What's Your Favorite Site In Barcelona?
#2
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Kelli:
Anything "Gaudi-esque"...Parc Guell, the buildings along Passeig Gracia. Also, the main market..La Boqueria. The Picasso Museum, The Miro Gallery atop Mount Juic, and of course Sagrada Familia..the unfinished cathedral.
Stu T.
Anything "Gaudi-esque"...Parc Guell, the buildings along Passeig Gracia. Also, the main market..La Boqueria. The Picasso Museum, The Miro Gallery atop Mount Juic, and of course Sagrada Familia..the unfinished cathedral.
Stu T.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
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We were there last May, and while I agree Parc Guell was, and will always be a favorite, walking thru the Bari Gotic with so very talented street musicians playing for the crowds, and the beautiful old buildings and their history, is what I yearn to return to. I don't know if it was the acoustics of the narrow streets, or the loveliness of the day, but I felt so lucky to be me, in this magical place. BTW, don't bother with the inside of Sagrada Familia. What a waste of time, just a pile of lumber lying around!
#9
Join Date: Jun 2005
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That's absolutely not true about the Sagrada Familia -- we spent literally *hours* walking around inside and going up different towers on the narrow stairways. (not a good idea if you're claustrophobic or can't do lots of stairs). But there were outdoor bridges we walked out on and we could continually see a different angle or dimension of the architecture as we walked, tons of photo ops, we loved it. In fact one person in our group went back the next day and paid again because she felt like she didn't get enough time looking at the "new side" of the cathedral.
The Boqueria is wonderful, don't miss the little (and very famous) Pinotxo bar in the morning and/or afternoon -- exquisite food.
Walking around Bari Gotic on a sunny day was one of the most beautiful experiences I've had in Europe. I had so much fun in the espadrille shop, La Manual Alpargatera, and I didn't think I even liked espadrilles. They were very inexpensive and I always get compliments and questions when I wear them.
We stayed in a well-located 3 br/2 ba apartment (there were only 2 couples but we wanted two bathrooms) that we found on vrbo.com. It was 130/night.
The Boqueria is wonderful, don't miss the little (and very famous) Pinotxo bar in the morning and/or afternoon -- exquisite food.
Walking around Bari Gotic on a sunny day was one of the most beautiful experiences I've had in Europe. I had so much fun in the espadrille shop, La Manual Alpargatera, and I didn't think I even liked espadrilles. They were very inexpensive and I always get compliments and questions when I wear them.
We stayed in a well-located 3 br/2 ba apartment (there were only 2 couples but we wanted two bathrooms) that we found on vrbo.com. It was 130/night.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2006
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My husband and I were in Barcelona for our honeymoon this past September. We rented an apartment for 90 euros a night. Here's the site http://www.apartmentsbcn.net and we stayed at the Sicilia 2. It was really clean and they were super helpful to us. Hope that helps!
#11
Join Date: Apr 2005
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I spent about five hours in the Sagrada Famila and only saw about half of it. Chacun a son gout...
Parc Guell on a sunny day. Las Ramblas by day or night, if you can live with the caged (and often drugged) birds and animals some people use to get money out of tourists. A DIY supper in Placa de Catalunya listening to the buskers (temperature of 21C at 11 pm in October!) The marina. Camp Nou if you know anything about football or even if you don't. Window shopping on Passeig de Gracia and Diagonal. The Olympic Stadium, but don't go within 50 yards of the WCs. Day trip by public transport to the top of Montserrat. Watching kingfishers in Parc de la Ciutadella.
Did I mention that I quite like Barcelona?
Something we didn't know about before we went is the number of "gotcha" buildings with pictures painted on the gable ends so you don't know it's a blank wall unless you're standing close.
We only booked the first three nights of a two week stay. Most nights you'll find somewhere even if you turn up at the tourist office on Plaza de Catalunya the same morning - the tour companies block book then cancel any rooms they haven't sold. Friday nights can be difficult as there's an overlap between the weekday business people and the weekend tourists. We stayed in Hotel Antibes on Diputacio, basic but clean and within a short walk of Sagrada Famila. Then Hotel Gran Via, feels like it was a seriously classy joint in the past and still OK. Our last three nights the only place we could get was a very posh hotel on Pelai, I think it was the Atlantis. We would have worried if it had been the start of our holiday but as accommodation and eating out had been so cheap until then, we knew we had cash to spare.
I'm insanely jealous but have a great time anyway.
Parc Guell on a sunny day. Las Ramblas by day or night, if you can live with the caged (and often drugged) birds and animals some people use to get money out of tourists. A DIY supper in Placa de Catalunya listening to the buskers (temperature of 21C at 11 pm in October!) The marina. Camp Nou if you know anything about football or even if you don't. Window shopping on Passeig de Gracia and Diagonal. The Olympic Stadium, but don't go within 50 yards of the WCs. Day trip by public transport to the top of Montserrat. Watching kingfishers in Parc de la Ciutadella.
Did I mention that I quite like Barcelona?
Something we didn't know about before we went is the number of "gotcha" buildings with pictures painted on the gable ends so you don't know it's a blank wall unless you're standing close.
We only booked the first three nights of a two week stay. Most nights you'll find somewhere even if you turn up at the tourist office on Plaza de Catalunya the same morning - the tour companies block book then cancel any rooms they haven't sold. Friday nights can be difficult as there's an overlap between the weekday business people and the weekend tourists. We stayed in Hotel Antibes on Diputacio, basic but clean and within a short walk of Sagrada Famila. Then Hotel Gran Via, feels like it was a seriously classy joint in the past and still OK. Our last three nights the only place we could get was a very posh hotel on Pelai, I think it was the Atlantis. We would have worried if it had been the start of our holiday but as accommodation and eating out had been so cheap until then, we knew we had cash to spare.
I'm insanely jealous but have a great time anyway.
#12
Join Date: May 2003
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Our favorite was the train trip to Monserrat-beautiful setting and the boys choir performance (supposedly the oldest choir in continuous existence) was wonderful, if short. Sagrada Familia was interesting, but I can't imagine spending hours there. The Block of Discord was interesting to see, too, as was the Picasso museum. Lots of wonderful architecture, including modern. The city history museum, underground, required quite a bit of imagination to reach the conclusions stated, but it was neat. I liked the Maritime Museum, but my kids were bored. They enjoyed the aquarium.
We stayed at the Royal Hotel, right on the Ramblas-fun street scene with lots of activity. I highly recommend staying on Las Ramblas-there may be better places to stay, though ours was nice, if small. The windows opened to the street below, which was enjoyable.
We stayed at the Royal Hotel, right on the Ramblas-fun street scene with lots of activity. I highly recommend staying on Las Ramblas-there may be better places to stay, though ours was nice, if small. The windows opened to the street below, which was enjoyable.
#14
Join Date: Apr 2005
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When I first read the question it was Parc Guell for my favorite in the city. Monserrat is the favorite of the area. But after being reminded of all the wonderful places in Barcelona. It would depend upon my mood. It's all good.
#15
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Watching (and participating) in the Sardana Sunday at 12 pm in front of the Cathedral, visiting the underground Roman ruins, Parc Guell, Sagrada Famalia, and drinking cava - in the OJ at breakfast, with lunch, for aperitif, with dinner, after dinner .....
And buying Lladros.
And buying Lladros.
#16
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"The closing of the Falaise gap was a major victory."
The Poles were heroes, and the German forces in Normandy came near annihilation in that battle. Afterward, the allies used bulldozers to clear the roads of dead. War is hell, and it's right to remember.
The Poles were heroes, and the German forces in Normandy came near annihilation in that battle. Afterward, the allies used bulldozers to clear the roads of dead. War is hell, and it's right to remember.
#18
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Don't miss the Palau de la Música Catalana and try very hard to attend a concert there. The inside is fantastic. We also saw a wonderful Kandinsky exhibit in a space right next to Casa Mila, so see if something interesting is going on there.
#19
Join Date: May 2003
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I loved so much about Barcelona, but the Palau de Musica and the Sardana stand out in my mind, as does walking back from the Sardana (at the Placa de Sant Jaume) and hearing all the steet performers. Just wonderful!
But watch your purse!
But watch your purse!