I always enjoyed doing the day trip from Estartit, but felt that i never had enough time in the town, but if you are doing it on your own via the train, then you might not have so much of a problem.....

however, as it is easier to get there from your resort (via train) then it might be worth making it a couple of days! See how much you get done in one day!

http://www.renfe.com/cercanias/barcelona/index_horarios.html

This will give you the time table from Santa Suzanna to Barcelona (arc de triompe). This station will take you out at Las Ramblas.
last month, it cost me 11euros total for two return tickets (adults).
Hope this is helpful

Forgot to add that I felt one day was enough, personally, but you might need longer if you wish to go to the Neucamp.

Thanks for the info. Ticket prices sound quite reasonable and yes I fancy the nou camp - so I might have to take 2 days out to catch all the sites. Is it expensive to visit the nou camp stadium & do you get to see a lot?

Hi -we have had 3 separate days in Barcelon so far, and still haven't seen it all! (I think we're a bit slow!)
Sagrada Familia (new cathedral) is the top site- it gets very busy, but there is more to see outside than inside.
Parc Guell- fantastic place, a bit further away, but you just HAVE to go there.
Pueblo Espanol- a full size village of all different styles of Spanish architecture, craft shops, cafes, restaurants, art gallery etc. very quaint.
Old cathedral and old town, lots of tapas bars, lovely shops, markets.
The Ramblas - long pedestrianised walk with flower stalls, bird stalls, street entertainers.
And so much more, e.g. fountains, Gaudi buildings, etc.
The tourist bus goes to all the sites, and is reasonably priced, but if you want to go direct to a site you may spend too much time on there going on its roundabout route.

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/eng/historia/historia/museu.shtml

This link will give you opening times and prices.

Thanks for the replies....

I definitely like the sound of the Rambles and the old town. The nou camp is a must for me and my son.

Any other ideas?

It really depends on what you want to see really. I recommend buying a guide book, that way you can prioritise with what you want to see. I can't remember the publisher, but they do a "Top Ten" range of books for cities. They do one for Barcelona, and includes sites to see, restaurants, bars, hotels etc. They are very handy.
I have been to Barce twice and love the place. The first time was only a day trip and the 2nd time we were staying in Blanes and took an overnight bag to Barcelona and found a hotel on the Ramblas. This was in September y2k and found a hotel for the equivelant of £13 per night each! So cheap! I know with the euro and inflation it will be more now, and it depends on what time of year you go, with demand. Looking on the net, you can get a double room in a hotel from about £50.

We went to the Nou camp and it's just under 10 euros per adult and 7.5 child.Our 4 year old was free.I would'nt say it was worth that sort of money though.You get to go pitch side but whatever you do do not stand on the grass and at pitch side they have cardboard cut outs of some of the players and they take your picture which they say at the time is free...yeah free to take it but 10 euros to have it
You then go up into the stands etc and then the musuem and trophy room and before the stands/pitchside you get to go into the visitors dressing room which is a bit basic/old

If you are soccer mad then I suppose the nou camp is worth it. However it is just a football ground! They also sell the most expensive replica kits. far better to buy one in a shop in the resort (probably a pirate) but definatly cheaper.

Beware, there was an article in the Mail a few weeks ago about the increase in street crime especially down the Ramblas and in the narrow streets by the Cathedral. Thieves distract you and then pick your pocket or bag.

Good article on this site about how to avoid getting your bag nicked while in Barcelona.

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/barcelona-safety.html

My advice is don't take anything that means anything to you, and carry main cash in a pocket that is near to your body, i.e wear denim - shorts, skirt or whatever and put notes in your front pocket leaving just change in the bag or wallet.
If you carry a camera or similar make sure it's a cheap one or have a very tight hold!
Any type of attack is very unlikely to be violent they will just try to grab your stuff, still better to be prepared for it than sorry.

you can get a tour bus which is located near the train station they wer every good .. you drop off at certain points when youve finished wait at the stop and continue the tour, stops near nou camp too

We've been on day trips tp Barcelona (from Tossa) many times, but only recently discovered the Opera House. It was designed by a contemporary of Gaudi in a similar style, and is well worth a visit. Its called something like "Teatro Musica Catalunya", and is roughly between the Platja de Catalunya and the gothic quarter. There are timed visits, so its best to call in as soon as you get to Barcalona and get a ticket for later in the day.

We're setting off next Friday, but stopping off in several places in France on the way down so will get to Tossa by the end on next week. Maybe they'll have noticed that the webcam is stuck by then......

Ian

Thanks for all the replies. Can anyone tell me how much the Barcelona tour bus is and is it worth the money? Thanks... Colin

sorry I cant remember.. but I was recommended it by a experienced tourist! I think you can buy different types of tickets a day pass/2 day pass? I just remember being impressed with it... most languages catered for.. easy to follow

There are two tourist buses. One follows a "Blue Route" and one a "Red Route", with one taking in the southern attractions and one the northern ones. There is a tourist office beneath the Platja Catalunja that sells tickets, which is also where the railway station is.

They are handy for the outlying sites like Guell Park, but alterntively from the Platja Catalunys you could easily walk to the gothic quarter, old cathedral, port and Ramblas anyway.

ian

I don't think the tour bus is worth the money. I have been twice to Barcelona and used the Metro. We went yesterday for the 3rd time, so had seem most of the things we wanted to see on previous visits. Using the metro is easy and safe and sooooo much cheaper. It's around 4 euros for a day pass and you can get anywhere you want. Often places are withing walking distance of each other anyway.

I would suggest visiting the Olympic stadium. You can get most of the way by cable car. The Ramblas is also good for a stroll. Also for something different the church that they are forever building, I think its something like the iglesias de sagred familias, or something like that.

The best spectacle that I've seen though is on the evenings. They have a very large fountain, and towards the palace there are cascading watefals. In the evening they have a lazer/light show which is backed by music. One of my most pleasant memories is sitting down watching the light/waterfall display and listening to Freddie Mercury singing Barcelona at full volume! I don't know how often these displays are on, but I believe they are on most nights during the summer.

Just a word of caution. Beware of pickpockets. I have visited Barcelona three times and have been pickpocketed twice. Having spoken to the local police about it, its mainly eastern european gypsies who tend to hang around the tourist areas. They are very crafty and very skillful.

HI . For my wife and I one day in BARCELONA is by no means long enough ,To just admire the architechture would take days alone ,we needed a two day ticket just to see the touristy parts ,enjoy the city ,it is beautiful, maxie