TheBear60

We will arrive in Barcelona via train from Madrid mid-day & I am thinking we will walk the Ramblas that afternoon. On day 2 we will take a scheduled tour, to include Casa Batllo & Sagrada Famillia Basillica. That afternoon we are thinking about taking the HOP ON/HOP OFF or maybe a walking tour of the Old Town. On day 3, we want to take the early train to Montserrat & be in place for the 1PM choir. We are really not museum types. I know this is a quick in & out. Should I consider adding a 4th day & if so, what would be your suggestions.
Thanks in advance.

wunderbar2

Sounds like a nice visit however be warned....the HOHO in Barcelona May not be such a great idea, this is only my opinion. We used it recently and after 2 hours of getting nowhere and seeing nothing but traffic and a quick drive by of few tourist sites we got off and did it on our own. Traffic is very heavy as in most cities and we decided it was a waste of time and money so check out the HOHO routes online and see if you think it would be a good value for your $ and time. We also did a walking tour or two and enjoyed it very much.

Enjoy your travels.

kja

If you have any interest in architecture, you might want to find time for one or more buildings by Domènech i Montaner. And/or some of Gaudi's many other structures.

If you have any interest in strolling through produce markets, Barcelona has some wonderful ones.

Diamantina

You could consider visiting Parc de Montjuic:
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-montjuic.html

There are a couple of great museums in Parc de Montjuic, but as you aren't museum types, then maybe you'd prefer seeing historic Montjuic Castle. Over the years it's been used as a prison, as during the Spanish Civil War. It has magnificent views over the city. It's easy to get to, metro to Plaça d'Espanya station, then 150 bus to the castle.

I agree with kja, the buildings designed by Domènech i Montaner are as worth seeing as Gaudi's. The Hospital de Sant Pau complex is only a 10 minute walk from Sagrada Familia:
https://www.santpaubarcelona.org/en/visits
His Palau de la Música is in the old town, a short walk from Plaça de Catalunya. To see it, you can take a tour or attend a concert.

di2315

Depending on the time of year you'll be in Barcelona, I too would advise avoiding the HOHO bus. We saw such long queues of people waiting at the scheduled stops - it would have been quicker to walk between venues.

We used taxis to get to places that were further away from our accommodation - they are not expensive, and readily available.

The Palau de Musica is a wonderful site. We took a guided tour and were blown away by the architecture and stories about the development of music in that space. After the tour we were offered discounts on a performance, but unfortunately didn't have time on that visit. The building looks most unremarkable from the exterior, but has a fantastically creative interior! Di

TheBear60

Thanks for the replies.
Next quick question, if we get into Barcelona around noon on a Sunday in May, will the Ramblas be "open" & worth the stroll or should we visit Old Town that Sunday afternoon & walk the Ramblas on a week day afternoon?
Thanks

di2315

I just don't get the fascination with the Ramblas - to me it was an overcrowded tourist mecca. A place that I wouldn't visit unless I'd already seen everything else from my wish list. Di

kja

Perhaps like di2315, Las Ramblas seemed to me much more about tourism than about Catalan culture. That said, I enjoyed some of the street performances and the architecture; I definitely thought it a pretty place for a short stroll. After the terrorist attack of mid-August, I must admit that I'd be inclined to go just to refuse to give in to terrorism, but that, I think, is a very personal decision. (And it's easy for me to say, since I'm not actually facing the decision.)

Sassafrass

That first afternoon, I would head to Parc Guell. Charming and whimsical. Lovely way to spend time.
Agree about Palau de Musica, wonderful!
Add Casa Mila to your list of Gaudi Buildings to see.

Forget HOHO bus. Did it one time, waste of time and money.
Other days, we planned a walking route each day, took a taxi to the furthest point, and walked from there.

If you want a mid-day break, walk part of Las Ramblas, sit and rest to have a salad or drink and enjoy the weather and watch things go by you. Don't expect great food or great service. You may be lucky and get both, and it may be better than when I was there last, but not likely. The musicians and mimes are fun.

La Boqueria off Las Ramblas is well worth a visit.

kja

Interesting! I don't often disagree with Sassafrass, but I must admit that with only 3 days in Barcelona, I would probably skip Parc Guell, and if I did include it, I wouldn't visit it until the evening, after other places have closed. JMO, though -- it really depends on what YOU want to see and experience.

kimhe

Also lots of great things along Las Ramblas. La Boquería is one of the finest food markets in the world, Boadas is perhaps the coolest cocktail bar in Spain, Tablao Cordobés is one of the finest tablaos (flamenco restaurants) anywhere, and just off Las Ramblas you'll find Can Culleretes from 1786, the second oldest restaurant in Spain, fabulous atmosphere, the best traditional food and very popular with locals.
https://www.gardenista.com/posts/la-boqueria-market/
https://www.worldsbestbars.com/bar/b...-center/boadas
http://www.tablaocordobes.es/en
http://www.culleretes.com/en/

And Café de l’Opera is great for a sit-down, a cup, a glass and a bite along Las Ramblas. http://www.spottedbylocals.com/barce...afe-de-lopera/

And late at night, Ultramarinos - next door to Tablao Cordobés - is a quite spectacular place for a meal, some tapas, drinks and great fun: http://www.ultramarinosbarcelona.com/

kja

Again, interesting! I preferred the Mercat de Santa Caterina to La Boqueria. And I was somewhat disappointed in Tablao Cordobes, where the views of the performers were very limited (but I didn’t dine there, and I’m sure that made a difference).

But I agree that Can Culleretes offers a delicious meal.

kimhe

You could at least spend a day in the medieval and vibrant Born district right in the heart of town. A cradle of Catalan identity and culture, meny of the finest tapas bars, cafés and small shops in town and great sights.
https://www.barcelona-tourist-guide....s/el-born.html
http://devourbarcelonafoodtours.com/...orn-barcelona/

Narrow Carrer Montcada was the most important street in the city from the 12th century. Here you'll find old palazzos, great and very different tapas bars (emblematic Xampanyet, cutting edge Tapeo and Basque Euskal Etxea) and the Picasso museum: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-montcada.html

The Picasso Museum in Carrer Montcada: http://www.museupicasso.bcn.cat/en/

The 14th Century Santa María del Mar cathedral at the end of Carrer Montcada is one of the finest Gothic buildings anywhere: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...a-del-mar.html

Just beside the church you'll find the Fossar de les Morerers and the flame conmemorating the 1714 war and loss of independence to Spain: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...s-moreres.html

The Church lies in the one end of wonderful Passeig del Born: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-del-born.html

In the other end you have the Catalan culture and memory center with excavations of Barcelona around 1700: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...i-memoria.html

Three excellent tapas bars within hundred meters of all mentioned above.
Cal Pep: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/b.../374875/360761
Tapeo: http://www.tapeoborn.cat/tapeo-del-born.html
El Xampanyet: https://www.timeout.com/barcelona/re...s/el-xampanyet

And I can also highly recommend central and local atmosphere districts such as Poble Sec and Gracia.
Poble Sec: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...to-bodega.html
Gracia: https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/gr...rcelona-guide/

And close to Poble Sec, you find the so called Barri Adrià (after the world's greatest chef Ferran Adrià and his brother) and some five-six world class eateries: https://www.elbarriadria.com/en
http://www.traveller.com.au/what-the...ng-next-gkmkfm