Does anyone know Barcelona?

[Linnet]

We have the chance of an available flat in Barcelona this year and are considering going there for a holiday.

We've never been before and would appreciate any advice/suggestions of what to do/see there.

The flat we'd be staying in is in the La Rambla area of the city. Does anyone know if this is fairly central and close to major attractions? Is it easy to walk around the city to get to places or do you need to use public transport?

sorry for so many questions but appreciate any answers.

ooh lucky you!

Barcelona is a fabulous city. Las Ramblas is the big street (or really a number of streets that run into one long one) that stretches from the big city square to the north of the old gothic quarter right down to the statue of Columbus by the sea. It's full of street entertainers and market stalls. So it's very central (pretty noisy though, if you're actually on Las Ramblas).

City is v easy to get around by metro or bus or on foot. Masses to see and do: amazing architecture, loads of museums and galleries if you like a bit of culture, wonderful parks, the beach, the markets, the harbour, amazing food, great bars, good shopping etc etc

When were you thinking of going?

Definatly go for it. Anywhere close to La Rambla is the best place to stay. The water front development is at one end, which has a surprisingly good beach if you walk round to it.

Im a bit tired to think of all the things to do right now, but get a one or two day ticket for the city tour bus. There are 3 routes which cover all the sights and you can hop on and off wherever you choose. You get a coupon book with it too which saves you loads of money at the different atractions.

DH and I spent part of our honeymoon in Barcelona. Las Ramblas is very central. At the top is the Placa Catalunya from where the 2 tourist bus routes depart that will take you to all the city sights in a hop on/hop off kind of way. The metro is also great. You will also find El Corte Igles there (big department store - if that floats your boat). The big food market is on the Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter is very close by.

Also if you are there long enough, its definatly worth taking the train out to Montserrat.

I'm not sure yet when we'll go, probably in the October holidays as it gives us a while to save up some money for flights and spending.

We've been told that the flat is round the corner from Placa reial.

Ah yes, that's further down Las Ramblas towards the sea: good position

October is a nice time to go - not too hot.

bump

At the bottom of Las Ramblas is the statue of Christopher Columbus and an area with the aquarium/lots of restaurants. To see - the gothic quarter, the Sagrada Familia, the Gaudi buildings, Parc Guell, Olympic village, the cable car over the harbour to Parc olimpica, the big park with the zoo. I can recommend the Time Out guide.

You location is fantastic. You might want the metro to get to the Olympic village but most of the city is doable by foot.

Can I add a recommendation for the Camp Nou stadium (home to Barcelona FC)? I'm not even interested in football, but I thought it was awesome. There's a museum of football attached and you can go into the stadium itself and admire its enormity

I am exceedingly pea green with envy!

Second all of portofino's recommendations. I like cathedrals - Sagrada Familia is in a whole insane but fabulous league of its own.

do be aware that a LOT of things shut on Sunday & Monday, so not much to do - even shops & museums close then (or did when we went).
las ramblas is great, the gaudi park fantastic, there's a lot to do. Sat night is v lively & things get going around 9/10 pm, as the shops close.

they also siesta, so things close for a couple of hours around lunch, check opening times & days of anything you want to do.

Casa Battlò, Parc Guëll, Parc Montjuic and the fountains, Museum Picasso, if you are with the children, Museum Maritim and Cosmo Caixa Science Museum, Parco Ciutadella, ......
Barcelona is sooooo nice and easy. It is quite big, so you will need to take a bus or the underground at one point.
I just want to warn you: plenty of pickpockets and the police can't do anything, up to 400€, they can't arrest anyone. So be careful on the Ramblas, around the Cathedral and Sagrada Familia.
Have a great time!