barcelona??

[summerl0ve]

Hi I'm a first timer here! thinking of organising a long w/e in Barcelona for me and 2 friends.. anyone got any recommnedations? Hotels that are central for seeing the best of the city, culture/shops and cafe culture (day and night!) Also hoping to get to the playa too for some of the daylight hours- is it far? We are all hardworking mums looking for some fun, a bit of 'me time', and what ever is spanish for G&T's.. long w/e in march prob.
Any tips gratefully recieved x

I'd definitely see Park Guell, La Segrada Familia and Casa Batlló (also called the House of Bones). And I'd try not to get pick pocketed. We didn't but I have heard of a few people who have.

Thanks breaths I'll google them now.. Where did you stay- anywhere to recommend?

Hotel Santa Marta is good, we went there 3 years ago(me, my mum & sister) for my mums 60th birthday! Google it & take a look!
It`s a bit basic, buts its lovely & clean, really helpful staff & really central.
2 minutes walk to the bottom of Las Ramblas, lots of shops/cafes/restaurants/bars!!
5 minutes walk to The Aquarium-like a Sea Life Centre but really big! & the sea!
5/10 minute walk to Barcelona zoo
We also got on a tour bus & hopped on & off all day at all the tourist attractions
5/10 minute walk to train station that takes you to airport

Hope this helps! Am sure somebody will have more ideas for you!!

I can't remember where we stayed as it was a few years ago. I think it was just a central, basic hotel.

DH and I went just after Christmas. We stayed at the Hotel Catedral Barcelona. it was great. Really central - just behind the cathedral, so perfectly placed for both the Ramblas and the main shopping street. Loads of bars and restaurants within easy walking distance. Only 20 minute walk from the beach too. it's a fabulous city.

we had 1 shortish day in Barcelona & did a bus tour, which was all we had time for - you get excellent views of most of the lovely buildings etc & see a lot more than you wuld otherwise

\link{http://www.city-sightseeing.com/tour-Barcelona\city sightseeing} & if you save your tickets you get a 10% (???) discount on a tour in another city

open top can be v hot though. take a hat/sunshade if you do it!

oh, just seen you're going in March, heat prob not an issue then (we went in June)

i have stayed here twice. It is just off the Ramblas close to the Placa Catalunya. Barcelona is lovely. 2nd the recommendations of the Gaudi buildings and Parc Guell. Also the cable car ride over the harbour to the Olympic Park.

Just a word of caution to keep your purse, passport and credit cards closely guarded. My DH was pickpocketed of everything. When he went to the British Consulate, the place was packed with people who had suffered the same crime. More info here