Barcelona Itinerary

Old Jul 3rd, 2015, 12:58 PM
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Barcelona Itinerary

Traveling to Barcelona from US in a little over a week. Staying 5 nights in El Born. Family of 4, kids 16 & 13. Thought I'd get some feedback on my rough itinerary.

MON -- jet-lagged arrival in a.m. Plan to drop bags at apartment and walk around Las Ramblas and anywhere that catches our fancy.

TUE -- Runner Bean walking tour (11-1:30) of Gothic Quarter. City History Museum.
http://www.runnerbeantours.com/barce...ur-old-city/13

WED -- Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. Parc Guell. Evening concert in Palau de la Musica Catalan (for adults at least)

THU -- Runner Bean walking tour of Gaudi sights (11-1:30). 2:30 entrance to Sagrada Familia.
http://www.runnerbeantours.com/barce...-tour-gaudi/12

FRI -- Sant Pau Recinte Modernista Barcelona (12:00 or 1:00 for guided) + TBD

SAT -- check out and leave for Costa Brava. Might be able to squeeze something in here. Typically we wouldn't bother.

We like walking tours so that's why I've picked 2. Skipping the interior of the Gaudi houses for cost and perhaps interest (hoping Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia fit the bill). Doesn't allow time for Montjuic sites unfortunately. DW would probably like the Museu Nactional d'Art de Catalunya; not sure about the rest of us. Something would have to give in the schedule though.

We'll try to work in the Magic Fountains one evening. We will probably fit in the Barcelona Cathedral somewhere too.

Thoughts on timing or the activities? Too packed? Not packed enough?

Thanks.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2015, 02:16 PM
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You might already know this, but a visit to Santa Maria del Mar probably won't take much time.

I thought a guided tour of Sant Pau Recinte Modernista well worth it, but I'm not sure how much your children would like it.

"Skipping the interior of the Gaudi houses for cost and perhaps interest (hoping Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia fit the bill)." -- Your experience might be different, but my FAVORITE experiences of Gaudi were the interiors of the Casa Battlo and Palau Guell. I would not have considered either the Sagrada Familia or Parc Guell -- impressive as they are -- to be a reasonable substitute. YMMV.

"DW would probably like the Museu Nactional d'Art de Catalunya; not sure about the rest of us. Something would have to give in the schedule though." -- Maybe she could go after your visit to Sant Pau Reciente Modernista? The rest of you could do something else....

"We will probably fit in the Barcelona Cathedral somewhere too." -- I loved it's cloister, which is quite unusual IME.

Enjoy!
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Old Jul 3rd, 2015, 02:26 PM
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Thanks kja. Just the type of feedback I was looking for.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2015, 04:44 PM
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Parc Guell is fun and offers a nice view of the city, SF is a " must".
I am not sure how much the kids would appreciate Casa Battlo and Palu Guell
( Gaudi overload? ) although I agree with kja regarding their splendor.

I would include a walk to Barcenoleta and some time by the sea...
there is a boardwalk , cafes and restaurants , a lot of young people and families.
The beachfront is long and well mentioned...
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Old Jul 3rd, 2015, 05:14 PM
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maintained....sorry
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Old Jul 3rd, 2015, 05:29 PM
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I'm not sure how long you like to spend at sights. I think we're middle in the road - we like to see things at a reasonable pace - don't rush but don't dwell. We spent about 1 1/2 hours at SF and about 1 hour at Sant Pau. Sant Pau is very close to SF. If if works for you you might consider visiting Sant Pau after SF giving you another free day for Montjuic of other sights. (We actually visited Parc Guell the same day as SF and SP with a very leisurely lunch and didn't feel rushed at any of the sights - just to give you an idea of time needed).
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 04:04 AM
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re: Barcenoleta

I see the Parc de Barceloneta on Google Maps. Is the main boardwalk in the area or all along the beach there?

If we were to head there from Las Ramblas (Mirador de Colum), would you recommend walking or taking the Metro to Barceloneta or even Ciutadella?

Maybe too much for our first day but I like to rough out options.

Thanks
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 06:27 AM
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The boardwalk runs along the Barceloneta beach. Very fun and eclectic atmosphere out here, all kinds of people and all kinds of sports activities, eating, drinking etc. etc.

It would be a nice 20-25 min walk along the water/harbour from the Columbus monument out to the Barceloneta beach and the promenade. Alternatively some 5€ with taxi. When out here, you should also explore the vibrant aln local atmosphere Barceloneta district just inland from the beach: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...taurants-spain

But medieval El Born is in itself a brilliant part of town, a cradle of Catalan culture and identity. Fabulous tapas bars and restaurants here.

Tapeo, close to the Picasso museum, was a great discovery on our last trip here in March, just excellent and should be fun for the kids too, sit at the bar and watch the goodies be prepared in the open kitchen: http://www.tapeoborn.cat/

Famous Xampanyet is just across the narrow street, five meters away from Tapeo: http://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_d...s/el_xampanyet

And Tapeo is 20 meters from the Basque Cultural center Euskal Etxea where you can have a taste of the famous Basque pintxos. http://www.euskaletxeataberna.com/co...etxea/?l=en_en

And out of this world Cal Pep is also in El Born. Line up 15-20 minutes before opening to get a seat at the bar where all the food is served (made right in front of you). Arrive when they open, and you must expect to wait an hour to be seated. People stand along the wall in the back with a glass of something while they wait. Fabulous seafood, but also the best butifarra sausage in the world, the most tender steak, the perfect tortilla etc etc. http://www.calpep.com/Ingles/index_ing.html

And most 13 and 16 years old will love El Kioske gourmet burger restaurant at the outskirts of El Born. I do: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

And Barcelona classic 7 Portes from 1836 is just outside El Born, an institution in town: http://www.7portes.com/angles/index.php
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 07:10 AM
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Nice itinerary.

DH and I enjoyed the Chocolate factory: http://www.museuxocolata.cat/?lang=en

Please report back about your trip.
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 07:24 AM
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It is easier to get to Barcenoleta from El Born...just walk south to the sea!
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 08:11 AM
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Sorry you have chosen to ignore the advise not to use the illegal tour guides.
Do not be disappointed that these guides will not be able to guide you around the inside of any public building.
Despite what they advertise it is not a free tour you will be expected to pay a "tip".
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 08:55 AM
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They do have some official tours on the tourist website for comparison, but I think the OP has plans set and I know it's hard to change. For example, an official tour of the Gotic quarter is only 14 euro on the tourist office website with a professional guide, and you do enter the cathedral at least, with the guide. The itinerary looks about the same as Runner Bean and they last about the same time. I guess if you planned in advance not to "donate" very much to the guide (like 8 euro each), you would save money on the Runnerbean. You do have to reserve a time. I think Runnerbean makes a lot of money from English speaking tourists as the official guides are the only ones with tours in French or even Spanish and Catalan.
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...h/results.html


personally, I don't think Parc Guell is not in any way a substitute for Gaudi buildings. The design and architecture of those apartment buildings was genius (on the interior). So I would say the top Gaudi sites would be Sagrada Familia and then one of the residences. The two apt buildings are different from the house down near the Ramblas, which is very nice, also, but the apartments were really special.

I really loved the Catalonian Art Museum and it's not expensive.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with a walking tour of Gaudi sites that didn't involve going in them. They are spread out all over the city and that will take up hours of your time just viewing outsides. You are taking public transportation, anyway, I'd just do it myself, going where I wanted, and then entering at least one building in addition to the church (Palau Guell isn't that expensive, not as much as the apts, but I can't imagine not seeing the interior of any of those buildings, only the church).

The Gaudi buildings are expensive, but I wouldn't exchange anything for going inside at least one of those apts, although I know others don't have the same interests as I do (I do have a particular interest in architectural history).
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 09:09 AM
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Sorry you have chosen to ignore the advise not to use the illegal tour guides.
Do not be disappointed that these guides will not be able to guide you around the inside of any public building.
Despite what they advertise it is not a free tour you will be expected to pay a "tip".


I don't recall getting such advice (because I don't recall asking for it!). Illegal seems a stretch as well.

That said, I will review the link that Christina was kind enough to provide.
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 09:11 AM
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thanks kimhe -- I was hoping you would reply. Saves me from asking about nearby restaurants now!

What do you recommend for taking in a dance performance (flamenco or otherwise)?
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 09:14 AM
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"Illegal tour guides?" Why are you so sure Runner Bean is "illegal?" The have free tours, but they are not all free. Probably some people tip, some people don't. Why are you so sure they are illegal?

I think indydad knows they aren't going into Sagrada Familia with the tour, since he booked entry after.
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 09:31 AM
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Hi indy-dad,

I know that you didn't ask for advice on this either, but be careful when you are wandering on and around Las Ramblas especially in a jet-lagged state - it is a notorious site for "dipping" [ie pick-pockets" and other minor crime.

do try to make time for the Magic Fountain one night - we stayed nearby and saw it more or less every night we were there; it's not just lights but music too so i'm sure the kids would enjoy it.

We found that we were not big Gaudi fans, so I can't help you with that, but Barcelona itself is a very interesting place, once you can get away from the crowds who are [IMO] strangling it.

Nice to hear from you again, BTW - how is life back in the USA?
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 09:40 AM
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The Gaudi buildings are expensive, but I wouldn't exchange anything for going inside at least one of those apts

Okay, okay, okay -- we'll go in one.

We can spontaneously decide to go into Palau Guell on our jet-lagged day if we are up for it and the lines aren't too bad.

Perhaps for the day I have labelled "WED" we could book an earlier entry into one (say La Pedera) and then go to Parc Guell afterwards. We can fit in Santa Maria del Mar any time since we are staying so close.

If we do 0900 for La Pedera, what time do you suggest for Parc Guell. (I hate lines more than I hate a fixed schedule).

I think I'll leave "FRI" open to see what we want to do (Catalonian Art Museum, Sant Paul, Barceloneta, or some combination).
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 09:49 AM
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Hi annhig!

Yes, I'm aware of the pickpocket proliferation. We'll have to be careful. I think my daughter will have a death grip on her phone the whole time! It's a lot more expensive to do this trip from the US. So much so that I actually bought travel insurance (including some small protections for theft). We'll keep our guard up though.

We've finally gotten back in the swing of things in the US (thanks for asking). The first year was a bit of a blur. We had some friends from the UK visit last year which was nice. They will be joining us in Costa Brava after Barcelona too!

Off topic, but we did get a nice trip to California in last month. Take a look (and note how the kids (well DS), are growing). Blog link is further down in the TR:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...nd-sequoia.cfm

Good to hear from you. I hope all is well.
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 09:55 AM
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Personally, I'd aim for the Palau Guell or Casa Battlo, rather than La Pedrera, as relatively little of the latter is open to visitors.
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 10:47 AM
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<Personally, I'd aim for the Palau Guell or Casa Battlo, rather than La Pedrera, as relatively little of the latter is open to visitors.>

Good point, but be sure to see La Pedrera from the outside (just up the street from Casa Batllo). You could swear that the building is actually breathing and about to take a step onto Passeig de Gracia any minute ;-)
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