Nice work, the grouping by neighborhood is smart and saves a lot of headache. For Day 1, I'd suggest swapping the Picasso Museum for a walk up to the Carrer de la Mercè viewpoint instead, it's a five minute detour off the main path and you get a rooftop view of the cathedral that most tourists miss. The museum is good but it's mostly early work, and the free hour after 3pm on Sundays is a zoo.

For Day 3, the Joan Miró Foundation is a gem but the permanent collection is small, you can do it in under an hour. Spend the extra time walking down the Montjuïc hill through the botanical garden, it's €3.50 and way quieter than the castle. The cable car from Barceloneta is overpriced for what it is, the bus from Paral·lel metro is €2.40 and drops you right at the castle entrance.

One thing I'd add is the Palau de la Música Catalana on Day 1 if you can fit it, the guided tour is €20 and the stained glass ceiling is stunning. It's a 10 minute walk from the cathedral and you can book same day online if they have slots.

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honestly this is a solid itinerary, you've done your homework. one thing i'd add is that the T-Casual card is great but it won't work for the Montjuïc cable car or the funicular, those are separate tickets. also, if you're around on a sunday, the Picasso Museum is free after 3pm but it gets packed, so go early or skip it.

for day 2, the Sagrada Familia tip about booking ahead is key, i'd say book at least two weeks out in 2026 because it's only getting more popular. i personally prefer the guided tour over the audio guide, the guide's stories about Gaudí's quirks are worth the extra few euros. and for lunch in Eixample, skip the touristy spots on Passeig de Gràcia and walk two blocks over to Carrer de València for better prices and less crowds.

one thing you missed is the Bunkers del Carmel for sunset on day 1 or 3. it's a 20 minute walk uphill from Park Güell's free area, but the 360 view over the city is unbeatable and completely free. bring a beer from a corner shop and watch the city light up. just be ready for a crowd, especially in summer.

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yeah this is a really solid plan, only thing i'd tweak is on day 2 you're rushing through eixample a bit. casa batlló and la pedrera are gorgeous but if you only have time for one, pick la pedrera, the rooftop with those chimney warriors feels more magical than batlló's interior imo. also the mercado de la concepcion is a good lunch spot but the flower stalls are the real draw, the food options are mid, better to grab a €5 sandwich at la bodega d'en rafel on carrer de

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honestly the best thing i did was skip the sagrada familia line entirely and went to sant pau hospital instead. it's a 15 min walk from the metro and entry is like 14 euros, way less crowded and the art nouveau architecture by domenech i montaner is just as stunning. the gardens are quiet too, perfect for a break from the tourist chaos.

for food, forget la boqueria and hit up mercat de sant antoni on a sunday. they have a flea market outside and the food stalls inside are cheaper, plus you can get a proper menú del día for 11 euros at bar ca l'esteve. the patatas bravas there are legit, none of that sauce-from-a-bottle nonsense.

montjuic cable car is nice but the real hack is taking the funicular from paral·lel metro up to the park and walking down. saves money and u see the gardens along the way. the magic fountain show is packed so bring a cushion and sit on the grass near the museu nacional d'art de catalunya instead of the steps.

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the gràcia neighborhood is worth a full afternoon, it's not in the main guide but it's like a separate village with its own plazas. plaça del sol is packed with locals drinking cheap beer from the corner store, and the vibe is way more relaxed than the gothic quarter. the metro line L3 to fontana drops you right there.

for a late night snack, skip the tourist traps and go to can conesa in the gothic quarter near the cathedral. they've been making tiny sandwiches called montaditos since the 1940s, the jamon one is like 2 euros and they grill the bread right in front of you. cash only and there's usually a line of locals spilling out the door around 10pm.

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yeah the gothic quarter tip is solid but honestly the best time to go is after midnight when the streets empty out. i lived off carrer de la fruita for a year and walking through placa sant felip neri at 2am with zero tourists is a whole different vibe. the cathedral looks eerie in the dark and u can hear your own footsteps echo off the stone.

for a cheap drink skip the tapas bars and go to bodega la palma off carrer de la palla. they do a glass of vermut for 2 euros and the place looks like it hasn't changed since the 50s. no menu in english, just point at what the old guys are eating. the anchovies are incredible.

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