barcelona spain
 

Hello- I am going to Barcelona for two days by my self (i am a single young looking women). Does anyone know a tour person, or can give suggestions on the must

Get "Top 10 Barcelona" from Amazon. Published by Eyewitness Guides. Not the gospel, but very useful.

Since you have only 2 days- consider using the Barcelona Tourist bus. You can hop on and hop off and it goes to all the sights and is cheap to use. Visit a few of Gaudi's building's- Sagrada Familia etc. Las ramblas is a fun street to walk down. La Boqueria Mercat or market is another place I liked walking through. Good place for seafood snacks if you like that.

Thank You scral66!!

have you heard of hotel royal barcelona

I've stayed in the Hotel Rotal which is right on the Ramblas, just down from the Placa de Catalunya. It's an OK hotel, bills itself as 4* and is worth the money.

If you want a list of places to see send me an e-mail and I'll return my Barcelona doc to you.(Click on my screen name for the e-mail address). It's 4/5 pages but has a lot of suggestions on how to fill your time in the city.

Sorry, Hotel Royal, not Rotal!!

Thank you life man i sent you an email on your personal email-

You might want to visit the Fundacion Joan Miro and the Catalan national Museum for its frescoes of Romanesque churches.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7623192954454/

thank you michael

bjc280..I've sent it through to you, hope it helps.

Thank you lifeman- I got it!

Does anyone suggest a bad that I can carry around with me (or fanny like bag)- that I can put my money and passport in, so I can really wonder the city?

We loved all the modernisme architecture, and especially the Palau de la Música Catalana. Wonderful architecture and decoration. Even if you don't go to a musical performance there, be sure to see this place.

I always use a simple under-the-clothes money belt for my money and credit cards. I also carry my passport there, but I think most people leave it in the room or in the room safe, if there is one. I love Barcelona, but there are many pickpockets and thieves in the city. I take every precaution I can think of to thwart them.

Europeans don't seem to wear fanny packs. I do see small backpacks at times, but it seems to me it's too easy to steal from a backpack if it is indeed on your back. (By the way, the Brits will giggle at the word "fanny" because it has a different meaning in England.)

I leave my passport in the hotel and carry some money and one credit card in my (regular) purse. Never had a problem.

Thank you Pegontheroad and danon

are t here any tapas resturants or site that I MUST see? does the hop on hop off bus take you to non-tourist areas?

Sagrada Familia and modernism defins the city.
I don't care for Ramblas,..

There is a ton of tapas restaurants all over the city.

Cerveceria Catalana is very popular with locals and tourists. Open all day. Packed at night.

danon- oy- and I am staying at Hotel Royal in the rambles... But I will just go around- do you reccomend me taking a hop on hop off bus- i have never been to a forign country by my self--- this time i am by my self

bjc, you only have two days and don't really have time for the non-touristed areas. The bus is a great way to see many things and you'll get a good tour by using it.

About the bag or purse, don't bring one if you don't really need it. If you have enough pockets in your clothes and jacket you'll be fine and won't need to carry a purse around. I agree that the passport is best kept in the hotel as much as possible.

This will be a nice experience for you, Two days is short enough not to worry too much and long enough to build your courage for your next trip.

About food - I don't think there is any bad food in the city. My husband and I still wonder about the most beautiful risotto ever that came from some little restaurant around the corner from our hotel. Ask your hotel clerk, or as one of our Fodor's posters says, ask someone who's out walking their dog. They are most likely a local person from the neighborhood and can tell you where the good restaurants are.
Enjoy!

many posters like Ramblas ..it is just me

I never took HH bus, but it may be a good idea.

http://www.bcn.travel/en/barcelona-a...FUVqKgodgi-BDQ

I will give you some restaurant ideas (tapas restaurants are perfect for single diners) if you tell me the area of your hotel..

I just returned and I must say that the food in Barcelona on this trip ranks with the best I've had on any vacation.

eks, looking forward to your suggestions!
We'll be in Barcelona next month on the way home from Sevilla, but only for 2 nights ( this time).
Going again in the fall.

Danon: The food, as you know, was just outstanding. I agree with you about the Ramblas. We actually tried to avoid it as much as possible. And was very glad we had chosen our apt on Ronda Universitat instead of in Born. Also liked very much the area of Gracia.

With the exception of one dinner in Born, all of our restaurants were in the Eixample. I will make sure to give you the names of where we ate before you leave, even if I do not get to them in my slow-going report by then.. (The report has progressed only as far as the second day in Valencia!)

ekscrunchy,
We visited Barcelona in October to see our daughter who was studying there at the time. She took us to the Gracia and Sarria neighborhoods, which we really enjoyed visiting. We had lunch several times at a cafe on the square where the small church is located in Gracia. It was so pleasant getting off the beaten tourist path & wandering around these 2 neighborhoods.

For restaurants, our favorite is Cervesaria Catalana in Eixample

bjc280,
For sightseeing, I recommend Sagrada Familia, Casa Battlo & Cada Mila (La Pedrera). Also, Parc Guell if you have time, and Palau de la Musica. Do go inside of Sagrada Familia, if you have the time, I think the interior is fascinating & impressive. You should take the elevator to the top for some great views of Barcelona. You will enter through the Passion Facade, but don't take the elevator on that side because the line is usually horrendously long. There is an elevator near the Nativity Facade, & we only had to wait 10 minutes.

thanks eks, we are staying in Eixample on 20th and 21st...
but coming back to Barcelona in the fall for a week. Would like to explore Gracia ... Even after 4 visits there is more to find !
Your report on Valencia made me decide to make a 2 day trip there in the fall. Gracias.

ekscrunchy- I am going to be staying at hotel royal...

thank you pdx, danon, Kwoo

I have another question

I am going to Barcelona then Madrid (is the best way to get to Madrid Fast Train or Plane- and would I be able to book either when I am there)?

the train is very expensive ( more than the plane) unless you get the reduced internet fare.
We took the train last April..it was great - center to center in 3 hours.
Navigating Renfe could be a pain.
http://www.renfe.com/

Tapac 24 has great food in a very lively atmosphere. Not far from your hotel, walking away from the water. They are used to dealing with tourists but the food is still stellar and they get loads of locals, too. Open from 8am to 10pm without break, which is also handy.


http://www.tapac24.com/tapac24/english/index.html

If I were you, I would probably eat breakfast and lunch inside the Boqueria market...near your hotel. Watch what people near you are eating or get the recommendations from the staff. Mostly seating at a counter/bar.

Thank you danon- In dollars do you know how much the train would be... would I be able to book it when I am there? or do I need to do it ahead?--- If I want to take a plane do I need to do that ahead of time?

ekscrunchy- thank you for the recommendation!

I am used to booking everything ahead of time.
The low net fare for train sells out fast.
I don't know when you are traveling...last April I got train tickets for 60% off the regular fare ( paid about 65 dollars) The airfare was close to it.
Full price AVE train ticket is about 160 dollars.
Vueling flies for 50-65 dollars depending on time and day.

Danon- I am leaving Barcelona on the 5th to get to Madrid.

I also have another question- once I land in barcelona- are there cabs that are parked there so I can get to my hotel?

yes there are many cab. also, there is a bus to Placa Catalunya.
If you mean April 5th...Vueling has 12 flights that day.
http://www.vueling.com/booking/booki...ciona-tu-vuelo

the price is 40-60 euros .

There are some reduced train fares available with 40% discount, but it would be about 70 euros or more.
Bying train tickets on line takes some work.

thank you danon

ekscrunchy, really looking forward to your Barcelona tips/report as we are going May 12th.

Question: what does everyone think is best for me to do... I need to take the train from barcelona to madrid- should i buy my train ticket ahead of time or get it there?