Hello,
Not trying to be redundant as other threads had the option of doing both....however, our family only has time/budget to do either the paid tour or attend a year's end children's concert in the main hall. I realize with the tour we would see back stage. I believe we are allowed to enter an hour previous to a concert. If we do a little research on the facility and arrive early to explore, would attending the concert be a better option for seeing/experiencing the palace? Also, I am treating my adult children to this trip and the concert is less expensive than the tour. I am leaning towards attending the children's concert unless someone has a strong opinion that we should do the tour. Thank you.
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2301 posts
I haven't done the tour, but the exterior and interior of the Palau are fabulous and I can't imagine you'll see anything better on a backstage tour. You'd probably learn some interesting things about the building, but you could probably learn those online as well. I'd do the concert.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
When I took the tour, we didn't go backstage - only to a rehearsal area directly underneath the stage. However, we did go to both the orchestra and mezzanine levels of the seats, as well as to the outside balcony area, and of course we heard something about the building's history and features.
I didn't go to a performance there, so I can't compare directly. But I imagine if it's a performance you want to see anyway, and if it's cheaper than the tour, the performance should work fine for seeing the hall.
Posted by
Boston
380 posts
What's your goal and priority? To see the building and learn about it's history or to listen to the music?
If it is the former, take the tour. We didn't go backstage. I think you are misinformed on that. We sat in orchestra and the tour guide played a short tape of organ music for us to get an idea of how the music sounds. The tour covers pretty much everything about the building. We also saw the small hall. IMHO, it's the way to go.
To go to a concert, just to save money doesn't make sense to me. One should go to a concert because you want to hear the music. Advance purchase for tour tickets is 16 euros. Is the concert ticket a significant saving?