How I Plan Trips + A Week-Long Barcelona Itinerary
Travel planning is one of my favorite things. It’s a hobby at this point. I love the process of researching, organizing, and designing a trip that's fun and realistic, without being so rigid that it stresses me out.
Today I’m sharing exactly how I plan trips, plus a real example: the itinerary I created when my parents visited me here in Barcelona!
How I Plan Trips: My Step-by-Step Process
1. Pick the Destination and Dates
First, I pick the destination and the ideal dates I'd like to go. I use Google Flights to check options and see if it's actually feasible price-wise and logistically.
2. Start Researching
Once I know the destination is realistic, I start my deep dive:
I check TikTok, Reddit, Google, and YouTube for recommendations.
I save TikTok videos to a favorites folder.
I create a custom Google Map to pin all the restaurants, landmarks, neighborhoods, and stores I come across.
3. Choose a Hotel
After getting a sense of the best areas to stay, I start looking up hotels. I like to find a couple options I’d be comfortable with before locking anything in. If a hotel isn’t feasible, then I will opt for alternative options like AirBnb.
4. Confirm Flights and Book Accommodations
Once I have my flights booked, I book my hotel. This doesn’t have to happen immediately after I book the flight. But I consider the flight the most important booking, and the accommodation can be decided afterwards.
Pro Tip: I always book myself a window seat. I am a window seat girly through and through and I need it.
5. Build the Itinerary
To build my itinerary, I usually:
Identify the top 3 must-do activities.
Figure out if I have enough time for them or if I need to spread them out or book extra transportation (like renting a car or booking a guided tour).
Sprinkle in secondary options (things I’d like to do if time allows).
I try to group activities by area of the city and type of activity for efficiency.
I use Wanderlog for detailed trips because it lets me track expenses and collaborate with friends.
If I want something simpler, I’ll just use a Google Sheet or an Apple Note.
6. Keep It Flexible
Even though I'm very Type A, I don't plan every hour of the day. I usually aim for:
One main activity per day
Two restaurant options per day (one for brunch/lunch, one for dinner)
Plenty of room for spontaneous decisions based on energy and mood
This way, the trip feels organized but not overwhelming.
My Parents' Itinerary: 9 Days in Barcelona
Here's exactly how I mapped out the trip when my parents came to visit me in Barcelona this April!
Wednesday, April 9: Arrival Day
Arrival: Parents landed around 11 AM (thankfully got early hotel check-in!)
Light lunch and nap time to recover from 14+ hours of travel
Dinner: Reservation at Tragaluz. One of my favorites and a beautiful spot for our first night
Thursday, April 10: Big Sightseeing Day
Morning: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus to Montjuïc
Museum Stop: Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (impromptu decision and surprisingly a hit!)
Lunch: Terraza Miramar - lunch with a view (despite the food not being the most amazing, but still I recommend)
Evening: I timed our visit to Sagrada Familia during sunset and it paid off with stunning photos of the stained glass windows
Was it worth it to go at sunset? Yes, but it was very crowded. If you are trying to do the tourist things with minimal crowds, I would book the earliest time slot in the morning instead.
Dinner: Restaurant with a terrace view of Sagrada Familia (food was mediocre, view was amazing)
Friday, April 11: Barceloneta Day
Lunch: Fiskebar (delicious, with a gorgeous view of the marina)
Afternoon: Walk around Barceloneta
Dinner: Elj apo nés. It was by far the best meal and best service of the entire trip!
Saturday, April 12: Exploring El Born and Gothic Quarter
Late start: Intentional, to avoid burnout
Morning: Walk through Arc de Triomf → Parc de la Ciutadella → El Born
Spontaneous stop: Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar (worth it, amazing rooftop view!)
Afternoon: Explore the Gothic Quarter, see the Barcelona Cathedral and Pont del Bisbe
Cocktail stop: Loro Cocktails
Dinner: Gourmet Sensi (amazing food, but very tight seating)
Sunday, April 13: Chill Coastal Day
Lunch: I booked us a late lunch at El Tribut at Port Olímpic
Note: Beautiful restaurant, disappointing service
Afternoon: Walk around Port Olímpic and stopped at Soho House rooftop for a drink
Monday, April 14: Reset Day
Parents: Went on an early morning fishing trip
Me: Chill day working from home
Evening: Low key night - my mom and I took a walk to grab some takeout to eat at my apartment. We got gluten-free pizza from Messie and some baked goods from Chök.
Tuesday, April 15: Hiking + Relaxed Exploring
Morning: We took the funicular up the mountain to do an easy hike and then walked back to my neighborhood
Lunch: We stopped at a gluten-free bakery called Sana Locura and brought it to a nearby park to eat
Dinner: Returned to Elj apo nés (because it was THAT good)
Wednesday, April 16: Gràcia Vibes
Morning: I filmed a podcast episode with my parents at home to keep as a memory for us
Dinner: We had an early dinner at Taberna del Cura and then walked around Gràcia
Drinks and dessert: Cocktails in a plaza + Anita Gelato
Thursday, April 17: Farewell Adventure
Lunch: Brunch & Cake
Afternoon: Bar hopping around Barceloneta
Highlight: Azul Rooftop (we skipped the crazy long line at Noxe and had a blast here)
Dinner: Pizza to wrap up the trip!
Final Thoughts
Planning trips might sound like a lot of work, but it honestly makes the whole experience so much smoother and more enjoyable. Having a flexible, realistic itinerary ensures you make the most of your time without feeling stressed or rushed.
Whether you're traveling solo, with friends, or hosting family like I did, a little intentional planning can turn a good trip into a great one.
If you want me to share a printable version of my Barcelona Google Map or a full packing list for trips like this, let me know - I’d love to! ✈️🌞
