Thread: What are your favorite thing to do in Barcelona?

I've never been to Spain ... but I've been to California...

Seriously, we totally plan to go to Barcelona within the next several years and would love to know your thoughts!

Probably, we would fly to Barcelona and use a hotel there as our base to see other parts of Spain. Then, take a Med cruise and fly home from the last stop.

Would this be a good plan?

That would be a great plan LuLu. Barcelona is our favorite port to sail out of. We always go into the city a few days early (last time 5 days!) to enjoy all the things it has to offer. We have found a great guide (Patrick) who has great tours out of the city to Wineries and Montserrat, great lunches and reasonable prices. We always stay on La Rambla which is the happening place to be. We have a favorite hotel (Hotel Continental) that we stay at. It's clean and there's a local flavor about it that we love. We always get a balcony room so we can watch the "happenings" on the street. You can spend hours and days on La Rambla. There are mimes and tapas restaurants everywhere and it's just fun to "people watch." Also not to be missed is the architecture of Gaudi, especially the Sagrada Familla, which is still under construction.

Our hotel. It only takes up 2 floors but last time we were there they had acquired an additional 2 floors so now the hotel is larger.


The Monastery of Montserrat.


Garry

Thanks so much Garry!

Before we actually book anything I'll be sure to talk to you for full info. We really do want to do this before too very many more years.

LuLu, I loved Barcelona! There aren't many places in Europe I don't love though

We used their Metro to get around and it helped limit the amount of walking from site to site. We only had 1 day pre cruise and 1 day post cruise so most of what we saw was in the City and not a day trip away, but we squeezed in as much as possible! If you go on your own vs. guided tours there are lots of tourist pass deals through their tourist bureau.

I agree with Garry, a visit to La Sagrada Familia is a must see, as well as a walk down La Rambla

Yep, Barcelona is fantastic - The city is one of the most vibrant and happening cities in Europe.

Lulu, its sounds like you have a great itinerary outlined.
I would do the usual stuff in Barcelona like the Sagrada Famillia, Pueblo Espana, The Urgell etc etc .....
But you should also venture into some of my favorite areas in Barcelona; Barre Gothico and El Raval.
Barre Gothico or the Gothic quater is along with El Raval the oldest neigbourhoods in BCN.
It has lots of narrow streets and peacful squares. You will also find plenty of bars, tapas restaurants here...some of the best once if you ask me.
El Raval has undergone a transformation and today is one of the hippest in Barcelona.
The area is vibrant, historic, authentic and full of personality. It is a lively, multi-cultural neighbourhood. Lots of cafes, restaurants and bars. The area has also become fashionable being host to a wide variety of art studios, galleries and trendy bookshops and the MACBA (museum of modern art).
El Raval is a area I would do during the day time because its ...how shall I put it!!??...Real.... it’s not that clean or beautiful, and its certainly not the safest neighbourhood in the city but it does have so much personality and character that it should be a crime not to visit this area.

Another area is El Born: You should visit this area of BCN just for the Restaurant Santa Maria which serves the most creative Tapas the city has to offer.
Here you will also find the stunning Santa Maria del Mar Church, Passeo del Born, the Picasso Museum and also the best cava bar in town, El Xampanyet Nothing like rolling away an afternoon drinking cava and eating tapas while people watching!

Thanks EVERYONE for your help! Just the sort of information I needed!

Your replies will be quite helpful to ALL who are planning a trip to Spain!

LARS you really DOknow BARCA.
only bits i could add would be the market off ramblas and possibly the area at the top of it around PLAZA CATALUNYA

Yes, Dave , the market is important.
I always visit the market - La Boqueria.
I love all the fresh food they have to offer. The smells and sights are wonderful.
I do like to have breakfast or a morning coffee here.

Garry, how did you like the hotel you posted a picture off?? Its the Continetal..??....Intercontinental..????

It's the Continental and Bob and I have stayed there 2 times. We really like it but it's not elegant. I think it's rated 3 stars. The rates are very reasonable and includes breakfast. They also have a cooler which they keep supplied with cold water and beer and you can help yourself at any time. Each room is a different shape and the ones with the balconies are the most desired. We spend a lot of time on them just watching the action on La Rambla below. The location is very convenient to the busses and a lot of restaurants.

Garry