magladnick

My 21 year old daughter and I would like to go to Spain during the second week in March. She suggested Barcelona. We will leave the US on a Monday and will need to return on Saturday giving us only four days. Should we plan anything else in addition to Bacelona, or is there enough there to keep us busy?

Echnaton

Barcelona has enough to keep you busy for four days.

But you might consider renting a car and driving northwards to the Costa Brava to see a bit of landscape. The coastal highway between Lloret de Mar and San Feliu is very scenic and if you drive up to Figueres, you have the chance to visit the splendid Dali museum.

This daytrip will require several hours of driving. If you do not want that much driving, do a daytrip to the Montserrat Abbey.

Egbert

Four days is just enough time for Barcelona and one daytrip.

Lifeman

Four days in Barcelona is nowhere near enough. The city is full of things to do and see and a day trip would, IMHO, be an unwelcome distraction.

If you fly on a Monday, overnight? then you'll have three and a half days in the city. See Maribel's guides here on Fodors or I have a smaller "Smaller Things to do & See" doc that I can e-mail to you.

You'll come away needing a further week or more to see and experience everything.

JulieVikmanis

There is plenty to occupy you in Barcelona for 4 days. In fact, it should be a nice amount of time for an introduction to the city. Much as I love the Costa Brava, I'd say to skip it for this trip and wait until you're back to BCN another time. Trust me, once you've been there, you'll want to go back.

Revulgo

Read this helpful guide to Barcelona (PDF file)
http://maribelsguides.com/mg_barcelona-03-09.pdf

Eurocentric

I can't imagine wanting to leave Barcelona with only four nights (Tuesday you will be tired). One of the joys of this city is simply wandering the streets and squares (placa) of the Old City, stopping frequently for snacks and cava. Another is visiting the many Gaudi buildings - do not miss Sagrada Familia. There also are many museums, shopping, the 1992 Olympic venues (you can swim in the pools) etc.

What are your interests?

magladnick

Thanks so much for your suggestions! Any favorite restaurants?

Aduchamp1

It will give you a taste and you will wamt to return as soon as possible,

lincasanova

As mentioned in Marbelsguides, you have lists of the BEST in all categories. Take a read.. you'll print them out for sure.

P.S. March would not be the best time on the costa brava anyway unless the day were brilliant weatherwise, which .. who knows.

You could take a quick trip on the train down to Sitges for a smaller town and nice beach very near Barcelona, but depending on how deeply you like to tour, Barcelona, as stated, can keep you occupied many more than four days.

lincasanova

Of course, the second week of March you will have the beginnings of the Fallas festival in Valencia.. definitely worth a see.