Hi,
I’ll be in Barcelona at the end of October.
I can choose to be there over the weekend or during the week. Probably 4 nights.
Is there a big difference in terms of crowds in the city and in the museums?
Little or no difference would simplify my itinerary on the way.
At the end of October, there *is* a difference in crowds between weekdays and weekends, but it won’t be as noticeable as in the summer. I don’t think you need to adjust your plans because of it. There’ll be slightly more people on Saturday and Sunday, but you’ll get the vibe that comes with it 😉
However, keep in mind that on November 1st (a public holiday in Spain), the crowds might pick up again.
From October 17 to November 2, 2026, it’s the All Saints’ holiday in France, and Barcelona is a very popular destination for the French during school breaks. So, expect crowds during this period—both on weekdays and weekends.
Yeah, in big European cities there's practically no off-season anymore, and Barcelona is one of the most visited cities year-round. It's no surprise there are regular protests against mass tourism.
Barcelona is a busy city year-round, whether it's summer or winter. The difference between weekdays and weekends is noticeable in the streets, on the beaches, and for sightseeing. You’ll also see it reflected in some prices. So if you have the choice, try to arrive during the week if you want to avoid the crowds.
Hi Stratele, don’t overload your itinerary because there’s so much to see in Barcelona.
Just visiting the Sagrada Familia takes time because there are people waiting to get in.
Walking down La Rambla also takes quite a while.
You’ll have to make some choices because 2-3 days on site isn’t much.
Hi Stratele, don’t overpack your itinerary because there’s so much to see in Barcelona.
Just visiting the Sagrada Familia takes time because there are people waiting to get in.
Walking down La Rambla also takes quite a while.
You’ll have to make choices because 2-3 days on-site is too short.
For me, 3 days is perfect for Barcelona. You can easily cover the old town, Las Ramblas, Montjuïc, the beach, Park Güell, La Pedrera, the port, and the Sagrada Familia without rushing.
Remember to book tickets in advance (Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, La Pedrera) to skip the lines.
The metro in Barcelona is well-designed and makes it easy to get around.
As you probably read in the other thread about visiting Barcelona, my itinerary is already set and I’ve got a ticket booked for the Sagrada Família.
Aeronautical Cultural Centre.
Sagrada Família.
Barcelona Maritime Museum.
Barcelona Music Museum.
La Monumental Arena.
Museu del Rock.
Cathedral of the Holy Cross of Barcelona.
Picasso Museum in Barcelona. (if time allows)
La Rambla.
The Gothic Quarter.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
Leaving in 10 days for arrival in Lyon.
hi again, this program is still pretty packed.
What time are you getting in?
If you arrive late in the day, it’ll be tough to do much sightseeing.
And don’t forget about jet lag if you’re coming from Montreal
I’ll be in France for a week before visiting Barcelona. I’ve estimated I’ll have enough time to do all this without rushing too much, but it’ll make for some full days. Since I’ll be staying in the city center, almost everything is within walking distance of my hotel.
At worst, if I don’t have enough time, it’ll be for another trip. I’m lucky to be able to travel often, and I’m used to leaving out a lot of sights since there’s so much to see everywhere.
I'm leaving Barcelona today, Mathews.
Yeah, the schedule was packed, but I managed to visit what I found most interesting.
And I prefer having a packed schedule to wondering what I’ll go see today when I leave the hotel.
All my priority visits were completed.
Here’s what I visited:
Aeronautical Cultural Centre. Very good.
Sagrada Família. A marvel—I had a skip-the-line ticket. You’ve got to go once in your life.
MILITARIA Sagrada Família (vintage military items store and more). Not bad if it interests you.
Barcelona Maritime Museum. Worth seeing, superb.
Palau de la Música. A beautiful discovery.
La Monumental Bullring. From the outside—it was closed.
Museu del Rock. I’ve seen several similar ones, but this one is very well done.
La Rambla. Phew, so many people. Lots of construction and a large homeless encampment.
All these places were a 40- to 50-minute walk from my hotel.
I got to explore a lot of neighborhoods on foot.
Hi there, 😎
I’d like to plan several trips to Italy with my husband.
We’re in our fifties.
Could you suggest some ideas in terms of:
- destinations (ITALY only)
- length of stay
- activities
- tips, advice, warnings
Thanks for sharing your experiences with me.
Hi everyone,
We're heading to Madrid in November and looking for a centrally located hotel. I saw one on Calle de Alcalá.
Does anyone know this street, or do you have other suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
From January 1st to 4th, I’m heading to Barcelona for the first time. Beyond the tourist sites—which are going to cost me an arm and a leg!!—I’d love to spend a day off the beaten path and see some less touristy spots.
What do you recommend? I’ll be getting around on foot, by metro, or possibly by train if it’s not too far. I love both nature and cultural spots.
And one last thing—is Barcelona at night safe for a woman alone, or is it sketchy?
Hi,
We’d like to rent a small car (something like a Peugeot 208) when we arrive at Catania Airport.
... and we’d like to return it in Milazzo on a Sunday.
Could you recommend any rental companies for this kind of one-way rental—affordable and open on Sundays in Milazzo?
Thanks in advance!
Seb
My husband and I are spending 10 days in Extremadura next May. We’d like to hike, see beautiful landscapes and nature, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of towns and villages, especially in the evenings.
I was thinking of using 3 bases to explore the area: around Plasencia (to visit Monfragüe National Park, the Jerte Valley, etc.), around Guadalupe or Cáceres or Trujillo (though isn’t that quite close to Plasencia? We’d like to hike in the Villuercas Mountains), and finally the Montes de Toledo to ease our way back to Madrid (where we’re arriving and departing from). Could you help me decide on the 2 best home bases for northern Extremadura and then around Guadalupe? I don’t think we’ll go near Mérida. I’m not keen on spending hours in the car or on transport 😏
Hello,
We’ll be in York next week—one adult, a 17-year-old, and a 12-year-old. We’ll have a car. If you’ve got any fun activities (games, shows, etc.) or tips, we’re all ears!
We’re three adults planning a trip to Norway in May 2027.
What do you recommend for the Lofoten Islands? We’d prefer to group the places to visit (flights, rental car...??).
Hi there,
I’m heading to Lapland from November 12th to 19th.
I know it’s not the best time for snow cover… so I’ve opted for Saariselkä since it’s further north.
At this point, no activities—reindeer rides, snowmobiling, sledding, etc.—are available online yet, with just a few starting in early December.
My question: if snow arrives in early November 🤞, will it be possible to book things on-site? I’m guessing there aren’t dozens of providers.
Thanks for your feedback!
I'm probably going to spend a week in Naples, but I'd love to hear your thoughts! I've heard that the city is quite dangerous and crime-ridden? I've also heard that "Neapolitans" aren't very welcoming and have a bad temper?
Is this true or just rumors?😊
Hi there,
I’m looking for some great tips for a stay in Palma de Mallorca this summer.
I need cheap flights departing from Toulouse and affordable accommodation for 4 people.
What do you recommend?
Best regards,
We’re heading to Norway for the first time as a couple for 8 days in December
I’m really torn about how much time to spend at each stop (and how many stops to make)
We’d like to explore the cities, visit the Christmas market, see some beautiful landscapes, and if we have time, a stave church.
We arrive in Oslo on December 5th around 5 PM and leave from Bergen on December 12th around 11 AM.
Initially, we were thinking:
Oslo from the 5th to the 8th
Train to Bergen on the 8th, then stay until the 12th
But now we’d like to fit Flåm into the itinerary
Do you think it’s better to do:
From the 5th to the 8th: Oslo
On the 8th: train from Oslo to Flåm (arriving at 3 PM)
On the 9th: a short fjord cruise, then the 2 PM train to Bergen (but then the Myrdal–Bergen stretch will be in the dark)
From the 9th to the 12th: Bergen
Or should we adjust the number of nights in each place? Maybe shorten Oslo? Add a night in Flåm? Skip Flåm altogether? I’m not sure 😅
Hello,
We’ve booked our flights to Tromsø from January 9th to 16th, 2027.
Now it’s time to plan our stay, and I’ll admit I’m feeling a bit unsure...
We definitely intend to rent a car, but what route should we take?
Should we book accommodation for the entire stay (7 nights) in Tromsø and do day trips (Sommarøy, Kvaløya, Lyngen, a day in Tromsø, a boat excursion, and then... what else?)? Or spend 3–4 days in Tromsø and hit the road for another 3–4 days somewhere else—but where?
I’d also considered splitting it: 3 days in Tromsø and 3 days in Målselv, so we could explore a different region by car and maybe try some downhill or cross-country skiing.
Is this area interesting beyond skiing?
During a recent trip to Lapland, we already tried dog sledding and snowmobiling, so we’re not planning to repeat those activities. Instead, we’d love to discover the landscapes and Sami culture.
I’d love to hear about your experiences or suggestions to help us plan our trip.
Thanks,
We're heading to Genoa and the Cinque Terre in mid-October for a full week. We're planning to spend two and a half days—three nights—in the Cinque Terre. The idea is to hike between the villages and use the train (or boat) for the trip out (or back). We're thinking of staying overnight, and I was wondering which village to prioritize.
Hi there, after reading a well-known travel guide, it seems like there’s a lot to see and do in Valletta (I’m only talking about Valletta itself). That’s why I’m thinking of spending 2 days there. I don’t want to rush and would like to get a complete overview. However, I’ve noticed that some travelers only spend one day there. For those who know the city well, what do you think? (I’ve also planned the Three Cities for another day, by the way).
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Our accommodation for 5 days will be near a "Carrefour by Deliveroo Hop." There doesn’t seem to be anything else nearby (it’s a very residential area).
I can’t figure out if it’s delivery-only or if you can also do your grocery shopping there. Does anyone know this type of store and could help me out, please?
Thanks in advance!
PS: I called, but I don’t speak Italian and the store doesn’t speak English—so they hung up on me.
Hi,
I’ve found my upcoming trip for February, and now I’m looking for a one-week getaway in April—somewhere not too far with generally nice weather. Any tips?
Best,😉
Hi, who’s familiar with the Algarve?
Lagos—should I go for a rental or a hotel? How do I get from the airport to the seaside, and how do I get around the city? What’s there to see and do?
Thanks for your ideas and tips!
Hello, VoyageForum friends, and happy holidays!
I’m planning a trip with my 19-year-old grandson to Milan for Easter Saturday, Sunday, and Monday in 2025.
I’d love your insights on what we can visit in Milan that would interest both my grandson and me (I’m 75). Of course, I’m thinking of the must-sees, but not just those—cozy little restaurants, trendy neighborhoods, and anything else you’d recommend. I’m also looking for a comfortable hotel in the city center that isn’t too expensive!
I’m sure the VoyageForum community will help me uncover some hidden gems! Looking forward to your replies.
Summer 2027 is going to be Norwegian for us!
We’re heading to the Lofoten Islands first, then Senja, near Tromsø, and finally the North Cape.
We’ll likely start from northern Finland (flight tickets and car rentals are more affordable there).
I’d like to book accommodations early to have more options.
Good value-for-money places go fast in these pricey Nordic destinations...
But where should we book?
We’re planning to stay around ten nights in the Lofoten Islands.
What’s the best approach?
One place in the central part and explore from there?
One place in the south and another in the center?
Or one in the south, one in the center, and one in the north (3-4-3 nights)?
Hi there, my husband and I are planning a trip to Iceland in mid-October 2026.
Would you have any advice on the best places to visit for a first trip to this destination? Thanks
Hi, I'm heading to Italy soon and I wanted to know if Italian banks charge fees when you withdraw cash at an ATM, or if, like in Spain or Greece, it's better to avoid taking out money and bring cash instead. Looking forward to your replies... Thanks
We’re planning a short trip at the end of July to explore the legendary mountains and valleys of the Bernese Oberland: round trip from Nancy (Swiss highway vignette planned), 2 nights in a room with a small kitchen in Adelboden, then 2 nights in a hotel at the Gletscherblick in Grindelwald, both with half-board included.
Could you share some tips on the best road routes to take, as well as some walking hikes (we’re not as fit as we used to be, so nothing longer than 2-3 hours)? Maybe also 1 or 2 cable car rides—I was thinking of Oeschinensee Lake above Kandersteg and the First gondola above Grindelwald for better panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau... all while keeping it doable with our schedule. We’ve ruled out the "premium" trip up to the Jungfraujoch for this time.
I’m also guessing that paying to access Wengen or Mürren only makes sense if we’re staying there for a few days, right?
- Is the road through the narrow valley of the White Lütschine toward Lauterbrunnen and beyond still worth it in terms of views and scenery?
On the way back, if we have a little time to explore Bern’s historic old town, what’s the best parking plan for a 1- or 2-hour stop?
Thanks in advance for your advice, fellow travelers familiar with this beautiful region! 😉
Hi there,
I’ll be in Rome from April 1st to 13th, 2026—it’s coming up fast!
I’ve been searching online for tickets to visit the Borghese Gallery, but either there’s no availability or the tickets offered are ridiculously expensive.
Could someone guide me to a website where I can book 2 skip-the-line tickets (I’ve heard you have to reserve in advance online)?
Andalusia with family (and two families) by car, late April 2019
15 days in La Palma, a hidden gem with a thousand contrasts
Polynesia: How to choose between the Society Islands, Tuamotu, and the Marquesas?
A Few Days in Turkmenistan from Uzbekistan
Slovak travel journal
14 Days in Japan – September-October 2026
Trek in Norway: Jotunheimen and Dovrefjell, you’ll adapt to the rain...
CARIBBEAN: The island of SAINT-MARTIN, a different perspective
