How do I make it to Spain next June?

December 13, 2006 7:24 AM

New to international travel. Sonar Music Festival in Barcelona, next June. How should I start planning?

Background: I'm 25 years old, living in the midwest United States, and have never traveled internationally. The current plan is for a friend and I to make travel plans and go to either the Sonar festival or the events around it in Barcelona this coming June.

I'm looking for any recommendations on setting up flights, accommodations, and transportation once there. If you've been to the festival and have some tips, feel free to share. Both positive and negative stories are welcome. Since it's still six months out, plans may change.

posted by mikeh to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

Expedia/orbitz for flights, expedia/orbitz/google for the hotel, google to learn about the bus system and taxis.

I've never been to Sonar, but another option (that involves less travel) is WMC 2007 in Miami.
posted by cmicali at 8:43 AM on December 13, 2006

You've got your passport, or have it on the way, right?

There's nothing too difficult about getting there (orbitz) or getting around. Barcelona has a good subway system that is easy to understand. You can hop on a train directly from the airport, transfer once or twice, and get just about anywhere in town. Get a 10-trip pass from any ticket-vending machine. Likewise, lodgings should be easy. Hotels, hostels, and pensions abound, and will usually have a big H or P with their star rating hanging out in front. English ability is pretty common, though some Spanish ability on your part would certainly help.

I recommend picking up a copy of the Lonely Planet "Barcelona" book, in addition to any other travel books you might get. It's a lot easier to schlep this relatively small volume than a weightier all-Spain travel guide.

I have not been to the festival, but have fresh memories of a trip there. Contact me via e-mail and I can suggest a place to stay.
posted by adamrice at 9:01 AM on December 13, 2006

By a the barcelona Lonely Planet, and talk to a travel agent (i suggest you work with an agent rather than go online; as a newbie traveller you sound like you will need/want to ask questions). When you have questions that are more specific, ask them here or on the Lonelyplanet Thorntree.

As for 'planning now', buy a plane ticket and reserve a hotel. There isn't really anything else you need to do in advance.
posted by Kololo at 10:00 AM on December 13, 2006

You can find a decent apartment style place to stay on Luquo. You can find out what's on during the festival week at Krass or (self-link) Resident Advisor. We're also doing a party this year so please come along!

I would avoid the train from the airport. Catch a taxi - it'll only cost you $20. Seriously. Clever pickpockets prey on newbies to town with bags.

Go to Mar Bella beach on Saturday and Sunday afternoon for good beach parties, and the best music is not on at main Sonar Festival but around the clubs during that weekend.
posted by dydecker at 11:33 AM on December 13, 2006

I recommend picking hotels that are walkable from/to the festival grounds. I stayed at a hotel that was close but still a cab ride away, and while it wasn't so difficult to find a cab at diff times of day/night, it still would have been easier overall to stay closer.

Not sure if they have changed venues for the big nighttime events, but if they still do it at the big hangar-like space a trainride away from the main festival, be sure to get there early enough. It'll depend on the artist, but I missed some of the first night's set (Bjork) thanks to the massive human crush outside the hall.

I went to Sonar 2003. I wrote up some reviews on an old blog. The festival and the city were wonderful - I hope you have a great time. Heck, depending on the lineup, maybe I'll be tempted to go again.
posted by shortfuse at 12:59 PM on December 13, 2006

If you feel like you want to see something else in Spain or Portugal besides Barcelona, Vueling is the hometown, Spain-focused low-cost airline (of course, there are others).

This page on their website will show you the cheapest flights in a given month with a neat calendar view. A hypothetical Barcelona-Ibiza four day trip in June came out to 35 euros each way including taxes/fees; Lisbon 50 euros, Madrid 40 euros. The train might be cheaper, but if time is more valuable than money, it might be worth looking into.
posted by mdonley at 6:52 AM on December 14, 2006

I've been to a number of European music festivals and had a fantastic time at each. I have to admit, though, that Sonar was my least favourite: the festival is very widely dispersed so it doesn't have that 'proper' festival vibe. It's still a great event, but more akin to a weekend's clubbing in Barcelona with some side-events thrown in. Accommodation will get booked up very quickly so I'd advise getting that sorted soon.

The two best festivals I've been to have been Benicassim (Spain) and Exit (Serbia). Since they all take place within a few weeks of each other, why not turn the visit into a European festival crawl?
posted by blag at 12:33 PM on December 17, 2006