We'll be in Barcelona in late August for 4 nights, and I'd like making our bookings ASAP for Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, and Casa Batlló. For Sagrada Familia, is visiting one of the towers essential / recommended, and does it matter which one to choose? Also is it worth the hassle to try to acquire a Carnet Jove for our 15 year old to take advantage of that half price offer? I'm not clear if she's even eligible as a foreign visitor. For Casa Mila, is the Full Experience adding the mezzanine visit with the virtual reality glasses worth the extra 10 euros over the standard ticket (La Pedrera Essential)? And any tips for booking Casa Batlló or all 3 together? I'm planning to book all 3 at opening times on success days as follows: Day 1 - Casa Mila. Day 2- Sagrada Familia. Day 3 - Casa Batlló. Thanks in advance for any feedback on my questions, and any further input as to how best plan our time in Barcelona. Note that we are staying in Eixample.
Posted by
Huntington Beach CA
1162 posts
I did the full experience at Casa Mila with the VR glasses and it absolutely was not worth it! I remember thinking why the heck did I pay extra for this? With 4 people in your party save the extra €40 for something else. I did both house tours on the same day starting with Casa Mila in the morning with a break for lunch then Casa Battlo in the afternoon. They were both very crowded and I was there last April.
I booked both sites and Sagrada Familia through their own websites easily. I would also add Parc Guell to your list of Gaudi sites. One place I went that was free with an observation deck was the old bullring turned into a shopping mall called Las Arenas. If you go, go inside the mall where it’s free to take the escalators up to the deck. There is an elevator outside but you have to pay to use that. It’s a good place to get lunch and there’s a movie theater inside, too, where you may be able to escape the August heat. Besides, what’s more novel than going to a movie in a different country? My kids and I still talk about seeing Iron Man Trois in Paris lol.
Posted by
OP
38 posts
May I ask for the same advice for Casa Batlló? Does the Blue (standard) experience suffice, or is it worth it to upgrade to Silver? That adds Gaudí Dôme (immersive), Virtual Reality Tablet, and the Original Concierge Room. for an extra 8 euros. I think if it is worth it, might as well actually go with Gold to also add:
Private residence of the Batllós
FastPass
Flexible date change
Free cancellation
Posted by
NC
397 posts
One of our days in Barcelona, we did this:
Sagrada Familia at opening
Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau
Parc Guell
It was a lovely, memorable day!
We stayed in Eixample and walked everywhere other than the shuttle up to/down from Parc Guell. We did not do the towers at Sagrada Familia, just immersed ourselves in the main part of the cathedral as well as the exterior, and did not feel as though we missed out.
Posted by
Connecticut
692 posts
The Sagrada Familia experience with a tour guide but without the towers but including free time took about two hours. Time spent with the guide was only about on hour (it was a rainy day). Did not go up into the towers since some in our group were uncertain about the walk down. A security check occurs in order to gain entrance to the Sagrada. I don’t remember there being food and beverage options on the premises.
Posted by
La Pine, Or
83 posts
We've done Sagrada Familia several times and did not use a guide, just used the audio's and walked on our own. We were happy doing that. 1 time I did go to the tower, but not the 2nd time. We've also done Casa Mila twice and did the standard ticket and loved it! We haven't toured Casa Batilo, just went by and took pictures, but we might this trip. You can also take the on-off bus that takes you past a lot of Gaudi. Definitely go to Parc Guell! Have a great trip. It's a fabulous city!