My wife and I , both mid-70's and healthy (but my COPD slows me down) are trying to determine how our two days available prior embarking on a cruise next week are best spent. We are staying in Iexample hotel and anticipate using the HoHo bus tour the first day for locating key interest spots. Second day could be used exclusively in the city, or spent on trip to Montserrat Monastery. Considering the Montserrat trip would use most of day (six hours R/T by train plus time there) and would be undertaken primarily to hear the boys choir and marvel at the spectacular setting, I am soliciting opinions of those who have made the trip regarding the cost/benefit for time needed. We definitely want to visit the Ramblas, La Boqueria market, Casa Batlo, the Montjuc Spanish Village and Magic Fountain, plus Maritime Museum over the two days .Whether this would leave time for Montserrat is questionable. What are your thoughts?
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I have so far not made time for Montserrat in a couple of two-day visits to Barcelona. I think you see more sites more efficiently by staying within the city, and certainly will not run out of options there.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
If its your first visit to Barcelona I would forget Montserrat, forget Poble Espanyol on Montjuic, forget HOHO Bus.
Spend one day on the Ramblas (plus Bari Gotico) and Passeig de Gracia (Casa Batllo and Casa Mila).
It is the best part of 2 miles from Diagonal to Colon by the port.
On the 2nd day I would book visits to Sagrada Familia, Palau de la Musica, Parc Guell and perhaps Hospital Sant Pau.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thanks for your replies. Have decided to skip Montserrat. Leaving now (04/18) for airport. Please cease responding!