Barcelona one day
Apr 27th, 2003 | 04:05 AM
#2
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Posts: n/a
Not knowing your interests or why you wish to avoid the ship's packages (to save money? so you won't feel regimented?) make's this a harder question to answer. Assuming you've never been to either place you might want to attempt to find out what the ship's packages include and then do some of those same things on your own. There's a reason those particular points will be included. Otherwise, in Barcelona at least, I would try to spend some time in the Gothic Quarter and, if it interests you, try to view at least some of the more well-known Gaudi works.
Apr 27th, 2003 | 10:05 AM
#4
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 0
Take the ships free transfer to the foot of the Ramblas, find a some English speaking cab driver, the extent of his English depends on the extent of your Spanish.
He will take you on a 4 hr tour, settle on a price, of city to include stops at La Sagrada Familia and the Olympic games area ( view of the city),and the nice area of the harbor then drives around the beautiful avenues of the city.He will drop you off at the top of the Les Rambles. You then can walk the Les Rambles and the Barri Gotic seeing the Cathedral. We then took a too long walk to the Barceloneta area only to be rejected for lunch at Sieta Puertas because of no reservation.
Have a snack in the area near the Cahedral instead. We spent $70+tip for the cab tour. This worked out great.
Gary
He will take you on a 4 hr tour, settle on a price, of city to include stops at La Sagrada Familia and the Olympic games area ( view of the city),and the nice area of the harbor then drives around the beautiful avenues of the city.He will drop you off at the top of the Les Rambles. You then can walk the Les Rambles and the Barri Gotic seeing the Cathedral. We then took a too long walk to the Barceloneta area only to be rejected for lunch at Sieta Puertas because of no reservation.
Have a snack in the area near the Cahedral instead. We spent $70+tip for the cab tour. This worked out great.
Gary
Apr 28th, 2003 | 05:22 AM
#5
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,689
Likes: 0
I have been to Barcelona several times for both business and pleasure. Like many cities in Europe, most of the main sightseeing spots in Barcelona are actually quite close together, esp the Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter and the Passeig de Gracia area. Get a good guidebook with a map (like Fodors or the Eyewitness Guide) and look at how close most things are.
I know someone who gives a very good walking tour of the old city in about 2 hours. If you are interested, write back on this thread and I will give you contact information.
If you are really a fan of Gaudi and want to make sure to see all his buildings and churches, then arrange a tour with the Gaudi Club. They have a 4-hour tour that hits them all for Euros 39. Go to gaudiclub.com/ingles.
If you want an overall view of the city, there is a hop-on-hop off double decker tourist bus that goes all over Barcelona. This will give you a good idea of the city. There are two routes, I think each route takes about 2 hours to complete. One route goes up to Montajuc and the Olympic venues. You can pick the bus up at several places, including Place de Catalunya and La Sagrada Familia. For the official good website giving details about the hop-on hop-off tourist bus run by the city of Barcelona, go to tmb.net (click on to the English version). This will give you route maps and prices.
Otherwise, you can do much of the city yourself. Here is what I would do if I had 9 hours:
It appears from threads above that the ship will give you a transfer to the bottom of the Ramblas (near to the statute of Columbus). I would take this, and then plan to walk all the way up the Ramblas to Place de Catlalunya, stopping along the way at your leisure to shop and have lunch. The Ramblas is a long street party, lots of people performing, lots of people just out strolling, lots of cafes and flower stands. It is a really fun stroll. The Palau Güell (house designed by Gaudi) is about ? up the Ramblas on the left (as you come up from the sea), you can stop and do a tour. (Try to book ahead, as they get full. Your ship may be able to help you arrange this, or check the Gaudi Club website to see if they have information about reserving a tour time.)
A nice place for lunch is Taxidermist in the Placa Real off the right side of the Ramblas, about 2 blocks up from the street on which the Palau Guell is located. There are also a zillion cafes along the Ramblas itself.
The Gothic Quarter is about 1/3 farther up the Ramblas off to the right, follow signs for the Cathedral. You can walk around this whole area of very narrow cobblestone alleys. With a good map and guide (like a Fodors or the Eyewitness Guide) it is relatively easy to find your way around. This area is fully art galleries, shops and small restaurants.
Once you have finished in the Gothic Quarter, go back to the Ramblas and continue up until it ends in the Place de Catalunya. Cross this on the diagonal and connect with Passieg de Gracia. The Casa Milà and the Manzana de la Discòrdia, the city block where three more great Moderniste buildings: Casa Batlló, Casa Amatller, and Casa Lleó Morera, are to be found on this street, about 5 blocks up. Again, if possible, you should book ahead if you want to see those portions of the buildings that are open to visitors. You can also just admire them from the outside and window shop along this beautiful wide avenue.
If you still have time, grab a taxi to Sagrada Familia. (Should not cost more than Euros 5.) Unless the line to get in is very long, you do not need to spend a lot of time here, as it really is a construction site. There is a tour in English about twice a day, there is also a audio tour you can rent which is pretty good.
I think one of the nicest places in Barcelona is the Parc Guell. You get a great view of Barcelona and as the park was designed by Gaudi it is full of his whit and whimsy. It is nice at sunset as the sun sets over the sea. There is a small self-service cafe in the plaza at the park with great views for a late afternoon beer and snack. You can take a taxi, the metro or the hop-on-hop-off Bus Touristic mentioned above.
If you are having dinner in Barcelona and want some recomemdations, write back and I can suggest some of my favourites.
I know someone who gives a very good walking tour of the old city in about 2 hours. If you are interested, write back on this thread and I will give you contact information.
If you are really a fan of Gaudi and want to make sure to see all his buildings and churches, then arrange a tour with the Gaudi Club. They have a 4-hour tour that hits them all for Euros 39. Go to gaudiclub.com/ingles.
If you want an overall view of the city, there is a hop-on-hop off double decker tourist bus that goes all over Barcelona. This will give you a good idea of the city. There are two routes, I think each route takes about 2 hours to complete. One route goes up to Montajuc and the Olympic venues. You can pick the bus up at several places, including Place de Catalunya and La Sagrada Familia. For the official good website giving details about the hop-on hop-off tourist bus run by the city of Barcelona, go to tmb.net (click on to the English version). This will give you route maps and prices.
Otherwise, you can do much of the city yourself. Here is what I would do if I had 9 hours:
It appears from threads above that the ship will give you a transfer to the bottom of the Ramblas (near to the statute of Columbus). I would take this, and then plan to walk all the way up the Ramblas to Place de Catlalunya, stopping along the way at your leisure to shop and have lunch. The Ramblas is a long street party, lots of people performing, lots of people just out strolling, lots of cafes and flower stands. It is a really fun stroll. The Palau Güell (house designed by Gaudi) is about ? up the Ramblas on the left (as you come up from the sea), you can stop and do a tour. (Try to book ahead, as they get full. Your ship may be able to help you arrange this, or check the Gaudi Club website to see if they have information about reserving a tour time.)
A nice place for lunch is Taxidermist in the Placa Real off the right side of the Ramblas, about 2 blocks up from the street on which the Palau Guell is located. There are also a zillion cafes along the Ramblas itself.
The Gothic Quarter is about 1/3 farther up the Ramblas off to the right, follow signs for the Cathedral. You can walk around this whole area of very narrow cobblestone alleys. With a good map and guide (like a Fodors or the Eyewitness Guide) it is relatively easy to find your way around. This area is fully art galleries, shops and small restaurants.
Once you have finished in the Gothic Quarter, go back to the Ramblas and continue up until it ends in the Place de Catalunya. Cross this on the diagonal and connect with Passieg de Gracia. The Casa Milà and the Manzana de la Discòrdia, the city block where three more great Moderniste buildings: Casa Batlló, Casa Amatller, and Casa Lleó Morera, are to be found on this street, about 5 blocks up. Again, if possible, you should book ahead if you want to see those portions of the buildings that are open to visitors. You can also just admire them from the outside and window shop along this beautiful wide avenue.
If you still have time, grab a taxi to Sagrada Familia. (Should not cost more than Euros 5.) Unless the line to get in is very long, you do not need to spend a lot of time here, as it really is a construction site. There is a tour in English about twice a day, there is also a audio tour you can rent which is pretty good.
I think one of the nicest places in Barcelona is the Parc Guell. You get a great view of Barcelona and as the park was designed by Gaudi it is full of his whit and whimsy. It is nice at sunset as the sun sets over the sea. There is a small self-service cafe in the plaza at the park with great views for a late afternoon beer and snack. You can take a taxi, the metro or the hop-on-hop-off Bus Touristic mentioned above.
If you are having dinner in Barcelona and want some recomemdations, write back and I can suggest some of my favourites.
Apr 28th, 2003 | 07:03 AM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Parc Guell was one of the most amazing places I've ever been. It's a little off the beaten track but - it must be seen to be believed! My husband & I spent hours there just walking all over. I also loved the market located off Las Ramblas - look for the big nouveau gate on the left heading away from the water. Beautiful produce, lots of little kiosks with incredible mosaic designs. The bars along Las Ramblas start putting out their tapas selections around 10 or 11AM, so you can start tapas-hopping early & just go all day!
Apr 28th, 2003 | 08:16 AM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
I too would thoroughly recommend the tour bus, its really good value for money. In 9 hours if you take one of the routes - personally I like the route that takes in Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell, it also passes the Nou camp if you are interested in football. Add to this a walk down the Ramblas and you will get a real feel of Barcelona. From the ship if you get to Placa Catalunya the tour buses go from outside Corte De Inglis department store.
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Apr 28th, 2003 | 09:26 AM
#9
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,874
Likes: 79
Barcelona is such a trove of magnificent Art Nouveau (Modernist) buildings that IMO seeing them should be a top priority. The Ramblas is great, and as someone said the tourist highlights of Barcelona are fairly conveniently co-located, but you only get Gaudi here. You can easily find walking tour route maps at tourist information stands, then hit the street.
Not Gaudi but deserving of its status as a UN World Heritage site, don't miss the Palau de la Mysica Catalana. Astonishing building. See http://www.palaumusica.org/index.asp?pIdioma=ang for a virtual tour.
Not Gaudi but deserving of its status as a UN World Heritage site, don't miss the Palau de la Mysica Catalana. Astonishing building. See http://www.palaumusica.org/index.asp?pIdioma=ang for a virtual tour.
Apr 29th, 2003 | 12:53 AM
#11
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,689
Likes: 0
OK, here are my personal favourites to date in Barcelona:
Drolma, Majestic Hotel, Paseig de Gracia 70, tel (34-93) 496-7710
Wins all sorts of awards for its nouvelle cuisine. Often rated the best restaurant in Spain. Small and elegant, maybe 15 tables. It is somewhat expensive, we paid about $255 for diner for two with two cocktails and a bottle of cava. However, it is worth it for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary. Try to get a window seat.
Taberna del Cura, Gran de Gracia 83 tel (34-93)-218-1799
Botafumeiro, Gran de Gracia 81 (34-93-218-4230
These are sister restaurants next door to each other which have the same menu. The Botafumeiro was first and is very well known. The sister restaurant opened to take the overflow, and I actually like the atmosphere there better as it is a bit more rustic and less crowded than the Botafumeiro. As the menu is the same in both places, it doesn't really matter. I have been several times and never been disappointed. Seafood is their speciality, try the cold seafood appetizer plate, more like a meal. Excellent sangria. Moderate to expensive. Reservations recommended.
Aqua, Passeig Martim 30, tel: (34-93) 225-1272
Great seafood restaurant located down on the beach. This is one of the exceptions to the rule that the are very few good restaurants on the waterfront. They don't have a lot of indoor tables, so you would need a reservation at least a day in advance. They have an outdoor terrace which would be great in the summer. Very lively place, good music. To find it, go to the Hotel Arts (Ritz Carlton) and walk out to the boardwalk in front of the hotel. With the Hotel Arts behind you, turn right and walk down the boardwalk and look for a small glass room on the boardwalk with the name "Acqa". This is the entrance to the restaurant, which is down a flight of stairs. You will pass at least two of these glass boxes, one called Posit (looks like another good restaurant) and one call "Baja" (to be avoided). You can also access this from the beach itself. Moderate to expensive. This would also be good for lunch on a nice day.
Set Portes, Passeig Isabel II 14, 73-74, tel (34-93) 319-3033
A very good Cataluyna restaurant with a large and varied menu. Paella is their speciality. Charming décor with black/white tile floor and wood paneling. Noisy but in a fun way ? lots of families and big parties. It is a large restaurant, so you could probably get a table just by walking in. Very good value for money.
Hotel Arts, lunch on the pool terrace
This is a great place for lunch. You get a great view of the water from here. Piazzas and other western dishes, it is fairly expensive for lunch (about $60) but worth it on a nice day if you are down on the beach.
Drolma, Majestic Hotel, Paseig de Gracia 70, tel (34-93) 496-7710
Wins all sorts of awards for its nouvelle cuisine. Often rated the best restaurant in Spain. Small and elegant, maybe 15 tables. It is somewhat expensive, we paid about $255 for diner for two with two cocktails and a bottle of cava. However, it is worth it for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary. Try to get a window seat.
Taberna del Cura, Gran de Gracia 83 tel (34-93)-218-1799
Botafumeiro, Gran de Gracia 81 (34-93-218-4230
These are sister restaurants next door to each other which have the same menu. The Botafumeiro was first and is very well known. The sister restaurant opened to take the overflow, and I actually like the atmosphere there better as it is a bit more rustic and less crowded than the Botafumeiro. As the menu is the same in both places, it doesn't really matter. I have been several times and never been disappointed. Seafood is their speciality, try the cold seafood appetizer plate, more like a meal. Excellent sangria. Moderate to expensive. Reservations recommended.
Aqua, Passeig Martim 30, tel: (34-93) 225-1272
Great seafood restaurant located down on the beach. This is one of the exceptions to the rule that the are very few good restaurants on the waterfront. They don't have a lot of indoor tables, so you would need a reservation at least a day in advance. They have an outdoor terrace which would be great in the summer. Very lively place, good music. To find it, go to the Hotel Arts (Ritz Carlton) and walk out to the boardwalk in front of the hotel. With the Hotel Arts behind you, turn right and walk down the boardwalk and look for a small glass room on the boardwalk with the name "Acqa". This is the entrance to the restaurant, which is down a flight of stairs. You will pass at least two of these glass boxes, one called Posit (looks like another good restaurant) and one call "Baja" (to be avoided). You can also access this from the beach itself. Moderate to expensive. This would also be good for lunch on a nice day.
Set Portes, Passeig Isabel II 14, 73-74, tel (34-93) 319-3033
A very good Cataluyna restaurant with a large and varied menu. Paella is their speciality. Charming décor with black/white tile floor and wood paneling. Noisy but in a fun way ? lots of families and big parties. It is a large restaurant, so you could probably get a table just by walking in. Very good value for money.
Hotel Arts, lunch on the pool terrace
This is a great place for lunch. You get a great view of the water from here. Piazzas and other western dishes, it is fairly expensive for lunch (about $60) but worth it on a nice day if you are down on the beach.
May 5th, 2003 | 01:02 PM
#13
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
For a quick "tour" check out "mike's bike tours". I have not taken the tour in Barcelona, but it was a lot of fun in Munich. Easy bike riding for a few hours with a stop for lunch. It is a good way to get an overview of the city.
May 6th, 2003 | 06:28 PM
#14
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Cicerone,
What a great poster you are. Thanks ever so much especially for the Aqua directions we are planning on lunch there 25 May.
BIG questions???
If we have run out of Euros by time we get to Barcelona will the taxi take $$$ or credit card?
We leave on a transatlantic cruise 9 May.
Thanks, Marge
What a great poster you are. Thanks ever so much especially for the Aqua directions we are planning on lunch there 25 May.
BIG questions???
If we have run out of Euros by time we get to Barcelona will the taxi take $$$ or credit card?
We leave on a transatlantic cruise 9 May.
Thanks, Marge
