5 Days in Barcelona

Check into Hotel Casa Bonay (4★, €180/night) in Eixample, a restored 19th-century building with rooftop pool.

Walk La Rambla from Plaça de Catalunya to the Columbus Monument. Stop at La Boqueria market for fresh juice (€2) and jamón ibérico samples.

Explore the Gothic Quarter: Barcelona Cathedral (€9 donation), Plaça Sant Felip Neri (hidden plaza with shrapnel-marked walls), and Carrer del Bisbe.

Tapas crawl in El Born: El Xampanyet (€3-5/tapa) and Bormuth (€4-6/tapa). Budget: €30/person.

Sagrada Família (€26/person, pre-booked). Book the Nativity Tower elevator (€36 total) for panoramic views.

Lunch at Ciutat Comtal (€18/person menú del día) — three-course Catalan lunch with wine.

Casa Milà (La Pedrera, €25/person) — Gaudí's sculptural apartment building with warrior-like chimneys on the roof.

Passeig de Gràcia: see Casa Batlló (€39/person) and modernist buildings. Window-shop luxury boutiques.

Dinner at Cerveseria Catalana (€30/person) — the best tapas bar in Eixample. Montaditos and patatas bravas.

Park Güell (€10/person, pre-booked monumental zone). Gaudí's garden city with mosaic benches and the famous salamander (el drac).

Explore Gràcia neighborhood: Plaça del Sol and Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia with indie boutiques and bohemian vibe.

Lunch at La Pepita (€20/person) — creative tapas known for their patatas bravas and "pepita" sandwiches.

Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau (€15/person) — a UNESCO modernist hospital complex. A hidden gem most tourists miss.

Dinner at Can Fisher (€40/person) in Barceloneta — traditional seafood paella with harbor views.

Montjuïc funicular from Paral·lel station. Visit Montjuïc Castle (€5/person) for 360° city views, then walk through the Jardí Botànic.

Fundació Joan Miró (€14/person) — a stunning collection in a purpose-built museum.

Lunch at La Font del Gat (€25/person) — café-restaurant in Montjuïc gardens with pine tree seating.

Barceloneta Beach: relax, swim in the Mediterranean, or rent a bike (€10/hour) to cruise the waterfront.

Dinner at El Nacional (€35/person) — a 1920s garage turned multi-venue food hall. Four restaurants and four bars under one roof.

Picasso Museum (€12/person) — five medieval palaces housing Picasso's formative years in Barcelona.

El Born: Santa Maria del Mar basilica (free), the Born Cultural Centre (free), and Passeig del Born for final souvenirs.

Final lunch at Cal Pep (€35/person) — legendary counter-top tapas in El Born. No menu; let Pep choose your dishes.

Depart for Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN). Taxi (~€30) or Aerobús from Plaça Catalunya (~€6). Arrive 2 hours before flight.