Barcelona!

[Tadpoletoatoad]

Going out in a few days for three nights. Anything I simply must do or see?? TIA

I lived there for a few years and always recommend the Bus Turistic. The commentary on board is very good and it takes you to places you'd probably not bother going otherwise.

El Cortés Ingles on Placa Catalunya is good place for coffee. It's on the top floor and you get a great view.

I wouldn't bother going inside the Sagrada Familia. I think you get enough from just being outside tbh. Just my opinion.

I have to disagree with chica about the interior of the Sagrada Familia - it is absolutely stunning. The coloured light that comes through the stained glass windows is breathtaking. It is very busy though so, if you go, be prepared for crowds.

Thanks tadpole. I have heard of this but dont know what it is. Will google

Will let you know demented

El Born area for fab little bars, tapas places and quirky boutiques, particularly along Passeig del Born, Carrer dels Flassaders, and Carrer del Rec; on Carrer del Rec you will find my favourite bar 'Bormuth', which is a fabulous chilled bar that does the most fantastic tapa and specialises in Vermouth, a Barca speciality and a very nice drink (they also do an amazing white sangra....can you tell I spent quite a bit of time in there! )

(typo - tapas not tapa)

If you are there on a weekend afternoon do go to Parc de la Cuitadella. On a sunny weekend it is the place to go for local families and bohemian young people who sit around on the grass playing guitars or practising juggling etc. We loved the ambiance there. There is a bandstand in the middle where people were practising their dancing, and a man busking by blowing giant bubbles that little children would run around and chase. There is a place to get a coffee and people watch right in the centre by the spectacular fountains.

I agree that the interior of the Sagrada Familia is STUNNING, as much at least as the outside.

Watch out for pickpockets in the crowds around the Sagrada...I felt a hand try to get into my bag in a crowded area outside the Sagrada. I spun round to see who it was but they had melted into the crowd. Wear a cross body bag and have it in front of you in crowded spots.

Thanks selks, the park sounds great and the cathedral is most definitely on the cards.

you might be there already, but if you only do one tourist thing do sagrada familia. for food try Mercat Princessa in Born, lots of little bars all around a courtyard and v good wines by the glass. or for a change ie sushi and cocktails, Ikibana on passaige picasso. my next viist will try el nacional, looks fab.

I was there over the weekend for work, and its cold there atm, so def take a coat, especially if you are doing the open bus tour.

Theres a flamenco festival on the beach at the end of Avenieda Diagonal which would be worth asking about - I don't know when it finishes, but the taxi driver said it was on for 9 days (hotel was right by it)

I hope you weren't caught in the storm Tadpole?

I'm going in 3 weeks, can't wait! Get the tram up to Mount Tibidabo, when you get off the tram (and before you get on the funicular railway to get right to the top) there is a little bar called Mirablau that has spectacular views across the city.
La boqueria market is amazing
Thousands of places to eat,
The Attic on Las Ramblas is great, bit touristy, ask for a terrace table and you can people watch, I've never had a bad meal there.
La Flauta behind the university
Taller de Tapas is a great little chain restaurant.

Thanks all, here at the moment and loving it. Amazing tapas and great value cocktails.
We found an amazing bar called The Box - The Box
Well worth a visit.
The sagrada tomorrow, along with a walking tour and the cable car

Crossing fingers that link works!

Whoop! It did!

Demented - here is the link to the apartment
Really lovely, grey value and very central. The stairs are a bit of a killer!