Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Seeking Hotel Recommendation: Barcelona in April

Hi gidlaurie: We were in Spain last summer and stayed in Barcelona. We really liked Barcelona and I am sharing my hotel information and sites we visited to help with your trip planning. We saw all the Gaudi sites - truly fascinating architecture! Our hotel was was located near the Barceloneta Metro station, Hotel Gargallo Lyon, Carrer del General Castanos, 6. Hotel Lyon en Barcelona - Web Oficial Cost was $215 USD for 2 nights (for a double room), would be less for just 1 person since we had a larger room. The hotel is located off a quiet side street from a plaza and has an elevator up to the hotel reception. The staff were all very nice and helpful. I would return here again as the hotel was very conveniently located a few blocks from the main beach and Metro stop and walking distance to the lively pedestrian/restaurant zone area.

We first went to Sagrada Familia and took Metro Line 2 then switched to Metro Line 5 to the “Sagrada Familia” stop. The Metro exit is literally right in from of the SAGRADA FAMILIA. Gaudi’s famous church is located at Carrer de la Marina and is open from 9:00am-8:00pm. We took pictures of the famous structure, it was packed with tourists in front, we did not go inside. Instead, we went from there to see Gaudi’s other work, the CASA BATLLO, a building located at Paseo de Gracia, 43 open 9:00am-9:00pm 23,50€, 20,50€ (junior/student rate). Again, this was another packed location with tourists taking photographs of the building front. The Casa Batllo is located closest to Metro L4 at the ‘Passeig de Gràcia’ exit. From there we went to the PICASSO MUSEUM Carrer Montcada, 15-23 in Ciutat Vella, it was open late from 10:00am-8:00pm and cost 11€ (Located off Metro Jaume-Arc de Triomf – Liceu). The next day we explored the packed and colorful public market in the Ciudad Vieja district, the MERCATO DE LA BOUQUIERA La Rambla, 91. It was started back in 1217 when merchants set up tables near Barcelona’s old city gate to sell meat. It has formally been open since 1840 and is full of fruit, meat, seafood and souvenir vendors along with food available to eat at small countertops and little café areas scattered about the mercato. It’s full of beautiful colors – esp the fruit as it’s displayed in brilliant hues together like tables of bright fuschia pomegranates and displays of red strawberries that taste as good as they look. From there we walked over to the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) area located in the center of the old city (It stretches from La Rambla to Via Laietana, and from the seafront to Ronda de Sant Pere. It is a part of Ciutat Vella district). The Barcelona CATEDRAL has stood majestically in the Pla de la Seu since 1298. Near the cathedral are some fun sculptures spelling out Barri Gotic that are neat to pose next to for a different photo op! From there we had another Gaudi work to see and headed over to LA PEDRERA OR Casa Milà, 261-265 popularly known as La Pedrera or "open quarry" (a reference to its unconventional rough-hewn appearance). It was built as 2 apartment blocks with separate entrances. It is a modern building with curves and balconies across the façade, with a great balcony deck to view from. A truly amazing building! Our last stop of the day was at Park Guell. It was on the outskirts of the city and required lots of stair climbing. Not until we got to the top at the entrance to the park, did we see an escalator nearby which brought people up (of course we didn’t see it from the direction we were walking from!) Despite the super hot day, we were rewarded with amazing view overlooking Barcelona and could see all the way to the waterfront and beyond. Gaudi made several other whimsical buildings and attractions in the Park Guell that my daughter took off to explore while I rested and looked at the views! We finished off the day with another late dinner along the oceanfront promenade with some terrific seafood paella and mussels/pasta dish – yum!