If you are short on time, a day trip can be an excellent way to see the most iconic sights of a city. One sunny destination, less than two hours from the UK, has been named the best for a 24-hour break thanks to its compact centre. Transport provider Mozio recently compiled a list of the best European cities for a 24-hour holiday, and at the top is Barcelona: an iconic city with a flight time of under two hours from London.
Keen for a city to explore, and without much time to spare away from a busy family life, I hopped on a plane to the Catalonian capital to see how much of Barcelona I could take in in a single day.
Starting at the Sagrada Família
Like most visitors to Barcelona, I began at the Sagrada Família. Not long after landing, I stood at the foot of Gaudí's masterpiece, in awe of the way the ornate spires seemed to stretch endlessly towards the sky. Rosa, an endlessly cheerful and knowledgeable tour guide, was on hand to help me navigate this architectural behemoth. The small group tour meant there was no aimless wandering. Not only did we skip the lines outside, but we also learned so much about the building, its little details, and the fascinating life of Gaudí, whose passion and money were poured endlessly into the project.
Casa Batlló: A Short Walk Away
A short walk from the Sagrada Família is the architect's Casa Batlló, another attraction worth getting skip-the-line tickets for if you are short of time. On the crowded pavement outside, crowds gather to take photos of the intricate facade, which features colourful mosaics resembling mermaid fins, skeletal columns, and balconies resembling masks with empty eyeholes. Inside, Rosa led us through each beautifully designed room, explaining the features from the smooth, sleek, curved wood to the ombré tiles on the wall that get progressively darker as you climb the stairs. Every inch of the house has Gaudí's architectural touches, down to the doorknobs.
Food at Mercat de la Boqueria
A day is not a long time to try all the culinary delights that Spain has to offer, but one way to enjoy as much authentic cuisine as possible is to head to Mercat de la Boqueria. It was crowned the world's best market by the New York Times, and it truly is a foodie heaven. The smell of jamón hangs in the air as you wander round stalls selling cones of cured meat, manchego cheese, olives, and other treats. Grab a bar stool and try some pintxos, a Spanish snack made up of small pieces of bread topped with seafood, meat, or cheese, best enjoyed alongside a cold beer or glass of wine.
Lunch at Can Culleretes
For something more substantial, book a table at Can Culleretes, Barcelona's oldest restaurant that sits off a winding side street near La Rambla. The queues spill out into the street. Inside this charmingly rustic restaurant that dates back to the 18th century, we were served an incredible array of tapas, including anchovies, huge prawns doused in garlic, and plates of croquettes, washed down with Spanish wine. By the time the crema catalana came round for pudding, most of us were too full to make a proper go of it.
Sunset from Montjuïc
If you are still standing after all that tapas and many steps, you may feel like heading somewhere a little more serene. Barcelona's metro system connects to Funicular de Montjuïc, a short two-minute ride that costs around €3 (about £2.60), yet gives you incredible hillside views across the city. From Montjuïc, you can watch the sun go down and the lights of Barcelona twinkling below, from the bustling city centre to the sandy beach. Not bad for a day.
Booking Information
The Sagrada Família small guided tour including tower access starts at £70 per adult (11+), £51 per child (5-10), under 5s go free. A Casa Batlló private tour with skip the line entry for six people starts from £70 per person with early access. Both tours can be booked via TUI Musement. TUI offers three-night city break packages to Barcelona, staying at the 4* H10 H10 Madison Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, from £666 per person based on two adults sharing a classic double room, traveling on Ryanair from London Stansted Airport on September 15, 2026. Price includes 10 kg of hand luggage.
