Blog Archive

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Cruise Stop in Barcelona

We have friends who are retirees, prefer not to walk too much, and sometimes prefer to avoid Metros.  They are on a cruise, will be stopping by Barcelona, and this is what we suggested:

*  For a two-day visit, you won't need to sign up for any ship excursions because Barcelona has so much right in front of you. 

*  Gothic Quarters. Walking distance from the dock area, Gothic Quarters is an area with shops and incredible architecture.  You'll see a little of Rome in this area.  The only issue is that the roads, as small as some are, can become a sort of maze, so it's a good idea to purchase a map (about 5 Euros at most).

* Nearby is the Cathedral, which is also free.  This is another must.   

* Sagrada Familia:.  This is one of the top attractions, though some people are mixed about whether it's worth going inside.  It's impressive and one of Gaudi's unfinished masterpieces. A metro would be the best thing. From Paral-lel, take the L2 Purple Line to Badalona Pompeu Fabra and get off at the Sagrada Familia stop. 

* In the evening, I'd say go to the Fountains of Montjuic by cab:. We never get tired of these musical fountains, and they are another free attraction. 

* Another piece of architecture worth seeing is Gaudi's Casa Mila:  This is in a great area where there are many modern shops and plenty of restaurants where you could sit, hang out, and people watch. 

* Finally, there is Parc Guell.  A couple of minor issues with this visit: a) it could get very crowded, and b) on a hot day, it might be an uncomfortable walk from the Metro stop, since you have to go uphill to get there.

In summary, although Barcelona is a great city for walking, the taxis and other transportation systems are relatively cheap, as are the main attractions.  Even on a one or two day visit, visitors who prefer no to walk can squeeze in quite a bit. But even if you prefer not to walk, you can still enjoy yourself without breaking the bank.

2 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like a great itinerary for Gramma's visit.

    ReplyDelete