Italy_lover123 Posted June 4, 2014 #1 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Is Barcelona doable on your own (with a good guide book and map) or is a private tour better? Thank you, Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campolady Posted June 4, 2014 #2 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Is Barcelona doable on your own (with a good guide book and map) or is a private tour better? Thank you, Mary Certainly! Much better to go at your own pace and see what you want to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3ssn Posted June 4, 2014 #3 Share Posted June 4, 2014 No problem to do it on your own. Lots of taxis, great metro/bus system and 3 hop on hop off buslines. Netter than a tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Turtles06 Posted June 4, 2014 #4 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Very do-able on your own. This web site was a great help to us when we were planning our trip; it's loaded with info, including a metro map and how to get around: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/ Have a great trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMWCambridge Posted June 4, 2014 #5 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Is Barcelona doable on your own (with a good guide book and map) or is a private tour better? Thank you, Mary We were in Barcelona last week and used the hop on hop off buses - 27 euros each. Commentary provided on the bus. Bus stop very close to the cruise port. It helps if you plan which places you wish to visit before you go. If you plan to visit the Sagrada Familla, do book the tickets on line to avoid the queues. Definitely more fun to set your own programme, rather than a tour here. Have a great time! PS Secure your belongings, many pickpockets in Barcelona Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted June 4, 2014 #6 Share Posted June 4, 2014 We've been there twice, and found it easy to do on our own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4774Papa Posted June 5, 2014 #7 Share Posted June 5, 2014 It is easy to do on your own, but we took an introductory tour from Barcelona Day Tours when we had time prior to a cruise and had luggage. The METRO is good and you can walk to a lot of places. Also, doing Montserrat is doable on your own as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celebrity Posted June 7, 2014 #8 Share Posted June 7, 2014 It is easy to do on your own, but we took an introductory tour from Barcelona Day Tours when we had time prior to a cruise and had luggage. The METRO is good and you can walk to a lot of places. Also, doing Montserrat is doable on your own as well. We did the same. We reserved Barcelona Day Tours to pick us up at the airport when we arrived at 8am. Took a 4 hour tour with our luggage secured in the car. When the tour ended, we were dropped off at Hotel Jazz and ventured out on our own. It's such a vibrant city with incredible architecture and wonderful sites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eandj Posted June 7, 2014 #9 Share Posted June 7, 2014 If you have the time, a shorter tour or using ho ho buses is a great start and gives you an overview of different neighborhoods, sights etc. From there then you can pick and choose where to spend more time . For sure get yourself a couple books and prioritize the points you MUST see and go from there planning transp. Just leave enough time to walk thru and enjoy the Las Ramblas and Gothic areas. Great city to experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celebrity Posted June 7, 2014 #10 Share Posted June 7, 2014 If you decide to visit La Sagrada Familia and I urge you to do so, be sure to secure tix on line before you head over to Barcelona. We walked right in at our pre reserved time while those that didn't make reservations waited on a line that stretched around the corner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted June 7, 2014 #11 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Is Barcelona doable on your own (with a good guide book and map) or is a private tour better? Thank you, Mary Very doable on your own, Rick Steve's does a good job in his guide books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DragonOfTheSeas Posted June 7, 2014 #12 Share Posted June 7, 2014 If you decide to visit La Sagrada Familia and I urge you to do so, be sure to secure tix on line before you head over to Barcelona. We walked right in at our pre reserved time while those that didn't make reservations waited on a line that stretched around the corner. . . and purchase tickets for Park Guell. It used to be free to enter, but since October you need timed tickets. We visited 2 days after they began requiring tickets. It was a nasty rainy day and we waited 45 minutes to get tickets. On a nice day I bet the line is very long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celebrity Posted June 7, 2014 #13 Share Posted June 7, 2014 . . and purchase tickets for Park Guell. It used to be free to enter, but since October you need timed tickets. We visited 2 days after they began requiring tickets. It was a nasty rainy day and we waited 45 minutes to get tickets. On a nice day I bet the line is very long. Wow! I had no idea. We were there in September, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DragonOfTheSeas Posted June 7, 2014 #14 Share Posted June 7, 2014 I know!! We were there on October 28. They began requiring tickets on October 26. :( they only allow 400 people in the Gaudi area at a time. So if you do not buy in advance you may have to wait, even if the line is short. [which ours was not--people may have bought online and you will be out of luck.] The tickets are timed. You must enter within [i think I remember] 30 mins of the time on the ticket. So, it gives you wiggle room. Just an FYI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esahuma Posted June 8, 2014 #15 Share Posted June 8, 2014 We've been there twice, and found it easy to do on our own. Bob can you recommend an 'average' place to stay near Las Ramblas? Thank you to ANYONE that can help with this - we will be there in May or about 4 days -- have done private cruise critic friends tours before but this will be on our own! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theredofshaw Posted June 8, 2014 #16 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Bob can you recommend an 'average' place to stay near Las Ramblas? Thank you to ANYONE that can help with this - we will be there in May or about 4 days -- have done private cruise critic friends tours before but this will be on our own! depending on how long you are planning to be there before or after the cruise, check out one of those vacation rental sites. it seems much more affordable to us. that is our plan for our cruise next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShannonSC2 Posted June 8, 2014 #17 Share Posted June 8, 2014 . . and purchase tickets for Park Guell. It used to be free to enter, but since October you need timed tickets. We visited 2 days after they began requiring tickets. It was a nasty rainy day and we waited 45 minutes to get tickets. On a nice day I bet the line is very long. How long does it take to tour Park Guell? Do you know how to get tickets online? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Lloyd Posted June 8, 2014 #18 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Hotel Nouvel, Carrer de Santa Anna. It's in a side road just off Las Ramblas at the top end near Placa Cataluna. It's on the edge of the Gothic quarter and is a lovely 3 star hotel for a good price. I've stayed there and it was great. You're right on Las Ramblas and near to shopsd, cafes, transport etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Lloyd Posted June 8, 2014 #19 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Get Parc Quell tickets from here: http://www.parkguell.cat/en/buy-tickets/ Allow at least 2 hours for your visit. Very interesting place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted June 9, 2014 #20 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Bob can you recommend an 'average' place to stay near Las Ramblas? Thank you to ANYONE that can help with this - we will be there in May or about 4 days -- have done private cruise critic friends tours before but this will be on our own! We stayed at the Hotel Jazz, about 2 blocks from Playa Cataluna. I think we paid about 135 Euros per night. Loved the location, close to Las Ramblas but not too close. Very clean, staff helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CintiPam Posted June 9, 2014 #21 Share Posted June 9, 2014 We stayed at the Hotel Jazz, about 2 blocks from Playa Cataluna. I think we paid about 135 Euros per night. Loved the location, close to Las Ramblas but not too close. Very clean, staff helpful. We have stayed at the Hotel Jazz twice now and think it's an excellent Barcelona suggestion. If the weather is nice, the rooftop pool and lovely lounging area is a wonderful place to relax at the end of the day. Also just 50 yards from a direct airport bus stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShannonSC2 Posted June 9, 2014 #22 Share Posted June 9, 2014 I know!! We were there on October 28. They began requiring tickets on October 26. :( they only allow 400 people in the Gaudi area at a time. So if you do not buy in advance you may have to wait, even if the line is short. [which ours was not--people may have bought online and you will be out of luck.] The tickets are timed. You must enter within [i think I remember] 30 mins of the time on the ticket. So, it gives you wiggle room. Just an FYI. So if I purchased tickets at 3 I can still get up until 3:30? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShannonSC2 Posted June 9, 2014 #23 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Get Parc Quell tickets from here: http://www.parkguell.cat/en/buy-tickets/ Allow at least 2 hours for your visit. Very interesting place. Thank you for the link. I was able to purchase my tickets. I was showing my girls and they are excited to see this also. One less thing to check off the list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Lloyd Posted June 9, 2014 #24 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Be sure to have your cameras with you. The architecture and little buildings in the park by Gaudi are amazing. As you're also up on a hill there are fantastic views over Barcelona. Barcelona and Amsterdam are favourite cities of ours, and living in Britain both are great for weekend breaks on cheap flights that take less than 2 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Italy_lover123 Posted June 11, 2014 Author #25 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I have been out of town and just back to reading the CC post. Thank you all for your comments. I am looking forward to visiting Barcelona on my own. Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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