Anybody know anything about Barcelona and/or that side of Spain. Have some friends that want to go this summer. We plan on Staying a few days in Barcelona and then head out in some direction and stay in a little town or two for a few days before back to Barcelona for flight home. So, what is best part of Barcelona to stay in? Any good Beach recmends? Any town out in the countryside that is a can't miss? Hotels? Thanks.
Any hotel off or close to the Ramblas is where you want to be. Basically the city center. Great bars and restaurants and shops and architrcture and people watching.. Basically the spine and heart of Barcelona. Go see the Gaudi stuff.. Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, etc. Barcelona beaches are not all that great. I believe there are nicer beaches both North and South, but i don't know first hand.
Agreed, stay on or near the Ramblas, and go see the Gaudi stuff. Also, I enjoyed the Picasso museum. Get a guide book that you like ahead of time, Rick Steves or Lonely Planet or one of the others, they all have their specialties so find one that talks about things you're interested in. You can usually find these just one or two years old at Half Price Books. Do yourself a favor and eat at La Fonda. The beaches are definitely not that great, but there are cool stands along them where you can buy drinks and snacks, and the people-watching is always interesting. Wish I were going with you, have fun.
oh, and if your name is any indication, Horny, you will love the women there. Some of the most beautiful in all of Europe in my opinion. Barcelona and Copehagen from my experiences.
Avoid a flight connection through Paris at all costs unless you can build in some time between flights. I went Houston-Paris-Barcelona last year and the tight connections + layout of that airport made for some stressful moments.
Just did Barcelona for a week last August...... Do lots of Gaudi...La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlo, La Pedrera, and Park Guell....must do's. BIG NOTE: Try to arrive at main attractions 30 minutes before opening....lines are miniscule....and once inside you can get great pics and experience the space before the masses arrive. Expect a line at La Fonda...but worth the wait. Mercado de la Boqueria is worth a few hours....great food, produce, nuts, flowers, cheese.....yumm. We rented an apartment on Passeig de Gracia - just north of La Rambla....great area - very central to everything. Watch your wallet in La Rambla.....pickpockets prey on tourists in that area. Don't be scared....its a great area and a must do....just be aware of your surroundings.
We're thinking about flying over to Ibiza for a day or two. Heard it is a really cool Island. Anybody know anything about Ibiza? Will probably head out North or South of Barcelona for a day or two as well.
If raging techno and raves are your thing, Ibiza is the way to go. Personally, I enjoyed Mallorca much more - Ibiza really filled with large, sunburnt brits and germans. Also, north of Barcelona is Girona, a little town that has more or less maintained its Jewish quarter for 500 years. It's not for everyone, but if your interested in seeing that sort of thing, it's definitely worth the quick drive.
I'm pretty sure that the consensus is that we're going to fly over to Mallorca for two nights and then go back to Barcelona and head North of Barcelona for a few days
