Barcelona

[the leash]

Hi
My family of 4 (2 adults and 2 teens) will be in Barcelona next summer for 6 days before we head off on our cruise and we were wondering if there is enough for us to do? We were also wondering if maybe we should stay outside of the city, rent a car and tour around the area.
Thanks.

 

[Parrot Mom]

YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!!! First, make sure you get a hotel onThe Ramblas..which is delightful...hire a guide/taxi driver (I do know one)...and have him drve your family around seeing the main sites..Then you can go back on your own.. We are going back to Barcelona for the third time and this time going out of the city..

 

[Ted_D]

Barcelona is a huge, vibrant city with plenty to do. Whether you stay on Las Ramblas or not, make
sure you visit it, preferably on a weekend day. It will take half a day to do it justice. Other great sites
include the old quarter where Columbus' voyage to the new world was commissioned, the Barcelona
cathedral, the Sagria Familia (strangest building on the planet), the Barcelona Olympic site, and the
mountain overlook above the city. There are many others.

Ted

 

[Craigellachie]

We spent two weeks, of which about 10 days was in the city, and they had to drag us kicking and screaming to the airport to take us home. Places that are worth a half day rather than the half hour most tour companies allow - Sagrada Familia (worth two half days); pedrera; Parc Guell; Olympic Stadium; Nou Camp (FC Barcelona stadium and museum). Day trip by public transport to Montserrat - WOW!. The occasional spare hour, wander aimlessly in Las Ramblas, Passeig De Gracia, the beach, or umpteen other places.
Sincerely, if you can't find enough things in Barca to keep you busy for six days, I worry about you.
PS before you go, get an English - Spanish / Catalan phrasebook. Learn the absolute basics of the Catalan language - hello, please, thank you. They will absolutely love you for trying to speak their language instead of Spanish.

 

[rosecmj]

Re: Barcelona-7-21 to 7-25,2009

Staying in Barcelona after we leave the Celebrity Summit cruise ship- staying in a B&B near Las Ramblas, wondered what tour company is the best to see the sites. Is Sitges and Girona worth a visit also? Where are the best beaches- it will be hot! Rose

 

[rosecmj]

Please see my post concerning Barcelona-what days will you be there? We will be there 7-21 to 7-25 and one day we know we want to visit Girona and the beaches up north. We hear Girona is also a beautiful city. Please post any information you have on Barcelona. Thank you. Rose

 

[BruinSteve]

Re: Barcelona-7-21 to 7-25,2009

Staying in Barcelona after we leave the Celebrity Summit cruise ship- staying in a B&B near Las Ramblas, wondered what tour company is the best to see the sites. Is Sitges and Girona worth a visit also? Where are the best beaches- it will be hot! Rose

I love Barcelona...I havebeen there several times now...in fact, I am flying to Barcelona on Tuesday--spending three nights there before boarding the Oceania Nautica for a 14 night cruise...

I would not bother with a "tour company"...at worst, just buy a ticket for thehop on/hop off bus:
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/Bar...XxeYypqHsbbrdY1KXVZYhHgXWn9kx1dacDfIGDfdnPOon

Barcelona is a town easy to tour on your own...especially if you are staying anywhere near the Placa Catalunya (you are). The Placa Catalunya is the large public square at the northern end of Las Ramblas. It serves as a hub for all of Barcelona's transportation systems. But a lot of important sites are walking distance from there anyway.

Buy a copy of the AAA Spiral Guide - Barcelona...indispensable...great maps, illustrations and walking tours....easy to use. You can buy it over the net for around $10.

Do not miss:
1) La Sagrada Familia...Simply nothing else like it in the world. Every time I return, I am amazed anew. Gaudi!!
2) Parc Guell (I think it's the #21 bus up Passieg de Gracia from the Placa Catalunya). Gaudi's wild imagination creates a park like no other.
3) Casa Mila. A Gaudi apartment building with Gaudi Museum. Make sure to walk on the roof. A treat.
4) Casa Batllo. Gaudi brings weird to a private residence.
5) Stroll Las Ramblas
6) Museo Picasso
7) Wander the Barri Gotic.
8) Dine on Tapas

Other notes: If you want to buy water, snacks, drinks...or anything...head over to El Corte Ingles, an incredibly huge department store on the East side of Placa Catalunya. The Supermarket is in the basement and sells bottled water at a fraction of the price you'll pay in any small shop in the area. Beaches? Bogatell or Barceloneta...Go to either the Barceloneta or Ciutadella-Villa Olimpica Metro stations and walk towards the Mediterranean...

Girona is a quaint town...It has an old Ghetto and a very small restored Synagogue which make it quite interesting...Combine it with a trip to Dali's home and museum in nearby Figueras--if you really have time to spare...Otherwise, just enjoy Barcelona...

Hope this helps...