Member Since: 01 Feb 2024
Location: Beckenham
Posts: 16
Advice for BArcelona
Just a quick question. Is anyone here from Barcelona? What are the must-see places in Barcelona? I will be there for a business trip and will have a 2-3 day gap to see some local places. Any recommendation?
8th Mar 2024 6:01 am
MrTed
Member Since: 06 Jan 2023
Location: Rickmansworth
Posts: 189
#1: Pre-book online the Sagrada Da Familia as you can't just rock-up and try to get in. Worth it in every way possible. 'Possibly the best church in the world' (my quote).
#2: La Pedrera-Casa Milà - Amazing building. Search for the rest of Gaudi's buildings. Each one is worth a visit. Its worth paying the extra for 'speedy entry' as you may be waiting yonks in a que.
#3: Plaça del Rei - Museum near the 'Old Town' which is worth a wander in itself. If you want cheap food & beer, walk off-piste as the main throughfares are expensive for 'tourists'.
#4: Unless you like tempting fate by walking around with Leica cameras hanging around your neck and gold Rolex watches on your wrist you should be ok so don't worry about stories of being pickpocketed.
#5: You will see some awesome boats that you can't afford down by the quay.
#6: If you hire a car its super-easy to drive around the city and parking is cheap.
#7: Just around the corner to the Sagrada is just about the most authentic restaurant we've been to in our trips there: Restaurant Los Bellota. Not much English spoken but hand gestures and a phrase book resulted in a massive melted cheese dipping bowl (that we saw the locals eating) followed by various awesome meat dishes. Try the sugar syrup alcoholic shots!
#8 The locals go here to eat seafood: Puertecillo Sagrada Familia. Again, just around the corner to the Sagrada.
Well thats a start! We go back every few years to find new places there to go and so will you I should think. Its an amazing place and the people are great.Discovery 4 HSE late 2015 Euro6
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8th Mar 2024 11:01 am
riverblanche
Member Since: 31 Aug 2010
Location: retford'ish
Posts: 2225
Hi,
Agree Casa Mila should be at the top of the list,
we found all the houses worth a visit
we found Sagrada great But
everywhere else seemed to be More than expected but as everyone goes Sagrada, Sagrada,Sagrada it didn't, when we go back for another visit we will visit the houses again but doubt Sagarada,
yes you have to see it, we will just have another look around the outside
We found a great cafe just to the left of Casa Mila at the rear of the shops (chocolate shop) locals and students use it.
another place for a bite if you can get a seat is in the old market, well worth a wander around just to look
Maybe an Absinthe (or a Beer ) in Bar Marsella, we always think it looks shut from the outside when we have been there its worth finding to see the Decor inside its an experience.
Food wise we found it worth asking what the "menu of the day" was in restaurants.
Picasso museum was interesting to start with but we lost a bit of interest later on, they used to have free tickets on certain days each month it fitted when we were there once so we booked them.
and yes the habour is worth looking at
if you like churches then Basilica de Santa Maria Del Mar is good, I got looked in by mistake
I like how there made not really what there for, wandered in, and was not allowed to leave...
World choir contest or something and I walked in between choirs, could not "disturb" them and leave until they finished, got a text which Bar SWMBO and friends where in when I got out
there loads to do is difficult to narrow it down, depends what you like, we love the place.
Member Since: 01 Oct 2015
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 911
Agree with a lot of what has been said above.
Casa Battlo is the other big Gaudi building in Barcelona. It is a stunning building - as I'm sure they both are - but I found the ticket price eye watering. Great building but the audio tour was very childlike and didn't add much to my experience. However, I'm glad I visited.
Sagrada was amazing I thought. I'd go back.
We had a boat tour round the harbour which was good. Just turned up and hopped on the next boat.
Botanic gardens were great and the teleferic ride up to them was fab
Good to people watch walking along La Rambla but loads of shops and stalls selling tat. Some nice covered markets
Gothic quarter nice to wander around and full of small tapas bars most of which were excellent. El Bitxo was a good one.
I'm sure you'll enjoy your trip.D1 300Tdi - gone
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9th Mar 2024 7:02 pm
Gilgamesh
Member Since: 01 Feb 2024
Location: Beckenham
Posts: 16
Thanks for all the information, guys. There are a lot of things to digest. It looks like I need to sit down quietly for some time and make an itinerary based on the places you all suggested.
12th Mar 2024 8:26 am
Gilgamesh
Member Since: 01 Feb 2024
Location: Beckenham
Posts: 16
riverblanche wrote:
Hi,
Agree Casa Mila should be at the top of the list,
we found all the houses worth a visit
we found Sagrada great But
everywhere else seemed to be More than expected but as everyone goes Sagrada, Sagrada,Sagrada it didn't, when we go back for another visit we will visit the houses again but doubt Sagarada,
yes you have to see it, we will just have another look around the outside
We found a great cafe just to the left of Casa Mila at the rear of the shops (chocolate shop) locals and students use it.
another place for a bite if you can get a seat is in the old market, well worth a wander around just to look
Maybe an Absinthe (or a Beer ) in Bar Marsella, we always think it looks shut from the outside when we have been there its worth finding to see the Decor inside its an experience.
Food wise we found it worth asking what the "menu of the day" was in restaurants.
Picasso museum was interesting to start with but we lost a bit of interest later on, they used to have free tickets on certain days each month it fitted when we were there once so we booked them.
and yes the habour is worth looking at
if you like churches then Basilica de Santa Maria Del Mar is good, I got looked in by mistake
I like how there made not really what there for, wandered in, and was not allowed to leave...
World choir contest or something and I walked in between choirs, could not "disturb" them and leave until they finished, got a text which Bar SWMBO and friends where in when I got out
there loads to do is difficult to narrow it down, depends what you like, we love the place.
Yes, everyone's suggestion seems to have Casa Mila and Sagrada in common.
12th Mar 2024 8:28 am
ruben D3 Decade
Member Since: 26 Sep 2006
Location: ASTURIAS
Posts: 2429
I agree on 2 things, one that Sagrada Familia is mandatory without a doubt, but reserve your access on the website or you won't get in! and 2 that it is not a dangerous city at all, unless you are interested in looking for danger... avoid certain areas of the Raval neighborhood... the rest is up to your taste... get lost in the straight streets of Eixample, there are many places to eat or have a drink, or in the most popular and charming neighborhood such as the Gracia neighborhood, or the no less interesting, although very saturated with tourism, such as the Gothic neighborhood and the cathedral...after all you don't have many days either First of all, trust your intuition and enjoy your stay!It is a magnificent city, although somewhat saturated with visitors at certain times of the year and in certain areas.lost in translation!
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12th Mar 2024 11:30 pm
Gilgamesh
Member Since: 01 Feb 2024
Location: Beckenham
Posts: 16
Member Since: 26 Sep 2006
Location: ASTURIAS
Posts: 2429
At least I don't know, although I doubt it, I always use official services due to their verified security! 👍🏼👍🏼lost in translation!
DISCOVERY 3 SE man. TDV6 2006, my true love!
DEFENDER 2 SE D I6 MHEV 2024, other live.
13th Mar 2024 7:48 am
kajtzu
Member Since: 10 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6748
The maritime museum is really nice.
13th Mar 2024 5:09 pm
Gilgamesh
Member Since: 01 Feb 2024
Location: Beckenham
Posts: 16
ruben wrote:
At least I don't know, although I doubt it, I always use official services due to their verified security! 👍🏼👍🏼
I was checking online for other options. I have come across https://gowithguide.com/spain/barcelona and a few guides have a sagrada tour and are asking about $160, but on the official page it's around €40. My doubt is, is the official tour from their site only meant for me or guided tour for mass people?
14th Mar 2024 5:44 am
riverblanche
Member Since: 31 Aug 2010
Location: retford'ish
Posts: 2225
Hi,
let us know how you get on when you do go,
that's a point when are you going, its been sept-oct when we have been, luckily there was a big classic car & bike show on one year
There is the coloured fountains display in the evenings as well if that side of the city
Member Since: 06 Jan 2023
Location: Rickmansworth
Posts: 189
Well if you go next month you may get to see the La Diada de Sant Jordi, or St George festival.
Its bonkers. We didn't know it was going to happen so when we left the hotel this was kicking-off on almost every street. The health & safety police were given the day off by all accounts.
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) in Bar Marsella, we always think it looks shut from the outside when we have been there 
