serendibtrav

Hi,
I would love some suggestions on where we could stay for 3 nights for a first time visit to Barcelona starting New Year's Eve Dec 31, 2016.

We are two older adults 50's and 60's and our daughter of 21.
We like to stay centrally and close to the action.
Please recommend some good hotels mid range close to a station to get around the city.

And if possible please recommend an itinerary - we like to see the major places of interest in Barcelona and experience the atmosphere of the city.

Many Thanks

Mimar

So why have you chosen to go to Barcelona? There are more than 3 days sights there. Do some research -- in guidebooks or online. Look at Fodors Destinations for a start (link at the top of this page). Once you know what you want to see, you can find a convenient hotel.

Egbert

Well we were happy with Hotel Regencia Colon in gotic next to the cathedral. Next door is the slightly more upscale Hotel Colon.

Egbert

There are so many suggested itineraries on Trip Advisor etc. I'll just throw one out: Breakfast at La Boqueria food market, walk around Bari Gotic and el Born, don't be afraid to get lost. For Gaudi, go to Casa Batllo or La Pedrera ( I don't think you need both unless you can't get enough modernisme. Then Sagrada familia (not sure if you have to go inside, that's up to you). Parc Guell seems to be a must see although I was underwhelmed. Palau de la Musica is a definite. There is an out of print book called Walks of Barcelona that you can find used on amazon which was a great source. Picasso museum is a must for me. There is a medieval castle across the street which you can get cocktails at night, I found it to be beautiful. I guess a meal somewhere in Barceloneta would be nice although there are a lot of really bad tourist restaurants there. La rambla is a freakshow, you can get ripped off by shopkeepers there. Pickpockets are ridiculously good at their craft. If you're from the U.S. you won't be prepared for the stealth. Put a bag down, turn your head for 10 seconds and it might disappear. also I thought the hop on tourist bus was a waste of time and money.

kimhe

Good suggestions from Egbert, and I throw in close by Banys Orientals in the medieval and vibrant Born district: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/bany...als.en-gb.html

El Born, a cradle of Catalan identity and culture, excellent cafés, tapas bars and restaurants, also known for the narrow streets and the many small designer shops: http://www.barcelona-life.com/barcelona/born
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

And El Born/La Ribera is sights and experiences for at least a couple of days itinerary in itself: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...la-ribera.html
The 14th century Gothic Santa Maria del Mar church, the so called Cathedral of the sea after the novel by the same name: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...a-del-mar.html
The old Born market is now the Catalan Culture Center: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-cultural.html
Wonderful Passeig del Born is the heart of the area: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-del-born.html
Narrow Carrer Montcada was the most important street in the city since the 12th century: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-montcada.html
Then you have the Picasso museum, the Fossar de les Moreres etc. etc.

And you are also close to what I consider the heart of Barcelona. Tranquile Plaça Sant Felip Neri, with its tragic Civil War history, down a secluded alley from the back of the cathedral. The past and present of this tiny square oozes resistance, medieval times and modernisme (Gaudí went to the tiny church here to pray every day), and that's three core elements of the Barcelona soul: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...elip-neri.html
http://www.secretsofbarcelona.com/en...elip-neri.html
Woody Allen found his way here in "Vicky, Christina, Barcelona": http://www.barcelonamovie.com/atract...m=7&culture=en

And the perhaps most unique hotel in town is right here on the plaza. https://www.relaischateaux.com/us/sp...luna-barcelona

Close by you also find the extremely interesting excavations of more than 2000 years old Roman city Barcino, right under the Plaça del Rei where the so called Catholic monarchs Isabel and Fernando received Columbus after his first journey to "the new world" in 1492: http://museuhistoria.bcn.cat/en/node/647

And Las Migas embody the Barcelona sound and feeling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ymBYJEC9XU

Bedar

Make sure your hotel has good heating. It will be cold !

BigRuss

<<And if possible please recommend an itinerary - we like to see the major places of interest in Barcelona and experience the atmosphere of the city.>>

Seriously? Do your own homework. There are entirely too many sources of information for us to cull for you.

Start here: http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/spain/barcelona