Looking for tips on our Barcelona itinerary... we know to make reservations where needed, but also like to be open to exploring. We typically walk everywhere, unless it's far then we look to the metro.
Day 1 (Saturday): Bike tour at 11 am - 2 pm. Then maybe the Picasso museum? Other Saturday suggestions?
Day 2: Sunday.
Our hotel is in the Eixample district, close to lots of things, so have looked at doing things we can walk to in succession.
Morning:
visit the Block of discord houses and neighborhood.
Tour La Predera? (worth it? or maybe there are better, free unscheduled things...).
Barcelona Cathedral?
Lunch somewhere along the way?
1:30 Sagrada guided tour
3:00 sagrada tower tour
Later: Possible Tour Park Guell - what is the best time to do this?
Day 3 is a Monday, many things are closed so we were looking at going to Girona.
Day 4 has nothing scheduled yet - maybe the beaches? Montjuic? It's our last day there so want to take it easy but see any "must sees" we may have missed...
Love the wisdom of this forum - thanks in advance!
Posted by
Austin, TX
2583 posts
In my opinion Montserrat is a must. And I would suggest a minimum of half a day. And that is a minimum.
Montserrat is really beautiful with a lot to see and to do.
You could do Montserrat on Monday or Tuesday.
Posted by
OP
11 posts
That is so affirming - we are actually going to Montserrat the days before, spending two days and one night. Thank you!
Posted by
Massachusetts
1354 posts
Some of my favorites are:
Palace of Catalan Music
https://www.palaumusica.cat/en
The former Sant Pau hospital
https://santpaubarcelona.org/
Posted by
NC
504 posts
Ditto for Recinte Modernista Sant Pau. It is an easy walk from Sagrada Familia and, for us, was a highlight of Barcelona.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2749 posts
Totally agree both the Palau de la Musica Catalunya and the Sant Pau Recinte Modernista hospital complex are
top architectural sites in Barcelona that everyone should see.
Gaudi’s Casa Battlo is another masterpiece. Whether you tour it or not, take time to just walk up one side of Barcelona’s posh boulevard, the “Passeig de Gracia.” and then down the other side. This is what Paris’ Champs-Elysees wishes it was today and is where the mansions of the wealthy were built by the likes of Gaudi and Montaner on the Block of Discord. With glass storefronts for Cartier, Gucci, Hermes and Louis Vuitton, it’s clearly still the haunt of the privileged.
If you have time for one more Modernista mansion, the leafy neighborhood of Gracia is where Gaudi’s “Casa Vicens” is located. . Walk through Gracia and you’ve walked through where many think is Barcelona’s most-desirable neighborhood.
Montjuic Park can easily take a day to see the castle and the National Art Museum Catalunya. If you can go to one art museum in Barcelona— make it this one.
After 3 days in high-density Barcelona, it’s time to decompress and get out of the big city—Girona, Tossa de Mar, Montserrat, Sitges— can all be reached by train or bus in about one hour.
Posted by
Chicago
1495 posts
Good suggestions above.
Since you are staying in Eixample near the block of Discord, I would make time at some point to visit inside one or more of the houses. La Pedrera - Casa Milà or Casa Batlló for Gaudi or Casa Amatller by Josep Puig I Cadalfach if Gaudi doesn't appeal to you. The buildings are striking from the outside, but seeing the inside of at least one gives a different perspective. People have different preferences for favorites. Easy to check websites to see which might suit you. There are many hours that the Gaudi houses are open - perhaps an early morning or late afternoon/early evening would fit in. (I caught an early morning entrance to La Pedrera before heading to the airport to fly home.)
For other Gaudi options which may be less crowded and cheaper (??? - I didn't check), there is Palau Güell and Casa Vicens (as mentioned above). Not on Block of Discord.
Barcelona Cathedral isn't magnificent like many other European Cathedrals. Could be skipped, in my opinion, unless you have special interests. Replace with Guell Palace or Palau de la Música Catalana.
I enjoyed Picasso Museum - several very early works I was unfamiliar with despite visits to Picasso Museums and exhibits and collections. on muliptle continents.
Park Guell - pre-book. Early AM if your visiting dates are summer to avoid heat.
Your Sunday as laid out has you bouncing all over a broad area. I would stick to Park Guell and Sagrada Familia (Sunday hours? Different from week day??? I don't know) Sant Pau Recinte Modernista fits into that general area also.
The Block of Discord walk can be done any time convenient for you as you are staying in the area. Needn't take a lot of time. Orientation walk on arrival??? I would book one of the Gaudi houses ahead of time, although there may be some price options that allow you in immediately (at a premium - but this is what I decided on for personal convenience.....).
Posted by
59 posts
Since you'll be in Barcelona during a weekend, check this schedule https://castellscat.cat/en/schedule?a=2025&m=05&p=189 for Castellers performance. It will be a highlight of your trip. Also Google for Sardana dance. It's usually at the cathedral. We missed this because it was raining and we were lazy.
Posted by
Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
1972 posts
You already have some great suggestions. I will add just a couple more.
If you like Miró , the Fundació Joan Miró, on Montjuic is the best collection of his work in the world. (I'm not a big fan, and I still found the museum worth visiting.)
I loved the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, as Kenko suggested. Probably the top "exceeded expectations" experience I had in Barcelona.
Do a food tour. I did two with Devour, both great. Any of the ones on their site should be worth doing. Also, Barcelona's markets are a cultural institution. Every neighborhood has one. Spend some time exploring one or two of them.
The White Rabbit Non-Museum is a fun experience if you want something a little offbeat. It's right by the Block of Discord.