4-Day Itinerary to Explore Barcelona

• Day 1: Stroll around the ancient neighborhoods and Gothic Quarter, exploring the beautiful maze of winding streets and alleys. Visit the iconic Barcelona Cathedral and the Plaça del Rei, the former residence of the kings of Catalonia. Enjoy the craftsmanship of the traditionally made Catalan sweets called panellets at a local bakery.
• Day 2: Discover the architectural masterpieces of Barcelona, including the stunning La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, La Pedrera, and Casa Batlló, all designed by Antoni Gaudí. Take a walk along the Passeig de Gràcia street and enjoy the high-end shopping options and various cafes on this street.
• Day 3: Explore Montserrat, a multi-peaked rocky range where Benedictine Monastery is present. Take a cogwheel train to reach the top of the mountains and admire the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. Enjoy the monastery's museum, black Madonna, and Montserrat's boys' choir performance.
• Day 4: Head to the beachfront of the city and spend a day relaxing on the Barceloneta beach. Enjoy a refreshing swim, sunbathing and indulge in some watersports activities at the beach. Take a walk along the seafront promenade called "Sant Sebastià" and taste some local seafood specialties, including paella.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Gothic Quarter (2 hours, Free)
• Cathedral (1 hour, €7)
• Plaça del Rei (1 hour, Free)
• Panellets (30 min, €5)
• La Sagrada Familia (2 hours, €20)
• Park Güell (2 hours, €10)
• La Pedrera (1.5 hours, €16)
• Casa Batlló (1.5 hours, €25)
• Passeig de Gràcia (1 hour, Free)
• Montserrat (4 hours, €25)
• Barceloneta Beach (Full day, Free)
• Seafood Specialties (1 hour, €20)

Total Estimated Costs: €128

Transportation

Barcelona has a well-connected public transportation system, including buses, metro, and trains. You can use the integrated ticket called "Hola BCN" for unlimited travel for up to 5 days. It costs €16.90 for 2 days and €24.50 for 5 days. Taxis can be hired from the airport to the city center with a fare of €30-35. Trains to Montserrat can be taken from Plaça d'Espanya and cost €8.50 one way.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting other attractions such as the Picasso Museum, Tibidabo Amusement Park, and the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. If you have less time, you can skip Montserrat and spend more time in the city visiting the famous Camp Nou stadium, the Aquarium, and the Ciutat Vella district. To save money, you can visit the attractions for free on the first Sunday of every month. However, expect heavy crowds on these days.