Barcelona - Need help organizing attraction list

[planner123456]

Hi, We'll be in Barcelona 1.5 days and need to end up at the Port to board our cruise. I've got a list of places that sound intriguing. The first 2 are must-sees, but the rest can be trimmed if needed! Could one of you experienced travelers take a look and let me know this is reasonable/advisable and if there is an order that makes sense? Also, how would you get around cheaply? City bus? Prefer to walk when possible to offset the cruise calories :D, but the second day will have our large suitcases with us. We're staying at HOTEL GRAN DERBY.

 

Sagrada Familia (purchased tickets for 9:15 first day)

Park Guell

The Skylight at the Palau de la Música Catalana

Barri Gòtic

Casa Batlló

La Boqueria

Santa Maria del Mar

Las Ramblas

Magic Fountains of Montjuic

Edited September 3, 2017 by planner123456
forgot hotel

[insanemagnet]

the second day will have our large suitcases with us. We're staying at HOTEL GRAN DERBY.

 

You are mad if you do. I can see your hotel is not very central, but even so, leave them at the hotel, do your morning's sightseeing, and then go back and get them (perhaps get a cab from the end of your sightseeing to the hotel and back to the port).

 

For the Barri Gòtic and the modernist architecture on the Passeig de Gracia, make sure you download a walking route.

 

As for the getting around, I would use the underground by preference, or walk/bus. If you are there in the summer, Barcelona can be very hot, so you will not want to walk further than you have to.

[Keith1010]

On the second day you don't want to be traveling around with suitcases and valuables, et.

 

If that is the day you check out of the hotel before checkout b all means walk around but not with any valuables. Then go back to the hotel, check out and head to the cruise port. Barcelona is a wonderful city but it still has a lot of people trying to pick pocket tourists so leave passports, jewelry and most of your money and credit cards in a safe and take what you need and keep close to you.

 

Keith

[EnricM]

If you're a "tick-the-list" type of visitor, then I'm afraid I can't help you much, as I wouldn't know how long do you assign to every site. If you like to enjoy a bit what you're seeing -hence you're willing to spend a minimum amount of time in each to discover it... as most visitors do I must add- then I have to tell you that you cannot possibly visit "all of that" in a day and a half, not by a long shot. For starters, Barri Gòtic is a neighbourhood... just for that you'd need several days as there are literally dozens of things to see there.

 

If the first two are a must, I'm afraid most of the rest will have to be trimmed. Btw, for info, El Gòtic is the name of the neighbourhood you mention, not "Barri Gòtic". The word "barri" is just Catalan, the local language, for "neighbourhood".

 

Aaaanyway... if I were you I'd probably do this:

 

9:15am PARK GÜELL

Take a TAXI to Park Güell -you could go by metro or bus, but a day and a half require optimizing your time, doesn't it? Also, I am assuming you'll stick only to the Monumental area (http://irbarcelona.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/zona-monumental.jpg) which is, as the name indicates, where most of the monuments are. However, note that there are other things to see outside this area. If considering visiting only the monumental area the visit could be done in say 1h-1h30" or so, but if including (and it's worthwhile!) visiting the Viaduct http://brbun01.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/182.jpg) located to the right when entering thru the east gate or the Turó de les Tres Creus (http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/49299751.jpg) at the top of the park and with an impressive view of the city: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/8811907184_4a4bcffe44_o.jpg you might want to add at least an extra hour. Both are located elsewhere in the park outside the so-called monumental area and many visitors miss it because they are only focused in that.

 

You can walk to Sagrada Família, as it's downhill on a gentle slope from there. It'll take you, say, under an hour (See A.) Bear with me, I never trust Google Maps estimates on foot itineraries as the damn thing doesn't understand the combination of slopes+heat+humidity plus the fact you're not walking a void, there are things in between A and B that will surely catch your interest, from curious shops to beautiful façades to a tonne of other stuff that'll make you want to stop for a few minutes here and there... therefore I provide you my own estimates instead. If you were to take a taxi from Park Güell, that'll be down to 15' tops.

 

SAGRADA FAMILIA

Time for the tickets you need to pre-book online (or else you won't get to see it, trust me!) will depend of course on how long did you spend earlier and whether you're walking or not. Most people spend an hour or an hour and a half minimum, even more if you're visiting one of the towers, but again, that's very personal, you might need less (or more).

 

SANT PAU CENTRE MODERNISTA

In order to optimize your time and see an example of fine Modernista architecture, I would pay a visit to this site, which is at merely 15' walk from Sagrada Família (See B.) thru a nice boulevard (https://www.gaudishopping.cat/media/gaudi/image/turismo/original/3_Foto.1494759724.jpg). This is a former hospital designed by one of the top Catalan Modernista architects, Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Together with Palau de la Música Catalana, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Video: http://infocatalonia.eu/w/zV36g In principle, you don't need to pre-book as queues are normally quite manageable so you shouldn't have to wait in line for long (if anything at all, depending on the time of the year you're visiting). This gives you flexibility to plan this visit.

 

I didn't mention, but I suppose you'll have lunch sometime earlier, so, in all, these three visits would have covered most of a working day for you. I would end it by heading to El Gòtic neighbourhood and wandering the area.

 

Later, if you still have the stamina you might want to top it up with a visit to the Magic Fountain http://infocatalonia.eu/w/54XRj But that's only possible if you're visiting on certain days (see schedules here: http://lameva.barcelona.cat/en/what-to-do-in-bcn/magic-fountain)

 

As per the second day, just head to Plaça Catalunya with your luggage and store it in http://lockerbarcelona.com/ then roam the area, or better still walk to La Ribera...you'll also enjoy that part of the city. The famous El Born (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/bnHFn) is located here. I would do the route C.) You'll be passing thru very interesting buildings and sites (ie. Santa Maria del Mar, which you mentioned). If you download it to your phone, you'll be able to see it offline while in the city.

 

A note: don't help to propagate the fearmonguering about pickpockets. This city has pickpockets as do Paris, Rome or even London... all of them cities harbouring millions of tourists, like Barcelona, but as much as the number of shootings in New York (http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/01/new-york-city-had-record-low-crime-rate-in-2016.html) are just a dent in the big picture and does not prevent visitors to visit that wonderful city, the same goes on with pìckpockets in Barcelona, because at the end of the day we're talking about an insignificant percentage of incidents. Simply be aware of your surroundings and use your common sense. Ah yes, do pay attention when you're out and about.... and please let everybody here know how many women you see "not" wearing jewelry, in some form or another... gosh!

 

Enjoy!

 

NOTES

 

A.) https://www.google.es/maps/dir/41.4131699,2.1529355/La+Sagrada+Fam%C3%ADlia/@41.4070057,2.159942,16z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!3m4!1m2!1d2.1629949!2d41.4054907!3s0x12a4a2bf31f9ca09:0xa51b870f9df10106!3m4!1m2!1d2.1696701!2d41.3995689!3s0x12a4a2ea1ec1b919:0xf4509c2045bb2f6e!1m5!1m1!1s0x0:0x9bd8aac21bc3c950!2m2!1d2.1743558!2d41.4036299!3e2

 

B.)

https://www.google.es/maps/dir/La+Sagrada+Fam%C3%ADlia/41.4122038,2.1743294/@41.4079467,2.1692542,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m5!1m1!1s0x0:0x9bd8aac21bc3c950!2m2!1d2.1743558!2d41.4036299!1m0!3e2

 

C.)

https://www.google.es/maps/dir/Pla%C3%A7a+de+Catalunya,+Barcelona/Ciutadella+Park,+Passeig+de+Picasso,+21,+08003+Barcelona/41.3879063,2.1722209/@41.3877936,2.173562,16z/data=!4m60!4m59!1m50!1m1!1s0x12a4a2f1602b4819:0x1eecc2af1c60d64b!2m2!1d2.1700471!2d41.3870154!3m4!1m2!1d2.1724638!2d41.3870351!3s0x12a4a2f0dd65fe2b:0xce91aa6ab07a1a48!3m4!1m2!1d2.1746315!2d41.3860319!3s0x12a4a2fa07ae4e01:0xb2029647d1cf5581!3m4!1m2!1d2.1761599!2d41.3844838!3s0x12a4a2f9967780bd:0xc44c915b91e339f4!3m4!1m2!1d2.1788115!2d41.3845398!3s0x12a4a2f938898c03:0xce548bc66484befb!3m4!1m2!1d2.1801531!2d41.3847834!3s0x12a4a2feba15dcb7:0x70a8103c7c6277eb!3m4!1m2!1d2.1821199!2d41.3835481!3s0x12a4a2fe56c2a2d1:0x2b6129125e83e0e0!3m4!1m2!1d2.1834998!2d41.3854503!3s0x12a4a2fe098297fd:0x6c4ea65393bbb73e!3m4!1m2!1d2.1850618!2d41.3857574!3s0x12a4a3021cdc91f9:0xedfa698640f548c2!3m4!1m2!1d2.1873974!2d41.3873031!3s0x12a4a303b1a89c43:0xba224f71e5965f56!1m5!1m1!1s0x12a4a2fd439609e1:0x42386118e65a3d70!2m2!1d2.1860152!2d41.388123!1m0!3e2

Edited September 3, 2017 by EnricM

[mskaufman]

Let me emphasize what the other posters have said. Walking around with the large suitcases is not a good idea. EnricM gives a real good itinerary. I understand that you want to work off cruise calories but I would think about taxis. Turning a one hour walk into a 15 minute taxi ride both saves valuable time (enabling to see more) and saves your energy so that you can see more.

[MCazer]

Awesome info! Thank you!

 

If you're a "tick-the-list" type of visitor, then I'm afraid I can't help you much, as I wouldn't know how long do you assign to every site. If you like to enjoy a bit what you're seeing -hence you're willing to spend a minimum amount of time in each to discover it... as most visitors do I must add- then I have to tell you that you cannot possibly visit "all of that" in a day and a half, not by a long shot. For starters, Barri Gòtic is a neighbourhood... just for that you'd need several days as there are literally dozens of things to see there.

 

If the first two are a must, I'm afraid most of the rest will have to be trimmed. Btw, for info, El Gòtic is the name of the neighbourhood you mention, not "Barri Gòtic". The word "barri" is just Catalan, the local language, for "neighbourhood".

 

Aaaanyway... if I were you I'd probably do this:

 

9:15am PARK GÜELL

Take a TAXI to Park Güell -you could go by metro or bus, but a day and a half require optimizing your time, doesn't it? Also, I am assuming you'll stick only to the Monumental area (http://irbarcelona.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/zona-monumental.jpg) which is, as the name indicates, where most of the monuments are. However, note that there are other things to see outside this area. If considering visiting only the monumental area the visit could be done in say 1h-1h30" or so, but if including (and it's worthwhile!) visiting the Viaduct http://brbun01.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/182.jpg) located to the right when entering thru the east gate or the Turó de les Tres Creus (http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/49299751.jpg) at the top of the park and with an impressive view of the city: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/8811907184_4a4bcffe44_o.jpg you might want to add at least an extra hour. Both are located elsewhere in the park outside the so-called monumental area and many visitors miss it because they are only focused in that.

 

You can walk to Sagrada Família, as it's downhill on a gentle slope from there. It'll take you, say, under an hour (See A.) Bear with me, I never trust Google Maps estimates on foot itineraries as the damn thing doesn't understand the combination of slopes+heat+humidity plus the fact you're not walking a void, there are things in between A and B that will surely catch your interest, from curious shops to beautiful façades to a tonne of other stuff that'll make you want to stop for a few minutes here and there... therefore I provide you my own estimates instead. If you were to take a taxi from Park Güell, that'll be down to 15' tops.

 

SAGRADA FAMILIA

Time for the tickets you need to pre-book online (or else you won't get to see it, trust me!) will depend of course on how long did you spend earlier and whether you're walking or not. Most people spend an hour or an hour and a half minimum, even more if you're visiting one of the towers, but again, that's very personal, you might need less (or more).

 

SANT PAU CENTRE MODERNISTA

In order to optimize your time and see an example of fine Modernista architecture, I would pay a visit to this site, which is at merely 15' walk from Sagrada Família (See B.) thru a nice boulevard (https://www.gaudishopping.cat/media/gaudi/image/turismo/original/3_Foto.1494759724.jpg). This is a former hospital designed by one of the top Catalan Modernista architects, Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Together with Palau de la Música Catalana, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Video: http://infocatalonia.eu/w/zV36g In principle, you don't need to pre-book as queues are normally quite manageable so you shouldn't have to wait in line for long (if anything at all, depending on the time of the year you're visiting). This gives you flexibility to plan this visit.

 

I didn't mention, but I suppose you'll have lunch sometime earlier, so, in all, these three visits would have covered most of a working day for you. I would end it by heading to El Gòtic neighbourhood and wandering the area.

 

Later, if you still have the stamina you might want to top it up with a visit to the Magic Fountain http://infocatalonia.eu/w/54XRj But that's only possible if you're visiting on certain days (see schedules here: http://lameva.barcelona.cat/en/what-to-do-in-bcn/magic-fountain)

 

As per the second day, just head to Plaça Catalunya with your luggage and store it in http://lockerbarcelona.com/ then roam the area, or better still walk to La Ribera...you'll also enjoy that part of the city. The famous El Born (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/bnHFn) is located here. I would do the route C.) You'll be passing thru very interesting buildings and sites (ie. Santa Maria del Mar, which you mentioned). If you download it to your phone, you'll be able to see it offline while in the city.

 

A note: don't help to propagate the fearmonguering about pickpockets. This city has pickpockets as do Paris, Rome or even London... all of them cities harbouring millions of tourists, like Barcelona, but as much as the number of shootings in New York (http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/01/new-york-city-had-record-low-crime-rate-in-2016.html) are just a dent in the big picture and does not prevent visitors to visit that wonderful city, the same goes on with pìckpockets in Barcelona, because at the end of the day we're talking about an insignificant percentage of incidents. Simply be aware of your surroundings and use your common sense. Ah yes, do pay attention when you're out and about.... and please let everybody here know how many women you see "not" wearing jewelry, in some form or another... gosh!

 

Enjoy!

 

NOTES

 

A.) https://www.google.es/maps/dir/41.4131699,2.1529355/La+Sagrada+Fam%C3%ADlia/@41.4070057,2.159942,16z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!3m4!1m2!1d2.1629949!2d41.4054907!3s0x12a4a2bf31f9ca09:0xa51b870f9df10106!3m4!1m2!1d2.1696701!2d41.3995689!3s0x12a4a2ea1ec1b919:0xf4509c2045bb2f6e!1m5!1m1!1s0x0:0x9bd8aac21bc3c950!2m2!1d2.1743558!2d41.4036299!3e2

 

B.)

https://www.google.es/maps/dir/La+Sagrada+Fam%C3%ADlia/41.4122038,2.1743294/@41.4079467,2.1692542,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!4m8!1m5!1m1!1s0x0:0x9bd8aac21bc3c950!2m2!1d2.1743558!2d41.4036299!1m0!3e2

 

C.)

https://www.google.es/maps/dir/Pla%C3%A7a+de+Catalunya,+Barcelona/Ciutadella+Park,+Passeig+de+Picasso,+21,+08003+Barcelona/41.3879063,2.1722209/@41.3877936,2.173562,16z/data=!4m60!4m59!1m50!1m1!1s0x12a4a2f1602b4819:0x1eecc2af1c60d64b!2m2!1d2.1700471!2d41.3870154!3m4!1m2!1d2.1724638!2d41.3870351!3s0x12a4a2f0dd65fe2b:0xce91aa6ab07a1a48!3m4!1m2!1d2.1746315!2d41.3860319!3s0x12a4a2fa07ae4e01:0xb2029647d1cf5581!3m4!1m2!1d2.1761599!2d41.3844838!3s0x12a4a2f9967780bd:0xc44c915b91e339f4!3m4!1m2!1d2.1788115!2d41.3845398!3s0x12a4a2f938898c03:0xce548bc66484befb!3m4!1m2!1d2.1801531!2d41.3847834!3s0x12a4a2feba15dcb7:0x70a8103c7c6277eb!3m4!1m2!1d2.1821199!2d41.3835481!3s0x12a4a2fe56c2a2d1:0x2b6129125e83e0e0!3m4!1m2!1d2.1834998!2d41.3854503!3s0x12a4a2fe098297fd:0x6c4ea65393bbb73e!3m4!1m2!1d2.1850618!2d41.3857574!3s0x12a4a3021cdc91f9:0xedfa698640f548c2!3m4!1m2!1d2.1873974!2d41.3873031!3s0x12a4a303b1a89c43:0xba224f71e5965f56!1m5!1m1!1s0x12a4a2fd439609e1:0x42386118e65a3d70!2m2!1d2.1860152!2d41.388123!1m0!3e2

[EnricM]

Turning a one hour walk into a 15 minute taxi ride both saves valuable time (enabling to see more) and saves your energy so that you can see more

Actually, this is a good point for reflection... what are one's goals when traveling?

 

Some people are, what I call, the Disneyland-type visitor... they're only interested in "the rides", that is, the attractions per se and they either don't appreciate or simply don't care, about anything else. In a manner of speaking, as a local and I would imagine many of you would feel the same in my shoes, I find that a bit shallow and disappointing and also disrespectful, after all, they're guests in my homeland so showing a bit of interest for other things as well is reasonable and even expected. But hey... to each his own.

 

In any case, I do not relate much to this type of traveling, to me there's much more beyond attractions, moreover if you're visiting Europe. There is so much history, art, architecture, tradition and heritage everywhere that a walk between attraction A and attraction B is always voyage of discovery... from curious shops, beautiful nooks and crannies of the city, spectacular façades, historical icons, amazing eateries... or simply seeing people and their different "ways of living". That's why we, in Southern Europe, have "strolling our cities" as one of our most common pastimes among the population, noting of course, that safety -as in personal safety- is hardly an issue in most places here... and that the weather around the Mediterranean is nearly always very nice to be outside, of course.

 

I do, obviously, understand the concept of having "limited time", but again, when you start planning a visit you know (or should know!) you won't be able to cover everything there's to see/do, so establishing attainable milestones is always the best course of action: better enjoy and get to know a few things than simply rush across many, right?... or not, as said, to each his own, LOL!

 

PS: @mskaufman, thanks for the intro, it served me to post this reflection. Obviously, I am not relating it to your comment :)

Edited September 4, 2017 by EnricM

[mskaufman]

Thanks Enric M,

 

The reason I mentioned it was that last year we walked from La Sagrada to La Pedrera and then to our Gothic Quarter walking tour. At the end of the walking tour we were really dragging. Also, if we would have taken a taxi we would have had a more relaxing lunch rather than gobbling it down. Like you say, each of us gets to travel in our own way.

[EnricM]

Yes, yes of course, as I said, I was just reflecting aloud :)

[MCazer]

Actually, this is a good point for reflection... what are one's goals when traveling?

 

Some people are, what I call, the Disneyland-type visitor... they're only interested in "the rides", that is, the attractions per se and they either don't appreciate or simply don't care, about anything else. In a manner of speaking, as a local and I would imagine many of you would feel the same in my shoes, I find that a bit shallow and disappointing and also disrespectful, after all, they're guests in my homeland so showing a bit of interest for other things as well is reasonable and even expected. But hey... to each his own.

 

In any case, I do not relate much to this type of traveling, to me there's much more beyond attractions, moreover if you're visiting Europe. There is so much history, art, architecture, tradition and heritage everywhere that a walk between attraction A and attraction B is always voyage of discovery... from curious shops, beautiful nooks and crannies of the city, spectacular façades, historical icons, amazing eateries... or simply seeing people and their different "ways of living". That's why we, in Southern Europe, have "strolling our cities" as one of our most common pastimes among the population, noting of course, that safety -as in personal safety- is hardly an issue in most places here... and that the weather around the Mediterranean is nearly always very nice to be outside, of course.

 

I do, obviously, understand the concept of having "limited time", but again, when you start planning a visit you know (or should know!) you won't be able to cover everything there's to see/do, so establishing attainable milestones is always the best course of action: better enjoy and get to know a few things than simply rush across many, right?... or not, as said, to each his own, LOL!

 

PS: @mskaufman, thanks for the intro, it served me to post this reflection. Obviously, I am not relating it to your comment :)

 

Dear EnricM,

 

I value your opinion, so I am going to ask you what you think my husband and I can/should see while in Barcelona. We arrive the morning of October 3rd after a long flight from NY. Our cruise is October 5th. We are staying at the Hotel Barcelona Colonial is the Gothic section.

 

After reading all your posts and saving the maps, I know a little more!

 

I did want to go see Montserrat and have no problem with doing this on our own, the journey is half the fun!

 

We want it to be leisurely, stopping along the way to eat, people watch, etc.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thank you in advance, it is greatly appreciated. And if you ever need info on NY just let me know!

[EnricM]

Hi MCazer!

 

Barcelona has far too many things to focus just on this or that, especially not knowing you, your tastes and expectations.

 

As a NYer you know that the same question posted the other way around would be equally difficult to answer... maybe you'd say visit the ESB, Central Park, the Memorial or Broadway, among many other, which is what a lot of people do -and don't get me wrong, they're worth visiting!- but with me you'd find a better allied if you were to propose to say a flash visit to the old baroque City Hall Station, or the intriguing Explorers Club HQ, or curious shops like the Evolution Nature Store, or the amazing abandoned building at Beekman St just one block from the City Hall, or a walk on the High Line or a romantic dinner cruise on the East River... among many, many others... little gems that make you appreciate the real NY.

 

So, don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't want to answer... it's just that I don't know what to focus on without knowing you :)

 

Thus, allow me to feed you sources of info, so you can explore a bit yourself and decide what can suit you best:

 

http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/

http://www.infocatalonia.eu/

http://www.timeout.com/barcelona

http://lameva.barcelona.cat/en

http://www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat/en/inici

http://patrimoni.gencat.cat/en/discover/search

 

Having said that, if you're into "the top 10 most visited" so to speak, maybe this post of mine can be helpful, check post #7 here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187497-i44-k7223834-First_trip_day_trips_car_or_train-Barcelona_Catalonia.html#56275953 ... and post #9 for some ideas for day escapades outside the city.

 

STROLLING THE CITY

Also, if you're really a true NYer, I'm sure you'll enjoy strolling as much as we Barcelonians do... so don't forget to get lost in the neighbourhoods of the city, you'll stumble upon many little gems here and there. Most visitors tend to stay in the neighbourhoods in "downtown" (namely, El Gòtic, La Ribera, La Barceloneta...) but I would invite you to go beyond and drop by Vila de Gràcia, Sarrià, obviously l'Eixample, Poblenou, etc. Fortunately for us, we don't have no-go areas (no guns, no gangs...) so, without forgetting this is a city -so be street smart!- one can safely go pretty much anywhere at almost all hours.

 

Get your bearings here: http://monbarcino.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/barris_bcn.jpg and if you want some background on the different districts and its neighbourhoods: http://meet.barcelona.cat/en/discover-barcelona/districts and, to top it up, the cheesy advertisement the City Hall launched a couple of years ago to promote them... http://infocatalonia.eu/w/iuYq6 -far too cloying for my taste, ha!

 

MONTSERRAT

As per Montserrat, I am with you, the journey is half the fun and part of the adventure... you should do it, as almost everybody else does, by public transportation as it's an important part of the experience. While it's possible to reach Montserrat by car or by bus, it's best experienced by 'traditional' means which include train + cable car (http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/7966557.jpg) or train + rack train (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QgZBBobC_ws/UB6WwCnzVeI/AAAAAAAAAF4/MA_HhYnWrJc/s1600/Estelada%2BCremallera.jpg). Once in the mountain, there are funiculars (http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/33908144.jpg) to visit the different coves. There is a combined ticket (named "TransMontserrat") that can be bought at the departure station in Barcelona, located in Plaça Espanya, and includes all the necessary tickets. It can be also purchased online at the official Tourism Information Board: http://bcnshop.barcelonaturisme.com/shopv3/en/product/616/trans-montserrat.html at the same price. Note that the decision to ride up the mountain to the monastery either by cable car or by rack train has to be made when purchasing the ticket as the transfer points are at different stations.

 

While up in Montserrat there are a couple of places to eat (a self-service restaurant, and a pricey upmarket restaurant at the only hotel there) plus a mini market and, on certain days, a small open-air market with a few stalls of locally produced food products, my best advice for Montserrat is to picnic. Note that Montserrat is not only "the" monastery, but a whole mountain and Natural Park with several places to visit dotted across it (churches, monuments, the Holy Grotto, and magnificent views everywhere) which are easily(ish!) reachable following one of the many well-signaled trails. Have a peek: http://infocatalonia.eu/w/Guw7G

 

Going to a deli in the city the day before, or better still a charcuterie, and getting some delicious cold cuts, cheese, then a good bottle of red, a couple of ripe tomatoes (to rub!), a small bottle of good olive oil -which here is not a luxury item like in the States and you can buy it far more cheaply-, bit of salt and pepper -which you purchase in any convenience store... or steal'em in conveniently individual sachets from any fast food chain in the city, LOL!... and the ever present piece of fruit all abundant all year round and voilà, you're set for a picnic in Montserrat. There's a special place with tables and everything close to the monastery, by the self-service restaurant... but I prefer to find a more cozy corner in a nook of one of the trails and eat there, enjoying the nature. Needless to say, if you do so, take your garbage with you afterward... this is a protected space and fines are issued for littering.

 

For a full picture on a visit to Montserrat, again, another older post of mine might be handy: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/spain/a-visit-to-montserrat-the-holy-mountain-near-barcelona-in-catalonia

 

Enjoy!

 

PS: Yeah, I mentioned a couple of tomatoes to rub... and I didn't elaborate... http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/enjoy/8/the-sacred-principles-of-pa-amb-tomaquet.html

Edited September 9, 2017 by EnricM

[CruisingIGo]

Thank you EnricM! Your "local" information is so valuable (and detailed...love it!).

 

We will be in Barcelona for 4 days pre-cruise in early May. Would you recommend or not recommend seeing Montserrat and Camp Nou on the same day?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[EnricM]

No, I wouldn't. Montserrat can indeed be almost a full day... if one understands that Montserrat is not only the monastery, that is :)

Yet it "could" be done if absolutely necessary... but it'd be a very hectic day, noting the schedule of the museum.

[mskaufman]

Montserrat is awesome. We got there about 8 in the morning and the minimum I would say you need is 4 hours.

 

[MCazer]

Dear EnricM,

 

So true about NYC! Thank you for all the links for Barcelona et al, as well.

 

As New Yorkers we do love the journey as much as the destination. We are still joy finding new locations in NY, even after living here all our 50+ years!

 

I do enjoy the idea of a picnic, we are campers as well and love to Off road it, so to speak.

 

I will take the time and read up on all your links. I have actually read about the tomato rub on bread and find it sounds delicious and an absolute must do.

 

Thank you again for all your invaluable help on this board, it is appreciated more than you know.

 

Best regards,

Margaret

 

 

Hi MCazer!

 

Barcelona has far too many things to focus just on this or that, especially not knowing you, your tastes and expectations.

 

As a NYer you know that the same question posted the other way around would be equally difficult to answer... maybe you'd say visit the ESB, Central Park, the Memorial or Broadway, among many other, which is what a lot of people do -and don't get me wrong, they're worth visiting!- but with me you'd find a better allied if you were to propose to say a flash visit to the old baroque City Hall Station, or the intriguing Explorers Club HQ, or curious shops like the Evolution Nature Store, or the amazing abandoned building at Beekman St just one block from the City Hall, or a walk on the High Line or a romantic dinner cruise on the East River... among many, many others... little gems that make you appreciate the real NY.

 

So, don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't want to answer... it's just that I don't know what to focus on without knowing you :)

 

Thus, allow me to feed you sources of info, so you can explore a bit yourself and decide what can suit you best:

 

http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/

http://www.infocatalonia.eu/

http://www.timeout.com/barcelona

http://lameva.barcelona.cat/en

http://www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat/en/inici

http://patrimoni.gencat.cat/en/discover/search

 

Having said that, if you're into "the top 10 most visited" so to speak, maybe this post of mine can be helpful, check post #7 here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187497-i44-k7223834-First_trip_day_trips_car_or_train-Barcelona_Catalonia.html#56275953 ... and post #9 for some ideas for day escapades outside the city.

 

STROLLING THE CITY

Also, if you're really a true NYer, I'm sure you'll enjoy strolling as much as we Barcelonians do... so don't forget to get lost in the neighbourhoods of the city, you'll stumble upon many little gems here and there. Most visitors tend to stay in the neighbourhoods in "downtown" (namely, El Gòtic, La Ribera, La Barceloneta...) but I would invite you to go beyond and drop by Vila de Gràcia, Sarrià, obviously l'Eixample, Poblenou, etc. Fortunately for us, we don't have no-go areas (no guns, no gangs...) so, without forgetting this is a city -so be street smart!- one can safely go pretty much anywhere at almost all hours.

 

Get your bearings here: http://monbarcino.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/barris_bcn.jpg and if you want some background on the different districts and its neighbourhoods: http://meet.barcelona.cat/en/discover-barcelona/districts and, to top it up, the cheesy advertisement the City Hall launched a couple of years ago to promote them... http://infocatalonia.eu/w/iuYq6 -far too cloying for my taste, ha!

 

MONTSERRAT

As per Montserrat, I am with you, the journey is half the fun and part of the adventure... you should do it, as almost everybody else does, by public transportation as it's an important part of the experience. While it's possible to reach Montserrat by car or by bus, it's best experienced by 'traditional' means which include train + cable car (http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/7966557.jpg) or train + rack train (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QgZBBobC_ws/UB6WwCnzVeI/AAAAAAAAAF4/MA_HhYnWrJc/s1600/Estelada%2BCremallera.jpg). Once in the mountain, there are funiculars (http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/33908144.jpg) to visit the different coves. There is a combined ticket (named "TransMontserrat") that can be bought at the departure station in Barcelona, located in Plaça Espanya, and includes all the necessary tickets. It can be also purchased online at the official Tourism Information Board: http://bcnshop.barcelonaturisme.com/shopv3/en/product/616/trans-montserrat.html at the same price. Note that the decision to ride up the mountain to the monastery either by cable car or by rack train has to be made when purchasing the ticket as the transfer points are at different stations.

 

While up in Montserrat there are a couple of places to eat (a self-service restaurant, and a pricey upmarket restaurant at the only hotel there) plus a mini market and, on certain days, a small open-air market with a few stalls of locally produced food products, my best advice for Montserrat is to picnic. Note that Montserrat is not only "the" monastery, but a whole mountain and Natural Park with several places to visit dotted across it (churches, monuments, the Holy Grotto, and magnificent views everywhere) which are easily(ish!) reachable following one of the many well-signaled trails. Have a peek: http://infocatalonia.eu/w/Guw7G

 

Going to a deli in the city the day before, or better still a charcuterie, and getting some delicious cold cuts, cheese, then a good bottle of red, a couple of ripe tomatoes (to rub!), a small bottle of good olive oil -which here is not a luxury item like in the States and you can buy it far more cheaply-, bit of salt and pepper -which you purchase in any convenience store... or steal'em in conveniently individual sachets from any fast food chain in the city, LOL!... and the ever present piece of fruit all abundant all year round and voilà, you're set for a picnic in Montserrat. There's a special place with tables and everything close to the monastery, by the self-service restaurant... but I prefer to find a more cozy corner in a nook of one of the trails and eat there, enjoying the nature. Needless to say, if you do so, take your garbage with you afterward... this is a protected space and fines are issued for littering.

 

For a full picture on a visit to Montserrat, again, another older post of mine might be handy: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/spain/a-visit-to-montserrat-the-holy-mountain-near-barcelona-in-catalonia

 

Enjoy!

 

PS: Yeah, I mentioned a couple of tomatoes to rub... and I didn't elaborate... http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/enjoy/8/the-sacred-principles-of-pa-amb-tomaquet.html