Going to Barcelona - recommendations?

[Kaplan]

In a couple of weeks I'll be going to Barcelona for a few days. I've read through some of the Barcelona threads here, but would like to hear if anyone have up to date suggestions for shopping, eating and museums.

Does someone here have experience with any of these: 'Top 10 restaurants in Barcelona'?

 

[ter1413]

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...Barcelona.html

 

[Fat-tie-knot]

Watch out for the prostitutes, theyre crazy aggressive.

 

[Ich_Dien]

El corte ingles is where everyone heads. Haven't been in a year or two, don't know what they have to offer anymore.

Aside from that, ingratiate yourself with some off the track bars, and speak the local lingo and you'll absolutely love it.

 

[fredfred]

Seriously watch your stuff. My f-in car dissappeared in the middle of the afternoon (parked just west of the ramblas... a dodgy part of town). I found an Italian passport/wallet that had been rifled and returned it to the Italian embassy. Lots of theft. Otherwise, fun (and skip the beach in town, it is worthless)

 

[closetmess]

Restaurants - I have only been to El Quim off that list and don't recall it setting itself too far apart from the other restos in the Market. That said, all the restaurants in the Boqueria market are quite good.

BUT you HAVE to go to La Fianna. Amazing meal, great lounge feeling and turns into a bit of a bar into the night. I recommend getting a reservation at one of the "high tables" roped off to the side. Very friendly service and amazing food. Hard to find, but Google Maps is what it is now. Went there twice in a week and was equally amazed both times.

Bars - follow the spill, stay in the area of La Fianna mentioned above.

Beaches - skip the inland one, take the bus up to the "nicer, non Barcelonnetta" beaches. Your hotel will know what I mean.

 

[IBJanky]

Subscribing to this thread...

I'll be there in approximately 3 weeks. Staying for a few nights as well.

First stop is Madrid, then onto Pamplona, because I'll be running with the bulls for the San Fermin festival.

myke

 

[whenwe]

Originally Posted by Kaplan

In a couple of weeks I'll be going to Barcelona for a few days. I've read through some of the Barcelona threads here, but would like to hear if anyone have up to date suggestions for shopping, eating and museums.

Does someone here have experience with any of these: 'Top 10 restaurants in Barcelona'?

I used to live in BCN so I'll do my best here.

Cal Pep, on that list is a very good tapas bar with contemporary/catalan cuisine. The problem is that if you don't know Spanish or Catalan it may be very difficult for you to understand the menu and order. The best places can usually be found by simply looking at the menu and deciding for yourself. Although stay away from places on the rambla or in the vicinity of plaça catalunya. Also make sure to take advantage of the menú del dÃa, which is usually common from about 1-4 (the Spanish eat big lunches and late dinners.) You can get 2 courses, wine, and dessert for less than 10 euro. There are a lot of good menú del dÃa places off the rambla in the neighborhood of el raval. It's a much more run down neighborhood with lots of ethnic restaurants and generally cheaper prices. Careful at night though, because it could get dangerous.

Generally speaking in terms of things to do, it depends on what you want, since there is almost something for every taste. It's best to think of the city in two parts divided centrally by plaça the catalunya. In the direction of the sea, towards the rambla lies the old city, and the gothic quarter. Here you can find the Cathedral which is free I believe, and also the Picasso museum. The Picasso museum is worth a visit, although frankly it's very underwhelming in my opinion, much nicer museums are found in Madrid but that's another story. Anyway, the gothic quarter is nice to walk through although it has it's charm it's not what Barcelona is best known for. That of course is on the other side in the direction of the main artery Passeig de Gracia.

Passeig de Gracia lead up all through l'eixample which basically just means the addition to the old city. This is the more upscale are with neighborhoods like Gracia being one of the better known. The great thing about Passeig de Gracia is that there are so many things to see and do on one street, I'd even dare to say more than the (gasp)Champs. I always recommended people start at the top where Gracia begins and stroll down Passeig de Gracia. Here you will find GaudÃ's famous houses like Casa Batlló and others. I recommend going into Casa Mila to see the inside and what the actual apartments looked like. Also the views from the top are quite nice as well.

Passeig de Gracia also has all the luxury shopping you desire, along with Spanish giants like Zara, Loewe, Massimo Dutti, Camper etc. Off Passeig de Gracia you'll find Cal Pep. Corte InglÃ

s gets a lot of press but it's really just a giant department store with a market at the bottom. You'll find your common luxury items mixed in with Liz Claiborne New York among others. There are two locations however the Plaça Catalunya location should do just fine if you feel inclined.

Other must-sees are the Sagrada Familia of course, the Palau de la musica catalana, and Parc Güell.

Getting to Parc Güell is a bit tricky but you can catch the metro green line and then walk some bit to get there, just follow the signs. Once there enjoy GaudÃ's works, but make sure you walk around and explore as well. I recommend taking one of the trails to a hill which has a mirador basically a watch tower, where you can get the best views of Barcelona in my opinion (out towards the sea.)

If you enjoy vintage shopping there are lots of vintage shops in El Raval, conveniently located on a street called tallers. You can find some cheap stuff and it's always fun to have a look.

Like someone else mentioned, the beach Barceloneta is not really worth the visit. It's usually crowded (when it's warm) and usually only tourists. Most locals head south to the Costa Dorada, or north to the Costa Brava for beaches. Sitges is a short train ride away, and it has nice beaches, also the surrounding areas. Most of the area near the sea and the port are fairly new, as they were built for the olympics, however because of this you'll mostly see convention centers and hotels in this area although the aquarium and the estació de frança with trains heading to France is found in this area.

Finally I recommend making a daytrip if time permits to Monserrat. It's a revered mountain in Catalonia, and a top it has a nice monastery. It is also a nice getaway from the chaos of city life.

Lastly BCN is a very walkable city, I recommend walking as much as possible, although the public transportation system is quite efficient.

I'd be happy to answer any other questions you may have and hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[Zegnamtl]

Originally Posted by Kaplan

In a couple of weeks I'll be going to Barcelona for a few days. I've read through some of the Barcelona threads here, but would like to hear if anyone have up to date suggestions for shopping, eating and museums. Does someone here have experience with any of these: 'Top 10 restaurants in Barcelona'?
Barcelona is such a great city, but it has a real petty crime problem. Be wise, keep your wits about you, doubly when around the Ramblas. Don't let it ruin your visit, just be wise. There is a great little cafe just at the top of the Ramblas on the left side as you walk up, don't recall the name, but it was the best coffee in the city the last time I was there. Take naps, cause when they go out to party at night, they stay out.....all night!! Enjoy!

 

[Kaplan]

Thank you all for the replies, especially Whenwe - that was a nice writeup and an impressive first post. Thanks.

 

[DandySF]

During the month of April I spent about 5 days in Barcelona. The most memorable meal I had was at Tragaluz. Great food, smart design, good service: http://www.grupotragaluz.com/rest-tragaluz.php Restaurants don't even begin to fill until around 10:00 p.m. I learned this is a hard and fast rule. A restaurant will be empty at 9:00 p.m. It took some time to adjust to the Spanish dining schedule.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

I was in BCN last summer. No idea on food as I seemed to wander from tapas place to tapas place.

I will second the notion for seeing La Sagrada Familia; make sure you go early in the morning as the lines are ridiculous. The elevators were broken when I visted so I was unable to go to the top but you should definitely try to take in the views.

I'll also recommend going to La Font Majika (sp?) at night if you have some spare time. They'll have musical fountain shows at certain points in the evening.

 

[Parker]

Originally Posted by whenwe

Passeig de Gracia lead up all through l'eixample which basically just means the addition to the old city. This is the more upscale are with neighborhoods like Gracia being one of the better known. The great thing about Passeig de Gracia is that there are so many things to see and do on one street, I'd even dare to say more than the (gasp)Champs. I always recommended people start at the top where Gracia begins and stroll down Passeig de Gracia. Here you will find GaudÃ's famous houses like Casa Batlló and others. I recommend going into Casa Mila to see the inside and what the actual apartments looked like. Also the views from the top are quite nice as well.

+1 on the Passeig de Gracia. Casa Mila is cool. Sometimes they open the rooftop at night for drinks and music. Nice views.

I liked the Miro museum in Monserrat, too.

 

[gshen]

I took a bus ride to the nearby Zaragoza, and probably enjoyed my 2 days there more than in Milan and Barcelona. Very charming little town that you might consider popping by if you have a couple of days to spare.

 

[closetmess]

Let's not forget NYT's "World's best sandwich" at La Viena http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/10/15...l/15Bites.html I had it and can attest that it was so simple yet exquisite. Worth the stop off the busy passeig.