Hi everyone! I've missed you so much this week, but I'm glad to be back with a stunning blog post. I'm spilling the tea about my weekend getaway with my mum to Barcellona! I already posted some content on my personal IG profile. Still, I've waited for this post to share how to plan the perfect 3-day itinerary for Barcellona. 

My mum and I wanted to make a girls' trip so long that I saved a weekend just for the two of us at the beginning of this year. My mum picked out Barcellona, and I was so excited because I'd never been before! 

Reservations and tickets

We left from Milan airport with Vueling on Thursday night. I highly recommend upgrading your ticket to include a hand-luggage; otherwise, you'll have just a small bag with you. Then, we landed at El Prat airport, just 30 minutes from Barcellona, by taxi. The most important thing you have to do when checking in is filled out the Spain Travel Health Pass form to get a specific QR code. 

The second most crucial reservation we made was the hotel. We picked out the Gracia neighborhood, where you can find the stunning H10 Itaca Hotel. With less than 80€ per night, we had a comfortable room with two beds, an en-suite bathroom with features, and a breakfast buffet. Let me tell you that the bed was so pleased that I thought I was sleeping on a cloud. One of the best hotels I've ever seen. 

Let's move on to activities. We filled our wishlist with Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, Casa Battlò, and Boqueria market. Be aware of making your reservations for the first three attractions to save up time! 

Sagrada Familia offers discounts for senior people, children, and under 30: you need to select a day and a specific hour to visit. Then, be there at least 15 minutes early for the security check and download the official app to access the audio guide. It's so nice because you can discover all the details and the stories behind the Sagrada Familia while walking through it. 

La Pedrera or Casa Milà gives you the chance to buy an open ticket for 30 days. So you can go there when you prefer, but there are no discounts. We booked the essential experience for 32€, including the premium admission, the audio guide, and the visual guide.  

Last but not least, Casa Battlò has a fantastic ticket offer. You can book early access to the house just for a small group of tourists and visit it with the first morning light only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. My mum and I bought this specific visit, and it's so enjoyable! Not only did we visit it first in the morning, but the audio guide was spectacular. 

Itinerary

Let's break down all the details of how we plan our three days in Barcellona. 

Thursday night: check-in at the hotel, cocktail at the internal bar, dinner with a friend in a local restaurant with fantastic fish. Early bedtime to wake up super early and fresh the next day. 

Friday: alarm set at 7.30 am to get ready and enjoy a yummy breakfast at the hotel. Walk to the Sagrada Familia for the tour booked at 10 am. Then, get lost in the neighborhood, buy some souvenirs, enjoy the stunning architecture. Light lunch at 1 pm with an avocado toast and a hummus toast at Suis & Bowls. Keep walking to La Pedrera to spend the afternoon there. Get lost in the Gaudì's genius and time travel to the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Dinner in a local pub or restaurant with typical food. 

Saturday: alarm set at 7 am to get ready and have breakfast at the hotel buffet. Walk to Casa Battlò for the early access tour. Lunch at the Boqueria market for an authentic Catalan experience. Afternoon at the Gothic Barrio to visit the neighborhood and the Cathedral with her famous 13 ducks. Enjoy the sunset at the Rambla, Placa Reial, and Placa de Catalunya. 

Sunday: alarm set at 8 am. Slow start of the day, chill breakfast, pack the bags, and check-out. Then, walk to the St. Mary of the Sea to visit the known Cathedral for Ildefonso Falcones's books. Lunch at Can Roz in Barceloneta to taste test the authentic paella. Then, go to the beach and enjoy the general vibe. Finally, pick up a taxi and go to the airport to catch the flight.

Tips, tricks, and what to pack

I wanted to collect all the things I've learned, done, worn during this weekend getaway. 

Check the flight prices on Skyscanner, but buy the tickets directly on the fly company website. 

Unfortunately, I found terrible weather with a lot of rain and somehow cold temperatures. So, my mum and I walked all over the city with a waterproof poncho. It's the perfect solution to protect you and leave your hands free to take photos. 

Despite the weather, walk on your foot to go everywhere. It's the only way to enjoy the different districts, the architecture, how the people live. Barcellona is a kaleidoscopic city, so magic. 

Book in advance everything except for the food. You can stop everywhere to eat authentic food, even the smallest cafè has a fantastic selection. 

You'll want to bring a small crossbody bag. It's the perfect size to stay light on your shoulders. Also, you'll want to keep safe all your belongings. 

I packed 2 pairs of trousers, sweatpants for a travel outfit, one button-down, a cardigan, a hoodie, a wool coat, white sneakers. The secret is to pack versatile items to mix and match the outfits. The best tip I can give you for the packing list is to layer. I didn't experience the typical warm weather, so I was so happy to layer and have my waterproof poncho!

Pick your most comfortable shoes to walk a lot, and pack a lovely cream to massage at the end of the day. 

Save some space in your luggage for your Barcellona shopping! 

Do you have some upcoming trips? Let me know in the comments below!