Songdoc

I don't know much about Spain. Friends have offered to let my partner and me stay in their vacation apartment in Alicante. I was thinking of combining it with a visit to Barcelona. The trip would be early March.

Any suggestions re: how long to stay in each place--and a good area to stay in Barcelona?

We're 57 & 61; enjoy walking, natural beauty and scenery, and museums (but not too many). We don't drink wine or alcohol, and don't go for expensive, gourmet meals or nightlife.

Also ... we don't speak Spanish. Will we need some? I had high school Spanish, but when I was in Mexico, I was hopeless. For a recent trip to Paris (which we LOVED) we studied some basic French--but found we didn't need it at all. Will it be similar in Alicante and Barcelona?

Don't know how the U.S. dollar will stack up against the Euro at that point, but are these expensive locations to visit (like Scandinavia)?

Thanks for your help!

Dukey1

Remember that in Barcelona "the" language is Catalan BUT do not worry, even if you don't speak that or Spanish you will not have trouble getting around or being understood in most of the places/establishments you will likely visit.

In terms of how long to stay in the city that would depend somewhat on your interests. There is certainly some interesting architecture (think Gaudi) as well as structures like the gothic cathedral and various museums.

I usually stay in an area that a lot of people on this board don't care for (near La Rambla) or in the Gothic Quarter (more people like it) but that coincides with my particular interests.

I would recommend, in general, to stay near the Placa Catalunya which provides excellent access to the Metro and you are going to hear about the pickpockets. Yes, they are there and yes they are good but do not go in fear. If you are careful and alert I doubt you'll have difficulty.

Songdoc

Thanks so much for the info, and for the pickpocket warning. I know someone whose purse was stolen in Barcelona. I don't want to turn this into a "pickpocket thread," but I'll say that I've learned to be very careful.

In Rome, DP and I were practically attacked at a flea market by a group of little urchins who shoved their tiny hands in our pockets while their mothers shielded us with newspapers. Because of our precautions (money belts beneath our clothes, and pockets safety-pinned shut from the inside) we escaped shaken up--but with nothing stolen.

I appreciate the reminder about the language being Catalan. Glad to hear that we won't need it!

kimhe

<enjoy walking, natural beauty and scenery, and museums (but not too many)>

In Barcelona, I think you will like Montjuic (Jewish mountain) with the castle and its dramatic history, the parks and the views of the city and the sea, the 1992 olympic arenas, the museums, the theaters etc. etc. Site of the 1929 world expo and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Lots of Barcelona history connected to Montjuic. http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/Parc...docdW4LHetpKP8

The Teleferic Cable Car takes you all the way to the top: http://www.tmb.cat/en/teleferic-de-montjuic

The Castle: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/Engl...5oCcjlP8pbDIVA

Plenty of local feel restaurants and tapas bars in Poble Sec at the foot of Montjuic. El Sortidor is an affordable classic. http://www.sortidor.com/elsortidor.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

I love La Perla, as genuine as it gets: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

adrienne

The museums I would recommend are: Catalan Museum (Montjuic), La Pedrera, Casa Battlo, Palau Guell. Also include Palau de la Musica tour and Sagrada Familia.

Don't need to know Spanish or Catalan.

I was in Barcelona for 8 days and never saw any evidence of pick pockets as I've seen in Italy.

<< are these expensive locations to visit (like Scandinavia)? >>

Barcelona was more expensive than I had expected it to be for sightseeing and food but it is not nearly as expensive as Scandinavia.

If you like walking, natural beauty, and scenery, why are you going to a city? These are countryside pursuits.

Songdoc

Thanks for the good info.

Adrienne--I mentioned those interests in case there are scenic areas, parks, botanic gardens, or other areas of natural beauty in the area. But I like cities, too. Rome, Paris, Stockholm, London, and NYC are favorites, but I like to combine them with day trips to the countryside. And I love walking in cities, soaking up the atmosphere, window shopping, and looking at the buildings.

That brings up another question: how "walkable" is Barcelona? Are many major sites and/or museums walking distance from each other?

Thanks, again!

Dukey1

It is walkable but USE the Metro

kimhe

Barcelona is pretty walkable. I use to stay in or close to vibrant El Born, close to "everything". El Born is narrow streets, the Picasso museum, the wonderful Santa María del Mar church, lots of great tapas bars, cafés, restaurants and small shops. http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

El Born is next door to both the famous Gothic quarter and the major city park Ciutadella, it's 10-15 minutes walking to both heart of the city Placa Catalunya and the Las Ramblas promenade with one of the world's finest food markets La Boquería, and it's some 15 minutes walking to the city beach Barceloneta. It's some 30 minutes walking to the most famous Gaudí buildings on Passeig de Gracia (La Pedrera/Casa Batllo) and totally spectaular La Sagrada Familia as well as to the foot of the Montjuic hill/parks/gardens. Taxis are everyhere and very affordable.

And excellent Santa Caterina food market is on the edge of El Born and some 200 meters from the Cathedral: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Catalonia.html

Hotel Banys Orientals is a great value place to stay in El Born, 105€ for a double: http://www.hotelbanysorientals.com/en/
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/banys-orientals.en.html

The very close by Ciutadella park with the lake, the zoo, the Catalan parliament etc.:
http://www.hotelbanysorientals.com/en/

The next door Gothic Quarter: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...barcelona.html

adrienne

Definitely go to Parc Guell which I liked for the tile. I didn't think it was particularly scenic. I think of Barcelona as architecture rather than natural beauty or scenery such as you may find in Paris. Barcelona's beauty is man made and is unlike any of the cities you've mentioned above. There is a diversity of sights so you won't get bored seeing the same type of things each day. I recommend 4 days in Barcelona.

If you want a lovely out of the way place then visit the Pedralbas Monastery; it's very peaceful and lovely.

Cowboy1968

As you already got great advice on Barcelona's sights and architecture, I just want to add a few items for your "walking, nature and scenery list" in BCN:

Parc Ciutadella (nice city park for relaxation)

Parc Güell (well, you probably heard of that one)

Carretera de les Aigües (hiking and biking trail/ gravel road that snakes along the Colldeserola hills above Barcelona, no climbs along the trail - constant awesome views over all of Barcelona and the Med)

Montjuïc - the "city hill", does not only feature popular sights like the Miró museum, Caixa Forum, Magic Fountain, MNAC, or Poble Espanyol.
At the top (go up by bus or cable car), you have a short and easy trail from the castle to Mirador de Midgdia (usually a cafe/ beergarden in high season, but probably closed during that time except maybe for weekends) - great views of BCN harbor along that short trail.
Most of the (upper) Montjuïc are parks - from the Botanical Garden (modern design, features plants from all "Mediterranean" type climates from around the world) to other parks and gardens (all for free except for the Botanical Garden)..

Cowboy1968

P.S: If you look for a "hidden gem in the green".. La Font del Gat restaurant & cafe/bar is probably one of more really well hidden places in the city. And it can be a little hard to find..
lafontdelgat.com

kimhe

Sorry, gave you the wrong link to the Ciutadella Park, just beide El Born:
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/Engl...XHntHX2rNCeb6A
http://www.aviewoncities.com/barcelo...ciutadella.htm

And I second Cowboy1968's suggestion of La Font del Gat for a rest when you're up at Montjuic.

Pegontheroad

Aside from the Gaudi architecture, I loved the Palau de la Musica. Gorgeous architecture.

Songdoc

This is all GREAT info. Thanks so much.

Any thoughts about Alicante? I'm guessing not many people go there--and I'm wondering whether it's worth going just because I have a free place to stay.

Does everyone agree with four days in Barcelona? FYI, I won't have to deal with jet lag because I'll be coming after working in Ireland.

Vonse

While I really enjoyed visiting El Born and the Gothic quarter, I was glad we stayed in the Eixample at Hotel Murmuri on Rambla de Catalunya. It is quieter and a less frenetic, with lovely tree lined streets perfect for strolling after dinner.

kimhe

Alicante city is off the beaten track and could be a great experience. Spanish cities with a Spanish feel usually are: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...ytravelsection

danon

Close to Alicantr is beautiful Valencia.
Don't miss it!

Cowboy1968

Can ditto what kimhe wrote.. it's a fairly sized city with all you expect: a great Old Town, a castle, historical monuments,.. you have the same great food markets, just that actually more people use them for shopping than taking pictures.
IMO, Alicante has more of a "Southern Spain" look and feel than her bigger sisters further North up the coast. And in March, you can expect with higher probability nicer and warmer weather than in Barcelona.
alicanteturismo.com gives you a good overview of what can be seen and done there.

I'd just make sure to know exactly where your friends' apartment is located - in Alicante proper, or in one of the massive seaside urbanisaciones South of the city like Torrevieja.

One of the obvious suspects for a day trip excursion would be nearby Elx/Elche, the UNESCO World Heritage town with its palm tree "forests" from Roman times.
Up North along A-7 motorway you find Xativa with its impressive castle.

Tourist agglomerations of the Costa Blanca are mostly centralized on that "hook" you see on the map when you follow the coastline from Alicante up North.. Benidorm is the gateway.. But these places are far enough away from Alicante to have not much of an impact on city life, except for the odd residents or snowbirds which may go South to Alicante on a day trip.

For further info on sights and attractions, I'd google the TI sites of the regions (not the cities) Valencia (to which Alicante belongs) and nearby Murcia.

Rubicund

"Close to Alicante is beautiful Valencia" It's just over 100 miles to the North, so it depends on your definition of close. Is the apartment in Alicante itself, or in one of the places like Calpe or Javea?

Songdoc

My friends are currently in Alicante. They mentioned that I'll need a car--so it sounds like getting to Valencia should be easy.

Thanks for all this great info!