Novice Needing Barcelona Help!

browneyedbazzi

I've just returned from Barcelona and it was fabulous. We did it for a fairly low budget - we got a studio flat with kitchenette right in the centre so were able to prepare some of our own meals (local produce is great and a trip to the market just off Las Ramblas is a nice thing to do anyway) which saved some money (and meant we could splurge on really nice things when we did eat out - including the best paella I've ever had at the pricey Restaurant 7 Portes).

Transport around the city is really easy and cheap - you can buy a multi-use ticket called a T10 when you arrive at the airport for abour £9 which is good for 10 journeys up to 90 minutes each (each journey can be more than one mode of transport so if you get a train, then metro then bus within 90 minutes it just counts as 1 journey). It can be used to get into town on the Renfe train so don't waste money on the airport taxis or tourist shuttle buses.

There are lots of things to see and do that are free- my top pick is Gaudi's Park Guell which is fantastic. Walking around the old town is also really nice because there are a lot of stunning buildings and great little shops. Sagrada Familia is quite expensive to go in but like most Gaudi buildings the best bits are what you can see from outside. If you are there on a Sunday then the Picasso museum is free in the afternoon (but be prepared to queue).

I'm not a football fan but I know people who are and have visited Barcelona - they really recommend going to the Barca ground and getting on the day tickets which were really good value and the atmosphere at the ground is supposed to be fab (it's way cheaper than going to a match in the UK apparently and there are almost always tickets available).

I went with a group and none of us had any issues with pick pockets or mugging - we're smart travellers though and take reasonable precautions.

richardw

Are there any https://www.vueling.com flights from Scotland ?

*ThisIPromiseYou*

Thanks guys for more advice!

I have managed to find flights out of Glasgow and a Travelodge for 4 nights for £300! I know it won't be luxury but I'm seriously tempted!

I'm gonna keep looking around and using your advice but wondering if flights and hotels will go up much in price over the next 2 months (his birthday).

Seriously tempted to just go with the Travelodge ...

Doshwaster

*ThisIPromiseYou* wrote: »

Seriously tempted to just go with the Travelodge ...

Go for it. You aren't going to Barcelona to spend a lot of time in the hotel are you? It's just somewhere to sleep and then get a shower the next morning. The more you can save on the hotel the more you'll have to spend on more fun things - and you'll need the money too, Barca isn't a cheap city.

luci

Make sure you have chosen the new Travelodge as I believe the older one isn't in a great location and you would end up spending extra money getting around.

dontbegreedy

Hola!

Barcelona doesn't need to be expensive, I lived there for a while and used this website to find the cheap but tasty places to eat that the locals and expats use.

barcelona-underground.com

For accommodation have you looked at airbnb.com They have really cheap deals on there. Try to stay in El Born or Gracia or near the beach. They are both really nice trendy areas. Try to avoid Las Ramblas and Raval for accommodation options as that is where most people get targeted by pickpockets. Raval is a really cool area and there are lots of great bars and eating joints there. Avoid eating or drinking on Las Ramblas if money is a concern - you'll only get ripped off there and the quality isn't so great.

I've been mugged in Barcelona (it was late at night) and would see people victims of street crime on a daily basis so you really do need to have your wits about you when you go. Read up on it before you go so you know what scams are used and you'll see them in action and will know what you're in for before you arrive.

If you do fly with Ryanair, both Ryanair airports are 2 hours outside the city centre. There are buses that wait for the flights and will get you into the town centre which cost 22 euros return.

I never went to the football while I was there so can't help out with getting cheap tickets. If you want more info, feel free to PM me.

geri1965_2

I've been to Barcelona a few times and usually go self catering with oh-barcelona.com

http://www.oh-barcelona.com/en/?currency=GBP&gclid=CLW_qYCU4LUCFUnMtAodY18AQg

I have been robbed, but I was stupidly carrying my purse in my hand at some traffic lights and someone grabbed it out of my hand. I take an across body bag and make sure nothing valuable is easily accessible (e.g. my purse is in another zipped compartment inside).

Nou Camp is great, haven't been to a match there but did the tour which was really interesting.

If you only have a few days the tourist bus is an excellent way of seeing the city, you can get a day ticket and hop on and off whenever you like.

budgetflyer

The rtn flights will half in price around July for Sept/Oct departures.School hols excepted.
Its difficult,i know,but you really need to hold off until then and if you are flexible with dates then you will save a fair bit. Apart from the school weeks i wouldnt expect to pay any more than 80 rtn

dontbegreedy

oh yeah, I forgot to mention that mid September is a really nice time to go as you can catch El Merce Festival (I think it starts on the 16th) which is a lot of fun, the city really comes alive with lots to do.

Save yourself some money by buying a T-10 metro ticket and you can both use it to travel by metro everywhere just make sure you validate the ticket for both of you for each journey.

I've done the sightseeing bus and it is a bit dull but it is ok if you like that kind of sightseeing. There are free walking tours you can do of the city, you just need to go to Travel Bar, I think there are 3 tours a day. They are quite fun as the guide works for tips, so they keep you entertained.

luci

budgetflyer wrote: »

The rtn flights will half in price around July for Sept/Oct departures.School hols excepted.
Its difficult,i know,but you really need to hold off until then and if you are flexible with dates then you will save a fair bit. Apart from the school weeks i wouldnt expect to pay any more than 80 rtn

This may be the case for flights from England, but I don't think it works for Scotland.

I booked flights very early last year for October at around £200pp, watched them constantly and they didn't drop in price.