Barcelona recently- underwhelmed?

[isitfridaay]

I think I must be missing something

I understand that Barcelona was once the jewel of the med but I am just back from Barcelona - it was dirty and most of the shops and food outlets in barri gothic were "Tourist tat"

Las Ramblas is akin to Times Square or Leicester square but even off the beaten track it was dirty and derelict in the Barri Gothic

This is my 5th visit anyone else underwhelmed or can tell me what I am missing

I did love the Olympic pool at mont juic and the food (although we ended up at cecconis) and I am well traveled so maybe it just no long appeals?

I went a few years ago with the gals on a hen do, and found it to be the emperor’s new clothes of cities. I don’t know If we missed all the great places, but found it unpleasant, hot (with no shade), we were pickpocketed a few times, and it lacked soul/heart. I can’t see me ever wanting to return.

I’m also well travelled and adore Barcelona - mainly for the cosmopolitan vibe and the architecture. Gaudi’s works, especially Casa Batllo are simply breath taking. I love that it’s a major city yet you also have a stunning beach and marina on your doorstep. It helps if you go slightly out of season - early spring is much more pleasant with far less tourists and most importantly pickpockets!

I loved the fruit/veg market and various other things. I did find the cost of the hotel much more than it should have been for the tiny room we had. I was also disappointed that we couldn't get a ticket to sagrada familiar. We visited off season, but had no idea you needed to buy tickets days in advance. I wouldn't say I hated it at all, but have enjoyed other places more.

I have been to Barcelona 4 times I think and I'm so over it now. Really overrated imho. Much prefer Valencia tbh!

I've never been but dd has and she described it exactly as you. Said she felt constantly harassed by touts ...(men 🙄). She was excited to go but has said she would never go back.

I felt this way about Florence but loved Barcelona. The food, the sea, the beautiful trees all around Las Ramblas, the rooftop bar at our hotel was a great place to look out onto the city.

Never heard it referred to as the jewel of the med! Found it dirty, got pickpocketed.

I loved Barcelona when I went in 1991 and 1997. Less so when I went with dh and the children in 2018. In my earlier visits you didn't need tickets to go to Sagrada Familia or Park Guell, which tells you just how much less crowded and more pleasant it was to be there then. I think, like me, you are probably over it sadly.

Best place we visited in Barcelona was the Sant Pau hospital - stunning building that we visited by chance after someone mentioned it. Apart from the Sagrada Familia (main reason for visiting) we were also underwhelmed.

Yes, very much agree with you. A contrast to Madrid and Malaga. It is completely down to the local governments. Barcelona it used to be really nice. Unfortunately, there is a correlation and where there are more conservatives local government in Spain the cities are much nicer, clean and booming. That is another gone city like San Francisco, LA, parts of NY, many part of London and Paris outside. What a shame!

When I went in 2012 park Güell was free!

Went in December and it was magic! I can imagine it’s pretty different in the summer…

I adore Barcelona. We've been the last 2 august/September and we're going in December this year and can't wait. Didn't think it was dirty, in fact quite the opposite for such a huge place.

Why have you been there 5times of it’s so over rated?

I mean, I get you dint enjoy it. Fine.
But why going back?!?

I was seriously underwhelmed with it. It felt disjointed and I really didn't feel any atmosphere.

I went around ten years ago in March time, and it was just wonderful.
Wouldn't go now tho, it's pretty much a dead cert that you get robbed

We liked it. Went to the beach, Parc Guell, Sagrada Familia ( kids not so taken!) on a cable car, to the Olympic site and to watch a Barcelona game and experience the earthquake when Messi scored. It was one of my favourite city breaks. Saw a few beggars. No pickpocketing occurred. Didn't find it dirty.

I feel it is very overrated, I’ve been a few times. I live in Spain, much better places in Spain to go.

I've also been five times, couple for work and the rest social. I too was hugely underwhelmed. And on the fourth visit as my work group walked out of the hotel, three of them had their bags snatched by a gang on bikes.

It wasn't my favourite either, much preferred Seville and Granada

Yes there are some places as you describe but i adore barcelona. All the gaudi

just looking up and the facades. Just stunning

1. in 2012 with my mum
2. In 2016 with then BF

3 and 4 day trips in cruise itineraries

1. "Free" 2 night stay pre cruise

I agree the level above the street is fascinating

I love Barcelona but hated Malaga with a passion when I visited last year. Much less variety of things to do + see, apart from the main tourist streets (which are amazingly pristine!) I found that it was quite rundown and dirty. In general the city felt quite edgy, and not in a nice way. Travel is so subjective!

I much prefer Palma- Majorca - which also has that architecture but is more compact, cleaner and shadier - we stay every year as part of Majorca for a few nights