Page 1 of Tips for Barcelona...?

Thinking of going to Barcelona next month for a long weekend.  Never been before..
Anybody got any recommendations on things you have to do and see (Las ramblas essential obviously) - and even somewhere to stay in a good central location.  I believe even the tourist `hop on/off` but is a great way to see the sights.

Thanks.

Ste

Not been for a while...just watch out for pickpockets on the Ramblas!


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I've been twice now, and absolutely love Barcelona. Would even consider living there eventually.

I stayed at Chic & Basic Born Hotel, which is a ten minute walk from Las Ramblas.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g187497-d584668-Reviews-Chic_Basic_Born_Hotel-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

There's also a newer Chic & Basic Ramblas. I'd still recommend staying in El Born though. If Chic & Basic isn't your thing (it's an acquired taste for sure), there's other accommodation nearby. The area's perfect though- chocolate museum on your doorstep,the zoo is right round the corner, the beach/port/aquarium is ten minutes walk in one direction, and Las Ramblas is ten minutes the other way- to get to which, you head through the Gothic quarter, which in itself has tons of sights. There's also plenty of bars and stuff right there.

The tourist bus service is great two. There's two different routes if I remember right, with a bunch of stuff to see- La Sagrada Familla, a cable car ride, Jean Miro museum, Nou Camp, Park Guell etc...

Do watch out for pickpockets when sitting about the parks, or on Las Ramblas though.  I 've never had a problem, but it pays to be vigilant.

Hopefully this is helpful...

I love Barcelona, been a few years since I have been now (mates went earlier this year, but with kids and already having stag do in Hamburg and Glastonbury, would have been pushing my luck a bit too much).


Las Ramblas is alright.  It`s obviously one you have to see but there`s nothing to special to it, just a bit long street of shops and street entertainers.  It`s the central place anyway though so it`s not like you have to go out of your way to see it.

As others mentioned watch for pickpockets, but in fairness we`ve never seen anything there.  It is a lot more expensive to eat and drink on the Ramblas though so a bit easier to go a bit further out.  We did bump into some in the park who were pretending to do collection for charity but I had already clocked they were dodgy and the cops turned up as they were starting to hassle us, so they did one sharpish (but were getting quite aggressive).


There is a little square down the bottom end of the Ramblas (towards the water) where there is an Irish pub that`s pretty reasonable and shows all the football.  A quick google and internet is crawling so google maps won`t show, suggests the bar is called Ryan`s and it`s on Carrer Dels Escudellers.  If you are facing down towards the water, it is on the left hand side. 


The tourist hop on bus is supposed to be good, I`ve heard but only once made it on and was so late in the day we just went around the sites and couldn`t get off).

Easy place to catch that is at the top end of Ramblas aswell.


I`ve been in late October and the weather was still decent about 19/20 I think. The locals were in jumpers, but we were in shorts and t-shirts.  The beach and Olympic Village is a nice area too.  We actually stayed down that area last time and was straight by the beach and marina etc.

Also when you walk across the city it takes you through the Gothic Quarter on route to the Ramblas.

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Isn't there some footy team there with a nice stadium you can visit?


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Yes, I am aware of the pickpocketing issue - but thanks all the same for mentioning it.  Everything else is hugely appreciated too - thanks all - and any more info appreciated too. :):)

Ste

A tourist bus pass takes you round the city, but watch for the Germans for not bothering with the bus queues. I`m heavy build (being a builder) and another heavy build cockney lad had to square up against a couple of Germans trying to bypass us all who had been waiting quite  time, and told them to to get to the end if the queue. We got a round of applause by all the Dutch and Japanese waiting 

The catherdral is a definate, Pay admission to get inside, McDonalds is next door and its airconditioned, so thats a definate also.

The Olympic stadium and buidings are down by the docks, worth a look, if you like sports 

Pickpokets as said, are rife, my brother in law who was with us nearly got his wallet pinched on the train in to Barcelona, He had to scream at the guys closing in on him to get back, as they bunch round you and get a good feel of your trouser pockets (oh errrr). I kept my money in a side pocket in my pants, under my trousers, its that bad.
 
All the Gaudi bulidings are amazing to see, and also this park by Gaudi (its free), within walking distance of the cathedral...
Park Güell - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


This item was edited on Friday, 6th September 2013, 15:36

On Las Ramblas do what i did and stand smugly by as dumb tourists get taken in with the shell game...hours and hours of endless entertainment :) Still amazed at how many guilable people are out there. The architecture is amazing even if it wasnt my cup of tea, the stadium tour phenomenal but wish there had been a game on :(

Going today. :)
Staying here.
 :)
Ste

Nice, you are very central and within walking distance of all the tourist places to visit.