Barcelona tips
 

First time to BCN. I hear it is an amazing city so any tips for places in and around Gothic District to eat/drink/ and visit if I have time away from business are appreciated. I would love to see some of the great architecture if possible.

Also, Train or taxi from airport to hotel in Gothic District

Best,

RS

Barrio Gotico is a good size area. Where is your hotel?

About a five minute walk from the Picasso Museum, on Via Laietana.

Hi,

Barcelona is indeed a great city! You'll be spoiled for architecture. Top things to do?
- Mosey down Las Ramblas in early evening, don't bother in scorching daytime if you're going in Summer
- From this you can wander into Ciutat Vella (old town). Here you can stop off in Plaza Real to eat or watch the world go by. There are some great little tapas places in the old town.
- Yes the Gothic Quarter is as above. It's best to walk and soak it all in.
- You MUST see La Sagrada Familia. If you're short of time, skip the indoor tour (and its hefty entrance fee). Lovely on the outside too.
- My favourite place is the Joan Miro museum in Parc de Montjuïc. Breathtaking views.

Most of all, beware pickpockets. Barcelona is notorious for it, especially if you are American. You will almost certainly be robbed unless you have an obsessive hold over your things and awareness of those around you. They are very sneaky professional thieves. Most don't know they've been robbed til they get back to their hotel.

the airport bus goes to Placa Catalunya. the train from T2 takes you to main train .
station Sants.

The taxi from airport would be about 30-35 euros
the bus to Catalunya and taxi from there to your hotel -about half.
I have been to Barcelona 6 times and never been robbed .

Why would Americans be a target?

We took a taxi to the Barri Gotic area where we stayed. We have travelled to a lot of European cities and have never been robbed but we were attempted to be robbed on the subway going home. My husband warded off 3 men who were shoving into me in the subway in order to rob me. After that we always took a cab back to our place after dinner. Even in broad daylight when the cab could not find our apartment so he dropped us off some nice ladies who lived there helped us and kept warning us of being careful or we would be robbed!

do not skip the inside of the Sagrada Famillia. It is more impressive than the outside. Buy a ticket in advance at a Caixa Bank ATM, arrive 15 minutes before opening and you won't wait in line. I agree that the Miro Museum is excellent. Nice place to eat near Picasso Museum Cheeseme, Plaza Jacint Reventos. Also visit the market near there.

In the Born area you can find the Cat Bar which is an amazing eatery that offers vegan/vegetarian food in a cool atmposphere. The prices are great too but it can get full up pretty quickly.

You should really pick up an architecture guidebook the minute you arrive in Barcelona. It will not be hard to find one.

But I will also tell add that I believe the single greatest work of architecture in Barcelona is the Palau de la Musica Catalana, which is convenient to where you'll be.

http://www.palaumusica.org/

You might really enjoy hearing a concert there, but if nothing else, take a tour. The interior is spectacular, and the outside is beautiful as well.