Barcelona: Any suggestions?

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dart

I don't know the city as well as some others, but photos of the people? Las Ramblas. You should be able to have a field day there!

For a good chocolate and churros, the CafГ© de la Opera on the Ramblas, directly across from the Opera building. I'm sure they have great coffee, too. And if you're there in the summer...be sure to have some of the fantastic freshly made ice cream. Everyone knows about the seafood. We found a nice place right at the mall at Port Vell. You'll surely find your own favorite!

Lesser known corners include the Museum of Chocolate. That was something you're not going to find in any old city.

Also, if you want to see inside the Palau Musica, check their schedule when you get there...We left it till the last day and were disappointed.

side trips: I wanted to go to CadaquГ©s, but we didn't have time. Figueres is a must for DalГ fans. Girona was really nice. Tarragona is incredible if you are into Roman antiquities! Tons of other great little towns, each with their own source of pride.

Also: Mont serrat is pretty much a must see. And there are two major types of wine that are made there. I'd love to go to the cavas, and my favorite winery is near there, too...Torres.

There are also plenty of hiking and biking trails if you're interested. I have never had time to do that, so I'm not a good resource for it.

Oh, and unless you really want to see recreations of architecture from all over Spain, and/or are really interested in CURRENT FASHION crafts, skip Poble Espanyol...It was neat, but not what I expected...I thought the crafts were traditional and by region, but they really weren't. They were the sorts of crafts you can find at any traveling craft show.

Stephanie99

If you are looking for a funky bar to hit, try La Fira in the Eixample area. The interior is decked out in old circus and fair paraphernalia. My friend and I stopped in there early one night while the bar was still dead. We must have picked the wrong night to go in cause it was packed the night before when we strolled by. The bartenders were great though and made our drinks extra special. When we paid and went to leave the bar, the one bartender called us back to the bar. She didn't know much English, but threw two smaller glasses up on the bar, looked at us and said "Harry Potter?" We both replied like "yeah we know Harry Potter" at which point she smiled and started dumping all sorts of clear liquor into these two glasses. She was carelessly dumping liquor all over the bar as well and before we knew it she lit half the bar on fire and started sprinkling pepper on everything. When the flames died she pushed the two shots towards us....best one I ever had and the most memorable!

Veritat

Go to EscribГ on the Gran Via (Villaroel is the street perpendicular) and have the best pastries and pickies in the city. The service can be less than friendly, but everything you put in your mouth is absolutely excellent. There's another Escriba on the Ramblas with a very pretty modernist facade, but it is smaller and the cooking is done on the Gran Via.

Someone here said to skip the Boqueria, and even though it is full of tourists, it is worth a look. Try to grab a bite or a coffee at the Pinocchio Bar in the market. The owners are dears and the place is much greater than its size.

Eating in Barcelona is expensive, so don't get caught paying for anything that isn't great. Don't sit down on the Ramblas and expect first quality .. well, maybe the Amaya. Cross over and head to the Palau de la Musica, which is definitely worth a looksee. There is a bar there that is usually open. Why not get a ticket to something before you arrive? The Orchestra of Barcelona is very good. If you like opera and are in town at the right time, see what's at the Liceu.

As for excursions outside the city, Montserrat is rather unique, but the Costa Brava is lovely. I like the beach at Llafranc. Eat calamars by the sea with a well chilled white wine. Be sure to try the potato omelette.

guiri

All good places are in the best travel guides. Pity.

1. Explore the small shops in the old part of the city.

2. The Nautical Museum.

3. Explore the Raval. Seriously seedy!

4. Sta Caterina Market. (Not the Boqueria..............but)

5. Food. Can Culleretes (sp?) C/ Quintana.
Cervezeria Catalana, Corner of Mallorca with
Rambla Catalunya.

p.s. Dart reminded me. Go to a concert at the Palau de la
Musica.

ema_mckay

been to barca a few times and all the good places are already in the tourist guides. Would recommend that you do them and I always enjoy a ride around on the tourist bus.

Kate J

Skip the Raval!

"Seriously seedy", my eye! Seriously unnerving is more like it! (shudder!)

yeah, not really all that much that is a secret.

virtualpostcard

Barcelona has had sooooooooo many books & guides written about it that not much is 'hidden' these days!!! And some of the best things are really obviously touristic but you'd be foolish to miss them eg Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell, Casa Batllo, La Boqueria. The world and its dog strolls up & down the Ramblas: it's traditional.
I lived in Gracia and would recommend its many squares for excellent cafes for people watching.

Ash

it's becoming more and more like any other city these. Loads of muslim immigrants, pakistanis, 24 hours doner kebab, 24 hours pakistani mini-market. Barcelona is losing its culture and uniqueness.

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