kelly22904

With 4 full days in Barcelona in September, if we were to pick a day trip, which would be better? I Do like Dali, but as I'm reading more about Monserrat, it's starting to seem like more of a whole day "experience".

primeranoche

My sincere opinion is: Neither. Montserrat is fine if you feel a need to hike (and only go on a clear day). Architecturally and culturally, I think it's totally uninteresting. I don't care for Dali, so I can't really comment on that, having not been to Figueras.

I'd rather go to Girona or Vic or even Reus and get more of a grip on Catalonia.

SuQue

If you like Dali the Dali Museum in Figures is a must. It was a great experience and we liked it much more than we thought we would.

Flame123

I have done both and can give you my personal opinion on them. Yes Montserrat is indeed a full day experience because it takes time to get from one travel mode to the next and to finally get to the very scary (for me at least) cable car ride up to the top. It is very pretty and quite unusual and there is plenty to see there. As for the Dali Museum, I love Dali but I have always been disappointed in ANY "specific artist" dedicated museum that I have visited. Mostly the artist's less famous or well known works are what prevails in these special museums and I have always come away disappointed. This was no different. Plus the museum was too crowded when we visited and it was not "user-friendly" in the way it was arranged, etc.

Echnaton

Firstly, forget Montserrat, if the weather is cloudy or rainy. Then, the mountains will be in clouds.

Montserrat ("split mountain") is a scenic mountain with a monastery. It is quite nice to spend a couple of hours there if you want some diversion after spending your time in Barcelona. It is not a first-rank attraction, but it is very popular, because it is convenient to reach from Barcelona and there are not too many other options for daytrips from Barcelona.

The Dali Museum in Figueres is a must for everyone who likes Dali's style. It is not just a museum - it is a former theatre turned into a giant sculpture by the master himself. It is truly fascinating both from the outside and from the inside, and you will find many outstanding paintings and sculptures there. I have seen several special Salvador Dali exhibitions, including a grand exhibition in the Centre Pompidou in Paris, but the Theatre in Figueres beats them all.

Use this link (they have a virtual visit):

http://www.salvador-dali.org/museus/.../en_index.html

The only drawback: Be prepared to wait in a long line in front of the entrance. They do not take reservations.

valtor

You can not compare them and it is not important what another person will prefer. Is only up to you.

WTnow

I've been to both & they are both worth seeing, but If you like Dali the Dali Museum in Figures is a must! Montserrat is not spectacular, worth seeing, but not super thrilling.

You could possibly see both if you rented a car, but that is pushing it.

We all LOVED the Dali Museum!

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2006/1...musee-hot.html

There are actually 3 Dali museums near by and all of them worth seeing. Also most Barcelona visitors miss the Costa Brava gems that are well worth seeing & much can be done with s cheap small rent a car.

http://soultravelers3.com/2009/07/to...ems-spain.html

kenav

Personally, with only 4 days in Barcelona I wouldn't go to either. (I've been to both.) We found FIgueres an uninteresting, somewhat ugly city, except for the museum, which took about 2 hours to go through and a lot more hours to get to. If you want to spend one whole day of your trip this way, then do it. But, there's so much to see in Barcelona - stay there and enjoy.

danon

I agree with kenav.
There is so much to see in Barcelona - the first time there we stayed 8 days without leaving the city.

kelly22904

Thanks for all of the great advice. I was wondering if it was even worth it to leave the city of Barcelona with only 4 full days there. Now that we've figured out that La Merce will be going on while we're there, I'm thinking we should stay put, in the city. La Merce sounds exciting!