Barcelona - need to prioritise!

MrSmartprice

geri1965 wrote: »

One thing I really like doing is to go the restaurant at the top floor of El Corte Ingles, which is a huge department store on Place de Catalunya (you can't miss it) and just sit in a window seat with a beer looking out. Stunning views.

You are right about the restaurant. We always make sure we have coffee in El Corte Ingles in any Spanish or Portuguese city. Good coffee and good value.

We were in the Barcelona one two years ago and while we were there I watched a chap behind the counter. He prepared a load of raw chicken with bare hands, then without washing them proceeded to serve people with cooked food and cakes. I have never seen such bad hygiene practice. I complained to the restaurant manager who seemed unconcerned and failed to grasp that it was a problem.

I went and made a complaint at Customer Services. Some weeks later I had a letter, in English, explaining that they had identified the problem and retrained all the restaurant staff in good hygiene practice.

claire21

Another vote for the tourist bus just at the top of Las ramblas - fantastic and you get a book of discount vouchers for entrances. Just hop on and off at all the stops.

As you walk down las ramblas there is an excellant market indoors on your right - full of colour.

Keep lots of small change for the street artists and wear a money belt or a ruck sack on your FRONT - lots of pickpockets.

LesD

Here are the top 10 attractions based on number of visitors.....

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/general/barcelona-tourist-attractions.html

geri1965_2

Yes, I got my purse snatched (literally out of my hand) when I was there once, and last year a woman tried to pickpocket me. She "accidentally" bumped into me and when I looked down at my bag she had managed to undo the zip. Luckily I only had tissues and a lip balm in there, as I am so paranoid about pickpockets and kept all my money zipped up in an internal pocket.

pavlovs_dog

great thread! we're off to salou in june for a week and hope to spend a day (maybe two) in barcelona

getmore4less

Also possible from the city is Montserrat on a day ticket by train.

probably something for a second visit or even consider an ovenight there.

one of many links
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/tour/montserrat-spain.html

For the transport BCN. good interactive maps
http://www.tmb.net/en_US/home.jsp