rahulm

Some of this may be redundant but I hope y'all will bear with me and help me out here:

Details:
- Arrival: April 29 (9 AM) from San Francisco
- Departure: May 8: 12 noon from Barcelona

- I will be visiting for a conference so I'll be sort of busy Monday to Friday, for a while during the day and then in the evening either with colleagues or guests.
- The conference is at the Fira convention center, FWIW.
- During the week, I'll probably get 1-2 evenings free or be able to choose where I want to eat.

Hotels:
- During the week (May 1 to May 6), I'm at the Porta Fira.
- However, for April 29-May 1 and then May 6-May 8 I'm on my own.

About me:
- Late 30's, male
- Love photography, history, architecture, some museums: I'll be taking my Canon 7D with me and my tripod for night photography
- Vegetarian, eggs okay.
- Not a late night clubs or party sort of person. I prefer to sleep early and wake up early for a good run, hot coffee and read. I do understand that early in Barcelona has a different definition so we can adjust accordingly.

Open questions based on above:
- What are some of the things I should absolutely do and see?
- Good places to take photos?
- Best vegetarian restaurant recommendations?
- Veggie dishes I absolutely must try?
- What else do you recommend?

How are these for hotels during that time
- April 29 to May 1: Reneissance Porta Fira: I know this is slightly out of the way, but I have to check out on May 1 and have an early morning meeting. Hence thinking that staying close to where I need to be for work is not bad.
- May 6 to May 8: AC Hotel Irla. This is not in the recommended El Born area, but I'm assuming public transit can get me where I need to be.

Phone:
- Any recommendations for getting a SIM card? I'll have my unlocked phone so will be useful to have a number and data handy to look up google maps and bus times.

Lastly, whats the public transit system like? Is there a weekly pass or something else you recommend I do? Uber/Lyft?

I know this is a LOT of questions, but I really appreciate your help! Thanks!

kja

Most of your questions will be answered in any decent guide book, and no matter what answers you get in response to your post here on Fodor's, I would strongly encourage you to get at least one good guidebook, and perhaps to consult a few others at your local library or bookstore. The cost will be nugatory in comparison to the cost of your trip, and you will learn things you don’t even know to ask. They will definitely cover what things you might want to see and experience; but “must” dos and sees depend entirely on one’s interests, and so is something none of us can address.

With an interest in architecture, I would think you would want to make the buildings of Antoni Gaudi and Lluís Domènech i Montaner a high priority.

There are MANY museums in Barcelona, covering various domains with varying depth and quality; you would need to tell us more about your interests or do a bit of your own research to decide which to see.

You should be able to get a SIM card at the airport.

The public transit system is excellent and, IME, easy to use.

You might find some ideas about your time in Barcelona from my trip report. It’s long, but searchable.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-catalunya.cfm

Barcelona is delightful – enjoy!

rahulm

Thanks! I'll definitely check out a few guide books this weekend. I generally like to ask here as well because I've usually been able to correlate advice here with the guidebooks and make some wonderful decisions - especially with restaurants and initineraries.

I'll go through your report.

AntonyNovak

You can not miss the neighborhood of born, but also the most emblematic sites of the city. Barcelona is connected with public transport either by metro or bus is impressive, so do not worry. Very good choice to visit Barcelona.

kimhe

See if you can get a last hour table at Tickets (normally all tables are gone 2 months in advance, but there are a few openings), tapas from heaven, and they'll make a combination according to your wishes. On the 50 World's best restaurant list, and extremely affordable for what you get, have had a couple of memorable +/- 15 tapas meals here the last years for some 70-75€. http://www.ticketsbar.es/ca
#25 in the World's best restaurant list: http://www.theworlds50best.com/The-L...0/Tickets.html

Last minute reservations: http://www.elbarriadria.com/ca

Or try Bodega 1900 just across the street from Tickets, run by the same people. They serve the famous El Bulli olives here as well, a pure taste sensation: https://www.bodega1900.com/en

And you might enjoy Montjuic (Jewish mountain) with the greens, the views, the Castell on top, the world class museums, the theaters, the Olympic sports arenas and the Montjuic Cemetery: http://www.secretsofbarcelona.com/en...-cemetery.html

About Montjuic: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-montjuic.html

Asmi_Kx

Hey

Barcelona is amazing! You would love it.

I think all of Gaudi's buildings (exterior and interior) are great for photography. (I'm no expert though!)

Montjuic is great for views too.

Old quarter is great to photograph roman architecture.

Paella is a famous dish there. It might have some veg options, not too sure though.

I have written my experience here, hope that helps!

http://traumchaser.com/an-eclectic-mix-barcelona-spain

Dukey1

"Early" in Barcelona isn't any earlier than early anywhere else in my experince. What is nice is you'll have the streets to yourself for the most part assuming you are running on those.

The neighborhood mentioned above is <B>El</B>Born.

The Metro: notorious for pickpockets BUT if you are careful be sure to take advantage of it.

Gaudi yes including Sagrada Familia (there's a reason it is often mobbed with visitors); Parc Guell is another favorite with some.

Everybody is going to tell you to avoid La Ramblas and its living statues, shell games, flower and bird sellers because it is so....."not what we went to Europe for" and it supposedly "isn't the real Barcelona." Sure it isn't.

Timing: plan to eat dinner LATE as in AFTER 9PM (you'll get used to it fast); go see the gothic cathedral.

Great city and great crazy neighborhoods; don't worry, they'll know who you are.

bilboburgler

too issues that might worry you, going to bed early when the restaurants are only getting going after 9pm might be a drag and watch out for some pastries which contain pig fat.

Christina

I always buy the T-1 travel card for 10 trips in zone 1, as that's the only place I am. that costs 10 euro. YOu can buy the Hola Barcelona Travel card of unlimited travel for 2 days for about 14 euro (or 4 or 5 or 6 days, I believe). The 5 day card is about 34 euro, so not really much cheaper per day than the 2 day card. You'll have to figure out which one works best for you.

I'd make sure it is legal for you to use a tripod to take photos in some places. I believe it is not in some cities, you have to have a license or permit, I think any place on grounds or at sites that belong to the govt or some private entity, of course (ie, you can't use a tripod to take a photo in the courtyard of the Louvre). I have read it is not allowed in Barcelona, actually, without a city permit (you can't use a camera that is in contact with the ground). However, if you plan night photography, I presume you are not going to try to use a tripod inside a public building. But if you are an avid photographer, perhaps you know people with experience in Barcelona and have access to better details on that issue, especially regarding doing that in public.

nfldbeothuk

As has been said above, architecture in Barcelona is stunning. In addition to what has been mentioned, the Eixample neighbourhood (where Gaudi's Casa Batllo & Casa Milo are found) is interesting for its planning, there are modern architecture tour suggestions here (https://www.barcelona-tourist-guide....hitecture.html), and do NOT miss the Sagrada Familia, regardless of the crowds. As a runner, you might like to try Barceloneta beach, which is also nice for strolling in the evening.
We also found the Palau de Musica (they give tours) a highlight.

kimhe

And some vegetarian dishes at Tickets from the top of my head; the famous El Bulli liquid olives, the Catalan tomato breads (pa amb tomaquets), the Manchego cheese "airbags", the super fresh tomato salad, the green salad soup, and dessert is the chef Albert Adrià's speciality:
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/20...eet-revolution
http://www.ticketsbar.es/en/coneix

The El Bulli olives at Tickets (and Bodega 1900): https://www.finedininglovers.com/blo...d-olives-made/

rahulm

Thats some SOLID advice. Thank you so much. I'm going to have to peruse each one of these once I'm free from conference slides and will start making my itinerary to run by y'all.

Any comments on the hotels? I was looking for something in the 150 range but also functional and clean, hence the marriot pick.

maitaitom

There are hundreds of restaurants open before 9 p.m. to eat. You won't go hungry, and you can get your sleep.

giro

Several years ago Kimhe recommended "tapeo" for tapas. It is a few doors down from the Picasso museum. We had a load of vegetarian tapas that were wonderful. I would highly recommend it.
This fall we will be staying at the Ibis styles Barcelona center hotel near the Girona metro stop.
There are several Praktik hotels that look interesting.
Enjoy your trip.

thursdaysd

No need to eat dinner late if you don't want to, there are loads of places where you can fill up on tapas. Some look a lot like restaurants.

Lots of good museums, lots of great architecture - and not only Gaudi. For what I enjoyed, start here (links at the top of the page):

https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...s-the-ramblas/

Diamantina

I enjoyed Flax & Kale. Not a fancy restaurant, or strictly vegetarian, but it has many vegetarian choices. Here's a link to their lunch/dinner menu:
http://teresacarles.com/fk/media/fk-cena-esp.pdf

It's near the university (and Universitat metro stop) so popular with students (and others). Two art galleries are close by, Museu d'Art Contemporani and Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB).

If you go to Sagrada Familia, don't miss Sant Pau Recinte Modernista, the former Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. It's only a 10 minute walk from Sagrada Familia, and considered the world's largest Art Nouveau complex. It was designed by Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, best known for another Barcelona architectural gem, El Palau de la Música Catalana. As a photographer, you'll appreciate Sant Pau's colorful exteriors and gardens.
https://www.santpaubarcelona.org/en/visits
Here's a link to El Palau de la Música Catalana (magnificent interior):
http://www.palaumusica.cat/en/guided...e-palau_151243

Barcelona has wonderful museums. Fundació Joan Miró in Montjuïc and the Picasso Museum in El Raval are well-worth seeing.
http://www.museupicasso.bcn.cat/en/
https://www.fmirobcn.org/en/
Also in Montjuïc, Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya has extraordinary collections of Catalan art, from Romanesque to Modernisme.
http://www.museunacional.cat/en
We found it advantageous to buy a Barcelona Art Ticket (museum pass), but if you are only going to a couple of museums, this may not be worth it:
http://articketbcn.org/