I went to Barcelona on a whim after leaving Brussels, and I'm so glad I did. The city has a great combination of modern and gothic style architecture, a beach, and really nice people. Most everyone spoke English (Yo no hablo Espanol) and the food was delicious, especially the paella. I found the city to be safe at all times of the day and some of the best Free Tours that I have been on. Here are some tips and to do's for your trip to Barcelona.
Its easy and quite inexpensive to get from BCN Barcelona International Airport to the top of Las Ramblas, Catalonia Square (Placa de Catalunya). Take the Airport bus A1 or A2 Barcelona Airport Express Bus for 5.90 Euro which you can purchase at the bus stop just outside of the airport or with the driver, but they will not take any bills larger than 20 Euro. You can purchase a round trip for 10.20 Euro, which is valid for 15 days back to the airport. There is luggage space and its quite safe, just keep an eye on it. Check out Barcelona Tourist Guide for more info. Once reaching Placa de Catalunya, it is an easy walk down Las Ramblas to find The Gothic, the older part of the city with narrow ally ways that can seem a bit intimidating, keep your purse or wallet close because Barcelona is known for their professional pick-pocketers.
Where to Stay
There are so many hostels to stay in while in Barcelona and many inexpensive Air Bnb options as well. Check out Trip Advisor for your lodging needs as there are so many places to choose from in many different price ranges.
Barcelona Central Garden Hostel is just north of Placa de Catalunya, close to everything, but not in The Gothic Quarter. It’s a mid sized hostel surrounded by the most famous Gaudi masterpieces and great shopping areas in the city.
If you want to stay in The Gothic Quarter find a good Air Bnb host in the area.
Getting Around
The Barcelona metro is easy and efficient to navigate. Its just like any other metro or subway in New York or Paris.
Transport Tickets
The are various transport tickets that you can purchase depending on your needs.
The T10 Ticket: 10 journeys only. Valid until end of January of following year. Can be shared with other members of your group. If you wont be using the metro very much, this is your best bet.
Barcelona Card: Free transport, no limits on amounts of journeys, valid for the number of days you purchase the card for, includes discounts to attractions and many venues, cannot be shared with other members of your group.
Barcelona Transport Card: Transport only card, no limits on the number of journeys, valid for 2 to 5 days, cannot be shared with other members. Just like the Barcelona Card, without the discounts to attractions and venues.
Your Feet: If you are staying in the Gothic Quarter or near Las Ramblas and don't plan on venturing out too far, walking is a great way to get around. Save your money, see the beautiful architecture and stop in at a Tapas bar when you need a break!
Where to Go
The Gothic Quarter is the center of the old city of Barcelona. Many of the buildings date from medieval times, some as far back as the Roman settlement of Barcelona. The quarter remains a labyrinthine street plan, with many small streets opening out into squares. Most of the quarter does not allow cars to pass through these narrow streets. This is an area where it is easy to get lost in, but there is so much to see, so ask where Las Ramblas is to regain your bearings. 
Must See: Sagrada Familia Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, this masterpiece is not to be missed. Currently under construction since 1882 this UNESCO World Heritage Site is known to be “The most extraordinary personal interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages” says Paul Goldberg. Tickets and guide will set you back 19.50E, entry with guide and towers run 24E. Book your tickets early! Entry into the basilica are timed, so don’t waste your time waiting in line, get them online.
All things Gaudi
Travel Bar in The Gothic Quarter offers great free walking tours including a 3 hour walking excursion visiting Gaudi and other famous Barcelonan and Catalonian Architecture. The tour ends at Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s most famous piece of work. Please remember to tip your guide, they work on tips!!
Another great piece of Antoni Gaudi’s architecture can be found at Park Guell. 8 Euro will get you entry into the park and spectacular views of Barcelona.
Travel Bar also offers many other tours, including a tour on a bicycle, The Gothic Quarter, which is a great introduction to Barcelona and the area. The best experience I had was a tour of La Boqueria Market with Spanish Cooking Experience through Travel Bar. Commencing each evening at 6pm at a central meeting spot just off Las Ramblas, your Spanish cooking odyssey begins with a guided tour through the amazing La Boqueria market with your very own local chef and host. Here your Chef collect a range of fresh seafood ingredients and introduce you to the many delights this market has to offer your senses. All you can drink sangria and tapas and to finish off the evening with an enormous traditional paella, made from scratch. 28 Euro per person is well worth it!
When to Visit
August is the busiest time in Barcelona and from mid-August to early September the shops and restaurants close for the shop owners to take their vacations. However, there are still plenty of tourists visiting for the good beaches. The temperature can reach the low 80s with on average 75% humidity. Visiting in December and January is a great time to go when the weather is nice and its not the high tourist season. No time for the beach, but this time of year has very pleasant weather.
Enjoy your time in Barcelona!
Image Credits:
www.spainattractions.es
www.hotel4barcelona.com
www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com
www.tripandrate.com
Lookin forward to visiting. Great info.
ReplyDelete