Another Visit to Barcelona, Spain

2019 Western Mediterranean and Transatlantic Cruises on MSC

Day 4 MSC Seaview - Barcelona, Spain -- November 2, 2019

Please click here for video of our trip on this day in Barcelona.

If memory serves me right, this will be our fourth time in Barcelona. All of our visits were port days on cruises, which means we basically had very limited time to see all the sights in this city. Of all the three previous visits, we did the metro on one, and then used the HOHO buses twice to spend our days there. Taking the metro involved a lot of walking even though it was fun to get into the neighborhood and experience how the locals live. It takes more time to see a couple of sights in a short day.  Taking the HOHO buses would be more relaxing while just staying on the bus and basically get to all the important places. Especially good for first timers. The downside is that you only get to 'see' the sights from the bus without actually 'experience' it in person. Of course, one can hop off the bus and explore, but then you would need to time it carefully in order to get back on time. Taking into consideration of the age and mobility issues of this group, I have decided the HOHO bus will be the way to go on this trip again.

There are good HOHO buses that serve the city of Barcelona with two to three routes each. For the time we have in port, the most we could utilize would be two different routes to see the main sights spread out in the city. We will determine which company to take when we get off the ship. The eight of us (minus DC and MC due to his stomach problem) will experience Barcelona our way.

Our ship docking in port early in the morning.

We left the ship at around 8:45 to go ashore. MSC offered shuttle buses to go in town for 9.99E round trip while the public cruise bus only asked for 4E round trip (3E one-way). I believe both stopped at the World Trade Center where we would pick up the HOHO bus from. There was a HOHO bus company stand right at the cruise port but we decided to wait. We saw some people walking out but that would be out of the question for us, it's just too far for us oldies to take that challenge.

On the cruise bus.

Once we arrived at the stop at World Trade Center, we decided on the HOHO bus company that seemed to be less crowded and purchased our 1-day tickets. I believe both companies charge the same rate and have similar routes. The one-day tickets were selling for 30E adults and 25E seniors.

Got the prime seats on the red route since we were one of the first to get on the beginning of that route and it wasn't crowded.

The bus started driving along the marina area of town which was very much alive and active.

El Cap de Barcelona--a colorful abstract statue done by an American artist Roy Lichtenstein.

If I remember correctly, this is the SiPcte. Sindicat Inependent Professional de Correus i Telegrafs.

Maybe Union of Professional Telegraphs?

A very beautiful structure as our bus turned onto Via Laietana.

Going down the Gothic Quarter.

La Muralla Romana

Part of the city walls that was built by the Romans in the 3rd century in the Gothic Quarter.

 

House of Batllo (Casa Batllo), one of Gaudi's creation in the city of Barcelona, with tourists from all over the world lining up to get inside this museum.

On the right side of the street is the House of Mila (Casa Mila) Gaudi's iconic building with interesting facade. This is a UNESCO site, and if time permits should be a must-see place.

Placa de Francesc Macia, right at a major roundabout. I believe this is a shopping mall.

Barcelona Train Station

This seemed to be an important attraction in this city, the Placa d'Espanya.

Right across from there is the Arena of Barcelona, a huge shopping mall.

On the opposite side of the arena is the Torres Venecianes.

All at this roundabout.

Placa de les Cascades (National Art Museum of Cataluna) and the Magic Fountain of Montjuic.

 

Then a drive up Montjuic before descending back to the port area where we could see our ship docked safely in port.

Back to where we started on this red route, near the Mirador de Colom (Statue of Columbus).

We stayed on the bus to continue our ride back to the top of Placa de Catalunya. Forgot what this picture was but thought that it was very pretty.

By now everyone needed to have a bathroom break. We got off the bus and went across to the shopping mall at the corner of La Rambla which I think it's called Centre Commercial El Triangle where they had clean restrooms for .80E per person per use. I believe you can use that receipt to shop in the mall. 

Then it was time to find some lunch, so we walked down the very crowded La Rambla...

to the Mercado e La Boqueria (St. Joseph Plaza).

Ooooh!

We walked around the market trying to look for some lunch but the crowds really kept us from getting too close to the stalls. We ended up just having some local empanadas and fresh juice to settle our hunger for the time being.

Fresh seafood if only we could cook them somewhere.

After our simple lunch, we walked back up to the Plaza and got on the blue bus. This time we were not as fortunate because the bus was filled and we had to sit at the back of the bus. 

Passing by the Casa Batllo again.

This route goes by Familiar de Sagrada.

Such amazing structure!

Still under construction.

St. Paul Hospital, it's also a museum.

This route took a long time but we finally got back to La Rambla. Then we decided instead of walking down La Rambla, we would take the side street for once.

Much more spacious.

All the way down to the Gothic district.

To the Cathedral of Barcelona.

Bishop's Bridge

We also found our favorite store and purchased some Spanish ham to satisfy our taste buds.

These were 8.5E per cone.

 

Back to the column on out way to the World Trade Center, ready to take the cruise bus back to port.

Last look at the column.

Cruise bus back in port.

The distance from the bus stop to the cruise terminal.

Cruise terminal A

Looking out from the entrance of Cruise Terminal A towards the cruise bus (blue) that was parked along the wall.

For some reason I got an Italian menu this evening.

Ceviche

Minestrone

I believe this is a pork dish.

And some kind of fish.

Sugar-free apple crisp.

My favorite, ice cream.

Now that we have been to Barcelona four times and with people who were first timers, next time I think I would like to explore more by actually going to see these places in depth instead of taking the HOHO bus. HOHO bus gives an overview of the city but to appreciate the sights one needs to spend time at each place. Next time!

"Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him."   --Psalm 32:6