Best sites to see in Barcelona?

Question

I am vacationing in Barcelona this September. What are some of the best sites to see?

I already plan on going to Guadi's works, such as the Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell, etc. It seems like most of the city involves just walking around and exploring (Las Ramblas, Montjuic, Olympic Park, etc)

Are there any noteable museums worth visiting? I've heard the Picasso museum, although very popular, isn't necessarily the best art museum there.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for your help :)

Answer 1

Look up the Barcelona Travel Guide www.barcelona-travelguide.com website for the best spots to check out...plus they also have other useful info.

Answer 2

Sue got my vote.  

A few other notes:

1) try some Cava while you are there (I recall visiting a Cava bar near Ramblas)

2) Go to Montserrat (not IN Barcelona, but near Barcelona).  As Sue said, worth the day trip.  Gaudí described the cliffs as his inspiration for the towers in La Sagrada Familia.  There is a Museum there - that is pretty well stocked with Christian paintings all the way from Medieval times and includes some Picasso's when he was in his teens (pre-Modernism).  If you can get there in time to see "La Estudiantina" (choir) that's a bonus.  Check the schedule, and ride the cable car.

3) Miró museum near the Olympic Park.

4) By chance I passed by the Cathedral (not la Sagrada Familia but the main Cathedral near Bari Gotico) on a Sunday around noon.  As they come out of mass a few people dance in front of the church.

Answer 3

You're right about the Gaudí.  Take the tourist bus through the Eixample.  You pick it up in front of Corte Inglés.   It goes through the residential buildings (get off for the Casa Milá.  Casa Battló is fairly expensive to tour, but you want to get a good look at the façade at any event.)  Then it goes up to Sagrada Familia, which, of course you want to see!  Then to Güell.  It also passes by the football stadium, which a lot of people want to see.  You can hop on, hop off.  There are two such bus companies, and they are pretty similar, it's about 20€ pp., and the Eixample is so spread out that it is really worth the money, and sitting with all the other tourists.  

Las Ramblas runs from Plaça de Catalunya (Corte Inglés) to the sea (Port Vell), and, of course, you want to walk the whole length...stop in the Market and pick up some treats.  Freshest food you can possibly get!  They have really nice drinks made from the fruits for a treat.  Or, if you want a picnic, or if you are cooking in an apartment, you can stock up.  

Special museums...and there are TONS!  We liked the Miró museum near the Olympic grounds.  I have heard that the Picasso museum is stellar, but I was there some thirty years ago, underwhelmed, and we didn't even have it on the itinerary this trip.

The Palau Musica:  if you want to go tour it, check as soon as you are in town for the schedule.  They close, with no predictable reasons, sometimes.  

If you're at all into Catholicism, or history, the monestary at Montserrat is definitely worth the day trip.

The beaches are nice.

Walk around the Barrí Gotic.  

DON'T  forget your camera.

The chocolate factory was neat...lots of sculptures made out of chocolate.  (kinda more fun, than notable, but the gift shop is really tasty!).

And the FOOD!!!  The freshest seafood anywhere.  Just make sure not to order Paella from anyplace that has pictures of three to five different varieties on the sign...those come out of a box.  Ask if the paella is "casera".  (they might lie, but you have a better shot at the real thing that way.)  There's this great little cafe across the Ramblas from the Opera...called Café de la Opera (amazing creativity, there) that serves the best chocolate con churros.  And the ice cream is to die for!  Walk into one of any number of places in the Ramblas where they make it fresh, on the premesis!

If you need any more details ( :) )  email me.  I can give you more.