A loner in Barcelona :) WWYD?

[alonerinlona]

Hola! For a few (mainly uninteresting) reasons I find myself alone in Barcelona for three days this week....!

What should I do?!

I've never travelled alone before. It was unexpected but I really don't want to waste my week away in my (admittedly, naice) hotel because I'm too scared to go exploring.

Any tips?

A lil blue sky Barcelona bumpity bump!

Get a bus up to Tibidabo and enjoy the views over the city. Go and have some tapas beside the Marina and admire the amazing yachts.

Are you near any of the stops for the hop on hop off bus? It will show you the sights so you don't feel as if you've missed stuff. You can get a commentary in English so you can get to know about what's to see and if anything particularly intrerests you can can hop off and just get back on the next bus.

I second the hop on hop off bus tours, you get to see the whole city and can stop where you like. Tibadabo is lovely, amazing views over the city. Stroll alomg the marina and stop for some fresh paella, yummy. The Gothic quarter is lovely to wander around, little winding streets and curiosity shops. Mount Juic is also beautiful, you can catch a cable car there from the Harbour.

Definitely go to Park Guell and stroll around. Take a walk down las Ramblas to the port. Barcelona is beautiful.

The Sagrada Familia is stunning. Shopping on the Passeig de Gracia. El Born is worth exploring.

Thanks for all the suggestions! My hotel is just off the passeig de gracia and I had a little stroll down there this morning, window shopped in Chanel and Dior 😱

The hop on hop off bus is a great idea, will definitely do that. A tourist bus is definitely within my reach, I'm a bit too much of a scaredy cat to get on a normal bus

I've downloaded a Spanish app to get a couple of standard phrases to at least show I'm making an effort but people tend to look at me and straight away go straight for English. I wonder what's the give away

Tapas along the marina sounds heavenly.

Is it quite safe in the evening to be out and about by myself?

People locally are Catalonian speakers, anyway, OP.

I would go to the Miró Foundation, the Picasso Museum, and the Museu Frederico Mares, MNAC and MACBA. If you only have time for one art museum, probably the Miró, for choice.

If you are going for the tourist bus you can get a 2 day pass it's cheaper than 2 single days. Do lots of selfies outside all major sites so you prove that you've got around by yourself to the people back home . Good luck let us know how you get on

People locally are Catalonian speakers, anyway, OP.

A good point

The locals will expect you to speak Spanish as a tourist. I don’t like the narrow streets in the Gothic quarter at night but happy elsewhere. You do need to keep an eye on your bag, particularly if you use the Metro.

Definitely hop on hop off bus - they have an orange route and a green route, which head to different areas, but they're both brilliant and you see so much (including Olympic village, etc).

Casa Battlo or Casa Mila (La Pedrera) are great for seeing a bit of Gaudi.

I know you're only there a couple of days, and it feels sacrilegious not to only eat Spanish/Catalan food, but there's an INCREDIBLE Neopolitan restaurant in the Sant Antoni area called Ragu BCN. Family-owned, home-cooking, haven't eaten food so good before or since.

There’s a lovely restaurant in Plaça Reial called La Crema Canela.

I was alone there before Christmas for a week, had an amazing time. Didn't feel concerned about safety out at night - there are usually lots of people around. I can speak Spanish, which helps but everyone seemed very accommodating to people who couldn't!

Definitely the Sagrada Familia is worth a visit. I also really liked the museum of the history of Barcelona, which has amazing ruins in the basement, and the fundacion Miro. 7 portes is great for dinner for non tapas, El Xampanyet or Bormuth for tapas. Federal does brilliant breakfasts. If you can, it's also really worth going to see something at the Palau de la musica, which is a stunning modernista concert hall.

I know it can be scary to go into a restaurant on your own. If it suits you there is a hardrock cafe on placa catalunia just down from where you're staying. The staff speak English and sitting at the bar feels ok not as though you're alone.

A walking tour can be quite good if you are travelling on your own and want a bit of socialising. Most big cities have a large range of them, including eg street art tours, evening tours with bar stops etc. I've not done one in Barcelona, but the tourist office should have info (or google).

Go to the El Corte Ingles department store at the top of Las Ramblas and work your way up the levels browsing until you get to the roof-top restaurant - panoramic views of the city - get a window seat and enjoy lunch and a glass of wine or coffee and cake!

I once had 3 days alone in Barcelona and I did this and loved it

Have a look at the Strawberry Free Walking Tours. You only pay what you feel the guide is worth. The evening Tapas tour is fun.