I will be in Barcelona for three days this summer. I will be arriving at around 5pm from Madrid, and my friend will be arriving earlier from US on an overnight flight, so she'll have time to rest a bit before I get there.
I thought that for our first evening we might take a cab to Barceloneta to have dinner on the beach and a bit of a stroll.
For our first full day, which falls on a Saturday, I have already purchased tickets for La Pedrera (8:45 guided tour), Casa Balto (10:45 seld-guided), and I am about to add tickets for Palau de la Musica. Palau has tickets available for 2pm and 3pm. I am also thinking about going to the El National for lunch. After Palau Musica, I have penciled in a tour/walk in the Gothic Quater. So I guess my question is, does this sound doable, enjoyable and not too rushed for our first day? Day two will be Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and Guadi House Museum, and maybe Montjuic. Day three is Montserrat, a walk on La Rambla and shopping, and then we leave the next morning. Thanks for your thoughts and any suggestions you might have!
Posted by
Chicago
1567 posts
Without double checking the length of the guided tour, I think Day 1 is do-able. The Gaudi houses are close. You've obviously checked the site locations as your afternoon leaves time to arrive in the general area and visit the two close venues of Palau de la Musica and Gothic Quarter. I don't know El National.
Day 2 - Do you have any interest in Hospital Sant Pau? https://www.barcelona.de/en/barcelona-hospital-sant-pau.html If you are a walker, many people including me, visit Sagrada Familia, walk to Hospital Sant Pau, then on to Park Guell. (or take public transit) Montjuic is farther away - what did you want to visit there? Do get tickets in advance for Sagrada Familia and Park Guell - you probably know that. Hospital Sant Pau probably won't need advance purchase.
Day 3 - Montserrat, if you DIY on the train, can take the better part of a day, but La Rambla and shops would be available into the evening (probably - I'm not a shopper so don't know hours).
Caveat - I am a "pack it all in" sort of traveler that goes non-stop. So what looks fine to me might be too much for someone else! Given that caveat, I think you can manage the itinerary.
Posted by
TX, USA
5351 posts
Day 1: I personally would schedule Palau de la Musica at 3:00, since you want to leave some time for lunch. And I wouldn’t schedule something else after that with a non-negotiable beginning time. If you finish lunch early, you can do some exploring before the tour. Is it really full? Yes, but only you know your own physical stamina.
Days 2 and 3 look reasonable since you have your main places chosen, and everything else “as you feel like it”.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Oh, yes! I almost forgot about Hospital Sant Pau. That works perfectly for visiting after Sagrada Familia (10:30 guided tour), since my tickets for Park Guell are for 6:30 pm. I also am a “pack it all in” type of traveler, but I will be with a friend, so I’m trying to not overdo it! Thanks for the suggestions and reassurance that I am on the right track!
Posted by
Chicago
1567 posts
Have a great trip! I also have to be careful when traveling with a companion - my joy may be their pain!!!!
Posted by
Reston VA
401 posts
I am about to add tickets for Palau de la Musica.
One "nice" addition to your experience at the Palau - beyond the tour - would be an actual show there. We did the tour, and then returned the next night for a concert. It was a great way to experience the whole place - small crowd behind the scenes tour and then a show to see how it really shined as a concert hall.
They have a pretty steady stream of shows that might interest you.