egrizz423

Traveling to Barcelona in January. Staying near Las Ramblas. What is some must to-do's? My friend and I are 23, so looking for some cool places to see and fun things to do!

Thanks!

StCirq

You've chosen to travel to Barcelona without knowing what to see and do there?

Read a few guidebooks. Study a map. Go on the internet and check out the official city website.

Christina

oh, probably knock around the Born area some, which is off the Ramblas (I think it's north or NE, not sure of my directions there). Not sure what you guys like, but a lot of people like seeing at least one Gaudi building other than the main cathedral he designed (which is a must to see, Sagrada Familia).

see http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

The above website is really good for finding out various info on sites, transportation, etc

Timeout guide online for Barcelona gives you some good ideas for bars, etc. and other things to do

BigRuss

You know there's a whole Barcelona page on Fodors.com, right?

It might have suggestions . . .

HappyTrvlr

Go to Destinations tab above.

egrizz423

I dont care for "tourist" things I wanna hear what people found fun that was off the grid. We are going to Barcelona because I've always wanted to go, but not going for any particular reason other than its Spain and on the coast. Dont need a reason to go somewhere other than you want to see it

IMDonehere

I will never understand when people dismiss "tourist" things when they don't know what the are.

Get sleep during the day because Barcelona like other Spanish cities does not start get going until midnight.

Yes, Barcelona is part of Spain, but you will shocked to know that almost everyone speaks another language when conversing among themselves and the signs are in that language as well. Read up on it, it may be helpful.

cccmoral

Barcelona has so many things to offer but my husband & I really enjoyed our day trip to Figueres to see the Dali Museum.Barcelona has so many interesting sites to see. Read some travel books before you go so you can make your trip truly worthwhile.enjoy!

thursdaysd

If you don't care for "tourist" things (and, after all, you are one), why are you staying near the Ramblas? Worst tourist trap in town.

Robert2533

This is a couple off to see the world without one scrap of knowledge of what to expect. Reading a guidebook may be a little too much for them.

kimhe

On (or very close to) Las Ramblas:

Have lunch in one of the finest food markets in the world: http://www.gardenista.com/posts/la-boqueria-market

Have some drinks in Boadas: http://boadascocktails.com/en/

Traditional and affordable Catalan food in Can Culleretes from 1786, great atmosphere, the oldest restaurant in town and the second oldest in Spain. Opens for dinner at 9pm: http://www.culleretes.com/

See world class flamenco in Tablao Cordobes: http://www.tablaocordobes.es/

The cool Raval district is right behind you, art, fabulous bars, cutting edge: http://theculturetrip.com/europe/spa...-barcelona/%0A

I love the laid-back, local atmosphere and fun Barceloneta district both day and night, right behind the beach with the same name: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...taurants-spain

Go for tapas with the locals in Poble Sec: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...%20bodega.html

I always stay in medieval and vibrant El Born/La Ribera, a cradle of Catalan culture and identity, fabulous tapas bars, cafes and excellent nightlife: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...la-ribera.html

Upscale nightlife with the locals in Carrer Aribau, just up from the university from 1450: http://suitelife.com/blog/must-see-t...-world-of-fun/

Rubicund

You are wanting to go to one of the most heavily visited cities in Europe, and expect to find things that no-one else has? Your reasons for visiting Barcelona are contradictory. Why head there if you don't want to see its main attractions? The fact that it is on the coast is true of hundreds of thousands of places in the world, so if you don't want to see what makes Barcelona what it is, why go?

Forget all the nonsense about avoiding tourists, you will be one and enjoy all the city has to offer.

kimhe

Here are some of the breakfast and lunch places in the Boqueria market on Las Ramblas. Always loud and crowded, but the people here are in full control and the food is as good and market fresh as it gets.
Pinotxo: http://www.yelp.com/biz/pinotxo-barcelona
El Quim de la Boqueria: http://www.worldsofflavorspain.com/node/746
Bar Boqueria: http://www.barboqueria.com/
Paella Bar Boqueria: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ia.html#photos

kimhe

And January is a great time of year to go to Barcelona if you want to experience a fantastic city without having to share it with the hordes of tourists that invade the city from April/May to September/October. My last time in Barcelona was early March this year, and then you heard almost only Spanish and Catalan spoken even in the very popular Born district.

And even less tourists and very local atmosphere in excellent central areas such as Poble Sec, Raval and Gracia.
Poble Sec: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGb2...eature=related
Gracia: http://www.barcelona-life.com/barcelona/gracia
Raval: http://www.barcelona-life.com/barcelona/raval

Barcelona, and its different barrios, has so much more to offer than the usual top ten (or hundred) tourist attractions: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/

shreyamadhu

Some of the best places to visit would be Gaudí and modernisme for the architecture, trekking along the mountain Montjuïc, visit the churches, visit the beaches of Mediterranean and Tibidabo Amusement park.

egrizz423

Thanks for the positive feedback, I been checking all the info out! For those with negative comments, I would report you if I could. This is a travel website and you are very unhelpful and dont need to waste your time responding to threads if you cant be helpful

IMDonehere

Egrizz423, have a great time in Barcelona and return when you are all grown up.

kja

Excuse me, egrizz423 – I’m not sure I fully understand. Here’s what I’ve gathered:

(1) You posted a question about Barcelona that suggested --correctly or incorrectly -- that you have no idea what one might do there.

(2) Several extremely well-traveled travelers took the time to respond to your question with what is, perhaps, the single best piece of advice that ANYONE could give you, namely, that you should do your homework. Some of them were even kind enough to direct you to specific sources of information.

(3) You responded by saying that you don’t want “tourist” things (even though you are one) and want to go “off the grid” (without, apparently, having any idea of what is even “on the grid”), “want to see it” (without any apparent idea of what IT is that you want to see), and have “always wanted to go, but not … for any particular reason” (as though Fodorites should tell you what reason you should have?)

(4) You get even more excellent advice from extremely well-traveled travelers who took the time to respond, and did so with absolutely no recompense other than the knowledge that they are doing their best to help other travelers.

(5) Weeks go by with no response from you – but of course, if you have no particular reason to go, then maybe there’s no reason why you should respond?

(6) Almost 6 weeks later, you check in again – only to berate those who tried to help???

If I’m following, then I can’t disagree with your conclusion – people shouldn’t waste their time responding to people like you.

But of course, if they actually stop responding to people who pose “I’m clueless” questions, then anyone who is actually willing to listen to what they say – those who recognize that they’ve been given some excellent advice and act on it -- would be left without the benefit of some extraordinarily generous and experienced travelers.

Good luck with your trip, egrizz4233.

Blueeyedcod

My sons and I love the self-guided tour of Camp Nou - FC Barcelona's home ground. It's expensive but a great way to spend half a day or so. The Blue line HoHo bus takes you there and Barcelona is a good city to use the HoHo buses.

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/camp-nou