reginaca

I am just beginning to plan a trip to Barcelona and, knowing virtually nothing about the city, have been reading posts for hotel recommendations, itineraries, etc. We had hoped to be in Barcelona for our anniversary, Feb. 15th, but practically all the hotels that have been recommended here are booked then. Does anyone know if there's an event in the city during that time or are we just having bad luck? We can go either before or after that week but it would be nice to be there on our actual anniversary...

Re: itinerary. We are planning to be there 7 to 10 days. We are not leisurely travellers, i.e., we don't dawdle over meals or spend a whole day at one museum. Is there plenty to do and see there in this amount of time? We enjoy museums, architecture, walking neighborhoods and seeing unique landmarks. Are there day trips we could take by train? Thanks for your help!

Kwoo

I will be leaving for Barcelona in about 10 days & this will be my first trip there. Based on my research, it seems like there is plenty to do for 5 to 6 days at least, maybe more. One day trip could be Montserrat. Are you willing to rent a car & take a short road trip? That is what we are doing. After we leave Barcelona, we are driving to Cadaques in Costa Brava & then to Girona.

Kwoo

Hi reginaca, I didn't finish my post. I recommend buying Fodor's travel book; that has been a big help. It seems like there are lots of museums, Gaudi architectural sights, La Rambla, markets, churches, etc. Many travelers on this board have been to Barcelona more than once so there must be plenty to do.
Good luck with your planning!

danon

"Does anyone know if there's an event in the city during that time or are we just having bad luck? "
Yes,
The Mobile World Congress Barcelona 14-17 February 2011 .
February seems to be busy time in the city every year,
You can take a train to Girona, Tarragona. Vic, Sitges and more ( an hour or less).

reginaca

Thank you danon for letting me know what is going on. Looks like we'll travel around those dates. And thanks Kwoo for your advice. I'll be getting guide books for sure and will look into renting a car. What hotel will you be staying at?

lifestylebarcelona03

Hello,

Barcelona is active all year round! especially in Februaury you will be here during the Carnival which is great! the carnival week is a great week for Barcelona and mostly Sitges which is just a 30min train ride away.

Of course i would suggest to go to all the sight seeing, walking around the centeric neighborhoods, visiting Guadi´s art work all around the city. The bars, pubs, clubs, and restaurants in Porto Olympico...bascially what every first timer does when coming to Barcelona. However, as there will be the carnival sometime mid february you can hop on the train and travel to Sitges for the main carnival parade which is a spectacular event!

Enjoy your stay!

Lifestyle Barcelona

Kwoo

Hi reginaca,
In Barcelona we are staying at the Hotel Granvia in the Eixample neighborhood. It looks nice on the internet, hope it's nice in person.

michael_n

some thngs to do in Barcelona :

- Sagrada Familia
- Tibidabo
- Park Guel
- La Pedera
- Casa Batlló
- Poble Espanyol de Montjuic
- Barcelona FC Museum
- Picasso Museum
- Walking on the Born and Barrio Gotico's street.

kimhe

Be sure to visit the Boquería food market, just off Las Ramblas. One of the finest in Europe. You'll also find a couple of excellent tapas bars inside that are ideal for a quick lunch.
http://www.boqueria.info/Eng/index.php

El Quim de la Boquería: http://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_d.../tapas/el_quim
Pinotxo:
http://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_d.../tapas/pinotxo

In general, you should explore the fabulous and world famous tapas scene in Barcelona. People have a bite or two and then move on (often to the next bar) without having to sit down for a full meal.

Just a couple of suggestions:
El Xampanyet, close to the Picasso museum:
http://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_d...s/el_xampanyet

Close by is the great Basque pintxos bar Euskal Etxea (the Basques are the only one who match the Catalans when it comes to tapas/pintxos):
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...kal-etxea.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

You should also drop by Cerveceria Catalana:
http://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_d...a_in_barcelona
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

The Times about tapas in Barcelona: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/tra...cle2594750.ece

kimhe

And before you go, I recommend you to read Shadow of the wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. An excellent read and a great introduction to Barcelona atmosphere.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadow-Wind-.../dp/0753819317

Viajero2

lifestyle-- isn't the Carnaval (Gran Rua) on March 5th this year? I thought 2011 was a later Lent year...What Festival are you referring to?

I personally would not stay more than 4 days in Barcelona, but that is just my threshold. I would certainly explore nearby cities and get very familiar with regional train system(s) if driving is not your thing. Remember it is February; cold, a bit windy, shorter days.

Besides the "usual suspects", I would add a visit to the Monasterio de Pedralbes to your list. Great medieval monastery in the middle of a very exclusive neighborhood, but very easily accesible via train/bus from city centre. The Red bus tour stops/pick-up at this site as well.

kimhe

While I'm at it, I recommend you to visit the largest underground excavation of any ancient city in Europe when in Barcelona. In Museu d'història de la Ciutat, under what is today Barri Gòtic, lies the more than 2000 years old Roman city Barcino. Some 4500 m2 have been excavated, and you can walk through the streets of the ancient town and watch the quite well preserved ruins of public baths, shops, warehouses, homes etc.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Catalonia.html

About Barcino: http://www.hduquesadecardona.com/blo...man-period/57/

And, if you are interested, one of Spain's best reputed flamenco tablaos is also located in Barcelona. El Cordobés in Las Ramblas 35 is popular with tourists, but it's also the real deal and has got a high standing among the artists themselves. This year three of the absolute best female flamenco dancers in the world have performed here, Concha Jareño in January and Pastora Galván and Belén Maya in August.
http://www.tablaocordobes.com/espect...general/en/1/7

Although flamenco has little to do with Catalan culture, many of the finest flamenco artists on the current scene comes from the region. Have been a huge influx of people from Andalucía over decades, and traditionally there has been a strong gitano culture in Catalunya. Carmen Amaya (1913-1963), the finest flamenco dancer ever, was born and grew up in the Somorrostro district close to the Barceloneta beach. Here in the movie "Follow the boys" from 1944:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDRPgr5c4qM

zorrosf

Don't forget my favorite, the Palau de Musica, either a tour or a concert. The tours do not allow you to go into the actual concert hall itself. Unforgettable.

annhig

Here's the link to the programme for the palau di musica for next FEB/MARCH.

http://www.palaumusica.org/

lots of good things which i hope co-incide with your dates. well worth going to a concert there, IMHO.

Eurocentric

Not only are rooms sparse, prices for both hotels and apartments are jacked up 50% or even double during MWC week. You can get good deals the week before and after, though.

Have you considered an apartment? That way you can pick your location based on interests, transportation etc. and usually get more for your money.

There are plenty of day trip options as noted above. I'd add the Penedes wine country and the Freixenet cava company tour, Montserrat and maybe even a hop to an island.

Ron, www.likelivingthere.com

alihutch

The 14th is Valentine's Day, so there will probably be a lot of folk taking city breaks

Viajero2

I was in Barcelona the last Day of St. Jordi (Book Festival-- Festival del Libro) NEVER AGAIN! Every police station spilling over the streets with pickpocketing incidents. Most people know about this and still get robbed! I have been all over the world and have never seen worse.

oopsy

We spent 9 days in Barcelona in May of this year (our first trip), and I'm looking forward to 10 days next May. But we dawdled. We are not always dawdlers, but we loved dawdling in Barcelona. If you are not a dawdler, 10 days might be a bit much. I think to quickly work your way through the sites, 5 days is probably sufficient. But do consider trying dawdling there.

keval

Hello All,

I am planning to visit barcelona in Mid Feb for 6 days.

Is it worth to visit. What about whetather and night life for couple.

Is city is safe enought in the time for first time tourister. ? I mean pick pocketing and all...

Please guide, thing to do in Barcelona in 6 days in Febs mid. How is the valentine day celebrated.

thanks and regards
Keval , India.