dawn_marie

We are spending two nights in Barcelona at the end of August and wondered if anybody could recommend some 'must do's' and also some good places to eat. Our hotel is close to Las Ramblas and any suggestions would be appreciated.

stardust

Suggestions: read a guide book for the must do's. Search the fodor's forums for restaurants and trip reports. It's full of it. Simply type 'Barcelona' in the search box, or 'Barcelona restaurant'.
If you have specific requests concerning restaurants (cuisine, place, price), ask again. And please, put more than just 'Barcelona' in the title of your thread.

concerned_4_u_all

Take a one-day ride on the Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Turistica at Placa Catalunya.

It's a good and economical way to get to the main sites of the city, as well provide an introduction to the city and for you to get some bearings.

lbuajvc

If you are looking for nightlife, then "Villa Olymipa" or Olymics Village was interesting. Lots of restaurants, bars, etc. Everything is open until 6 a.m. I believe.

In terms of architecture, the La Familia Segrada Church is a must-do. It's amazing and you can walk up the circular staircases in the steeples to get a view from the top of the church. It is still being built (stated being built in the 1800s), so you will see some workers, but definitely go check it out.

Las Ramblas has several restaurants, so finding a place to eat around there shouldn't be a problem at all. I can't remember specific names of where we ate, sorry.

suze

stardust musta got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning!

I'll be interested to read other responses since barcelona is on my upcoming list of places to visit.

stardust

Suze, admitted, it's not very usual for me to give this kind of answers. Ok, perhaps I could have put it a bit more nicely, concidering it's dawn_marie's first post and she probably doesn't know any better, but I still mean what I said, because that's just the way it is.

stardust

Ok, let me be nice again and give an off-the-beaten-track tip for Barcelona:

If you're standing with your back towards the entrance of the Palau de la Musica, walk in the street more or less in front of you (a little to the left). After about 100m I think, there's a bar called 'Bar Carlos'. Every Friday night at 10 or 10.30pm (don't remember exactly), there's a tango music concert in the room behind the bar (usually 2 to 4 musicians and a singer). It costs 5€, 1 drink included and it lasts about 1,5 to 2 hrs with a break. You pay your 5€ at the bar, order the drink and go behind the bar. It's a small room (about 30 people can sit there at most I think around the little tables), but the music and the atmosphere are usually great. Make sure to be there in time, it gets crowded from time to time!

Bailey

Yes...the Hopon/off bus is a great start....gives you a great over-view of this terrific city.
Please please take in at least one Gaudi structure....my favorite is Casa Batllo.

Restaurants:
Inside the Mercat de la Boqueria (on Las Ramblas) is a terrific place for lunch. El Quim- de la Boqueria....it's just a little counter space in the middle of the market with fabulous food...a great way to take in the market & mingle.
For a splurge go to Tragaluz....Passatie de la Concepcio #5. Beautiful space...fantastic food!

cinnysmom

Sagrada Familia is definately a must. In addition, I like the old catherdral off of the Jaume II stop. Definately take a walk around the Gothic quarter and party as late as you want. I also love the Miro museum and surrounding area. I recommend Las Caricoles (I cant remember how to spell this, but if there is spanish-speaking person that can correct me, it means "the snails" they had terrific paella and roasted meats. I didn't like the Olympic village to much, but seeing the ocean was nice. I wouldn't eat down there without a specific recommendation because it is quite tourist-y.

Tulips

Read 'Shadow of the Wind' by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. A very beautiful book, set in Barcelona during the time of Franco.