Barcelona - Any must dos?

foolofbeans

we went to Barcelona last year and one of the best things was the Montjuic fountain display. We went to Poble Espanyol during the day which is a collection of buildings copied from buildings throughout the country and many shops are housed here. Lunch is quite reasonably priced and it's all very relaxed and good for window shopping.
A short walk down the hill to the Montjuic fountains and we got a great spot sat on the wall. Very touristy but breathtaking. A stroll down the path back to the Metro goes past several statues and Barcelona football club is nearby. We walked a few miles (mainly because Google maps sent us the wrong way!) but mostly everything is close together.
We bought a T10 ticket at the Metro station and it was really good value. Very easy to use, much like the London Underground and regular trains so no long waiting times.
We spent a lot of time walking around Las Ramblas and checking out the many buildings there. We visited an attraction near the university and I can't remember the name of it but you pay a fee and take your camera or camera-phone and inside there are loads of scenes set up for you to pose in. Some of the scenes were really clever and some were funny, well worth a visit if you can find it.
We budgeted £100 a day to spend and we ended up buying lots of gifts and still came back with money so it can be visited cheaply.

BarryBlue

Sagrada Familia is actually no more than a theme park, given that you have to pay to enter and it doesn't actually seem to be used as a church at all, just a money generator.

Far better to see Barcelona's main place of worship, Camp Nou. It is about far more than football and will give a far better insight into what being Catalan is all about.

maman wrote: »

If you want a cheapish meal or even a coffee go to the cafeteria in El Cortes Ingles (department store). the views across the city are amazing and the food's not bad either!

I'm not sure if you are aware that it has all been changed beyond recognition recently. We used to enjoy the tranquil cafeteria and decent coffee there. We visited a couple of weeks ago and it has been turned into a self service fast food restaurant. The coffee was still ok but I doubt we shall be bothering again.

Tuesday_Tenor wrote: »

Catalan friends tell me they wouldn't dream of using the expensive Aerobus as you can use local buses for about 1 Euro.
But not having the knowledge, or being very familiar with the city, I think 5.9 Euros is a great price for the simplicity of use, frequency and time.

The metro is a good option for the airport. There is, as you suggest, a cheaper bus option that the locals use, and where you can use your T10 tickets. It goes to and from the main road by Placa Espanya, and I believe it is the number 46. We have used it a couple of times, since it is the MSE option.

wishus

Useful tips for me too! I'm heading out in a couple of days. I had thought of getting a Barcelona Card, but that would cost me and my hubby €40 just for 2 days, and it's only a bit of discount on the tickets and some restaurants (only Hard Rock near where we're going), so the carnet sounds much better as an option.

zagfles

BarryBlue wrote: »

Sagrada Familia is actually no more than a theme park, given that you have to pay to enter and it doesn't actually seem to be used as a church at all, just a money generator.

Far better to see Barcelona's main place of worship, Camp Nou. It is about far more than football and will give a far better insight into what being Catalan is all about.


I'm not sure if you are aware that it has all been changed beyond recognition recently. We used to enjoy the tranquil cafeteria and decent coffee there. We visited a couple of weeks ago and it has been turned into a self service fast food restaurant. The coffee was still ok but I doubt we shall be bothering again.


The metro is a good option for the airport. There is, as you suggest, a cheaper bus option that the locals use, and where you can use your T10 tickets. It goes to and from the main road by Placa Espanya, and I believe it is the number 46. We have used it a couple of times, since it is the MSE option.

When we were there last year could use the T10 on the train from the airport