Help with Barcelona Plans Please!
 

Hello Fodorites!

Bikerscott and I are off to Barcelona and San Sebastián next month and having never been to Spain I could really use your help!

Our main interests are food, wine and photography. Sorry, not art fans here, shameful I know! Will definitely stop off at the market at some point as well. Based on this we have the following planned:

We land in Barcelona the morning of Saturday 12 April. No real plans this day...just want to walk around the gothic area and hit up some wine bars. Dinner reservations tonight at Tickets.

Sunday 13 April we plan to tour Casa Batllo first thing at 9am. We will buy tickets in advance. We then plan to hit up some wine bars etc in the afternoon, wander neighbourhoods etc. We plan to then tour Casa Mila at the last entry 18:30, will buy tickets in advance.

As this is Sunday - any great recommendations for dinner?

Monday 14 April we plan to tour La Sagrada Familia and will book the guided tour in advance. No plans for the rest of the day - may go to Parc Guell but not too stressed about missing that.

Tuesday 15 April we plan to tour Palau de Musica, booking the first tour of the day in advance.

Wed we fly to San Sebastián.

I know it doesn't look like much but we enjoy doing 1-2 sites a day and then wandering taking photos, chilling in wine bars etc.

Do the days make sense for what we have planned?

Does anyone have a recommendation for Sunday dinner?

Any great wine bars you can recommend?

We will have a transit pass so don't mind heading out of centre for great food!

Thanks for the help and we will pay it back with a trip report as usual!

Your plan to see La Pedrera and Casa Battlo first and last is a good one. And, by going on a Sunday you'll miss the hoards of Visigoths (AKA students whose only interest is flirting and texting and not looking at where they're going).

Advanced tickets are necessary for these venues as the lines are long.

You'll want plenty of time for Sagrada Familia - it's very cool. And the Music Palace is wonderful to see when it's empty of patrons.

Check out the geese in the cathedral cloister. I enjoyed the walking tour of Bari Gotic given by the TI.

I would try to get to Parc Guell, if you can. The tile is beautiful and Monday should not be too crowded.

Can I ask a favor? I forgot to take one photo that I really wanted inside Sagrada Familia (don't ask me where my mind was but I was busy looking here, there, and everywhere and spaced out). The choir loft has a railing that looks like a musical score. I pointed this out to my friend, then became distracted, and forgot the photo. If you remember, can you take a photo of this and send it to me? My email is in my profile. No big deal if you don't remember. Thanks!

Sorry I can't help with wine bars and fancy food. You can get good gelato and sorbet on Calle de Ferran, near the Ramblas, across from MacDonalds.

Enjoy Barcelona!

No trip to Montserrat while in Barcelona - A short commuter train trip to one of Spain's most holy and popular pilgrimage destinations - join the queue to see the venerated Black Madonna icon behind the ornate church alter - buy some of the monks potent alcoholic brew for later. I really enjoyed the place - walking around the Stages of the Cross on the mountain, etc.

But I see you have most time slots full.

https://www.google.com/search?q=mont...bih=1075&dpr=1

Thanks Adrienne, great thoughts!

I will definitely try to get you a photo...if you see our trip report feel free to remind me again just in case! I will do my best to remember!

PalenQ - I know we are missing it this time! Based on research I think we will be heading back to Barcelona so that will be top of the list for next time!

Sorry, can't help with food and wine, but would strongly encourage you to move Parc Güell to a higher priority. It's unique, magical, and quintessential Gaudi. You don't need to spend a lot of time there, but it's very photogenic and I know you would get some great shots there.

https://www.google.com/search?q=parc...w=1280&bih=685

Ok you have sold me on the parc!! Those photos are amazing!

Thinking of putting it in the late afternoon after sagrada familia on Monday. Or would it make more sense to do that first thing in the morning Tuesday and do the music palace tour Tuesday afternoon? The music palace tours appear to be organised so the crowds appear to be more controlled...? I figure once in the parc people don't have to leave so perhaps it may get crowded in the afternoon even with the tickets to enter? We want to take photos so less people the better...

Thoughts?

We will have a transit pass so don't mind heading out of centre for great food!>

I enjoyed riding the Tren Eskro east of Donostia - this commuter train which ends in France at Hendaye's train station - rolls right thru the streets of several Basque villages, some of which no doubt have eateries you may like.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-daytrips.cfm

Great idea Pal! Will add this to the second half of our trip! Thanks!

One of our favourite cities - we spent 2 months there Feb/March 2008 (so take my restaurant suggestions with a grain of salt)

But first - having read your trip reports religiously - you must have a definite plan to visit the Boqueria Market (and Santa Caterina too) - mainly to sit at the various bars and eat small bites and drink wonderful things.....many links below:


http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...ona---m-2.html

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...ona---m-1.html

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...ona---m-3.html

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...ona---m-4.html


This is one of the most unusual museums we've ever seen - near the Cathedral (not Sagrada) and well worth a visit.

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...ona---mus.html

And we very much enjoyed Underground Barcelona and the Maritime Museum

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...ona---t-4.html

We liked this restaurant in Barceloneta (by the beach) very much

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...ona---a-s.html

4 restaurants we enjoyed - particularly Paco Meralgo (although Mam i Teca was fantastic too and still has good reviews on TA I just noted)

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...ona---4-r.html

Oh my, your photos are fantastic and making me so excited to get there!

Paco Meralgo is on our list already...good to know it is well liked!

Thank you for the tips!

I couldn't get a photo of the dragon in Parc Guell as there were so many people sitting on it.

The Frederic Mares museum looks wonderful. I don't remember reading about it and wished I knew about it before my trip.

That's what I am afraid of - too many people...thinking first thing in the morning may be the way to go...

I agree with the Elizabeth about Paco Meralgo. Get there at 7:50 and get in line to sit at the bar. They had this tapa of nut bread with foie on it that was so good I ordered a second plate. Great seafood too, and very friendly service.

Another place I really enjoyed on my last trip was Mont Bar -
http://www.montbar.com/
The website doesn't give much of an idea, but I had tapas one afternoon and dinner another time. They have excellent food and again, very friendly staff. If you like pinot noir I was pretty enthralled with one from a winery in the mountains... unfortunately they only had one bottle when I was there, but it is worth seeking out.
Here's the winery - http://www.batlliudesort.cat
Mont Bar is open Sundays.

Another place I always make a point to go to is La Llavor dels Origens - they do "historical" dishes. I love their canalones and also their stuffed onion.
http://www.lallavordelsorigens.com

If you ever do decide to go to Montserrat don't go during the day, go up and spend the night. All the day trippers leave and it becomes the spiritual place it is suppose to be when the Cha Ching of the cash registers stop ringing.

I too really liked Parc Guell and lucky you ref snagging a reservation at tickets it's FANTASTIC. Make sure you have the "olives"

I absolutely loved runnerbeantours.com. We did the Gaudi one and the old town one ( they are 2 hours each) and were very enjoyable( and free!) check them out.

Be very very careful with you bags ( as you should be anywhere) pickpockets everywhere BUT if you are sensible you will have no problems.

You could visit Parc Guell between Casa Batllo and La Pedrera and still knock over a wine bar or two in the afternoon. The parc is a short cab ride from La Pedrera/Casa Batllo (UPhill, it's downhill on the return trip). If you get out of Batllo at 11 and have a hobbit's meal (second breakfast, elevenses?) you could then go to the Parc, wander back later, hang around the area near Casa Mila and then go in at the last entry.

Beware, the Parc is proposal central in Barcelona - you may well see one. We did. They refused our offer of two free children to start their wedded bliss off right . . .

<I couldn't get a photo of the dragon in Parc Guell as there were so many people sitting on it. >

Yeah, that probably won't even end when the park closes and opens. Bit of a mob scene.

You could also do a Fat Tire Bike tour, they're pretty low key and won't draw too much time away from the fermented grape juice and will let you hit some of the "dang, we could've seen that" spots that you might otherwise miss. Plus, they're given by young Aussies and Americans and Brits living abroad so the tour guides are just a step away from being in their cups.

;-)

Fabulous suggestions everyone! Will sit down tomorrow when I have our food reservations in front of me and try to fit all this in. We want to get reservations at Cinq Sentis as well...hoping for Tuesday lunch!

How am I going to wait 31 more days??

Ha BigRuss you know us well! :)

My recent TR for some foodie suggestions - couple of bars included.

Can't wait to see your pics and hear grub choices!

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm

I recommended cinq sentis to my friend who went late last year and said it was fabulous. We also went to Hisops and had their tasting menu and it was too was fabulous.

Round the corner from tickets is a wonderful little gin bar ( be aware their drinks are HUGE! ) nice place for a pre dinner drink? I'll see if I can dig out the name/ details!

I LOVE Barcelona, you'll have a great time I'm sure!

Great report RM67! Have written down some notes!

Sounds like hat gin bar has our name all over it Smeagol!

Keep the ideas coming!

Ok have booked

Casa Mila for Sunday at 18:00

Parc Guell for 8:00 Tues morning - hoping for less crowds for photography

Palau Musica for 18:00 Tues evening

I am trying to book Sagrada Familia but I want to book entrance, guided tour AND the towers...is it just me or is this not an option?????

Casa Batlli looks like there is no set time but a ticket you use to jump the queue anytime within the next year...?

Thanks again for all your help!!!

Palau Musica - not sure how much light there will be at 18:00. Bring a tripod - the interior is amazing and you'll want to get lots of shots. There is time during the tour for photos as you go to the mezzanine level and can wander around for a bit. I wish I had a tripod. Also get shots of those wonderful columns on the front of the building.

https://modigliani.shutterfly.com/barcelona/42

It doesn't look like you can do Sagrada Familia, guided tour, and towers. There is no option for that. I did the church and guided tour but not the towers so can't help you. Hopefully someone else will know. Here's their email and phone number.

[email protected]
93 513 20 60

One weird thing about buying tickets is that you get a ticket for each person in your party rather than 1 ticket for everyone. Make sure you have 2 tickets with you.

Casa Batllo - no timed tickets - just bypass the line and show your ticket.

Great thoughts Adrienne! Wouldn't have thought to bring a tripod but will stop back at the hotel and pick it up for sure now!

I was a bit worried about the light at 18:00 but hopefully we get a sunny day and the tripod will help!

Thanks for the rest!

I did not quite absorb all the plans you have decided on but I did want to suggest spending Sunday down by the beach at the Barcelonetta. Hopefully it will be warm eough to sit outside for a long lunch and watch the activities on the beach. You could also rent bikes and ride along the path that goes along there.

And I'm thinking you are a food and wine fan? have you tried a dish with squid ink? we have had paella with squid ink several times in Barcelona and it was quite unique and very good. Enjoy your trip!

1. Wine bars? Monvinic is ok.

2. Runnerbean tours are great. Don't miss.

3. Park Guell is also a a don't miss. It is far far better than La Pedrera and Casa Batllo.

4. Don't bother going into Casa Batllo. It's all about the facade. There's no reason whatever to go inside. Likewise, there is nothing of interest inside La Pedrera. The view from the roof is not worth the cost. Just do a general walking tour. Time is much better spent at the Federic Mares museum, which doesn't get near enough attention.

5. Avoid La Rambla. It's a honky tonk tourist trap of the worst kind.

If you like a more traditional but still very good restaurants, there are several that we go to regularly when in Barcelona:

EL GRAN CAFÉ—GREAT FOOD AND ATMOSPHERE. IT’S IN THE CALLE AVINYO—GOTHIC QUARTER-- TELEPHONE 93 318 7986. http://www.restaurantelgrancafe.com/index.asp?lang=3

CAN CULLERETES—CALLE QUINTANA, 5 (BETWEEN CALLE FERRAN & BOQUERIA) 08002 BARCELONA—TELEPHONE 93 317 30 22 - 93 317 64 85 THE OLDEST RESTAURANT IN THE CITY AND STILL GOOD. http://www.culleretes.com/en/home

LOS CARACOLES RESTAURANT IN THE BARRI GOTIC. ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS ANYWHERE. ESCUDELLERS, 14 PHONE: +34 933 023 185
www.loscaracoles.es

QUO VADIS RESTAURANT. JUST OFF THE RAMBLA, ON THE RIGHT GOING DOWN TOWARDS THE SEA, IN THE CARRER DEL CARME, A COUPLE OF HUNDRED YARDS FROM THE PLACA DE CATALUNYA. TURN RIGHT AT THE END OF THE WALL WITH THE RECTANGULAR DESIGN. THE RESTAURANT IS ON THE LEFT. http://www.restaurantquovadis.com/

4 CATS RESTAURANT ON THE CARRER MONTSIO OFF THE PORTAL DE L’ ANGEL OFF THE PLACA DE CATALUNYA. MONTSIO IS A VERY NARROW STREET SO DON’T MISS IT, OPPOSITE SIDE TO EL CORTE INGLES. THIS IS NOT TO BE MISSED. THE BAR AND RESTAURANT WERE THE HAUNTS OF PICASSO AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES IN THE LATE 19TH. AND EARLY 20TH. CENTURIES. THE INTERIOR IS LITTLE CHANGED AND THE FOOD IS GOOD. BOOKING ESSENTIAL. TEL: 933 024 140 www.4gats.com

Sorry about the capital letters..not shouting, just copied and pasted from my travel notebook.

Thanks suec1 and popov

We aren't into art museums but definitely want to photograph the roofs of Casa batllo and Casa Mila so don't mind paying to get in. The details are just too interesting not to :). It is crazy expensive though!!!!

Fabulous rubicund! Thanks!

I do not think you will be wasting your money to see interiors of Battlo and Pedrara. We loved them.

I don't think you've said where you will be staying. If it's in Eixample area I would highly recommend Gresca for a dinner. Terrific food with very reasonable prices. Real care in the kitchen. More casual than Cinq Centis but in similar vein.

If you are interested in a wonderful sort of "grown up" dinner in a lovely setting, Windsor is great. The highly regarded Mirabel who wrote so much about Sapin and BCN on this forum for a while, enjoyed it as did we.

Tapac 24 just off Passeig de Gracia is a great tapas place. Don't know if anyone has yet recommended Cervaseria Catalana but it's darmed good especially if you get a nice day and can dine outside. I could go on and on. Sometimes it seems like it would be hard to find bad food in BCN. Enjoy.

<< I do not think you will be wasting your money to see interiors of Battlo and Pedrara. We loved them. >>

Totally agree - see the houses! At La Pedrera you are first taken to the roof by elevator and you then walk down. I was there when it first opened and had some time with only a couple of people on the roof.

Just realized you might not be aware of Maribel's guides to Barcelona (she was a long time poster here - not sure if she still posts). Here are two links - Barcelona/general and Barcelona/Dining

http://maribelsguides.com/mg_barcelona_sightseeing.pdf

http://maribelsguides.com/mg_barcelonadining.pdf

Agee with PP...both buildings are fantastic inside and out.
Cerveseria Catalana is a great value...always crowded.
no reservations, but worth a wait for the table or even a seat at the bar.

Awesome thanks guys!!!

I emailed Sagrada familia and they said a full combo ticket wasn't available online, but all I had to do was buy the entrance and the tower tickets and I could still skip the line and then buy the guided tour tickets when I presented my online ticket to get in!

So many great places to eat...so little time! I can tell we will need to plan a trip back already!!!

I second the recommendation for runnerbeantours. You'll be extra lucky if your guide is a great Irish gal, Catherine. Looking forward to your photos and Biker's commentary.

I am watching this thread and anticipating a trip report. We will be in Barcelona the first week in May and also managed to get reservations for Tickets. Have a fabulous time!!

I'll try and find the name/ street of that Gin bar it is literally 2 minutes from tickets and has HUNDREDS of gins ( I'm not a big gin drinker but their drinks were fab) I'll have to do at the weekend as off to Belfast in a bit.

http://www.xixbar.com/en/. I think this is the gin bar website. :)