How many nights in Barcelona?

What do you intend to do at night? Do you like to go to clubs or see performances? Are there some particular restaurants that you want to have dinner in? Attractions like the museums are generally not open at night. A lot of restaurants and shops were closed on the Sunday night while we were there. I would research what there is to do at night in Barcelona vs the possibilities in the next place you will visit, and decide based on which place has evening activities that you prefer. The other deciding factor might be transportation, at what time the flights/trains/buses to your next destination depart. If you decide on 3 days and 2 nights, will you then travel on the third evening or have to cut short your third day? We were there for 3 full days and 3 nights with a very early morning departure. We could have used an additional day there because there is a lot to see and do, but 3 nights was plenty for us.

Although I enjoy nightlife, I think I'm leaning towards 3 nights in order to have 3 full days in Barcelona v. 2 1/2. Thanks for your advice. I think I will stick w/3 nights.

I'd say 3 nights. I stayed for 3 nights previously and really wish I'd had more.

Agree with the 3 nights decision. So much to see and do. We were there for a week a couple years ago and it was great -- saw Everything! We stayed at Hotel Lloret on the Ramblas. Great location, elevator, we had a large twin bed room with very large bathroom (I hear some rooms have been updated recently). Certainly not luxury but location was perfect for us, near subway too. Decent continental type breakfast. Request a room on a top floor in the back if you want quiet. Don't miss the Cathedral, Sagrada Familia and the Gaudi Parks, Picasso (if you like) & check out Montjuic/Joan Miro Museum, and Montserrat was amazing if you have time.

For your hotel in Barcelona, you might check out L'Antic Espai. It's a small boutique hotel in a great location with very hospitable owners.

I'm not sure what your budget is but check the Banys Orientals in the Born area.

I would suggest that you would need 3 days and 3 nights for Barcelona especially if you want to see the Gaudi mansions, park and architecture. There's a lot of Gaudi to see. The night life and tapas bars are great. If you will be there during the 3rd week of September, try to be there during the La Merce Festival. It's Barcelona's largest festival. For a hotel, you might check out the Hosteria Grau. It's just off the La Rambla and close to the Plaza Catalunya where the airport bus stops.

Three days will be very busy. Spent a week and didn't see it all. Hop on Hop off bus works well in Barcelona. They even have a night bus that is fun.

LaRae, I didn't know there was a night bus. Is it a tourist bus, like hop on and off? Sounds cool

Also keep in mind that tapas and paella are not native to Barcelona or that area of Spain. You can get them there and some of it is good but if you really want to experience the local cusiene, seek out at least one Catalonian restaurant. Their food is much more like the native cusiene of Provence, France. Heavy on duck and rabbit, too!

There is so so so much to see in Barcelona, we were delighted by how much there was to see, how much simple walking around there is to do. From taking a tour of Casa Batllo, built by Gaudi, to walking around Barcelonetta and sticking your feet in the Mediterranean....you will never be bored, the 3 night choice is a good one!
http://www.casabatllo.es/en/ Enjoy! Suzanne

We spent three nights, which was about right for what we wanted to see. If it had been beach weather, we would have liked an extra day or two at the beaches or to train up the coast to some nearby beach towns.