Barcelona in 2 Days
Jul 6th, 2015, 06:49 PM
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Barcelona in 2 Days
Hi
We have been to Barcelona before - cruise visit and took the hop-on-hop off bus for time constraints and to see as much as possible.
We are staying on the Placa Catalunya in an apartment.
My partner wishes to see Miro Museum as it was closed last time.
We are there on a Thursday and Friday. Wish to see Gaudi works and generally soak in the atmosphere albeit for only 2 days. Maybe some walks in interesting areas and some beautiful tapas.
Suggestions please - Thanks
We have been to Barcelona before - cruise visit and took the hop-on-hop off bus for time constraints and to see as much as possible.
We are staying on the Placa Catalunya in an apartment.
My partner wishes to see Miro Museum as it was closed last time.
We are there on a Thursday and Friday. Wish to see Gaudi works and generally soak in the atmosphere albeit for only 2 days. Maybe some walks in interesting areas and some beautiful tapas.
Suggestions please - Thanks
Jul 6th, 2015, 08:10 PM
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You have MANY options! Consult a good guidebook or two (always a worthy investment, IMO, or go to your local library). Or search this board, looking at both trip reports and planning threads -- you will find a wealth of info here!
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Jul 6th, 2015, 08:22 PM
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Hi LeeA,
I'm in Barcelona at the moment and have a trip report thread going so you can click on my name and check it out if you like. I'm here for four days (day four today). I'll be posting some links at the end to things we've done - including amazing tapas bars and other restaurants. You can do Sagrada and Parc Guell in a morning (Guell takes awhile if you do it properly and I didn't stay that long because it was so hot). I definitely recommend Montjuic but you don't need to spend all day there - pick two or three things you want to see or do up there. And I also recommend walking through several districts just to enjoy the way the city changes as it moves through different areas. It is like a new city greets you every 10 minutes or so. Hopefully it won't be as hot for you! We are apparently here during a hotter week than normal.
Good luck with your trip.
RT
I'm in Barcelona at the moment and have a trip report thread going so you can click on my name and check it out if you like. I'm here for four days (day four today). I'll be posting some links at the end to things we've done - including amazing tapas bars and other restaurants. You can do Sagrada and Parc Guell in a morning (Guell takes awhile if you do it properly and I didn't stay that long because it was so hot). I definitely recommend Montjuic but you don't need to spend all day there - pick two or three things you want to see or do up there. And I also recommend walking through several districts just to enjoy the way the city changes as it moves through different areas. It is like a new city greets you every 10 minutes or so. Hopefully it won't be as hot for you! We are apparently here during a hotter week than normal.
Good luck with your trip.
RT
Jul 6th, 2015, 08:37 PM
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RT has given you some great insights into RT's experience -- which, apparently, differed than mine. Vive la différence!
IMO, you can read all the trip reports you want, but until you check into the options that most intrigue YOU, you won't be able to plan a trip this matches YOUR interests in such a VERY limited time frame. Bottom line: 2 days is VERY little for Barcelona. I urge you to get a good guidebook or two (always a good investment IME) or consult them at your local library. Identify what interests you and mark opening times on a calendar. Then figure out how things fit together.
Good luck planning your very limited time there!
IMO, you can read all the trip reports you want, but until you check into the options that most intrigue YOU, you won't be able to plan a trip this matches YOUR interests in such a VERY limited time frame. Bottom line: 2 days is VERY little for Barcelona. I urge you to get a good guidebook or two (always a good investment IME) or consult them at your local library. Identify what interests you and mark opening times on a calendar. Then figure out how things fit together.
Good luck planning your very limited time there!
Jul 6th, 2015, 09:31 PM
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A suggestion which includes the Miró museum and "some walks in interesting areas and some beautiful tapas".
The Miró museum is in Montjuic (Jewish mountain) right in the centre. Spectacular views of both the city and the sea from the castle on the top, and Montjuic in general is lots of museums, theaters, 1992 Olympic sports arenas and greens. Take the Teleferic up here (or bus or taxi or walk): http://www.telefericdemontjuic.cat/en/
Two of my favourite restaurants in town are at the foot of Montjuic. La Perla is as genuine and traditional as it gets, only open for lunch (until about 5pm). http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
And I had one of the best meals in my life in close by, old school and rock'n roll Xemei a few weeks ago. The Bigoli en salsa Veneciana is unlike anything I've ever tasted before: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lvcjtoh0tU
Went to Xemei late at night after seing out of this world Rocío Molina in Mercat de les Flors some 300 meters away (in the so called Theater city). In all July, the Grec festival goes on here, concerts and performances from top of the shelf Catalan artists: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...el-teatre.html
A "day-trip" to Montjuic could start with an early lunch at La Perla, then up to the castle on the top with the Teleferic, then take the 20-25 mins fine walk down to the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. After that perhaps a glass or cup of something in close by, tranquile and secluded La Font del Gat (http://www.lafontdelgat.com/) before a visit to the mind-blowing Miró museum just up the road. Prepare for a theater performance or concert in one of the venues in the Theater city in the fine little cafe in the Teatre Lliure, and round the night off with food from heaven in Xemei.
Given the natural and cultural richness of the Montjuic area, there are of course innumerable variants of this plan. You should also know that at the bottom of Montjuic and close to the Miró museum, you'll find the very local atmosphere Poble Sec district with it's many great tapas bars and restaurants. https://www.airbnb.no/locations/barcelona/el-poble-sec
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...to-bodega.html
And regarding tapas bars, I must give one recommendation from the last of numerous visits in recent years: Tapeo close to the Gothic Santa Maria del Mar Church and the Picasso museum. Everything delicious, and the Coca de Sardina tapa was to die for: http://www.tapeoborn.cat/
Coca de Sardina: http://www.tapeoborn.cat/tapas-menu/...ardina-en.html
Some guest reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/tapeo-barcelona-3
The Miró museum is in Montjuic (Jewish mountain) right in the centre. Spectacular views of both the city and the sea from the castle on the top, and Montjuic in general is lots of museums, theaters, 1992 Olympic sports arenas and greens. Take the Teleferic up here (or bus or taxi or walk): http://www.telefericdemontjuic.cat/en/
Two of my favourite restaurants in town are at the foot of Montjuic. La Perla is as genuine and traditional as it gets, only open for lunch (until about 5pm). http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
And I had one of the best meals in my life in close by, old school and rock'n roll Xemei a few weeks ago. The Bigoli en salsa Veneciana is unlike anything I've ever tasted before: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lvcjtoh0tU
Went to Xemei late at night after seing out of this world Rocío Molina in Mercat de les Flors some 300 meters away (in the so called Theater city). In all July, the Grec festival goes on here, concerts and performances from top of the shelf Catalan artists: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...el-teatre.html
A "day-trip" to Montjuic could start with an early lunch at La Perla, then up to the castle on the top with the Teleferic, then take the 20-25 mins fine walk down to the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. After that perhaps a glass or cup of something in close by, tranquile and secluded La Font del Gat (http://www.lafontdelgat.com/) before a visit to the mind-blowing Miró museum just up the road. Prepare for a theater performance or concert in one of the venues in the Theater city in the fine little cafe in the Teatre Lliure, and round the night off with food from heaven in Xemei.
Given the natural and cultural richness of the Montjuic area, there are of course innumerable variants of this plan. You should also know that at the bottom of Montjuic and close to the Miró museum, you'll find the very local atmosphere Poble Sec district with it's many great tapas bars and restaurants. https://www.airbnb.no/locations/barcelona/el-poble-sec
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...to-bodega.html
And regarding tapas bars, I must give one recommendation from the last of numerous visits in recent years: Tapeo close to the Gothic Santa Maria del Mar Church and the Picasso museum. Everything delicious, and the Coca de Sardina tapa was to die for: http://www.tapeoborn.cat/
Coca de Sardina: http://www.tapeoborn.cat/tapas-menu/...ardina-en.html
Some guest reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/tapeo-barcelona-3
Jul 6th, 2015, 10:44 PM
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I definitely agree kja, each trip will differ and it's best to list the things you want to do as opposed to what you think you should do based on what everyone else loves. I still feel a little overwhelmed today, on my last day. I don't think we have seen many tourist sites in depth as such, in that I haven't spent hours in the places I have been too and maybe I have rushed a little, but I do feel we have had a great overview of the many different parts of this beautiful town. This morning I ran up through Les Corts for example, which has a business feel along the wide Avignuda Diagonal, which is really just moments from the old town. Bottom line is you will enjoy the city no matter what you do - understanding that you won't get to tour a lot of places but that's ok. My tips would be Montjuic, some Gaudi, and lots of wandering through parks (Ciutadella is beautiful) and laneways and plazas and into tapas bars. You can't have a bad time with those things.
Jul 6th, 2015, 11:26 PM
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The challenge for me though kja is working out what that is sometimes haha. Right now I am weighing up how to spend my last day! Go to back to Montjuic to see the gallery, or pick a museum - but what museum is the question. We were planning a bike tour but my friends stayed out late all night so I am not sure that will happen. Maybe late in the day. It's so hot so that doesn't worry me. I'm heading to some shops now and then will try to decide ...
Jul 7th, 2015, 12:07 AM
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"The challenge for me though kja is working out what that is sometimes"
Yes, it can be very hard,can't it?!? That's why I ALWAYS recommend studying multiple guidebooks in advance, plotting things out against a calendar, and thinking through one's priorities well beforehand. Doing so does NOT guarantee that one will be able to see or do everything one hoped, but it gives one a framework to use when deciding what to do once facing the realities of time on the ground and a way to think about how to allocate one's time if one's plans get thrown off. JMO!
"Go to back to Montjuic to see the gallery, or pick a museum - but what museum is the question"
Perhaps you know that the collection of Romanesque art at the Museo Nacional d’Art de Catalunya is among the finest in the world, and includes some things you really can't see anywhere else. Just something to consider....
Yes, it can be very hard,can't it?!? That's why I ALWAYS recommend studying multiple guidebooks in advance, plotting things out against a calendar, and thinking through one's priorities well beforehand. Doing so does NOT guarantee that one will be able to see or do everything one hoped, but it gives one a framework to use when deciding what to do once facing the realities of time on the ground and a way to think about how to allocate one's time if one's plans get thrown off. JMO!
"Go to back to Montjuic to see the gallery, or pick a museum - but what museum is the question"
Perhaps you know that the collection of Romanesque art at the Museo Nacional d’Art de Catalunya is among the finest in the world, and includes some things you really can't see anywhere else. Just something to consider....
