Barcelona in May

balletshoes

Hi all,

My work colleague has just come back from a 4-day trip to Valencia and Barcelona. What he's told me about Barcelona in particular has me very interested in taking my 12-year old daughter during half term next year. I can see Ryanair flights from East Mids go to Barcelona (the main city airport, I've checked), and we'd be hoping to do a bit of city sightseeing, a bit of lazing by the beach, and possibly a bit of touring the vicinity.

Would a week be too long in Barcelona? We do both enjoy museums, parks, city sights etc, as well as catching some sun.

Any suggestions for beaches to visit, things to see, places to visit?

Or areas to look at staying in? I've had a quick look on hotels sites, and I'm guessing hostals are like pensions in Greece? Budget hotels are fine, as long as they are clean and we can get an undisturbed nights sleep.

I maybe should mention that, although I've travelled to lots of countries over the years, I've never been to mainland Spain.

copperwheat

Barcelona and Catalonia are fantastic places to visit. We have hired a car and travelled round including the Costa Brava north of Barcelona which is beautiful. Tossa de Mar is touristy but still nice with the castle, Calella de Palafrugel is beautiful, Figueras has the Salvador Dali museum which is really quirky and a beach. Inland there is the city of Girona which I love even more than Barcelona. There is a beautiful gothic cathedral up a spectacular flight of stairs; great shops and restaurants. The countryside is also beautiful as you get into the foothills of the Pyrenees.
I have only stayed in Barcelona once; other times stayed in villas and travelled in for the day which is quite easy to do.
Hope that has given you a bit of inspiration!

barcelonacat

A week in Barcelona, especially with some trips to other places in the area (for example, Girona, Figueres and Montserrat), is definitely not too long.

In Barcelona itself you have the Gaudi architecture to see ( including Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera and Casa Batllo), the museums (such as MACBA - museum of contemporary art, and the Museum of Catalan History) and some fantastic parks, including Parc Guell, which was designed by Gaudi, and the Parc de la Ciutadella.

I really like the area of Montjuic - the Catalan National Art Museum is located here, as well as nice park areas, the Magic Fountain (at certain times in the evening the fountain is lit up different colours and plays to music) and you can also get a cable car over the harbour area.

The neighbourhood of Barceloneta is by the harbour and beach - another great area to visit. The beach is man-made, but it's nice enough. What I really like about this place is the atmosphere - vibrant as in lots of people and lots of things going on, but also laid back enough for you just to enjoy a relaxing stroll and a drink.

Another interesting area more off the tourist trail is Gracia - you could have a stroll around here on the same day as visiting Parc Guell. There are lots of cafes in the squares, unusual little boutiques and shops and a much more local feel than around the Ramblas and Gothic area (Barri Gotic).

Accommodation-wise, I usually stay in an apartment. I think that hostals in Barcelona could either be a pension or more like a youth hostel. Tripadvisor will probably give you some good ideas on places. One place I've stayed that was reasonable at the time is Residencia Australia. I've also read decent reviews about Hotel Canton, although haven't stayed there myself.

Sorry, I'm waffling on a bit! I just love Barcelona. There are a couple of things to keep in mind for your trip:

- The Grand Prix de Catalunya usually takes place in mid May, so accommodation prices are likely to be more expensive. Unless you're interested in Formula 1, avoid that weekend.

- Pickpockets operate in the city, so I would recommend that you have a bag with a strap that goes across your body and has a zip/flap or both. I've been to Barcelona 15 times and (touch wood!) haven't fallen victim yet. Just keep your belongings close - as you would in any city.

I hope some of that helps

tori.k

Its not long enough you will want to go back to see more, A must do with your DD is the cosmocaixa it's totally amazing and only cost's 3 euros (2 for kids) and you can easy fill a day there, it's a bit off the tourist trail but best way to get there would be on the metro the green L3 line to trinata nova and get off at penitents and flag a taxi (just over 4 euro's) it's not far up the road past the hospital but it's a very busy road, the metro is a fab way to get around cheap as chip's the tickets machines have an English setting, im pretty much spanish language ignorant but find it easier to get around than London, have a wonderful trip you will love it

I don't really understand why people go on about pickpockets in Barcelona it's really no worse than any other city in the world.

Dunroamin

A week would hardly be long enough although I wouldn't bother going along the coast to the resorts, most of which are pretty grim. Don't forget that Barcelona has its own beach.