Barcelona ideas

[Deleted]

I posted a few weeks ago, I'm planning a two-week trip on the Camino de Santiago with a friend for next spring.  I'm now thinking my husband will fly out and meet me for a week in/around Barcelona to celebrate my 30th.  I'm thinking of two options: a) rent an apartment in Barcelona for a week and do two day trips, or b) split the week between Barcelona and another location.  I don't want too much travel because this will be following a two-week trek, but I don't want to get bored.  We did a week-long apartment rental in Lisbon with side trips, and loved it.

So, if we go with (a) what neighborhoods should we be looking at? If we go with (b), what should our second location be?

We like wandering cool neighborhoods, history/architecture, food/wine, and the beach.  My husband can live without museums but does enjoy cathedrals and ruins.  We like the outdoors, but again this will be on the heels of my trek so I will probably be looking to relax/explore.

[daisypaloma]

Considering this will be your 3rd week of non-stop travel, I would think spending a full week in Barcelona would be just fine.  There's so much to do/see that with 7 days you can actually enjoy and savor each moment instead of trying to pack too many things in a few days. 

We stayed at Renaissance Pau Claris and that neighborhood is more our speed; quiet, but a train stop or two away from the main tourist trap area.

You can do a day train trip to see the Black Madonna in Montserrat.

[neonpink]

I loved having an apartment in Barcelona. There is a lot to see in the city. I rented an apartment off Las Ramblas. It was fun to be in the mix of touristy things when we wanted but easy to escape and enjoy the quieter parts of the city.

I agree with Daisy that you could really just enjoy the city in 7 days.

[lolo]

I've lived in Barcelona for short spurts while doing research (for a month and then a few weeks) and love it there. I've also visited as a tourist several additional times, serving as the unofficial tour guide for my mom, husband, sister, a German student, and several American students.

Seven days is a great amount of time in Barcelona. If you get bored or want a change of scene, there are numerous day trips you can take: Montserrat (mentioned above), Girona, the Costa Brava, Figures (Dali museum), Tarragona (Roman ruins that are pretty cool if you haven't been to Rome), even Valencia.

For neighborhoods, my top choice is Barri Gotic. The Born would also be nice and Barcelonetta/Port Vell is also popular but not my style. I would avoid the Eiample as it's more residential unless you are looking for that.

If you decided to split the trip, I would suggest finding a beach town and relaxing there. Because you will have been busy trekking and then hanging out in a big city. (Yes, you can obviously go to the beach in Barcelona, and I quite like it, but the relaxing feel is not quite the same.) You might also consider Pamplona, although I would think that many people would find an overnight to be sufficient.

From what you've described though, Barcelona is right up your alley.

[lolo]

Oh, I should add that if you felt like another walk, there is a Catalan youth society that does walks. It's a nationalist organization aimed at acquainting the Catalan youth with Catalan territory. But you can likely join for a walk. And it's pretty interesting stuff politically.

[CloudBee]

Gothic Quarter! Some of the buildings are so close across the walkways that you can practically touch between the two with your arms spread. And the gargoyles!

[Deleted]

Great tips, I found a cool apartment on airbnb in the Gothic Quarter. What if we wanted to do a day at the beach? I've read mixed reviews about the beaches.

[Moe]

Apr 16, 2014 19:58:46 GMT -5 ribollita said:

B. Girona. It's better than the Gothic Quarter.
We rented an apartment in Barcelona and while there are things to do I preferred other towns in the region.

YOU SHUT YER MOUTH!  LOL.

(though yes, I love Girona)

First time I stayed at a little hotel near Balmes, last time I went I stayed at a Best Western on Sagrada Familia for a night, then at my friend's apartment right next to Parc del Guinardo (probably a 20 min bus ride?).  I MUCH prefer the apartment, even if it's a bit outside of the "downtown proper".  First, the ride into the city wasn't bad at all (I chose the bus because the stop was right outside her flat, but there was a metro station a few blocks from her house), and 2, it was cool to just experience life as a Catalunyan that didn't involve much visitor activity.  But it's not for everyone.

I love, love, LOVE Barcelona with all my heart.  It has the vibe, the vibrancy, the raw life that I so enjoy in a city.  Its art, its music, its enthusiasm, its scenery, its style, its history, its art again, ahhh, it was worth it to not go with a guide book and just get lost in the city (admittedly, it was easy to do because I'd been there prior as a tourist where I went and saw all the "must dos".  There wasn't a neighbourhood that I didn't appreciate, that I didn't find quirky and fun little holes in the walls (be it stores, galleries, places to get some churros con chocolate caliente, book shops, cava tastings).  If you loved Lisbon, you'll definitely love BCN.  I would just stay there for a week.  

I will admit that when I "hiked" Tibidabo, I laughed so hard, and thought of Friends.  It was so beautiful though, I caught the best day.  

I honestly think you can't go wrong.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did (and continue to, I constantly think of returning)

[neonpink]

The Gothic quarter has my favorite Sangria ever. It's called L’Antiquari and it's near the Jaume I and Barcelona history museum.

[gaudi]

We did Tossa Del Mar as a day trip from Barcelona. DH wanted to scuba dive and there are shore dives available in Tossa, so I could just hang out on the beach while he dove. I remember it being a fairly short bus ride. The fort and old town are great for just roaming and exploring. We would have defintely stayed for a day or two if we had time, but it was perfect as a day trip.