Trip of Barcelona
- Thread starter crd5333
- Start date
It will be hot in July. Visit Las Ramblas. Remember, Spanairds dine late in the evening. Hop a bus and ride around the city, hop on & off where you want. I remember going to an evening outdoor free concert (more classical music) @ one of the palaces. Segrada de Familia is worth touring. Nice waterfront area, but there are lots of street vendors. Overall, great city to visit. Liked it better than Madrid, however, Madrid did have more older Spanish architecture.
Visited about 4 years ago & had a great time. Sagrada Familia Basilica is certainly unique & worthy of visiting. Park Guell is pretty cool. You’ll definitely want to check out Las Ramblas area. May sound boring, but doing a Hop on, Hop off bus is a great way to see the city. Not sure if you’re squared away with hotel option, but absolutely loved the hotel & location of where we stayed. Would be glad to share details on it, if you’re interested. Also, had some great meals there, best of which was at place called Gilda by Belgious, fairly close to La Ramblas area.
La alcoba azul and Bar del Pla are fantastic places to eat.
I stayed at Hotel Jazz, Air conditioning was fantastic, Clean, modern rooms and rooftop pool and bar. Around the corner from Las Ramblas and Gothic area.
I stayed at Hotel Jazz, Air conditioning was fantastic, Clean, modern rooms and rooftop pool and bar. Around the corner from Las Ramblas and Gothic area.
Let me add one thing that I forgot in my previous post: there lots of pick pockets in most European countries and Spain is no exception. They work in high traffic areas such Las Ramblas and on trains/buses. Just be aware.
Last edited:
If I recall there is a hop on /hop off bus that takes you to the tourist areas. When I was there s few years ago I used it to get to the Picasso museum-which was really neat.
Yep, this is just what I was going to say too. Barcelona is a wonderful city with lots to see, but I had my wallet taken from me by 3 men working together on the train (subway). If you feel someone getting a little closer to you than normal, then you are probably being targeted by this distraction. They got my wallet from my front pocket, and I never realized it until about 5-10 minutes after I was off the subway. They’re pros, and I never thought that anyone could take my wallet without my knowledge before this event happened. Remember, the wallet was in my front pocket.
Dont miss the boqueria market on Las Ramblas. If you are feeling adventurous there is an erotic museum across the street. Pick pockets are anywhere that is crowded. As someone said earlier be very careful on buses and trains. There are lots of great small hotels and restaurants on and just off of Las ramblas.
I am not going to go in to where to eat in Barcelona - too many places to list and everyone has their on pick. That said, there are a couple of things that you must do in Barcelona:
1) Go to Sagrada Familia - make sure that you get tickets ahead of time or you will wait in July Heat/sun for hours!
2) The hop on hop off works well in Barcelona and will get you around to parts of the city that you might not see - including Camp Nou - Barca's football stadium.
3) I have not done this the last couple of times that I have been to the city, but at the point on Hop On/Hop Off farthest away from the water, there is a stop at a cable car, get on and then there is a tram to the top of the ridge that separates Barcelona from more inland Catalunya - the views from the church cupola are amazing.
4) I have seen a number of the Gaudi buildings and they are all impressive so I am not going to say go to one over the others but you should see at least one of the buildings.
5) Good luck getting a picture with El Drac and yourself but you should visit park Guell.
6) You need to walk La Ramblas at least once and stop in the Market.
7) Walk around Bari Gothic and the city beaches.
Have fun - it may be the best city on the planet.
1) Go to Sagrada Familia - make sure that you get tickets ahead of time or you will wait in July Heat/sun for hours!
2) The hop on hop off works well in Barcelona and will get you around to parts of the city that you might not see - including Camp Nou - Barca's football stadium.
3) I have not done this the last couple of times that I have been to the city, but at the point on Hop On/Hop Off farthest away from the water, there is a stop at a cable car, get on and then there is a tram to the top of the ridge that separates Barcelona from more inland Catalunya - the views from the church cupola are amazing.
4) I have seen a number of the Gaudi buildings and they are all impressive so I am not going to say go to one over the others but you should see at least one of the buildings.
5) Good luck getting a picture with El Drac and yourself but you should visit park Guell.
6) You need to walk La Ramblas at least once and stop in the Market.
7) Walk around Bari Gothic and the city beaches.
Have fun - it may be the best city on the planet.
Had this happened to me in France recently, or should say attempted on me in France.
I dont think the scum was ready for a very aware and fiery American and confrontation that ensued.
Picasso museum - does not have his famous abstract works (at least when I was there > 10yrs ago) but does Skyhawks that he was a great Impressionist, or Furch Master, or pen/ ink drawer, etc.
Sagrada Familia
Get out of town to a cava vineyard/winery
I stayed at Fairmount Juan Carlos I Hotel - stunning when brand new, sure it still is (was guest on business trip). https://m.fairmont.com/barcelona/?utm_referrer=https://www.google.com/
Sagrada Familia
Get out of town to a cava vineyard/winery
I stayed at Fairmount Juan Carlos I Hotel - stunning when brand new, sure it still is (was guest on business trip). https://m.fairmont.com/barcelona/?utm_referrer=https://www.google.com/
When I travel I carry a "stunt" wallet in my back pocket -- expired credit cards and health cards, etc., along with a minimum amount of cash -- less than $5 in local currency. The real credit card and cash are in a pouch attached to my belt and hidden under an untucked shirt. However, I have never been targeted.
My father had his wallet stolen in England, but the thief didn't see any money and threw it in an alley. The wallet was eventually returned to him with $100 folded inside where the cards and photos go.
My father had his wallet stolen in England, but the thief didn't see any money and threw it in an alley. The wallet was eventually returned to him with $100 folded inside where the cards and photos go.
I loved my visit there, it's one of my favorite cities in the world. The obvious touristy stuff is easy to find mentions of online and in this thread so I'll recommend something off the beaten path. If time allows, take a day trip to Figueres to see the Salvador Dali museum. It's one of the most unique museums in the world. You can get there by train, no rental car needed.
A
anon_1eeb2b426hv3y
Guest
Stunt wallet for pickpockets? I like your idea with the safe one inside your belt (figure pickpockets aren’t getting that anyway). But if I’m held up at knife or gunpoint I’m giving my real wallet. Playing a stunt isn't worth him noticing and pissing off someone holding a gun or knife in my face. I’d just give my real wallet and contact an embassy and cc companies to recover what I need. But I like your safe travel wallet idea.
We took a day trip from Barcelona to Tarragona by train, and saw a Roman amphitheater from the time Hannibal and his elephants crossed the Alps and terrified the Roman Legions, and amazing Moorish/Christian buildings from the Crusades. Very worth it.
Just got back from a week in Barcelona. Stayed in VRBO rental in the San Antoni district. This district market was across the street and made for some interesting sights. We usually travel using B&B, or AirB&B, or VRBO. We find they allow us to get immersed in the culture of the area. I find that if you are in a first class hotel, it is the same experience no matter where you're visiting.
Second the recommendation visiting Sagrada Familia. Do a lot of traveling and it is one of the most amazing places I have seen. Great view of the city from the rooftop of Casa Batlló, another Gaudí masterpiece.
Do a little home work before you go. Most places we went had web sites where you could get advanced purchased tickets here in states. It gets you head of line privileges and you avoid long lines. It was a life saver. Public transportation (subway) is fantastic and you can get to most sections of the city. Easy to understand and used it every day. Hop on hop off is great but each loop is about 1.5 to 2 hours. If you know where you want to go , public transportation gets you there much faster.
Agree there are so many great places to eat. Bodega 1900 was fantastic and highly recommended. They take reservations, owned by the Adria family of El Buli fame.
Second the recommendation visiting Sagrada Familia. Do a lot of traveling and it is one of the most amazing places I have seen. Great view of the city from the rooftop of Casa Batlló, another Gaudí masterpiece.
Do a little home work before you go. Most places we went had web sites where you could get advanced purchased tickets here in states. It gets you head of line privileges and you avoid long lines. It was a life saver. Public transportation (subway) is fantastic and you can get to most sections of the city. Easy to understand and used it every day. Hop on hop off is great but each loop is about 1.5 to 2 hours. If you know where you want to go , public transportation gets you there much faster.
Agree there are so many great places to eat. Bodega 1900 was fantastic and highly recommended. They take reservations, owned by the Adria family of El Buli fame.
The stunt wallet is for the vast majority of hit and run teams. Actually holding someone up takes a lot more guts.
There are travel pants and shorts with hidden zippered pockets that are harder to get through. If I’m feeling really paranoid and don’t have a moneybelt, I put cash and card in my shoe or sock.
Barcelona residents are about to revolt against apartment sharing companies. Neighborhoods are getting gutted from the inside out
A
anon_1eeb2b426hv3y
Guest
Right. I’m just confused why anyone would use a stunt wallet if their money is secure in a waist belt, hidden zippered pocket, etc. that I assume a pickpocket can’t access.
Seems it’s just offering up something to steal when the pickpockets would bypass the guy with the seemingly empty pocket for one with a seemingly full one.
I say this fearing I’m tempting fate for my next vaca... knocking on wood...
Agree. If the intent is to have something to offer someone with a gun/knife, then fine. Otherwise you've just made yourself a more likely target for some kind of robbery.
I was a victim years ago in Paris. Apparently at the time there were teams of thieves working throughout Europe. I was told they were from countries once behind the Iron Curtain. Here's how they work: The thieves stalk someone flashing a wallet. They'll work crowded areas, preferably a subway car or bus within which you must stand. One guy will bump you to distract, something will fall at your feet, perhaps a deck of cards or groceries. As you look down in surprise another will pick your pocket. This will occur just before the bus/train doors close to go on to the next stop, enabling the thieves to escape before you realize what just happened.
My advice: Keep your passport and most cash/cards under your shirt. Keep one credit card and a small amount of cash in a zipped pocket. I like shirts with zipped pockets on the chest. Tough to get those open without notice.
I’m going to relate how they pickpocketed me; hopefully this helps someone in avoiding it themselves.
On a crowded train or bus, people usually need to hold on to the bar(s) above for balance. Everyone is doing the same, usually holding on to the bar above with one hand. When it’s this crowded, it not unusual for everyone to be packed into a train car or bus like sardines. In this scenario, one of the thieves (there’s always 2 or 3 working together) will intentionally get very close and make contact with your arm by intentionally making contact with your arm holding onto the bar above. This contact is disturbing to most people, and is distraction enough; because everyone would like their bubble space. When your arm is in contact with one of the thieves, and you are preoccupied with this stranger making contact with you; another person is picking your pocket. This is the distraction. Many times they use a female to make the arm contact with a male. This is usually enough of a distraction for most guys. If someone makes contract with your body, then you have been picked to be a target. Beware of this arm contact in crowded situations.
Last edited:
I stayed at the Aparthotel Aria 4* Superior hotel, in the Gothic Quarter. Great location, great service & tons of charm with hotel. Fantastic rooms, each of which is unique.
Similar threads
Latest posts
-
-
Football Four thoughts on Penn State's 2025 Schedule, Who's The Whiteout?
- Latest: Dylan Callaghan-Croley
