After arriving and dropping bags at your hotel, stroll into the heart of the old city beginning with Plaça de Catalunya as your meeting point, then wander down the lively thoroughfare of La Rambla to soak up street performers and flower stalls. Detour into the winding lanes of the Gothic Quarter to admire medieval architecture, peek into the serene Plaça del Rei, and stop at a café for a leisurely breakfast of coffee and a croissant while watching city life wake up.
After a relaxed morning in the Gothic Quarter, drift toward the sea and spend the afternoon exploring El Raval's eclectic streets and contemporary art scene-pop into the striking MACBA (Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona) for a quick exhibit and skateboard-watching session. Later, head to La Boqueria Market's fringes for a tapas crawl-sample jamón and fresh seafood at a bustling stall, then walk down to Barceloneta for a seaside aperitif as the sun softens over the Mediterranean.
As twilight falls, head to Plaça Sant Jaume to feel the civic heart of the old city before winding toward Passeig del Born for an aperitivo at a terrace bar and people-watching. Continue to Santa Maria del Mar to admire its soaring Gothic nave in the evening light, then finish with a lively tapas dinner in Carrer de Montcada, sampling local vermouth and pintxos while soaking up the neighborhood's nighttime buzz.
Start your morning with a guided tour of Sagrada Família, arriving early to admire Gaudí's soaring facades and the kaleidoscopic light inside the basilica; afterward, stroll the nearby Eixample streets to examine Modernist façades and stop for coffee at Café del Conservatori. Continue to Casa Batlló for a self-guided audio visit through its whimsical interiors, then pause for a mid-morning snack at the sunlit terrace of El Nacional before heading uphill later in the day to Park Güell.
After lunch, wander the elegant Eixample on foot and pause for a curated Modernisme shop-and-café hop: browse ceramics and design at Ceràmica Cumella, then sip vermut on the terrace of Casa Amatller Café while admiring nearby façades. Continue to the serene hillside of Turó de la Rovira for panoramic city views and a relaxed stroll among the old anti-aircraft battery ruins, finishing with a late-afternoon visit to the light-filled conservatory at Jardins del Mirador del Alcalde to watch the sun slant toward Park Güell.
As daylight softens, head to Gràcia for a relaxed neighborhood evening-wander its plazas, sip a craft beer at Plaça del Sol and browse tiny boutiques and artisanal shops along Carrer de Verdi. For dinner, reserve a table at the convivial La Pubilla to taste updated Catalan classics, then finish the night with live jazz at Harlem Jazz Club or a rooftop vermut at Mirablau overlooking the city lights.
Start your morning with a refreshing stroll and swim at Platja de Bogatell, where locals jog along the promenade and beachfront cafés serve fresh orange juice and tostadas; rent a paddleboard nearby for a calm glide over the Mediterranean as the city wakes. Afterward, wander the adjacent marina toward Passeig de Joan de Borbó and stop for a seaside breakfast of churros and café con leche at La Guingueta de Bogatell, then bike back along the waterfront toward the old port to continue your exploration into El Born.
Wander inland from the waterfront into El Born for a relaxed afternoon of discovery-browse contemporary Catalan design and ceramics at Palo Alto Market pop-ups and the curated shelves of Lefties Barcelona Concept Store, then stop for a light seafood lunch and a glass of cava at the intimate terrace of Cal Pep. Afterward, lose yourself in the neighborhood's artisan lanes with a visit to El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria to glimpse Barcelona's layered history, followed by a leisurely coffee and homemade pastry at the cozy Café de la Princesa while watching local life drift by.
As the sun dips, wander toward Plaça de les Olles to join locals at an outdoor vermouth stall, then follow narrow lanes to Carrer dels Mirallers for a relaxed aperitif on a terrace overlooking artisan workshops. For dinner, savor seafood specialties and grilled sardines at the family-run Can Solé in Barceloneta, then finish the night with cocktails at the speakeasy-style Bobby Gin or a moonlit stroll along Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, listening to distant waves and street musicians.
Catch an early R5 train from Plaça d'Espanya and head to Montserrat Monastery to arrive as the mountain light softens; walk the short trail to the Black Madonna (La Moreneta), listen to the boys' choir if available, and ride the funicular up to Sant Jeroni for sweeping Catalan views. Alternatively, take the AVE/MD train to Girona, enjoy breakfast in the medieval Onyar riverside cafés, then join a guided walking tour of the Jewish Quarter (El Call) and climb the city walls for a panorama that bridges your Barcelona modernist days with the quieter, historic north.
If you chose Montserrat, spend the afternoon on gentler trails like the Santa Cova path and pause at the hillside Museu de Montserrat to admire art by Picasso and Dalí before tasting local liqueurs at the monastery shop; finish with a scenic cogwheel descent to Monistrol d'Montserrat and a late lunch of hearty Catalan stews at a family tavern. If you went to Girona, linger after the morning tour with a relaxed riverside lunch at La Tasca de l'Art, then explore the colorful houses along the Onyar Riverbank and climb to the peaceful gardens of Jardins dels Alemanys for sunset views before returning to Barcelona.
If you spend the day in Montserrat, return toward Barcelona and unwind with an evening aperitivo in the leafy ambience of Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia, sampling local vermut and small plates at Bar Mut while watching plaza life. If you chose Girona, linger after your return with a relaxed dinner at Casa Lolea in the Born area, followed by a nightcap and people-watching on the terrace of Els 4 Gats to bridge your medieval explorations with Barcelona's modern-night rhythms.
Begin your travel day with a relaxed breakfast near Plaça de Catalunya-pick up a takeaway café con leche and an ensaïmada from Forn Baluard to enjoy en route to the station or airport. Allow time for a last stroll through Passeig de Gràcia to admire its elegant facades and grab travel essentials at La Manual Alpargatera before boarding; if you have extra time, pause for a quick espresso at Satan's Coffee Corner to power the journey to Venice.
After arriving in Venice and checking into your hotel, ease into the city with a gentle wander to Piazza San Marco's quieter side streets, then enjoy an aperitivo at the historic Caffè Florian terrace while watching gondolas glide by. Follow this with a short vaporetto ride to Punta della Dogana for contemporary art and sunset views over the lagoon, finishing at Riva degli Schiavoni where you can sample cicchetti and a glass of Prosecco at a waterside bàcari.
After settling into your Venetian lodgings, take a twilight stroll to Campo Santa Maria Formosa to feel the city's quieter rhythm and admire the elegant palazzo façades as lights come on. Continue to Squero di San Trovaso to watch craftsmen at the historic boatyard and then enjoy a relaxed seafood cena at Osteria alle Testiere, sampling local cicchetti and a chilled glass of Prosecco while the canal-side hum drifts by.
Wake up refreshed and begin with a leisurely breakfast at Pasticceria Rosa Salva, savoring a frothy cappuccino and a sfogliatina before wandering toward the quieter canals of Castello for a morning stroll. Explore the artisan workshops along Calle dei Fabbri to watch mask-makers and glass restorers at work, then board a vaporetto for a short ride to Arsenale to glimpse historic shipyards and early-morning light over the lagoon.
After checking in, drift through the quieter lanes toward Rialto Bridge and browse the colorful stalls of the Rialto Market, sampling fresh olives and a slice of local focaccia at a vendor stall; then cross to Campo San Giacomo di Rialto for an espresso at a sunlit café and people-watching. As light softens, take a short traghetto ride across the Grand Canal to San Polo to explore artisan shops and enjoy an aperitivo of cicchetti and a chilled glass of Prosecco at Cantina Do Mori, letting the canal-side atmosphere ease you into Venetian time.
As twilight deepens, wander toward Campo San Polo for a lively local atmosphere and outdoor gelato from Suso Gelatoteca, then cross quieter canals to discover candlelit courtyards near Scuola Grande di San Rocco, admiring its exterior sculptures. Finish with a relaxed dinner of house-made pasta and seafood at the intimate Osteria Bancogiro, followed by a late-night stroll along the moonlit banks of Fondamenta della Misericordia where neighborhood bàcari spill low conversation and the reflections in the canal feel quintessentially Venetian.
Begin your morning with coffee and a pastry at Pasticceria Tonolo, then stroll through the peaceful alleys to the lesser-known Ponte dei Sospiri viewpoints for quiet canal reflections before the crowds arrive. Board a shared gondola from Campo San Barnaba for a 30-40 minute glide through hidden canals and under low brick bridges, passing by ornate palazzi and pausing near Palazzo Grassi so your gondolier can point out Venetian architectural details and local lore.
After your morning gondola glide, drift into the lively heart of San Polo for a late lunch of cicchetti at Osteria al Mascaron before wandering the colorful stalls of Mercato di Rialto Nuovo to sample local cheeses and seasonal fruit. Continue with a mellow paseo along the quieter banks to Campo San Filippo e Giacomo and climb the small viewpoint by Scalzi Bridge for a fresh perspective on the Grand Canal, finishing with an aperitivo at the canal-facing terrace of Terrazza Danieli as the afternoon light gilds palazzo façades.
As dusk settles, drift toward Campo San Zaccaria to watch the golden light catch the façade of its church, then follow quieter canals to the intimate jazz nights at Venice Jazz Club for live music and an Aperol spritz. Finish with a candlelit seafood cena at Trattoria alla Madonna, savoring local cuttlefish ink pasta and a glass of Prosecco while moonlight shimmers on nearby palazzi.
Board an early vaporetto from Fondamenta Nove and head first to Murano to watch master glassblowers at Fondamenta dei Vetrai-visit a working furnace for a live demonstration and pop into the historic Museo del Vetro to see centuries of Venetian glass. After a canal-side espresso at Bar Buso, take a short water taxi to the quieter island of Mazzorbo for a peaceful stroll through its vine-lined orchards and a visit to the restored Venissa vineyard for a tasting of local prosecco and cicchetti, setting a relaxed, sensory tone before the afternoon's colorful sights.
After a relaxed morning, glide to Burano and wander its candy-colored streets, pausing for lunch at Trattoria al Gatto Nero to taste risotto di gò and house-made seafood specialties; then browse intricate lacework at Museo del Merletto and watch local artisans stitch in tiny ateliers. Later, take a short boat ride to tranquil Torcello to climb the ancient bell tower of Santa Maria Assunta for wide lagoon views, explore the atmospheric Devil's Bridge (Ponte del Diavolo) and finish with a leisurely prosecco on the shaded terrace of Locanda Cipriani as the afternoon light softens.
As twilight falls, return to the main lagoon and glide to Giudecca for a peaceful promenade along Fondamenta Zitelle, stopping at Gelateria Nico for a waterfront gelato while watching gondolas pass. Continue with a sunset aperitivo at Bar Longhi under the porticoes of Punta della Dogana, then savor a relaxed seafood dinner at Locanda dei Mori where locally caught fish and daily risotto specials pair with lagoon views, finishing with a moonlit vaporetto ride back to central Venice to hear the islands' evening hush.
Slip away from the tourist flow and begin with a quiet espresso at Pasticceria Marchini before wandering the maze of canals around Sestiere Santa Croce, discovering painted house-fronts and ivy-draped bridges. Pop into the morning bustle of Mercato di Rialto Vecchio for artisanal salumi and freshly shucked oysters, then join a short guided tasting at Osteria All'Arco to sample cicchetti pairings and learn about Venetian food traditions from a local host.
After a morning market visit, ease into the afternoon with a slow wander through the quieter sestiere of Dorsoduro, pausing at Campo San Barnaba to watch students and locals drift by before popping into the intimate Libri e Caffè for a cultured coffee break. Continue down secluded canals to discover the tiny boat workshop at Squero di San Trovaso's lesser-seen side paths, then settle for a long late-lunch of cicchetti and seasonal vegetables at the neighborhood favorite Osteria Al Squero, finishing with an easy vaporetto ride to Zattere to sip a chilled spritz while the lights lengthen over the Giudecca channel.
As dusk settles, slip into the atmospheric lanes of Sant'Elena for a gentle waterfront stroll and pause at Al Vecio Canton for classic Venetian cicchetti and a glass of local white wine while watching boats thread the narrow inlet. Afterwards, head to Campo San Giovanni e Paolo to catch an intimate live-folk performance at a nearby bàcaro, then finish with a late-night gelato from Gelateria Alaska as you wander past lamplit palazzi and reflect on the day's market discoveries.
For a slow final morning, linger over a leisurely breakfast of brioche and cappuccino at Pasticceria Dal Mas, then wander through the tranquil gardens of Giardini Reali for a last view toward the lagoon and nearby palazzi. Continue with a gentle walk to Libreria Acqua Alta to browse its quirky stacked books and postcards, then pick up a bottle of local Prosecco at Vini da Gigio to enjoy later on your journey.
Spend a leisurely afternoon wandering the quieter corners of Cannaregio, pausing at Campo dei Gesuiti for people-watching and then slipping into Museo di Palazzo Mocenigo to explore Venetian fashion and perfume history. Follow with a riverside aperitivo at Osteria al Portego and a final slow vaporetto glide to Punta Sabbioni (or back to Giudecca depending on your departure), savoring a last glass of Prosecco as the lagoon light softens and you say farewell to Venice.
For a gentle final evening, wander to Campo Santa Margherita to join students and locals at outdoor tables for an aperitivo of spritz and cicchetti, then stroll toward Ponte del Chiodo to admire one of the city's oldest stone bridges as dusk deepens. Finish with a riverside dinner at Trattoria alla Rampa sampling house-made sarde in saor and a final glass of Prosecco, followed by a short, lantern-lit walk along Fondamenta dei Ormesini to savor the lagoon's hush before packing for departure.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Plaça de Catalunya | Free |
| La Rambla (street strolling) | Free |
| Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) wandering | Free |
| Plaça del Rei | Free |
| Café breakfast (coffee & croissant) | €5 |
| El Raval wandering | Free |
| MACBA (Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona) - general admission | €12 |
| La Boqueria Market (tapas/snack sampling) | €15 |
| Barceloneta seaside aperitif (drink) | €8 |
| Plaça Sant Jaume | Free |
| Passeig del Born aperitivo (drink) | €8 |
| Santa Maria del Mar (visit) | Free |
| Tapas dinner in Carrer de Montcada (meal) | €25 |
| Sagrada Família - basic adult ticket (official guided/self-entry options vary) | €26 |
| Café del Conservatori (coffee) | €4 |
| Casa Batlló - standard ticket (self-guided audio) | €35 |
| El Nacional (mid-morning snack/coffee) | €12 |
| Park Güell - Monumental Zone ticket | €11.50 |
| Ceràmica Cumella (shopping - small purchase) | €20 |
| Casa Amatller Café (vermut on terrace) | €6 |
| Turó de la Rovira (Bunkers del Carmel) viewpoint | Free |
| Jardins del Mirador del Alcalde (view/conservatory) | Free |
| Gràcia neighborhood evening (drinks) | €10 |
| La Pubilla (dinner - typical per person) | €30 |
| Harlem Jazz Club (cover / drink) | €12 |
| Mirablau (rooftop drink) | €10 |
| Platja de Bogatell (beach access) | Free |
| Paddleboard rental (approx. hourly) | €15 |
| La Guingueta de Bogatell (breakfast) | €8 |
| Biking along waterfront (bike rental half-day) | €10 |
| Palo Alto Market / pop-up browsing | Free |
| Lefties Barcelona Concept Store (shopping small purchase) | €15 |
| Cal Pep (seafood lunch typical per person) | €30 |
| El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria - entry | €8 |
| Café de la Princesa (coffee & pastry) | €6 |
| Plaça de les Olles vermouth stall (drink) | €4 |
| Can Solé (Barceloneta dinner per person) | €35 |
| Bobby Gin (cocktail) | €12 |
| Montserrat day trip - R5 train return (approx.) | €10 |
| Montserrat funicular / museum / monastery donations (combined estimate) | €10 |
| Girona AVE/MD train (one-way approximate) | €20 |
| Guided walking tour Girona (group) | €15 |
| La Tasca de l'Art (lunch in Girona) | €20 |
| Casa Lolea (dinner - Born) | €30 |
| Els 4 Gats (nightcap / terrace) | €8 |
| Takeaway ensaïmada (Forn Baluard) | €3 |
| Satan's Coffee Corner (espresso) | €2.50 |
| Flight or high-speed train Barcelona → Venice (estimate per person) | €80 |
| Caffè Florian (aperitivo at Piazza San Marco - drink/cover) | €20 |
| Punta della Dogana (contemporary art entry) | €7 |
| Riva degli Schiavoni cicchetti & Prosecco (snack + drink) | €12 |
| Campo Santa Maria Formosa (stroll) | Free |
| Squero di San Trovaso (boatyard visit - casual viewing) | Free |
| Osteria alle Testiere (seafood cena typical per person) | €45 |
| Pasticceria Rosa Salva (breakfast/pastry) | €6 |
| Arsenale (exterior/visit) | Free |
| Rialto Market (Rialto Market stalls tasting) | €10 |
| Campo San Giacomo di Rialto (espresso) | €2.50 |
| Traghetto ride across Grand Canal (single ride) | €0.70 |
| Cantina Do Mori (aperitivo/cicchetti) | €12 |
| Suso Gelatoteca (gelato) | €3 |
| Scuola Grande di San Rocco (exterior visit / entry to museum optional) | €10 |
| Osteria Bancogiro (dinner) | €30 |
| Pasticceria Tonolo (coffee & pastry) | €5 |
| Ponte dei Sospiri viewpoints (viewing) | Free |
| Shared gondola (30-40 min per person estimate) | €40 |
| Osteria al Mascaron (late lunch cicchetti) | €25 |
| Mercato di Rialto Nuovo (sampling cheeses/fruit) | €8 |
| Scalzi Bridge viewpoint (view) | Free |
| Terrazza Danieli (aperitivo - drink) | €18 |
| Campo San Zaccaria (viewing) | Free |
| Venice Jazz Club (cover + drink) | €15 |
| Trattoria alla Madonna (candlelit dinner) | €35 |
| Murano glassblowing demonstration (entry / demonstration typical) | €10 |
| Museo del Vetro (Murano) - entry | €8 |
| Bar Buso (espresso) | €2 |
| Venissa vineyard tasting (tasting price estimate) | €25 |
| Burano lunch at Trattoria al Gatto Nero (per person) | €35 |
| Museo del Merletto (Burano) - entry | €3 |
| Torcello - Santa Maria Assunta bell tower (entry) | €5 |
| Locanda Cipriani (prosecco on terrace estimate) | €10 |
| Giudecca promenade & Gelateria Nico (gelato) | €3 |
| Bar Longhi (sunset aperitivo) | €12 |
| Locanda dei Mori (seafood dinner) | €35 |
| Pasticceria Marchini (espresso) | €2.50 |
| Mercato di Rialto Vecchio (market tasting) | €10 |
| Osteria All'Arco tasting (guided tasting) | €12 |
| Libri e Caffè (coffee) | €3 |
| Squero di San Trovaso (workshop viewing) | Free |
| Osteria Al Squero (late lunch cicchetti) | €18 |
| Zattere spritz (drink) | €6 |
| Al Vecio Canton (cicchetti & wine) | €12 |
| Campo San Giovanni e Paolo (live-folk performance cover) | €8 |
| Gelateria Alaska (gelato) | €3 |
| Pasticceria Dal Mas (breakfast) | €6 |
| Giardini Reali (garden stroll) | Free |
| Libreria Acqua Alta (bookstore browsing) | Free |
| Vini da Gigio (Prosecco bottle purchase) | €12 |
| Museo di Palazzo Mocenigo (entry) | €10 |
| Osteria al Portego (aperitivo) | €10 |
| Punta Sabbioni vaporetto / transfer (estimate) | €8 |
| Campo Santa Margherita aperitivo (spritz) | €8 |
| Trattoria alla Rampa (riverside dinner) | €30 |
| Fondamenta dei Ormesini evening stroll | Free |
| Estimated Total (per person) | €1360 |