Long weekend in Barcelona in September

Long weekend in Barcelona in September

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richatnort

Original Poster:

3,018 posts

130 months

Monday 21st July 2014
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Hi all,

Me and the mrs are going on a long weekend away in September for her birthday. Neither of us have been before and we want to get in as much as we can while still feeling relaxed and on holiday.

Can anyone reccomend really good things you must do and things to avoid and any restaurants to go to in the evening with a good atmosphere and views.

Just a note we'll be walking, public transport or taxing everywhere too.

Thanks!

br d

8,388 posts

225 months

Monday 21st July 2014
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You'll love it there, it's a brilliant city.

If you go to the Sagrada Familia go early, try to be outside before 9am then you'll get straight up to the top and a good look round before it gets busy, by 10:30 the queues are horrendous. There are a few different things to do with Gaudi, all worth a visit. The harbour is nice, the old cable car is a laugh if it's still running. Loads of historical stuff to see if that interests you.

You've got the Castle on Mount Juic which is well worth going to, check the time of the fountains on the way up because they're good too. Everyone always goes on about the Ramblas, it's worth a visit but don't get stuck there and watch your wallet, there is a famous food market off the Ramblas too which is superb. Good parks, a good zoo, restaurants and bars everywhere and the beach as well, you can't go wrong. I bet you will want to go back again!

MitchT

15,789 posts

208 months

Monday 21st July 2014
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Brilliant city. The OH and I went in October 2010 and it was great.

br d said:
Everyone always goes on about the Ramblas, it's worth a visit but don't get stuck there and watch your wallet ...
Yes, this!

br d said:
... there is a famous food market off the Ramblas too which is superb.
That's where my OH has her sunglasses pinched!

Other than having to cling dutifully to your valuables it's a fabulous city. The underground is very easy to use too though it's worth walking around as much as possible, just 'cause there are so many great things to see.

richatnort

Original Poster:

3,018 posts

130 months

Monday 21st July 2014
quotequote all
awesome i'll take a look at your suggestions.

I was reading there are some stuff to do with picasso there too. Is it worth visiting this too?

br d

8,388 posts

225 months

Monday 21st July 2014
quotequote all
richatnort said:
awesome i'll take a look at your suggestions.

I was reading there are some stuff to do with picasso there too. Is it worth visiting this too?
If it's your bag certainly! I think I saw his painting Guernica there, might have been in Madrid though, although I'll confess to not really having an interest in art so hopefully someone else will know more.

The jiffle king

6,894 posts

257 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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I used to live in BCN and would recommend the following:

Sagrada Famillia - get there early
Casa Milla - go on the roof terrace when it's not raining
Casa Batillo - the third great Gaudi building
Parc Guell -
Mont Juic - go to the castle and take a beer at the miramar
La bocqueria - great market, but very pricey
Las ramblas - mind your wallet
the beach - keep your stuff with you
tibidabo - get the bus from placa catalunya
Sitges - short train ride to a nice seaside town

eating - Paco Meralgo for tapas, catalana for tapas
drinking - rooftop bars are fabulous

Enjoy it's a great place.... but be aware that eating starts about 9pm



HarryFlatters

4,203 posts

211 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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El Xampanyet was the best tapas bar that I experienced when I went in April this year. Drink the house made Cava and be sure to order the lamb cutlets and the monkfish cheek and chickpea stew. The black pudding is also spectacular. Other stand out restaurants were Casa Calvet, Bar Celta (the octopus is lovely) and Tapeo. Don't order the tomato bread everywhere though, it's the same throughout and fills you up too much.

If you like rock music and burgers there's a great bar called bks that the wife and I frequented most evenings too smile

The Segrada Familia is good, but book your tickets in advance to avoid the queues. Parc Guell is lovely to wander around, but isn't as big as I thought it'd be. Spend time in Barri Gotic and the El Born districts. La Rambla is ok, but watch your wallet and ignore the people that try to sell you drugs (this happened a lot to me).

The metro is brilliant for getting around. We got the multi trip card which is less than 11 euro for 10 trips.

richatnort

Original Poster:

3,018 posts

130 months

Friday 22nd August 2014
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The jiffle king said:
I used to live in BCN and would recommend the following:

Sagrada Famillia - get there early
Casa Milla - go on the roof terrace when it's not raining
Casa Batillo - the third great Gaudi building
Parc Guell -
Mont Juic - go to the castle and take a beer at the miramar
La bocqueria - great market, but very pricey
Las ramblas - mind your wallet
the beach - keep your stuff with you
tibidabo - get the bus from placa catalunya
Sitges - short train ride to a nice seaside town

eating - Paco Meralgo for tapas, catalana for tapas
drinking - rooftop bars are fabulous

Enjoy it's a great place.... but be aware that eating starts about 9pm
Thanks for all the Info! i'm currently putting all these places on Google maps so i can make sure i visit them all. Few questions though.

"tibidabo - get the bus from placa catalunya" Is there no bus more central to get there?

"Sitges - short train ride to a nice seaside town" Tried to google this but it takes me away from the cost! Could you give me an address of something there so i can find it.

richatnort

Original Poster:

3,018 posts

130 months

Friday 22nd August 2014
quotequote all
HarryFlatters said:
El Xampanyet was the best tapas bar that I experienced when I went in April this year. Drink the house made Cava and be sure to order the lamb cutlets and the monkfish cheek and chickpea stew. The black pudding is also spectacular. Other stand out restaurants were Casa Calvet, Bar Celta (the octopus is lovely) and Tapeo. Don't order the tomato bread everywhere though, it's the same throughout and fills you up too much.

If you like rock music and burgers there's a great bar called bks that the wife and I frequented most evenings too smile

The Segrada Familia is good, but book your tickets in advance to avoid the queues. Parc Guell is lovely to wander around, but isn't as big as I thought it'd be. Spend time in Barri Gotic and the El Born districts. La Rambla is ok, but watch your wallet and ignore the people that try to sell you drugs (this happened a lot to me).

The metro is brilliant for getting around. We got the multi trip card which is less than 11 euro for 10 trips.
Thanks for the the rest of the other info!

richatnort

Original Poster:

3,018 posts

130 months

Friday 22nd August 2014
quotequote all
Turns out the La Merce is going to be happening while i'm there.
http://merce.bcn.cat/en

Anyone experienced this and advice on what to look out for?

Bi11

53 posts

134 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
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We also did a bicycle tour, think it was Fat Mike's Bike Tour or something like that which was very good. Also took some wine and sat on the steps and watched the fountains at night which was cool.

And as everyone else has said watch your bags wallet and mobile phone, we saw a couple of pick pockets trying to undo and get into people's bags / rucksacks whilst they were wearing the them. The locals got very upset with them.

WinstonWolf

72,857 posts

238 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
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Use the open top bus to get around, you get an audio guide as you go around and you can hop on and off all day at places of interest.

The jiffle king

6,894 posts

257 months

Friday 29th August 2014
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richatnort said:
Thanks for all the Info! i'm currently putting all these places on Google maps so i can make sure i visit them all. Few questions though.

"tibidabo - get the bus from placa catalunya" Is there no bus more central to get there?

"Sitges - short train ride to a nice seaside town" Tried to google this but it takes me away from the cost! Could you give me an address of something there so i can find it.
To get to Tibidabo, there are many options.
There is a bus which departs from the top of Placa Catalunya (where it joins Rambla Catalunya) which is the cheapest option. You can also go part way by train or use the funicular which is good but expensive

Sitges is south of Barcelona and I think in zone 3 on the train. It is past Castadefells and about 30 mins away on the train. It is a great town, great beaches, good food. Trains stop about 10pm and the taxi is expensive. I think there is also a bus back

I don't think the Olympic swimming pool on Mont Juic is open in Sept. The pool is a little run down, but the views are incredible. You are not allowed in the diving pool any more, but if you see it, imagine how the olympic divers must have felt. If you are up on Mont Juic, the Olympic stadium is free (and a little run down) but the Olympic museum which was 3 euros is pretty good. Cable car to the castle and then walk back down

Other highlights include the rickety elevator up colom at the bottom of Las Ramblas... it's an experience and you can see that Health and safety is not a fist priority

Palau de musica is incredible and if there is a concert on, the acoustics work really well.

There is also a Segway tour which I am told is ok

I've droned on enough. Enjoy the city and don't forget to keep your wallet in your front pocket and on the metro, watch out for anyone who has a coat draped over their arm....

br d

8,388 posts

225 months

Friday 29th August 2014
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Another way to the Tibidado is to hire a car and drive up the mountain roads, that's the way I went.
Keep in mind that roundabouts in Barcelona can be pretty interesting in a car!

AJB88

12,269 posts

170 months

Friday 29th August 2014
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If you want amazing views there is a bar on the top floor of Hotel W.

Stayed here last year for a night.

toohuge

3,430 posts

215 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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Don't under estimate the advice about looking out for your belongings, unfortunately, it happens all the time and the lifters are very good at it...

That aside, Barcelona is an amazing place - like no other.

There is plenty to do and see on the metro / bus network - the 3 day pass is great value and is all that you will need for your long weekend. I would try and visit the Gaudi sites as these are spectacular. The rest of the city has the usual things to do, I would recommend that if you are into art, then the Picasso museum is good, if you are not totally into art then save yourself the visit - imv you need to be a real enthusiast.

Barcelona has been host to numerous events, such as the World exhibition and there are plenty of museums etc. around that are genuinely interesting.

The night live in Barcelona is like no other, it's totally mental - every night. The food is spectacular too.

You will not be bored on your long weekend, it will fly by.

Chris

The Leaper

4,938 posts

205 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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OP,

Wife and I went to Barcelona in March 3 years ago: fab place for a short visit. We were there for 5 days which was just about enough time to see all we planned for this first visit. A long weekend is pushing it so I suggest you plan ahead somewhat to get as much done as possible.

From one of your earlier comments it looks like you may be into art. We can recommend the Jean Miro Gallery for a couple of hours of you like his work. It's a very interactive gallery too. It's quite near Barca's football stadium too which is the second most popular place to visit in Barcelona. If you use the tour bus (recommended) just jump off when you get there.

Something else we did was the morning tour of the Old Town which is located just east of the southern end of The Ramblas. Furthermore, you can book it online from the UK via the Barcelona Tourist website. Well worth the time doing this, we thought.

If you want a good quality restaurant try Restaurant 7 Portes near the marina. It's been there 150 years or so...must book ahead otherwise you join the long queue for a table.

R.


br d

8,388 posts

225 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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Yeah Restaurant 7, is great.
If you are into sport try to do the Camp Nou tour, it's well worth it.
On one of our stays there an enterprising Mancunian hotel worker got us last minute tickets to the Barcelona Derby, Ronaldinho was in his pomp and it was a wonderful night.

As you can see by the replies so far, there is just too much to see and do in Barcelona!

Blayney

2,948 posts

185 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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I can vouch for these being worth a visit:

Park Guell
Mont Juic
Olympic Museum/Stadium/Castle
Casa batllo - A house designed by Gaudi
Market place off Las Ramblas and Las Ramblas itself
Joan Miro Museum

We also did a walking tour which was good to get a feel for the city. The ticket office is located underneath the main square at the top of Las Ramblas.

We went back in Sept 2009.