Discussion
Silver993tt said:
Be careful of the pick pockets. It has a European reputation for this. Two of my colleagues both on two unrelated trips were mugged there. Apart from that it's quite nice.
This.Pick pockets are everywhere , do not not not take a wallet and stick it in your back pocket. I am sure I was targeted for this exact reason.
I realised what had happened straight away but my Mrs didnt and came running up to ask me why I was beating 7 colours of s
t out of this big black guy. I was lucky, got my wallet back, gave the thief a few lumps and then he ran away. With hindsight he could have had a knife so I guess I was lucky.But it is a fab place and I would go again, just wouldnt be so stupid as to make myself a target next time.
ETA and to answer the OP's question. Do all the gaudi stuff. The sagrada is breathtaking but take the metro out to Park Gueill (spelling?) as well.
Lots of restaurants in the olympic village but all pretty average. Come off the end of the ramblas and turn left, theres an old warehouse building a few hundred years along the seafront with an excellent fish restaurant. Cant remember the name but you should find it fairly easily.
Try to avoid eating/drinking on the ramblas its seriously expensive.
Oh and the girls play beach volleyball in the afternoon, excellent spot to watch on the upper level of the olympic village where the reastaurants are now. Just try not to get caught camera in hand by the Mrs like I did.....
Edited by bigdods on Monday 14th September 20:50
I thought Barcelona was overpriced, dirty and a bit dull.
The shopping was poor, the Sagrada Família was a let down as its a building site inside and a bit 'is that it' on the outside. The gothic cathedral is much move impressive IMO with an awesome inside and a free lift onto the roof ( have to pay in the Gaudi church).
Parc Guell is ok and worth a visit for its sheer wierdness.
I get the impression that because everyone usually raves about Barcelone people dont like to contradict the popular opinion. Before I went I hear so many good reviews but I wont be going back in any hurry!
The shopping was poor, the Sagrada Família was a let down as its a building site inside and a bit 'is that it' on the outside. The gothic cathedral is much move impressive IMO with an awesome inside and a free lift onto the roof ( have to pay in the Gaudi church).
Parc Guell is ok and worth a visit for its sheer wierdness.
I get the impression that because everyone usually raves about Barcelone people dont like to contradict the popular opinion. Before I went I hear so many good reviews but I wont be going back in any hurry!
It is the only place I've been where even in the hotel rooms they warn you about pick-pockets and even their techniques! (i.e. watch out for the street acts/games, or someone saying you're jacket is dirty etc)
Having said that, been there twice in recent years and not had a problem (just be sensible and careful) and loved the place.
Some ideas from my perspective, without necessarily going for the 'obvious' ones, and I do kind of agree about the Sagrada Familie, although would say it is worth seeing but over-rated:
1. The Christopher Columbus Tower by the harbour is worth a whizz up. tiny lift but quite a nice view from the top and cheap if I remember correctly.
2. The Picasso musuem is slightly off the beaten track but nice.
3. Even for a not particularly huge football fan the Nou Camp is worth a look
The metro and buses are good
Having said that, been there twice in recent years and not had a problem (just be sensible and careful) and loved the place.
Some ideas from my perspective, without necessarily going for the 'obvious' ones, and I do kind of agree about the Sagrada Familie, although would say it is worth seeing but over-rated:
1. The Christopher Columbus Tower by the harbour is worth a whizz up. tiny lift but quite a nice view from the top and cheap if I remember correctly.
2. The Picasso musuem is slightly off the beaten track but nice.
3. Even for a not particularly huge football fan the Nou Camp is worth a look
The metro and buses are good
We've just come back after a great time last weekend. We did the bus trips, and spent about an hour in Las Ramblas just to see it, with a sharp eye on valuables in buttoned pockets. Had no problems with the pick-pockets, but we did spend most of our time in the mariner areas. With the exchange rate at virtual parity (well in the airport anyway), things are expensive.
I live in Barcelona, so might be able to offer some advice:
Gaudi stuff is great, The two on Passeig de Gracia are well worth a look and easy to walk to. Sagrada Famillia is cracking and yes it´s a building site, but an incredible one.
Parc Guell is strange, but well worth a visit as is the Nou camp.
For food, I would suggest going off track a little and searching out the street Enric Granados. It´s a 10 minute walk from La Ramblas, but nearly all the restaurants are really good. At weekends, the prices of Menu del dia go up, but head away from the beaten track and there are loads of gems.
On sundays Barcelona closes... except the shopping at the harbour and La Rambla, so leave those until the Sunday. The Bus Touristique carries on all year round.
Eating starts at 9pm... earliest and nightclubs will not get busy until 2am...(It´s not my thing, but useful if you like that stuff
Beaches are great and well used, only take the money you need and just be vigilant.
Pickpockets! Yes there are quite a few, but they are mainly on La Rambla. They target people who look like tourists and people who are drunk, or large groups. You do see the 3 box game and people being conned. You also have to watch out if you stand with a large group looking at the sideshows for too long. My advice is.... take out the money you need anda card in a different pocket. Leave your phone at home to be safe and don´t take out your passport
Try Rambla Cataluyna for a better quality shop and experience, but also the market just off la Ramblas for chaos and carnage all rolled into a shopping experience. There are Segway tours which look fun, the jazz cruise at the harbour for 1 1/2 hours is great and Sangria´s only 1 euro. Mont Juic is great, the castle is wonderful and I run up to the olympic stadium 3-4 times a week. It´s free to get in as is the Picasso Museum on a Sunday afternoon. Beach Volleyball was also free last week on Mont Juic!!
Public transport is cheap, I buy a T10 metro card which is 7,70 and you can use this with multiple people at the same time.
Enough rambling from me, if you have specific questions, add them to this thread and I´ll try to remember to pop back and answer them
T-J-K
forgot to mention Gracia is well worth a visit!
Gaudi stuff is great, The two on Passeig de Gracia are well worth a look and easy to walk to. Sagrada Famillia is cracking and yes it´s a building site, but an incredible one.
Parc Guell is strange, but well worth a visit as is the Nou camp.
For food, I would suggest going off track a little and searching out the street Enric Granados. It´s a 10 minute walk from La Ramblas, but nearly all the restaurants are really good. At weekends, the prices of Menu del dia go up, but head away from the beaten track and there are loads of gems.
On sundays Barcelona closes... except the shopping at the harbour and La Rambla, so leave those until the Sunday. The Bus Touristique carries on all year round.
Eating starts at 9pm... earliest and nightclubs will not get busy until 2am...(It´s not my thing, but useful if you like that stuff
Beaches are great and well used, only take the money you need and just be vigilant.
Pickpockets! Yes there are quite a few, but they are mainly on La Rambla. They target people who look like tourists and people who are drunk, or large groups. You do see the 3 box game and people being conned. You also have to watch out if you stand with a large group looking at the sideshows for too long. My advice is.... take out the money you need anda card in a different pocket. Leave your phone at home to be safe and don´t take out your passport
Try Rambla Cataluyna for a better quality shop and experience, but also the market just off la Ramblas for chaos and carnage all rolled into a shopping experience. There are Segway tours which look fun, the jazz cruise at the harbour for 1 1/2 hours is great and Sangria´s only 1 euro. Mont Juic is great, the castle is wonderful and I run up to the olympic stadium 3-4 times a week. It´s free to get in as is the Picasso Museum on a Sunday afternoon. Beach Volleyball was also free last week on Mont Juic!!
Public transport is cheap, I buy a T10 metro card which is 7,70 and you can use this with multiple people at the same time.
Enough rambling from me, if you have specific questions, add them to this thread and I´ll try to remember to pop back and answer them
T-J-K
forgot to mention Gracia is well worth a visit!
Edited by The jiffle king on Tuesday 15th September 12:52
AngryApples said:
Excellent stuff
thanks all
Consider myself reasonably streetwisebut will prob go as far as keeping larger amounts of cash in my pants! (niccccce)
Any suggestions for particular restaurants?
How much is a taxi from the airport (2 people/2 cases)?
2 people 2 cases should be 25 euros. (I travel a lot on business and I have never been charged more than 30... and sometimes 20! To your hotel is 25 or less for sure....thanks all
Consider myself reasonably streetwisebut will prob go as far as keeping larger amounts of cash in my pants! (niccccce)
Any suggestions for particular restaurants?
How much is a taxi from the airport (2 people/2 cases)?
There are loads of taxi´s and I do mean loads!
You can easily get a train from the airport to Passeig de Gracia and then down to your hotel.
Look in the food and drink thread... a couple of days ago the question was asked on BCN restaurants.
I like Flamant on Enric Granados, but Crema Catalana is very good as well
T-J-K
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