Barcelona!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 28 Aug 2009, 15:03

The Jeffersons plan to spend a few days in Barcelona in October. Given that Franco was still in power last time I was there, I could use a few tips. I know that a few of you are frequent visitors so I'm looking for some inside info. Also looking for ideas for excursions around the area, with the proviso that they have to be served by public transport.

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 28 Aug 2009, 17:46

tip one: keep tight hold of the childer when scrambling around the Sagrada Familia. I've been up it twice and each time I've been convinced I am going to fall out of the thing - I've never before seen such a 'thin' stone building, with such big spaces available to the casual visitor to walk through!

Post by **wangi** » 28 Aug 2009, 19:34

And a tight hold of wallet, camera etc...

Get lost in the back streets / lanes around La Rambla - see more of the real stuff and get immersed in the North African feel...

Parc Güell; funicular railway up to Montjuïc (great view, good walks, Miró museum); the beach & sculptures at Barceloneta; old city (Barri Gòtic)...

But I'd also take a hoof up the coast (is the high speed AVE running that far yet?) to Figueres and the Dalí museum...

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 29 Aug 2009, 16:37

Get a 1,2 or 3 day ticket for the tourist bus. Takes you to all the major tourist sites and you can hop on and off all day long.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 16 Oct 2009, 22:22

Only been here a few hours and love it already. The Sagrada Familia is an astonishing building. It looks like it belongs on another planet and is amazing lit up at night. We got a hot tip from our taxi driver for tapas and although it was 30 minutes before we got a table, it was well worth the wait.

Parc Güell for definite tomorrow and looking forward to meeting up with Porty and Foxy on Wednesday.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 17 Oct 2009, 13:13

The Sagrada Familia is by far the most awesome building I've ever seen. We went back 3 times just to make sure we hadn't miss an inch! Have a great time. You'll love Park Guell too. Apparently it's amazing in the rain because of the water spout things but it was roasting the day we went so we missed that.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 02 Nov 2009, 12:00

I'm thinking of doing a long weekend in Barcelona, sometime in the spring, with a friend and have started by looking at what direct (and cheap!) flights are available. I know Bob used Easy Jet from Newcastle, but I'd prefer to fly out from Edinburgh if poss. Ryanair fly to Girona getting in late at night. Has anyone used this flight and if so how easy is it to travel onto Barcelona from there late at night? I think flyglobespan will be out for me, because of the days they fly.
Any other recommendations?

Post by **wangi** » 02 Nov 2009, 12:10

There are buses from Girona Airport into Barcelona until about midnight; but it is 100km...

Bus timetable: http://www.sagales.com/pubdocs/1351_aer ... -10-26.pdf

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 02 Nov 2009, 12:41

Thanks Wangi.

Yes, it's a fair trek from Girona to Barcelona. The flight gets in at 23.20 and I see the bus timetable makes no mention of it. Perhaps the bus timetable is a Winter one and I'm looking at spring flights ?

I would also be willing to put money on a flight delay, so relying on a bus transfer is prob not a good idea.

Anyone stayed a night in Girona?!

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 02 Nov 2009, 13:30

I would rather do Newcastle than the Girona transfer - I hate having to get to an airport mega early because the bus timetable ensures that you have to. It sort of hangs over you near the end of the holiday and is very similar to landing at Prestwick for Edinburgh. On the other hand, the journey to town from Barcelona airport is really straight forward and offers a variety of transport options. It is also only about 25 Euros in a cab to the centre of the city.

I have taken the train from Girona to Barcelona before and it was fine although the reason I was in Girona was nothing to do with the airport.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 02 Nov 2009, 13:37

Pal of Porty wrote:I would rather do Newcastle than the Girona transfer

I'm coming round to that way of thinking too PoP. Bob said he caught the train to Newcastle for the Easy Jet flight, but I'm having trouble getting train times beyond those for the next 3 months, so can't check out that option. Could always drive to Newcastle I suppose.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 02 Nov 2009, 13:38

What's wrong with Newcastle airport? The 05:50 train from Edinburgh arrives in Newcastle at 07:55 - plenty of time for your flight. And if you are going for a long weekend then you will only need hand-luggage, which will save time. An advance return rail fare to Newcastle is going to work out a lot cheaper than an overnight stay in Girona.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 02 Nov 2009, 13:40

Whoops, crossover post! You can only buy advance tickets up to 90 days before travelling but I'm guessing that the timetable is pretty standard throughout the year.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 02 Nov 2009, 13:58

Bob Jefferson wrote:What's wrong with Newcastle airport? The 05:50 train from Edinburgh arrives in Newcastle at 07:55 - plenty of time for your flight.

Check in for the flight opens at 07.50, so that's bang on. Does the train go straight through to the airport Bob?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 02 Nov 2009, 14:06

No, but the Metro transfer is cheap and easy. The Metro is the level below the train station, just a few minutes walk.

A single fare on the Green line is currently £2.90 and trains run every few minutes.

From memory it's about a 15 minute journey. If you only have hand-luggage you can check-in online and go straight through to Departures and still have time for a coffee.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 02 Nov 2009, 15:13

The only problem I find with getting the train to Newcastle is that to get the cheap train fares you have to be specific on the train you are going to travel on. You therefore have to build in a time buffer incase the flight is delayed. The safety of an open ticket to minimise transfer time is more expensive.

If you do drive to Newcastle don't park over in the on site airport car park. Park and Fly is adjacent to the airport but is cheaper.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 02 Nov 2009, 15:18

Very good point PoP. Driving down becomes even more of an attractive proposition. I haven't been on a 'no frills' flight yet that hasn't had some sort of delay.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 02 Nov 2009, 15:21

And there is a risk that the train from Edinburgh to Newcastle is cancelled or delayed, which could mean missing the flight, but then again it's probably as likely that your car will break down. We played safe and travelled up by train the night before, staying in the airport hotel (5 mins walk from the terminal) but I think I would be happy to gamble on the early morning train next time.

We managed to get a bargain-priced open return but that was using a Family Railcard.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 02 Nov 2009, 16:38

Marya wrote:...... I haven't been on a 'no frills' flight yet that hasn't had some sort of delay.

My experience of Easy Jet from Newcastle stretches over many years and I have yet to have a bad experience or even a delay. They are on a different planet versus Ryan Air. They also tend to actually fly to the place they advertise - eg Barcelona is Barcelona not Barcelona (Girona).

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 02 Nov 2009, 17:05

The park and fly service is excellent and the guys are very friendly and efficient- its a pleasure. PoP and I did the train last summer and from memory the metro journey from NCL takes a lot longer than 15 mins. It seemed like 30!!!

The good thing about Easyjet is the flight times. You are in BCN for about 2pm. Dont bother with speedy boarding or any of that mince.If you want some tips for eating- I can oblige. Bob struck it lucky with the taxi tip. it took him straight to Cervezeria Catalunya, which is amongst the best tapas bars in the city.

Highlight of this trip for me was when a totally naked man went cycling by as we were walking down Calle Boqueria and Foxy totally missed it. We also found a really neat Arts and Crafts shop in a street beside the older cathedral in Barri Gotic. shop was called "2 Bis".

It sold papier mache models of rock stars etc. There was a Springsteen in the window for 300 euros but it was going to be to big to get in the case. Really good idea tho.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 02 Nov 2009, 17:15

Excellent tapas, good shopping, wonderful architecture and naked men. I'm looking forward to it more by the minute

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 02 Nov 2009, 17:20

Porty wrote:The park and fly service is excellent and the guys are very friendly and efficient- its a pleasure. PoP and I did the train last summer and from memory the metro journey from NCL takes a lot longer than 15 mins. It seemed like 30!!!

I agree Porty - I am sure that the time-tabled schedule for the Metro trip is 27 or 28 minutes.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 26 Feb 2010, 22:06

OK, the flights from Newcastle are booked, but I haven't a clue in which area(s) it would be best to stay. I know to avoid hotels near Las Ramblas, but that's about it. Any suggestions?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 27 Feb 2010, 22:54

I use Tripadvisor and Travelzoo. Several of Tripadvisor's top recommendations are in Las Ramblas - I wouldn't rule it out.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 27 Feb 2010, 23:01

It was from reading Tripadvisor that I decided to rule out Las Ramblas.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 27 Feb 2010, 23:14

I was hoping that I'd get a more personal recommendation on here from those who know me and the sort of thing we'd be looking for. I'm especially keen on the tapas and the naked cyclists.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 27 Feb 2010, 23:27

I can help you with naked cyclists. Just search YouTube for "ciclonudista en Barcelona"

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 27 Feb 2010, 23:44

Youtube is all very well, but it's not quite the same thing as seeing it in the flesh, is it?

I'm relieved to see it seems to happen annually, though I'm a bit perplexed as to which month to expect this cultural highlight.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 28 Feb 2010, 22:47

Is the Sant Marti district too far out?

Lou · Post by **Lou** » 01 Mar 2010, 03:04

We stayed at Hotel Lleo ,five minutes walk from la ramblas vary comfy clean and quiet,also five minutes from tour busses. Watch out for pick pockets in la ramblas.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Mar 2010, 07:11

We had a night at Ally's Guest House which I can recommend. A good B&B is often a much better experience (and cheaper) than a medium-priced hotel. You are going to be out sightseeing most of the time anyway. No en suite is the only thing that lets this place down but certainly worth considering.

www.allysguesthouse.com

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 01 Mar 2010, 09:50

I am considering apartment rental, but I'll take a look at your and Lou's recommendations.

Availability seems to be a problem with some hotels and cost with others. From what I read, Barcelona hotels enjoy an average occupancy rate of 85%.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 01 Mar 2010, 10:21

Hotel Lleo has no availability, unfortunately, but thanks anyway Lou.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 01 Mar 2010, 10:59

We stayed at the Banys Oriental in the old El Born Region and loved it.

http://www.hotelbanysorientals.com

We also had an apartment near the beach which was very good value but there were six of us so not sure of value for a smaller group. Porty is well connected in Barca so he is definitely worth talking to.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 01 Mar 2010, 12:06

Thanks PoP. Will take a look at that.

There are 5 of us, so an apartment seems good value. I spotted a really nice beach one, but my friends think it is too far out, so I'm trying for the old town now. El Born would be good.