Barcelona, tips (hotels, food, things to see etc)

[giggity]

So I have done some reading before starting this thread, so just looking to summarise and get some help / tips from you all.

I'm there during Easter this year for 8 days (7 "full" days) maybe a little long in hindsight - But it's booked now. Should give me plenty of time to see all.

For hotels, I'm not sure where to look, I'd rather no frills and cheap. But no shared bathrooms or hostel's.

Just want it to be clean and close to transport links / city centre. Dont want or care for a pool / spa etc.

Won't be eating at the hotel either, would like WiFi and a safe to store Passports etc.

I'm quite keen on nice food and eating out so will have lots of Tapas / try lots of places to eat.

Am going with a mate and a few other's may join for a 3-4 days.

Must See/Do:
Sagrada Família
Olympic village
Mont Juic - Cable Car & Magic Fountain
Segway tour run by Edgar - http://www.barcelonasegwayglides.com
Barcelonetta - For Tapas and Beer
Park Guel
A market off Las Ramblas
Open top Bus tour
Magic Fountain
Camp Nou
Picasso Museum - in the Gothic Quarter
Casa Mila
Casa Batillo

Do not / Avoid / Not bother with:
Las Ramblas?
Put wallet in back pocket

Food / Nights out / Entertainment:
Enric Granados
Fillete Russo
Habaluc
Flamant
Good Resturants at the Port
Plenty of Sangria / Cava
Food Market @ Las Ramblas
Bar's / Clubs etc - Does this default back to Las Rambles?
Las Arenas - Shopping and view from the top
Examiple area - Tapas - Paco Meralgo(sp)?
Champanaria - Cava
Siete Portes or 7 Portes - http://www.7portes.com/catala/index2.php
Crema Canella
'Pasta Bar' http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g18...


Travel / Getting around:
T-10 Travelcard Metro / Bus Pass


Other:
El Corte Inglés - Shopping?
Las Rambles, take nothing?
Is it worth just leaving my phone behind (in Hotel safe) and using a cheap phone or even getting a cheap phone and using a spanish SIM?

Hotels:
Gran Torre Catalunya? Bit OTT as just few mates etc

[lazy_b]

If you're learning Spanish (Castilian, that is...) don't bother trying to practice it. You'll probably be be tolerated (being just another foreigner), but they won't like it. Just speak English - it's much easier

Edit to add: Places to see - La Pedrera (a former apartment building - Gaudi at his best), plus the three adjacent apartment buildings on Las Ramblas, by three different architects (can't remember the details now...)

Edited by lazy_b on Sunday 27th January 16:14

[BliarOut]

Look at staying in Barcelonetta, bit quieter, handy for the beach and in walking distance of everything.

[davepoth]

Try and get to a game at the Camp Nou if you can, it's incredible.

[Fishtigua]

BliarOut said:

Look at staying in Barcelonetta, bit quieter, handy for the beach and in walking distance of everything.

Agree with this too.

I spent a while at the marina there and my local hangout was the Fastnet Bar. Managed a 9am until 3am session at the bar once. (The Rugby was on). Missed the bloody flight the next day though.

[giggity]

Thanks for all the replies so far.

Can anyone recommend any places in Barcelonetta. Also how are the transport links there - is it on the metro / train links etc?

Also how long would it take from Barcelonetta to "central"

Unfortunately there are no games during our time in Barcelona game is day after we depart. Dammit!!!!

[The jiffle king]

Must See/Do:
Sagrada Família - yes, go in early in the day or the queue can be big
Olympic village - If you mean Olympic stadium, then yes but also Olympic museum which is about 3 euros is ok. The olympic village is not that exciting
Mont Juic - Cable Car & Magic Fountain and the castle and some of the other parks up there
Segway tour run by Edgar - http://www.barcelonasegwayglides.com
Barcelonetta - For Tapas and Beer
Park Guel - for sure and the walk up the hill
A market off Las Ramblas - La Boqueria is good, but go in for cheaper deals. Don't eat here, you will be ripped off
Open top Bus tour - the best way to see the city
Magic Fountain - Check what days it will be on.
Camp Nou - stadium tour is quite good
Picasso Museum - in the Gothic Quarter - free on a Sunday after 3pm or free the last sunday in the month
Casa Mila - yes, the roof terrace
Casa Batillo - oh yes

Do not / Avoid / Not bother with:
Las Ramblas? - don't avoid, but just don't go there drunk
Put wallet in back pocket - exactly

Food / Nights out / Entertainment:
Fillete Russo - Good burger place and the bravas is 2nd only to Paco Meralgo
Habaluc - Food is excellent, go for a menu del dia
Flamant - don't bother anymore unless at lunchtime
Good Resturants at the Port - some are, take specific recommendations
Plenty of Sangria / Cava - Oh yes!!
Food Market @ Las Rambles
Bar's / Clubs etc - Does this default back to Las Rambles?
Las Arenas - Shopping and view from the top
Examiple area - Tapas - Paco Meralgo(sp)? **** The best Tapas bar in Barca)
Champanaria - Cava
Siete Portes or 7 Portes - http://www.7portes.com/catala/index2.php
Crema Canella - not any more, it's gone cheap and cheerful
'Pasta Bar' http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g18...
Try Casa Paloma as well.... and Say hello to Dorina


Travel / Getting around:
T-10 Travelcard Metro / Bus Pass - Yes, still the best way to get around


Other:
El Corte Inglés - Shopping? Not really anything that different
Las Rambles, take nothing?
Is it worth just leaving my phone behind (in Hotel safe) and using a cheap phone or even getting a cheap phone and using a spanish SIM


Hotels:
Gran Torre Catalunya? Bit OTT as just few mates etc


Other things:
Gracia - Good for food, beer and quirky shops
Sitges - It's a great place and the beach is great
Tibidabo - Theme park is ok, but the views are cracking
Las Arenas - Inside the old bullring, a free escalator ride to the top and some good views
Cituedela parc - ice/cream and take your table tennis bats and balls
check to see what else is on locally, there are festival most weeks


I moved back from Barca in Sept last year, but still go nearly every week with work. Happy to give more info if needed

[Planet Claire]

It's a few years since I went to Barcelona, but I stayed here http://www.hotelh10marinabarcelona.com/
Was a nice hotel and walking distance into town. I don't remember it being pricey.

[giggity]

Thanks everyone,

I'm looking for a hotel / apartment in Barceloneta.

Thanks The jiffle king for going over and adding to the list above.

Going to look on Trivago and see what I can get

[AlexC1981]

The jiffle king said:

Tibidabo - Theme park is ok, but the views are cracking

Awesome views! Get the rack-train up and walk down. There are a few shortcuts on unmaintained paths that make the walk more fun.

It's worth going to see the Flamenco one evening.

Be careful on the train from the airport. The pickpockets know that is where they will find tourists with all their holiday money on them.

I went with a friend last year. We were on the train and my friend was standing near the door. As the train pulled into a station a man leaned over him as if he was trying to see what station we had arrived at. As he did so another three blokes stood around my friend and jostled as if they were trying to get off the train in a hurry. While this was happening the chap leaning over tried to slip his hand in my mates front jeans pocket where you could see the bulge of his wallet. Luckily my friend was able to knock his hand away. He received a nasty glare from one of the other men as they all got off at the station.

It happened very quickly and even though I was standing close by, I did not realise what had happened as my friend was screened off by the accomplices. I was tutting to myself quietly about the pushy Spaniards train etiquette.

Apart from that one incident we had a brilliant time.

[Riff Raff]

Go and have some Cava and some anchovies in El Xampanyet not far from the Picasso thingy.

It's been there since the beginning of time. I first went there with my girlfriend 35 years ago!

[giggity]

Cheeers.

Struggling to find a decent room at the moment in Barceloneta with twin singles.

Think I will struggle. Im seeing prices of around €1000 for two people. 8 Nights.

Problem is I booked flights over EASTER.

Anyone used Priceline.com?

Edited by giggity on Sunday 27th January 22:43

[davepoth]

giggity said:

Unfortunately there are no games during our time in Barcelona game is day after we depart. Dammit!!!!

Keep an eye out. The games are often shunted a day forward or back to meet the TV schedule, and they do it at quite late notice (10 days or so before the date). I went on a stag do and we weren't supposed to be going to a match, but then the date was moved forward a day so we could go. Well worth it.

[FRMATT]

If you book the Sagrada Familia online you can skip the queue, so you don't have to get there really early

[The jiffle king]

Riff Raff said:

Go and have some Cava and some anchovies in El Xampanyet not far from the Picasso thingy.

It's been there since the beginning of time. I first went there with my girlfriend 35 years ago!

I´ve been a few times and with bottles of cava at €5-8 and cava by the glass from €0.80, you can´t go wrong. You do have to have something to eat as it is a restaurant. If it looks full and there is no space.... then thats perfect. Fight your way in, find a space and order. It´s a crackign experience and there has not been a sign above the door for 4 years now

[BliarOut]

giggity said:

Thanks for all the replies so far.

Can anyone recommend any places in Barcelonetta. Also how are the transport links there - is it on the metro / train links etc?

Also how long would it take from Barcelonetta to "central"

Unfortunately there are no games during our time in Barcelona game is day after we depart. Dammit!!!!

Yup, the Metro stops right at the top of Passeig Joan de Borbo. L4, one change on the Metro from the airport IIRC. Dead easy to get there

[giggity]

Thanks everyone!

This is all really useful info.

Struggling with Hotels at the moment, now looking into maybe an apartment.

Budget now at 1000GBP. Thing is hotels are coming in at 600-700 for average and there are not many with rooms.

So maybe an apartment is better?

[BliarOut]

We had an apartment in Barcelonetta one time, small but very cosy

[giggity]

Managed to find a hotel in Barceloneta.

Decided to book two hotels and do a few days at each

Excited!

Thanks everyone!!

[clarkmagpie]

I really enjoyed the Mies Van der Rohe pavilion.
If you're interested in architecture then I very much recommend it
Such a great city, so much to see and do.