Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Allocating time in Barcelona - Gaudi tickets

Allocating time in Barcelona - Gaudi tickets

Old May 16th, 2017, 06:34 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Allocating time in Barcelona - Gaudi tickets

Well we are zeroing in on D-day so to speak and most decisions are wrapped up and ready. I want to get advanced tickets for a few more places as advised and would appreciate in particular some Barcelona/Gaudi advice. Here's the framework:
We arrive by plane from Granada on a Friday mid-day (figure we should be settled and ready to explore by about 2 pm).
Saturday we have a Civil War Tour scheduled from 10 to 2 pm,
All day Sunday free
Monday we booked a guide to take us to Girona and Besalau.
Tuesday we are taking a leap of faith and booked a guide to drive us back to Spain by the backroads, stopping at several monasteries, Zaragoza and what I'm most excited about, Belchite, a town left as it was by Franco after it was destroyed during the Civil War. I'll let you know how that goes in the trip report.
But I digress. The questions have to do with how much time is needed for the various Gaudi sites, which ones are most important (aside from the Sagrada Familia) and how to piece the days together. Here's what we were thinking:
Friday afternoon – Museu d’Historia and Museu Picasso (how far is Palau Guell?)
Saturday – Spanish Civil War Tour 10 -2, Palau Guell and Museu Maritime
Sunday - Park Guell, Torre Bellesguard, Casa Milo if not too burnt out, and finish with Sagrada Familia

I know there are other wonderful things to see, and suspect we may walk past and just go in. Do we have too much Gaudi on the list, and if so what would you miss? How long would you allocate for those we do visit? and what time do you suggest visiting the Sagrada Familia (I read on another thread that end of the day is less crowded).

and while we are in Barcelona - of course any restaurant and Tapas bar suggestions are most welcome.
btw we are staying at a hotel on La Rambla if that makes a difference. thanks for all help
lauramsgarden is offline  
Old May 16th, 2017, 07:12 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've got you covered. We spent a week in Barcelona last year and had a great time. Make reservations in advance on line for the Sagrada Familiga. Make them in advance for for Parc Guell as soon as you know the weather will be nice for that day. We got in to the Gaudi mansions without reservations after a short wait in line. The following are my restaurant recommendations: These are all in the old town, either in El Born or the Gothic Quarter: Tast Ller is great but you must make reservations weeks in advance. This is a small restaurant with a set tasting menu. We ate at Café De L' Acadamia twice. The filet with truffled demi glace was fantastic. Tapeo is an excellent tapas bar with gourmet level food. Arcanao and Llamber are fun, lively places with very good tapas style food. This was our 1st time in Barcelona and it has become one of our favorites.
letsgeaux is offline  
Old May 16th, 2017, 07:14 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I recently purchased a ticket to see Casa Mila (La Pedrera) at night during one of their evening jazz concerts. They have live music on the roof. I'm so excited! https://www.lapedrera.com/en/exhibit...a-pedrera-2017

I also bought tickets to see a Flamenco concert at Palau de la Musica. It's supposed to be a lovely concert hall. http://www.palaumusica.cat/ca

I booked tickets for Park Guell and Sagrada Familia on the same day. Since I haven't been, I can't make much of a suggestion except that Sagrada Familia is supposedly downhill from Park Guell. Have a great trip!
AndiM is offline  
Old May 16th, 2017, 09:11 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,124
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Park Guell, Casa Batló, and Sagrata Familia were my favorites, as a mosaicist.

The park uphill, of course outdoors, spread out with lovely views from those mosaicked benches. I think we went early afternoon and it was crowded when we went -- the tickets are in 15 minute entrance times as I recall. Once in people spread out and it did not feel crowded.

We took one of those hop on and off busses to get around, though we did have advance purchase tickets for Sagrata Familia.

You could breeze through Casa Batló in an easy hour if you wanted; Park Guell, easily an hour or less once in--mostly just enjoying the art; Sagrata Familia we wanted a bit more time in, given how much to see, maybe a couple of hours.

Looks like you got good dining advice; we had lovely meals in Barcelona.
annw is offline  
Old May 17th, 2017, 09:34 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks all ( love your "name" letsgeaux) any thoughts on how much time one might want to spend in the Sagrada Familia?
lauramsgarden is offline  
Old May 17th, 2017, 10:38 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,831
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>

well, the history museum is about 5-6 blocks west of the Picasso museum.
Christina is online now  
Old May 17th, 2017, 10:46 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,831
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>

well, the history museum is about 5 blocks west of the Picasso museum (or SW, not sure of my directions there), it's near the cathedral. So I would see the cathedral while you are in that area. Then Palau Guell is just off La Rambla, not too far from the Liceu theater. So it's about 700 meters from the history museum. I would start at the Picasso museum in the Born area, then go to the history museum and cathedral, then head to Palau Guell. Unless you intend to do it the next day, I'm not clear on that. It is a bit closer to the maritime museum on that day.

Palau Guell doesn't take all that long, I'm sure I wasn't in there over an hour at most.
Christina is online now  
Old May 17th, 2017, 11:02 AM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
oh that is excellent advice - it's so hard to get a sense of a city until one is there. thanks Christina
lauramsgarden is offline  
Old May 17th, 2017, 11:26 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Gothic Section on a Saturday am.....around 11- 12. The community comes out into the square and dances the SARDANA. They teach all interested tourists. Such fun!

If you are staying on LAS RAMBLAS, go to La Boqueria, the flower/food market on La Rambla. A don't miss....

The Beach! Lots of wonderful restaurants on the boardwalk and local color!

Enjoy!
mrsgo is offline  
Old May 17th, 2017, 08:44 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,124
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
As I mentioned above I think 2 hours should be allotted for Sagrata Familia, but it could be done in less; just depends on how long you want to spend and how much detail you want to peruse.
annw is offline  
Old May 23rd, 2017, 11:43 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
sorry to hijack, but i have a question relating to this that maybe someone can answer. We are allotting 2 hours to Parc Guell and then walking "downhill" through Gracia to Sagrada Familia. Will prebook for both. My question is about where to start at Parc Guell: In the (paid) Monumental Zone or in the free part? We would like to avoid "uphill" and "backtracking" if anyone can share a good strategy. thanks!! Also on countdown...leaving soon.
alison is offline  
Old May 23rd, 2017, 02:40 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,831
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
How do you plan to get there? If you take the bus, you can enter at a spot that is at the "top", it's near that little house where Gaudi lived a bit that is a museum now. That's what I did. Then you can go through the park and exit in the area towards the bottom where you plan to walk through the city to Sagrada Familia.

That park entrance is on Ctra del Carmel. Buses 24 and 92 service that stop. I took bus 24 as it goes up passeig de Gracia and is quite convenient for people staying around there or placa Catalunya. This is its line map
https://www.tmb.cat/en/barcelona/buses/-/lineabus/24

The stop I'm referring to is 1220 or 1216.

That's about a 2.5 km walk to Sagrada Familia if you go more direct, but going through Gracia it will be longer, probably at least 4 km.
Christina is online now  
Old May 23rd, 2017, 05:31 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,642
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 1 Post
Bookmarking
joannyc is offline  
Old May 23rd, 2017, 06:13 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Lauramsgarden, I don't know if you've left yet, but you might want to tour a creation by another major architect of Catalan Art Nouveau, Lluis Domenich i Montaner, who designed both Palau de la Música Catalana and Sant Pau Recinte (Hospital San Pau). Both are amazing and were awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1997.
https://barcelona.de/en/barcelona-pe...-montaner.html

Sant Pau Recinte, Europe's largest Art Nouveau complex, is only a 10 minute walk from Sagrada Familia.

As you're interested in the Spanish Civil War: "In March 1938, Italian aircraft based in Mallorca bombed Barcelona every two hours for three days, and Trueta's hospital [Josep Trueta was head of the surgery department at the Hospital Sant Pau] received 2200 casualties during this period; a single bombardment brought 300 casualties to another hospital in the space of fifteen minutes."

In 1937, when author George Orwell received a bullet wound in his neck while fighting alongside Spanish Republicans, he was also treated at Hospital Sant Pau.

Another historic place is Castell de Montjuïc."The Castell became a symbol of oppression during the Spanish Civil War and the time under Franco. Between 1936 and 1938 alone, 173 people were executed here, one of them being the president of the Generalitat de Cataluny, Lluís Companys, on October 15, 1940." Lluís Companys was the President of Catalonia from 1934 and through the Spanish Civil War.

Alas, you won't have much time, but Parc de Montjuïc is well worth visiting for its view and many attractions:
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-montjuic.html

The Barcelona metro is convenient (though we often found it hot and stuffy). You might to read this link about the Barcelona Card vs. the T10 Transport Card:
https://www.barcelona-tourist-guide....10-ticket.html

Why not visit the Picasso Museum on your day of arrival in Barcelona? It stays open until 7 p.m.
http://www.bcn.cat/museupicasso/en/museum/times.html
Diamantina is online now  
Old May 23rd, 2017, 06:16 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry for various typos (I can't preview my postings). Meant to write: The Barcelona metro is convenient (though we often found it hot and stuffy). You might want to read this link about the Barcelona Card vs. the T10 Transport Card:
https://www.barcelona-tourist-guide....10-ticket.html
Diamantina is online now  
Old May 23rd, 2017, 09:31 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
@christina we are taking a taxi. Can you clarify if the uphill part to which you refer is the monumental zone or the free part of Parc Guell? Trying to figure out timing for prebooked slot and figure out which part to see first.
@Diamantina we hope to visit hospital Sant Pau after Sagrada Familia. I wanted to go to Parc, then walk thru Garcia, then Sant Pau and finish at SF around 530 pm Ticket. But hubby thinks might be too much so planning on SF around 230 pm and if we have energy visit Sant Pau around 5 pm until closing at 630 pm. If we are too tired can visit Sant Pau another day since doesn't require pre booking like Parc Guell and SF. Thoughts?
Thanks so much.
alison is offline  
Old May 24th, 2017, 12:58 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Alison, I checked your other post and I see you're going next month. I think 1.5 hours (self-guided) should be enough for viewing Sant Pau Recinte. I don't expect you'd need to buy tickets in advance for Sant Pau Recinte. We did, but we wanted to take the English-language tour, which takes 1 hour 15 minutes. Then, while my husband rested his feet, I walked around for another 35 minutes or so taking photographs and visiting a pavilion that we didn't get to on the tour. It looked as if most people just showed up and bought admissions at the door. I think you'd be fine doing this.

We bought tickets in advance for the 10 a.m. slot for Sagrada Familia and then the 1 p.m. tour for Sant Pau Recinte. We had lots of time in-between, as the elevators to Sagrada Familia's towers weren't working. We booked a morning tour for Sagrada Familia because I'd read somewhere that it was less crowded in the morning, but honestly, it was super-crowded. Surely it's less crowded at 9 a.m., but we didn't feel like getting up that early (we were staying on the edge the Barri Gòtic, near Palau de la Música Catalana).

From Sagrada Familia, you'd walk straight down Avinguda de Gaudí to get to Sant Pau Recinte.
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...uda-gaudi.html
There are places to eat and drink along the way.

When we visited last October, six elaborately decorated pavilions had been renovated and upgraded, two were in progress of being renovated. It's taken more than 30 teams of architects and specialists to restore it. The pavilions are surrounded by trees, landscaping, gardens, and places to sit, because architect Lluis Domenich I Montaner believed that gardens, colors, fresh air, and sunlight were therapeutic. He wanted to provide a pleasing, healthy environment for patients and staff. Underground tunnels connect the pavilions. Hope this helps. Here's a good article about it:
http://trends.archiexpo.com/project-29141.html
Diamantina is online now  
Old May 24th, 2017, 12:59 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
@diamantina thanks so much. I looked at the link -- Hospital Sant Pau appears breathtaking. can't wait to see it. On their current website they indicate English tours at 11 a.m. only. I have contacted them thru the website and not rec'd a response about additional English language tours. You mention a 1 p.m. tour, but it seems that is no longer offered. We will check again when we are in BCN.
Thanks so much! Still hope someone will chime in about best "order" for Parc Guell to avoid uphills and figure out our timing for Monumental Zone.
alison is offline  
Old May 24th, 2017, 01:22 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,831
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
@christina we are taking a taxi. Can you clarify if the uphill part to which you refer is the monumental zone or the free part of Parc Guell? Trying to figure out timing for prebooked slot and figure out which part to see first. >>

well, it's not in the area that you need a ticket for, it's the free zone part right near the Gaudi house museum. I don't know if you can tell from this map
http://www.casamuseugaudi.org/en/getting-here/

It's the Carretera del Carmen entrance to the park. There is a bus and car parking lot right across the street, a taxi driver ought to know where it is.
Christina is online now  
Old May 24th, 2017, 04:25 PM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Alison, if you can't fit in a tour, you'll still be able to appreciate the ambience and artistry that went into Sant Pau Recinte. You can read about it before your visit; there are some great articles online. They handed a 32-page brochure with gorgeous photos and with brief descriptions of the hospital's site, its origins, the career of Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Sant Pau's benefactors, materials used, gardens, sculptures, and ceramics.

Only the interiors of three or four of the pavilions (including the administration building where you'll enter) are open to the public. It's enough. You want to tour the grounds to look at the restored exteriors.

It'd be nice if the offered an audio tour in the future.

I hope you'll have a chance to view Palau de la Música Catalana. The ornamentation is dazzling, almost over the top. Of course, it was designed for an entirely different purpose than the hospital, but you can still see similarities between the two projects: the love of natural light, the attention to detail, the extensive use of sculpture, stained glass, metalwork, ceramics, tiles, mosaics, and red brick. We attended a concert there and in the process got to see the building.
Diamantina is online now  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -