suchda

Hi
After reading all the threads, we have decided to stay in Barcelona for 4 days and Lisbon for 3 days. As we would like to see historical monuments, palaces, parks as much as possible- should we buy Barcelona pass and Lisbon city pass for these days. By the way, we're a family of four, two adults with two kids of 7 and 17 y old girls.

suec1

YOU probably need to do the math - what is covered? what do YOU want to see? I have never purchased one of these because I usually see one big sight per day and then enjoy walking or cafe sitting. These passes are best, IMO, for those that want to "power" sightsee - cram in alot of sights in a short amount of time. Often many included visits are "B" list sights that really aren't worth the time unless they are of special interest to you. One possible plus of a pass could be these passes often enable you to skip the lines at the big sights - some of these sights might have pre-booking / internet tickets purchase that would accomplish the same thing.

Both Lisbon and Barcelona are wonderful cities - enjoy!

suchda

Thanks for your reply. In fact, I'm a little bit worry about my trip to these two beautiful cities with my family. I need to do some research now to make a list what I want to see with my children. In fact, we want to see some beautiful palaces, buildings which have a long history with them. Also, not want to go from place to place without enjoying our stay. It is very difficult thing to decide with kids who also will carry a long time memory with them. Always a good idea to get the input from people who visited those places or who are originally from there.

All suggestions are really appreciated.

thursdaysd

Your kids are old enough to do some research and tell you what they want to see.

When you say three days for Lisbon, is that four nights? Three full days in a minimum, as you need most of one day for Belem and another for Sintra.

danon

I did not make it to Sintra ....3 days in Lisbon was not enoug time .
Belem can be seen in half day.

kimhe

Two wonderful cities with tons of history and atmosphere. Here's an intro to medieval Barcelona: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...val-route.html

The Ciuatadella park is close to the medieval part of town and houses the Catalan parliament etc. etc:
http://shop.europeinyourlife.com/Par...C3asFGD3oAEunc
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...iutadella.html

suchda

Hi thursdaysd, yes it will be 3 full days in Lisbon as we will arrive from Barcelona at 8 am on 7/7 and departure will be on 7/10. So, I will have 3 full days. If I can make Belem, want to go to Sintra, but don't know, will be able to do that or not.

In Barcelona, We will arrive on 7/3 noon and departure on 7/7. So, will get 3 1/2 days. Need to plan accordingly.

Any suggestions ?

nina88

My kids almost the same age as yours, did enjoy Sintra esp. Quinta da Regaleira and the Pena National Palace. Our family enjoyed Lisbon more than Barcelona and were glad we stayed in Lisbon longer. Consider us one of those who love Lisbon though Paris is still our fav city.

thursdaysd

For Lisbon see: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ing-lisbon.cfm

I spent almost all my time in Barcelona visiting Modernisme sights, your kids may want more variety.

kimhe

A couple of not that obvious suggestions for Barcelona:

Explore the underground ruins of 1st century BC Roman Barcino beneath the Plaça del Rei. Here you can walk the streets of Roman Barcelona. Plaça del Rei is also the place where the Catholic kings Isabel and Ferdinand are believed to have received Columbus after his return from "the new world" in 1492: http://museuhistoria.bcn.cat/en/node/647

See real deal flamenco in Tablao de Carmen. In memory of the greatest flamenco dancer of all times, the barcelonesa Carmen Amaya. Only top of the shelf artists perform here. Should be a great experience also for the seven year old: http://www.tablaodecarmen.com/en/

And it gives you free entrance to the Poble Espanyol:
https://www.poble-espanyol.com/en/families-and-children
https://www.poble-espanyol.com/en

Perhaps a swim in the olymic swimming pool on Montjuic, open to the public in the summer months. "The world's best swimming pool": http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...ntjuic-piscina
http://www.barcelonayellow.com/fcb-f...pools-montjuic

suchda

Thank you all for those great suggestions. Need to plan accordingly. Please advise which tkts we need to buy in advance for Barcelona and lisbon.

Thanks again.

thursdaysd

For Barcelona you need to buy tickets ahead of time for the Gaudi sights and for the Palace of Music. I have never bought anything ahead of time for Lisbon.