Barcelona - what to do, what to see

[cisamcgu]

I'm off to Barcelona on Saturday for a conference on the Monday and the Tuesday, so I have Saturday afternoon, all day Sunday and Wednesday morning to see the city.

I have booked onto a free bike tour early on Saturday afternoon, but what else should I make sure I don't miss ?

Any ideas ?

 

[Paulus]

It is worth going up to the Olympic stadium, free to walk in and great views across the city. There is a cable car that goes up the hill from near the harbour.

 

[MichaelW2]

If you like Miro the artist they have a museum of his works.
There are some great markets where you can try the local Catalan cuisine.
The Palau Nacional has a good viewpoint.

 

[vickster]

Cool Gaudi buildings

https://www.globotreks.com/destinations/10-gaudi-buildings-barcelona/

Go to the beach area and have a yummy fish lunch or supper

 

[MossCommuter]

Open Top Bus Tour

No, I know it sounds naff, but try it; I think you can get a 48 hour ticket, which you'll need to take in everything, it calls everywhere! All the Gaudi stuff, the Olympic park, Nou Camp, etc.

Also a train ride to Montserrat; the train takes you to the bottom of the cable car which you use to complete your journey to the top (take a jumper, no matter how warm it is at sea level!).

There's plenty of good eating too; my favourites were on the boardwalks near the beach.

 

[bigjim]

The riots?

 

[bianchi1]

Experience the skill of the pick pockets on the metro
Get your bag snatched while on the beach
Get hassled after dark by young ladies on Las Ramblas, then realise you've been pick pocketed
Chat about football with the local kids, then realise you've been pick pocketed
Enjoy a drink at a late night bar, waking up 5 hours later on the metro realising you've been drugged and robbed

 

[Fnaar]

Go the Mercat Sant Josep (La Boqueria) just off the Ramblas,for stunning arrays of fruit, fish, all kinds of food. Eat at one of the bars there. It's fantastic.

Sagrada Familia is stunning, in a take-your-breath-away stylee. I first went there 30 years ago, but was there again the year before last, to check on progress. It's well worth booking this in advance though.

I absolutely LOVE Barcelona (2nd only to NYC imho). I was lucky enough to live down the coast from it a long time ago, and went there regularly at weekends.

 

[rich p]

Go the Mercat Sant Josep (La Boqueria) just off the Ramblas,for stunning arrays of fruit, fish, all kinds of food. Eat at one of the bars there. It's fantastic.

Sagrada Familia is stunning, in a take-your-breath-away stylee. I first went there 30 years ago, but was there again the year before last, to check on progress. It's well worth booking this in advance though.

I'd have sacked the builders taking that long to finish. Are they snagging?

 

[Dave 123]

Open Top Bus Tour

No, I know it sounds naff, but try it; I think you can get a 48 hour ticket, which you'll need to take in everything, it calls everywhere! All the Gaudi stuff, the Olympic park, Nou Camp, etc.

Also a train ride to Montserrat; the train takes you to the bottom of the cable car which you use to complete your journey to the top (take a jumper, no matter how warm it is at sea level!).

There's plenty of good eating too; my favourites were on the boardwalks near the beach.

We went 18 years ago and did the open top bus tour for our first 2 days . We saw some good things and then kind of knew our way around for the other 2 days.

 

[Brandane]

Experience the skill of the pick pockets on the metro
Get your bag snatched while on the beach
Get hassled after dark by young ladies on Las Ramblas, then realise you've been pick pocketed
Chat about football with the local kids, then realise you've been pick pocketed
Enjoy a drink at a late night bar, waking up 5 hours later on the metro realising you've been drugged and robbed

I think I'll save myself the fare and go for a night out in Greenock instead.
The only difference is that the pick-pockets have less finesse in their modus operandi. A smack in the face or the production of a knife takes the place of young ladies and football chat!

 

[Fnaar]

If you can ,see the castellers making their castells (human towers) Saw them many times when I lived in Catalunya. Truly amazing to watch. The season runs till November, and a bit of googling ight show some displays in Barcelona.

 

[Levo-Lon]

It's a fantastic city..all of above

 

[Dave7]

Sadly 2 days will only scratch the surface.
I have been 4 times and would go again. Last time I had a street map and armed with plenty of water I walked 15 miles taking in so may places i.e. The Nou Camp.
Sagrada Familia............as others say........that is a must see. If you want to go inside for the tour make sure you are early early early otherwise you will be queuing for hours.
A LEASURELY walk down The Ramblas.......take the time to digest it. Worth buying a beer/coffee and sitting in the middle to people watch. The beer is ridiculously expensive but IMO its worth doing.
If you (or anyone you know) is football fan you can buy excellent replica Barcelona football shirts. They were really cheap but the may not be nowadays.
There is a fabulous church just off Ramblas (to the left, near the top as you face the sea).
Near the church there is a great Tapas bar.........they pass small tasty tapas around and each one has a different coloured plastic sword in. You take what you want and collect the swords......they know exactly how much you have 'spent'.
@bianchi1 hinted .............watch those b***y pick pockets THEY ARE EXPERTS. Don't kid yourself that you wont get caught.......keep your wallet/passport in a place they CANNOT get at.
Enjoy the 'human statues' as you walk the Ramblas but be aware.........if you pause too long and especially if you take a photo.....they will expect you to chuck some money in the hat. IMO most of them deserve it as they are so good and it must be really hard work.
Enjoy yourself as I am now thoroughly jealous

 

[KEEF]

Every where