What to see in Barcelona?

John Roberts

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My wife and myself are going to Barcelona towards the end of April (by air :()

I did a search for What to see in Barcelona as well as Barcelona and came up with just too much about Barcelona but little about what to see there. Now I mentioned all that just to show you that I did try not to waste your time.

We do have a pocket Berlitz, I rather like Berlitz, but is there anything we really shouldn't miss that might not be in the guide books?
 
For a start

Look for the works of Antoni Gaudi Famous architect and son of the city The biggest of his works being the La Sagrada Famílial The unfinished cathedral and all the others spread far and wide all around the City from houses to ornate gateways.

Best way to see the spread out City is on the tour Buses . They run in 3 overlapping routes and you can hop on and off at will.
The Olympic Stadia on the top of the hill is worth a visit just for the views.
Barca,s home stadium and museum worth a look. Whether you like footbol or not

Harbour to wander round, Aerial cableway .

Not forgetting La Ramblas the most famous walkway through the town Just be aware there are pickpockets about in the crowds . Cracking fruit market just off there

Plenty of reasonable eateries just back from the normal tourist traps.
When we went in a Feb it was 28 degrees in the sun.
Plenty to do
Enjoy Frank
 
Barca

I really liked Montjuic castle and the olympic stadium(home to the other team in barca...Espanyol...go watch a game,i'm sure they'd apreciate it) the beach front by the olympic village is nice , and there are some nice gardens near the zoo and catalan parliament building...probably my fave euro weekend destination bar none.
 
Don't eat on Las Ramblas !

The usual Gaudi visits as mentioned, and +++ on the tourist buses (one ticket, hop on / off as you please - a great way to see lots in a short time or to spread yourself around the city over a day). The Parc Guell is a must see Gaudi place - it's on the bus route.

There are some great small eateries around, much more authentic and better value than the Tourist Traps on Las Ramblas. Try the streets around Carrer Des Angels (off Carrer d'Elisabets) and also the area around the Church of Santa Maria del Mar at the junction of Carrer d'Argenteria and Carrer dels Sombrerers. Much nicer in my opinion than the main cathedral square ... although that is usually full of interesting busking acts in the evenings.

Ask the locals - we stayed at a neat little place (Hotel Camper - yes, my wife found a hotel run by a shoe company !) and asked the guys there for some suggestions - really nice local spots.

If you are feeling energetic, hire some push bikes and pedal the coast for 30 mins along the beachfront (watch out, one of the beaches is a nudist one - I slowed down to catch my breath along that stretch) - the beaches further from town are more 'local'.

Lots of bars and so on along the main harbour front too, and a good restaurant which is named after some fish or something - you can't miss it, it's the biggest one as you get to the area around harbour - slightly left at the bottom of Las Ramblas.

Enjoy :Motomartin :ChrisKelly :comfort
 
All good suggestions.

It is a great city, but lowlifes constantly target foreigners. Over 25-35% of the under 30's are unemployed and are grafting for a living. Wear bags over your front when walking around.

Metro's & bus's are brilliant for getting around, just buy a strip of tickets at the kiosk and stick them in the machine on the bus/metro gate. Each journey gets deducted from the strip, until the strip runs out. PB
 
Great city to visit and many of our friend have been as well, but watch for the pick pockets, they are all over the crowded shopping areas and particularly in the Ramblas area. If you unfortunate to be a victim do not chase after them down the many alley ways as gangs operate to protect the thief. Would still go back though.
 
Mount Tibadabo up next to the big tv antenna (Norman Foster Designed),a stunning view across Barcelona not to be missed plus the Parc De Guel ,Magic place.
 
do as much as you can as said above....... also if your a fan of hard rock cafe's its at the top of the ramblas by the bus stop a great atmosphere. have fun,...... one of the the nicest citys ive visited.



Hman
 
The Gaudi cathedral. Never finished. Still being built. Tourist donations paying for it - clever. But well worth seeing - its incredible. And I'm not normally one for these kind of things.

Plus theres an open air Gaudi museum thingy on outskirts of town; can't recall where. Worth a visit.

Oh, and tapas, tapas, tapas.
 
.... one of the the nicest citys ive visited.
Hman

Yep, that seems to sum up what I've heard about Barcelona.

Thank you all, your information is appreciated and being inwardly digested. :thumb2

PS It seems we are booked in at the H10 Universitat hotel, it looks nice- does anyone know if it is?
 
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Avoid the Ramblas unless you like car boot sales. Took us 10 seconds to dive down an alley to get away from the tat.

Walk around the alleys and lanes at the old city and see the old cathedral in the old town as well as all the other stuff.

The marina is a pleasant evening stroll.

If you have time or for the future go to Montserratt. Monastery in unbelievable location in mountains just inland.
 


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