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Barcelona - How to get around and where to stay?

Barcelona - How to get around and where to stay?

Old Aug 4th, 2013, 04:10 PM
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Barcelona - How to get around and where to stay?

Hello everyone!

DH and I are taking our first trip to Spain next year, and had a few questions about Barcelona.

We only have two and a half days there at the end of our trip, and want to make the most of it.
We hope to see the sights - the fountain in Montjuic, church of the sacred family, Guell park, casa battlo, placa espanya, Gotic quarter, FC Barcelona, and a quick stop at the beach.

I've heard good things about the Barcelona pass / city card, and something called the "HoHo" bus?
Does anyone have any suggestions for how to best get around the city?

Finally we're looking to stay in a safe, relatively quiet neighborhood.
I know that safety in Barcelona is somewhat of a concern with pickpockets running rampant. We want something close to the action, but safe to walk around at night to go to a bar or restaurant for a drink.
(How is Barcelona at night safety wise in general)

If anyone has any great relatively inexpensive tapas restaurant suggestions it would also be much appreciated!

Thanks so much!

Kim
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Old Aug 4th, 2013, 05:38 PM
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Picvkpockets are NOT "running rampant" in Barcelona any more than they might be in other large cities.

Yes, they are there, often working the Metro and other CROWDED spots but they are not "rampant."

Establishments serving tapas are about everywhere.

The HOP ON HOP OFF bus is one way to get a general view of the city; the Metro is a great way to get around. The Gothic Quarter is as safe as anywhere else at night IMO and I stay there frequently (just returned a couple weeks ago).

I would go to La Ramblas at least once since it is as much a part of Barcelona as is anything else you have mentioned, more so in some ways. yes, it is crowded and yes it has the bird sellers, the living statues, the flower sellers, the exotic and not so exotic animal sellers.

And go to Sagrada Familia EARLY and expect to still wait in line.
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Old Aug 4th, 2013, 05:57 PM
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Thanks for the info!

I was jusy discouraged by some of the posts Ihad seen on other sites about the pickpockets. But we have been to Rome and other cities without a problem so I'm sure Barcelona will be fine as well.

Do you suggest getting a metro pass or buying individual tickets?

And of course we plan to stop at La Ramblas, can't believe I forgot to add it to my orriginal post
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Old Aug 5th, 2013, 08:08 AM
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Buy tickets online in advance to Sagrada Familia and the other Gaudí sights. Then you enter directly without having to wait in the often very long lines. I very much recommend the english speaking guided tour. I thought I knew a lot about both Gaudí and the church, but the excellent guide provided new info and impressions all along the tour and thus added very much to the experience: http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/?lang=0

When it comes to where to stay, take a look at great value Hotel Banys Orientals in the vibrant and very safe El Born area, close to "everything". http://www.hotelbanysorientals.com/en/

About El Born (the upper photo is taken almost from the doorstep of Hotel Banys Orientals). http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

When in El Born, I very much recommend to visit Txakolín, one of the best Basque pintxos places in town and a bit off the tourist track. In Avda Marqués de l'Argentera, 19, just opposite the Estacio de Franca train station.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

The Barceloneta beach, 10-15 mins walking from Banys Orientals is great fun, all kinds of people and all kinds of activities uintil sunset. The adjoining Barceloneta district is one of the more vibrant and local feel areas in central Barcelona. Dozens of small, friendly and excellent bars, cafés and restaurants in here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/201...taurants-spain

Taxis are very affordable and everywhere all the time, very convenient.
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Old Aug 5th, 2013, 08:29 AM
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I was in Barcelona for 8 days and never experienced a pickpocket; never saw anyone else getting pockets picked. Rome is worse for pickpockets with Paris coming in second.
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Old Aug 8th, 2013, 07:55 PM
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Kimhe, How did you plan your visit to La Sagrada Familia? I very much appreciate the site you gave for buying tickets. The guided English tour is at 11h. How long do you have to wait in line to enter? Ticketmaster says you meet inside the Basilica. Also, we would love to go up into the towers.
Thank you!!
Mac
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Old Aug 8th, 2013, 11:42 PM
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Just follow the instructions. There are normally many guided tous in english every day. I checked a random date and then there were english speaking tours at 11, 12, 13, 15 and 17h, and I think that's the norm.

You don't have to wait in line to enter. It's a special entrance for people with online tickets, and then you just meet up with the guide at a well marked spot at the very entrance of the basílica some 10-15 minutes before the tour begins.

The guided tour doesn't include the towers, then you have to chose the Basilica+towers option.
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Old Aug 9th, 2013, 03:59 AM
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The HoHo bus is a good way to see all the various sights of the City and as the name implies, you use it to get off and back on again wherever you fancy. The main stops are in the Placa de Catalunya and it costs around €23 per person for a day. Be aware though that when you buy the tickets they are good for that day only and don't operate on a 24 hour basis.

You mention the fountain in Montjuic and the Placa Espana. The "magic" fountains are best accessed from the Placa Espana but check the time of the musical performances to make sure that you aren't disappointed.

If you go into the Camp Nou stadium (FC Barcelona)the tour costs about €25 per person from memory last year and is a bit underwhelming. The stadium is no better than say Old Trafford (Manchester United) here in the UK.
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