Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Where to go from Barcelona

Search

Where to go from Barcelona

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 20th, 2019, 02:13 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Where to go from Barcelona

Hi all, we are flying to and from Barcelona ( from west coast in US) June 10-21. We have two teenagers ( boys age 14 & 15), who enjoy beach’s a lot.
So does anyone has recommendation on where to go from Barcelona? Is Valencia better Or San Sebastián Area? Or does anyone recommend going toward south of France beaches? Thanks for all your suggestions.
shemshak is offline  
Old Apr 20th, 2019, 06:36 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,767
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Valencia is a lovely city with great beaches.
Three hours by train from Barcelona.

danon is offline  
Old Apr 20th, 2019, 08:16 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Collioure is one of the most beautiful spots in France. It is a traditional Catalan village with a couple of terrific beaches right by a castle and church with stunning Catalan architecture. You will not be alone, however. Great for people watching. There is also a dramatic cliff/shore walk north from Notre Dame des Anges to Ouille Beach. All along the coast south of Collioure to Banyuls there are little beaches protected by forts, redoubts, lighthouses. Very picturesque and they all make for good exploration along the rocky shore.

Catalonia stretches on both sides of the Spain/France border, with Barcelona and Perpignan being the twin capitals. Perpignan has the Palais du Roi de Mallorca, definitely worth visiting, and also a major Dali mural in the train station.
shelemm is online now  
Old Apr 21st, 2019, 08:17 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,067
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just returned from a trip where I went from Barcelona to Tarragona to Valencia. It wasn't beach season (although I walked along them) but all three cities do have beaches. Tarragona has Roman ruins that might be interesting to that age (only takes a day or so to see it, it's a small city). I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved Valencia. Just gorgeous. And there are a couple of castles that are easy half day trips from Valencia.
isabel is offline  
Old Apr 22nd, 2019, 05:23 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,782
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Barcelona is a beach city itself, with long stretches of sand within easy reach on public transit.The teenagers can go to their computers to check it out.
Southam is offline  
Old Apr 22nd, 2019, 11:10 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
How long will you be in your destination city - San Sebastian is a long way from Barcelona - Valencia - a cool old town with a modern beach area would be great as would a ferry or flight to Ibiza area though may be too much a party scene.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Apr 22nd, 2019, 02:42 PM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for your info. total trip is about 10 days so we thought we split it between Barcelona and one or two other cities. Any other town that you recommend ( non beach town). Thanks.
shemshak is offline  
Old Apr 22nd, 2019, 02:44 PM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks so much. That was helpful. The boys love Roman ruins so that might work well.
shemshak is offline  
Old Apr 22nd, 2019, 03:09 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Off-beat option - take overnight ferry (and all day) to Italy - landing near Rome at Civitavecchia with trains to Rome. Kids can overdose on Roman ruins! 4-5 days in Rome will be so fun.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Apr 23rd, 2019, 12:46 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hello, i recommend you to visit Mallorca!! Flights from Barcelo are really cheap and its only 25 min of flight.
Personally the island has the best beaches and entertainment for all ages.
maria_1980 is offline  
Old Apr 23rd, 2019, 07:29 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,767
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It depends which direction you decide to take
going north. - Bilbao and ,for beach time , Santander or S. Sebastian ( both very popular )
If you head to Valencia.., day trips to Cuenca or/ and Xativa could be “no beach” days.
danon is offline  
Old Apr 23rd, 2019, 07:46 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Start of June the weather is still a little iffy for the beach. It should be sunny and warm but the further north you go the greater the risk it won't be.

The advantage of Barcelona is the beaches are in walking distances of the touristy parts of the city. The disadvantage is the beaches aren't exactly pretty. For the most part they're more or less manmade. A nice break if you are visiting the city but if you want beaches maybe not the best idea. You need to decide if you want beaches or?

Please don't take the ferry to Rome. If you want to come here fly. Save yourself time and money. Or read the reviews and decide for yourself.

I really liked Valencia but the beaches from memory are harder to get to from the city centre.

It would help if you gave us some information on other interests.

I'd point you towards Seville in the south. If you could change your dates or extend the trip a few days the Fest St. Joan in Barcelona is the 23rd. Start in Seville and maybe the odd daytrip. End in Barcelona for the festival.

But that's what I would do.
Traveler_Nick is offline  
Old Apr 23rd, 2019, 08:05 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,767
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, beaches in Valencia are not as close to town as in Barcelona
There is good transportation from the centre.

Malaga is a nice town on the beach ..
for non beach time - Seville?
it will be much warmer in Andalusia than the north.
danon is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Adrienneliq
Europe
6
Jun 15th, 2019 07:32 PM
kwar
Europe
6
Feb 13th, 2017 06:54 AM
munroj
Europe
7
Mar 7th, 2009 10:51 AM
bluesphee
Europe
7
Jan 22nd, 2006 12:28 PM
cdibo
Europe
4
Jan 17th, 2006 11:09 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -