Suggestions & ideas to visit Barcelona, from a local

Posted by JFrias on Sep 20, 2011 in Articles, Blog | Comments Off

..the Paseo de Gracia. Great shopping on the Paseo…

…walk to two of Gaudi’s most famous buildings: the CASA BATLLO and LA PEDRERA worth going into each. Buy tickets early or the previous day to avoid the lines of tourists.Don’t forget to check out Vinçon, one of the best and coolest design shops in the world  a couple of blocks north of you. Make sure you get up to the terrace on the second floor for a unusual view of Gaudi’s la Pedrera building.Also walking distance is LAS RAMBLAS  which is a bit touristy and dangerous for your wallet( picpockets)  but off of it is one of the most amazing food Markets in the world. LA BOQUERIA. After browsing all the stands have a bite at the little food stand that serVes up a bunch of what is sold at the Market.I think the PALAU DE LA MUSICA or the LICEU  ( CLASSICAL MUSIC VENUES ) are off of it but better ask your concierge about that.

In terms of eating , a great place for lunch is EL TRAGALUZ on the second floor.  The classic tapas place is CERVECERIA LA CATALANA , a magical tapas place, reservation needed is BAR MUT on corner of Diagonal and Pau claris.
El NOTI is a nice cool casual place walking distance from hotel.
A good seafood place is TAKTIKA BERRI small and local.

If you want an good elegant and  expensive  lunch/dinner head over to beautiful art nouveau restaurant LA DAMA on the Diagonal.

Other do not miss visits are Gaudi’s  SAGRADA FAMILIA cathedral which you might be able to do from the double decker tour bus.

The Gothic quarter is also a favorite tourist spot . the CATHEDRAL looks older than it is and the PICASSO museum is close by.  Be careful if you are there at night as some of the dark alleys can be sketchy but is fine during the day.

El BORNE is also a new hip neighboorhood  to walk around.

If you have time and want to get a night view of the city head up to TIBIDABO “mountain”   and have a drink at EL MIRABLAU.

MONTJUICH is the hill by the port where the MIRO foundation museum is as well as the “PUEBLO ESPANOL” or ” Poble Espanyol ” in Catalan a touristy but cool place that represents a microcosm of spain.

Whatever you do make sure the hotel gives you the number for a Teletaxi service as cabs aren’t in abundance in some of the places such as TIBIDABO or MONTJUICH.

If taking an overnight trip to the Costa Brava, Not to far is S’AGARO where the HOSTAL DE LA GAVIN hotel is. It’s a bit old and overpriced  but the location is spectacular and you can walk to one of the best seafood restaurants in the world:  LA TAVERNA DEL MAR. A bit further north is   AIGUABLAVA situated in a beautiful charming  cove  where you can stay at the hotel AIGUABLAVA or at a national PARADOR.