giadav

My husband and I are looking for 1 night pre cruise stay in Barcelona and 2 night post stay in possibly Sitges because we love the beach, this seemed close with nice beaches?? The 2 night stay....looking at the Dolce Sitges. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? I didn't want to travel to far because of the short stay but would be willing to drive maybe 1.5 hours.

Also any suggestions on how to get from port to hotel? Should we rent a car?
Thanks

Dukey1

You can travel to Sitges from Barcelona BY RAIL. Do some more research and unless you feel the need to have a car IN Sitges I would bag that idea and simply get a cab from the airport to the train station and take the train back and forth.

Have you ever BEEN to Barcelona? If not, I would NOT spend any time in Sitges at all.

giadav

Really? Ok, where would you suggest Dukey1 ?

giadav

We have never been to Spain and I just booked a lady minute cruise for July and want to finalize flights and hotels this weekend. We are open to suggestions ��

Bedar

One day before the cruise will not be enough for Barcelona. Spend your other two days after the float there.

Rubicund

You could stay at the Barcelonetta area of the city itself. This is the beach area and for such a short stay you'll save lots of travel time plus being able to see the sights and eat at good restaurants.

HappyTrvlr

Spend all three nights in Barcelona which is barely enough time to see this city.

giadav

Ok, we are not that big into site seeing but enjoy walking around, good restaurants, beach for swimming and maybe a scenic run for a workout. Can we do all that in Barcelona?

HappyTrvlr

Yes.

suec1

The Barcelonetta has a great promenade - lots of outdoor cafes and a people watching wonderland. Not the most convenient place in Barcelona for the other sights but for what you want, I think it would be fine. You can easily get there by cab - even if you decide to go to Stiges, I don't think a car is the best idea.

giadav

Ok thank you for everyones input. I am making progress with researching. Currently looking at Olivia Balmes Hotel, the reviews are great and it is a Traveler Choice 2015. My only hesitation is that we typically stay at 4* hotels in the states and caribbean, but in Europe 5* hotels are usually comparable to our 4*. Does anyone have any input on this?

suec1

I don't pay much attention to the stars - esp. in Europe the number of stars is used to denote certain amenities available at the hotel, such as a restaurant on site. Tirpadvisor is your friend - the reviews posted give a better indication of how nice the property is rather than the number of stats.

kimhe

Also suggest you stay in Barcelona itself.

Olivia Balmes is excellent, but I highly recommend Hotel Neri, tranquile and in the heart of the city. Our best hotel experience ever: http://www.hotelneri.com/en/
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/nerihr.en-gb.html

And take a look at W: http://www.w-barcelona.com/

I love the bustling Barceloneta beach, all kinds of people and activities, sports etc until sunset. Very popular with locals. And just inland you have the charming and fun Barceloneta district: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...taurants-spain

Fantastic restaurants and tapas bars in Barcelona. Just spent a memorable week-end here a month ago with the one food highlight after the other.


For cutting edge tapas from heaven, go to Tickets, now ranked #57 on the S.Pellegrino World's best restaurant list. Had a 13 different tapas lunch here with some beers a few weeks ago for some 70€ pp. You must book 60 days ahead of your visit. Ten minutes after midnight, all tables are gone: http://www.ticketsbar.es/web/ http://www.barcelonabook.com/tickets...estaurant.html

Just plain fabulous tapas at Tapeo in El Born. The Coca de Sardina was one of the top three food highlights of the week-end. http://www.tapeoborn.cat/
Coca de sardina: http://www.tapeoborn.cat/tapas-menu/...ardina-en.html

Had one of the best meals of my life in Xemei on the same trip. The Bigoli en salsa Veneciana is something completely different from anything I've tasted before (from about 1.35 in this video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lvcjtoh0tU

For a genuine Barcelona lunch, go to no fuss La Perla, almost vis a vis Xemei: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

And of course, 7 Portes from 1836, an institution in town. Tons of history in the walls, and I never leave Barcelona without having had the wonderfool seafood Arroz caldoso here. http://www.7portes.com/angles/index.php
The arroz caldoso: http://www.foodspotting.com/places/1...73-arroz-caldo

< a scenic run for a workout>

The Ciutadella Park: http://www.barcelona.de/en/barcelona...iutadella.html

Montjuic (Jewish mountain) right in the city center. Spectacular views, lots of greens, museums, theaters and sports arenas: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/Engl...SJpH1t4T6vJumh

And you must experience the Born district: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

giadav

suec1 very good to know, thank you so much!!

kimhe....thanks for sharing all those links. We love to eat the traditional foods of the countries we visit.

I booked our airfare last night so this IS HAPPENING . I'm sure I will be back with more questions. This message board is great!

kimhe

And when it comes to traditional food in Barcelona, you should visit the Boqueria food market, one of the finest in the world: http://www.gardenista.com/posts/la-boqueria-market

I also have a soft spot for small, down to earth, family owned Ca l'Estevet. A timeless place that serves, great traditional Catalan food. I recommend the tomato salad - much thanks to the extremely rich Vinagre de Jerez - the world class Iberian ham, the Barcelona speciality Bacalà a la llauna and the wonderful grilled chicken with prunes. Will definitely come back for more, perhaps for the winter Wedensdays servings of the most typical of all Catalan dishes, Escudella i carn d'olla, the oldest documented soup in Europe (14th century). Reservation is a must.
http://www.restaurantestevet.com/wpre/