Barcelona has been wonderful as a pre-cruise destination. Three days of touring has allowed us to see many of the major city sites. The schedule has included Parc Guell, La Sagrada Familia, Montjuic, Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter, La Boqueria, a flamenco performance, and wonderful food. This itinerary of highlights has definitely allowed us to see some of the city’s top spots. I prefer having a few days in an embarkation city prior to a cruise, rather than at the end of a cruise, and this pre-cruise schedule has been ideal. We have maximized our time in the city and enjoyed the many delights of Barcelona, Catalonia, and Spain. Here is a recommended itinerary for first-time visitors to Barcelona:

Day 1:
Arrival in Barcelona
Visit to Parc Guell
Stroll down Las Ramblas
Dining: Cafè De L'Opera

Day 2:
Guided City Tour (including a Skip-the-Line tour of La Sagrada Familia and a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter)
Flamenco Dance Performance
Dining: Santa Caterina

Day 3:
Waterfront Walk (from the statue of Christopher Columbus)
Embark on Cruise

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