ISO Barcelona Hotel Under $120/night and Must See advice

[Andy Cascone]

I'm flying into Barcelona and trying to figure out what's the best area of town to stay in. I'll be arriving on a Friday morning and then heading to a cruise ship on Sunday. I'm going in mid-September of this year, if that matters. I'm trying to keep the price of the hotel to about US$120 a night maximum, if possible

Anything fun and unusual to point out?

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[Jose R. Garrigo]

Hi Andy: I'm afraid your stay in Barcelona will be so short that you won't be able to see much of my favorite city in Spain. With only two days there, I strongly reccommend you hop on the Tourist Bus (two different lines: the Blue and the Red). Get them in the Plaza de Cataluña, near the Ramblas. The two lines have different itineraries and stop in the most important tourist attractions and you can disembark and reembark at your leisure. You must see Gaudi's Sagrada Familia Cathedral (still in the process of being built), Montjuic, the Pueblo Español, Parque Guell, the Cathedral de la Merced in the Old Town, the monument to Chistopher Columbus, etc. Walk the Ramblas all the way from Plaza de Cataluña to the statue and the Port. On the way, stop in the Mercado de la Boquería, Barcelona's picturesque food and vegetables market and enjoy lunch there with chorizos, butifarras, cheese, fish soups, munyetas or whatever pleases your palate. Close to the Port is the Barrio Barceloneta, full of open-air restaurants where you can enjoy fresh fish and shellfish just being brought to port. In Paseo de Gracia visit La Pedrera, one of Gaudi's-designed palaces. There are tons of tapas bars in the side streets where you can enjoy tapas with local wine or beer. Sadly you will not have time to go to the Monastery of Montserrat (full day trip), the most revered Catalan place of worship. Barcelona is great! Enjoy your stay there!.

[Andy Cascone]

Jose - Thanks for these recommendations. I am so psyched. This sounds like a great plan, with everything from sites to eats.
(I was finally able to find a hotel that didn't bankrupt the trip, but I have to wonder how people do it. Very pricey.)

I'll let you know how it goes.

[Florian Wiesinger]

Hi Andy,

I think with Jose's really complete agenda, you'll be fine, taking the tourist bus seems like a good idea indeed. Nevertheless, I highly recommend that you also take some time off from sightseeing and simply take a stroll at the beach (Barceloneta), up Montjuic or around the Gracia neighbourhood and take in Barcelona's laid-back atmosphere. With so much to see in Barcelona, I'm sure you will want to come back and spend some more time here - on www.budgetplaces.com/barcelona/ you'll find a great range of budget accommodation at a price of between 30 and 40 euros pppn. Have a wonderful stay in Barcelona & enjoy your cruise!!

[José Balido]

Hey Andy, That's why the Catalans themselves say, "Barcelona és bona si la borsa sona" (Barcelona is good if the coins jingle in your purse). No doubt about it, it's an expensive city, but it's also the grandest, most beautiful, most sensuous city. Two or three times in years past we have spent a month there (like most Europeans, our friends get a month off every year, and have offered us their place), which is a tremendous savings. Eating out still isn't cheap, but so worth it: the food is sublime. You will have a great time!

Andy Cascone said:

Jose - Thanks for these recommendations. I am so psyched. This sounds like a great plan, with everything from sites to eats.
(I was finally able to find a hotel that didn't bankrupt the trip, but I have to wonder how people do it. Very pricey.)

I'll let you know how it goes.

[Andy Cascone]

Florian - thank you for these extra insights. I love that you suggest some time just soaking it in. That's my favorite kind of vacation - one where you open yourself up to possibilities and don't overschedule it. I'm actually kind of concerned that the cruise may be too aggressive when it comes to "getting everything in". Barcelona may just wind up being the part I wind up enjoying the most from the sounds of it.

Also, thanks for the site tip. I'll check it out. I'm glad to see that somebody is trying to fill the need.

[Andy Cascone]

Jose - thanks for your note. I'm _so_ looking forward to this trip. It's great to hear that you think that the pricy-ness is somewhat earned. If you have any food recommendations, I'd be grateful to have them. Even if it's just a specialty - not just a restaurant. Though that would be nice too.

Jose Balido said:

Hey Andy, That's why the Catalans themselves say, "Barcelona és bona si la borsa sona" (Barcelona is good if the coins jingle in your purse). No doubt about it, it's an expensive city, but it's also the grandest, most beautiful, most sensuous city. Two or three times in years past we have spent a month there (like most Europeans, our friends get a month off every year, and have offered us their place), which is a tremendous savings. Eating out still isn't cheap, but so worth it: the food is sublime. You will have a great time!

Andy Cascone said:

Jose - Thanks for these recommendations. I am so psyched. This sounds like a great plan, with everything from sites to eats.
(I was finally able to find a hotel that didn't bankrupt the trip, but I have to wonder how people do it. Very pricey.)

I'll let you know how it goes.

[Mary E Gallagher]

I also agree with Jose. When we were in Barcelona for two days (Regent cruise stop) two years ago we bought the two day tourist bus (a hop on hop off) pass, thought the Mercado de la Boquería was fascinating and great for photographs.Walking the Ramblas all the way from Plaza de Cataluña to the statue and the Port and posing with the "living" statues was wonderful. Anywhere in the city just hop off the bus and walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. You ll be anxious to come back even before you leave! Standing on the street corners you'll hear every language you can imagine it's such a popular city.