Help with 5 days in Barcelona Itineary

I think you've nailed the places for which you need to buy tickets ahead of time. Except for the Palau de la Musica Catalana (handled by a relative), I waited until I arrived in Barcelona to get tickets, but I had 10 days and a lot of flexibility. I'm not sure it would be prudent for you to do the same thing.

Check Google maps. I think you may be able to walk from your hotel to the Palau de la Musica Catalana.

Watch your wallet on Las Ramblas. It's very crowded. And skippable in my view unless there's somewhere along the street you need to go--like La Boqueria.

Umm, I don't want to distress you, but on TripAdvisor Barcelona forum today there is information that Oct 3 may be a general strike in Barcelona. This would most likely include demonstrations. If you don't know, there is a referendum vote for Catalan separation from Spain on October 1 and they are starting to announce activities following this date. Up until this point, the outlook appeared controlled and calm, but it looks like emotions may run stronger. This isn't to say there will be violence, but you want to avoid the demonstrations if at all possible. Of course, no one can predict, but I would keep an eye on Barcelona news more than American based news. Members of the TripAdvisor Barcelona forum have in the past been good about posting updates. When las Ramblas was hit with terrorist attach in August, they translated local updates for us to read the situation on the ground.
I would not want to be around las Ramblas or Placa de Catalunya on that day. I guess no one can state where it will be 'quiet', but I would think parks and green spaces or Barceloneta might be better.
Here is the twitter account for the local police and security of Barcelona. They post in 3 languages.

ttps://twitter.com/mossos
This should help you decide what areas you should avoid.

I don't think it is something to cancel plans over, but you may want to be aware so you can be flexible. I realize it makes prebooking a little more difficult, but perhaps you can rearrange things so that the prebooking is done later in your schedule.
Sorry.

I'm optimistic that nothing will happen to mess up your plans, but visiting the lovely small city of Girona would be a possibility. It's totally worth a day or even longer, and there are frequent trains.

We arrived in Barcelona on the national holiday and this was also the day of the huge protest in Plaça de Catalunya. Our hotel was right on the square. These people don't seem to protest the way North Americans do. There was none of the "What do we want, when do we want it" chanting. No anger displayed at all. They listened to speakers and sang songs. As we came out of the Metro, we were met with several people wearing green "Volunteer" vests and they were quite happy to direct us towards our hotel. I would not worry about any protests.

I agree, the Rambla walk is nothing, although it does end at the Columbus monument. The Boqueria is part way along on your right as you are heading towards the port. Watch for a small side street or you will miss it. Also part way down on the other side is Plaça Reial. This has one of Rick's recommended restaurants Les Quinze Nits. Very good food, but small portions. You may have to line up, but the line moves reasonably quickly.

Definitely book Parc Guell in advance, even if just the day before. We did not and had to return 5 hours later for our scheduled time. At the Sagrada Familia, sign up for the English tour. There is just so much you will learn that you would not figure out on your own.

Thank you for the quick replies. Between potential airport strikes and protests, i am sure all will be okay, but we will monitor the news and adjust our schedule accordingly and spend less time on Ramblas on Oct 3.

Actually, air port strikes have been averted....at least an agreement has been reached so let's keep our fingers crossed

Rather than a large intake of history in the Gothic Quarter on your arrival day, disengage the mind and walk in the open air.

Tuesday (afternoon of arrival)
•Parc de la Ciutadella
•Barceloneta

Wednesday
•Hospital Sant Pau
•Sagrada Familia (BOOKED at 2pm)
•Eixample (Passeig de Gracia, Casa Mila, Casa Batllo)

Thursday
•Bari Gotico (Cathedral)
•Ramblas (Boqueria markets & Placa Real)
•Port Vell waterfront

Friday
•Palau de la Musica Catalana (BOOK)
•Picasso Museum (BOOK)
•El Born (Basilica Santa Maria del Mar)

Saturday
•Park Guell (BOOK)
•Montjuic (MNAC & Miro Museum)
•Magic Fountains