Barcelona for the canny traveller

saffronflowers

My husband and I are going to Barcelona at the beginning of October, anyone got any useful tips and hints

eg resteraunts
Good times to make visits
Where to stay

and any oter wonderful tips you may have - thank you

SFx

will-he-payitoff

Be extra careful of pick pockets

Engadine

I'm going to Barcelona 2 weeks tomorrow, so looking forward to it. You have to be vigilent for pick pockets in any big city regardless of where you are.

djl

hi

we stayed at the Pere iv hotel last year its a 4 star in an industrial part of the city ( a funny place ) BUT its cheap the breakfast was ok and only ten minutes walk from the subway a close to the marina area. this hotel is ok for a weekend away. but i would check out tripadvisor first.

djl

ps

the boat trip/sagrada familia and columbus monument are well worth a look

poppy_f1

the water fountains are well worth a visit but they dont run all the time so check dates before you go
the hop on/off busses are great as you get to see the city and its pretty cheap
camp nou is really worth going to see

la ramblas is a must done, theres street artists and sellers up there
and beware of the pick pockets

will-he-payitoff

Go in el cort inglese at the top of the rambalas, there is a rooftop cafe where you can see right down the ramblas and fuel up for more sightseeing

stoneman

Try Boadas Cocktail bar, on the corner of La Ramblas and Tallers, about 50 metres down on the right hand side next to Pans and co. Old smokey locals bar, loads of character, barmen all wear tuxedos and fancy pour drinks. Used to be frequented by Marlena Dietrich. we sometimes fly to Barcca on one day, and come back the next just to go there for a night out.

saffronflowers

Thanks guys - keep your tips coming - so useful

Re pickpockets - I am a well seasoned traveller lived in London Paris Rome so am very well aware but thank you.

SFx

TraceyJ_2

Watching your thread with interest as we're going for a week on 20/5, can't wait :j

Engadine

I got back from Barcelona on Tuesday, had a lovely few days there.

Las Ramblas definitely worth the walk down the full length however at the top end near Placa de Catalyuna there are lots of stalls down the centre of the street selling animals in cages. Seeing this really upsets me so I don't walk down the centre of Las Ramblas until past this part.

Las Ramblas is the most expensive street in Spain! Food and drinks at any of the bars or restaurants are very expensive, I've been stung before so now avoid it! Plenty of other cheaper places.

Placa Reial is just off Las Ramblas, just past Liceu Metro Station, there are quite a few nice restaurants, reasonably priced despite being so close to Las Ramblas.

The Metro is really cheap, a 1 way ticket is 1.25 euros, it is pretty easy and straightforward to use just like the tube in London really.

The water fountains are really good but they are only switched on now in the evening from Thursday to Sunday, not much good when you turn up on a Monday afternoon like we did!

Sagrada Famillia is an amazing building, well worth a visit.

The sightseeing hop on off buses are 20 euros per adult for a one day ticket.

The Nou Camp Tour is excellent (if you like football) 11 euros per adult and around 8 for kids. The tour is not guided, there are sign posts all around the stadium to follow so you can wander around at your own pace. There is plenty of information on the way round the stadium. You can stop for a glass of Barca Cava and canapes at the bar in the Director's box for 2 euros per person. The Barca megastore is expensive though, plenty of shops in Barcelona sell official licensed merchandise for less than the megastore. I got a full strip for my niece aged 7 for 30 euros in Barcelona (genuine not fake) it was 55 euros in the megastore.

We stayed in the Hotel Grand Havana on Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, less than a 5 minute walk from the Placa Catalunya. Lovely 4 star hotel with a pool and lovely roof terrace, couldn't fault the hotel.

There are a couple of really nice tapas bars on Passeig de Gracia, very reasonable, chicken & ham croquettes and the patas bravas were fantastic.

The whole area along the front from the marina left has been redeveloped, there are 6 or 7 beaches with bars & restaurants nearby.

Last weekend there was a lot of Formula 1 activity in town as it was the Barcelona Gran Prix.

Barcelona has a great range of shops, brilliant city for shopping!

For everyone that is going have a fab time, I for one will definitely be going back.