Barcelona in three days- recommendations?

1. Sagrada Familia....get your ticket in advance and avoid a long long line. Spend 2 - 3 hours there at least. The trip up in the tower is worth the effort.

2. Las Ramblas...walk from the top down to the Columbus statue. Check out the fresh food market about one block off when you are half way down the Las Ramblas

3. The Gothic quarter....ramble through the small streets and shops.

These are the top destinations I would recommend...and in addition, just walk, walk, walk around the city.

Thank you so much, HJ, great ideas. I appreciate them!

Also highly recommend the Cathedral of Barcelona. Can even go up to the rooftop. It is also neat to see the geese inside the courtyard. Is also worth an hour or so going through the market off Las Ramblas. Sorry for the spelling but it is something like La Bogueria. You can also take a cable car from the waterfront up to the top of the city.

I recommend taking the HOHO bus tour that includes a ride along the Passeig de Gracia to see the many examples of Modernista architecture. You can walk it, but you'll see them better from the top of an open-air bus. One of the buildings, Gsudi's Casa Mila is open to the public. Parc Guell, as I recall, is on the same HOHO itinerary as Passeig de Gracia; and shouldn't be missed. The Palau de la Musica, designed by another Modernista, which offers guided tours in English, is extraordinary. I'm not a fan of the Sagrada Familia. I think all of the buildings I've mentioned are more interesting and beautiful.

I would also recommend the church Santa Maria del Mar - especially if you like Gothic architecture. I agree with the earlier replies - Parc Guell and Palau de la Musica Catalana (absolutely gorgeous). My mom and I were lucky enough to see a performance at the Palau. Perhaps you could look online for their performance schedule to see if anything looks good. That was a fun thing to do at night before going out to eat afterward (remember, you have to eat late when you're in Spain!).

Faith,

I heartily agree with the above information. I also can recommend the Picasso Museum; it is well worth a 90 minute visit. Better yet, the Barcelona TI under Placa Catlunya offers a great Picasso in Barcelona tour that includes a quick guided visit through the highlights of the museum. The tour ends at the museum so if you want to stay longer and see more of it on your own you may.

Must do....... Stay up till at least midnight to catch the full flavor of the culture of spain. Get out drink and enjoy food after 10 p.m.

If you are there when there is a match on go to see FC Barcelona play.
Best team in biggest stadium in Europe with a passionate Catalan crowd. If no game on magnificent museum at the ground but going to a game is unforgettable.

Have a meal at 7 Portes. We were warned it has become too touristy, but we found it to be among the best meals we ate in Barcelona. Buen provecho!