Time between flights in Barcelona

Given your limited time and the possibility of delays or flight changes interfering with plans, I wouldn't be booking for Sagrada Familia. You could see a lot on foot as follows ...

Take a taxi from the airport to Av. Diagonal, where it meets Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona’s majestic boulevard
As you walk down Passeig de Gracia, Casa Mila (Gaudi) is on the left & Casa Batllo (Gaudi) is on the right
Thru Placa de Catalunya, Barcelona’s main square, and you will be at the top of the Ramblas
Walking from top to bottom you will pass La Boqueria markets on the right
Detour to the left side through the Gothic Quarter to the Cathedral
Back on the Ramblas and Placa Reial is off to the left, and Palau Guell (Gaudi) off to the right
Finally, you will reach the port and the column with Christopher Columbus gesturing atop

Thank you for the suggestions and route! Looking forward to our initial visit in Spain.

Hi Laura,

Barcelona is full of visitors all year long, not only in summer, but it's true that during summer months the avalanche is even bigger :))

@David has indeed given you a very good idea for a short tour, but this time I'm going to contradict him (sorry!)... and suggest to do it the other way around. Since you arrive at 9am, you're bound to reach Plaça Catalunya -considered the centre of the city- not more than say 1h late. From there, a short walk (20' or so) down the famous boulevard Les Rambles until you reach Plaça Reial (plaça is Catalan, the local language, for square) which is big square a bit hidden to the right on your way down Les Rambles. There at 11am you could join a free walking tour from RunnerBeans, they have very good reputation. Either the Gaudí Tour or the Old City Tour would do and both depart from Plaça Reial. With the first one, you'll walk along Passeig de Gràcia boulevard -in the opposite direction David suggested- and will stop in front of the above mentioned Casa Batlló and Casa Milà as well as Casa Lleó i Morera and Casa Ametller among other, before proceeding towards Sagrada Família in the company of a knowledgeable tour guide which will make your experience more memorable as you'll be explained about the Modernisme movement and the story and anecdotes of those magnificent works mentioned earlier. Note that with this sort of free tours you don't get to go in, but just admiring the façades is worthwhile. Furthermore, you could pre-arrange (booking online) a visit to one of the sites so when you've finished the free tour you could visit on your own.

PS. David, it's only normal I recommend Laura to walk the same route the opposite way that you did... after all you're 'down under' aren't you?, LOL! Regards mate.

Thank you so much. Either direction seems very doable and provides at least a glimpse of the city for a return trip another time!

I agree with the suggestions Enric provided you. There is one minor correction however: When walking down Las Ramblas from Placa Catalunya toward the waterfront, the entrance to the Placa Reial, is on the left.

hahaha, thanks Jack.... force of habit I guess... maps are always displayed facing north, towards the Collserola range and Tibidabo, so Plaça Reial is to the right... but indeed, if one's walking south from Plaça Catalunya then it's on the left side :))))