Barcelona - short break tips.
Discussion
I’d recommend Runner Bean Tours…
https://runnerbeantours.com/
No affiliation, but did one of their Gaudi Walking Tours when I was in Barcelona back in 2019.
There’s no charge, but if you think it was worthwhile, they do ask for a contribution….
https://runnerbeantours.com/
No affiliation, but did one of their Gaudi Walking Tours when I was in Barcelona back in 2019.
There’s no charge, but if you think it was worthwhile, they do ask for a contribution….
Went recently. Fabulous city.
Half way down ramblas on the left is a piazza full of palm trees. Superb Italian restaurant in the far right corner.
Gaudi stuff is all amazing. I think I would have been happy just seeing the outside of the cathedral. No access to stairs etc inside. Park guel is indeed great. Use the outside escalators to get up to it :-) and also note some of the Great urban architecture in the area.
Get a travel card. We didn't bother with a full pass as it's pricey and we didn't go into some of the gaudi buildings. Our travel pass covered us right from the airport and back.
Small restaurants off the main street for amazing tapas. (I'll see if I can find the gem our hotelier sent us to...). Here you go. A fe mins of ramblas . Authentic, good value, and delicious. https://www.restauranteotoxo.com/
Walk to the beach.
Never felt any pick pocket risk more than I have in places like London, but then I don't have my phone poking out my back pocket. however, there were two guys behind me on the escalator coming up from the metro . I very obviously clocked them, and they then got off half way at a mid level, up which made no sense.....
Half way down ramblas on the left is a piazza full of palm trees. Superb Italian restaurant in the far right corner.
Gaudi stuff is all amazing. I think I would have been happy just seeing the outside of the cathedral. No access to stairs etc inside. Park guel is indeed great. Use the outside escalators to get up to it :-) and also note some of the Great urban architecture in the area.
Get a travel card. We didn't bother with a full pass as it's pricey and we didn't go into some of the gaudi buildings. Our travel pass covered us right from the airport and back.
Small restaurants off the main street for amazing tapas. (I'll see if I can find the gem our hotelier sent us to...). Here you go. A fe mins of ramblas . Authentic, good value, and delicious. https://www.restauranteotoxo.com/
Walk to the beach.
Never felt any pick pocket risk more than I have in places like London, but then I don't have my phone poking out my back pocket. however, there were two guys behind me on the escalator coming up from the metro . I very obviously clocked them, and they then got off half way at a mid level, up which made no sense.....
Edited by Griffith4ever on Saturday 17th September 08:56
Griffith4ever said:
Went recently. Fabulous city.
Half way down ramblas on the left is a piazza full of palm trees. Superb Italian restaurant in the far right corner.
I went last year. Great place. I also stayed near las Ramblas.Half way down ramblas on the left is a piazza full of palm trees. Superb Italian restaurant in the far right corner.
I think I know the place. Plaza Reial, restaurant is called Rossini? Good pasta.
Right next door to that is another great eatery called Ocaña. I also liked Güell Tapas which was near by. There is also an Italian fast foodish type place called Vapiano if you want something quick.
The Metro is an insanely easy way to get around.
I never encountered any pick pockets or scammers but I've never been caught out the pick pockets of places like Thailand and Manila. Just take basic precautions like not walking around with your face in your phone and you'll be fine. Theives pick on easy targets.
captain_cynic said:
I think I know the place. Plaza Reial, restaurant is called Rossini? Good pasta.
That's the one! You had to be on the ball to get a table at lunch time. Fantastic pizza and perfect Aperol. I know , I know, when in Spain etc, but I live din Italy and miss their food (which is poorly immitated over here)mikeiow said:
Vasco said:
Look after your wallet, camera, watch and jewellery.
Very much so around La Rambla area....although the area has a generally nice vibe.....Also, watch where you're treading. Dog s
t central.It's a top place though.
Haven't been for a while, but there were some great tapas places off Las Ramblas....I think in one of the squares (Madrid or San Jose?).
Also, depending on what you mean by "lively", you may or may not want to avoid the Bagdad Club
Murph7355 said:
mikeiow said:
Vasco said:
Look after your wallet, camera, watch and jewellery.
Very much so around La Rambla area....although the area has a generally nice vibe.....Also, watch where you're treading. Dog s
t central.
Zarco said:
Sagrada Familia.
While it's a bloody impressive sight, as we've been a few times I just found it a bit 'meh' didn't go inside though, the queues and general masses of tourists put us off, and the obviously levels of commercialism around the general area, considering it's supposed to be a church it's just not got the 'sacred' feel of any of the other fantastic churches in the area, I think I hit the nail on the head when I referred to it as a Disney Church. 
We walked up to the funicular that leads to Tibidado and the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which while a long way was definitely worth it, even stumbled across a classic Porsche specialist on the way.
All in all a good few days with no drama.
Edited by raceboy on Wednesday 12th October 10:11
What I liked about the Sagrada Familia is that they've been building it for 100yrs, so you can see all the different types of construction. I'm in the industry so I find that type of thing interesting (others may differ!).
That and the Gaudi architecture is cool.
To be honest I found the rest of Barcelona not that inspiring. I've been twice. Once back packing early noughties and again 2011 with the Mrs. As a city break we found Berlin much more our style.
That and the Gaudi architecture is cool.
To be honest I found the rest of Barcelona not that inspiring. I've been twice. Once back packing early noughties and again 2011 with the Mrs. As a city break we found Berlin much more our style.
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