Spain ABD

[SingingMom]

We booked our 4th ABD - this time we're going to Spain! Any special advice would be greatly appreciated! This is our first adventure where I really have NO prior info or wish list to see. We are arriving one day early for an extra day in Barcelona and two extra nights in Madrid at the end.

Do's? Dont's? MUST sees? Stay CLEAR of? I have my tour books but actual travelers' Ideas please! ;-)

 

[carpenta]

In Barcelona there is a hop on- hop off bus system that you pay one price and you are able to travel in three large loops around the city. There is a narration you plug your headphones into that is in English as well as other languages. I would suggest getting books before you go like "Eyewitness Travel". You can take a day trip out to Mount Serrat an old monks habitat and church dating back a thousand years. Also there is a village built a little outside the city center that reflects the local culture and history. I forget it's name. Las Familia church is a must as well as Las Ramblas pedestrian mall just to stroll. A number of large parks with open spaces and fountains you can get a picnic lunch and enjoy the beauty. Great city just to walk around. Easy subway to navigate. Purchase tickets for the subway at kiosks at each entrance. Great tapas bars for local flavor. You could spend a week just in the city. If you are taking a taxi ask the fare before getting into the cab for sometimes it is a free for all at the end cost. Airport is about 20 minutes outside the center but a new airport within the last five years or so. Love, love love Barcelona.

 

[RSM]

In Barcelona, I'm sure you'll hit the major Gaudi sites (La Familia Sagrada, Parc Guell). If you get a chance, do the Casa Mila (La Pedrera) at night. You get a tour of the property and a light show on the roof. It is pretty spectacular. Casa Batlo is also really cool. Have fun planning. We spent 4 days there on our own.

 

[sayhello]

It may seem a bit corny, but a bunch of us went in the evening to see the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc in Barcelona. It's a large "dancing fountain" that is choreographed to light and music. Very fun!

I second the hop-on/hop-off bus! Barcelona really does this well, and it's a great way to see the city.

Sayhello

 

[abdgeek]

Barcelona is definitely a city where you can spend lots of time and still not see it all. I have been to Barcelona several times as part of DCL cruises and still have things I haven't had a chance to see. The ABD will take you to the big sites, but you may also want to visit other things. I would suggest Montserrat(great museum and you can see the Black Madonna if Mass isn't going on), Montjuic Castle, Olympic Stadium, Picasso Museum, Casa Mila, Casa Battlo, Dali Museum(Figueres, Spain). Barcelona is very easy to get around and they have a very good and easy to navigate metro(subway) system. Besides walking, the metro and the city buses were my primary mode of transportation while I was there. If you decide to take a taxi, not all taxi drivers speak English. Having the address and name of where you're going written down helps.

Montjuic is a huge facility and has lots of other things besides the castle, fountain, etc. They have a bus that goes around the area, so you don't have to walk it all if you don't want to. The only other word of advice I would give you is that, according to the guidebooks, pickpockets are very active in Barcelona. While I was never affected, I heard stories from other DCL travelers who were victims. This information isn't to scare you, just make sure you don't have anything in your pockets that you don't mind losing and that you keep a close eye on your belongings. Enjoy Spain. I'd love to hear how you like the trip. It's on my list, just a little farther down.