barcelona question

We really liked Paco Merlago:
http://www.restaurantpacomeralgo.com/home/

and we also had a good meal at Xaloc:
http://www.xalocrestaurant.com/en/

I'd head to the Boqueria for lunch after Camp Nou. It's fun to walk around and browse.

If some of your party are like me on arrival day (jetlagged and sleep-deprived), a HO/HO bus will just be an expensive and very uncomfortable place to nap. I think a walking tour would be a better idea as long as the weather cooperates; it will keep you outdoors and moving.

On Friday are you planning to squeeze lunch in between Sant Pau and La Sagrada Familia? I don't know how long the SP tour is, but I think I sort of rushed to finish up in about 1-1/2 hours. I doubt that you'll have time for a real lunch that day, but you should find sandwiches and perhaps salads available for take-out. If you have a vegetarian in your group, watch out for occult ham. It's hiding in a lot of sandwiches and salads. Or you'll probably pass some tapas spots as you wander; that would work. Between noon and 2 is more like mid-day tapas time anyway, with lunch starting around 2 PM.

Thursday - after arrival
Take a walk, starting at ...
•Arc de Triomf
•Parc de la Ciutadella
•Basilica Santa Maria del Mar
•Barceloneta

Saturday - after Camp Nou
•Ramblas - La Boqueria, Placa Real
•Bari Gotico - Cathedral
•El Born - Picasso Museum

I don't think your schedule will allow you time for Montjuic.

No beachtime?

Thanks...
@acraven, We will have a late start on Friday so therefore will have a late breakfast and will eat lunch after SF, around 3-3:30. I did not want this day to be too rushed so I booked it this way.
@David, that looks like a great plan, thank you!
@Emily we live on the beach in Florida so we will definitely go see the beaches but do not need to spend all day there

Some of my favourite places to eat ...

Barri Gotico
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d697441-Reviews-Cafe_De_L_Academia-Barcelona_Catalonia.html?m=19904

El Born
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d1863141-Reviews-Tapeo-Barcelona_Catalonia.html?m=19904

Eixample
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d782944-Reviews-Cerveceria_Catalana-Barcelona_Catalonia.html?m=19904

Sunday, if you are arriving back from Montserrat by train at Placa d'Espanya, then check out the Arenas (old bull ring). It's a good place for a drink on the terrace level.

Did you book your SF tour through the official website or elsewhere? I am wanting to get a tour for us, but somewhat perplexed by the official website tour options. Looks like I can get tickets to get in at 10:45am on the day we can go but the actual tour wouldn't start until 12pm? Did you find this (if you booked on the SF website)?

Most visitors choose the DIY tour with or without audioguide (I recommend with!). Just sayin...

I know. We already did the audioguide in 2013. I wanted a 'real life' person for the kids. I guess we will just go it alone.

If I am not mistaken there are also special audioguides for kids... check it out.

Not that I see - only kids 12 and up can get them, which leaves one of mine in the dust. :) Although I guess I could just go without one and give it to her (she's almost 11 and responsible). I did like the audioguide when I used it four years ago. However, I just thought a person would hold their attention more.

... I'm not in the loop but I remembered having seen smthng about this... http://barcelonacolours.com/ca/2015/08/15/visita-infantil-a-la-sagrada-familia/ -use Google Translate as the post is not in the English version of the website. Since you're there, take the opp to check English version of the website, there are plenty other posts especially thought for activities with kids.

@ NP I booked through SF website and will use their audio guide. For you 11 year old, I would not purchase a child ticket therefore she will get an audio as well.
@David in your opinion, would you go to Montserrat or Montjuic if you had to choose one.

Me not David :).... but you're comparing pears and apples when mentioning Montserrat and Montjuïc. The first is a proper mountain with dramatic sceneries, full of wildlife (including the uncommon Bonelli's Eagle and the Sardinian Warbler) and a surrealist peculiar aspect with a multitude of rock formations of a strikingly pink conglomerate. The second one is a hill located in the city, full of museums and parks with nice views over the city and the sea.

• Montserrat
• Montjuïc

There's a long post about Montserrat I posted some time ago here: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/spain/a-visit-to-montserrat-the-holy-mountain-near-barcelona-in-catalonia

Q: Why is the Sardinian warbler on Montserrat?
A: In search of a duet with Caballe.

LOL!... ....

@enric that's what I thought but I've never been to Barcelona and when I share my itinerary it seems I'm always asked why I haven't made time for montjuic. Only reason I asked that question. I feel great with my itinerary with all of the great guidance from you, acraven, David and my guide books!

Tehehe. U liked that Enric ??
With all respect to the wonderful Montserrat Caballe, a great singer, and a great Catalan.

@kwarbritton79 ...
You are most welcome. That is why this Forum is here, because good people like my friends Enric and acraven are only too willing to assist, to ensure that you have a wonderful experience during your travels.

We did both Montjuic and Monserrat and they are different experiences. Montserrat is build into the mountains so more hiking and incredible vistas from the hiking trails however takes an hour from Barcelona to get there. Montjuic is in Barcelona and you walk through a beautiful park with vistas overlooking the port, with a castle and several museums to explore. IMO, there is not one better than another.

If you do go to La Boqueria go when it opens as we could hardly walk through during the afternoon and bailed before seeing it all.

Actually, @David, I will agree with the "great singer" part... not so sure about the other... in fact, she's often been labelled as being "botifler" by a large chunk of Catalans -which, I tell you, is not a nice thing to be called.

@kwarbritton79, if you have at least half a day (better plan for most of a day) then Montserrat is what you want... the surroundings are really impressive. Otherwise, Montjuïc is also an interesting visit. I always advise Montserrat for what I said earlier, it's quite unique, while the parks and the monuments in Montjuïc, despite being a very worthwhile visit too, are not "that" unique, meaning other European cities might have similar parks and similar monuments. Another way of looking at it: Montserrat=nature (and monastery), Montjuïc=museums and urban parks

Thanks for the enlightenment Enric. However that term does not compute via Google Translate.

If you make an early start for Montserrat you will have time to sample both. The train to Monserrat is from Placa Espanya where the Montjuic Fountains are. You can take the escalators past MNAC and make a circuit of Montjuic and still make a Fountains show.

ahem... that's why I included a link, dear David :))

Well it appears to be not so complimentary.
Oh dear.