My friend and I will be in Barcelona for 2.5 days and would like to utilize the time we have and see as much as we can. Here is our proposed itinerary, please provide critique as needed and let us know if we should change the order to optimize our time - we would also like recommendations on a day trip for our third day. We have narrowed it down to Montserrat, Costa Brava, or Medieval Towns:

Saturday May 11 (1/2 Day):
Park Guell after checking in hotel
Montjuic Castle in late evening for panoramic view
Placa Espanya (walk from Montjuic)
Magic Fountain (sound & light show after dusk q30min 9-11:30pm)
Flamenco Show at 7pm or 9:30pm at Talblao De Carmen

Sunday May 12:
- Morning (all Gaudi)
o Start early and do La Sagrada Familia
o Take Subway to Casa Mila (16.5E)
o Walk to Casa Batillo –
o Walk to Casa Amatller
o Walk to Casa Lleo Morera
- Afternoon/Early Evening
o Las ramblas
o Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter)
 Santa Maria Del Mar
o Barcelona Cathedral
- Evening
o Concert in the Palau de la Musica @ 800? – 11E plus ticket (22E) Optional

Monday May 13
Day Trip

Why not spend the 13th enjoying Barcelona instead of another day on the road?

Sarah: I agree with Robert...you won't want to think about a "side trip" for that third day...there will be a lot more to catch up with in the city. You have yet to list a visit to La Boqueria, bkfst. or lunch at one of the kiosks therein...the very different Picasso Museum (much of his work as a young student..nothing like his definitive later work)). The Joan Miro Fundacion on Mont Juic if you missed it...and certainly more of just soaking up this electrifying city.

On late Sunday mornings (used to be..?)or Saturday evening at 6:00, in front of the magnificent old Cathedral, the "sardana" dancing (uniformed band and all)...where the senior set of the city strut their dancing stuff (see my pix).

If you're driving and insist on taking a side trip, Girona and the Dali Museum in Figueres would make for a nice day...with additional time of an extra day, go on to Cadaques and the Dali home to cap off a very colorful day for you (need reservations to tour the home..only eight people at a time). Personally, not a big fan of Montserrat..traffic going up that incline can be brutal. Unless you're from landlocked middle America, a day at any of the beaches on the Costa Brava is just that, a day at the beach.

stu (see pics below which include Girona and Cadaques..just to familirize you with the vicinity)

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...ironaCadaques#

I have to agree, I would skip the daytrip and spend more time in Barcelona - your Day 2 is very ambitious and not sure you will get to all that unless you want to just walk by each place and not go inside (which would, of course, be a shame). We spent 5 nights in Barcelona, leaving the opportunity for a daytrip to Girona as a possibility, and decided we all preferred to spend more time in Barcelona. Here is a link to my trip report a long with pictures:
http://www.fromhometoroam.com/2012/06/barcelona/

some travelers prefer not to "go inside"
they walk by attractions and take picture...which is just fine.
A day trip :Girona or Monts.