Barcelona - 3 1/2 Days... help please

You have the best of Barcelona (barri gotico, cathedral, las ramblas, and I would add the Boqueria market) packed in one afternoon on the day of arrival, which is when you will be totally jet lagged (the time difference with Seattle is 9 hours and you'll feel the hit right after lunch).

Also no mention of the Picasso museum, no mention of the Gaudi modernist houses (at least the Casa Batilo' and la Pedrera.), and no mention of Tibidabo (nice view). Also the castle at Montuic is more worthy than anything else up there.

FC Barcelona plays generally one day on the weekend (generally every other weekend, since they alternate playing at home and out). If you happen to be there on a week where the UEFA Champions' league is on, there might be a game midweek (either Tue or Wed) in town, but it might be the leg when Barca is not the hosting team and is playing outside. If we knew when you are going, maybe we could try to figure out.

DAY 1
Passeig Gracia from Casa Mila (Gaudi) to crazy colourful Casa Batllo (Gaudi) (Choose one to visit)
Casa Amatller is next door and the Loewe store on the corner is in Casa Lleo i Morera
Then starting at Placa de Catalunya explore the Ramblas from top to bottom
Modern museums MACBA and CCCB are on the right side as is La Boqueria market
Past the Liceu opera house and Miro pavement mosaic
Further along to Placa Reial off on the left, and then Palau Guell (Gaudi) off on the right
Finally the port and the column with Christopher Columbus gesturing atop
Football at Nou Camp ???

DAY 2
Sagrada Familia (Gaudi) – PREBOOK TICKETS !!
Thru the Gothic Quarter (Placa del Pi / Placa de Sant Felip Neri / Cathedral / Placa del Rei / Placa Sant Jaume)
Then the revitalised area of El Born to the Picasso Museum – PREBOOK TICKETS !!
On to Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, Parc de la Ciutedella, and finally Barceloneta

DAY 3
Excursion to Montserrat, then whatever of Montjuic below (depending on your return time)
From Placa d’Espanya at Les Arenes (once the bullring) you will see the grand Palau Nacional (MNAC museum)
The Anella Olimpica (Stadium, Palau St Jordi, Communications Tower) is laid out behind
Further to the excellent Miro Museum (Fundacio Miro) and Montjuic Castle
Magic Fountains (check days and times)

DAY 4
Park Guell – PREBOOK TICKETS !!
Palau de la Musica Catalana – PREBOOK TICKETS !!
Then you may have time before your train departure to catch up on anything you missed on DAY 1

In general these are packed days... but again it all depends on your travel style. I personally like to spend enough time in each place I'm visiting to be able to enjoy it and to discover the little things, for some other people it's only a matter of "ticking the box" so they need less time.

DAY 1:
I'd allot at least 1:30h for visiting each of the houses, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, furthermore, note you might need to add a bit of queuing time and the 'travel to' time. This of course having pre-book the tickets online, if not, you might need to add considerably more time queuing to buy the tickets in-situ. Also, despite the Old City tours (RS, RB, etc) last only between 2 and 3hrs, there's plenty more to do there just waking the area (much more if you want to visit the dozens of monuments and sites).
DAY 2:
Fine... I'd simply do it reverse, first PG then SF. Check out my post for WED16 here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187497-i44-k7350676-First_Timers_Help_With_5_Day_Itinerary-Barcelona_Catalonia.html#57433425
DAY 3:
Perfect. Do plan for hiking in Montserrat... it's worthwhile: check post #5 http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187497-i44-k7639192-Draft_4_day_Itinerary_Insights_appreciated-Barcelona_Catalonia.html#59856802
DAY 4:
Montjuïc is a huge district with many things to do/visit. The district is not residential nor commercial but mostly parks, museums, etc. Do pick your venues as you can't possibly visit it in one day: http://bit.ly/1uvRtBo

As per how long it takes to "visit" the Old City (which includes La Rambla, Barri Gòtic, El Raval...) as you point out it all depends on your type of visiting, some tours take an hour others take four or more. Since I'm not really for those tours that simply 'state the obvious' and show the typical (and topical!) stereotyped sites, I tend to recommend a DIY tour with a good book guide so you can understand and learn about what you're seeing. To this effect, I've prepared a map for those willing to walk their own walk so as to pass by the most important and representative sites in the area. Read here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187497-i44-k7926144-Where_do_the_cruise_ships_dock_in_Barcelona_Port-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

CASA BATLLÓ: http://infocatalonia.eu/w/htZf2
LA PEDRERA: http://infocatalonia.eu/w/13Afs

Just for info, note there are plenty more Modernist buildings worth visiting among which I'd stand out: Casa Lleó i Morera, Torre Bellesguard, Casa Vicens and Recinte Modernista Sant Pau to name a few.

The most important item you are missing is recognizing the need to adjust to "time" per Spanish culture. Please do not allow your USA established "tummy clock" deprive the opportunity to engage in experiencing early evening tapas, then a stroll with the locals, then eating dinner after 10 p.m. There are so many wonderful experiences to be gained by quickly adapting to the cultural clock of Spain.

If a concert is not available at the palau of music then please be sure and take the tour. The architecture is incredible, the history fascinating, the space is air conditioned and you will get to sit on several occasions to rest your feet.

Depending on the time of year there may not be any football being played. The stadium is still a great place to tour.

Casa Batlo is my choice.

Since commencing to charge for Parc Guell admission the place has become jammed with people lingering to gain the most for their money.

Thanks everyone for taking time to post responses to my questions and suggestions. My trip starts in beginning of September to the 20th and covers a lot of ground, so time is tight and the reason I am trying to plan ahead. The trip has been in the works for over a year now; reading loads of posts, RS & other guidebooks, viewing videos and various websites. I have many sites saved on my IPad and am using Tripit for a calendar tool. My accommodations are booked with cancellation deadlines calendared in case I find a better place/deal. I am traveling solo – flexibility is key.

There are certain areas of concern in my schedule that I will need help with, like the train from Madrid to Granada, travel from Seville to Lagos/Salema and day tour suggestions for Sagres. I plan to post separate questions for those problem areas.

Roberto: Agree that I have packed quite a bit on the day of arrival and will probably re-work this depending on how much energy I have around 2 o’clock. My theory was to get plenty of natural light on my first day. Picasso museum is of some interest to me and it is one of those activities that I will “bank” as an option, but it is not high on the list. I do have some of the Gaudi houses in my plan, as architecture is of great interest to me. I would be over the top thrilled to catch an FC Barcelona football game but realize it will probably cut into my evening plans and the season may not be starting again until later in the Fall. Camp Nou is also one of the “maybe sees” and is time dependent. It is also quite pricey to tour. I don’t know enough about football schedules in Europe. I follow the Seattle Sounders here at home.

djp-Brisbane & Enric: Which Gaudi house is your favorite if you had to choose? I am not sure if there is time for both. As far as walking tours, my original plan was to just use RS guidebook suggested walks, but then I saw Runner Bean walking tours and thought I would inquire about those. Any thoughts on Runner Bean? Montjuic Castle and the magic fountains are at the top of my plans for the area. Don’t think there will be time for anything else if I can manage to enjoy the space after my day in Montserrat.

Marbleskies: Yes, your suggestion to take in the ambiance of Spanish life is very high on my radar. Would love to take part in the passiagiata (I know this is Italian, have to learn some of the Spanish terms), and also see some Flamenco in Seville and listen to Fado in Portugal.

Do any of you have recommendations for typical Spanish tapas bars in the Eixample neighborhood, as well as, in Montserrat and Montjuic? For restaurants and tapas bars, I will probably just wing it but would love to have some recommendations just in case there is the opportunity to have a nice meal that is not “on the go.” Thanks again.

P.S.: djp-syd: My youngest daughter is now in Melbourne on a one-year Visa having the time of her life. She has sent so many wonderful photos of her trip to Tasmania.

@Linda
Actually, I don't have a 'favourite' Gaudí house, each one has its own flavour, but if you ask me for one, I'd probably choose Torre Bellesguard, which incidentally is not full of tourists :) . Note there are at least half a dozen major houses/buildings by Gaudí worthwhile visiting.

Runner Bean is a great tour family-run company. I always recommend them.

If you decide to visit Montjuïc Castle --which, btw, it's NOT a castle, it's a fortress! although I suppose after so many years being called a "castle" by everybody, now even the City Hall starts to publish brochures with that term.-- I advice to plan for other venues in Montjuïc. Montjuïc is a non-residential and non-commercial huge district full of parks, museums and other venues. Check more here: http://bit.ly/1uvRtBo

Point of advice: you might or might not know that you're visiting a region, Catalonia, which has its own culture, language and customs and they are different from what many might think "Spanish" in their imagination. I'd advice a bit of background before travelling here and I'm sure you'll discover a trove of surprises. For example, a handful of basic Catalan sentences up your sleeve might indeed provide you an even warmer welcoming from us Catalans. For info, no bull fighting here (it's banned by law).

Also, don't go out looking for "Spanish" cuisine as there is no such thing, Spain is not your typical country, it's formed by different cultures, each own with their distinct traits, including cuisines, and it's quite different the one from say Euskadi (Basc Country) than that from Catalonia or Andalucia. In fact, you won't find "Spanish" cuisine as such in any reputable directory (ie. http://www.bcnrestaurantes.com/eng/) but Catalan, Galician, Basque... Having said that, and albeit "tapas" is not really a Catalan thing, I guess trends catch up no matter where you are from and these days a cosmopolitan city like Barcelona has plenty of tapas places as well as restaurants with cuisines from all over the world.

In Montserrat your choice of restaurants is veeeery limited. In fact there are only a few sort of on-the-go crappy ones. Lots of people visiting Montserrat take the opportunity to hike a bit in one of the trails and have a pic-nic instead.

As per restaurants in Barcelona, do have a look at http://www.timeout.com/barcelona/restaurants which is say the "unofficial" bible for going out that we locals use a lot. Also, on the link above: http://www.bcnrestaurantes.com/eng/
Enjoy!

Linda,
If you'd like to get a great sampling of the local foods, and at restaurants full of primarily locals,
I'd suggest the Food Lover Tapas Tour. We found it via its great reviews on TripAdvisor, and the evening exceeded our expectations when we visited Barcelona in March.

On tour, participants (in small groups) visit two tapas bars, then the final stop if a full meal, so be warned: you will have that after-Thanksgiving feeling, even if you (like I did) TRY to not each a lot......there are just sooo many different foods to sample. And, all wines, drinks, etc. are included during the evening. It is fun to not only learn about the culture/food, but to enjoy the company of others in the group, sharing the experience, hearing a bit about their lives and their travels.

Here is the link: http://foodlovertour.com/tapas-lover-tour/

But, check it out on TripAdvisor, to see others' reviews and to see photos of the various dishes, restaurants, etc., as well as to see what the typical 'tour goers' look like. You mentioned the Eixample area......perfect, as our tour met up in front of the La Pedrera, and it was a short walk to each of the three food stops.

Enjoy your trip and safe travels!

I have gone on a couple of Runner Bean tours - Gaudi and Gothic Quarter - and found them both enjoyable and informative. Additionally, I have done walking tours organized by the Tourist Office in Placa Cataluna. I also enjoyed these excursions, especially their Picasso tour which included a visit to the museum. In short, I would strongly recommend walking tours conducted by either of these organizations

Gosh, it's like choosing between Brie and Camembert - similar aspects but really different. I have never been inside Casa Batllo so would probably advise googling images of both and choosing your preference.
Casa Batllo is smaller (a remodelled house) with flashy elements, notably the colourful facade and roof tiles visible from the street. Casa Mila is an apartment building with some subtle design elements in its sinuous organic form.
For me the experience of the roof top at Casa Mila swayed my decision. Next visit I will splurge 21.50 € for Casa Batllo.
ps. Wonderful for your daughter being in Melbourne. Why are you heading to Spain then, and not coming to visit her !!??? Tasmania is beautiful (if chilly) and I am off there at the end of the month for a wedding.

We ate 2 out of 3 dinners at La Flauta -Balmes 164 last week. It was very reasonable and delicious. We were especially impressed with grilled squid, baguettes ( they're small), eggs with potatoes and bacon, grilled vegetables.....it was all good. It's just a few doors to the left off Diagonal on Balmes. We also had a delicious paella at a restaurant on Diagonal a few doors past Balmes. La Flauta was in Rs guidebook as well as TripAdvisor. Be there around 8 p.m.- by 8:30 the place is packed, although you could eat at the bar. Oh, and brush up on your Spanish food terms- it will help in deciding what you want. They do have a menu in English but this is not a restaurant with pictures.

You don't have to order an expensive meal to be treated well in a Spanish restaurant.

Enric: thanks for the confirmation about Runner Bean tours. I like that it is a family run business. Also, great tip about packing a picnic for my Montserrat trip and. Thank you for the link of local restaurants. Oh, and I promise to learn some Catalan. How about: On esta L'estacio del tren?

Margaret, Patty, and Jack: I appreciate having the restaurant recommendations, tapas tour link and your thoughts on the Runner Bean business. It was suggested in a review of a hostel guest of the place where I will be staying.

Brisbane: I love the creativity of Gaudi. It will be difficult not to see all of his work. Fortunately, my hostel is very near many of the Modernista buildings.

Happy travels to all of you.

Linda

Brisbane: funny thing, a big reason why my daughter went back to Australia was due, in part, to attend a wedding in Sydney. Have a nice time.