We will be in Barcelona for 5 nights in March with our kids ages 11 and 14 (then off to Morocco for 8 nights). This is my first attempt at putting together an itinerary for Barcelona. I would appreciate any suggestions. I was also hoping to do the Fat Tire Bike Tour, but now not sure if we can fit it in. We will be staying at the Hotel Pulitzer located near the Placa Catalyuna.

Sat.- arrive BCN at noon. Settle into hotel explore Las Ramblas and Boqueria Market.

Sun.- Sagrada Familia
Block of Discord (Casa Mila or Casa Bastilo)
Barri Gothic and the cathedral

Mon. - Camp Nou, incl. behind the scenes tour
Montjuic

Tues.- Daytrip to Girona or Monserrat (still deciding)

Wed. - El Born
Picasso Museum
Chocolate Museum
Passieg de Garcia/L'Eixample

Thurs. - (our flight to Marrakech leaves at 9:50pm so we still have a full day in Barcelona)
Parc Guell
Palau de la Musica Catalan - tour

We do enjoy just exploring neighborhoods and shopping so I hope we have left time for that as well. I know dinner starts late - how late are the stores open for shopping??

Also, any recommendations on museums/sites that have good docent tours or audio tours would be appreciated, and of course if I've missed something great, please let me know.

Thanks!!

You're ahead of me. I'm still trying to get Christmas cleaned up at our house. I did buy the DK "Top 10" book, which made me add a lot to my list of "must sees."

There seems to be so much to do out doors in Barcelona...hope both of our families have good weather in March. I think I'll check the museum and other closed dates, then make daily itineraries based on weather....the beautiful day itinerary, the rainy day itinerary, etc.

missypie - I know you what you mean, I actually just mailed off some Christmas gifts today!!=) However, there is just something about realizing a trip is less than 10 weeks away that really puts me into gear.

I always buy the DK Top Ten books for wherever we are headed to, as I find them really helpful and so easy to carry around when you are travellling. I believe I read somewhere that many of the museums were closed on Mondays, which I know is true for the Picasso.

Your idea of the "beautiful day" and "rainy day" itineraries is a good one, I may just have to do that.

I hope I get some suggestions here and they will help you as well!

My family and I lived in Barcelona for six months and have returned numerous times. This is a very good itinerary and I'll just make a few suggestions.

1) In the Placa del Pi in the Barrio Gotic, they have an art market on Sunday morning which is wonderful. It's a great chance to mingle with local artists and get some very nice inexpensive artwork. Also, we found the best coffee in the city to be at the Ciutat Vella which is on a side street only about 50 meters off of the Placa.

2) Though we did not go to Girona, we went to Montserrat several times with various visitors) and it was spectacular. It is one of the best sites in Spain (and we have travelled extensively there). I can't imagine how they built a monastery so high in the mountains. It was by far our favorite day trip from Barcelona.

3) Leave plenty of time to wander the Barrio Gotic which is our favorite locate in the city.

4) You do not have Tibidabo and that is a good decision. It's a bit out of the way and, other than a great view, it doesn't offer any historial sites.

5) Not far from Camp Nou (we lived nearyb in Sarria), there is a terrific museum on ceramics. That may not excite most people but for those who love tiles, it is a find.

Have a wonderful stay and, if you can, buy a caganer (though most places only sell them around Christmas). It is a piece of Catalan culture that most residents would like to forget!

harryt - Thank you so much for your suggestions. I can't tell you how perfect they are for us. First of all, I love buying art from local artists when we travel so the tip for the art market at the Placa del Pi is perfect.

Second, my husband is a coffee addict (well his drink of preference is espresso straight, and from Italy if possible). He is very discerning so the recommendation of a coffee place will be appreciated. Any coffee recs. closer to where we are staying near the Placa Catalyuna? he will need something good to jump start his day.

Third, I had no idea what a caganer was so I googled it (isn't the internet great). Well, belive it or not I collect nativities. I think a caganer is just what I need - and what a conversation piece. I hope I can find one in March!

I debated between Tibado and Montjuic and chose Montjuic hoping the castle will be interesting as well as the view.

Thanks for your recommendation on Monserrat. I am still undecided and interested in hearing all opinions.

The itin looks really good.

If you are between Milà or Balltó, I would go with Milà. It is a much more complete and fun visit.

If you do a day trip to Girona, you will want to leave sort of early. I think it is better than Montserrat, though.

On Wednesday if you are near the Chocolate Museum at lunch, go to the Rincón de la Ciutadella (just across the street and down). It looks like a dumpy bar, but serves excellent tapas and has some of the best sausages in town.

As you are with kids, I would go to the Museu de l'Història de la Ciutat, just near Jaume I. I went with a friend last year and we had a blast.

Have a great time in Morocco. I just got back from 2 weeks there and in the Canary Islands, and it is as great as always.

Claire

I backpacked through Europe for 2 months in early 2006 and the best daytrip i did was Montserrat. the views are spectacular and once you arrive at the top it is well worth doing one of the recommended walks rather then taking the final short but steep funiclar. i walked for perhaps 2 hours and saw some spectacular scenery.

I personally think you have time for both daytrips.

I would leave Boqueria Market for a morning when it's busier (but it's closed on Sundays).

Saturday- Las Ramblas, Barri Gotic, Catedral (open into the evenings)

Sunday- Sagrada Familia, Casa Battlo or Mila, Passeig de Gracia (if shops open on Sundays)

Monday- As stated, add Boqueria in the morning?

Tuesday- Daytrip

Wednesday- Daytrip

Thursday- Parc Guell was so overcrowded when we went last week. We left after 45 minutes. You may not need much time. I think you could visit Parc Guell, the Palau, and two museums in one day, easily.

Also, we were back from Montserrat by 3:30. You should be able to visit something that evening.

If you have to choose one or the other, I would choose Montserrat. But I would choose both over some of the activities you've listed...

Liz

Thanks for all your suggestions. I have been thinking that if we do Girona for our daytrip and do get through most things before Thurs., then since Monserrat is not a long daytrip we could do it on Thurs. before we leave that night. We enjoy doing a lot of walking in the cities or towns, but are not big hikers.

I do want to leave time for just exploring and shopping.

laclaire - would you suggest we take the train to Girona, and how long is the train ride to get there?

jgg- the train to Girona takes anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half depending on what train you catch and when. I am a huge fan of the 7:46 train, which arrives at 9, just when things are starting to maybe open up. It gives you time to go by the tourist information booth to get maps, ask questions, then sit down for coffee and a little planning until 10 when things are really open. Not that you need things to be open for walking around, but it is nice.

returning to the city in the evening can be hectic because the trains fill (especially on weekends).

Other ideas for you to consider, based on our family's experience during a week in Barcelona last March. Some of the family activities we enjoyed the most (in no particular order):

1. The Magic Fountain in front of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, on the edge of Montjuic. There are "performances" of the fountain on Friday and Saturday nights between 7 and 8:30. Lots of swooshing up and down in time with grandiose music played over loudspeakers. Sounds hokey but it was great fun and worth seeing. Made for some wonderful pictures, too.

2. Both Casa Milla (La Pedrera) and Casa Batllo are awesome. Definitely try to see both, because each is wonderful. If you MUST choose, I would recommend La Pedrera, with its unforgettable rooftop.

3. Picnic at Parc Guell. The park is great, with nice walks and fantastic decoration. We visited La Boqueria in the morning and picked up food and drinks for a picnic, which we ate at picnic tables high up in the park. It was memorable. Don't miss the park.

4. After visiting Montjuic (the Miro Museum is a must), walk over to area of the Teleferic (cable car) down to the Barceloneta area. The cable car looked like great fun but was a little more than we wanted to spend, so we walked down the hillside to the harbor area. But if you have the funds (about 7 euros per person), your kids would likely enjoy the cable car. Great views!

5. The public art along the walkway to Barceloneta.

6. We had an apartment overlooking Las Ramblas. Spent quite a bit of time just watching the various street performers and the reactions of the passersby.

7. While we were in Barcelona the soccer team played a Spanish League game and, later in the week, a match with Chelsea. The atmosphere on the streets and in the bars, watching the games, was great. If we had it to do over again, we would have tried to get tickets for the Spanish League match (Chelsea was out of the question in terms of price and availability).

8. Montserrat -- a fun daytrip.

There were so many other things we enjoyed in Barcelona -- I'm sure you will have a great time.

Snow Day! I spent much of the day going throught the DK Top 10 Barcelona and marking sites on a map. Your itinerary looks pretty good to me. I'm going to start work on mine soon.

missypie- We had a snow day here too in Southern Oregon!! Doesn't happen too often, last time the kids got out of school for a snow day was 4-5 years ago. Let me know if I've left anything out you think sounds interesting.

Hi,
Just discovered this site and I am loving all of the advise. We will be in Barcelona the first week in April. Has any one visited the Penedes Wine Country and if so, would you recommend a day trip or longer? Also would you recommend renting a car and going to Figueres and Girona or the train? Thanks Diane

Hi Diane,

We didn't go to the wine region as it was closed for the end of year holidays while we were there.

For Figueres and Girona, I highly recommend taking the train. Driving in Girona was very stressful and I believe the train is faster.

Liz

Does anyone know what time the art market in the Placa de Pi starts on Sunday mornings?

Well, I still don't have a firm itinerary down. But I am going to start like you, jgg, and see the Sagrada Familia, etc. first. We are staying in L'Eixample, so it makes sense. Even with 7 full days, it's going to be hard to fit in all we want to do. I'm going to definitely include Montserrat, unless the weather is just terrible the whole time. I guess we'll play the Dali Museum and Girona by ear. I do want to allow plenty of time for wandering and shopping.