Barcelona - need to prioritise!

mrs_thrifty_2 · 30 March 2008 at 2:20AM

Going to Barcelona on a short break ( 3 days). Know we can't see it all. Interested to see what folks think are the things not to be missed....

balsingh · 30 March 2008 at 2:58AM

Anythign Gaudi related is excellent especially Park Guell which is like a Gaudi village.

Also the Sagrada Familia and the Picasso Museum. The Olympic Village is not worth the visit (but thats my personal opinion)

La Ramblas is overated and you have to watch your pockets but theres no point going to Barcelona and not going there.

Hope that helps.

blue_haddock · 30 March 2008 at 9:45AM

It all depends on what you like doing. One of the nicest things i did whilst in barcelona was talking a sunday morning stroll along the promenade behind the city beaches watching the locals enjoy themselves.

For me the visit to Camp Nou was also a good place to go but if your not into football i doubt it would do anything for you.

ferrett · 30 March 2008 at 10:09AM

definately la familia sagrada or however you spell it.

The highlight of my trip by far. Also park guell.

balsingh · 30 March 2008 at 10:55AM

blue_haddock wrote: »

For me the visit to Camp Nou was also a good place to go but if your not into football i doubt it would do anything for you.

We did Camp Nou too. My other half isnt even into footie and she enjoyed it!!!

RichP_2 · 30 March 2008 at 10:57AM

They do a sightseeing bus which stops at all the main attractions, you can get off and on as much as you like at each stop, about 20 euros per day for that I think. I did not think much of the Sagrada Familia, looks impressive outside but inside is just a building site, maybe thats because everyone hyped it up and I was expecting better.

There is a good cable car to go on if you can stand heights, Montjuic has the Olympic stadium as well.

Travel on the trams I found to be the cheapest and most reliable, buy a ticket at the platform before you get on and its pretty much self explanitory once on there with all stops marked clearly. I was there last month and the weather was brilliant so enjoy your stay, Richard.

MrSmartprice · 30 March 2008 at 4:46PM

Sagrada Familia is indeed far more impressive from the outside. Pop back in 30 years or so to see the inside, I would suggest.;)

Parc Guell is excellent. Approach from the 'back' via the outdoor escalators so that the walk through the park is downhill if you are not young and fit. (Barcelona will certainly tire you out - even if you use the metro as much as possible.)

Walk the Ramblas, making sure you go into the Boqueras market there. It is spectacular and the tapas stalls are excellent and reasonably priced.

Go to Barceloneta and walk along the seafront back towards the Ramblas. Or take the cablecar across the harbour up to Montjuic. There is a different cablecar on Montjuic which goes to the castle. The Olympic Stadium and Park on Montjuic are a disappointment - much of it is overgrown and neglected. It is very depressing in my view - so much for the Olympic legacy!

Far more impressive is the Camp Nou tour. Go early and avoid the rush. It is a truly mindblowing experience, I defy anyone not to be impresses, football fan or not. You see the dressing rooms, tunnel, Royal Box, Press Box, museum etc. Don't miss it! On our recent visit we saw a game there - WOW!

See the Magic Fountain which is walkable from Placa Espanya. I think it runs every night after the beginning of April, starts 7pm, free.

Buy a T-10 metro/bus ticket. It costs e7.20 for 10 journeys. A couple only need one - just vaidate it twice each time. It also works on Bus 46, which goes to & from Airport & Placa Espanya. Cheaper than the Aerobus which is e4.05 each way.

Other money saving tip, eat main meals at lunchtime using menus del dia. You can get superb food at around e10 for 3 courses with drinks, much dearer at night.

mrs_thrifty_2 · 30 March 2008 at 7:02PM

Thank you all for your help. It sounds an exciting place to visit. I borrowed a guide book from a friend today as well. So, nearly all set. Thanks again

Pollycat · 31 March 2008 at 10:15AM

Mrs Thrifty
Best advice I can give you is to do some homework before you go, decide what you really want to see and group them together so you're not backtracking all over the city.
Also, check out opening times, some museums are closed on Mondays.
Consider buying a Barcelona Card. It gives unlimited use of public transport in the city, including metro, city buses and use of the airport train & tram (not Girona airport though).
It also gives discount to some attractions, so you need to decide if it will be worth it.
Try these websites for more info:
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/

For us, the Gaudi stuff really stood out:
Parc Guell (although not very well signposted once you're in, we thought)

La Pedrera (was Casa Mila) - great views from the roof

Casa Battlo (Gaudi's Dragon House)- this was the most amazing thing we saw but do go when there's plenty of light to get the most out of the sunlight into the rooms.

Palau Guell (just off La Rambla) was closed for renovations when we were there late January 2008.

Barri Gotic, a maze of alleys with shops & restaurants (just off La Rambla) - you'll find some places in there doing 'Menu Del Dia' - 3 courses often with half bottle of wine, a few choices for each course.

The Cathedral (La Seu), not to be confused with Gaudi's unfinished church, has some impressive stained glass windows and good views from the roof (accessible by lift) - it's in Barri Gotic.

We wanted to go up Monument a Colon (monument to Colombus) at the bottom of La Rambla, apparently there's great views from the top but it was closed for renovations.

I didn't appreciate Picasso Museum but my hubby liked it.

La Sagrada Familia was stunning. Sure, it IS a building site 'cos it's not finished yet. But the stained glass windows that reflect off the stone pillars if it's sunny are beautiful. There's lots of info about the different materials being used. Arrive early to avoid queues if you want to go up the spire - the lift takes you to 75 metres, then you can walk up to 90 metres and either walk the whole way down (spiral steps) or back to take the lift.
We also went back to see it illuminated at night.

We were disapointed with Mont Juic but the cross harbour cable car (Teleferic) gave good views getting there.

It's a fab city.

lily_the_pink · 31 March 2008 at 1:11PM

Sagrada Familia

Parc Guell (you might not have time as it is a little bit out of the way - it is my favourite place in Barcelona)

MontJuic - Miro Museum is fabulous. Getting to the top is half the fun.

Eat. (some friends who lived in Barcelona reckoned that the Tapas is expensive and over-rated - better to go for good lunch menus in day time). Drink too if you want.

If you are really into Picasso then do the Picasso Museum - personally although I love Picasso I would recommend the Miro Museum if you are only going to have time to do one. (Mainly because Miro is fun)

Other ideas and some good links here:

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/48-hours-in-barcelona-544648.html

geri1965_2 · 31 March 2008 at 1:17PM

I agree with all the above posts. The tourist bus is excellent value for money and gives you a good overview of the city.

One thing I really like doing is to go the restaurant at the top floor of El Corte Ingles, which is a huge department store on Place de Catalunya (you can't miss it) and just sit in a window seat with a beer looking out. Stunning views.

Barcelona - need to prioritise!

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