Pre cruise Barcelona planWe have

We are arriving a day early in Barcelona. I hope to start our sight seeing around noon. My plan is to see the Gothic Quarter, a bit of Los Ramblas and if possible Park Guell.

The next day, our ship departs at 5 pm. I would like to tour Sagrada Familia. This should allow us to prebuy our tickets for an early am time. This would allow a several hour tour at the church.

I was thinking about getting a hotel near Sagrada Familia that would allow us to walk to the church, then return to the hotel after our tour for us to checkout and take a taxi to the port. We do like getting on the ship as early as possible.

Does getting a hotel around Sagrada Familia make sense under this plan? I don't want to buy any ticket that requires a set time on the day of our flight in case of flight delays.

We are arriving on a Tuesday and our cruise departs Wednesday. We have never been to Barcelona before so I want to see as much as I can in the short time we have. We have our flights already booked.

Hi @WallyNDiane

I am afraid that Barcelona requires a good full five days to just grasp the surface of the city as it has quite a lot of things to see/do in a wide variety of potential interests... plus over 2000 years of history. However, life is tough and one doesn't always have the luxury (or luck!), so if you say you have two "half days", well, then that's what you have :)

With such a short time, there are two approaches you can take: (1) do a bit of research on your own and see a few of the many things you could be doing/visiting (that is, "sites" or "attractions") and that can be of interest to you and make a rough bucket list, then I'd be pleased to try to assist making it "fit" in your schedule, or, (2) select "just" a couple of sites/attractions and spend the rest of your limited time wandering the city -which, frankly it's what I'd do. I have to say that I've found many people coming from the States that are only focused on sites/attractions -much like if this was a theme park, gosh!- and that's sad because they do miss one of the highlights of most European cities: strolling its neighbourhoods, observing life and enjoying a variety of sites and people. Distances here are smaller, and contrary to what happens in many cities elsewhere, there's no "empty void" between site A and site B but a series of quirky streets, amazing buildings, curious shops, historical references, etc. so it often is part of the adventure when visiting and one always end up discovering amazing nooks and crannies. But again... everybody has his own style of travelling, of course.

If you're interested in cramming your schedule with sites, these are a good starting point for your quest: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/ -- http://www.infocatalonia.eu/ -- http://www.timeout.com/barcelona -- http://lameva.barcelona.cat/en -- http://www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat/en/inici -- http://patrimoni.gencat.cat/en/discover/search

If you are interested in strolling the city, you can always join a free walking tour (ie. https://runnerbeantours.com/) which will bring you the added bonus of being educated by a local knowledgeable guide, take a ride on a hop on hop off bus (ie https://www.barcelonabusturistic.cat/en/home or http://barcelona.city-tour.com/en ) or DIY -which I enjoy better. For this last option, I prepared some time ago a map with several proposed routes which will facilitate you an itinerary by which I consider to be the most emblematic parts of the city. Feel free to download it here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=z2FZxJpeWEpA.kwM2d8YxuELQ and read this (post #7) for some explanation of the routes: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187497-i44-k7926144-Where_do_the_cruise_ships_dock_in_Barcelona_Port-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

Enjoy!

PS: Barcelona is a safe city and there aren't any serious "no-go" areas -none that you'd end up going anyway!- and despite being a city, so crime does exist, it tends to be minor (no gun, no gangs). This reminder would seem pretty obvious to many, but not to everybody.

We are arriving a day early in Barcelona. I hope to start our sight seeing around noon. My plan is to see the Gothic Quarter, a bit of Los Ramblas and if possible Park Guell.

 

The next day, our ship departs at 5 pm. I would like to tour Sagrada Familia. This should allow us to prebuy our tickets for an early am time. This would allow a several hour tour at the church.

 

I was thinking about getting a hotel near Sagrada Familia that would allow us to walk to the church, then return to the hotel after our tour for us to checkout and take a taxi to the port. We do like getting on the ship as early as possible.

 

Does getting a hotel around Sagrada Familia make sense under this plan? I don't want to buy any ticket that requires a set time on the day of our flight in case of flight delays.

 

We are arriving on a Tuesday and our cruise departs Wednesday. We have never been to Barcelona before so I want to see as much as I can in the short time we have. We have our flights already booked.

You have received some valuable information from EnricM. It's too bad that you only have 1 full day to visit such a wonderful city. However, I agree with Enric's suggestions regarding the Ho ho bus and the walking tour. Since you might be suffering from the effects of jet lag, the fresh air will help you a great deal. If you take the Ho ho bus try to sit on top with the open air and sunshine (hopefully).

If you plan to see La Sagrada Familia on your departure day. Don't forget to buy your tickets in advance for the time slot that you desire. We did this the morning of our departure in 2014 and we were able to spend about 2 hrs there. Have a wonderful trip.

I agree that one day isn't nearly enough for Barcelona. Then again, we've done a number of visits by now that mostly were 2-3 days. We've now seen much of the city.

A few years ago we stayed at the Europark Hotel which is walking distance to Sagrada Familia (it took us about 10 minutes but we stopped for a tapas lunch since that was the day we arrived). I should add that for other visits we tended to need cabs. I have a vague recollection that the hotel was close to a metro stop. Other than that, we enjoyed the hotel very much.

When we did Parc Guell we took the public bus but I think on that visit we were staying at a hotel on Las Ramblas.

No matter how much or how little time you have, this is a glorious city. Just be on the alert for pickpockets and scammers!

Mura

I agree that two half days are not enough. However, the time you have is the time you have. Parc Guell is a good choice for day one. We had timed tickets and our flight was delayed, but things worked out and we got in later. If you really start at noon, you might also have time to go to one of the Gaudi houses as they are open into the evening. S.F. was something we did early in the morning. I think the first ticket was 9am. Doesn't matter where you stay, just get an early start and take a taxi. That way you can explore the outside of the church before your ticket time. With the limited time my approach would be to use taxis to get from place to place and to have a primary and backup plans if the timing did not work as expected.

We did a half day tour with Barcelona day tours , great way to see city, then you can go back and spend more time with what interest you, loved the city we did it pre cruise last year , stayed at Barcelona universal hotel also really nice

Is it possible to walk from the port to the Sagrada Familia or is it best to take a taxi? Am planning on this being my first stop in Barcelona before strolling and enjoying the city.

Hi @WallyNDiane

 

I am afraid that Barcelona requires a good full five days to just grasp the surface of the city as it has quite a lot of things to see/do in a wide variety of potential interests... plus over 2000 years of history. However, life is tough and one doesn't always have the luxury (or luck!), so if you say you have two "half days", well, then that's what you have :)

 

With such a short time, there are two approaches you can take: (1) do a bit of research on your own and see a few of the many things you could be doing/visiting (that is, "sites" or "attractions") and that can be of interest to you and make a rough bucket list, then I'd be pleased to try to assist making it "fit" in your schedule, or, (2) select "just" a couple of sites/attractions and spend the rest of your limited time wandering the city -which, frankly it's what I'd do. I have to say that I've found many people coming from the States that are only focused on sites/attractions -much like if this was a theme park, gosh!- and that's sad because they do miss one of the highlights of most European cities: strolling its neighbourhoods, observing life and enjoying a variety of sites and people. Distances here are smaller, and contrary to what happens in many cities elsewhere, there's no "empty void" between site A and site B but a series of quirky streets, amazing buildings, curious shops, historical references, etc. so it often is part of the adventure when visiting and one always end up discovering amazing nooks and crannies. But again... everybody has his own style of travelling, of course.

 

If you're interested in cramming your schedule with sites, these are a good starting point for your quest: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/ -- http://www.infocatalonia.eu/ -- http://www.timeout.com/barcelona -- http://lameva.barcelona.cat/en -- http://www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat/en/inici -- http://patrimoni.gencat.cat/en/discover/search

 

If you are interested in strolling the city, you can always join a free walking tour (ie. https://runnerbeantours.com/) which will bring you the added bonus of being educated by a local knowledgeable guide, take a ride on a hop on hop off bus (ie https://www.barcelonabusturistic.cat/en/home or http://barcelona.city-tour.com/en ) or DIY -which I enjoy better. For this last option, I prepared some time ago a map with several proposed routes which will facilitate you an itinerary by which I consider to be the most emblematic parts of the city. Feel free to download it here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=z2FZxJpeWEpA.kwM2d8YxuELQ and read this (post #7) for some explanation of the routes: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187497-i44-k7926144-Where_do_the_cruise_ships_dock_in_Barcelona_Port-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

 

Enjoy!

 

PS: Barcelona is a safe city and there aren't any serious "no-go" areas -none that you'd end up going anyway!- and despite being a city, so crime does exist, it tends to be minor (no gun, no gangs). This reminder would seem pretty obvious to many, but not to everybody.

Well, some folks have literally walked to the North Pole, so I would imagine you can manage from the port to Sagrada Familia... it's merely five miles... and it's indeed a great way to get to know one part of the city, l'Eixample, the modernist expansion of the late 1800s. It's mostly flat and easy to walk. I had a quick look at Youtube and found a video of a vlogger that might do to show a bit what l'Eixample looks like:

Well, some folks have literally walked to the North Pole, so I would imagine you can manage from the port to Sagrada Familia... it's merely five miles... and it's indeed a great way to get to know one part of the city, l'Eixample, the modernist expansion of the late 1800s. It's mostly flat and easy to walk. I had a quick look at Youtube and found a video of a vlogger that might do to show a bit what l'Eixample looks like:

(if anything I shall say this girl will quickly put some pounds on if she continues to make videos like this, I've counted three times she enters an establishment to eat something LOL!...

Thank you for the link, Enric! We're staying at Hotel Europark in May before our cruise, and it's in this area. But I won't be stopping to eat as much as her lol

@Kattus... :).... you'll enjoy the walk. A fellow urbanite surely understands that. Imagine, back home, the variety of stores and little places of a walk say from Main Street & Roosevelt down to 52nd St combined with fabulous architecture and historical sites. That's what this walk you mention is about.

Hi EnricM. Hoping you can suggest which of the HoHo buses is best to get to and see the major sites in your opinion. We are in town for six nights in late May/early June and plan to spend the first day in Montserrat as we will be jet lagged from our overnight flight and want to keep it simple. I also plan to take a train out to Figueres one day and spend the rest of our time in the city proper. I have rented a condo on Placa del Doctor Letamendi that will serve as our base of "operations". Any advice other than what you have outlined above would be appreciated!

@paradiselivin1

Actually, both are the same, give or take. Still, I personally prefer the blue and the red routes of BusTurístic (http://www.barcelonabusturistic.cat/en/home)

I am not too sure that Montserrat on the first day is necessarily a wise choice because you're not only going to be jet-lagged but also tired... and you're talking about a day out in nature, walking most of the day thru nature. Will you be up for that? Furthermore, IMHO it's best to depart for Montserrat early in the morning... at what time will you be landing and ready to go to Montserrat then?

While Barcelona deserves a good six days minimum to really "scratch the surface", I can also understand the appealing of "changing scenario every now and then" so day escapades are really a great choice too. The other day we were discussing a very popular one Besalú and Girona. If you're interested: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/spain/walking-the-walls-in-girona-or-avila Too bad you're arriving a few days "too late" for Temps de Flors flower festival in Girona... it's really a great festival. See more in this link.

There are other heritage festivals along all year... by the end of May, these are some of the options: La Patum in Berga (

Enjoy!

Since I mentioned the "most spectacular celebrations during La Patum": fire and firecrackers, a comment for our American friends...

Fire worship has been an important part of human culture since the Lower Paleolithic and in many parts of the world is still very much alive in some heritage festivals. In many Mediterranean cultures, fire and firecrackers are an intrinsic part of many celebrations and while to the untrained eye this might look like a "dangerous" thing -seeing some of the videos in Youtube I don't blame you to think so!- I have to share with you that it's not. Take for example the "correfocs" (fire runs) in many festivals here in Catalonia, despite seeming a chaotic riot-like celebration, there are strict protocols and preparations for those participating as "devils" -those handling the firecrackers- as well as basic recommendations to follow for those attending in the front rows so as not to have any serious incident. In fact, there are very few "accidents" other than minor incidents, like sparks making a few holes in your favourite t-shirt, darn it, you should have worn an old rag instead to this part of the festival! :)

Correfocs and other fire-related celebrations offer a very plastic and visual experience: http://blog.barcelonaguidebureau.com/fire-celebrations-only-for-crazy-and-sensible-people/ but might not be for everybody. If you happen to stumble across one and you're NOT necessarily an adrenaline junkie, you might want to do what the rest of us more "mature and sensible" locals do and stay in the second row (or third, or fourth, don't worry, you'll see it and hear it anyway!). For those curious, here some example of correfocs: https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=fQ-KWsbEIsbzUPOHjrgP&q=correfoc&oq=correfoc&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l8j0i30k1l2.146956.147781.0.148800.8.7.0.1.1.0.174.940.1j6.7.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.8.950...0i67k1.0.SN-Z-rtuMoM#imgrc=8O74pNK8DYDWdM: and this is a video of one of the children's correfocs:

Posting this because I remember a time I spend in the US when I was a student we had to cross state borders to be able to purchase a miserable set of Black Cats or an M-80 or a row of Ladyfingers -bet some of you know what I'm talking about!-... boy you don't know how to have fun, LOL!

Welcome to a very popular tradition here in Catalonia!

Wally and Diane

I would book a hotel near placa cataluna (the top of Las Rambla) as it’s the transportation hub of the area. The aeroporter bus drops off there and a subway station to Sagrada Familia also. Hoho is also available. Depending on arrival time, I would spend the rest of the day seeing sights within walking distance of the Las Rambla area. The next morning I would take the subway to Sagrada Familia and be back for noon check out.

All aboard for a 5:00 sail away is 3:00 but following this plan you should be onboard by 1:30.

Wally and Diane

 

I would book a hotel near placa cataluna (the top of Las Rambla) as it’s the transportation hub of the area. The aeroporter bus drops off there and a subway station to Sagrada Familia also. Hoho is also available. Depending on arrival time, I would spend the rest of the day seeing sights within walking distance of the Las Rambla area. The next morning I would take the subway to Sagrada Familia and be back for noon check out.

All aboard for a 5:00 sail away is 3:00 but following this plan you should be onboard by 1:30.

Any hotel recommendations, first time in Barcelona, for pre cruise.

@paradiselivin1

 

I am not too sure that Montserrat on the first day is necessarily a wise choice because you're not only going to be jet-lagged but also tired... and you're talking about a day out in nature, walking most of the day thru nature. Will you be up for that? Furthermore, IMHO it's best to depart for Montserrat early in the morning... at what time will you be landing and ready to go to Montserrat then?

 

Enjoy!

We arrive in mid-afternoon on Sunday after a very late night 9 hour flight so was hoping we could manage on Monday. I chose that day as I thought the museums were closed and didn't want to waste any time but could always do the walking tours the first day if you think that's wiser. Very excited about your suggestion for Runner Bean Tours ~ they look great and so do the tours!

Who says the museums are closed on Monday? that's not true. "A number of museums" are closed on Monday (because it's their day off), but by no means "all" of them. There are 87 museums in the city of Barcelona, and, off the top of my head, I can think of at least a dozen tourist sites that are open on Monday.

But if you're arriving on Sunday, yes, I would go to Montserrat on Monday.

Who says the museums are closed on Monday? that's not true. "A number of museums" are closed on Monday (because it's their day off), but by no means "all" of them. There are 87 museums in the city of Barcelona, and, off the top of my head, I can think of at least a dozen tourist sites that are open on Monday.

 

But if you're arriving on Sunday, yes, I would go to Montserrat on Monday.

Thank you! Perhaps the museums we're interested in the most are closed on Monday. So much to do, so little time. Do you have favorite food (restaurant) recommendations. Don't care about the nightlife as we are beyond those days.:)

Any hotel recommendations, first time in Barcelona, for pre cruise.

I just do an area search on Hotels.com and check the ratings and price that I’m comfortable with. We have the Silken Las Rambla booked for our night next month.

Ahh, that's something else... the museums "you" are interested in :) Anyhow, I wonder as many of the most popular ones are open +360 days/year, such as Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló or La Pedrera among other.

As per restaurants, first to mention that this city has over 15,000 eateries of all sorts just in the central districts so we locals don't tend to have "a favourite restaurant" (not, given the wide choice, a favourite food either) because it's quite normal to vary a lot and always try new places. Yet, since you're visiting Catalonia, I strongly recommend you try our famous cuisine, Catalan cuisine. For that check out this article from one of the "unofficial bibles" we locals use for "going out and about" in the city: https://www.timeout.com/barcelona/restaurants/the-50-best-restaurants-in-barcelona-catalan-cuisine

For those accustomed to paying an arm and a leg every time you "dine out" at home, you'll be pleased to know that while we also have expensive restaurants, the vast majority are within a reasonable range and many could even be considered inexpensive. Food is an important part of our social fabric so going out with family or friends, or just your partner, whether for a snack or for a proper dinner is something most of us do quite often thus the offer of eateries is abundant and varied and prices reasonable.

For those accustomed to paying an arm and a leg every time you "dine out" at home, you'll be pleased to know that while we also have expensive restaurants, the vast majority are within a reasonable range and many could even be considered inexpensive. Food is an important part of our social fabric so going out with family or friends, or just your partner, whether for a snack or for a proper dinner is something most of us do quite often thus the offer of eateries is abundant and varied and prices reasonable.

Hi EnricM

I saw a youtube video of a Tapas walking tour and the people left around 9pm and it was very light outside we will be in Barcelona end of April for 4 days what month is 9pm that bright

Thanks Ted

... in June (Solstice of Summer), it's bright until 10ish, in December (Solstice of Winter) by 6ish is dark already. I hope this helps you to have an idea.

... in June (Solstice of Summer), it's bright until 10ish, in December (Solstice of Winter) by 6ish is dark already. I hope this helps you to have an idea.

Yes Thanks EnricM

Any hotel recommendations, first time in Barcelona, for pre cruise.

I have stayed in BCN a few times pre-cruise. I have selected hotels by cost and location to what I wanted to do on the morning of the cruise and have always been happy with my hotel choice because Barcelona is a very accessible city.

The Fira Palace was convenient for the Magic Fountains, but the best hotel to be 'at the centre of everything' was Hotel Suizo. This hotel was only 3* but it was so convenient. It was beside a metro stop (Jaume), beside the Cathedral and the Gothic Quarter and very near to Las Ramblas.

I think the Hotel Suizo is my new 'go to' hotel in BCN.