QUICK walking tour of Gothic Quarter in Barcelona

Posted by Michele (Omaha, NE, USA) on 05/19/08 02:01 PM

How realistic is it to expect to accomplish the following: Arrive Barcelona by plane at 8:30 AM. Get through customs and deposit suitcases in locker. Catch Aerobus to Placa Catalunya by 10:00 AM for walking tour. At end of tour (11:30-12:00) get Aerobus back to airport from Placa Catalunya and retrieve bags in time to catch shuttle to next destination at 13:30.

Help and suggested modifications are appreciated! This 5 hour window is our only time in Barcelona, and we would hate to miss it entirely.

Michele F.

Posted by Michelle

Anaheim, CA, USA

05/21/08 04:29 PM

1455 posts

Wow, that is cutting it close. In my last trip we actually skip thru the Gothic Quarter to concentrate on the Sacrada Familia. 5 hours isn't much time, and you did not say if its a weekend or weekday.

I remember there was alot of traffic heading from the airport to the city, and we arrived on a weekend.

If you want to get a taste of the city, I would recommend the hop off/hop on bus. You get the bus at the city centre, and the bus takes you to the attractions, including the Gothic Quarter. You can hop off there, look around and then hop back on to take you back to the city center.

Posted by Swan

Napa, CA

05/31/08 12:35 AM

3580 posts

If you have an hour to spend in the Barri Gotic, just stroll from Placa Catalunya down the Ramblas and back. Take the bus back to the airport. The hop-on-hop-off buses (there are three lines) that leave from Placa Catalunya take at least a couple of hours to complete their loops--not a good solution if you are interested in Barri Gotic. These buses don't go there. If you get hung up at the airport, just save Barcelona for another time. I would be anxious about getting back to the airport in time.

Posted by Jeff

Denver, Colorado, United States

05/31/08 08:45 AM

17 posts

Traffic on the way back to the airport was at a standstill the last few times I was there. Good luck.

Posted by Nancy

Bloomington, IL, USA

05/31/08 11:24 AM

9371 posts

If the shuttle you are catching when you get back to the airport is a flight, you have to allow time to go back through security, too. I think in your situation I would agree that the hop-on, hop-off bus is a better option. You'd see more of the city that way, too.

Posted by Susan

Atlanta, Ga, USA

06/01/08 09:56 AM

2023 posts

I agree with Swan. We were in Barcelona two weeks ago and the Sagrada Familia was very crowded. I actually was disappointed in it--it literally is half finished--construction workers everywhere. Casa Mila was fantastic but you will not have enough time for it. If you walk Las Ramblas, try to take a look at the Boqueria Market--we loved it! Enjoyed popping into Ingles department store where I purchased a great pareo for 15 euros.