My wife and I will arrive in Barcelona on June 16th via Air France and leave June 21st for Milan. I have never been to Spain. I have reviewed some messages regarding Barcelona and I have to get some literature but in the meanwhile....are there some suggestions for us to do for those 4 1/2 days. Also good place to stay. We have enjoyed staying a pensions/zimmers during other trips to Europe.

Thanking you in advance.

Consider getting this guide book:

Fodor's Barcelona, 1st Edition

dhoffman,

www.maribelsguides.com is an excellent source of information on Barcelona. I would recommend taking a trip on the hop-on/hop-off bus shortly after arriving to give yourself a good overview of the city.

You will have a better chance of getting helpful tips on hotels etc. if you can give us an idea of what your budget is per night.

Jim

Rent the French movie L'Auberge Espagnole (2002), translated and released as
The Spanish Apartment / Euro Pudding

about a French graduate who goes to Barcelona for a year to learn Spanish - see the city through the eyes of a newcomer, and see brilliant shots from some of the sights you'll be wanting to visit.

WK

Time Out Barcelona is a good tour book. Another good book (darn it, I can't remember the name) lists 8 or 10 day trips around Barcleona. Look through the tour book section at your book store. We spent 7 days in Barceona and it wasn't enough time.

If you want and are willing to spend some more euros I recommend you to stay at Hotel Claris, a SLH. It's wonderful , with an excellent location.
Last time I was in Barcelona I stayed at the AC Diplomatic. It's a nice hotel and the location is also excellent, near the Paseig de Gracia. A bit expensive though, paid 200 euros for a double with breakfast in April.
Have fun, Barcelona is a great lively city

Sorry, I can't help with places to stay in Barcelona: I stay with a relative who lives in an upscale neighborhood on Pi y Maragal. Since you arrive on a Friday, that gives you a weekend which might mean the Costa Brava. Or, Barcelona's beach near the Olympic Village.

Sunday, I would try to visit Parc Guell (afternoon) and the Cathedral area (where Catalans dance the Sardana)in the evening.

Check out websites--red2000.com, tourspain.es, spainalive.com, spainlist.com, to name a few. The Gaudi architecture is incredible. Barcelona is fantastic!

I don't know your budget, if you want an affordable hotel, there are many listed on this forum if you put barcelona hotels in the search bar - or if you are actually more interested in a pension - here is one you might want to look into - the owners are very nice, helpful, accomodating and you can fax or call them also. It is : Pension Marie-Luz, address: Calle Palau 4, Fax: 933173463. It was a few blocks off of Las Ramblas, not far from public transportation, safe, clean, but no frills - it was very inexpensive, if you want a safe pension and save the dollars for other things. I did not stay here, but friends have and relatives have.

Barcelona is a cool place to visit. Check out www.aboutspaintravel.com for some info about Barcelona travel.

One of the best bargains for a stay in Barcelona is the Hotel Gran Via, on Gran Via, short walk to Passeig Gracia and the Rambla..in fact, just around the corner from the Plaza Catalunya. Last time there, about two years back, a room was about $90...you pay for breakfast, but I suggest sampling the breakfast fare at La Boqueria (the main market place on the Rambla), and a small countered kiosk just inside the building...run by a guy who always wears a bow tie and will proudly show you his photo in a National magazine..name is Juan.
Stu

My budget for a place to stay would be in the 100 - 140 euro range. But a pension would be a good choice as we enjoyed the one-on-one experience with the people who own the pension. Of course, the rates are better than a hotel.