Three Days in Barcelona for the Solo Traveler: February Edition

-Catch a red-eye flight the night before and arrive in Barcelona in the morning. Drop off your luggage at the hotel, freshen up and get ready to explore!

-Grab some breakfast and then take a walking tour of your desired part of the city. There are free versions, or ones that can be booked through sites like Viator or Air BnB Experiences.

-Grab a bite for lunch at a café and afterward, go back and explore some of the spots you saw on your walking tour. (Examples: La Catedral de Barcelona, located in the Gothic Quarter and La Boqueria market).

-Next, take a scooter ride through the city (you can book this as an actual experience with a guide!). You’ll also see some additional sites on this tour, such as Tibidabo Hill (the highest point in Barcelona) and Barceloneta Beach.

-Your hotel room is probably ready by now, so go back, settle in and rest up a bit before grabbing dinner. You can either make it an early night and head to bed after dinner so you can be ready for Day 2, or live the “YOLO” mentality and head out to the local bars after dinner to get a taste of local life.

-Grab breakfast and then head out to do a combined tour of Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia. Park Güell, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the fairytale-esque masterpiece of Gaudí. It’s a park system composed of gardens and the most bizarre (in the best way) architectural elements. A tour here really heightens the experience. As for the infamous Sagrada Familia, even if it’s (still) not finished by the time you go, it is nevertheless incredible.

-Lunch and relax

-Continue your Day of Gaudí by checking out one of his three famous houses. I did Casa Batlló, and I’m so glad I did. I didn’t think I was the biggest fan of Gaudí, so I thought seeing the Park would be enough and originally was going to skip the houses. But a friend insisted I check out Casa Batlló, and he was right. It was awesome.

-Next, wander Las Ramblas, the famous shopping avenue. Is it touristy? 100%. But it also has a lot of character and is a neat area to explore.

-Become a “cocinero” for the evening and take part in a paella cooking class!

-Grab breakfast before you head out for a day trip to the Montserrat Monastery. The monastery is another UNESCO site and is absolutely breathtaking, whether you’re religious or not. The Monastery houses the famous “Black Madonna.” The area also offers the opportunity for short hikes if interested.

This is a great experience for solo travelers, especially, as the environment is conducive to reflection. While only 40 miles outside Barcelona, you’ll feel as if you’re a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

-Upon your return from Montserrat, enjoy your final evening in Barcelona by strolling through the charming streets and stumbling upon a neat place for dinner. You could even go tapas bar hopping!

-ALTERNATIVE: if you didn’t want to do Montserrat, you could spend the day exploring Barcelona’s museums (including the Picasso Museum), markets and shops.