tstone

Hi we are planning to go to Barcelona for seven days for the first week in June. The following is our itinerary:

Three nights in Barcelona staying at the Pulitzer

Two nights in Girona - take the train there. Thinking of renting a car the second day to go to
Figueres and Cadaques for the day.

One or two nights back in Barcelona taking the train back from Girona. Stay at the Pulitzer again

Is it worth it to rent a car in Girona to see the countryside and seaside villages?

Any other recommendations for hotels in Barcelona? We want to be near good restaurants, and walking distance to places but a quiet night sleep. Also smoke free rooms!

Any ideas are welcomed!

danon

Barcelona is a big city with a lot to see and do.
Three nights gives you 2 days -- too short IMO. Girona can be seen in a day.
Figueres is half hour by train from GIRONa.
Several posters have rented a car to drive around and liked it.

tstone

I see your pont Danon. Perhaps we would only stay for one night in Girona - take in Figures the next day and then have two more days in Barcelona.

sobster

Hotel=Condes de Barcelona
Rest.=Cerveceria Catalana, Costa Gallega

rhkkmk

last month we spent a lot of time on the hop on hop off bus to get a good overview of the city...

Kwoo

Last fall we drove from Barcelona north along Costa Brava, & stayed one night in Cadaques, which is beautiful & one of the highlights of our trip. It is definitely worth the trip. We also spent 2 nights in Girona, which we loved. You can click on my name to read my trip report. I give restaurant names, sightseeing, etc. I second sobster's recommendation for Cerveceria Catalana, our favorite restaurant & we ate there twice.

jgg

WE spent 6 nights at the Hotel Pulitzer and really loved it. Just what you are looking for - excellent location - just off Plaza Catlyuna on a quiet side street. Second the recommendation for Cerveceria Catalana!!

tstone

We are booking our flights to Spain for first week in June, yeah!
Just wondering what others think about this itinerary:
Day 1 fly
Day 2 - 4 Barcelona Hotel Pulitzer
Day 5 Train to Girona Day in city
Day 6 rent car in Girona travel to Figueres and Cadaques Night back in Girona or Cadaques
Day 7 return to Barcelona via train Hotel Pulitzer
Day 8 Barcelona
Day 9 fly home.

Is it worth it to rent a car for a day to go to Cadaques? Sounds like people really liked it. Thanks Kwoo for your trip report. We will be going first week in June not sure if it is crowded then. Just thought it would be nice to get out of the city for a couple of days. Is it feasible to rent a car in Girona?

Thanks!

uhoh_busted

I assume you are going to Figueres to see the Dali Museum, right? You can't miss it. Big pink building with giant eggs decorating the rooftop.

Graziella5b

How would you comparatively rate the Dali Museum in Figueres and the one in St Petersburg, Florida>?
I hope this does not sound like blasphemy
I like very much the one in St Petersburg
never been at the one in Figueres.

Kwoo

We rented our car in Barcelona but I'm sure you can rent a car in Girona; it's a large enough city (but smaller than Barcelona, of course).
Where are you staying in Girona? We really like the Hotel Historic in Girona, and also like Playa Sol in Cadaques.

oopsy

I don't think I would split my Barcelona time like that. You could fly into Barcelona and go immediately to Girona. Perhaps:
Day 1 fly
Day 2-4 Girona and Costa Brava
Day 5-8 Barcelona

danon

"oopsy on Apr 25, 11 at 9:34am
I don't think I would split my Barcelona time like that"



To be honest, seven days in Barcelona with some day trips sounds even better. if you wish to get out of town you can easily visit (on day trips) : Girona, Tarragona, Sitges, Montserrat, Figueres, Colonia Guell.
Barcelona is a big city with many wonderful things to see.
When we visited the first time, we never left the city for a week.

oopsy

I actually agree with danon on spending all the time in Barcelona with day trips. If you feel you must get out of Barcelona for a couple days, I would do it at the beginning. But there is more than enough to keep you occupied within the city and with easy day trips. If you want a day trip that gets you off the train lines a bit, you could take the train to Girona, rent a car there, and do a bit of touring from there (e.g., to Cadaques).

tstone

Hi Oopsy,
Thanks for your thoughts. I think I may be stretching it to do all the things I want to do in seven days. Maybe an alternative plan would be just one night in Girona and not try to go to Cadaques although I love being by the sea.

Day 1 fly
Day 2 - 4 Barcelona Hotel Pulitzer
Day 5 Train to Girona - Day in city - one night in Girona.
Day 6 return to Barcelona via train via Figueres
Day 7 -8 Barcelona
Day 9 fly home

That would give us three full days at the beginning and two days at the end to explore the city without renting a car.

danon

"I love being by the sea."

Go for a walk by the marina and the beach in Barcelona ( you'll see the famous "Fish" by Frank Gehry ).
Many restaurants and bars are in that part of the city .

tstone

Thanks Danon,
That sounds like a good idea.
Would it be good to stay in that area for a few night?. We plan to stay at the Pulitzer for the first three nights and not sure the last three nights where to stay after we go to Girona.
Any ideas anybody for an alternative hotel?

danon

We never stayed in the area because we like Eixample, but here is some suggestions.


http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...mpic-port.html


Also, if you stay in El Born district, you can easily walk to the sea.