Friends going to Barcelona

[historysock]

I am going to Barcelona with some friends in a few weeks time for a 40th birthday weekend away.
Anyone have any tips for restaurants/bars (lively ish) and things to see (other than the Sagrada which is already on the list).
We are all so looking forward to getting away -much needed for some of us-so want it to be a great weekend

Parc Guell is lovely. Take a picnic!

I did an amazing paella class with two sisters just off the main area.
Also Camp Nou even if you don't like football is good.

It's a great place, Barceloneta, on the seafront is great for seafood. We had the most enormous seafood platter there for under £100.

The free Magic Fountain display is fab!

El Marsella
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d945532-Reviews-Bar_Marsella-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

7 Portes
7portes.com/en/

Irati
gruposagardi.com/en/restaurant/irati-taverna-basca/

La Xampaneria
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d940427-Reviews-Can_Paixano_La_Xampanyeria-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

La pizza del born
www.lapizzadelborn.com/

Gracia area

Tour of La Pedrera

The covered market, la Boqueria, is a real eye-opener.
The Miró museum.
Watch out for pickpockets on the metro, around the Plaza de Catalunya and along the Ramblas.

Thanks all-will
Check some of those out

When I went for a work thing, our hosts took us to the Hotel Espana, just off Las Ramblas, for lunch. There was a set menu and it was delicious.

Excursions Barcelona is highly recommended for it's evening bike tours. Helmets are included, groups are small and most of the tour sticks to bike lanes. The pace of the tour is reasonable and the guides are excellent. You get to see the Magic Fountain light show too.
Take your DS to Santa Catarina Market. His eyes will be on stalks!
La Nena chocolateria started out as a chocolate cafe and got a name for itself by serving the best churros and hot chocolates. It's diversified into salads, sandwiches and burgers too, but I defiantly recommend the churros!
La Sagrada Familia is definitely worth going inside. Buy tickets online before you go. The church has large stained-glass windows and their effect is most striking mid-morning and mid to late-afternoon. If you don't mind heights, the views from the towers are amazing, but there's no elevator on the way down from the towers, so you’ll have to descend a very long, very narrow series of corkscrew stairs. If you don’t like being confined to small spaces, this may not be the best thing for you. If you go up the towers, you’ll have the opportunity to choose between the Passion Towers and the Nativity Towers. The Passion Towers give you a better view of the ocean. The Nativity Towers give you better views of the mountain range behind Barcelona.
Definitely go to Park Guell and explore every nook and cranny. Get there as soon as it opens in the morning and take your time. Also take water and a snack.
Casa Battllo is worth going inside. Book in advance otherwise you'll have to wait in two queues! Try and go early in the day and don’t bother waiting in line for the ridiculously over priced gift shop.
About two thirds of the way up the Ramblas, on the left, there’s one of Europe's largest and most famous food markets, La Boqueria. Visit at least twice, once for lunch and once before you go home for souvenirs!

Segway tour is worth doing and good fun.

Also don't miss La Pedrera.