Barcelona for the canny traveller

oysterman

Spent five days there last week, most thing have already been mentioned.

Def recommend Nou Camp, very impressive. The restaurant @ el cort inglese on the ninth floor gives good views of the city. If you like your shopping under one roof this is the place to go.

We stayed at the hotel splendid 3* small hotel but very nice(good write ups from tripadvisor). 5 mins from metro & 10 mins from placa de catalunya top end of la ramblas. Need to book early for this hotel.

We done the tourist bus cost 23 euros for two days, you also get a booklet with it giving you discounts off various museums, places etc. 6.90 euros buys you 10 journeys on the metro.

WE took the train to montserrat for the day fantastic views from the top.
So many places to eat & drink its up to you where you go, just wander off down the little streets around the gothic area you will find loads.

We did have a superb seafood meal at El barca Salamanca at port olympic, well worth a visit(does get busy later on in the evening).

Like most big cities pickpockets are about, but there were lots of police about especially on la ramblas so if you keep your wits about you should not have a problem. Most of all enjoy it, we will def be going back.

WLITC

As a few have mentioned, definately get the tourist bus, as Oysterman says, its €23 but its worth. I always thought such things were a bit naff, but we did it last time we were in BCN and its just the absolute best way to see the city and you can just get on and off whenever you like so you can spend as much or as little time at each attraction/spot.

alimac23

As above and

Coffee and people watching at Cafe Zurich in Plaza Catalunya (at top of Las Ramblas)

A cold beer while admiring the view at the world's longest park bench in Park Guell

Have a great time x

mcchse

We stayed in Hotel Meson Castilla just off Las Ramblas, convenient for the tourist bus and the airport bus. It was one of the few with a four bedded room in the centre of Barcelona. It's a 2*+ and we absolutely loved it.

The Nou Camp is definitely a must (even my kids who don't really like football loved it). The tourist bus is also a must and the voucher booklet is really useful for loads of places you can stop at on the routes.

I would also say avoid most eating places on Las Ramblas except Pizza Marzano at the top end of Las Ramblas, its the Spanish version of Pizza Express and came in really useful when we arrived with two tired kids who are fussy eaters at the best of times.

xxxdarlingxxx

A great resturant is "les caracoles" just off the Ramblas, it is one of the city's oldest restaurants. The food is great and good vaule too.

Try to visit the Opera House, they do tours in English once daily. It is a stunning building really worth a vist. The stained glass dome celing is breathtaking.

I also loved the park beside the zoo, it is really peaceful with lovely shady spots around tranquil ponds just right for relaxing. The Neptune fountain there is also worth seeing.

It's a beautiful city so have a great time.

xxx