Next month we are flying from Mallorca to Marseille via Barcelona. I have just been informed that our layover in Barcelona has been changed to 8 hours instead of 3. Allowing time to clear customs and travel in to the city, and then allowing time to get back to the airport and check in, what are some suggestions for having a very brief first visit to Barcelona?
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
2939 posts
8 hours is not "that" much, or in other words, when visiting Barcelona 8 hours is a breeze as there are too many things to see. I would recommend not to fix any particular objective but to immerse yourself in the city, strolling up and down and letting your senses guide you. Take the Aerobus (5.90€) which will drop you at Plaça Catalunya -considered the 'centre' of the city, albeit there's not "one" centre only in Barcelona. From there, stroll towards Parc de la Ciutadella, zigzagging the narrow streets and back-alleys of the Old City... you'll encounter dozens of reasons to stop here and there and tonnes of shops, monuments, restaurants, etc. Next to Parc de la Ciutadella you have Estació de França, where you can take a train to Estació de Sants (15') and there catch the shuttle train to the airport (20').
Posted by
OP
Sydney, NSW, Australia
61 posts
Thanks for your reply Enric. Although it isn't much time, I am quite looking forward to just having a glimpse of a city that I plan to come back to and discover in more depth on another European trip
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
2939 posts
As said.. just strolling the area I mentioned, you'll spend the entire stop-over, you'll see.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
It sounds as though your luggage will be 'checked through'. This makes things a lot easier of course.
Slightly different to Enric above.
1. Catch the Aerobus to Placa Catalunya
2. Walk the Ramblas to Colon, checking out La Boqueria and Placa Reial
3. Catch the metro line 3 (green) from Drassanes to Diagonal
4. Walk Passeig de Gracia, passing Casa Mila and Casa Batllo.
5. Return to El Prat by Aerobus from Placa Catalunya
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
2939 posts
Another good choice, thanks David.
You see Linda, there are numerous options and probably all worthwhile... but you can't have it all :))
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
You can't?
But, Enric, I thought I was moving in for 6 months.
Posted by
Noblesville, Indiana, USA
1360 posts
Go to the Sagrada Familia and with any leftover time wander around the general Ramblas and Barri Gotic area.
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
2939 posts
Oh no David... it's "mine" :)
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
If your 8 hours is from touchdown to take off then you will probably only have 4.5 hours at your disposal.
Allow ...
1 hour to get off the plane & thru the terminal.
.5 hour to get in to the centre
.5 hour to return to the airport
1.5 hours for security and getting to the gate
Posted by
OP
Sydney, NSW, Australia
61 posts
Some great ideas! Thank you everyone for the very helpful suggestions.