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Barcelona itinerary critique please?

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This group is always so helpful, could some of you kindly critique this itinerary?

Sunday: morning arrival at 9:20, we will taxi to AC Barcelona Forum near the conference center to drop off luggage or check-in if possible (have to stay here for hubby's work so he can pop in and out of meetings). We are an energetic couple in our mid-60s, we love scenery, museums, history, food/wine, and photography, so I've planned with the focus on these things.

What to do Sunday afternoon/early evening that would have us out in the fresh air, sunshine, getting a little exercise? We never nap on arrival but typically will go to bed extra early around 8 or 9 on our first night in Europe. I'm considering taking a taxi to Park Guell or riding around on the HOHO bus for the afternoon activity, or maybe doing Rick's Ramblas Ramble, though I'm a little nervous about being a jet-legged target of the pickpockets and I don't like being in crowds.

Monday: 9:00 AM, small group tour with hotel pickup to Montserrat, back to the hotel early afternoon, relax, then a private tapas tour beginning at 6:30.

Tuesday: private tour to Dali sights, Figueres, Girona. This tour will take pretty much all day, so dinner close to the hotel as I'm sure we will be tired. Any restaurant suggestions, maybe a good seafood place on the beach?

Wednesday: hubby works all day, I have a cooking class and market tour that will end around 3. We will meet up for happy hour and dinner somewhere...where? Maybe taxi to a "neighborhood gem" type place for tapas? Eixample, El Born or Gothic Quarter? Or walk around Park Guell and have dinner near there (restaurant suggestions welcome) if we do not do this on day of arrival?

Thursday: Morning open...might be ready for some down time. In the afternoon we have a private tour of Gaudi sites.

Maybe a later evening, hear some music, etc. I would love to hear some Spanish guitar in a cool setting (like in Vicki Christina Barcelona, LOL)!

Friday: all day and evening is still open: maybe Gothic Quarter tour or Montjuic? What else is a must-see that we have missed? I am not particularly interested in the Picasso Museum, though I know that would be a must-see for many people. Any suggestions for a last night in Barcelona?

Saturday morning return flight.

Thanks for reading!
Nancy

Posted by
417 posts

It was a long time ago, but I enjoyed the Miró museum, which I recall getting to on the HOHO bus (could be wrong).

Posted by
3225 posts

Hi Nancy,
Reading your post brought back memories of my second and third trips to Barcelona. I too went to Park Guell on arrival day but took a bus instead of a taxi and had a hard time staying awake. I highly recommend walking around instead of riding a bus for any length of time.
On my third trip I walked a section of the Ramblas Ramble on arrival day with luggage trying to find my hotel and had no problems. Since you’re going to your hotel first, leave your valuables there. I never carry more than $100 and if you don’t need your credit or debit card don’t bring them. If you need to bring a debit or credit card, put it in a safe place where it will be trickier for a pick pocket to find. If one of you wears a money belt that will work.
When it comes to restaurant suggestions Rick Steves guidebook along with the help of locals is the way to go. I also check TripAdvisor and some people like Yelp.
The Bari Gotic (gothic quarter) is a must see and Rick Steves guidebook has an excellent self-guided walking tour of this area. I was disappointed with Montjuic.

Posted by
1134 posts

Parc Guell tickets do sell out. I don’t know your dates, but people were turned away and there were large “sold out” signs at the entrance when I visited on a weekday, late March 2024. I had purchased tickets weeks in advance and hoped for good weather! This was not high tourist season.

I was disappointed in the Miro Museum as much was not open. I don’t know the current situation. I did enjoy the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. No advance tickets required.

Posted by
396 posts

Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau may be a good choice for your first afternoon. It is lovely and, at your own pace, you can wander both inside buildings and on the grounds. La Sagrada Familia seems to be missing from your plan. If you have not been before, it is the most magnificent site in Barcelona. Book tickets early. Arriving at opening worked great for us as it was, initially, uncrowded. In September 2019, the Ramblas Ramble was super crowded and disappointing. Lastly, highly recommend the Dali Theatre and Museum in Figueres. Enjoy!

Posted by
8231 posts

Suggest taking a tour of the city with Barcelona Day Tours, it was great.

Also, you didn't mention Sagrada Familia which is not to be missed.

Posted by
54 posts

Thanks for all of your replies! The Sagrada Familia is part of the Thursday afternoon tour..a must see! Any other suggestions...keep 'em coming!
Mary Pat, yes, money belt for sure! MML, I will check out your suggestion for Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau, I didn't know about that one, and thanks for affirming the Dali Theatre and Museum that is on our Tuesday itinerary. It sounds like the Ramblas Ramble is something I could skip. We will definitely add in the Gothic Quarter walk, either Wednesday afternoon or Friday.

What were your favorite neighborhoods for just wandering around and dining?
Nancy

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