Two days and three nights in Barcelona, what are the must do things?
 

We have skip the line tickets for Sagrada Familia and same day night show tickets for Flaminco performance at Palau de la musica. What are the other things we must visit/ can do in Barcelona w an 8 yr old and a 17 yr old?
We are staying in the Passig de gracia area. Any good, reasonable restaurant choices? We are not into steaks and meat and have a vegetarian in the party.
Thanks much.

Can I also suggest runner bean tours? We used them last year, we booked the Gaudi one and loved it so much we returned the next day to do the old town tour. Check out their website. ( tours are free you tip at the end)
park Guell is a great place to go and I enjoyed the views of the city and the lovely open spaces.
Just 2 weeks ago we returned to Barcelona and visited the Olympic site which is also a nice walk from Monjuic.

There is more than enough to fill your 2 days and 3 nights. You might be interested in taking a look at Maribel's Guide to Barcelona (www.maribelsguides.com) to help plan your relatively short time in the city. The guide includes a number of recommend restaurants, most of which will require reservations.

You can find vegetarian dishes at all restaurants. For vegetarian restaurants in Barcelona, check out http://www.happycow.net/europe/spain/barcelona/

You might also find ESPAI SUCRE, in El Born interesting. It's a dessert restaurant.

What to see in Barcelona? Everyone starts with the Ramblas, the Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter), La Ribera, El Raval.

Great choice to buy tickets in advance for Sagrada Familia. If possible, I would very much recommend to take the guided tour. English speaking guide, and would most probably add immensely to the experience. I knew a lot about the church and Gaudí before visiting a month ago, but the excellent guide made a huge difference.

Lots of great tapas bars and restaurants in the fashionable Passeig de Gracia area. For a reasonably priced local restaurant not far away, I can highly recommend l'Aribau close to the impresssive 15th century university. Has become my favourite lunch place through three recent visits to Barcelona. A very typical and local atmosphere place with no fuzz and great Catalan food.

Here businesspeople, academics and all kind of locals drop in for a three course lunch for 8,60€ (before 14, 9,60€ after 14h). Salad or today's soup, grilled meat or fish with poatatoes/vegetables and dessert. Excellent place with lots of local specialities.

Many salads and vegetable dishes, bocadillos, tortillas and local fish and seafood plates. For example mixed vegetable grill (6€), Tortellini with spinach and cheese (8€), some 7 salads (around 5-7€), delicious Bacalla a la llauna (recommend very much, 8€/12€ with grilled vegetables, escalivada). Lots of desserts. http://barcelona.salir.com/laribau

The vibrant Braceloneta beach is great fun, all kinds of people and activities out here. Close to the city center, several great and affordable restaurants and tapas bars in the Barceloneta neighbourhood just inland from the beach.

I would also get an advance ticket for Casa Batilo. And don't miss La Boqueria.

We also loved the other Gaudi sites: Parc Guell, Casa Mila, Casa Batllo.

Thanks all for the great tips! Thanks a lot kimhe for excellent tips on food choices, that helps!
Just wondering if it's possible for us to make a half day trip to Montserrat Monastry on second day. This is our plan-
Ist day- Reach Barcelona by 6 PM. Check in the hotel at Passeig de gracia. Get out for a stroll on La Rambla, have dinner.
2nd day- We have advance tkts for Sagrada Familia in the morning and 9.30 PM Flaminco show at Palau de la musica at night. In between what all we can do? Any suggestions to cover most attractions? What should be the order to visit Parc Guell, Casa batllo,Casa milo ( aren't these all similar)If want to skip one which one should it be?
3rd day- take the first train to Monastry, be back visit Bari gotic, parc de la ciutadella, anything else?
4th morning leave for the airport.
I'm quite confused about the order of visiting all the main attractions, but for the sagrada familia and flaminco show, we have flexibility to squeeze attractions, according to their proximity to each other.

Parc Guell is a park, casa Batilo and Mila are buildings...... They are walkable from each other, ( the buildings that is) I would definitley also do parc Guell, great views of the city and some great Gaudi architecture.

You could do all 3 of these after Sagrada Familia as you are doing that early a.m , then do the buildings and the go to the parc.

Las Ramblas is a famous walk for a reason, but be aware that many places here are unexciting tourist traps.

Just off Las Ramblas, you'll find Can Culleretes from 1786, the oldest restaurant in town. Still popular with locals, and I have had several good, traditional and quite affordable Catalan meals here. Opens at 9pm and reservation is a must.
http://www.culleretes.com/en

The second day looks very hectic if you try to squeeze in Sagrada Familia, Park Guell as well as both Casa Milà/La Pedrera and Casa Battló before flamenco at Palau de la Música at night.

After Sagrada Familia, I would suggest you go back to Passeig de Gracia and visit Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera (The Stone Quarry). An experience in itself (buy online tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line for a long time) and spectacular views of the city from the quite spectacular roof top terrace.

Maybe make lunch your main meal of the day as most Spanish do. Several great places around Passeig de Gracia. I mentioned l'Aribau 10-15 mins walk from La Pedrera as a great and affordable local feel alternative. Even closer are very popular places such as Cervecería Catalana and Ciudad Condal in (or very close to) very nice Rambla de Catalunya among a vast number of other options.
Cervecería Catalana: http://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_d...a_in_barcelona
Ciudad Condal/Ciutat Comtal: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

Sagrada Familia and Casa Milà/La Pedrera would be a huge intake of fabulous Gaudí in one day, even though casa Batlló is just some blocks down Passeig de Gracia from La Pedrera. My advice would be to slow down, have a great lunch and take in the neighbourhood with all its avenys and nice streets, outdoor cafés, all kind of exclusive shopping etc. etc.

Maybe drop by one of Barcelona's great chocolaterías early in the afternoon before having some tapas before heading for the Palau de La Música, which is also a fairly short walking distance from Passeig de Gracia. Only tapas bars and tourist oriented restaurants will be open so early in the night that you could have a meal before the performance in the Palau.

A couple of great chocolaterías just off Las Ramblas and ten min walking to Palau de la Música: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...estaurant.html

Go to the Barcelona section of the Fodors.com site and you'll get some to-dos.

Casa Batllo and Casa Mila are not similar. The latter is covered by articketbcn.com discounts, the former is not. The latter's main attraction is the rooftop so entry is pretty much necessary, the former's is the front and the inside (but entry for Casa Batllo is expensive).

This: "reasonable restaurant" - is a meaningless term. Talk in dollars and cents or Euros and Europennies.

La Rambla is a bloody tourist trap. Wander through the Barri Gotic instead or go to the Port Vell.

Parc Guell is not close to or convenient to Sagrada Familia or the Casas. The Casas are on the Passeig de Gracia and within a block or two of each other and easily reached by Metro from Sagrada Familia. Parc Guell is not near a metro line. They are similar in that Gaudi designed them, less so in execution.

While La Rambla is a tourist trap, La Boqueria is one of the best markets in Europe.

I live in NYC and people are attracted to Times Square for whatever reason, La Rambla is similiar.

I should add I wasn't suggesting that Parc Guell was near the casa, but if get you get a cab I Do think it could be doable. Or save it for the following morning. I would definitley pre purchase your Casa tickets.

Agree ref La Rambla ( or at least the bottom end) best thing about it is La Boqueria rest I would give a miss.

I am from Barcelona and I really recommend the views from the Tibidabo mountain. There are 2 places to grab a coke/beer/coffee and enjoy the amazing views of the city. They are called "Mirablau" and "Mirabe".

I hope you enjoy it!

<<La Boqueria is one of the best markets in Europe>>

Pah! It's not close. Displays are pretty, but quality is middling. Mercado San Miguel in Madrid was far superior and less flashy.

<<I should add I wasn't suggesting that Parc Guell was near the casa, but if get you get a cab I Do think it could be doable.>>

We cabbed from Casa Mila to Parc Guell - short ride, best way to go because the Parc is up an unfriendly hill (especially with offspring in tow).

<<La Boqueria is one of the best markets in Europe>>

Pah! It's not close. Displays are pretty, but quality is middling. Mercado San Miguel in Madrid was far superior and less flashy.
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Are you referring to Mercado San Miguel that re-opened a few years that is shiny glass and metal building with a new granite floor that has a champagne and oyster bar, where hipsters and fashionistas mingle after dark? That less flashy Mercado San Miguel?

As opposed to La Boqueria which has been around in one way or another for almost 800 years and has informal places to eat plus countless more family owned stands? That flashy La Boqueria?

<<We cabbed from Casa Mila to Parc Guell - short ride, best way to go because the Parc is up an unfriendly hill (especially with offspring in tow).>>

Definetly take a cab when you're going to Parc Guell, it doesn't matter where you are in the city. It's going to be 10 Euro maximum and you'll avoid the horrible hill and having to walk under the hot sun.

As for restaurants. I LOVE "Cervecería Catalana", one of the best tapas restaurants in the city, as well as a huge selection of beers. I recommend making a reservation before going, it gets very crowded. It is very close to Plaza Catalunya, that is, the city center.

Also, go to "Merendero de la Mari" if you wanna have a good-and-not-very-expensive paella next to the sea. Most places overprice the paella as they are close to the beach and give you very bad quality food. In this place you'll get awesome paella and an average priced bill.

Thank you all! I have made notes of all the great suggestions and will def use them. Thanks

Come back and tell us how you get on! Have a fab time.

And of course, as suggested, La Boquería food market just off Las Ramblas is one of the absolute finest in the world.
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/17/tr...-fresh-markets
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...rink.features2

The produce and the way that everything is presented could bring tears to your eyes + some fabulous (but expensive) tapas bars. I like the newly renovated Mercado San Miguel in Madrid, but after the renovation it has very little to do with a serious Spanish food market. Fine stalls predominantly catering to tourists. La Boquería is in a totally different league.

The most butiful market I have seen in Spain is Mercado Central in Valencia!

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=O-929...%3DO-929praBtA

Perhaps hiring a guide would be easier as then you won't waste time looking for a cab and can concentrate onseeing everything. We hired a guide for 4 hours Layla Dworkin [email protected]. she was great at explaining things and getting us around the town at our own pace.

<<Are you referring to Mercado San Miguel that re-opened a few years that is shiny glass and metal building with a new granite floor that has a champagne and oyster bar, where hipsters and fashionistas mingle after dark? That less flashy Mercado San Miguel?>>

No, I'm referring to the Mercado San Miguel that has excellent food offerings and top quality product regardless of the characteristics of its patrons instead of the overrated, overhyped, and underperforming Bocqueria, regardless of how hoary it is.

No, I'm referring to the Mercado San Miguel that has excellent food offerings and top quality product regardless of the characteristics of its patrons instead of the overrated, overhyped, and underperforming Bocqueria, regardless of how hoary it is.
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Well that makes for a irascible majority of one.

Here is a photo I took at La Boqueria that was part of an exhibit selected by a curator at the Guugenheim.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1...41271811111555

Why not take the tram and then the funicular to Tibidabo? Aside from the breathtaking view, it is an amusement park and your kids will enjoy the ride up as well as the amusement park.
http://www.tibidabo.cat/en/homepage
For a vegetarian food in a fast food/ cafeteria style which is great for families with kids, try the FresCo chain. It has all kinds of veggie dishes, pizzas, pastas etc... for a reasonable price and since it's cafeteria style, no waiting for hungry, tired kids. Maybe it's not gourmet but it's quick, cheap and an easy option.
Check out the description on this site: http://voices.yahoo.com/cheap-dining...a-8769319.html
Check out the hop-on-off bus tour (there are several companies) that go all over Barcelona. You can get to all the sites, use it as transportation the whole day, there are coupons and discounts with a map. It really took the pressure off getting around Barcelona. We used it for two days and got to see lots of sites.

Thanks all! Taltul, Tibidabo montain looks like a good idea, it seems closer to the city and dont have to waste whole day unlike Montserrat Monastry. Will also check out the Fresco chain, we would only have time for quick bites on the go. Reserving good restaurants and coming back to wherever they are, will not be practically possible, given the tight schedule. Will def check out La Boqueria too. It has got a certain old time charm that we don't get to see here in US.
Smeagol, sure I will write a trip report:-)
Right now am just overwhelmed and anxious, just want to come back home safe without any major problem like missing flights, having pick pocketed/robbed etc..have also bought pacsafe etc. Didn't feel like this last year during our first Europe trip to Paris, Belgium and Switzerland..:(

If you want to add some real "scare", try the cable car across the harbor.. if your kids are a little adventurous, they might like it.. the aquarium is also nice if you need an indoor place (the sun does not shine 365 days in Barcelona).

On day one, or evening one, you can stroll down Pg de Gracia and just keep on walking into Barri Gotic once you passed the big Corte Inglés department store on your left.. you may find the maze of the medieval streets and alleys more fascinating than the Rambles..
Eateries and tapas bars of any kind will line your path, and while real restaurants won't really start until 9pm, you won't starve..

If you want to splurge a little, walk UP Pg de Gracia until you cross Diagonal and see Casa Fuster. This 5* hotel also has many public spaces like the café or rooftop bar.. coffee and drinks will be more expensive, but if you don't eat there, it won't break the bank.

While public transport can take you anywhere, taxis are really affordable. So if you feel too tired to walk back or wait for bus, you will not wait longer than a few seconds at any major street until you can flag down a cab.
If you do NOT want to take a taxi to Parc Güell but still don't like the idea of a strenous uphill hike from Lesseps metro, just catch the 24 bus on Pg de Gracia. It will drop you off at the side entrance of Parc Güell from where you can walk to to famous main gate in 10 minutes inside the park without any climbs.

Hey rijan - don't worry. Barcelona is a great place and easy to get around. We were extra careful about pickpockets too but as long as our bags were not hanging on our backs (I even wore my backpack in the front - will never do that again!), nothing happened. Just be careful in crowded areas and never leave your bags open or unattended. We also walked around with photocopies of our passports.
Loved Barcelona - can't wait to get a chance to go back!

Thanks cowboy68 and taltul and everyone who has taken time to share their insight:)
This is how our 3 days look (Is this plan over ambitious or can add one or two more activities?) Hope we're not missing out too many good things!

1st day- check in at the hotel by 6 pm at passeig de gracia
early dinner at Cerveceria catalana or l'Aribau
Walk around Passeig de gracia.

2nd day
Morning visit to Sagrada familia (advance tkts done)-take the train back to Casa Battlo ( advance tkts done); look at casa mila from outside

Lunch

Cab to Parc Guell- spend 3 hrs

Take the cab back, eat dinner around Palau de la Música Catalana area (any particular restaurant to get a quick bite?) Enter the Palau de la Musica( tkts done) for the 9.30 show by 7.30

3rd day

Morning Tibidabo Mountain
Come back, lunch at La Rambla, Walk to La boqueria, Gotic quarters, Spanish village

Evening - Barcelona beach(?) Is it worth or just a normal dirty beach?

You can skip the Spanish Village, it is cheesy.

The Barceloneta beach is very special, vibrant atmosphere and all kinds of people and activities out here. Many fine and local feel tapas bars, cafés and terraces in the just inland triangle Barceloneta neighbourhood.

For a quick meal before the Palau, I think Taberna del Bisbe just beside the cathedral is one of the more atmospheric places in the area to sit down for a little to eat and a glass or two. Excellent spinach, white beans and tuna salad with sweet mustard vinaigrette, and the tapas were average ok. Very crowded at lunchtime, and not only with tourists. Three course lunch menu with wine/beer or whatever for 11€. Fun and friendly waiters with very much to do. Open all day.
http://www.tavernadelbisbe.com/eng/home.htm

"Please do not use runner bean they are tours for tips. They are basically not contributing to "the system" via taxes and use unregistered guides."

That's your problem. Runnerbean gives an absolute outstanding and professional tour. It was one of the highlights of my trip.

"While La Rambla is a tourist trap, La Boqueria is one of the best markets in Europe. "

I agree that La Rambla is to be avoided, but La Boqueria has its hare of tourist traps. Bar Pintxo is a complete rip off.

Joshlee

You just started on these boards but have recommended the same site 6 or 7 times including opening on old topics. Do you have a personal or economic interest in that site?

<Bar Pintxo is a complete rip off>

Not sure what you mean as "pintxo" is the name of the basque version of tapas and there are plenty of pintxos bars in Barcelona. But if you mean Pinotxo at Boquería - as you probably do - it's expensive but has been top quality for ages. Miles away from rip off:
http://www.worldsofflavorspain.com/node/745
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pinotxo-barcelona

joshlee872 appears to be making a concerted effort to promote his/her new web venture. popov is just strange.

Thanks kimhe. The menu looks terrific, can't wait to try this restaurant!

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Hi all, we are back- safe n sound and happy:-) The Barcelona trip went extremely well. We stayed at the Paseo De Gracia apartments near Hotel Moritz right in the heart of the city. Everything was walkable. The apartment was just awesome, one of the finest, cleanest, most luxurious and modern apts we have ever stayed in. Would highly recommend anyone with family. Anyways the best thing about Barcelona was the taxis- so cheap, we took cabs eerywhere and never paid more than 10 euros from one corner of the city to another. Sagrada Familia was awesome, casa batlo was ok, park Guell was great, the Cathedral was one of the finest churches, I've been to, Gothic Quarters just took my breath away, the old, tall Spanish buildings, cobbled streets, the entire feel, was just great, can't express how i felt..La Ramblas was of course cheesy, didn't like it a bit, esp the innumerous street vendors who were all selling those lil noisy toys.The performers were below average. La Boqueria was fun and colorful. Lunch at Taberna del Bisbe was a disappointment. Tapas at Cervecería Catalana was excellent, it was an experience in itself. Barcelona beach was great, so clean, full of life and beautiful. Fleminco show at Palau de musica was ok, our kids slept through the entire performance.. well what else one can expect from kids:) Mt Tibido was quite boring and expensive, wish we went to Montserrat instead. Kids went crazy at Zara store and bought a lot of stuff. All and all it was a great trip, we covered almost everything that we had initially planned to.
Thanks a ton everyone for all the great suggestions!! Take care.