Bedding Down in Barcelona July 27, 2012 1:28 PMSubscribe
We're staying for four nights in Barcelona in mid September. First visit for both of us. Really would appreciate hotel/B&B recommendations, and of course what sights and restaurants the hive mind recommends. posted by bearwife to travel & transportation (11 answers total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
The 5 rooms is lovely, as are the people who run it. Plus it's very conveniently located. posted by pipeski at 1:33 PM on July 27, 2012 [1 favorite]
We were on a cruise ship and had a guided tour of the city with someone helpfully pointing out all of the Gaudi buildings and explaining the significance of them.
Food-wise, I mostly just wandered and found nice tapas bars or whatever else looked good (and it was all good). I asked at my hotel for recommendations and they pointed me to one restaurant that they said was "local" and "not a lot of tourists go there" -- that said, they had their menu in about 8 languages so I'm not convinced it's very tourst-free, but the food was very good and they treated me great as a concierge-referral with free cava and a free digestif... so ask your hotel and let them make you a reservation! A coworker of mine also recommended Cal Pep, which is in the Gothic Quarter, which had a massive line when I went so I didn't eat there but it might be worth a shot if you can get in before Spain-dinner-time.
One note, I really wanted to see some of the Gaudi museums/buildings, but I kept trying to go in the evenings and either the busses failed me (the tourist busses I was using to get around stop running before the museums close, whoops), or the museum was closed for a private party, or even when I got to the Sagrada Familia when it opened at 9 AM, there was a line around the block and thirty minutes later I'd barely moved and I had to leave for the airport not long after. So my recommendation, if you're in to the Gaudi stuff, is to allow a lot of time and aim for earlier in the day.
Have a blast! I LOVED the city, the food, the climate, and the people were wonderful. Enjoy wandering around the Gothic Quarter -- it's ridiculously easy to get distracted wandering down little alleys and into neat shops (which is why I kept ending up trying to get to the museums so late). And the sangria. Oh, the sangria. posted by olinerd at 1:38 PM on July 27, 2012 [1 favorite]
I went to Barcelona this spring and had a terrific time. I took a guided food tour (in barrio gotic) through The Barcelona Taste which I really enjoyed. posted by maryrussell at 2:06 PM on July 27, 2012
also: Parc Guell was excellent (but a little far-flung), as was the Miro Museum and the Picasso Museam.
I ate my body weight in tapas (such good food). I did brave the ridiculous line at Cal Pep, and it was Worth It. posted by maryrussell at 2:13 PM on July 27, 2012
Have fun! Barcelona is an amazing city. posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:46 PM on July 27, 2012
Pla was delicious if you want contemporary food that isn't tapas. posted by kestrel251 at 4:28 PM on July 27, 2012
Seconding Pla. It was the best meal we had while in Spain. posted by teamnap at 5:21 PM on July 27, 2012
Aside from all of the obvious (and excellent) tourist destinations in Barcelona, I most enjoyed getting lost in El Born district, and enjoying the calm of Santa Maria del Mar. posted by BusyBusyBusy at 10:04 PM on July 27, 2012
We tried for The 5 rooms, but sadly they could only take us for two nights of our stay, so we booked instead at Hostal Boutique Khronos, which not only has a cool name but was well recommended on Trip Advisor.
Please keep eating and activities recommendations coming! posted by bearwife at 9:19 AM on July 31, 2012
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posted by pipeski at 1:33 PM on July 27, 2012 [1 favorite]