Barcelona has some great ticket options for site seeing in bulk. The Touristic Bus is a 2-tiered bus that will drive you to every tourist site, tell you a bit about it and let you off to look on your own. You can visit each site for as long as you want and then get on any other Touristic bus toward your next stop. One and 2-day options are available (see Resources below).
If art, museums and history are more your scene, you should pick up an Articket BCN from any participating museum or the tourist office in Placa Cataluyna (see Resources below). This ticket is, quite possibly, the greatest bulk-buy in all of Barcelona allowing you to see 7 main attractions, which include the Museu Picasso, Fundaco Caixa Cataluyna (Le Pedrera), Fundacio Joan Miro, Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), Museu Nacional d'Art de Cataluyna, Centre de Cultura Contemporania de Barcelona and Fundacio Antoni Tapies for 20 euros. If you see just 2 of the museums on the list you've gotten your money's worth.
Day 1. On your first day in Barca, get yourself lost in the Barri Gottic (The Gothic Quarter). The tiny pedestrian streets and gorgeous rot-iron balconies will transport you back to the mid-century. You'll find wonderful boutiques filled with antiques, art, clothing and shoes among cafe's, bakeries and tapas bars. In the afternoon, find your way to the Museu Picasso. This museum is not to be missed. It is home to Picasso's reinterpretation of Velaquez' 1656 "Meninas" and is a perfect example of 20th century Spanish art.
Day 2. Five days isn't a lot of time, but it's enough time for you to get out of the center and experience some of Barcelona's intricate lifestyle. In the morning take the L2 Metro to Encants. Here you'll find the largest flea market in Europe. It's a one-stop-shop for Barcelonians where you can find everything from mattresses and faucets to antique jewelry and shoes. There are treasures buried among the junk and even if you don't find something it's worth experiencing just the same. After the flea market, stop by one of the local cafes for cafe and tortillas or grab some churros at a churroteria on the street before heading to La Sagrada Familia--it's within walking distance--and make sure you pay the extra 2 euros to go up the lift once you're inside. For dinner, head down to the Port Olypmic for a seafood extravaganza and some late night clubbing.
Day 3. Day 3 has you visiting Parc Monjuic, a cascading hillside filled with modern museums and the remnants of an Olympic past, as well as castle-like structures, and beautiful fountains. Depending on the time of year, the beach is not to be missed. The moderate Mediterranean climate can have you splashing in the ocean almost year-round, though you might look a little crazy in the coldest winter months. Check out Platja de Sant Sebastia near the old harbor. After your refreshing dip, wet your whistle with some cheap beers (2 euros) at Chringuito del Mar.
Every culture has its famous food choices, and Barcelona is no different. There are a number of must-haves, but for our purposes we're pointing you toward the chocolat con churros (hot chocolate and churros). This is a dish you don't want to miss. Spanish hot chocolate is not your everyday swiss miss. Where hot chocolate is a drink, chocolat is a dessert. Spanish chocolat is thick and creamy. It has the consistency of pudding, which makes it perfect for dipping churros, a Spanish pastry of fried dough, cinnamon and sugar. And the best place for enjoying your traditional Spanish chocolat is Dulcinea, an old shop so close to Las Ramblas that you wouldn't believe that it wasn't "touristy".
Day 4. Parc Guel is another site that is not to be missed. Sitting just above Barcelona's bustling city, Parc Guel offers you the world from Guadi's point of view. The park is home to a monument of Gaudi creations; a serpent-like staircase that wraps around an open terrace, passageways that seem to be crashing above you as you walk through them and buildings that make the Hansel and Gretel fable come to life. Pack a picnic and don't forget your camera. After your leisurely morning, you'll be all set to explore Fondacio Caixa Catluyna, another of Gaudi's signature avante-garde creations. The exterior of Casa Batillo's (just down the street) is much more famous, but the Pedrera's rooftop sculptures and view are some of the best in Barcelona. Finish off your afternoon with a stroll down Passeig de Gracia, a boulevard full of high street shopping and cafes, and have your meal western-style (meaning early) at Citrus.
Day 5. On your last day in Barcelona you'll want to get a little retail therapy. Barcelona is arguably the design capitol of Spain and the mix of mom and pop shops with trendy boutiques makes for a journey of the senses. Walk Las Ramblas from Placa Cataluyna all the way to the Port and enjoy the human statues and dancers that clog the pedestrian walkway. Make sure to stop off at the La Boqueria, a sprawling open-air market filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat and candies (see Resources below). La Pinotxo is a tiny bar in La Boqueria where foodies find their heaven. There is no menu, but rest assured that you'll have a divine meal created from the market's fresh ingredients of the day. Don't miss Pinotxo's 1 euro cappuccinos.
