We'll be taking a taxi from the cruise port to the La Sagrada Familia shortly after we arrive (8am). How much time should we allot for the taxi ride? I want to buy advanced tickets.
I'm undecided about whether to visit Casa Mila or Casa Battlo, and can only do one since we'll only be in Barcelona one day and want to visit some other sites. Several people on TripAdvisor think Casa Battlo is better, but your travel guide (as did two others) rated Casa Mila higher. Why is that? What are the pros and cons of each site?
Posted by
Southport, NC, USA
28 posts
Hi Ann -- Just got home from Barcelona -- visited both -- Battlo is way better but you really need the audioguide -- you didn't ask but we spent almost two hours touring Sagrada Familia including the museum in the basement. BTW, and FYI, you might look into the subway if the cruise ship docks where I think it might -- way cheaper and you get off almost at the front door of the SF. Bon voyage!!!
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
3071 posts
1.) It's likely your cruise will moor at the cruise terminal (Moll Adossat) which is not really at stone throw from the city, it's way inside the port area so you probably want to either take the bus shuttle (T3) to Columbus Monument then the metro L3 (green line) to Passeig de Gràcia then change to L2 (purple) to Sagrada Família (http://bit.ly/BCNmetromap). Or else a taxi indeed, which is much faster. Assuming you can catch one quickly -remember several hundreds, if not thousands, of passengers will be disembarking from the same cruise- it should take you 20' or so to Sagrada Família (traffic permitting).
2.) Each one has its own 'style', both are quite popular among both, locals and visitors alike. Have a peek: CASA BATLLÓ (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/htZf2) and CASA MILÀ (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/13Afs). There are no "pros" and "cons", they are 400 yards from each other and have, as said, different styles.
3.) Also for info, a very short walk away from Sagrada Família you have the largest Art Nouveau site in Europe, the SANT PAU RECINTE MODERNISTA, the former Hospital de Sant Pau (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/zV36g)
4.) But if you prefer to admire another gem of Modernism without the lines and the tourists, head uptown to TORRE BELLESGUARD (http://infocatalonia.eu/w/OWTSI)
Posted by
Austin
976 posts
Sounds like you plan to take your luggage with you to Sagrada?
My experience is that it can be quite a walk ( especially pulling luggage) past all the ships to get to the metro... I personally would stick with a taxi. Will you walk off the ship with all of your own luggage, or will you have to reclaim your luggage in the terminals? That will add time. Also consider whether you need to go through customs in Barcelona, depending on your previous ports, as that will require additional time. La Sagrada is quite amazing- great choice- and I second the recommendation to go into the basement and see all of it.
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
3071 posts
Please don't refer to "Sagrada"... it makes no sense whatsoever, it's like referring to "Saint" instead of Saint David's or Saint Austin. The name is "Sagrada Família" and there's no abbreviation for it. "Sagrada" means only "sacred" which, as you might deduct it doesn't identify any particular place. In our language, Catalan, we don't abbreviate as often as in English, thus arbitrarily shortening our names may result in comical results. Furthermore, it'll will cause strangeness among locals if you do so.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
El Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, if we want to be exactly precise, hey Enric. lol
I don't think its a matter of one being better than the other - Casa Batllo and Casa Mila - I think they complement each other.
Casa Mila offers the roof experience which for many may give it the edge.
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
3071 posts
...yes indeed it is, but that's an "advanced Catalan level", with "Sagrada Família" any foreign visitor will do just fine, LOL!