banu

I would appreciate any tips ,any suggestions (historical sites,dining..etc or even web sites).We'll be there in May for 3 days.It is our first time(3 couples-no children)
Thanks !!

Cicerone

You should do some basic research on the city, as one person's "must see" may not be another. This is especially true of the Gaudi buildings, whose architecture is not for everyone, and while I would tell you to go see it, you may feel it is a waste of time.

As this is a Fodor's site, you might consider buying the Fodors book (Barcelona to Bilbao, $18) or their general one on Spain ($21.95) You can buy them here on this site, click Products. At a minimum, take a look at the "Destination" guides already prepared by Fodor's on this site (click on Destinations above), and the Rants and Raves for hotel and restaurant reviews by Fodorites. The Destination overview on this site gives a 3-day itinerary for sites to see.

For a good website giving details about the hop-on hop-off tourist bus run by the city of Barcelona, go to tmb.net (click on to the English version). For a description of bus and walking tours offered by one company, go to europerator.org.

Once you have done some basic research, then you can come back with more specific questions.

banu

Hi Cicerone,
I made actually a research through this site and printed out barcelona through www.fodors.com but it may come out different suggestions which we may not find books.Everybody has its own taste as you meant but different people tell here about their experiences they had in this place.
Thanks for your help

tommy

Very few people on this site mention the Miro Foundation in their posts, but it is one of my favorite places in Barcelona. It obviously houses a great collection of works by Miro, the modernist building is spectacular, and on a clear day, the views of Barcelona are superb.

Cicerone

Sorry, I wan't trying to be pedantic (it just came out that way). However, you should tell us your interests (outdoor activities, sailing, art, music, architecture), or what you are not interested in; as that will help people give you better suggestions. The suggestion above about the Miro is good, but if you don't like modern art, you wouldn't be interested.

capo

Hi Banu. Even though, as Cicerone noted, Gaudi's buildings are not for everyone, you should at least try to see them as they are one of Barcelona's biggest attractions. Casa Batlo and Casa Mila are both on Passeig de Gracia, only a few blocks from each other (unfortunately, the interior of Casa Batlo is closed to the public.) Palau Guell is only a few blocks from La Rambla. La Sagrada Familia (the famous unfinished church), and Parc Guell -- with its wonderful serpentine tiled bench -- are a bit further away, but still quite easy to get to.

One other modernisme building you should absolutely not miss is the gorgeous Palau de la Musica Catalunya, by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, in the Gothic Quarter.

http://www.palaumusica.org/

We found the Picasso Museum, also in the Gothic Quarter, to be very interesting, and I'd also recommend the Cathedral.

For just walking around, it's hard to beat the Gothic Quarter, and La Rambla. La Rambla, which is lined with plane trees and runs downhill from the Placa de Catalunya to the statue of Christopher Columbus, is one of the most fascinating pedestrian "streets" I've experienced in Europe. One of Europe's greatest food markets (or so they say), La Boqueria, is right on La Rambla, and well worth a visit.

Finally, one other thing we really loved was the light (and sound) show at the "Magic Fountain", near Montjuïc.

ThinGorjus

When you visit Sagrada Familia, go around to the back of the church and look at the huge crucifix of a naked Jesus. Notice the carver's mistake: Christ is uncircumsized.

capo

ThinGorjus, interesting, but not necessarily a mistake as it has not been uncommon for Christians throughout history to downplay the fact that Jesus was a Jew.

On a related note, if there was one thing I disliked about Sagrada Familia it was the west, "Passion", facade, done by sculptor Josep. M. Subirachs.

http://www.op.net/~jmeltzer/Gaudi/eltemple.html

Aussie603

We all loved the Miro Foundation especially my two teenagers. They didn't enjoy the Picasso museum as much because it didn't have his really famous, recognizable paintings, mostly early drawings. ANd of course, you should try to see all the Gaudi buildings. His genius rivaled Picasso's, I think.

banu

As we have only 3 days we would like to feel the city with its history as much as we could.It is our first time in this city(We've been once in Madrid)
Sailing can be to specific but art,music,architecture and dining may suit to everyone's taste.
Thanks again to all of you for taking time (and sharing of course!)

Val

Take the tourist bus, its really good value, especially if you use the book of discount vouchers. It is also very convenient you never have to wait long for a bus and can just hop on and off. Things I would not miss are, going to the top of the Sagrada Familia not just for the view but to see the roof of the building and its decorations. The light and fountain show at Montjuic, rambling in the Ramblas, the tour of the Nou Camp, if you like football and just wandering in the wonderful Barcelona atmosphere. Just a word of warning beware of young girls in the underground who are pickpockets.

Bobbie737

We expect to be in Barcelona this Fall, can you please tell me how we find the light & fountain show at Montijuic. We will be in the Gothic quarter near the Rambla.
We have taken the "hop-on, hop-off" bus a couple of times and loved it, but don't remembr Montijuic.
Thank you.

ThinGorjus

Capo, I was being tongue-in-cheek when I stated that the carver made a mistake. In my opinion, since most Spanish men are uncircumcized, to leave Christ "intact" was most probably a cultural decision.

capo

Hi Bobbie. It's very easy to get to the Font Majica -- the Magic Fountain -- from the Gothic Quarter.

Referring to the Barcelona Metro map at...

http://de.geocities.com/metroplanet_barcelona/bcnmetro.htm

...you can take the Metro Line 1 in a straight shot from Placa de Catalunya to Placa d'Espanya. From Placa d'Espanya, it's a relatively short walk towards the imposing National Palace on Montijuic. The Magic Fountain sits below the palace.

The Barcelona Tourism website -- http://www.barcelonaturisme.com -- says:

From end of June to first of October: Thu-Sun and day before public holidays: 20-24h. Musical performances every 30 minutes from 21.30 to 23.30h.

capo

No problem, ThinGorjus. You may very well be right. This being an internet board, without visuals, I had no way of telling exactly where your tongue was.