**barcelona**

pbright

Hello,

I have just booked a short break to Barcelona for myself and some friends. I have always wanted to go there, and have pesuaded my friends to part with their money to come along, so i have a burden to make sure we have a great time which im sure we will anyway. Downside is we are going through the week next month(Sun 13th - 15th March), as i got an amazing price for the hotel then. We are all in our early 20's and are fun loving, and of course moneysaving loving. I am looking for moneysaving tips, and sightseeing/nightlife recommendations. Everything from the cheapest way to get from Girona airport to our hotel to the cheapest way to see the sights\buy the bus tour. From where we should go for nightlife(bearing in mind its a March Sunday/Monday we will be there) to what else you would recommend we do(besides the bus tour). All help would be really really fantastic for this trip.

thanks in advance


ps. if it helps, this is our hotel http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187497-d229679-Reviews-Le_Meridien_Barcelona-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

daveuns

Get a Barcelona Card, it will allow you into loads of the Museums free and also free public transport for 2,3 or 5 days depending on which one you buy. The Barcelona Card will also allow you a discount on the Areobus that goes to and from the airport every 20 or so mins to the city centre.

Have a great time, I went there with my OH in December, it was fantastic!

kaya

Gaudi's cathedral is a must for photo's/historical interest, please watch out for pickpockets/bagsnatchers etc. Barcelona is full of them, especially the tube system(which is cheap and excellent!)
Enjoy!

Party_Animal

And not too far from La Sagrada Familia is Gaudi's Casa Mila. Well worth a vist if you've got time.

mark1024

Another museum card is the articket for about EUR 20 which includes the major museums (national catalunya, Picasso, Casa Mila etc) and is good for 6 mths in case you come back.
I'd prefer bus travel which is quite cheap and good for looking at the Gaudi architecture - get a card 1, 3 day etc. Worth stopping by the tourist office in Place de Catalunya for info and maps.

Don't miss the Ramblas and the famous Boqueria market there, which is fantastic for buying cooked meats, cheese etc for sandwiches. The beach area Barceloneta is easy to get to (tube or bus) and great for eating out a sunday brunch.

If there'a a match on the football tickets can be cheap, depending on who is playing.Games often sun evening and a relaxed atmosphere Otherwise check out the Barca FC stadium tour.

Did I mention the Gaudi architecture and Guell park ?

notakid

We came back yesterday after a 3 day break and it was BRILLIANT! I would second the market as I have never seen such a brilliant display of food. I would also say use the airport bus, very quick and easy. We went on the tourist bus which showed you the sights. The best thing was the weather! Warm with blue skys! We wore Tee shirts even thou the locals were wearing coats. Go down to the beach great fun when you know England is cold! Wander round the Gothic area you stumble on Church, Castle, on every corner. Its not cheap but its worth every penny!

fatboyonadiet

Nou Camp? Even if you're not big football fans, an amazing stadium and brilliant atmosphere, relatively easy to get tickets too (oneline, over the phone or from the stadium).

notakid

We came back yesterday after a 3 day break and it was BRILLIANT! I would second the market as I have never seen such a brilliant display of food. I would also say use the airport bus, very quick and easy. We went on the tourist bus which showed you the sights. The best thing was the weather! Warm with blue skys! We wore Tee shirts even thou the locals were wearing coats. Go down to the beach great fun when you know England is cold! Wander round the Gothic area you stumble on Church, Castle, on every corner. Its not cheap but its worth every penny!

pbright

Thanks...please keep the advice coming. I have more specific questions now

1) Whats the cheapest way to get from Girona to our hotel http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187497-d229679-Reviews-Le_Meridien_Barcelona-Barcelona_Catalonia.html ???

2) Where is good for nightlife on a Sunday/Monday night??

3) Where is the cheapest place to buy tour bus/nou camp tickets.

4) we only have a day and a half really there so if their is a route/or sight you recemmend to maximise our time please advise.

5) Where are good phto ops, besides the obvious Cathedral. Is their an easy to get to high up view point over the city??

6) Is their any fun yet affordably restaurants you would reccommend. Like salsa or even banquest(medevel time style restaurants)...bearing in mind its a Sunday/Monday night we are there :-( ...wish it was the weekend but it was much more!!

Nou Camp, Bus tour(if its affordable...at 28E a day in Paris it wasent), Beach, Ramblas and photo op sights appeal to me....not so much the museums to be truthfull(Young...will have plenty of time for that when older:-D)

...Thanks for all the help so far...never knew so many people had been to Barcelona

fatboyonadiet

Cheapest place to buy nou camp tickets is direct from Barca, they tend to release tickets to non-members about 14 days before the game and then every few days after will release more (to try and stop touts).

I rung up and ordered mine (they speak English) and picked them up on the day, little tip when you do go to pick them up don't bother queing up, the locals don't, it's only the tourists that do!

You can find details of fixtures on their website or here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/spain_results/fixtures/default.stm

Mobeer

For photos?
You can go up Montjuïc mountain to get high up but it takes a while and you only have a little time.

I'm not much of a photographer but I would recommend:

Casa Batilló (on Passeig de Gràcia) - weird Gaudí house
Barcelona Cathedral
Sagrada Família church
Palace of Music (but cramped in by surrounding buildings)
Poble Espanyol (spanish village, not a favourite of mine but maybe for pictures and near Montjuïc)
Mercat de Sant Josep (market, not Sunday)
Camp Nou
Ramblas (for people)