Barcelona GP Advice
Discussion
Myself and the lady are going to Barcelona to take in the Grand Prix. 7 days, Thursday to Thursday.
Any advice on where to go and what to do on both GP weekend and not? Also, where to stay? The lady likes guest houses as well as hotels, but we've only booked flights so far.
Is there a train/tram service to the circuit or something? I think I remember something about that.
Thought this would be a good place to ask, so thanks for any help.
Any advice on where to go and what to do on both GP weekend and not? Also, where to stay? The lady likes guest houses as well as hotels, but we've only booked flights so far.
Is there a train/tram service to the circuit or something? I think I remember something about that.
Thought this would be a good place to ask, so thanks for any help.
I went to the MotoGP at Catalunya last year and really enjoyed it. We got tickets and coach transfers through Grandstand Motorsports who I have used on about six foreign trips now and always enjoyed. There is also a train station at Montmelo which I don't believe is too difficult - much like Milano -> Monza.
In terms of accommodation, we stayed in an apartment called Gaudi Views in the Gracia region of Barcelona. It was perfect for two of us and only about two minutes walk from a metro station, with plenty of bars and restaurants near-by.
The circuit itself is great with tremendous views. It's clean and the food is good. It does get hot though. I'm sure you'll have a great time and it's a very missus-friendly race being so close to Barca and blessed with good weather! Enjoy!
Apartment: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentalReview-...
Grandstand Motorsports: http://www.grandstandmotorsports.co.uk/events/form...
Quick write-up and some photos from our MotoGP trip: http://www.motorcardiaries.co.uk/2012/moto-gp-circ...
In terms of accommodation, we stayed in an apartment called Gaudi Views in the Gracia region of Barcelona. It was perfect for two of us and only about two minutes walk from a metro station, with plenty of bars and restaurants near-by.
The circuit itself is great with tremendous views. It's clean and the food is good. It does get hot though. I'm sure you'll have a great time and it's a very missus-friendly race being so close to Barca and blessed with good weather! Enjoy!
Apartment: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentalReview-...
Grandstand Motorsports: http://www.grandstandmotorsports.co.uk/events/form...
Quick write-up and some photos from our MotoGP trip: http://www.motorcardiaries.co.uk/2012/moto-gp-circ...
Got my tickets for me and a couple of mates today; we're on Erasmus exchange here, would be rude not to go.
3 day "student spec" general admission for us, oh yes.
Anyway, I believe there's a train that runs from Barca up to the circuit, takes about 20 mins. From there, it's a 20-30 min walk to the circuit, according to a guy at work that's been before. Apparently you can hear the cars from when you get off the train, certainly gives a buzz!
3 day "student spec" general admission for us, oh yes.
Anyway, I believe there's a train that runs from Barca up to the circuit, takes about 20 mins. From there, it's a 20-30 min walk to the circuit, according to a guy at work that's been before. Apparently you can hear the cars from when you get off the train, certainly gives a buzz!
Well worth using all 3 days of that to work out where to sit, some excellent freestanding and some awful...
The train is OK, but gets swamped on raceday, best to chillout at the circuit after the race and leave a couple of hours after the rush. It is so bad on train or car that you see people going home 15 minutes before the end of the race.
www.airbnb.co.uk has some very cheap as well as varied places to rent.
The train is OK, but gets swamped on raceday, best to chillout at the circuit after the race and leave a couple of hours after the rush. It is so bad on train or car that you see people going home 15 minutes before the end of the race.
www.airbnb.co.uk has some very cheap as well as varied places to rent.
stuttgartmetal said:
Stay in Sitges.
Get a hire car to drive up to the circuit.
Did it one year, it was fantastic.
next time I drove a 993 down their and used that.
Not as good.
Sitges is a bit bohemian, you'll be safe with your missus with you.
Right up to the last line that post was the PH equivalent of the Blue Oyster Bar trick.Get a hire car to drive up to the circuit.
Did it one year, it was fantastic.
next time I drove a 993 down their and used that.
Not as good.
Sitges is a bit bohemian, you'll be safe with your missus with you.
Sitges is the Gay capital .... Great place, not totally gay but more than "a bit" IMO.
The C31 coast road between Casteldelfels and Sitges is a notably fantastic drivers road. Not a great place to crash, 18" of retaining wall then a few hundred feet of sheer cliff before the sea, focuses your attention on a bike or car. It is quite busy at times, quite deserted at others, brilliant [faster] at night, it is the old road, 10 miles of coast hugging sinewey turns amid spectacular scenery. You also avoid the wallet raping C32 motorway tunnels through the stunning hills of Garraf National Park. With Toll booths as close as 2km in points, the Motorway is often not a whole lot quicker.
Some Policia presence, but more to help than prey, it is very hard to speed there...
I caned it through the tunnels from Barcelona to Sitges, 120MPH plus, roof open, windows open.
soo good.
Hune
About midnite on the Friday night.
Total hit.
Sitges is a bit iffy, but such great architecture, shops, bars, food.
You get the long lingering looks from the locals. LOL.
Plenty of gash there n all to be fair.
Get a five star hotel.
If the weathers there, you'll come back with a tan.
soo good.
Hune
About midnite on the Friday night.
Total hit.
Sitges is a bit iffy, but such great architecture, shops, bars, food.
You get the long lingering looks from the locals. LOL.
Plenty of gash there n all to be fair.
Get a five star hotel.
If the weathers there, you'll come back with a tan.
stuttgartmetal said:
I caned it through the tunnels from Barcelona to Sitges, 120MPH plus, roof open, windows open.
soo good.
Hune
About midnite on the Friday night.
Total hit.
Sitges is a bit iffy, but such great architecture, shops, bars, food.
You get the long lingering looks from the locals. LOL.
Plenty of gash there n all to be fair.
Get a five star hotel.
If the weathers there, you'll come back with a tan.
Good Lad !! The tunnels must be fun topless, but take care for hidden speed cameras, IIRC they have a lower limit there, 90KMH maybe ? soo good.
Hune
About midnite on the Friday night.
Total hit.
Sitges is a bit iffy, but such great architecture, shops, bars, food.
You get the long lingering looks from the locals. LOL.
Plenty of gash there n all to be fair.
Get a five star hotel.
If the weathers there, you'll come back with a tan.
It has been mentioned by more than one skirt chaser as a rich source of "keen young ladies" as they do not get so many, or indeed any "long lingering looks" from the locals
Took my son 2011 for his 20th. He speaks excellent Spanish & took to Basque quick enough too. We stayed in the hailstones Diagonal and used taxi/train. Taxi c£50 but 0 hassle. Train to Montmello rammed & borderline not safe IMO. Millions of things to do all over Barca. Montjuic Parc, Ramblas, La Sagra Familia, Gaudi museum, stunning city. Rental car might be possible, but you will struggle parking/navigating race weekend due to local traffic management.
Enjoy
Enjoy
Ms. Molehusband and I are going this year, her first GP. The last one I went to was in 1975 
I'll be watching this thread with interest.
We've booked seats in grandstand E which is at the end of the start/finish straight.
We're staying at the Hotel Primero Primera and will be getting the train in.
Edited because I missed a full stop at the end of the final sentence.
I'll be watching this thread with interest.
We've booked seats in grandstand E which is at the end of the start/finish straight.
We're staying at the Hotel Primero Primera and will be getting the train in.
Edited because I missed a full stop at the end of the final sentence.
Edited by RegMolehusband on Sunday 10th February 09:58
RegMolehusband said:
Ms. Molehusband and I are going this year, her first GP. The last one I went to was in 1975
I'll be watching this thread with interest.
We've booked seats in grandstand E which is at the end of the start/finish straight.
We're staying at the Hotel Primero Primera and will be getting the train in
You will need factor 50 in an uncovered Grandstand. It was extremely hot for us and we were in the main grandstand opposite the end of the pits, in the shade. As said, it's a 30 minute yomp to the train station. I'll be watching this thread with interest.
We've booked seats in grandstand E which is at the end of the start/finish straight.
We're staying at the Hotel Primero Primera and will be getting the train in
Facilities at the circuit actually seemed pretty good.
StuB said
Took my son 2011 for his 20th. He speaks excellent Spanish & took to Basque quick enough too.
That must have impressed the Catalans then
Grandstand at the end of the pit straight gets my vote, or the one on the outside of the 1st corner. Tickets are cheapest from the Circuit site, most of the good ones are weekend only, which means you won't visit the rest of the circuit much.
Train is fine, if you arrive early/leave late, otherwise . . a zoo as others have said. Don't make the mistake I did one year of buying a return ticket, as the return bit is only valid for something like 4 hrs & Catalans don't take any prisoners where money is concerned
Maybe it is "only" May, but if it is sunny (or worse still a thin high overcast) you WILL get fairly well burned in any South/West facing Tribune (anything on the main straight ) including bloody sore legs if you go the shorts/skirt route. Beware, & save the gratuitous displays of flesh for the Barcelona night-life (or Sitges if you are feeling brave
) The drive from Sitges is fine, but 3 days in a row (particularly Sun + Sat ) in traffic jams will make you wish you had taken the train. If you do, you may have to change trains in the main station Sants, as not all trains NE bound stop at Montmelo.
Sorry forgot to add link to circuit www.circuitcat.com Grandstand at end of straight is Tribuna F ( normally my recommendation ) but, Tribuna A above & on outside of 1st corner is also a good view from what I saw in tests & is cheaper to boot. They have some big reductions on ticket prices at the moment & they also give admission to the two tests there at end Feb/beginning Mar.
I have taken my own advice and bought a ticket for Tribuna A. Not 100% sure if I have the time off as I sometimes work weekends (fingers crossed) but I am going to both F1 tests anyhow so that is 30€ saved (it is 15€ weekday/20€ at weekend.)
Just a bit of advice if you are going to buy a ticket online. I initially selected English language, and "buy tickets in English". I couldn't get the module to work for seat selection , so, in disgust selected Spanish. Lo and behold the selection of "good" seats available multiplied by a factor of 10
When I came to pay though, this module didn't like my non- Spanish credit-card, but happily accepted my girl-friends Spanish one.
I will refrain from making further comment, but I think you can see where we are coming from here.
Took my son 2011 for his 20th. He speaks excellent Spanish & took to Basque quick enough too.
That must have impressed the Catalans then
Grandstand at the end of the pit straight gets my vote, or the one on the outside of the 1st corner. Tickets are cheapest from the Circuit site, most of the good ones are weekend only, which means you won't visit the rest of the circuit much.
Train is fine, if you arrive early/leave late, otherwise . . a zoo as others have said. Don't make the mistake I did one year of buying a return ticket, as the return bit is only valid for something like 4 hrs & Catalans don't take any prisoners where money is concerned
Maybe it is "only" May, but if it is sunny (or worse still a thin high overcast) you WILL get fairly well burned in any South/West facing Tribune (anything on the main straight ) including bloody sore legs if you go the shorts/skirt route. Beware, & save the gratuitous displays of flesh for the Barcelona night-life (or Sitges if you are feeling brave
) The drive from Sitges is fine, but 3 days in a row (particularly Sun + Sat ) in traffic jams will make you wish you had taken the train. If you do, you may have to change trains in the main station Sants, as not all trains NE bound stop at Montmelo.Sorry forgot to add link to circuit www.circuitcat.com Grandstand at end of straight is Tribuna F ( normally my recommendation ) but, Tribuna A above & on outside of 1st corner is also a good view from what I saw in tests & is cheaper to boot. They have some big reductions on ticket prices at the moment & they also give admission to the two tests there at end Feb/beginning Mar.
I have taken my own advice and bought a ticket for Tribuna A. Not 100% sure if I have the time off as I sometimes work weekends (fingers crossed) but I am going to both F1 tests anyhow so that is 30€ saved (it is 15€ weekday/20€ at weekend.)
Just a bit of advice if you are going to buy a ticket online. I initially selected English language, and "buy tickets in English". I couldn't get the module to work for seat selection , so, in disgust selected Spanish. Lo and behold the selection of "good" seats available multiplied by a factor of 10
When I came to pay though, this module didn't like my non- Spanish credit-card, but happily accepted my girl-friends Spanish one.I will refrain from making further comment, but I think you can see where we are coming from here.
Edited by the other me on Sunday 10th February 13:23
Edited by the other me on Sunday 10th February 13:29
Edited by the other me on Sunday 10th February 15:16
Well it's almost upon us. However I should have taken charge of booking the hotel instead of letting Mrs. Molehusband just consult Trip Adviser and get something 40 minutes walk from Barcelona Sants station! I don't fancy either buses or getting ripped of by taxi drivers. (edited to add, though I could get the metro to Passeig de Gracia by the look of things).
So, I'm now thinking about hiring a car at the airport. What is access like into the car parks on Saturday and Sunday morning? Nothing as bad as Silverstone I hope!
We are in grandstand E at the end of the start/finish straight.
"Reg"
So, I'm now thinking about hiring a car at the airport. What is access like into the car parks on Saturday and Sunday morning? Nothing as bad as Silverstone I hope!
We are in grandstand E at the end of the start/finish straight.
"Reg"
Edited by RegMolehusband on Thursday 2nd May 21:35
My wife got me weekend tickets at Christmas for us both, so we're flying out Thursday and staying at a hotel a couple of blocks from Sants train station, so we'll be braving the train all 3 days. I like to make the most of the day so leaving late is fine by me. We're in grandstand B, which although not a prime spot for overtaking, should give some good views.
Really looking forward to it as its my first overseas GP after many years going to Silverstone.
Alonso for the win
Really looking forward to it as its my first overseas GP after many years going to Silverstone.
Alonso for the win
if you're hiring a car, do so from one of the majors. Avoid those from carhire3000 type places, it'll end up costing way more. The spanish chain (golden something) are also ripoff merchants - many stories on google and experienced it myself.
Trafffic in and around barca can be terrible. I've never seen so many traffic lights in one city!
Trafffic in and around barca can be terrible. I've never seen so many traffic lights in one city!
I've now decided to use public transport buying a transport card x2 for the weekend. Flying from Birmingham on Friday evening and coming back Monday morning. We're staying at the hotel Primero Primera a metro ride from the main stations.
Grandstand E at the end of the start/finish straight.
Edited to add - it looks like one of my F1 customers might be able to organise a pit tour for me and Mrs. Molehusband
Grandstand E at the end of the start/finish straight.
Edited to add - it looks like one of my F1 customers might be able to organise a pit tour for me and Mrs. Molehusband
Edited by RegMolehusband on Wednesday 8th May 11:58
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