Barcelona sights---??include Park Guell

My daughters and I really enjoyed Park Guell. Since its outside with foliage and nice views, my thought would be that for people not that interested in the Gaudi sights, it would be the best choice (outside of La Sagrada) Park Guell is quirkier. If you want to go, I would reserve tickets in advance. You might also enjoy seeing the exterior of the Gaudi homes--look for the Block of Discord. We didn't love Monjuic. Didn't help that we did that on the only day that turned gloomy. If you do go, the cable car is not really necessary. It is a fairly easy walk right up to the top.

Pictures of Gaudi’s work does not do it justice. Parc Guell was a highlight of my stay in Barcelona.

Yes, you should visit the Monumental Area of Parc Guell. And in summer months, it would be better to visit it first and then Sagrada Familia. but there's nothing wrong with visiting after SF, as long as you have tickets in advance to the Monumental Area. Without advance tickets, you could end up waiting for hours for a time to enter.
And you'll want advance tickets to Sagrada Familia also.
I liked Parc Guell better than Montjuic. I vote for Parc Guell.

Have to agree, well worth your time to see Park Guell. As a previous contributor said, it is "quirky" and that's what made it magical. We loved the vibe. It was one of the best highlights of Barcelona. We took the hop on hop off bus our first day to get a feel of the city. Also recommend Runner Bean free walking tours. Knowledgeable guides who were helpful with suggestions during our stay.

I think it would totally depend on the particular interests of you and your family or travel partners, and how many days you will be spending in Barcelona, where there are many, many exciting sites, experiences and nearby day trips. I spent nine nights in Barcelona in 2016, my first visit, and took three day trips to nearby areas of Catalunya, and when I visited Park Guell, Sagrada Familia, and various other Gaudi and other modernists’ structures in Barcelona. I returned for a couple days just last month, mostly to visit Montjuic and Montserrat, which I missed the first time. For me, Park Guell would rank low among the places I visited, so in a short visit I would skip it. I certainly did not visit everything on Montjuic, but especially liked the MNAC, and most especially the large section of very ancient Romanesque frescoes and other art. Also, the Magic Fountains which come to life on some but not all evenings of the week. Barcelona is very spread out, so unless you are avid bikers, I would think a bike tour would be either very long or limited to certain sites and parts of the city. Not for me, but maybe your cup of tea.

"If Gaudi attractions are not that important to us, is it worth the effort/travel to visit Park Guell?"

Not in my opinion, but as you see, others have a different reaction.

Do look for other Modernista architects besides Gaudi. In particular, the Sant Pau Recinte Modernista (former hospital) and the Palau de Musica Catalana, both designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, are wonderful, and less crowded than the Gaudi sights. Sant Pau is a short walk from the Sagrada Familia, so it's easy to see before or after.

As for Montjuic, I liked the views from the top of the cable car, as well as the MNAC. Note that the MNAC is huge; my first clue to its size was the fact that the ticket is good for two days! I had only a few hours, and could only see about half of it.

If Gaudi attractions are not that important to us, is it worth the effort/travel to visit Park Guell?? Does it make sense to go there after touring Sagrada Familia??

Did you purchase tickets to Sagrada Familia including ascent to one of the towers (if Gaudi is not that important)? Be that as it may. We haven't been to Parc Guell, but it is our first stop during a visit we have scheduled for October. We have been to Montjuic, and, as has been previously noted, we confirm the views of the city from there are spectacular. The aerial gondola from Barceloneta is a fun way to get to Montjuic. What are your interests? If they include museums, the MNAC, also previously noted, is there and nearby is the Fundacio Joan Miro. The Greek Theatre is also a short walk away form the Miro venue, and, of course the Castle. For what it's worth, in the RS Spain 2018, Parc Guell gets a "Try Hard to See" (2 triangles) and 4 pages, Montjuic (no triangles) and 4-1/2 pages plus a 2 page map.

Even if you're not a huge Gaudi Fan, you might look into attending an evening Jazz performance at Casa Mila (La Pedrera).

Regarding biking, Not only is Barcelona spread out, but bicycling in a city where one is not familiar with the "de-facto rules of the road" (bicycles via-a-vis motorized vehicles), could be a challenge. An inexpensive alternative is to purchase a Barcelona Card, and ride the buses throughout the city (I know that sounds pretty "ordinary"). However, they are clean, efficient, not particularly crowded (at least in non-rush-hours) and go just about everywhere; and with the Barcelona Card you can use them as a HOHO. You can download a map of the bus routes at enter link description here You can zoom in and out to take a closer look at which way the buses head on each street and, as I recall, see the stops as well. Bus 7 alone will take you from near Placa de Catalunya to the Placa de Leonardo da Vinci and this is just one route.

Have a great visit to Barcelona

PS I thought everyone was/is mesmerized by Gaudi.

I think I’ve visited Park Guell 4 times over the years and I’d say it’s a quintessential Barcelona ‘experience’. None of the individual elements is overly spectacular yet as a whole I find it a wonderfully uplifting space to enjoy.

is it worth the view to book a time closer to the end of the day? Just wondering if it's more spectacular as evening descends across the city. Visiting the second half of September, so an earlier sunset time (meaning earlier bus ride back to city center).

Thanks!

Sunset is 19:30 to 20:00 during last fortnight of September. I prefer a late afternoon visit, perhaps 17:30 or so.

Free and no crowds?

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187497-i44-k10493255-Park_Guell_free_entrance-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

Must reserve tickets online for Park Guell.

Walk around Diagonal, esp. Passeig de Gràcia to admire the sophisticated architecture.

People-watch...men and women have good taste in their looks and fashion.

Eat seafood sold by weight...even if you never like seafood in the US, you will change your mind!

Nice seafood restaurant chainhttps://www.shbarcelona.com/blog/en/find-seafood-like-a-local-barcelona/

Everyone has different taste. La Familia Sagrada is a must see. However, I'm not a fan of Gaudi, so I felt Park Guell was just OK.
I really liked the Palau de Musica Catalana. I would suggest the latter instead of the Park if you are pressed for time.
Personally, I liked Montjuic. We had the first entrance in the am to La Familia Sagrada then took a taxi up to Montjuic. We visited Fundacio Joan Miro. They have a café inside the museum, so we snacked and rested before seeing the exhibits. Then we leisurely walked down the hill. Had lunch at the Arenal across from the foot of the stairs. For me, I prefer Montjuic to the Park.
You could look at all these places on YouTube to help you decide.