mimipam

We will be ending a cruise in Barcelona. I have never been and hate to bypass any opportunity. My dh just wants to stay two nights there. This would be two days including the day we get off the ship. I think I want to go to the Picasso museum which is closed on Monday so we would have to do this on the day we arrive (Sunday). That leaves Monday to see other sights. I know the Sagrada Familia is a must. How much time should we allow for this and what else can we fit in? Also hotel recommendations would be appreciated. Location is most important. Thanks!
Happy travels!!

suec1

www.venere.com had good search functions tohelp you locate a hotel - to get specific suggestions here you should give a price point and desired location. Sagrada Familia will probably take several hours - you will probably want to enjoy the facades and then go inside - we did a tour which was interesting. Parc Guell is very interesting if you want to do more Gaudi, otherwise you may want to explore the old city / cathedral area or El Born. You are correct that two days is really too little - maybe you can get some ideas for "next time"!

Egbert

I guess Sagrada Familia is a must see. I don't think going inside is a must. It's quite impressive from the outside.

MFNYC

Check out Hotel Inglaterra. The location can't be beat. If you book on their website, you can get breakfast included (this is not the case on all booking sites). The breakfast (buffet style) is good. Rooms are smallish but adequate and modern, and staff is very nice and helpful.

Also must-sees are Casa Botllo and La Padrera, both Gaudi's and both worth touring. They are within a couple of blocks of one anotehr so easy to do both. If you can, do a walking tour through the tourist office (as Plaza Catalunya). If you can only fit in 1, the Gothic Quarter tour is well worth it. The Miro foundation is also fantastic.

MFNYC

ALso, the tourist office has a Picasso walking tour which includes the museum. It's also quite interesting.

yk

Picasso Museum is free on Sunday afternoons after 3pm, so expect it to be very crowded. It'll be less crowded if you go later... closer to closing time.

Palenque

Well just strolling around Barcelona's fabled Barri Gothic - its historic town centre to me is the main thing, after the Gaudi Sagrada Familia extravaganza of course, which is nearby.

Barcelona Barri Gotic Area
Pictures of Barcelona Barri Gotic area (Gothic Quarter). Photo gallery includes guide to main sites with descriptions of area.
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...n/barri-gotic/ -

Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic) Guide, Barcelona
Barcelona Area Guide: Essential guide to the Barri Gotic Quarter (Barrio)in Barcelona includes photos and description of this neighbourhood in Barcelona, ...
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...barcelona.html

gruezi

We enjoyed La Padrera more than Sagrada Familia. Plus, there is a great museum there that puts all the other Gaudi in wonderful context. We did not take the tour of Sagrada Familia... the inside is largely a construction site, and we spent no more than an hour. La Padrera we spent a couple hours. We also loved Casa Botllo. A leisurely tour with the audio takes no more than 1.5 hours.

If you must choose one I'd say La Padrera...

MFNYC

The rooftop at La Padrera is amazing.

Paragkash

I think Barcelona is very vibrant and beautiful.
I wouldn't spend time in museums if I have very little time.

Your best bet would be to take the Hop on Hop off tours on the open tourist buses.
You can also do the sightseeing yourself on a very easy public transport.
My choice in order of preference would be..
1. Gaudi Tour- Sargada Familia (Good, but I thought is a bit over rated), Casa Mia- Both from outside- 1 hour for both, Parc Guell- The best Gaudi site with Panoramic views of Barcelona- 2 hours

2. Cable car from Marina to Montjuic- Must do/see. Nice views

3. Take a bus from top to the bottom of Montjuic hill and you will see most of the sites like Olympic stadium, palace etc.

4. Take a walk along the Marina

5. Spend the evening on Las Ramblas street, have wine or beer while you watch people, sellers, cartoons etc around. Very vibrant atmosphere. You cant find it anywhere in the world.

6. Walking tour of Bari- Gothic area

7. The Picasso cafe "El quatre"(sp?)

If you still have time after this, do visit the museum.

have fun...

MFNYC

The Picasso cafe mention above (#7) is Les Quartre Gats. It was a Picasso hangout. You can poke your head in, or go for a drink, but don't eat there. The food is not good. There are so many better places to eat. Again, if you do the Picasso walking tour (I mentioned in earlier post), they will take you here.

danon

I would not spend time in museums either. Barcelona is such a great city to walk around.
Las Ramblas would not be my choice to spend an evening or any time of the 2 days you have.
Gaudi is a must in Barcelona, Palau de la Musica Catalana is a gem, Rambla de Cataluya is a beautiful street, El Born is fun and trendy. A walk around Port Vella is lovely too.

MFNYC

Las Ramblas is like Times Square. You go, you look, you leave.

zorrosf

If there is a concert at Palau de Musica during your stay, you would be well served to attend regardless of the program. The building is a treasure. Buy tickets in advance or ask your hotel to do so, in order to not be shut out.

mimipam

Wow! Thanks to all of you. I see I have some decisions to make. I am glad to see such positive feedback. It is always so frustrating to me to have so little time to see so much. It looks as if we will have to choose a few and go with that. More questions may come later. I was considering staying at Nouvel Hotel because it looks like a good location with access to metro and bus close by. Any comments on this hotel?

LikeLivingThere

I'd go inside Sagrada Familia - it is inspiring even for agnostics like me, but skip the long wait for the elevator.

We saw classical guitar at the Palau and both the performance and venue were spectacular. Thinking about planning the next trip around their calendar.

In between I'd hang out in the cathedral area.

www.palaumusica.org