MOLLY ALDEN BARCELONA
My sister Alden and I are traveling to Barcelona, Spain in mid-April for 10 days and, having never been there before, would love any advice from those of you who are lucky enough to have been there before, or perhaps live there now!
The main thing we need to get sorted out is renting an apartment in the city. Are there any especially awesome neighborhoods to where we should try to stay? Any great apartment rental websites?
Any mind-blowing restaurants and bars? We love food, drink and funky, off the beaten path, type places.
Flea markets and thrift/vintage stores?
Museums?
Day trips, or overnights, we should seek out if we feel like venturing out of the city
Basically any sites that we shouldn't miss, or might not be listed in the common travel book. . .
THANK YOUUUUU!!!
posted by Rackk and Ruin at
9.3.12
18 Comments:
I went there last month for the first time too, haven't managed to remember all the names but make sure you check out the La Boqueria food market, the Aquarium, the Picasso Museum, the Montjuïc mountain and Camp Nou. Also, there are numerous restaurants near the ports, you should definitely try the famous tapas an paella in one of them.
Have fun!
xoxo
Fashion Agony blog
I've just booked a holiday for Barcelona mid April too! I will be stealing your commentors' ideas...
do you know of www.airbnb.com for accommodation? super easy rentals.
i were there recently ! my advice is to go to the city area "born" ( i lived there). really cozy with a lot of cute shops and cafées, don't be afraid to walk in the most narrow streets, because it is there you will find THE places! and don't forget to shop at zara..
I've never been but pickpocketing is rampant there and some of my friends were robbed so be careful. but you'll have an amazing time!
heyyaa go to the restaurant called Ciutat Comtal,
typical spanish tapas food, to die for! definatly my fav there! Enjoy Xx
Please visit Tibidabo! Most people who visit Barcelona miss out on going there, but I absolutely loved it. It can be reached by a Furnicular Railway and is most exciting. The best part's actually the vintage amusement park located on top - it still works, so remember to try the rides! The amusement park rides and info are here: http://www.tibidabo.cat/en/homepage
Basic info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibidabo
Also, I'm sure you guys would have heard of Park Guell: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_G%C3%BCell - everyone's who has been there told me it is a life-changing experience. You can buy a combined ticket of this with the entry fee for Sagrada Familia, it is cheaper.
Sadly, I didn't get the chance to visit when I was there as I didn't have enough time.
Lastly, I was staying at a hostel, which is the San Jordi hostel. Great beds, great tenants and staff, in a very centralised area too. Plus you can cook all meals if you are on a budget. Many people left food there as they were only popping by Barce for 2 - 3 days so you actually needn't buy any groceries, haha. Just cook the items left in the fridge people left over and are still fresh. If you want to save money, that's a good place. It's not the cheapest hostel though, in fact, it is the most expensive. But I'll never forget that place.
Ohoh! I forgot! Pls visit Barceloneta as well. It's their beach front, but a beautiful Mediterranean feel's there. There are also many cafes alongside, though they look like tourist traps to me. There are also vintage shops area Barceloneta, but I heard that they are expensive, so I didn't visit. At Barceloneta beach, there are some very interesting sculptures that you guys might wana see or photograph. e.g.
1. Beach Tower
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/images/int/beach-tower-1.jpg
The Museum d' Història de Catalunya is also located near Barceloneta. Although it has an admission fee (4 euros, get 30% with the Barcelona tourist card) stated on its website, the last time I went, I walked straight in and no-one at the counter asked me to pay. That's weird. Anyway, here's the link for more info: http://www.mhcat.net/
One more: Visit the Gothic Quarter. I loved that area so much too.
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/areas/gothic-quarter-barcelona.html
"Barri Gotic is situated on the right hand side of the La Rambla as we look toward Placa de Catalunya. For those of you who are new to Barcelona, La Rambla is the famous 1.2 KM pedestrianized walkway that is consider to be the very centre of Barcelona.Picasso lived and worked in Barri Gotic from 1895 to 1904 and Joan Miró was born and lived here during his youth."
I was in Spain (Madrid/San Sebastian/Barcelona) last September. Definitely wander around El Born area and get some of the fresh fruit and fruit juice mixes at La Boqueria. Also, a small section of the Picasso Museum is free Sunday afternoons. Not sure if you'll be traveling anywhere else in Spain, but if you can stay a couple days in San Sebastian its absolutely gorgeous there and the tapas/pinxtos is so good! Check out my blog for pictures of food spots in Barcelona: http://www.chompinggrounds.com/search/label/Barcelona
Drinks at Bodagas! Tallers 1 is the adress, take to the left almost on the top of La Rambla.
Cheap and awesome Cava and standing tapas buffet at Champagneria
It´s a must when in Barcelona!
Enjoy.
xx Inger (Norway)
I have had a lot of luck in europe (paris for me) with www.airbnb.com for accommodations.
It's really great and straight forward. They go and see the apartment to take pictures so it's not made to look way better than it actually is.
good luck.
hey there!!!
so have you heard of a band called terrakota??? if not you should look them up because their music is just great and their message is even greater!
i'm telling you this because the lead singer (romi) started an apartment rental/bed and breakfast service in barcelona by the end of last year... the place is at Poble Nou neighbourhood..
the contact email is romianauel@hotmail.com
enjoy :))
inês
for extremely nice apartments
try:
destinationbcn.com
you will enjoy BORNE district a lot!
Molly!
You must check out as much Gaudi exhibits (sagrada familia, parc guell) as possible! Also make sure to check out the beaches, castles, Dali muesum, Seyches Beach (about 40 min train ride outside of Barcelona), Sugar Bar and International Bar, Mercat de la Boqueria (massive market on Las Rambla). I went mid-may in 2009. Enjoy and cant wait to see how it goes! It is aaaaamazing.
and we stayed in the Kabul Hostel in the Placa Reial, it was really nice and a lot of young people, it cost $150 for the week. pretty sweet deal and very clean
I used to live there and worked in a place called Juicy Jones on Calle Hospital in Raval - go there for the most amazing fresh juices and smoothies.
Other good food places:
- Lunch at IPOSA on C/ Floristes de la Rambla, 14. Delicious. And they have great lunch menu/deal.
- Amazing pizza place in Raval. La Pizza del Raval. Down a small side street. If nice weather it's nice to get takeaway and go and sit in the Rambla del Raval. Calle de Emilio Vendrell, 1
Plaza del Tripi (otherwise known as Plaza George Orwell) for drinks - it's a square just off Calle Avinyó (where you can also find the best espadrille shop) Drink a 'clara' (beer and lemonade) at Oviso bar on the tables outside.
Rent bikes. This place has nice ones: My beautiful parking on Calle Cervantes, 5 which is in Gotico.
Spend time in Gracia. Beautiful, relaxed neighbourhood.
MACBA contemporary art museum in Raval. Lots of vintage shops in the side streets nearby.
Have fun!
I've been to Barcelona three times in the past year and I love it more and more every time. Definitely go to Passeig de Gracia... that area is booming with little bars and restaurants. It's definitely a place where a lot of locals go and hang out. There is a delicious Mexican food place called "chido One" in that neighborhood. It's like Mexican with a slight spanish kick. I went there every time I've visited Barcelona. I'm sure this one is obvious, but Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia. Dedicate lots of time to both, they're unbelievable. Enjoy your time there!!
I'm so happy to Come Barcelona in Spain ,its realy so beautiful place for vacation.
Bed and Breakfast Barcelona
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