As a big Barcelona fan, I sure think 2 days is better than not going. But I'm not in agreement with those who say that hotels are so expensive in BCN. Check out the modern, trendy places in El Born area--Banyuls Oriental and Ciutat Barcelona. Both are very nice and have rates between 100 and 150 euros per double. In the Eixample area check out Balmes, part of the Derby chain and very nice. Fantastic food in BCN. For sure do tapas at Paco Meralgo, one our very favorites.

Julie, I'm so glad to hear you say that not all hotels in Barcelona are expensive! My next task is to try to find the best accommodations we can for the least amount of money.

I hate to be a skinflint. But this is a trip we wouldn't be taking if it weren't for our daughter's wedding. It's a case of, "as long as we're here, we may as well make the most of it". But, with her having just graduated from college last May (and helping as much as we can with the wedding) and our son with two years to go, we have no choice but to cut costs where we can.

I'm seriously thinking of looking into a couple of places I've read about that are supposed to be basically high-end hostels. And someone on another thread mentioned a hotel that looks like it has pretty good rates for a triple room.

As I think someone upthread said, we're not going to be spending much time in the hotel anyway. Not with so much to see and so little time! All we need is clean, safe, reasonably quiet and, if at all possible, conveniently located.

Thanks for the tapas recommendation too. That's something we definitely want to try while we're there. But, for the most part, we're going to try to keep costs down on eating too.

My daughter and I were amazed at how reasonably we were able to eat in Paris. And how much we enjoyed what we ate. I sure do miss those ham and cheese crepes! Is there any sort of comparable "street food" in Barcelona?

Hi caph,

I want to recommend the Atrium Palace hotel. I have stayed there a couple of times and find it an excellent hotel, with a very good location and reasonable price. Actually , my parents and sister are staying there as we speak. It's located on Via de Las Cortes Catalanes, off Passeig de Gracia. This is a couple of blocks from the Plaza de Catalunya ( the start/ end of the famed Las Ramblas).

I just plugged your dates and it gives me a price of 118 Euros per night. That's an excellent price.

I guess the "street food" for Spain in general are tapas.

Thanks, cruiseluv! I will definitely check that out!

cruiseluv, it looks great! And that is a great rate. But it's for a double. Unfortunately, it doesn't show a 3 night discount rate for a double plus one. I may contact them and ask about it though. I'm sure the 168 for three people is a good rate too. But getting the exta 10% off would be even better!

BCN has lots of rental apartments and you don't need to rent them by the week. Go to BCNinternet.com and check for places that sleep up to 3. I found several for 100 euros. Look in the Eixample, El Born areas I'm sure you can find something.

Thanks, Julie. That's a great suggestion! I didn't realize it was possible to rent for less than a week.

If I were you, this would be my itinerary:

Tuesday night, arrive, bags at accommodation, go for a walk along marina Port Vell, go for tapas at Jai-Ca (lovely little terrace tapas place on C/ Ginebre in Barceloneta, 2 mins walk from the marina). A table outside is worth the (possible) wait.

Wednesday morning, walk up or down las ramblas, Boqueria market for breakfast at the back. then go up Montjuic via furnicular train, go to Miró foundation (*brilliant). Check out the views of the city.

Wed evening, go see Sagrada Familia (outside of it only), walk back down through eixample. Pass Casa Batlló on Passeig de Gracia.

Thursday morning, explore El Borne, maybe visit picasso museum, or go to the beach at lunch.
Thursday evening, CCCB is free 8pm-10pm. Explore Raval, great fusion restaurant Pepino on Nou de la Rambla 44. There should also be flamenco sessions by June on Calle Marques de barbera (also raval)

Friday, morning, go up to guell parc (before all the tourists), for great city views and more gaudi, then stroll down through gracia (lovely squares and streets).
Stop for lunch in PLaça Rius i Taulet, Plaça del Sol or Plaça Virreina.

Friday afternoon, souvenirs shopping and a walk through gotico.

I'm sure you will get more recs for this.

also apartments www.waytostay.com

in fact here's my apartment rec for you (105 € per night)

http://www.waytostay.com/Barcelona-a...en-52-2625.htm

Thank you so much for all of your wonderful recommendations, travel_buzzing! I'll look into the apartment right away.

It looks great, Travel_buzzing. But it's showing me 120 Euro per night.

apologies. i was looking at the price for 1-2 persons.
There are plenty of options for a lower price on there, just keep central, like raval, so you dont have to spend time getting from a-b.
The green and yellow metro lines are the best ones to be near.

Julie, have you used BCNinternet.com? It looks great. I was checking out a couple of places that look very nice in Las Ramblas for 100 Euro per night for 3. But I noticed it said it could be an iffy neighborhood?

There's also one in the Gothic area for 125 per night that looks good.

I'm going to have to play with the site more to figure out how to find places in El Born.

Thanks again, Travel-buzzing! I need to start getting ready for work. But I'll go back and check it further later today. I appreciate your advice on the metro lines.

I haven't used BCNinternet personally, but a friend of mine used it for a place in Eixample and really liked the place they found.

Some areas off/around Las Ramblas would probably be just fine--possibly a little noisy. Others could be dodgy and apparently Las Ramblas itself, especially at night, is pickpocket central. But the same can happen anywhere. You just need to be careful. Very careful.

El Born is bordered by La Ribera and Barri Gotic. I've seen places in El Born listed as Ribera, so look there as well. And Eixample is loaded with nice apartments and a great area, so look there as well. From everything I read, I'd steer clear of El Raval.

When you find places of interest, ask about the location here. There are lots of posters who know BCN well and should be able to advise you.

I have also seen good comments about friendlyrentals.com

They have many apts in Barcelona.

I would say don't believe the anti-hype about Raval. All of Ciutat Vell has its good points and its bad.
Good points of Raval, extremely good amenities, extremely good metro connections, short walk to everything, cheap supermarkets and places to eat.

It's not the prettiest in places and, along with Las Ramblas there are parts with hookers.
but the bad reputation is very much exaggerated.

Thanks, Julie. Very good info! I'll definitely follow your suggestion to post here about anything I find.

Thanks, cruiseluv. I'll check that one out too.

And thanks again, Travel_buzzing!

This one sounds really good to me. Am I missing something?

http://www.friendlyrentals.com/en/ap...ent-1122-1.htm

And, Julie, do you think I should start a new thread with this link to get a wider number of opinions?