Barcelona, Spain - What do I need to know? (best, life, country)

[HappyandMarried]

We are going on a Mediterranean cruise in November. It starts and ends in Barcelona, Spain. We are getting to Barcelona three days before the cruise sails in order to tour the beautiful city.

If you live in or near Barcelona can you please tell me:

The best places to see?

The places to avoid?

Anything else I need to know?

Thank you very much.

[BlueWillowPlate]

It depends what you like.
I think Gaudi's Sagrada Familia Cathedral is one of the most amazing sights I've ever seen, well worth a visit.
Las Ramblas is a long, colorful boulevard, pretty much pedestrianized, full of street art, buskers, flowers etc. The Boqueria Market is a must-see.
Probably your cruise ship will offer a tour of some sort; I'd be surprised if they did not offer La Sagrada Familia, some portion of Las Ramblas, and the market.

[Mvn2nc]

Originally Posted by HappyandMarried

We are going on a Mediterranean cruise in November. It starts and ends in Barcelona, Spain. We are getting to Barcelona three days before the cruise sails in order to tour the beautiful city.

If you live in or near Barcelona can you please tell me:

The best places to see?

The places to avoid?

Anything else I need to know?

Thank you very much.

I was on a Med. cruise this past Oct. With our limited amount of time we did the hop on hop off bus.For us, maybe the time of year but it was crowded with long lines. We made the fatal mistake of getting off and found ourselves waiting in line for 30 min. to catch the next one.It was horrible.
Also for great cruise information try www.cruisecritic.com

[jerrycat]

Barcelona is a great place lots to see; Gaudi,s buildings Casa Batllo` is wonderful,Las Ramblas, the market a good restaurant is Los Caracoles it is divine not too expensive. One thing pick pockets are rife so hang on to wallets and purses especially when sitting at tables never put your purse under your seat, walk around and enjoy it.

[Elishan]

Whatever you do in Barcelona, you will have a very memorable time.

Try to visit el barrio gotio (the old Gothic quarter) which is enchanting'

Try Sagrada Familia (Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece - also take a little tour of Gaudi's other works around the city)

Try Barceloneta (the old port area- has a beautiful beach and plenty of good seafood restaurants)

Try a stroll along La Ramblas - such a pleasant way to spend an hour or two.


I could go on and on because Barcelona is one of my favorite destinations.


Have a great time!!!!


http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...tractions.html

[HappyandMarried]

Thanks to everyone for the information and suggestions.

Keep them coming.

[Amavel]

If you have a few hours, you may want to visit Park Guell, which was designed by Antonio Gaudi. Situated above the city, it provides many incredible views and has some of the coolest architecture I've ever seen.

I second the previous posters... definitely visit Barceloneta and Las Ramblas.

[pinklotus]

Barcelona is great! For a well rounded tour, try the Bus Touristic--cheap way to get an overview of the city and La Sagrdia Familia and Gaudi's house is a must!

[Housemartin]

Barcelona is the city of the Modernism Style , so you must visit a lot of Gaudi's buildings: Sagrada Familia, Casa Milá, Casa Batlló, Parque Güell....

In those places you'll have lots of japaneses taking pictures at all (at you, too).

But there are more things to see. You can visit the Barrio Gótico (The Gothic quarter with the Cathedral, Town Hall...) and then go to the Ramblas. Here, you can visit the Palacio de la Música (Music Hall) and another church, gothic too: Santa Maria del Mar.

In the Ramblas, near the harbour, sometimes there are trileros (aliens from Eastern Europe, Romania..., who bet with a joke about three glasses and a small ball) If the cops come they go, but sometimes can make their fakes. So, don't bet any money with then and go. And don't visite the other side of the Ramblas (Barrio Chino or El Rabal, it's dangerous for the young marroquian ilegals)
Then, you have the port (the small sport harbour) and you can go to Monjuitch (a small mountain with good things to see) by a cable car. The view is very good.

At the begining of Monjuitch, you have the Olimpic Stadium (Barcelona 92) and museums,expos and springs with light and sound effects (nights only, and maybe, only at summertime)

Monserrat is the holly mountain of Catalunya. It's near Barcelona and it's a beautiful place with a great monastery and beautifull rocky mountains. Lots of people go to visit it, but, anyway, it's a peaceful place.

Sometimes, the best isn't in the downtown.

I know you're happy and married. If you have children, maybe you can go to Port Aventura (1 hour by train, 1 whole day to waste) It's a funfair like Disneyworld, but in my opinion, more interesting. It's made to represent the mediterranean countries but with good attraccions.


About the cruise. I have been on one of those cruises. 7 days, Barcelona, Marseilla, Livorno/Fiorenze, Cittavechia-Roma, Napoli, Tunis and Barcelona. I have information about them too, so if your cruise is that, I can give you more infomation.

Anyway, have a good time in my country.

[miracle]

I lived there, as in Madrid, but Barcelona (as is called by locals) is really the best Med city I ever been, and with difference the best spanish city. Is very safe, but lots of young people could pick up your wallet, in turistics areas, nothing else. Lots of tourist everywhere and year round. The economic development of the city is one of the highest in Europe, and that you see money and good houses everywhere, specially north side of the main avenue of the city, Avenida Diagonal. Beaches are wonderful, and also mountains, is as Los Angeles but with good quality of life. I love that city.