I plan to spend about a week in Barcelona in March. I have not been in more than ten years. After my stay there, I will fly to Vejer and stay for a few weeks in a small inn outside the town.

I would like to take a guided tour of Sagrada Familia. It appears the afternoon is best, for the sunlight through the windows. Is there anything else to consider before I buy my ticket on their official site?

I've never been to a concert at the Palau de Musica. I just learned that my favorite opera, Norma, will be on during my stay. What should I consider before buying a ticket, as far as seating? Just take as far front in the orchestra as I can find (single ticket)? (I enjoy sitting up close so I do not have to use binoculars). Can anyone share their experience of attending a concert or opera in that venue?

I've never been to Casa Mila, so will probably buy tickets for that as well. Anything I ought to consider before buying my ticket? About how long does the visit take and is a guided tour recommended, or shall I use the audio guide which I imagine must be available??

I'll probably have more questions but wanted to get these tickets sorted because I've read about how they sell out, etc..

I'm booked at the MAJESTIC; can any9one who's stayed here confirm that hotel as a good choice? I know the location is good.

Also, it's calciot season so I may want to have a calcot dinner, but do not think I want to travel out to one of the main towns for this (Vals, etc). I've done this before, at a restaurant in Sarria (CAN MARTI). Is there a restaurant closer to the center that offers a fairly authentic (for a city) calcotada?

Thanks a lot....I'll welcome any other ideas. I generally just like to wander around, visit a food market or two, enjoy good dinners. Do not want to pack.my days with ticketed sites apart from the two I mentioned, and maybe one more.....

About the calicos, I did find this list of restaurants in Barcelona that feature them, but no idea how good they are (??)


https://barcelonasecreta.com/en/eat-calcots-barcelona/

For the Sagrada Familia, you are correct that the light streaming through the windows is a magnificent sight. I would opt for later in the afternoon rather than closer to noon to maximize the angle of the sunlight.

The seats in the Palau de Musica that are closest to the front are below the level of the stage and are not ideal for viewing. Palau de la Musica Catalana - seats

For Casa Mila (La Pedrera), I chose an evening tour because I wanted to see the light show on the roof. It took about 1.5 hours.

The auditorium at the Palau is not enormous and you should be OK about half way from the front. The front rows are below the level of the stage, so not ideal.

My latest visit to SF was two years ago. We had timed tickets for the early afternoon.
Too many people were walking around filming with their cell phones….almost tripping over one another.
Honestly, the crowds drove me outside much sooner than I wished to go.
Last week I was in Barcelona, didn’t visit again.

The Palau is truly a unique building.. the seating somewhere in the middle was fine.
I had lunch at Majestic’s bar at the top… a great view.

Hi Scrunchy! OH HOW I WOULD LOVE TO ATTEND WITH YOU!

My male friend is ALL about Barcelona & LOVES the Majestic. It is his fav but he also likes to stay at the less expensive Larios Diez strickly due to budget.

Re Palau, wish I could personally advise as I am PICKY but alas, have yet to go. As others mentioned my first concern is height of stage from viewpoint of frontmost seats. Also The rake of the audience's seats is a consideration as I don't like heads in front of me.
As a dancer I liked first row low balcony ONLY if there is no obstructing railing at sightline. I sometimes like box seats that are mid theater. In cases where the orchestra aisle seat is 3/4 OR CLOSER to center stage ( if the seating plan is such) I prefer the furthest center aisle because the aisle walk way ensure unobstructed views and a longer sightline.

That said check this FB post out ******
BE SURE TO CLICK ON & READ COMNENTS THERE ARE SOME PHOTOS TOO.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/barcel...ibextid=NOb6eG

We were in Barcelona the first week of May this year. We had close to the first guided tour of the day (9:15am) at Sagrada Familia. The light coming through the windows that morning was incredible! My husband thinks of it as the highlight of the trip; it was absolutely stunning.

*I posted this on a similar thread recently. The guide is stood in the front row

You all have been an incredible help; many thanks!! I never would have known about those seats at the Palau!! I'm so glad I asked here!!

I've just arrived home from Italy, so will return here once I get everything out of my bags, etc

Amsdon--Thank you, especially!! The front row balcony is sold out, and I am pretty short so often am blocked by the taller people in front of me... ....I will take a good look at the seating chart and if I have more questions, will post them here.... I've never heard of "raking" in the context of seating. New term for me! Oh would that not be marvelous to attend together some I
time!?

Again, thanks to all for the very helpful info.... If it were not for this site, I would have waited until my arrival to buy the SF tickets...It's incredible, and daunting, to learn that you have to buy tickets for all these major "sights" nowadays..... The only advance tickets for a "sight" in Europe that I ever remember buying was for the Alhambra, (and some flamenco shows in Sevilla) too this is all new to me. The timed entry kind of takes away from the spontaneity of travel. I'm even hesitant about going to Barcelona, given all the news about crowds, etc... I was last there, I think, in 2016 and even then, I remember that we just went to a few Gaudi sights and got the tickets and went inside.. Things have certainly changed an awful lot in just a few years.. I cannot get my head around buying tickets to enter a park!!

I know I'll have a good time in Barcelona, though. I don't have to go near the Ramblas, and I will not even bother with La Boqueria, I don't' think. If anyone has been to QUIM (inside Boqueria) in the past few years: Is it at all possible to get a seat along his bar or should I not even bother. I did love the food there.

I bought a ticket in the "first floor central stalls" of the Palau--row 3.
Hope this will be good!!
Thanks for all the help.