selling point is the diversity of activities you'll find. It's not just folks looking for a beach vacation who'll love Barcelona, although there are plenty of great beaches to enjoy right in the city. As Culture Trip notes, everyone should visit Barcelona at least once in their lifetime to experience its rich history, thriving art scene, unique regional cuisine, and unrivaled nightlife. Here's how to plan the perfect three-day getaway to Barcelona.

Barcelona is a large city with an array of buzzing, tourist-friendly neighborhoods, which can make choosing the perfect place to stay tricky, but you'll want to select the area that best speaks to your travel style. Breaking down some of the top spots for tourists, blogger Santorini Dave recommends Barri Gòtic (the historically-rich city center), El Raval (the hipster part of town full of bars and museums), and the Barceloneta 'hood right on the beach. There's also Poblenou, which is all about nightlife, but according to The Nomad Advisor, El Born is the coolest place to set down roots because it has plenty of historical charm and is buzzing with life and energy. Finally, there's Passeig de Gracia with its swanky, luxurious options, while Gràcia serves up bohemian vibes.

When it comes to hotels, the Kimpton Vividora Barcelona in Barri Gòtic will put you in the middle of the action, as it's just steps away from the famous Las Ramblas, the buzzing tree-lined pedestrian street considered to be the heart of the city. For a budget-friendly option that doesn't compromise on design, there's Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella near the Arc de Triomf, or, if you want to splurge, Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona on Passeig de Gràcia is a five-star option. Meanwhile, Telegraph ranks Soho House Barcelona by the marina as its fave because its luxurious accommodations can't be beaten.

If you're searching for delicious libations, Barcelona has you covered. Eater recommends getting your fix of beers at BierCaB (choose from 30 on-tap brews) while Bar Brutal is all about wine, featuring both a wine shop and a wine-centric restaurant. Alternatively, if you're searching for memorable cocktails, Barcelona is home to three of The World's 50 Best Bars for 2022. Those include Two Schmucks, Sips, and Paradiso, which was actually ranked No.1. The latter offers a truly memorable experience as you walk into a pastrami shop for a sandwich, then walk through a freezer door into the speakeasy space. There, you'll be met with unique drink offerings, like the 'Great Gatsby' made with whisky, white truffle honey, amaro, and lavender essence.

Other top bars in the city include Caribbean Club, a rum bar that opened in 1974, and Ideal Cocktail Bar, which has been focusing on classic cocktails since 1931. Culture Trip also loves El Xampanyet, an eccentric local hangout serving cava (sparkling wine made in Spain) while Time Out ranks Dr. Stravinsky as its go-to fave bar in Barcelona. The outlet gives it five out of five stars and recommends trying the Camp Nou, which it promises is different from any cocktail you've had.

Barcelona has a rich artistic heritage and, throughout the decades, it has played home to some of the biggest artists in the world. As Frommer's notes, architect Antoni Gaudí is undoubtedly Catalonia's superstar native son, but greats like Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró have also spent time in the city. Today, you'll find their work immortalized in a number of impressive museums, namely the Museu Picasso, which is home to over 4,000 pieces of art, and the Fundació Joan Miró, which has hundreds of paintings and sculptures and almost all his prints. Meanwhile, the massive Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya prides itself on showing a thousand years of art history under one roof while the MACBA Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona and CCCB: Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona cater to contemporary art lovers. Time Out also recommends visiting the Fundació Antoni Tàpies, which the Barcelona-born painter built himself to show off his art, as well as that of other contemporary artists.

If you're looking for something more unique, CN Traveler recommends MUHBA Refugi 307, a preserved bomb shelter from the Spanish Civil War, as well as CaixaForum Barcelona, a space dedicated to presenting exciting temporary exhibitions. Last but not least, there's the excavation site known as El Born Centre de Cultura I Memòria, which will give you a glimpse of city ruins dating all the way back to the 1700s.

Barcelona is known for many things and its vibrant nightlife definitely tops the list. The city has plenty of options for anyone looking to party the night away, but as Barcelo notes, there are some things that may take you by surprise. Before heading out to a club, you'll want to remember that folks in Barcelona like to do everything later than what you're probably accustomed to. That means that dinner usually starts around 9 p.m. and so, people won't be showing up at clubs until midnight. If that sounds incredibly late, consider that most venues will keep their doors open until 6 a.m., per Nightflow. Indeed, the city takes its partying seriously and on Saturdays, the subway runs nonstop through the night, so you never have to worry about getting home.

Now, for the best places to dance the night away. Culture Trip crowns Razzmatazz as Barcelona's top nightclub because it has something for everyone. The huge space is made up of five different areas, bringing together a variety of musical genres. The Loft, for example, plays techno while Pop Bar focuses on pop (of course) and the Rex Room hosts live concerts from major names. The outlet also recommends paying a visit to Pacha Barcelona for its beachfront terrace, as well as Opium Barcelona on Barceloneta beach if you're looking for the most luxe experience around, complete with the strictest dress code in the city.

Barcelona is a soccer city. Or, as they say in Europe, a football city. Given that its home team, FC Barcelona, was ranked first in Spain's football league, La Liga, as of January 2023, it's really no wonder that Barcelona lives for soccer. The game is part of its DNA and, regardless of your knowledge or enthusiasm for the game, no visit to the city would really be complete without a little Barça.

One great way to learn more about the sport is by visiting the team's home stadium, Camp Nou. It's the biggest stadium in Europe (it boasts an impressive 99,354 capacity!) and is open for various tours throughout the year. The most basic visit includes a stop at the Barça Museum, as well as Camp Nou itself, including a walk through the stands and field. If you'd like to upgrade your experience, you can also see the players' changing room, the pressroom, and even have professional photos taken throughout your visit. Another great option is to take in a live match. Purchasing tickets for a game is easy and can be done directly through the FC Barcelona site. You can take your pick from a standard seat (prices start at 49€ or about $53), a VIP seat (which comes with access to the VIP lounge and catering), or choose the ultimate Players Experience, which lets you watch all of the action from right behind the players' bench.