Barcelona

Hokiegirl82 · January 2012

A very quick trip to Barcelona is now forming with H and I. We are traveling to Italy with my parents, brother and his wife the week of Memorial Day (plan on being there a full week) and H and I are planning on flying to Barcelona on the end Saturday of our Italy trip for 3 days to go to the MotoGP race in Catalunya. We will only be able to spend a couple of days actually in Barcelona because of my lack of vacation time, but we want to make the most of it while we are there. If anyone has any recs for moderately priced hotels (not luxury, not hostels), restaurants, things to do and see, I would love to hear them - thanks!

F15Wife · January 2012

Try to hit the beach once and definately stroll down the La rumbla.

I honestly can't remember where we stayed.

mavjen · January 2012

MH and I stayed at the Condado Hotel in 2009 and I'd recommend it. The prices were very reasonable and it was a good location (not smack dab in the middle but within walking distance of many sightseeing-worthy sights/near hop-on, hop-off bus stop).

Temp536318000001135 · January 2012

We loved just walking around and admiring the architecture. I definitely think the highlight of Barcelona for us was La Sagrada Famalia. It is spectacular and you can see why it has taken 100+ years and still isn't done. Parc Guell was also cool. Oh, i also would recommend going to La Boqueria. You can walk around and get stuff to eat, but it's also really interesting just to see all of the fresh seafood, meat and produce. Las Ramblas is just OK in my book...very crowded so if you don't walk down it, I personally don't think you are missing much.

We enjoyed tapas hopping in the Gothic Quarter but I didn't pay attention to any of the names.

iLikeSloths · January 2012

We stayed at Hotel Torre Catalunya. The prices were reasonable, rooms were huge and nice with a great view. It's a little far from most attractions but right by a subway station and bus stop, if I remember correctly.

Must-sees are the Gothic Quarter and Gaudi works including La Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, Casa Batllo, and Parc Guell. I agree with the PP about Las Ramblas -- it's ok...fun for a stroll or finding places to eat but really touristy and sometimes crowded. We enjoyed walking through the large market (La Boqueria) and stopping for snacks.

cheekywife · January 2012

KDuv612:
We stayed at Hotel Torre Catalunya. The prices were reasonable, rooms were huge and nice with a great view. It's a little far from most attractions but right by a subway station and bus stop, if I remember correctly.

Must-sees are the Gothic Quarter and Gaudi works including La Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, Casa Batllo, and Parc Guell. I agree with the PP about Las Ramblas -- it's ok...fun for a stroll or finding places to eat but really touristy and sometimes crowded. We enjoyed walking through the large market (La Boqueria) and stopping for snacks.

ditto

we didn't get to casa mila but loved everything else mentioned

we stayed at and loved hotel universal. i think we paid like 89 euro/night our november trip. it's part of the navarro nunez group and i think most of their hotels have solid reviews on tripadvisor. we will definitely go back to barcelona and will likely stay there or at one of the sister hotels.

favorite restaurants: biblioteca (not catalan/spanish but fantastic food), xaloc, and tapac24

hz80408 · January 2012

We're contemplating Barcelona for a few days in April; these are possibilities of things on our list to do/see:

? Las Ramblas; includes:

Boqueria Market (La Boqueria) - This is the roofed food market, the popular and noisy one, in the heart of the boulevard. This is the most known and beloved one from all the markets in the long boulevards. This is a real charming market, full of colors and bustle of tourist and locals, in which you can find all the best and everything is in opulence and in order. (ideal time for market is afternoon; could do museums and plaza in morning?)
Wax Museum - A very nice and facile museum according to the best tradition of wax museums.
Colombus Monument - At the end of the boulevard, near the fountain in the entrance to the harbor, the Columbus monument is rising. At the top of the monument, an image of Columbus is pointing to the sea. We watched it, took a photo and moved on.
Placa Reial - An impressive architectonic enclave, found very near to the Rambla, in the old town. In the wide square area there are few nice coffee shops and restaurants. Once again? we watch it, took a photo and moved on.
Catalonia Plaza - The central plaza in Barcelona, full of fountains, statues and hundreds of birds and shopping. A beautiful plaza surrounded with known brand stores and in the plaza itself a pleasant nightlife for tourists.
Palau Guell: mansion (plan on spending at least 2 hours; worth it)
Walk by Liceu Opera building

Gothic Quarter:

Jewish Quarter
Catalan government palace
Picasso Museum - Near the Rambla, inside the Gothic quarter, reside the Picasso museum in which you can see the beginning of Picasso road as an artist, lots of sketch from the days he was a young artist and also pictures from his blue era. (Reviewer: We are not a big art fans but we got inside for a short tour and were not disappointed)

Flamenco show
Mt Tibidabo
Port Olimpic ? 1992 Olympics site

? Font Montjuic (Magic Fountain) on the top of Montjuic hill

? Art: Joan Miro Museum, Catalan National Art Museum, Barcelona Museum of Contemp. Art

? Maremagnum shopping mall will be open whole time

? La Sagrada Familia (can buy tix in advance)

o Church; ranked one of most popular places to visit

? Park Guell:

o Gaudi park/garden

o Beach and city views

o Hiking/trails

I also have some day-trips; but I'm guessing for 3 days you'd just want to stay in the city.

For food; I don't remember if it was here or elsewhere, but Bar Lobo (off Las Ramblas in Calle del Pintor Fortuny) was rec'd as a great place to get tapas

eeeeva · January 2012

I've been to Barcelona for my Honeymoon and again last year. I love the city and am so jealous you are going for motogp that is going to be awesome!

The Boqueria Market (st.Joseph's) is a lot of fun. Avoid the restaurant Pinxtio there. It is in a Rick Steves book and cost a fortune to eat there. There are better choices at the market that are cheaper and give you more food.

The Gaudi works are amazing. The Sagrada Familia is still under construction and it is amazing to see a "work in progress."

The Gothic Quarter, is gorgeous. There is a great ice cream place that serves gelato on a hot waffle to the right of the Gothic cathedral if you are looking at the entry doors. It's Dh and I's favorite ice cream place ever.

Also if you need anything at all or just to look at one of the craziest department stores ever. El Corte Ingles is a monster of a major department store in the Catlunya square (at the top of Las Ramblas) It is 10 stores of everything you can possible imagine. It's like Amazon.com, a grocery store, and real estate all in one. I've never been anywhere else like it. The restaurant on the roof also had a neat view of the city.

Barcelona has a lot of open air pop up flea markets. On Sunday there is one in the Playa Reial, that is mostly a coin market but it is fun to browse. In front of the Gothic cathedral there is an antique one that pops up. I bought my Dh a few vintage watches while we were there for fun.

As for hotels I stayed at the Hilton Diagonal Mar, which was lovely but a little out of the main tourist areas, and I rented a apartment of Las Ramblas the last time I was there. If you aren't into the whole hotel thing and are there a few days it might be worth your while to have an apartment.

Have a fantastic time. I want to go back now.

majesty318 · January 2012

Another hotel to consider is Hotel Cuatro Naciones, right on La Rambla. It is moderate, not luxury but not hostel. The staff was GREAT and gave us so much helpful advice.

Also, I recommend Ciutat Comtal for tapas.

kirnat848 · January 2012

I just loved Barcelona, we stayed at Hotel Pulitzer which was very nice. Its at the top of Las Ramblas on a side street but it was modern, clean and nice. We also went to Casa Batllo and wow I must say that was amazing to me. I really enjoyed just walking around too.

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