What do you think of this Barcelona Itinerary?

I think its a shame to not go into at least one of the casa. We did Casa Mila. I think day 2 is very ambitious. We went to Park Guell in January and it was quite busy. I would imagine it to be more so in September. We got there before it opened so as to not have to wait in line. I would get tickets in advance for all the Gaudi sights. When we were there we did Park Guell immediately in the morning and then to La Sagrada Familia at about 3pm with prepurchased tickets.

We spent a whole day to Monserrat. It was incredible. We did do some hiking in the mountains above the monastery. Montserrat is wonderful, but with your short time frame, you might consider saving it for another trip.

Barcelona is amazing, and BUSY.

See the interior of Casa Mila. Find time for Palau de la Musica. When we were there, there was an English language tour available. As I recall, you had to be part of a tour to see the interior, except when attending a concert. In my opinion, a better choice than Monserrat or Sagrada Familia.

I agree that Palau de la Musica is worth seeing. It is convenient to the Gothic quarter. We were there about 5-6 years ago and we were able to go into the lobby which is quite attractive. It did make us want to go into the music hall itself which we did not have time for.

I'd drop Montserrat since you are already doing a daytrip to Tarragona.

Instead on day four, I'd be sure to visit the Barcelona History Museum (MUHBA Plaça del Rei). It houses the subterranean ruins of Roman Barcelona (Barcino) just below a medieval royal palace. For me, the really cool part is to walk the streets of a Roman city, directly below the modern streets of the Gothic Quarter, you actually take an elevator down to get to the Roman level.

Some of the other sites I like around the city are:
- Hospital Sant Pau Modernist Site
- Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
- Palau de la Música Catalana
- Explore Gracia neighborhood (Casa Vicens de Gaudí)
- Parc del Laberint d'Horta (18th century palatial gardens)
- Museu d'Història de Catalunya

PS When are you visiting Barcelona in September? Know that September 11 is Catalunya National Day (political demonstrations) and September 21–25: is La Mercè festival (street theater, music, parades, light shows)

I agree with the advice to go into a Gaudi building. But if I had to choose just one of those two, I would go for Casa Batllo - and I have done them both twice. Casa Batllo is just cooler, quirkier and full of crazy Gaudi details inside.

And a second vote for the Palau Musica Catalana - gorgeous inside.

Thanks so much for the replies! I'm so glad I posted because we will definitely see a show at Palau de la Música. It's a great evening activity and should be delightful. I'm looking at the Spanish guitar and dance. We are going to buy tickets!

Thanks for suggestions to go into a Gaudi building and for the Barcelona History Museum -- going to rethink and replan and will likely skip Montserrat if we go to the museum -- subterranean ruins are up my spouse's alley. :-)

Back to add - thank you Carlos for the other suggestions. Will put them on my list and try to plan by neighborhood. Thank you all.

PS When are you visiting Barcelona in September? Know that September 11 is Catalunya National Day (political demonstrations) and September 21–25: is La Mercè festival (street theater, music, parades, light shows)

We are departing on Sept. 10. I would have liked to see both of these events!

Your first jet lagged day you have too much listed. You need to be hyper vigilant in the Las Ramblas area, beware of pickpockets. Jet lagged and being hyper alert do not go together. Every time we left our hotel or a restaurant we were given warnings about be alert to pick pockets. One attempt was made and the pickpocket got a good swat with our newspaper.
Restaurant:
Els 4 Gats (Four Cats)

Your first jet lagged day you have too much listed. You need to be hyper vigilant in the Las Ramblas area, beware of pickpockets. Jet lagged and being hyper alert do not go together. Every time we left our hotel or a restaurant we were given warnings about be alert to pick pockets. One attempt was made and the pickpocket got a good swat with our newspaper.
Restaurant:
Els 4 Gats (Four Cats)

Thank you Suki. I agree. These are some walking around options. We're going to be so fatigued. Yes to being hyper-vigilant of our belongings/surroundings. We might do a little exploring/walking and then stay closer to hotel -- our hotel has a rooftop bar with food. We could always hang up there and keep it low-key.

thank you Carlos for the other suggestions.

Happy to help those visiting my hometown! I am also a big Roman history buff :)

When in Tarragona, in addition to the Roman sites, make sure to also check out the UNESCO listed early Christian necropolis and museum - https://www.mnat.cat/en/the-early-christian-museum-and-necropolis/

Just outside of Tarragona is Les Ferreres Aqueduct, an intact Roman Aqueduct you can actually walk on top of, very unique experience if you have some spare time.

For lunch in Tarragona I can recommend El Llagut, located in the centre of Tarragona, on a square across from the Roman Museum. Very nice place with great local seafood, try the Arròs Meloso, typical seafood rice dish from the area.

Carlos, thanks for these suggestions. I read about the aqueduct and I plan on walking on it! Thank you for museum and restaurant suggestion! Advice from a local -- invaluable! Thank you!

I highly recommend visiting the interior of both Casa Batllo and Casa Mila. Otherwise, you are missing a lot. The interior of Casa Batllo is so amazing and so quirky; reminds me of the sea.

The interior of Casa Mila is interesting, and the rooftop is mind-blowing! Don't miss it!!!

We arrive in Barcelona the same day! You wouldn't be flying from Atlanta on Delta would you? We arrive at 8:45! Although we have slightly different itineraries, it looks like we'll be crossing paths! I hope you have a great trip!

Thank you -- we have been talking about it and since we probably won't be back to Barcelona anytime soon, we are going inside one or both of the casas.

Rob -- we are flying MCO to EWR to BCN. Have a great trip!!

I would drop your excursion to Montserrat, in order to realistically enable more sights on your list.

Tuesday (pm after flying in)
Walking only. No paid visits on arrival day. I figure you will most likely be ready to ‘step out’ of your hotel between 12 and 1pm.

13:00 Start at Placa Catalunya
Walk Las Ramblas from top to bottom. Off to the right, visit La Boqueria market, and off to the left, check out Placa Real. When you reach the Columbus Monument (Colon) don’t be tempted to visit MareMagnum, instead walk around the waterfront to …
14:30 Barceloneta - narrow streets, narrow houses, but wide beach
15:30 Lunch at La Mar Salada (dined here in 2020 and thoroughly enjoyed it)
17:00 Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar (free entry from 5pm)
18:00 Parc de la Ciutadella
19:00 Finish at Arc de Triomf

Wednesday
•Sagrada Familia (BOOK for first thing)
https://tickets.sagradafamilia.org/en
•Hospital Sant Pau
•Eixample - Passeig de Gracia, Casa Mila, Casa Batllo

Thursday
Day trip to Tarragona

Friday
•Palau de la Musica Catalana
(BOOK for first thing)
https://visits.palaumusica.cat/en/tours
•Bari Gotico - Cathedral
•Montjuic (funicular from Parallel) - Joan Miro Foundation, Castello, Olympic Ring
•Plaça Espanya - MNAC, Las Arenas, Magic Fountains

Saturday (am before sailing)
•Park Guell (BOOK for first thing)
https://parkguell.barcelona/en/buy-tickets?q=en/buy-tickets

David in Brisbane, thank you so much. This looks good. I like it and may very well take these suggestions. We have a show booked at Palau de la Musica Catalana on Thursday evening.

I have a huge interest in Roman history and Roman ruins. We have lots here in Israel and I've seen lots other places as well, including Italy, natch. So on my first visit to Barcelona, I included a day trip to Tarragona and was very disappointed in the Roman ruins. What's left of the amphitheatre underwhelmed me - though if you haven't seen any, it's worth going. The other nearby "Roman ruins" were mostly fortified and built up in the middle ages and most of what you'll see is from then - quite interesting but not Roman.

I also recommend MUHBA, it was a highlight for me in a city with many highlights.

Thanks Chani. Interesting about Tarragona. I could take or leave it and think I would want more time in Barcelona instead of taking a day trip. Husband is wanting to visit. We have not seen anything Roman created apart from being in London, and the Greek and Roman galleries at the MET.