khor

Hello. Planning a trip to Barcelona this spring with 2 adults and a five year old. Flying from the West Coast of the US and planning to spend about 8 days in the city with day trips to Sitges and Montserrat. Was wondering if 6 days was too long in the city, and if so, should we plan another day trip? Some visitors on this site have said 3-4 days is enough in Barcelona. Was planning to take the tourist bus for both the north and south loops for sightseeing. Would that be the best option for a child who does not want to walk too much?

Also, maybe a stretch, but I have always wanted to go to Carcassonne and it looks like it is about 3 hours away...is that possible for a day trip? We don't mind driving if it is truly only 3 hours each way. Better for an overnight?

Thank you. Also, if there is anything that you could specifically recommend for a young child, I would very much appreciate it.

Pintxos

Hi, we went with our 6 year old the summer of 2013. We stayed in Barcelona for 2 weeks with many day trips to Costa Brava, Villanova, Girona, and to Figueres. I loved it and found that 3-4 days would not have been enough for me in Barcelona. We went to the beach in the city, which is not as nice as Sitges. Didn't go to Montserrat, but I am sure it is gorgeous.

Pvoyageuse

"We don't mind driving if it is truly only 3 hours each way".

It is doable in 3 hours if you don't leave the motorway and if there is little traffic but it is a bit optimistic. I would count on 4 hours (or slightly less).

ribeirasacra

Don't forget here in Europe your child has to be in a child seat and strapped in. Those 3 hours (total 6) can mount up for them.
PS can you ask to retag this to Spain and not Italy please?

khor

Ribeirasacra- how do I tag/change tag? I don't even know how Italy got on there!

MellisaTurner

Barcelona is a beautiful destination to explore and 3-4 days are not enough. So, you can enjoy your 8 days in Barcelona

Christina

I think 3-4 days are "enough" if that is what works in a trip that includes other cities. That isn't the same thing as saying no one could fill more than 3-4 days with activities in Barcelona. There are a lot of things to do in Barcelona, more than most people realize, you can easily fill that time without another day trip.

BigRuss

<i>Was wondering if 6 days was too long in the city, and if so, should we plan another day trip?</i>

It's not too long.

<i>Some visitors on this site have said 3-4 days is enough in Barcelona.</i>

Some have said you could spend weeks there. So which some do you want to believe?

Fact is you are traveling with a SMALL CHILD and that means you will be able to do about 60% of what you would normally cover during your touring. That means your 6 nights in Barcelona, if you choose to spend that many, will be about 4 (or less) in terms of what you'd cover if you traveled without the halfling. Account for that fact and you'll have a better time.

And go googling Barcelona for kids. There's a big aquarium at the Port Vell that is riotously expensive but interesting for hobbits.

ribeirasacra

To retag you send the mods an alert via the triangle and ask them to do it in the pop up message