A day in Barcelona?

Have you been in the city before?... if not, the answer should be obvious, shouldn't it?... lots of people plan the whole year for a trip to Barcelona, I guess that should say something... and it's always best to spend one day than no day, right?, LOL!

There's no answer anyone can give to your question... it's entirely up to you, if you don't feel 'ready' then maybe postpone it for another time. But if you do, a full day can stretch a lot and you don't necessarily need to run like a headless chicken from one end of the city to the other. You can for example take the hoho bus -which will drive you around while sitting comfortably, and you can maybe get off at certain attractions/sites to stretch your legs. Or you can focus on the Barri Gòtic in the centre of the city, a maze of narrow streets and back-alleys that saw the birth of the city over 2000 years ago and that it's full of things to see/do while having a leisure and relaxed stroll... plenty other options depending on your preferences and likes.

Hm... I know you're right. I should do the two nights because I'm not sure when I'll be near Barcelona again in the next several years. I guess my question should have been - how do I see sights in Barcelona in one day without feeling utterly overwhelmed or like I'm wasting my time? I've traveled quite a bit, but never with my daughter and never this one day to see a city type thing.

Enric, that would be quite an incredible chicken, no? Running headless from one end of Barcelona to the other.

I'm sure you'll want to see the Basilica since it's so unique. Otherwise, you might want to take the easy route since it's at the end of your vacation and hop on one of those open-air tour buses. I've never taken one, but it would give you an decent overview. From there, head to what interests you....which may just be a nice final vacation meal! : )

@Larry... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiLR_RAWQnE to your health :)

@Jean, you should be more precise, basilica is a generic word that would indicate a specific architectural style of a church -rectangular buildings, often with central nave and aisles, and usually with a slightly raised platform and an apse at the end opposite the entrance- that has been given special ceremonial rights by the Pope. There are nine basilicas in Barcelona: la Catedral de Santa Eulàlia, la Mercè, Santa Maria del Mar, Santa Maria del Pi, Sant Josep Oriol, Sant Just i Sant Pastor, el Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor del Tibidabo, la Concepció and el Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família. One would imagine you're referring to the last one, yet...

@wellil... what sort of things do you like?

Go for two nights. Visit the Sagrada Familia , take the subway over to walk down La Rambla once, stopping to look at the Gaudi buildings from the exterior, look at the Christopher Columbus monument and cross the street to look at the ocean/birds/harbor cruises, or just take the subway over for the Rick Steves walk thru the Barri Gotic. Churros and chocolate.

Sounds great! We're doing the two nights and I'll have to post later about best places to eat!

Time of year for your trip? If it's summer, then the heat may dictate what works best for your group. With a 4 yr. old, you might want to consider the Monuments area of Park Guell or, alternatively, the beach area. The Monuments area actually has a school within the grounds, so it's a good place to see Gaudi's vision while allowing your little one freedom to move around.