Visit Barcelona in 2 days

Where to Stay in Barcelona

Where you sleep in Barcelona matters more than you might expect for a short trip: with only two days, you want to minimize transit time and maximize atmosphere. Choosing a base near the cluster of Modernist gems — including Casa Batlló, Casa Lleó Morera and Casa Enric Batlló — keeps you a short walk from iconic façades and elegant cafés, so you can see more without rushing. If you prefer theatrical nights, staying near the Gran Teatre del Liceu puts performances, tapas and the pulse of the city within easy reach.

Barcelona’s heart is compact and legible. The wide, checkerboard avenues of the Eixample contrast with the narrow lanes of Ciutat Vella (the old city) that include the Barri Gòtic and La Rambla. Eixample’s grid makes walking efficient and pleasant; Ciutat Vella rewards curious wanderers with hidden squares and medieval corners. For two days, favor neighborhoods that sit between these areas so you can cross from Modernist boulevards to the Gothic Quarter in minutes rather than an hour.

Recommended neighbourhood strategy: base yourself on or close to Passeig de Gràcia or the northern end of La Rambla. A stay in Eixample gives you doorstep access to the Modernist houses like Casa Batlló, Casa Lleó Morera and Palau Marcet, while the Gothic/La Rambla area places the Gran Teatre del Liceu and the lively waterfront within easy reach. Gràcia and El Raval are great if you prefer a more local, bohemian vibe but still want quick links to the main sights.

Transport around the centre is straightforward: Barcelona is highly walkable and well served by frequent metro, tram and bus lines. For airport transfers and late nights, taxis and ride apps are plentiful. Pick accommodation near a metro stop or a major tram corridor to save time; if you plan to see an evening performance at the Liceu, check walking routes so you don’t rely on transfers after the show.

Finally, keep it simple and forgiving: with two days, prioritize location over boutique extras. A comfortable room in Eixample or the Gothic Quarter means you’ll spend less time commuting and more time soaking up façades, theatres and plazas at an easy pace. Barcelona is compact, safe, and full of surprises—choose a central, well-connected base and you’ll leave feeling satisfied rather than exhausted.

Getting Around Barcelona

Barcelona is a joy to explore because its public transport feels made for visitors: frequent, well-signed and woven into the city’s grid. The backbone is the Metro run by TMB, supported by bus lines, FGC suburban trains and trams — all easy to read, even if you don’t speak Catalan. Stations and stops are close to the main sights, signage uses icons and line colors, and drivers or station staff will often help with a smile. Bring comfortable shoes, because many journeys mix a short walk with a quick ride — it’s part of the fun 🚇.

A practical tip: pick the ticket that matches your stay. If you’re dipping in and out, a multi-ride pass like the T-casual (10 trips) is handy; if you’re staying several days and plan lots of sightseeing, an unlimited pass such as the Hola Barcelona travel card pays off. Single tickets and contactless bank cards are accepted at machines and gates, but always validate your ticket at the turnstiles — inspectors do check. Keep a small printed or screenshot copy of your pass until it’s fully used.

For navigation, use Google Maps (or your preferred map app) — it shows real-time departures, walking times and alternative routes. Type your attraction name (these are well-known: Palau Robert, Casa Batlló) and the app will give you step-by-step transit + walking directions. Look for short connections that combine a quick Metro hop with a pleasant street walk; Barcelona’s grid and wide avenues like Passeig de Gràcia make transfers intuitive 🗺️.

To save money, mix modes: walk between close sights (many are a few minutes apart) and use a short metro ride for longer hops. Buying a multi-ride or day pass and using integrated transfers within the same fare zone reduces per-trip cost, and avoiding taxis around rush hour will shave euros off your budget. Also, travel cards often include airport train or metro rides if you plan arrival/departure on public transport — check what’s included before you buy.

On my last visit we wanted to go from Palau Robert to Casa Batlló. Instead of waiting for a train, we decided to walk along Passeig de Gràcia: it was a ten-minute stroll past boutiques and Modernist façades, and we popped into a little café midway. If you’re in a rush you can hop one short stop on the Metro to Passeig de Gràcia, but honestly, walking showed us a slice of local life and saved a ticket — a small choice that made the city feel friendlier and more immediate 🎫.

What to Pack for Barcelona

Short trips to Barcelona are all about walking between stunning façades, popping into small theatres, and lingering at plazas until the light changes. I’ve learned to pack light but intentionally: a few reliable items keep me comfortable while I wander 8–12 miles a day hunting down Gaudí corners and late-night opera houses. Below are the essentials I always bring and exactly why each one matters.

1. Comfortable walking shoes (e.g., Adidas Ultraboost): I once walked about 12 miles in a single day—from Sagrada Família to Park Güell then back through Gràcia—and my feet were thanking me only because I wore cushioned sneakers. Cobbled streets and uneven sidewalks are everywhere; a pair like Adidas Ultraboost or similarly supportive trainers prevents soreness so you can be out 10+ hours without hobbling by evening.

2. Cross-body bag (secure, zippered): Barcelona is beautiful—and busy. I had a close call on La Rambla when someone tried to unzip a backpack; after that I switched to a snug cross-body with a zipper and RFID pocket. It keeps essentials (passport copy, cards, phone) close and deters pickpockets, which are more active around tourist sites and crowded theatres.

3. Weather-appropriate layered clothing: Mediterranean days can shift—sunny and warm by noon, cooler by the waterfront at dusk. On a spring trip I wore a light linen shirt by day and a thin merino sweater at night. Think breathable layers: a tee, a light shirt, and a packable sweater or scarf so you’re comfortable during 8–12 hours outside and in drafty opera halls.

4. European power adapter (Type C/F) and phone charger: Spain uses 230V with round-pin sockets, so bring a small adapter. I once had my camera die before sunset because I’d packed only a U.S. plug—don’t be me. A compact adapter keeps cameras and phone chargers usable when you need to upload a quick photo or check show times.

5. Power bank (at least 10,000 mAh): Maps, tickets, and translation apps drain batteries fast when you’re out all day. I carry a 10,000–20,000 mAh power bank that gives my phone 2–3 full charges; it saved me during an evening when I needed to show a digital ticket for a theatre performance and my phone sat at 8%.

6. Optional but handy — reusable water bottle & compact umbrella: I always tuck a lightweight bottle and a compact umbrella into my bag. Hydration matters during long walks, and sudden coastal showers are common—one minute sun, the next a quick drizzle. Both take almost no room and pay off immediately.