First visit to Barcelona
 

DH & I have about 6 vacation nights in late October, after being in Ireland for 5 nights, and are thinking of going to Barcelona. We have never been to Spain, and want to see the coastal areas, maybe visit Majorca.
Basically we enjoy walking in old town centers, scenery, architecture, ocean views, fresh fish meals (although we are not 'foodies', per se), maybe an excursion by boat (just to get out on the water), a museum or two, historic hotels.
We do not enjoy especially busy places, or standing in lines.
Would 3 nights in Barcelona and 3 in Majorca be a good idea? What is there to do on Majorca?
Thanks!

I have not been but wanted to say I hope you'll write up a trip report! Barcelona is a priority on my wish list- I really want to see Gaudi's buildings in person:) It's either Spain or Japan for my trip next year.

Have you done any research on this?

In my option, 3 days is too short a time for either.

We spent 3 days in Barcelona and of course we wished we had more, but we were glad to have what we did.

We were focused on doing a Gaudi tour (ourselves), so that helped us focus.

In most "new" towns we do a hop on and off bus tour to get our bearings a bit and then go in for the special points of interest. For example, we had little interest in the beaches, but the bus tour took us along the coastline to see it. We had a nice long walk around there and then back to the center.

We then spent our time at Parc Guell, Sagrata Familia, Casa Batló and the like.

We did visit Las Ramblas and yes it was rather crowded as is the fabulous Bouqueria market. You might take a look and then move on to the gothic quarter or other places of interest. We found places (through TripAdvisor mostly) for tapas, etc.

We really loved Barcelona but again we had a short, focused visit. I hope you enjoy it.

With only 6 days, I wouldn't try to visit Majorca in addition to Barcelona. If you'd like to visit a beach area near Barcelona, spend a couple of nights in Sitges, to the south of Barcelona. If you like old town centers, you might enjoy Girona, to the north of Barcelona. From Girona, you can also make a trip to Figueres, home of the Dali Museum, which is unlike any other museum.

You can reach Sitges, Girona, and Figueres by train from Barcelona. Tarragona might be worth considering (I haven't had a chance to explore it yet).

We spent 5 days and nights in Barcelona last October and still didn't have enough time to see everything we'd hoped to see in the city. Before we planned our trip, I checked that we weren't going during Spanish school holidays. I should have checked French school holidays as well.

Barcelona has beaches, a beautiful Gothic Quarter, seafood restaurants, and astounding architecture—in other words, everything you're looking for. However, we found it very crowded in October. In addition to the Art Nouveau buildings designed by Gaudí, you might also enjoy touring those by Barcelona architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, most notably Palau de la Música Catalana and Sant Pau Recinte Modernista, which is only a 10 minute walk from Sagrada Familia.
https://www.santpaubarcelona.org/en
http://www.palaumusica.cat/en

We also stayed in Girona, Sitges, and Cadaqués, a beautiful town on the Costa Brava, but not served by train. We drove to these places and also visited a couple of wine regions.

If you don't like waiting in queues, I strongly suggest buying tickets in advance for Barcelona's popular attractions, such as Sagrada Familia, Casa Milà (La Pedrera), the Picasso Museum, etc. We bought tickets in advance for all the attractions we visited.

Some info on Mallorca:
https://www.seemallorca.com/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...spain/majorca/
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2...ts-bars-hotels

After 5 nights in Ireland in October, I'd head farther south in Spain, say Malaga, from which you could visit the glories of Andalucia - Granada, Cordoba, and Seville - and also have better weather. I visited Barcelona many years ago and have never felt the need or desire to return. But, since it's all new to you, doesn't really matter where you go. You'll enjoy the Spanish part of your trip (and hopefully the Irish part). Ole.

Thank you, all.

A couple of thoughts: taking the train is always our preference; we don't want to rent a car

Bedar, you make a good point about going further south. Also, I've always been interested in Andalusia, because of their horses. If we could stay near the water, at Malaga and take day-trips by train, that would be ideal for us, except this quote doesn't attract me: "Málaga is a port city on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, known for its high-rise hotels and resorts jutting up from yellow-sand beaches." We aren't fans of high-rise hotels and resorts. I'll do some research on Andalusia.

At this time, we are able to choose wherever we'd like to park ourselves for this week after Ireland. DH has a conference outside of Dublin, which is why we are starting there.

Diamantina and annw, thank you for all the details and the links.
Robert, I always do my research. This is where I am starting, to rest the waters.

To be honest, I have always heard mixed reviews about Barcelona. Some friends didn't care for it much, or like Bedar says, don't want to return. I actually do not like Gaudi architecture, so there's that.

Ordiinarily, we don't like to bounce around hotels, and three nights is our preferred minimal stay. Which is why I am wondering if Majorca would be worth the move. DD was there recently, so I'll pick her brain, too.

mmouse, I'll definitely write a report!

test the waters

PS. Destinations depend somewhat on the ease of getting there by air, and getting home to the U.S.

Shifting gears toward Andalusia. It could be a better fit for us, and better weather. And horses.

Andalusia is large. Maybe you should consider Seville. Like many of the cities and towns of Andalusia, it's known for its Mudejar architecture.
http://www.spainisculture.com/en/estilos/mudejar/
There are many threads on this forum about the many attractions of Seville, already a lot of information you can tap into.

From Seville, you can make a day trip by train to Cordoba (home to La Mezquita), another day trip by train to Jerez de la Frontera, known for the Royal School of Equestrian Art
http://www.spainisculture.com/en/estilos/mudejar/
I went to Jerez to do a sherry tour. Before visiting, I knew nothing about sherry. I loved the tour.
The coastal city of Cádiz is another 40 minutes by train beyond Jerez.

You could consider spending a night or two in Granada (Alhambra).

Here's a link to a You Tube about the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bLY32mi018

3000 year old Málaga city by the Med couldn't be further away from "high-rise hotels and resorts jutting up from yellow-sand beaches." Málaga is on the contrary Andalucías "city of culture with its so-called 'mile of art' being compared to Madrid, and its dynamism and fine dining to Barcelona".
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/andalucia/malaga

Fabulous sights right in the heart of town (Roman theater. Moorish palace fotrtress, the huge 16th century cathedral etc.), world class museums, great theaters and culture scene, and the best both cuttng edge an traditional food.

You can have the freshest fish and seafood in one of the many typical chiringuitos/beachfront restaurants. https://www.spain-holiday.com/Malaga...nt-restaurants

And you have one hotel right on the main Malagueta beach. The newly reopened Gran Hotel Miramar from 1926 is one of the finest hotel in all of Spain. 25 % opening discount if ordered now. http://www.granhotelmiramarmalaga.com/en/

And October is normally still very much beach-time, and in Málaga you'll find several beaches where you will mostly hear Spanish: https://www.spain-holiday.com/Malaga...ty-beach-guide

Thanks, kimhe. That quote is the first thing I saw when I googled Malaga. Glad to hear your description of it!

Diamantina, I appreciate your comments and the links, too.

Gotta get on my research. But I'm thinking this is the area to visit. I'll start a new thread.

Thank you, fodor's friends!

We went to 1973 Barcelona and if you could go there, I would recommend it... :), however DH went back in early '00s and said it was unrecognizable. Said he felt like he was in NYC, so if you do not like crowds.....so maybe your revised plans sound like a better fit.

(An aside here, I hate not being able to preview my posts....hope it works again someday!)

Thanks socialworker. Good info.

Barcelona changed quite a bit after the death of Generalissimo Francisco Franco (he's still dead), and has changed even more since the end of the 2nd millennium, most for the better, and not quite NYC. The worst are the Cruiseies who have invaded in record numbers.

Malaga does indeed have a lot of highrise resorts, etc, but they are not in Malaga proper but on the coast extending north and south of it. These are for people who just go there for a beach vacation, some wealthy.

Thank you!

I loved the Gaudi architecture and the city's wayerfront setting. However, like so many wonderful seaside places, the cruise ships offload thousands of passengers
creating crowded venues and experiences. I have no desire to return to Barcelona but am glad I've seen it. I really prefer other cities in Spain.

<Malaga does indeed have a lot of highrise resorts, etc, but they are not in Malaga proper>

No, that's the point, Málaga city and the Málaga region coast are two completely different things.