Buckley: Barcelona Review?
- Thread starter MARKB
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Buckley
Well-Known Member
Yeah, was amazing!
Weather was good. I wore just a light cardigan and t-shirt on the open-top tourist bus on Saturday. It did turn a little chillier in the evening. 16 degrees on Monday, sunshine was strong. Sitges was particularly good - the festival that was on there was wicked, even though we only got to see the kids' parade etc. Wished we'd planned to get back for the Sunday night there - I suspect it would have been crazy.
Ate here:
http://www.elpla.cat/pla/barcelona-restaurant/index.html
Good food and service, not too stuffy and good value. Thanks to those that recommended it.
Stayed here:
http://www.thefiverooms.com/
Very central, nice rooms, boutique styling throughout. As long as you're happy with cold meats, cheese and bread (I was, it was a little limited for the veggie missus), the breakfast was fine. The best thing is it's in a proper old apartment building. Like the one in 'Rec', the film, if you've seen it.
Barca game was something else. Messi was immense. Only complaint is that they only serve non-booze lager
lol. The Nou Camp is great, though I can't help feeling that we missed a touch of atmosphere because they aren't going to catch Real Madrid. Another general point, given mention of Barcelona is so oft the inspiration for a discussion on pickpockets, is we that were unaffected. Each time we looked a bit lost while I struggled to get the map the right way up, we were accosted by folks, not as a distraction technique, but genuinely keen to help us out. Similarly, at the ticket machine in the metro station.
I did see some shady looking characters around La Ramblas on Monday afternoon, but so obvious you'd do well not to spot them.
Yeah, was amazing!
Weather was good. I wore just a light cardigan and t-shirt on the open-top tourist bus on Saturday. It did turn a little chillier in the evening. 16 degrees on Monday, sunshine was strong. Sitges was particularly good - the festival that was on there was wicked, even though we only got to see the kids' parade etc. Wished we'd planned to get back for the Sunday night there - I suspect it would have been crazy.
Ate here:
http://www.elpla.cat/pla/barcelona-restaurant/index.html
Good food and service, not too stuffy and good value. Thanks to those that recommended it.
Stayed here:
http://www.thefiverooms.com/
Very central, nice rooms, boutique styling throughout. As long as you're happy with cold meats, cheese and bread (I was, it was a little limited for the veggie missus), the breakfast was fine. The best thing is it's in a proper old apartment building. Like the one in 'Rec', the film, if you've seen it.
Barca game was something else. Messi was immense. Only complaint is that they only serve non-booze lager
Another general point, given mention of Barcelona is so oft the inspiration for a discussion on pickpockets, is we that were unaffected. Each time we looked a bit lost while I struggled to get the map the right way up, we were accosted by folks, not as a distraction technique, but genuinely keen to help us out. Similarly, at the ticket machine in the metro station.
I did see some shady looking characters around La Ramblas on Monday afternoon, but so obvious you'd do well not to spot them.
Cheers mate,
Sounds like you had a great time , The Five Rooms looks lovely (i see what you mean by Rec
).The day I went to Sitges had a completely different type of parade altogether. I remember my mate saying "Why have you brought me to the gayest town in the world on the gayest day of the year? You got something to tell me?"
Keep missing the chance to go to the Nou Camp, and as i'm only going for one night I won't get this time either!
I also noticed a big difference in the pickpocket / rogue element last summer compared to previous trips (apart from one incident 5am on the beach
) looks like there has been some major clamping down!I've booked a room at the W Hotel on the seafront and I'm currently trying to get a table at the Speakeasy restaurant at the back of the Dry Martini bar, Can't wait!!
fatphilb
Well-Known Member
Yeah pictures looked amazing man.
I think its good you pointed out the lack of pickpockets etc. EVERYONE you speak to prior to Barca trips chimes in with their 2 cents on the pickpocketing problem in Barca (some who have never even been yet know someone who knows someone who got mugged etc. yawwwwwwwwn) yet I've never had any bother in Barca in two visits and never seen any bother. Thats obviously not to say it doesn't happen, but I think a lot of it is like a big game of chinese whispers.
I doubt its any worse than any other huge tourist mecca. Just need to have your wits about you and be sensible with valuables (ie. don't take them on holiday!).
Now that La Liga is practically over, I'm holding out for Barca to win the Copa del Rey so that theres another Supercopa in August. Tickets last summer were going at face value for both legs and they were cracking games. Was thinking it'd be good to watch one leg in a local bar, then go to the other leg at the Camp Nou. Or you could go all out and go to one leg in Madrid, one in Barca (that ain't happening, not if I wanna do Ibiza in September as well!).
I think its good you pointed out the lack of pickpockets etc. EVERYONE you speak to prior to Barca trips chimes in with their 2 cents on the pickpocketing problem in Barca (some who have never even been yet know someone who knows someone who got mugged etc. yawwwwwwwwn) yet I've never had any bother in Barca in two visits and never seen any bother. Thats obviously not to say it doesn't happen, but I think a lot of it is like a big game of chinese whispers.
I doubt its any worse than any other huge tourist mecca. Just need to have your wits about you and be sensible with valuables (ie. don't take them on holiday!).
Now that La Liga is practically over, I'm holding out for Barca to win the Copa del Rey so that theres another Supercopa in August. Tickets last summer were going at face value for both legs and they were cracking games. Was thinking it'd be good to watch one leg in a local bar, then go to the other leg at the Camp Nou. Or you could go all out and go to one leg in Madrid, one in Barca (that ain't happening, not if I wanna do Ibiza in September as well!).
Johnny Vodka
Well-Known Member
I spent my 1st day or so there para about pickpockets, but soon relaxed.
The biggest menace is the prozzies on La Ramblas at night.
The biggest menace is the prozzies on La Ramblas at night.
Buckley
Well-Known Member
The day I went to Sitges had a completely different type of parade altogether. I remember my mate saying "Why have you brought me to the gayest town in the world on the gayest day of the year? You got something to tell me?"
I suspect the evening would have been more leaning that way if we'd have got back for it.
The W looks good!8)
Buckley
Well-Known Member
Well, the missus had money stolen out of her purse the first time we visited Barca so I say watch your wallet
Same as everywhere!
Buckley
Well-Known Member
Other points:
The train from to Sitges is a mere 3.60 euros each way and takes 30 mins - it's well worth the short trip.
The metro from the very centre of town to the Nou Camp is 2 euro, but we found a cab back worth the 10 euro if you want to beat the crowds.
We stopped at various places competely randomly for tapas. I'd expect to hit at least a couple of rubbish places if I stopped for food randomly in Central London, but we liked everything we ate in Barcelona. (Maybe we're just a pair of greedy fat b*******!)
The train from to Sitges is a mere 3.60 euros each way and takes 30 mins - it's well worth the short trip.
The metro from the very centre of town to the Nou Camp is 2 euro, but we found a cab back worth the 10 euro if you want to beat the crowds.
We stopped at various places competely randomly for tapas. I'd expect to hit at least a couple of rubbish places if I stopped for food randomly in Central London, but we liked everything we ate in Barcelona. (Maybe we're just a pair of greedy fat b*******!
)I've been to Barca many times - going again next month - and have never had any trouble with pick-pockets. Seen it occasionally on La Ramblas with tourists being careless but if you keep your wits about you and your valuables in inside pockets, you'll be OK. My favourite tapas places are in La Boqueria market but it can get a bit boisterous trying to get served. Txapela on Passeig De Gracia is cheap and always good. For evening meal at a reasonable price Cent Focs http://www.centfocs.com/ is great.
Buckley
Well-Known Member
Yup, nearest, first random place we found after checking in. On the main shopping drag, part of a chain and was still not bad at all
The Sun God
Active Member
^
2020 updates to that list:
> the tibidabo tram and funicular no longer run. not sure if funfair open this time of year. still worth it for the amazing views though
> port olimpic is a no-no at night, ok in daytime though
> bar pi has shut down, literally this week. am very sad about that. another historic bar lost.
crime - yes it's bad. someone tried to mug us last year on the metro (the police are useless). not sure it's so much worse than London, but more intense because the city is 8 times smaller. Avoid Raval backstreets at night unless you're in a group and know where you're heading. one other change is the sheer number of geezers (often with London accents) on the Ramblas trying to entice you into dodgy cannabis clubs. avoid these like the plague.
On the plus side, I would add that Montjuic is great for kids - there's a castle, gardens, fountains, the miro museum, olympic stadium + the pueblo español old recreated city (sonar ravers may be familiar with it in a different context!) - much closer to the centre than Tibidabo and easier to get to
Maremagnum is family-friendly too - aquarium + crazy golf + loads of cheap eats
evening drinks - my own preferred areas are Gracia or Born (but only bother if you're based near either, as might feel like a schlep otherwise)
2020 updates to that list:
> the tibidabo tram and funicular no longer run. not sure if funfair open this time of year. still worth it for the amazing views though
> port olimpic is a no-no at night, ok in daytime though
> bar pi has shut down, literally this week. am very sad about that. another historic bar lost.
crime - yes it's bad. someone tried to mug us last year on the metro (the police are useless). not sure it's so much worse than London, but more intense because the city is 8 times smaller. Avoid Raval backstreets at night unless you're in a group and know where you're heading. one other change is the sheer number of geezers (often with London accents) on the Ramblas trying to entice you into dodgy cannabis clubs. avoid these like the plague.
On the plus side, I would add that Montjuic is great for kids - there's a castle, gardens, fountains, the miro museum, olympic stadium + the pueblo español old recreated city (sonar ravers may be familiar with it in a different context!) - much closer to the centre than Tibidabo and easier to get to
Maremagnum is family-friendly too - aquarium + crazy golf + loads of cheap eats
evening drinks - my own preferred areas are Gracia or Born (but only bother if you're based near either, as might feel like a schlep otherwise)
I love Barcelona! I think the crime thing is a bit over-hyped, just stay sensible like most major cities.
If you like Craft Beer, definitely seek out Garage Beer Co & Mikkeller bars (close to each other)
Agreed re Montjuic . Even without kids we spent most of a day there, was cool. Good views too
Recommend Sensi Tapas as a restaurant. It is modern cuisine Tapas but thought it was a decent meal, good wine list and was good value for money.
If you like Craft Beer, definitely seek out Garage Beer Co & Mikkeller bars (close to each other)
Agreed re Montjuic . Even without kids we spent most of a day there, was cool. Good views too
Recommend Sensi Tapas as a restaurant. It is modern cuisine Tapas but thought it was a decent meal, good wine list and was good value for money.
McRackin
Super Moderator
Oooh!