24 Hours In Barcelona: What To See & Do

This post will share how to spend 24 hours in Barcelona.

This past week, I was able to tick Barcelona off my bucket list after what seems like forever.

Every time I tried to book a flight, it was always expensive for some reason.

The first time I tried to go was before the lockdown in 2020, and I had to cancel.

Generally, flights from the UK to Spain and Portugal are always costly because British people love the sun.

So I figured I could wait till after Summer when the temperatures were still mild, and tickets would be cheaper.

I’m glad I did, as I could enjoy this trip without the typical Summer crowds.

Yes, it was busy but bearable.

So, I planned a four-day trip to Barcelona and Madrid.

This meant that I had two full days to explore both cities.

In hindsight, I should have just stayed in Barcelona for an extra day.

I honestly did not want to leave, but I had already booked my train ticket to Madrid and my return ticket to Manchester from Madrid.

It’s safe to say that I was gutted to leave Barcelona as there was still so much to see and do.

I believe I maximized my entire day to the fullest.

As always, I’ll share all the tips and tricks from my Barcelona travel guide that made this trip successful.

Here’s How To Spend 24 Hours In Barcelona On A Budget

As a millenial who grew up in the early 2000s, Barcelona has always been on my travel bucket list, especially after watching Disney Channel’s The Cheetah Girls 2.

I always wanted to relieve The Cheetah Girl experience by visiting all the filming locations.

Even though I could only visit one location, it felt so good to visit and see what the city offers.

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and is located on the coast of the Northeastern region, which faces the Mediterranean Sea.

Yes, beaches are nearby, making it ideal for a Summer trip.

Like many other cities, it is a metropolitan city juxtaposed with history and culture.

Perhaps the biggest highlight of Barcelona is that the city is sprinkled with the iconic works of the famous architect Antoni Gaudi.

This architecture makes the city stand out from any other you might have visited.

Seven of his works are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

So, if you are a history and architecture enthusiast, you’re definitely in for a treat in Barcelona.

Flights

Cost: £27/€30.89 – one way

I took an 8.45 am Ryanair flight to Barcelona Reus and landed around noon.

Like a few other Ryanair flights I have taken, like Milan Bergamo and Brussels Charleroi, this flight also landed at the Reus airport, about 95 minutes away from Barcelona by train.

Compared to similar trips I had taken before, this one was different because the Reus airport was more or less deserted.

It’s safe to say that I won’t be retaking this route during the off-season.

I’d rather wait until Easyjet has a cheap direct flight to Barcelona Airport.

Like all other unique travel experiences, this is also one for the books.

Airport Transfer

• Cost:
  • Direct Shuttle from Reus Airport to Barcelona Sants Station: €16 one way – 1hr 45 mins
  • Bus + Train: €12 one way
    • Bus to Reus Train Station: €3/£2.71 one way – 10 mins
    • Train from Reus Station to Barcelona Sants Station: €9.55/£8.63 one way – 1hr 30mins

Before taking these trips with Ryanair, I thoroughly researched my options.

I typically use the direct shuttle bus from the airport to the train station at my destination.

But for some reason, the Reus shuttle bus isn’t as frequent. I landed around noon, and the next bus took off at 2:40 pm.

So I had to wait for more than two hours.

This is why it is important not to book late-night flights for cities like this.

You have to factor in the schedule of the shuttle buses.

Otherwise, you’ll be forced to take an overpriced taxi at that time.

Thankfully, the local bus to the Reus station arrived 30 minutes after landing.

So I took that to the train station and caught the direct train from Reus station to Barcelona Sants.

The day had the potential to go south, but I’m glad it didn’t.

Accommodation

Cost: £67.64/€76.86 – two nights

The more I travel and stay in hostels, the more my standards for a modern hostel increase.

I do not compromise on facilities like bedside charging points, privacy curtains and ensuite bathrooms.

It can be a cramped room, but I am comfortable as long as these facilities are there.

For some reason, finding a female-only room near the Barcelona Sants station was much more tedious.

I was heading to Madrid afterwards, and I had an early train, so I had to stay as close as possible.

Anyway, I eventually found one that ticked all my boxes, and I was thrilled until I arrived.

I found Free Hostels Barcelona on Hostelworld and booked directly on their website to save some coins.

The location was great, and it was close to the train station and bakeries, where you could grab a quick breakfast.

There was also a supermarket nearby to grab cheap supplies.

It is five minutes from a bus stop and a 10-minute walk from a Metro station.

It is central enough to everything.

The attendant at the reception was super friendly even though she struggled to communicate in English.

The ambience was generally cosy, with stunning decor and all the essential facilities you’ll need.

Not forgetting that the privacy curtains in the room were on the next level.

You get actual blackout curtains that block everything out except noise.

The only problem with the hostel is the size.

I stayed in a four-bed Female Room, and it was slightly cramped.

As such, I do not recommend staying more than two nights.

Transportation

My Barcelona travel guide will not be complete without explaining how to get around.

Depending on the size of a city, I typically prefer to walk around.

But sometimes, it is not possible due to distance and time constraints. I wanted to squeeze in as many attractions as possible in one day, so I had to buy a travel pass.

Like most modern cities, Barcelona also has an integrated transportation system where you can use one travel ticket for various forms of transport. Y

ou can use a single ticket for the bus, tram and metro.

You need to figure out which one to buy.

The best way to choose what tickets to buy is based on how long you’ll be staying.

I wanted to buy a 24-hour ticket with unlimited journeys for 24 hours.

But that ticket was only available on the app, and it kept rejecting my card for some reason.

I bought the T-Casual ticket, which includes ten journeys with 75 minutes of validity.

I honestly did not have the time to work out the maths but kept tapping in until it stopped working; I could use one T Casual ticket, which cost €7.95 until I returned to my hostel.

I’m super sure I took more than ten journeys with that ticket.

You can buy tickets at any metro station.

It is also essential to remember that the Barcelona transportation system doesn’t use contactless.

You have to buy a physical card, which is honestly very annoying.

Check out other transport options in Barcelona.

Meals

As mentioned, bakeries are everywhere to grab a cheap breakfast or brunch.

Just make sure you’re checking Google Reviews to decide which is worth it.

I mostly stick to fast food for other meals because I know what to expect.

If you’re more of an adventurous foodie, I’m sure you’ll find many options.

But supermarket meals are pretty decent for those of us on a budget.

Attractions

The most exciting part of my Barcelona Travel Guide is the attractions.

I looked forward to exploring Gaudi’s architecture and honestly wasn’t disappointed.

You’ll be satisfied if your trip centres on exploring Gaudi’s work.

Seven of Gaudi’s buildings are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They include:

• Sagrada Familia: The unreal Roman Catholic church is still under construction after 100 years. Gaudi died while the building was under 25% complete. It is planned to be completed in 2026, so see it now in its uncompleted state. Tickets!
• Park Güell: A private park composed of various gardens and architectural landmarks. It is one of the primary locations where The Cheetah Girls 2 was filmed. It’s honestly so stunning you can easily spend an entire day here. The entrance fee is €10, which you can buy online or on-site. Tickets!
• Palau Güell: An 18th-century mansion built for a Spanish billionaire. Tickets!
• Casa Milà: Another private building built for a wealthy Spanish couple. Tickets!
• Casa Vicens: This is considered Gaudi’s first significant project. It’s another private building/family home commissioned by another wealthy Spanish stock broker. Tickets!
• Casa Batlló: Another iconic masterpiece by Gaudi is this building commissioned in the 18th century and eventually bought by a renowned textile industrialist. Tickets!
• Church of Colònia Güell: Similar to the Sagrada Familia, this is another unfinished project by Gaudi. The crypt portion of the church constructed in the early 90s is the only completed section. Tickets!

You can easily spend three days exploring Gaudi’s works around Barcelona and be satiated.

I believe I’ll be returning to take tours of each of these buildings.

Other Attractions In Barcelona Worth Visiting

• Picasso Museum: An art museum with an extensive collection of Picasso’s works similar to the one in Malaga but probably more significant.
• Cathedral of Barcelona: The official 18th-century Cathedral of Barcelona, which the Sagrada Familia often overshines.
• Spotify Camp Nou: The 98,000-capacity stadium for FC Barcelona if you’re into football.
• Palau de la Música Catalana: A stunning concert hall built in the early 90s.
• Ciutadella Park: A 19th Century Park with a Zoo.
• Magic Fountain of Montjuïc: A majestic fountain with water, light and music shows.
• Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar: Majestic 14th Century Church
• Plaça de Catalunya: Iconic large square where the old and new cities meet.
• Arco de Triunfo de Barcelona: 18th Century Triumphal Arch that is also a gateway to the Ciutadella Park.

There’s much to do in Barcelona, so don’t try to squeeze in too much.

See as much as you can and leave the rest.

You can always come back.

Shopping & Souvenirs

There are many designer and high-street outlets and shopping centres to choose from; you’ll honestly be spoilt for choice.

So splurge as much as you want, and don’t forget to get a mini statue of the Sagrada Familia and your VAT refund at the airport if you come from outside the European Union.

In Summary,

I hope you have found this Barcelone Travel Guide helpful.

I had so much fun and did not want to leave.

There’s so much to see and do, and I can’t wait to return.