P&O Gaudi Tour - Barcelona some info

[The Invigilator]

We have been given loads of great advice on here for our trip to Barcelona and on the basis of this have decided to DIY the city, however, before deciding that we did think about doing the Gaudi Tour with P&O which is advertised as a 4 hour trip with a visit to the Sagreda familia and the Parc Guell 2 places we really want to see. I emailed P&O and they confirmed that you get 1 hour for the church and only 1 hour for Parc Guell and then you are returned to the ship. We thought at first it was reasonable value but now realise its not the case. We have all day in Barcelona so for us DIYing means we can have as much time as we want in both places and mooch the city at our leisure. Just thought this info might be helpful to anyone else deciding what to do in Barcelona

[wolfie]

Good advice and taxis are not expensive.

[Princess]

Thanks for the information above, it is really helpful.

Would any one know if you can pick up a taxi at Sagreda Familia and Parc Guell?
We also would like to do these two places DIY, but without too much walking.
Thought about the Metro, but apparently there is a 20 minute uphill walk from the Metro station to Parc Guell.
We also considered the HOHO busses, but there are so many ships in on the day we are there we thought it might prove difficult and time consuming.

The cruise line tour limits you to only 50 minutes at the Parc and we feel this might not be enough time. But we have not been there before.
Anyone any ideas on how long you are likely to spend in the Parc? There is also 50 minutes allocated for Sagreda Familia, but we were not intending to go in. Is it worth going in, bearing in mind mobility difficulties (as in steps) ?

(This 4 hour tour is with Princess and is $75 - out of interest, what is the cost of the P&O tour? - There is a private tour which is 59 euros)

Any ideas, tips or information would be gratefully received.

[Peter D]

We did the Panoramic tour with P&O in Barcelona. On route back to the ship the bus stopped at the bottom of the Ramblas so anyone who wanted to get off and do their own thing could.

Looking at our cruise information brochure, The Gaudi tour is also a 4 hr tour with P&O and cost £32.50 in 2011.

[The Invigilator]

Good advice and taxis are not expensive.

Thanks Wolfie had thought about getting a taxi straight to Parc Guell but then thought it might be fun trying out the Metro and perhaps get a taxi back to the ship. Had a friend who visited the Parc and she said it was fascinating looking around and took her about 2 hours. I was just surprised that on a 4 hour trip visiting 2 places you only have an hour at two of the major attractions and that at the end of the trip as we are in Barcelona for the whole day they don't drop you off as Peter D mentioned and allow some free roaming time.

Do you know Wolfie, if there are taxis waiting outside the Parc to get back to the port?

[Jacknian]

2 years ago we did the P&O gaudi tour to sagrada familia and parc guell. The tour didn't seem rushed at all, we had a coach tour round the city looking at some lovely gaudi designed buildings then a walk around the outside of the sagrada familia which is amazing. There is a bit of a walk from where the coach stops to see the sagrada but not too taxing. We didn't go inside the building so don't know how long that would take. Then we had about an hour in parc guell which is a lovely quiet place with some beautiful mosaic tiling on seating and walls. It is well worth seeing but can be done quite quickly if you want to or taken at a more leisurely pace if you were doing it yourself. There is quite a lot of uphill walking at the parc and a few steps but it is worth it ! Lots of birds and flowers and the ' longest bench in the world ' ( apparently ! )

[oldbluefox]

When we were at Parc Guell last year there were loads of taxis outside the gates.

If you intend cruising in the Med again I would DIY Parc Guell since many cruises stop off at Barcelona so you could always do other sites on later trips. We thoroughly enjoyed the Parc but it's true, there is a 20 minute steepish uphill walk from the Metro. We spent quite a while there because there is so much to take in, and also parts were very busy.
IMO Parc Guell is well worth doing.

[Dancing Queen]

Ditto re taxi's outside Sagreda Familia, we were there NY eve and there were plenty of them.

[oldbluefox]

We were rather put off the idea of the HoHo bus on our first visit to Barcelona when we got to Sagrada Familiale and spent over an hour trying to get back on due to the crowds. I had images of doing Parc Guell and the Nou Camp all in one day but after that experience we went back to La Ramblas and spent the rest of the day there.

On reflection there is so much to see in Barcelona you need a few visits, or a longer stay, to pull it all in.

[Romig1]

Thanks for the tip, Vigi.

I'd never heard of the Parc before, it does look interesting. We had planned to DIY in Barcelona this year, but hadn't got a s far as researching the options.

[Manoverboard]

Other options for those who have done the basics could include the Monastery at Montserrat or the recreated Spanish Village at Montjuïc.

[Capt Black]

We did the PandO Gaudi tour in 2009 and thorughly enjoyed it, however we did find that we did not spend enough time in Parc Guell, eve though the coach returned to the ship before 14:00. Back to Barca on Orian later this year, with SIL, who wants to go to Sagrada Familia. We want to go to Parc Guell. We'll use public transport this time. Also found out, there is no entrance fee to Parc Guell.

[The Invigilator]

Many thanks Capt Black - having read up about Parc Guell we would like to take our time strolling around it. Hope you have a fabulous time when you return to Barcelona

[tractor boy]

we hired a taxi for the day, just tell the driver what you want to see and what time you want to be back at the ship and ask how much. We did it that way and got to see everything we wanted and more as the driver pointed out other places of interest. He went and had coffee while we wondered and we just went to the cafe to get him when we were ready. I cant remember how much we paid but there was 4 of us and remember it was not expensive. The other benefit is you can leave bags, clothing etc in the boot so no need lugging everything with you. We have done this many times on cruises not just Barcelone, its a great way to see anywhere

[noddy10]

If walking around Barcelona when you get to the top of the Ramblas turn to your right and go into El Cortes Ingles to the self service cafe at the top very yummy and cheap hot chocolate and worth the money just for the panoramic view of Barcelona.

[Quizzical Bob]

The tourist buses run in separate loops. We took the bus to the top of Las Ramblas (Plaça Catalunya?) where you need to change to get the other route to La Sagrada Familia but the queues were horrendous so we walked from there. Not too bad, about 20 minutes.

[Silver_Shiney]

It's been interesting reading your tips for DIY in Barcelona - the Lady C and Welshy are going on the Gaudi excursion next month but I think they'd rather not DIY. I'd prefer them to go on the excursion in any case - I'd hate for them to have a problem and risk missing the ship: I'd never get their bags packed and over the side in time.....