Barcelona Tips..
Discussion
The tour buses are a good shout. They're not cheap but they're handy because you can hop on and off at any point on any route.
Make sure you see La Sagrada Familia and the Magic Fountain at Montjuic (where I proposed to my wife
).
La Rambla is also a must see if there are plenty of the street performers out.
Enjoy! Oh, and don't let anyone worry you too much about pickpockets. There is obviously a bit of a problem with it over there, but we found that absolutely everyone will try to frighten you into thinking there are 58 million people following you around trying to get your wallet. It can spoil your enjoyment somewhat, so don't let it. Just be careful as you would in any major city.
Make sure you see La Sagrada Familia and the Magic Fountain at Montjuic (where I proposed to my wife
).La Rambla is also a must see if there are plenty of the street performers out.
Enjoy! Oh, and don't let anyone worry you too much about pickpockets. There is obviously a bit of a problem with it over there, but we found that absolutely everyone will try to frighten you into thinking there are 58 million people following you around trying to get your wallet. It can spoil your enjoyment somewhat, so don't let it. Just be careful as you would in any major city.
I live in Barcelona and have replied a few times to this type of topic. I replied last year, so do look it up.
Examiple is great, Enric Granados has a number of good restaurants. Pickpockets are only a problem in the main tourist areas (Metro, Ramblas etc) take out 1 card, photo id for if you need to pay by card and some cash and wallet in the front pocket.
There is loads to do in BCN, apart from Sagrada (get there early), Casa Mila and Casa Batillo, there is Parc Guell which is cool and Mont Juic is worth a visit for the view. Magic fountains are 20 mins of fun, but the new thing people want to do is go to Las Arenas (an old bullring which is now a shopping centre) and take piccys from the top... Great views!
Avoid nearly all restaurants on Las ramblas or very close to it, most are very poor quality, even Crema Canella is not very good, then again the others in that chain have not been great recently (Flamant etc) Rambla Catalyuna is ok for food, but I would eat in Examiple area and then head to other bars. On the hotels on Passeig de Gracia, you can get a cocktail outside. If feeling flush, the view from the Wave hotel is great on the 20 something floor, but it's pricey and a little out of the way
Best tapas weve had recently was at Paco Meralgo (spelling) which is again in Examiple area and it's quite cheap really.
For spit and sawdust, but a very cheap bottle of decent cava, the Champanaria (spelling) is great, but you have to eat something and it's packed in there
Hope this helps, feel free to ask specifics
Oh and get the bus mentioned above, it's very good
Examiple is great, Enric Granados has a number of good restaurants. Pickpockets are only a problem in the main tourist areas (Metro, Ramblas etc) take out 1 card, photo id for if you need to pay by card and some cash and wallet in the front pocket.
There is loads to do in BCN, apart from Sagrada (get there early), Casa Mila and Casa Batillo, there is Parc Guell which is cool and Mont Juic is worth a visit for the view. Magic fountains are 20 mins of fun, but the new thing people want to do is go to Las Arenas (an old bullring which is now a shopping centre) and take piccys from the top... Great views!
Avoid nearly all restaurants on Las ramblas or very close to it, most are very poor quality, even Crema Canella is not very good, then again the others in that chain have not been great recently (Flamant etc) Rambla Catalyuna is ok for food, but I would eat in Examiple area and then head to other bars. On the hotels on Passeig de Gracia, you can get a cocktail outside. If feeling flush, the view from the Wave hotel is great on the 20 something floor, but it's pricey and a little out of the way
Best tapas weve had recently was at Paco Meralgo (spelling) which is again in Examiple area and it's quite cheap really.
For spit and sawdust, but a very cheap bottle of decent cava, the Champanaria (spelling) is great, but you have to eat something and it's packed in there
Hope this helps, feel free to ask specifics
Oh and get the bus mentioned above, it's very good
Siete Portes or 7 Portes. Reputedly the oldest restaurant in Barcelona. http://www.7portes.com/catala/index2.php
Truly memorable!
Truly memorable!
As said above, pickpockets are NOT the problem people like to report they are. We had absolutely no concerns whilst we were out there. We were of course still sensible though; putting my wallet in my front pocket and my partner leaving her bag back at the hotel.
Definitely take a ride on the cable car. We were looking for the more well-known one mentioned above, but ended up on this one: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/attracti... - It was absolutely fantastic! The views are absolutely amazing, and the ride is interesting! You really do get to see some great sights you just can't otherwise see. Take the opportunity to walk around whilst at the top, as it's really nice. If you can, take a single trip from the top only, as the bottom-top-bottom return trip can be busy (there was a huge queue when we got down there).
Crema Canella was pretty good we thought! Excellent value with their set lunch menu, really pretty place to sit (inside and out), and good food.
'Pasta Bar' is also fantastic! We went there on the first day, but couldn't find it again! http://panemandcircenses.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/...
Do try to take a wander around the city, as there are loads of small places you may not pick up on otherwise. We found a very very small park, which was a really odd find. Right in the middle of a very busy area was this tiny park with just a few benches.
Parc de la Ciutadella was great, and is just down from the Arc de Triomf (also great).
Sagrada Familia is of course an absolute must-see - that goes without saying.
We went to a jazz bar called Jamboree one of the nights. It's an underground jazz bar just off La Ramblas, and was really good, but the drinks were quite expensive, so be aware! It's worth a look though if you're not fussed on drinks prices. It turns into a club later on in the night, but we didn't stay for that bit as public transport didn't run late enough.
Sant Pau Hospital is worth a look in. Very nice inside.
Take a walk around the University, too. Not quite sure if we got lost, or went where we weren't supposed to, since there were classes taking place, etc... But it was great! I would love to study there!
Public transport is very good, but not really needed. We were there for 3 days, so got a pass for 3 days... Pointless. Everything is so close, you can walk to it.
Definitely take a ride on the cable car. We were looking for the more well-known one mentioned above, but ended up on this one: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/attracti... - It was absolutely fantastic! The views are absolutely amazing, and the ride is interesting! You really do get to see some great sights you just can't otherwise see. Take the opportunity to walk around whilst at the top, as it's really nice. If you can, take a single trip from the top only, as the bottom-top-bottom return trip can be busy (there was a huge queue when we got down there).
Crema Canella was pretty good we thought! Excellent value with their set lunch menu, really pretty place to sit (inside and out), and good food.
'Pasta Bar' is also fantastic! We went there on the first day, but couldn't find it again! http://panemandcircenses.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/...
Do try to take a wander around the city, as there are loads of small places you may not pick up on otherwise. We found a very very small park, which was a really odd find. Right in the middle of a very busy area was this tiny park with just a few benches.
Parc de la Ciutadella was great, and is just down from the Arc de Triomf (also great).
Sagrada Familia is of course an absolute must-see - that goes without saying.
We went to a jazz bar called Jamboree one of the nights. It's an underground jazz bar just off La Ramblas, and was really good, but the drinks were quite expensive, so be aware! It's worth a look though if you're not fussed on drinks prices. It turns into a club later on in the night, but we didn't stay for that bit as public transport didn't run late enough.
Sant Pau Hospital is worth a look in. Very nice inside.
Take a walk around the University, too. Not quite sure if we got lost, or went where we weren't supposed to, since there were classes taking place, etc... But it was great! I would love to study there!
Public transport is very good, but not really needed. We were there for 3 days, so got a pass for 3 days... Pointless. Everything is so close, you can walk to it.
Travelling around.... A T10 train ticket gets you 10 metro journeys and is valid from the airport if you want it to be. You can pass them back, so 2 people can share a card. They have just gone up by a whole Euro to 9.25.
I'd agree with just wandering around to find food down back streets, you are much more likely to get an authentic feel. One exception is a tapas place which is always packed which is on Mallorca with Rambla catalunya which is exceptional... can't think of the name, but you'll see the queue.
If heading out of the city, Tarragona is nice for a day, Monserrat is a good day out, or Girona for a few hours
Jiffle King and lots of others gave me some really good info September/October time last year, roll back some pages and dig it out, it'll be worth it.
Barcalona is currently my favourite European city, we had a great time there. Get the bus pass, Metro would do the job but you get to see the whole city above ground with the bus.
Nothing to add to the places to visit, Barri Gotic area is a really must visit, and wander the lanes. We walked Las Ramblas too and frankly it was a wasted experience. Avoid.
Eating out is still cheap we found, so take a wander.
Great city, we love it. Enjoy.
Barcalona is currently my favourite European city, we had a great time there. Get the bus pass, Metro would do the job but you get to see the whole city above ground with the bus.
Nothing to add to the places to visit, Barri Gotic area is a really must visit, and wander the lanes. We walked Las Ramblas too and frankly it was a wasted experience. Avoid.
Eating out is still cheap we found, so take a wander.
Great city, we love it. Enjoy.
Wife and I went to Barcelona in March 2011 for 5 nights. Great place, but really cold, unusually so apparrently. I agree with all the above.
We also went to 7 Portes restaurant. Really excellent, quite large and arranged in a series of smaller rooms. Booking is essential. We arrived to find a small queue outside of people seeking a table without a booking, so we were able to jump it. Odd really as the restaurant did not seem particularly full.
In addition to what's already mentioned earlier, we would recommend the morning old town walking tour which we booked on line with Barcelona Tourism from the UK before we went.
R.
We also went to 7 Portes restaurant. Really excellent, quite large and arranged in a series of smaller rooms. Booking is essential. We arrived to find a small queue outside of people seeking a table without a booking, so we were able to jump it. Odd really as the restaurant did not seem particularly full.
In addition to what's already mentioned earlier, we would recommend the morning old town walking tour which we booked on line with Barcelona Tourism from the UK before we went.
R.
Pulse said:
I wouldn't say you should avoid it, but it's nothing that special. Quite interesting to take a walk or two through though, so don't avoid it altogether.
Go to the market La Boqueria and go in a bit to buy some fruit juice (expensive at the front) then go to PLaca real if you want to see a lovely square. If you've read shadows in the wind, then Santa Anna at the top of Las ramblas might be interesting to you.The hop on-hop off buses in Barcelona are great but I have one piece of advice. When travelling on the top deck don't forget to pay attention to the road ahead, I was too busy looking around to notice the vinyl advert hanging from a lamppost until it gave me a slap on the forehead at about 30mph! No I wasn't leaning over the side at the time either.
Ant with a plan said:
The hop on-hop off buses in Barcelona are great but I have one piece of advice. When travelling on the top deck don't forget to pay attention to the road ahead, I was too busy looking around to notice the vinyl advert hanging from a lamppost until it gave me a slap on the forehead at about 30mph! No I wasn't leaning over the side at the time either.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff