Barcelona City Breaks

One of the world’s most enchanting cities, Barcelona offers beaches and sea as a captivating backdrop to architectural gems from Gothic to Gaudi, world class museums and galleries, an Olympic park, a peerless cathedral, a world famous boulevard and one of the most extensive medieval cities in Europe.Barcelona’s architectural treasures are reason enough to visit the vivacious and creative capital of Catalunya.

The Gothic quarter is the true heart of Barcelona featuring 14th century cathedrals and palaces towering above an ancient maze of shadowy lanes and narrow streets. Elsewhere the spectacular modernista creations of Gaudi and his contemporaries are dotted around the city and evidenced in Park Guell and the soaring, sinuous spires of Sagrada Familia.

Culture enthusiasts can indulge on luxury Barcelona city-breaks with the plethora of museums and galleries.  Artists have long been inspired by the city and a myriad of museums are devoted to the works of Miro, Dali and Picasso. Catalan cooking with its simple and flavoursome ingredients, is served in captivating settings: elegant Art Nouveau dining rooms, Basque-style tapas bars, rustic beachside chiringuito and Michelin-starred restaurants.

Tourist Taxes

Tourist taxes have been introduced across many areas of Spain and are payable directly to the hotel. Taxes vary according to the region and the hotel star rating but are generally up to €5 per person per night, often with reductions for children.

Las Sagrada Familia

Work started on Gaudi’s monumental cathedral in 1882 and is due to be completed in 2026, the centennial of the architect’s death; Barcelona’s most iconic building is a towering and awe-inspiring must see.

Montjuic

The hilltop retreat of Montjuic features the grand Palau Nacional, the Olympic stadium, the ornate Font Màgica fountains, and offers endless exploring amid sculpture parks, botanical gardens, first-rate museums and beautiful panoramic vistas.

Picasso Musuem

Displayed in a cluster of medieval stone mansions and courtyards, which are as delightful as the art collection within, the Picasso Museum houses more than 3,000 pieces of the artist’s earlier works.

Park Guell

Gaudi’s magic suburb, now a public park, is an UNESCO world heritage site and a whimsical, magical and enchanting space of fairytale gatehouses and a giant mosaic lizard guarding a magnificent staircase.

Las Ramblas

In Gothic times a riverbed, this mile-long boulevard, running from Plaça de Catalunya to the Columbus Monument, is Barcelona’s most famous thoroughfare and an essential part of any visit to the city.

Barcelona in 3 Days

To help you get the most out of your city break to Barcelona we have put together a 'Barcelona in 3 days' itinerary.

Day 1

Begin the day in the city’s Gothic quarter with a fascinating walking tour of Barcelona’s impressive Gothic legacy stopping to enjoy the Picasso Museum. Then enjoy the many sights and street entertainers of the Ramblas where you should stop, have a coffee and watch the world go by. Nearby La Boqueria Food Market is a riot of colour with beautiful displays of fruit, vegetables, delicious hams and cheeses, fresh fish and shellfish. Have lunch here before discovering some Gaudi gems along the Passeig de Gracia. Shop late and enjoy some traditional tapas in the evening.

Day 2

You can easily spend the best part of a day in Montjuic. Head for the heights via the funicular railway and enjoy the considerable delights of the Poble Espanyol, a place full of charm, with its full size replicas of buildings, streets and squares from many of the different regions of Spain. Take in the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya with its important pieces of Gothic art, the Olympic Stadium and Museum, the Joan Miró Gallery and the fabulous panoramic view of Barcelona from the hill, noting the ornate magic fountains, before finishing in the Barceloneta quarter where there are ample dining opportunities.

Day 3

No visit to Barcelona can be considered complete without spending some time at the most emblematic of all Barcelona’s sights, the Sagrada Familia cathedral. Although unfinished it is the most visited monument in Spain with nearly three million visitors a year making the pilgrimage to Gaudi’s towering masterpiece. Some 95 metres long, 60 metres wide and 170 metres high it is able to accommodate a congregation of no fewer than 13,000 people. For more flights of Gaudi fancy take in the Park Guell. If time permits, the Pedralbes gardens and the Camp Nou football stadium are more than worthy of a visit.