Barcelona tips
Discussion
Decided to go for a long weekend to Barcelona with Mrs Andy, but have zero knowledge of the place.
If we're not all sucked into a black hole by then, does anyone have any recommendations for:
1. Hotel - somewhere contemporary, interesting, boutique-ey would be nice, for about £100-150 if I have to but cheap'n'best ones are always worth a consideration.
2. Places to go - we're only there for a few full days and will probably just mooch around - Ramblas and the Gothic parts plus a bit of Gouda (sp?) architecture, people watching and so on, but are there any hidden gems that would be worth a visit?
3. Eating - tapas of course, but any eateries that stand out above others for any reason? Again, budget is fairly generous but by the same token there must be great places that don't cost an FIA fine.
Any other handy hints from seasoned travellers/locals are gratefuly recieved.
Cheers all,
A
If we're not all sucked into a black hole by then, does anyone have any recommendations for:
1. Hotel - somewhere contemporary, interesting, boutique-ey would be nice, for about £100-150 if I have to but cheap'n'best ones are always worth a consideration.
2. Places to go - we're only there for a few full days and will probably just mooch around - Ramblas and the Gothic parts plus a bit of Gouda (sp?) architecture, people watching and so on, but are there any hidden gems that would be worth a visit?
3. Eating - tapas of course, but any eateries that stand out above others for any reason? Again, budget is fairly generous but by the same token there must be great places that don't cost an FIA fine.
Any other handy hints from seasoned travellers/locals are gratefuly recieved.
Cheers all,
A
Hotel 54 in Barcelonetta. Boutiquey, excellently placed in the harbour and about two hundred yards from the beach for a spot of chilling. Only ten mins walk tops from the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas. Has a lovely roof top bar with a fantastic view.
Only downside when we went was that the walls are a little thin, but at least you're not stuck right in the hustle and bustle.
Oh, and if you're going with the GF it's worth staying there if only for the showers
ETA the open top bus tour is excellent if time is short, you can hop on and off at will at places of interest.
Only downside when we went was that the walls are a little thin, but at least you're not stuck right in the hustle and bustle.
Oh, and if you're going with the GF it's worth staying there if only for the showers
ETA the open top bus tour is excellent if time is short, you can hop on and off at will at places of interest.
Edited by HRG on Wednesday 10th September 11:51
andy_s said:
2. Places to go - we're only there for a few full days and will probably just mooch around - Ramblas and the Gothic parts plus a bit of Gouda (sp?) architecture, people watching and so on, but are there any hidden gems that would be worth a visit?
If you want Gouda mate, that's dutch cheese. Try Gaudi. (The Sagrad Familia is well worth it, as is Parc Guell. My mum has just come back from a trip to Barcelona, they went on a couple of guided tours, one about the gothic architecture, the details came from the tourist info centre in the square at the top of las ramblas.
For Gods sake be careful with your wallet/purse and do not play any street games. Our hotel was on Las Ramblas [sp?] and it had a balcony. We watched a gang operating for about an hour running a gambling scam and boy were they good and boy were the tourists stupid.
ETA, if you like Architecture a tour of Gaudi's (Gouda is a cheese IIRC) buildings is essential - the Cathedral is simply stunning.
ETA, if you like Architecture a tour of Gaudi's (Gouda is a cheese IIRC) buildings is essential - the Cathedral is simply stunning.
Edited by rhinochopig on Wednesday 10th September 12:14
andy_s said:
Decided to go for a long weekend to Barcelona with Mrs Andy, but have zero knowledge of the place.
If we're not all sucked into a black hole by then, does anyone have any recommendations for:
1. Hotel - somewhere contemporary, interesting, boutique-ey would be nice, for about £100-150 if I have to but cheap'n'best ones are always worth a consideration.
2. Places to go - we're only there for a few full days and will probably just mooch around - Ramblas and the Gothic parts plus a bit of Gouda (sp?) architecture, people watching and so on, but are there any hidden gems that would be worth a visit?
3. Eating - tapas of course, but any eateries that stand out above others for any reason? Again, budget is fairly generous but by the same token there must be great places that don't cost an FIA fine.
Any other handy hints from seasoned travellers/locals are gratefuly recieved.
Cheers all,
A
Hi! There are plenty of places to stay, naturally. Lots of hotels around the Ramblas and from memory one such as the Royal would probably suit. It's quite close to the Corte Ingles where you can get a good view of the city. If we're not all sucked into a black hole by then, does anyone have any recommendations for:
1. Hotel - somewhere contemporary, interesting, boutique-ey would be nice, for about £100-150 if I have to but cheap'n'best ones are always worth a consideration.
2. Places to go - we're only there for a few full days and will probably just mooch around - Ramblas and the Gothic parts plus a bit of Gouda (sp?) architecture, people watching and so on, but are there any hidden gems that would be worth a visit?
3. Eating - tapas of course, but any eateries that stand out above others for any reason? Again, budget is fairly generous but by the same token there must be great places that don't cost an FIA fine.
Any other handy hints from seasoned travellers/locals are gratefuly recieved.
Cheers all,
A
Again, if you stay around the Ramblas then it's easy walking to any of the shops, museums, the temple, fountain, Nou Camp museum, aquarium, beach etc. You won't be bored, that's for sure. There's also a zoo, but I've not been.
As for food, I would just browse around and see what takes your fancy, but La Venta is good, and has a beautiful view in the evening. I would book that as it only has a few tables upstairs and it's oft frequented by the local celebs or footballers. Alkimia is also good, traditional Catalan cuisine.
Hope that helps a bit. Any questions, just ask, I live there
Cara Van Man said:
Eat at 'Le quinze Nits' just off La Ramblas, long queue but fabulous and cheap!!
I'd second that, great food and cheap too! http://www.lesquinzenits.com/http://www.tmb.net/en_US/turistes/busturistic/rute...
Tourist bus, hop onand off was a good way to see some of the city also.
Only been the once and stopped here: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g187497-...
Good location, room wasn't massive, but was clean and comfortable, also there was free Cava on offer as well as coffee and some pastry type things. I'd stop there again on a return trip. As already mentioned, have a look on tripadvisor, usually pretty good though like all forums, some stuff you have to take with a pinch of salt!
Dick Dastardly said:
If you go to the Sagrada Familia (the unfinished Gaudi cathederal) which you really should do then get up early. I was there on a Sunday in June at 10 am and the queues for the lifts were already an hour long.
What he said, i waited 2 hours earlier this year.Edited by MudwiG on Wednesday 10th September 22:28
This looks a very good deal for a boutiquey hotel http://uk.hotels.travelzoo.com/spain-hotels/459851
or try Hotel Gran Ronda just off Placa De Catalunya.
You'll love the place I started going in 1990 for the Grand Prix as it was £40 for a 3 day ticket and it was usually sunny and empty! Went for about 15 years then Alonso's arrival spoilt it
If you want to treat your lady then dinner at Hotel Gran Florida will tick all the boxes - ask for a city view seat..
Some nice fish restaurants down near the Marina in some old warehouses, think the area is called Barcellonetta...
But do watch out for pick pockets at night, best to leave your handbag at home.
or try Hotel Gran Ronda just off Placa De Catalunya.
You'll love the place I started going in 1990 for the Grand Prix as it was £40 for a 3 day ticket and it was usually sunny and empty! Went for about 15 years then Alonso's arrival spoilt it
If you want to treat your lady then dinner at Hotel Gran Florida will tick all the boxes - ask for a city view seat..
Some nice fish restaurants down near the Marina in some old warehouses, think the area is called Barcellonetta...
But do watch out for pick pockets at night, best to leave your handbag at home.
Do not eat on Las Ramblas, even the ones that don't look like tourist traps are tourist traps. Seriously some of the worst food I've had in my life.
http://www.7portes.com/
For seriously good paella and seafood. Book before you go to be sure.
Barcelona is an awesomecity break, enjoy.
http://www.7portes.com/
For seriously good paella and seafood. Book before you go to be sure.
Barcelona is an awesomecity break, enjoy.
I cant stand Las Ramblas...is a complete tourist trap and there must be about one tourist every minute pick-pocketed there. Much better places to eat/see.
Nou Camp is essential if you like football...I sourced my tickets from the hotel and im pretty sure I paid way over the odds so you might be better trying to get them from somewhere else.
Nou Camp is essential if you like football...I sourced my tickets from the hotel and im pretty sure I paid way over the odds so you might be better trying to get them from somewhere else.
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