mollybird79

My hubbie and I are heading off to Barcelona for 10 days in Aug. We have a few of the main attractions that we would like to see but to make our trip even more special we would love to try something different like a good wine tour or do something that many tourists wouldn't know about.

Also would anyone recommend which is the best beach to try out? We are def going to head to the big food market as we tried before in Italy and it was a real treat

IMDonehere

I would not be so eager to dismiss the major sights in Barcelona. All things Gaudi are spectacular and dramatically add to the culture and joie de vivre of Barcelona.

There is a beach in Barcelona.
Watch them dance the traditional Catalan folk dance in front of the old Cathedral La Seu on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings.

Monserrat, Figueres, and Girona and worthwhile day trips.

A trip to the top of Montjuic is give a sensational panorama of the city.

Bedar

Tourists know about everything in Barcelona ! Why are you spending 10 days there? I'd be bored silly after about 3. Hop a train and go to Valencia or San Sebastian for a few days.

kimhe

Of course, lots more to Barcelona than most tourists know about. Fabulous city, grows every time I go here, and have been many visits in recent years. Ten days are nothing.

I would for example suggest a day-trip within the city itself by going to Montjuic (Jewish mountain) right in the centre. Spectacular views of both the city and the sea from the castle on the top, and Montjuic in general is lots of museums, theaters, 1992 Olympic sports arenas and greens. Take the Teleferic up here (or bus or taxi or walk): http://www.telefericdemontjuic.cat/en/

Two of my favourite restaurants in town are at the foot of Montjuic. La Perla is as genuine and traditional as it gets, only open for lunch (until about 5pm). http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

And I had one of the best meals in my life in close by Xemei a few weeks ago. The Bigoli en salsa Veneciana is unlike anything I've ever tasted before: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lvcjtoh0tU

Went to Xemei late at night after seing out of this world Rocío Molina in Mercat de les Flors some 300 meters away (in the so called Theater city): http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...el-teatre.html

A "day-trip" to Montjuic could start with an early lunch at La Perla, then up to the castle on the top with the Teleferic, then a 20-25 mins fine walk down to the beautiful Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. After that perhaps a glass or cup of something in close by, tranquile and secluded La Font del Gat (http://www.lafontdelgat.com/) before a visit to the mind-blowing Miró museum just up the road. Prepare for a theater performance or concert in one of the venues in the Theater city in the fine little cafe in the Teatre Lliure, and round the night off with food from heaven in Xemei.

Given the natural and cultural richness of the Montjuic area, there are of course innumerable variants of this plan. You should also know that at the bottom of Montjuic, you'll find the very local atmosphere Poble Sec district with it's many great tapas bars and restaurants. https://www.airbnb.no/locations/barcelona/el-poble-sec

About Montjuic: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-montjuic.html

And since your visit is more than two months away, you can book a table at Tickets. Cutting edge tapas from heaven, and now ranked #57 on the S.Pellegrino World's best restaurant list. Had a terrific 13 different tapas lunch here with some beers a few weeks ago for some 70€ pp, and a 17 course dinner with lots of cava a couple of years ago for some 80€ pp. Very affordable for what you get. You must book 60 days prior to your visit at midnight Barcelona time. Ten minutes after midnight, all tables are gone: http://www.barcelonabook.com/tickets...estaurant.html

danon

I don't get bored in Barcelona (even after eight visits...)
concerts ( including flamenco), beaches,food markets, numerous museums, churches, great restaurants, upscale shopping, beautiful parks.
perhaps a side trip to
Sitges ( nice beaches 45 min).or another day trip.
It is a big city...see different areas of the city : Gracia, Sarria, El Born, Pobleneu
Raval, Eixample, and others...

IMDonehere

We have visited Barcelona numerous times since the early 1970's and never get bored of it. To tell you the truth after visiting the museums in Madrid, I cannot wait to get out.

Christina

Most tourists don't know much but the real basics, so that leaves a lot.

Definitely take some day trips, like to Sitges and Montserrat.

There are tons of places to see if you just don't get hung up on the top 10 in guidebooks. Just visit some other neighborhoods, like Gracia and even some of the sites on the hopon-off bus aren't visited by most tourists. And there are some good architectural sites that aren't the most commonly visited, also. You know, there are lots of good tourism sites for Barcelona, I have been very impressed with the detail and suggestions, themed walks, neighborhoods, etc., like these

http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/

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

IMDonehere

Most people are, unfortunately or fortunately, goal oriented. But when you spend 10 in any city it gives you time to walk that City and intentionally get lost or sit by an outdoor cafe and watch the world pass. The discoveries are yours not those from a guide book or a tour.

Being a tourist is more than just checking off the best or most important sights. It is trying to understand the slightest bit of a foreign a culture on your terms and time.

This casual approach is often lost, especially by people who think they only visit some place one, that they will miss something and they often do-the experience of being somewhere different.

kimhe

I like the huge Barceloneta beach very much, all kinds of people and all kinds of sports and other activites until sunset, very popular with the locals. And the Barceloneta district, just inland from the beach, is the best atmosphere and many laid-back and local feel bars and restaurants. http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...taurants-spain

Filferro and Absenta are two good options, ten meters from eachother. Together they should cover anyones needs for food and drinks ;-)
http://www.yelp.com/biz/filferro-barcelona
http://www.absentabar.es/

5d8

Hi,

Yo has not mentioned the dates of your travel, buta round 15th August there is the Festivals of the Gracia quartier with lots of activities and music; some of the activities are very traditional as castellers, correfocs etc, and the decorated streets (made for the residents of the quartier) are reallu nice to see

At the other hand, you can go to visit some wineries, for instance in Vilafranca del Penedes and Sant sadurní is it possible to visit Codorniu, Freixenet, Pinord, and many others etc using the train
See this webside : http://www.enoturismepenedes.cat/en

mollybird79

5d8, we will be in barcelona from the 10th to the 19th of aug. leaving early on the 10th. would love to see about checking out that festivel. where else would i find more information on it.
we are staying in the saint marti area which id seen the nearest beach there is the nudest beach so will def be staying away from there. hahaha!!

thanks a million for all the replies everyone. loving all this info

kimhe

About two Thursdays every month, top of the shelf flamenco artists perform in the local club El Dorado Sociedad Flamenca in Calle Buenaventura Muñoz, 21. Not many tourists find their way here, and 100% the real deal. http://eldorado-sfb.com/

Big stars such as David Palomar performs this Thursday and Mayte Martin in the beginning of June, so check out if there is a concert on your Thursday (the agenda for July and August is not set yet).
David Palomar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y4STsgKGKw
http://david-palomar.com/
Mayte Martin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWDYK-Wlq0M
http://www.mayte-martin.com/

Mayte Martin also gives a concert in the small Catalan village Rialp on Friday 14. August at 10.30pm in the town church. Could be a huge experience, but it's some 80 miles from Barcelona. http://www.mayte-martin.com/

Could be an adventure and perhaps something to think about? http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/victor.en-gb.html

danon

Last year we stayed not far from Selva de Mar metro

It is very moder part of the city .... parks, condos..and beaches.
There are hotels and restaurants in the area.
To get to center you will have to take the metro for several stops .
Not a problem.

jelopez33

Hi Mollybird:

Here are a few thigs a little out of the usual must see; not that any of them are a secret:

-- a visit to Camp Nou and the soccer museum.

-- go to see Botero's Cat.

--visit Nustra Señora del Mar, the church that was inspiration for a beautiful book.

--visit Tibidabo "mountain" you can go up and down via bus, take the bus at Plaza de Catalunya.

--don't miss Dali's museum in Figueres.

-- if possible attend a concert at Palau de la Musica Catalana, before or after the concert, have a drink outside the Palau.

--go inside the Sagrada Familia Curch.

-- get lost.

--Have lunch at Luzia, Ático or La taberna del Bisbe, not expensive and good any of them.

--don't miss the Magic Fountain, light , water and music show.....but for sure it is in your list of things to do

Enjoy!

kelsey22

bm

5d8

hi Molly,

you can check these webpages:

- this one is the official webpage, but it's not currently update:

http://www.festamajordegracia.cat/

Usually they update the webpage around july. Currently they are chossing the posters and the logo of the festival yet.
It's interesting because they show the map of the quartier with all the decorated streets. Also for the list of events, of course

- this other is the city council webpage (and it's available in english):

http://www.festamajordegracia.cat/

They have information about festivals.

Another option: when you arrived to Barcelona, go to the touristic information office and ask for the programn of the Gracia Festival...

Currently you can also check the information in Gracia clubs or associations involved in the Festival. For instance the Gracia neighbourd "castellers" have update information and it' ll be some castellers performance on 16th at 12:30 and a parade on 15th at 18:00....for photos and information about Castellers (my personal favourites ) see this webpage:

http://www.castellersdelaviladegracia.org/

5d8

Sorry,

the council oficial webpage is:

http://lameva.barcelona.cat/en/

mollybird79

Hey everyone,
Some great idea's there. Jelo i have seen camp nou a years ago when i went to barcelona on a day trip. hubbie not a soccer fan so he has no interest.

we saw the magic fountain also on that day trip years ago and loved it so def have to see it again

taking lots of notes from your recommendations. like the idea of taking a day trip somewhere.