In October 2010 we spent 5 nights in Barcelona and 3 nights on a Costa Brava roadtrip that included one night in Cadaques (one of our favorite places) and two nights in Girona. On our roadtrip, we stopped at Tossa de Mar, S'agaro, & Calella Palafrugell before reaching Cadaques. While in Cadaques, we visited Dali's house in Port Lligat (which we loved), and drove up to Cap de Creus. We had one full day of sightseeing in Girona. When we checked out of our hotel in Girona, we drove through some of the Pyrenees, making stops at Besalu, Ripoll, Rupit & Vic, before returning to Barcelona in the evening.

I know a lot of people have stayed overnight in Begur along the Costa Brava, but we didn't have time to stop there. It all depends on what you like & what you want to do. You can click on my name to read my trip report if that would help.

I'm not sure if 3 days is enough in Barcelona. We were there for 5 nights & didn't see everything.

Hope this helps.

My wife and I were fortunate to experience a trip like yours last spring.

We visited Barcelona and Costa Brava at the beginning of April 2012. We based at a hotel in Figueres, with car, for three nights, then moved to an apartment in L'Eixample for another week, returning the car. We spent a day in Girona on the way to Figueres. While in Figueres we visited the delightful Teatro Museo Dali, and from Figueres we toured Roses, Cadaques and Port Lligat. Unfortunately, a massive rainstorm and poor directions scrapped our attempt to visit some of the hill cities and other shore locations on another day.

The six nights that we spent in Barcelona were amazing. The city itself is a museum of Gaudi's architecture and design. With all of its art museums, restaurants, theaters, concerts, parks and scenery, we could not run out of things to do and see. We also took a day trip by train to the monastery and cathedral at Montserrat, in a dramatic setting in mountains not too far from Barcelona.

Kwoo,
Your sub title for your trip report is exactly the way we are feeling about our trip. (Tapas, sangria, gelato and Spanish olives)I was not sure the gelato would be good in Barcelona. I got a lot of good information from your trip report and will need to re-read it a couple of times.
Dave,
I wish I had the amount of time to spend in this area as you, but work will not allow. How was the weather in early April? We will Be there early May.
Kwoo & Dave,
Would you suggest I add another day for Barcelona? Is there any small towns you would have skipped or any you would have spent more time? We will do the train trip to Monserrat. Thanks again for your response

We just spent 2 short days in Barcelona and 2ish days in Tarragona, which isn't exactly where you had in mind but I'd urge you to look into it. My trip report is here

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/his-and-hers-vacations-barcelona-tarragona-for-her-wrc-rally-for-him.cfm

(Half of our trip was taken up with the WRC Rally race but you can read in my TR about Tarragona and Montserrat.)

texasbookworm,
Now I have another decision to decide on with Tarragona. Great trip report. Thanks!