Cruising from Barcelona
 

We arrive in Barcelona at 7:40 am on a Saturday. Ship departs at 7 pm. Any suggestions on what to do in the free time? Can we spend time at the Mall at the port and the aquarium that I read in Fodor's is there. Is it open all day Saturday? Is it worth taking a taxi to La Rambla? I would appreciate any suggestions. I am sure someone reading this posting has had the same experience since there are 1800 or so passengers on the big cruise ships.

<BR>We just returned from 2 weeks in spain including 5 days in Barcelona. You have enough time to do something interesting in Barcelona but it really depends on what you want to do. If you want to see the real heart of the city go to La Rambla and wander from there to the gothic old town--you can wander around the narrow streets and visit the cathedral. There are a lot of little shops--most close from as early as 1:30 to 4 or 4:30--so that is when you should find a place for lunch. You could also include a visit to the Picasso Museum which in this area. <BR> <BR>If you are a Gaudi fan you could go a little further away and visit his apartment house (Casa Mila) and his chuch (Sagrada Familia). <BR> <BR>If you like museums there is the National Art Gallery which has one of the most incredible collections of romanesque and gothic frescos and nearby is the foundation of Joan Miro. <BR> <BR>Barcelona is a great place and 5 days wasn't even enough--we plan to return.

Definitely take a cab to Las Ramblas, it's not terribly far from port, 10 minute cab ride. Depending on how much time you have, you can take a leisurely stroll through the area watching all the people, check out La Bouqueria (food market), see some Gaudi designed buildings, have a great lunch at one of the tapas restaurants (my favorite is Tapa Tapa at Passeig de Gracia 44, just north of Placa Catalunya, across from several Gaudi buildings), shop for Lladros. If you end up with quite a few hours, you can also visit the cathedral which is within walking distance of Las Ramblas or the Picasso museum, but only if you're a fan, I didn't care for it at all.

I recommend taking the cable car up to montjuic admiring the views of Barcelona as you go, and see the Joan Miro museum and have lunch there. Take the funnicula back down, hop on the metro to parc guell and fall in love with Gaudi's works of art. Forget shopping in the mall and make an effort to see the beauty of Barcelona. <BR>Siobhain <BR>

Thanks Siobhain, you've given me some good ideas for my trip to Spain in September. <BR>

I just got back from Spain this week. If the weather is nice I would recommend walking (or cabbing to the base of Las Ramblas - the Colombus statue walking up Las Ramblas to the square and catching the tourist bus. One line stops at the The Gaudi sites - Apartment building, church and park all of which can be seen in 4 hrs. Ride the rest of the route allows you to see the other major regions of the city. If you change to the second route you can see the Olympic sites or gardens and I believe it stops very close to the ports. I don't usually do the total tourist thing, but the tourist bus is very well done with 2 routes and will allow you to get see alot without wearing yourself out. <BR> <BR>Have fun. Barcelona is a beautiful city.

Forget the shopping mall; there's nothing there you can't find elsewhere and with so little time in such a beautiful city it would be a shame to spend it in a shop. <BR>Some Gaudi is an absolute must. The rooftops of La Pedrera with their bizarrely sculptured chimneys are quite amazing. Go to the Rambla only because of the other places it can take you. At the harbour end is the Colombus monument, inside which you can take an elevator to the top for some good views of Barcelona. Then, a few hundred yards up the Rambla, turn left to see Palau Guell, another Gaudi building with wonderful interiors. You can't go round on your own though, you may have to get a ticket and come back in an hour to go round in a small group with a guide, but it's well worth the wait. <BR>Back on to the Rambla again and a little way further up turn off to the Barri Gotico - the old heart of the city with it's narrow streets centred around the old cathedral. This is where the interesting shops are if you need some retail therapy. The Spanish tend to dine late in the evening so hve a good tapas lunch. <BR>There is so much within easy walking distance that lets you take in the atmosphere as you go. You don't need to catch cabs everywhere. Have a good trip.