In November we will be visiting our daughter who is spending fall semester studying in Barcelona. We have never been to Spain before. Don't know whether to spend the entire 8 days in Barcelona (she will be in school during the day), or to take some side trips for 2 or 3 days. (I am very unfamiliar with the sights of Spain). Is a week too long to spend in Barcelona itself? Any suggestions as to what we should see would be appreciated.

I have only been to Barcelona once so I don't qualify as an expert. I was with a student group and we took a day trip to the Montserrat monastery. I would highly recommend a visit.

I have noticed that there are some fairly cheap flights from Barcelona to Madrid or Rome that might be a possibility.

Of course trains will get you to places within Spain or to places along the Spanish coast or the French coast.

I would concentrate on Barcelona and the surrounding area, with the possibility of an overnight trip to the Costa Brava (Begur) and a day-trip to Girona. You may want to read Maribel’s Guide to Barcelona (http://maribelsguides.com), which will help you with what there is to see, do and enjoy while in the city.

If you have the time, you might even consider renting a car and taking an overnight trip up to the Cerdanya valley between la Seu d’Urgell (Lleida) and Puigcerdá (Girona). If you want, you can read a short review of this area in the March 07 newsletter from Iberian Traveler (http://iberiantraveler.com/it_newsletters.html).

We are doing exactly the same thing in late October and trying to make the same decision. We love the descriptions of the white hill towns of Andalusia (Arcos de la Frontera, Zahara, Grazelema, etc. ) and are considering flying to Seville, renting a car, and spending several days in that area (a two-hour flight and cheap thru Vueling air). For us, 8 days is too long in Barcelona - we like to move around in our travels - but others like a solid home base and a more in-depth visit. Plus we expect we'll be back for a longer trip to Spain one day. I'd be interested to know what you decide.

kareng,

if you want to see a "white town" drive up north to Cadaques. It is by far the most beautiful white town in Spain, much better than the white towns in Andalucia.

Besides the dramatic setting, Cadaques has beautiful restaurants and Salvador Dali's house which has been turned into a museum.

Driving time Barcelona - Cadaqaues will be 2:10.

Maybe Monseratt (spelling is probably wrong) would be an interesting side trip and I think you can get there by train in just a couple of hours.

A week is not too long to spend in Barcelona. I spent a week there in February and loved it. Here is my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34955177

On the other hand, I was there for just three nights a year ago and that was fine too. Here is that report, which begins with Barcelona but goes on to talk about Ibiza, Madrid and Lisbon:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34841123

Go to the Dali museum in Figueras. It is amazing. By train it is a little over an hour from Barcelona.

Your lucky daughter, and lucky you, getting to visit. (Our daughter spent a sememster in Siena and we got to visit too!)

I think the idea of a daytrip to Montserrat would be good. Make sure to get there by 1 p.m. so you can hear the boys' choir, which is amazing.

We loved Costa Brava, but unless you're a big Dali fan, would not suggest Figures. IMO Girona would be a better daytrip, though as others have pointed out, there's more than enough to see and do in Barcelona itself to keep you occupied the entire time.