We will be visiting Barcelona from Sept. 21-23 pre-cruise. I've already purchased 9a.m. tickets for Segrada but can't decide about whether to purchase the same for Casa Mia and Casa Balto. There are timed ticket options which would put us on a strict itinerary (not really our style) or open tickets, allowing entry any day/time, but obviously more expensive. To add to the debate, it happens to be a festival week-end so crowds will be larger. Can anyone comment on the wait time we might encounter? Are these buildings "must sees" and worth guaranteeing admission? Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Texas
158 posts
We spent 5 days in Barcelona and did get timed entry tickets to La Sagrada Familia. But we didn't go inside Casa Mia or Casa Batlló, just walked by one day. There were lines in early December. I would say they're not "must see" since we skipped them :) although only you can decide what's important to experience on your trip. Planning more than one thing to do each day doesn't suit my travel style, so it makes it less enjoyable.
Sept. 21-23 isn't very long. Are there other things you are planning to see in that time? Will the cruise part of your trip be more your relaxed style, so you can compromise by planning Barcelona more?
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
3075 posts
1.) Please don't shorten names you don't know... they end up making no sense whatsoever. It's Sagrada Família... sagrada means just sacred and there are plenty of places named sacred-something in this city
2.) "Must" is subjective of course, but if it helps, around 2 million people visit Casa Batlló and La Pedrera every year. Don't attempt to visit without a pre-booked ticket... you'll die waiting in line.
Posted by
Washington DC
28102 posts
Both those sites will be crowded (Casa Batllo probably slightly more so), which will make rushing through very difficult. If you decide to go with the less-expensive fixed-time tickets, I suggest allowing a minimum of 90 minutes' viewing time at each site. That doesn't include time spent walking between sites or time spent waiting to get inside (despite having a ticket, thermay still be a wait.
The Sant Pau modernista site is beautiful and so far has not had significant lines, so you should be able to show up there and walk right in. I'd alliow at least 2 hours there (I needed more time), because it has multiple buildings and lovely grounds.