Barcelona: Booking tickets: Itinerary helps?

Book the Sagrada in advance for sure; the other places you could wait til you get there to see how you feel;

Palau de la Musica was a highlight for me. Picasso Museum wasn't. If you are a big fan of his work, you may find it interesting. There's a lot about his early stuff (in his teens) and the development of cubism, not much else. I don't know how quickly the Palau tickets sell out. The visit is by guided tour so there's a very limited number available for each day.

Check walking distances on google maps (or similar). Sights are not so close to each other. The metro is inexpensive, easy to use and saves time.

Sorry to meddle with your itinerary and give you extra headaches... but you're missing something in your schedule that literally thousands of Europeans fly into Barcelona for during these days to join us Barcelonians... The Festes de la Mercè (22-25th Sept).

Although in truth you're "arriving" almost at the end, there are still many things you could see/do as the festivities close on the 25th. This is a peek of what this festival is all about and this is one of the highlights, the pyro-musical on the last night.

This is the current program. Over 600 activities, from concerts to displays of heritage, art, circus, open days in many otherwise private buildings, folk dances, fireworks... and much more.... and all of them are free. It's probably the biggest festival of the year, and we have quite a few! The venues are hosted in many different parts/places in the city so, if interested, you need to plan your itinerary carefully as there are many concurrent activities at the same time and you can't possibly attend them all.

I would strongly suggest taking this into account as you'll be able to see bits and pieces of tradition and heritage you'd normally wouldn't see on a regular week. Check out especially for "traditional festivities" in Subject in the above website.

Yet if you're not interested (shame though, you'd be missing a great trait of Barcelona, its historical festivities) you don't need to worry as the city is large enough to host many events, even bigger than this one, and at the same time without collapsing. In fact, there might be specific streets/squares in specific moments in which thousands gather but that's it, for the most part, moving about continues to be easy enough. After all, although literally hundreds of thousands attend the venues (1.3 million in 2016), there are many in Barcelona that don't and that have other commitments, or have to work, etc. so for them is business as usual.

Also, for other people reading this post and visiting some other time throughout the year but interested in popular and cultural festivals, this is a good resource from the CIty Hall displaying the City Festivals and Cultural Festivals. Note the dates of some of them do vary from year to year so it's advised to check the respective websites. Also note that for some, this is not available until a few weeks before the festival is to be celebrated (ie Christmas, La Mercè, etc). In this same website, you can also find data for other art/cultural facilities.

Enjoy!

PS: And since I know Americans, in general, are very in love with stats, this is for those interested/curious in a more in-depth report on attendance to the different venues for the 2016 Mercè Festival.

The Picasso Museum tends to be utterly jammed to the point that it's hard to move through the rooms from painting to painting and even harder to get close enough to read the short descriptions posted on the wall. If you're seriously interested, I suggest getting the English audio guide. If you're not seriously interested, I suggest that you skip it.

The Miro Museum is much saner and is located on Montjuic, close to the Magic Fountains, though I don't know how the opening hours and performance schedule line up. I basically walked right into the Miro Museum, so I think that's one where you can play it by ear. Unless the festival brings lots of extra people to the museum, which I guess it might if there are popular activities taking place on the nearby Placa d'Espanya.

I really enjoyed both Casa Batllo and Casa Mila (La Pedrera), but you only have 2-1/2 days for sightseeing in Barcelona and I agree that you should choose one of them. They will both be crowded; Batllo was a bit worse at the time of my 2016 visit, but probably not enough to make a difference. I think you'll need at least 1-1/2 hours, not counting time in line or traveling to and from. That's probably about the minimum at La Sagrada Familia (without ascending a tower), too. Parc Guell is quite large, and a lot depends on how far you want to range from the entrance gates. Be aware that the line to enter the gatekeeper's cottage (which I skipped) builds up rapidly shortly after the park opens. I think it was at 45 minutes by the time I noticed it about 30 minutes after opening time.

The Palau de la Musica Catalana is a stunning building and I highly recommend it. The Sant Pau Modernista site by the same architect is also wonderful, doesn't require a tour, and as of last year had almost no tourists. I walked right in. However, it's large and will take more time than the tour at the Palau de la Musica Catalana.

I think you're being a bit optimistic about the time you'll spend moving from sight to sight. I wouldn't devote one extra minute to seeing Las Ramblas, beyond what you'll see in the normal course of events as you move around and go to La Boqueria. To me it's just a jam-packed street. (Watch your wallet.) I mention this because your time is extremely short and you have the misfortune (as do I) of being interested in both the modernista architecture and art. Think also about the fact that there are beaches all over the place, but Barcelona's architecture is unique.

If you want to visit the Sant Pau Modernista acraven mentioned, do it before or after the Sagrada Familia, since it's about a 10 minute walk from one to the other.

I posted a reply yesterday but did something wrong and it didn't go through! :(

Thank you ALL for your invaluable input. Enric, alerting me to the La Merce festivities has indeed changed my itinerary significantly, but I am glad for it!! It makes so much sense to take part in the festivities while they are still going on (although we arrive to them late). And I appreciate the affirmation from Chani and acraven regarding the Palau de la Musica--it is part of our plan for sure. I am an artist, so won't forgo the Picasso, but do appreciate knowing about the crowds. I also bought an Articket BCN to bypass lines for any of the major museums.

Here is the revised itinerary, with some additional questions:

• Day 1 (Sun, 9/24): Arrive at 2:30 p.m., rest a bit. I quite heavily researched La Merce, focusing on the "traditional" festivities, and found several appealing options--ALL within 5 - 10 minutes walking distance from our apartment in El Gothic! (Options: Sardana Dancing at 6 p.m., Choral Concert at 7 pm, Sardana Concert at 9 pm and Bell ringing concert at 9 pm.) We may not make the later ones and will eat in the El Gothic area.

• Day 2 (Mon 9/25): More La Merce events, again all within walking distance! (it seems a large percentage of the "traditional" events take place in the El Gothic area.) Go to La Boqueria for breakfast/lunch--it's right near the location of the Seguici Popular Procession at 11:00 a.m. , Also a Moixiaganga Valencia Dance and human towers procession nearby.
  Thinking of hopping a taxi and going to Parc Guell for a couple hours in the afternoon....really want to see it, and our next 2 days are booked with timed things. Have not booked tickets yet. With the festival, will doing this be crazy? Also, any recommendations of where to grab a bite up there?
  Back from Parc Guell around 5 or 6 for more La Merce (options include Sardana dancing @ 6pm, International Folk Festival also @ 6:00, and the "Final Call" procession around the El Gothic area from 8 - 9:30.)
  I think we will forgo the grand finale fireworks to avoid the crowds, etc. Is this a mistake??

-Day 3 (Tues. 9/26) Sagrada Familia @ 12:30 (booked) including tower on the Passion Facade. Lunch at Brunch and Cake by the Sea--recommended by a friend. La Pedrera after (booked premium tickets so there is no set entry time--we can go whenever in the afternoon). We could squeeze in La Batllo too--but I haven't booked tix yet. Would this be overkill?
This may be day to stroll the beach and have dinner there. Any recommendations?

• Day 4 (Wed. 9/27): Santa Caterina Market for breakfast/lunch before the Palau de la Musica @ 12:00 (tickets booked). Maybe take a break in Parc Cituadella. Head to Montjuic and Magic Fountain. Go to Joan Miro Museum.
  Question: Is taking the funicular to or from Montjuic worth it? Looks kind of fun. Also--going into castle ramparts for the views?
  Back to El Born area for highly recommended dinner place @ 9:00 pm.

• Day 5 (Thurs. 9/28): Picasso Museum in morning (it's a 5 minute walk from our apt.) Grab a bite somewhere, take taxi @ 2:30 to airport for a 5:00 flight to Granada.

I welcome any further input into the above, and thank you all again for weighing in--it is all so helpful!

I wouldn't say that doing both Casa Batllo and Casa Mila is overkill, but your time is very tight. Casa Mila has a top-floor exhibition with a great deal of information on Gaudi's other buildings, quite a number of them outside Barcelona. I found it quite interesting even though I had already been to a lot of the other buildings. I spent close to 3 hours at Casa Mila and could have used a bit more time there.

Thank you for that. I tend to underestimate how much time things take!

I do, too. I wouldn't have imagined that I'd spend 12 hours in London's Victoria and Albert Museum and have covered roughly half of it.

The other thing is that Barcelona's modernista sights are pretty pricey, and it seems a shame to rush through a 25-euro experience to make time for another rushed 25-euro experience.

If by some miracle you end up with extra time, the MNAC (Museum Nacional d'Art de Catalunya) over on Montjuic (not too far from the Miro) is wonderful. And large. In addition to the expected paintings and sculpture, there's a nice exhibition on modernism (furniture and jewelry that I recall, possibly other media) and some very impressive early frescoes rescued from churches in the Pyrenees.

There's also the small but worthwhile Museu del Modernisme Barcelona. It's at Carrer de Balmes 48 in the Eixample. It's a place you could pop into if you had 20 - 30 minutes to spare. The current information on the internet says it's open until 7 PM on Tues-Sat, till 2 PM on Sun, and closed on Monday. The entry fee is 10 euros, and it's small. But it's full of eye-candy and visitable in a limited time in a way that a large museum is not.

Thank you for these tips! I think we'll not do Casa Batllo in addition to Casa Milo. I do know about the wonderful Catalan Art Museum, and could easily pop in there at no extra cost with our Articket BCN when we go to Montjuic and Joan Miro....just to get a glimpse if nothing else. I'm sure my husband will wait by the fountain for me :))
I also appreciate the recommendation for the Modernisme Barcelona museum in Example...it might get a look-see when we go to Parc Guell on Monday, as we will be somewhat in the area. I think it is also covered by the Articket BCN. I'll check. Thank you!

Sunday 24 (pm)
(Walking outdoors is best remedy for jet lag)
•Parc de la Ciutadella
•Barceloneta

Monday 25
•Sagrada Familia**
•Passeig de Gracia - Casa Mila & Casa Batllo (choose just one to visit)

Tuesday 26
•Palau de la Musica Catalana**
•Ramblas - Boqueria markets & Placa Real
•Bari Gotico - Cathedral

Wednesday 27
•El Born - Picasso Museum** & Basilica Santa Maria del Mar
•Montjuic - Miro Foundation or MNAC (both close at 20:00) & Magic Fountains (21:30)

Thursday 28 (am)
•Park Guell**

** These sights best PREBOOKED.

Near Jaume I Metro stop look for my favourite patisserie in Barcelona - La Colmena.
And my favourite restaurant - Cafe de l'Academia.

David,
I always appreciate your input so much! However, if you look at my revised itinerary above, the changes are based on the La Merce festival that Enric alerted me to.....and include walking-distance event options for the evening on the day we arrive. Easy walks and (free) shows to enjoy.

I say this with an understanding that *without * the festival, your itinerary makes perfect sense. However, I am adjusting our itinerary to La Merce and am interested in participating in what's happening in the moment on both the afternoon we arrive and the following day (Monday)-- which is the last day of the festival.

Thus informs Monday's choices. If you look back in the thread, we are doing some La Merce events (which is also an exploration, by default, of El Gothic. Which we would be doing anyway). We have a gap in the afternoon that is chance to go to Parc Guell on this day before getting in on some of the final La Merce festivities (all near our apartment.)

I have already booked Sagrada Familia and La Pedrera for Tuesday, and on that day, the evening might end at the Barceloneta Beach.

I won't reiterate the revised schedule I've posted above... take a look and see what you think based on my reasoning! Also, tickets are already booked for the Palau de la Musica on Wednesday.
The only thing I haven't booked yet is Parc Guell.
And thank you so much for the restaurant recommendations! Always appreciated!!

I'm sorry for coming in late.

My goodness no problem! It's hard to keep up. Only want input if it is convenient to you....always welcome.

Looking at Tue-Wed-Thu then ...
- Timing of the Fountains doesn't allow for a 9pm restaurant booking.
- Brunch and Cake by the Sea makes more sense on Wednesday.
- I would consider Park Guell first up on Tuesday. Bookings available as early as 8am. https://www.parkguellonline.cat/muslink/venda/activitats.jsp?lang=3&nom_cache=PARC&property=PARC&_ga=2.190531171.996912752.1505960850-377399049.1485000238

Day 3 (Tue 9/26)
•Park Guell
•Sagrada Familia @ 12:30 (booked) including tower on the Passion Facade
•Lunch at traditional tapas restaurant, either Cerveceria Catalana, or Ciudad Condal
•La Pedrera (booked premium tickets that allow for any time entry)
•Casa Batllo (??)

Day 4 (Wed 9/27)
•Santa Caterina Market for breakfast
•Palau de la Musica @ 12:00 (tickets booked)
•Parc de la Cituadella
•Lunch at Brunch and Cake by the Sea
•Barceloneta waterfront
•Port Aerial to Montjuic
•Joan Miro Museum (closes 8pm)
•Magic Fountains Show at 9.30pm

Day 5 (Thu 9/28)
•Basilica Santa Maria del Mar
•Picasso Museum
•taxi @ 2.30pm to airport
•flight @ 5pm to Granada

Okay, we are close to alignment here! :)

Our dinner reservation is set on Wednesday at 9:00 pm. I agree that the Magic Fountain (if only "magic" at 9:30) does not work with our reservation. However, ....that is the day we are down in the Montjuic area and maybe we will just have to imagine the night time version of "magic"! Will still go to Miro museum and see the area that day--maybe go to Monjuic castle ramparts for views also. Heard the terrace at the Catalan Art Museum is nice for a drink and views. I have an art pass and can peek in the museum too if time. We will need to leave Miro museum by 7:30 or so anyway to get back in time for the restaurant res. So magic fountain view will be what it is.

Question: you refer to the "port aerial" to Montjuic--is this the funicular or the (more pricey) cable car? And take it from the beach area to Montjuic, I presume? Or is it better to take it from Montjuic back to Barceloneta area? (our apt. is within walking from there).

I see where Brunch by the Sea is located and I'm nixing it. There are options more convenient to the day's plan. Maybe somewhere near Parc Cituadella (we will have eaten at Santa Caterina Market for breakfast.. somewhere else around there.)

Like your idea of combining Parc Guell with the Sagrada and La Pedrera--just hope it won't be too much! One of us is not a terribly early riser :) Might still do Barcelona waterfront evening here instead of next day. .

I really appreciate the traditional tapas restaurant suggestions in the vicinity of the Sagrada--I definitely will look them up! Needed suggestions for the area. No Casa Batllo--not necessary.

Montjuic Access

Funicular - Inclined rail from Parallel
https://www.tmb.cat/en/about-tmb/transport-tmb/montjuic-funicular

Cable Car - small white cabins up to the castle
https://www.tmb.cat/en/about-tmb/transport-tmb/barcelona-montjuic-cable-car

Port Aerial (Teleferic) - big red cabins across the port
http://www.telefericodebarcelona.com/en/

The fountain 'magic' (water, lights, music) only happens at the given times. Don't bother otherwise.
My thought was to change the 9pm dinner from Wed to Tue if possible, with a siesta pre dinner (after Casa Mila).

Thank you for the links for ways to get to Montjuic! Something to consider.....

I didn't know that the fountains have "timed" displays....oh well. Our dinner reservation cannot be changed--they are closed on Tuesdays as luck would have it..:( other wise your suggestion would work. However, as read about Montjuic and the various excellent viewpoints from which to see the city, as well as some nice-looking garden areas, this seems like a worthwhile destination, fountains or no! Thank you again for the input--all very helpful!

David I looked at the Cafe de l'Academia and am so excited to go there! It's a 3 minute walk from our apartment and would be ideal on Monday night (9/25) or Tuesday (9/26) for dinner, around 8:30 or 9:00 or so. However, I have searched and searched and can't make a reservation online....their website doesn't offer the option as far as I can see.

I tried calling but of course there is a time difference. Is there not a way to book online? I am surprised, but really want to nail a reservation for one of the two nights if possible. Help?

I would be surprised if they took bookings online. Drop in Monday lunchtime (if you can) to make a booking for that evening.

I'll try! Thank you.

Wondering about inexpensive places to eat mid-late afternoon (unfortunately) near Parc Guell? Many nearby I know are tourist traps. Or should we just head back to El Gothic area?
Also less expensive places near Familia Sagrada? prior to our entry time @12:30?

Standard lunchtime in Barcelona seemed to be from 2 to 4, with some places having tapas available from around noon on. Your best bet for your pre-La Sagrada Familia meal may be a café with salads, sandwiches, etc., unless one of the markets is handy when you finish up at your preceding stop.

Thank you once again for the input!