Barcelona in a day

We were on a cruise and only had one day in Barcelona. We prebooked the Sagrada Famila tour and tower which was very interesting. We also did a hop on hop off. Barcelona is huge. I believe that the bus had 3 different tour loops. We only did one loop and it took a loooong time even though we were buzzing by each site with only a few seconds to snap a crooked photo. That was our day and then we were back on the ship for dinner and departure. In retrospect, i wish we had done the Parc Guell instead of the bus.

I would visit one of the traditional grocery markets and walk the Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter. Rick's book has self-guided directions or the Tourist Info office offers a Gothic Quarter walk at 9:30 daily for 16 euros per person (check in earlier).

With a full day and two nights and keeping up your pace and not lingering too long at each place ;) , I think it's possible to see quite a lot. Hard to tell without knowing where you'd be starting your day. Not sure about logistics on public transportation (we had minibus transfers for longer distances), but you could have an early start at the La Boqueria market (maybe get breakfast there), then do 1-2 of Gaudi's sites (example, Park Guell in the morning then moving on to Sagrada Familia), finishing your day in the Gothic Quarters for dinner, (highly recommend Tapeo Tapas http://www.tapeoborn.cat/tapeo-del-born.html a little pricier than most tapas, but oh....so good!) and even catching a 9pm flamenco show at the Palau Dalmases http://palaudalmases.com/home/en.

BARCELONA IN A DAY
Book the first available entry time for Sagrada Familia (Gaudi)
Metro to Diagonal for a walk down Barcelona’s majestic boulevard, Passeig de Gracia
Casa Mila (Gaudi) is on the left & Casa Batllo (Gaudi) is on the right as you head down
Thru Placa de Catalunya, Barcelona’s main square and you will be at the top of the Ramblas
Walking from top to bottom you will pass La Boqueria markets on the right
Left side thru the Gothic Quarter to the Cathedral. Further along to Placa Reial on the left side
Finally, you will reach the port and the column with Christopher Columbus gesturing atop