Barcelona Trip - Help needed and advice

Admiral Huddy

Admiral Huddy

Admiral Huddy

Man of Honour
Joined
17 Feb 2003
Posts
29,640
Location
Chelmsford
I've booked a weekend trip to Barcelona in a few weeks time. However, I need some help.

I booked the flights into Girona Airport not realising it's actually about 58 miles from the city. Now we arrive at 10pm and the last train to the city (apparently) has already gone.

I was thinking of just jumping in a cab.. but wondered if there were any better alternatives?

also, which places would you recommended visiting? Nou camp excluded, this is my anniversary.

Thanks for your help
 
I love Barcelona...I will probably move out there one day!

I would say Taxi....I don't think its that expensive - I've never flown in there myself but know people who have and they mostly get Taxi's so it can't be that bad. Ryanair fly in there and EasyJet into the main Barcelona Airport and although Easyjet are more expensive I think with the Taxi fee it works out about the same!

In terms of places to see/things to do there is so much! If its your first time I suggest sticking to in/around Barcelona....there is two main tourist routes ("Red" and "blue") which are covered by regular busses and take you to all the main areas and you can pick and choose which you want to spend more time on etc and just hop on and off the buses.

There is a hilltop monastry about a 40mins train ride out of Barcelona which if you get there early can be above a lower cloud level and looks fantastic! (I have never seen this personally but I have seen pictures) regardless, even later on the day its a good day/site to see!

I could go on all day...are you after some nightlife as well?

....you will have a fantastic time I'm sure!
 
Like Architecture ?

your going to the home of Antoni Gaudi (well not his Birth home, but certainly his place of work)

A few to see for definite;

Casa Batllo

Casa Mila

Park Guell

Sagrada Familia

Park Guell is a nice place for a stroll around, Sagrada Familia is completey bonkers and has to be seen to be believed really, work started in 1882 and its not scheduled for completion until the 2020's :O
wiki has it all here

p_61_La-Sagrada-Familia-barcelon-765232.jpg


LOAM
 
Last edited:
My one recomendation for the trip would be to buy a "barcelona card" in advance. It offers travel on all, bus, train, trams and finicular railways and there are some discounts. Makes travelling simple and easy, and for a relativvly cheap price.
 
I think all flights into Girona have a bus going into Barcelona (think it gets in to the Arc de Triomph stop).

As for places to go, I thought the Zoo was pretty good and easily spent a few hours there.
 
In Barcelona , you should keep alert to pickpockets, they can be a real nuisance, especially in crowded streets and subways. Had close call last time I was in Barca, their tactic is to keep a backpack infront of them and use it as a shield to hide their hands as they dip into others bags.

Gaudis houses, Casa Battlo and Casa Mila are good choices to visit, and within 5 mins of each other. I preffered Casa Mila, the rooftop is amazing and well worth it.

Along that same road theres literally every designer brand you think of, prada gucci burberry armani etc (if you or other half likes shopping)

If you like art, theres the Picasso museum, and the Dali museum.

As mentioned, parc Guell is really cool to visit.
If you cross the other side of Barca go to Montjuic, for cable cars and great views over barca. Its also close to the Palau Nacional (big grand royal palace with art/sculpture inside) and also Mies van der Rohes German Pavillion if youre into your architecture.
 
just got back from there for my 21st.

wow, did not expect to enjoy it as much. the streets are clean, the people are charming and passionate, the buildings/scenery is stunning, the shopping is immense and the food top dog.

the metro is awesome, always on time and very cheap. get a 2-3 day pass for unlimited travel on the metro and TMB buses (about 10-20 euro). we didnt need the buses as the metro was so good!

the whole pickpocket thing isn't as bad as it sounds. i saw one kid try it on on some bloke and that was it in my 4 days there, we were always on alert though and did keep the missus handbag-side between us and my hand always on wallet in pocket.

best places to visit. montjuic, parc guell, casa battlo, nou camp is good, tibidabo, la ramblas obviously, sagrada familia which btw was the biggest rip off ever, just go see it, don't go inside.
 
When were out there we got pick pocketed 3 times, so i think its just luck of the draw. If you're carrying lots of cash around, take one of those travel belt things, that sits beneath your trousers. They're not very comfy, but its better safe than sorry.
 
electric ant said:
In Barcelona , you should keep alert to pickpockets, they can be a real nuisance, especially in crowded streets and subways. Had close call last time I was in Barca, their tactic is to keep a backpack infront of them and use it as a shield to hide their hands as they dip into others bags.
Click to expand...

This sort of thing is far more common than people think.

I was in Barca in April for our anniversary and had a similar exp. 3 young girls were going around the tourist areas getting you to sign some petition for something while a young/small girl would snatch your wallet from your pocket. If you wonder what the 3rd one was doing she was grabbing my shoulder to "distract" me from feeling someones hand in my pocket.

They can be VERY crafty. I suspected something was going on before they had said a word so I was on guard. A lot of people won't!

There clipboard had a lot of names on, they must have gotten a few people that day.
 
watch out for the hookers and coke dealers down the side streets, saw one guy pull out a machete looking knife, about 1 side street away from the main strip!
 
Damonic said:
This sort of thing is far more common than people think.

I was in Barca in April for our anniversary and had a similar exp. 3 young girls were going around the tourist areas getting you to sign some petition for something while a young/small girl would snatch your wallet from your pocket. If you wonder what the 3rd one was doing she was grabbing my shoulder to "distract" me from feeling someones hand in my pocket.

They can be VERY crafty. I suspected something was going on before they had said a word so I was on guard. A lot of people won't!

There clipboard had a lot of names on, they must have gotten a few people that day.
Click to expand...

just got to use your head, whenever crowds gathered we just stepped back and made sure no one was within touching distance of us.

common sense really in a place like that. we found there were a load of dodgy looking little kids on the ramblas, bet they were all on it, waiting to pounce when crowds gathered for the street acts.
 
Admiral Huddy said:
I've booked a weekend trip to Barcelona in a few weeks time. However, I need some help.

I booked the flights into Girona Airport not realising it's actually about 58 miles from the city. Now we arrive at 10pm and the last train to the city (apparently) has already gone.

I was thinking of just jumping in a cab.. but wondered if there were any better alternatives?

also, which places would you recommended visiting? Nou camp excluded, this is my anniversary.

Thanks for your help
Click to expand...

La Rambla is all you need.. Day and night.

Having said that though, it can turn pretty sour around there at night. Ive been spat at by prostitutes there, pick pocketed, started on and all sorts. Still though, that is unlucky and you can generally mince around the area without too much hassle.
 
When we went we pre booked a pick up from a british run company i cant remember what they were called the g/f booked it all, but a quick google might find one. It wasn't that much. And a lift back to the airport when its time to go, Which you wont want to it such a great place so laid back.
 
I lived in Barca many moons ago. One of my favourite places but as has been said, it can be a bit shifty at night. Keep out of the side streets towards the sea end of La Rambla, keep your wits about you and you should be OK. Whatever you do, do not eat or drink on La Rambla. The food will be average at best and massively overpriced. I am happy to recommend you some nice eateries and bars that are a little off the beaten track but worth it. Let me know what type of food you are after and I will hook you up.

If you are flying with Ryanair there should be a shuttle bus to take you from Girona airport to the town centre. If not, others on your flight will be in the same situation so offer to share a cab to Placa Catalunya which is a fairly central location.

In terms of what to do, as has already been said, get a ticket for the tourist busses. They cover all major attractions for a reasonable rate and you can hop on and off for up to two days.

Must see:

Sagrada Familia- Just breathtaking architecture. You cannot visit the city and not visit this.

Park Guell- On a nice day the view over the city is lovely.

Montjuic & Olympic Park- Similar to Park Guell for the view, get the cable car down to the port if you fancy it. I refuse to on the grounds that if the cable broke it would be such a rubbish way to die.

Bar Tomas in Sarria- On the tourist bus, one of the stops is Sarria which is a quiet little suburb of Barcelona famous for cakes and Bar Tomas!. It's worth getting off the bus here to just retreat from the hustle and bustle of town. Bar Tomas has simply THE best patas bravas (fried potatos with Aioli and Paprika) in the world. If you go all that way and do not eat them you will regret it.

La Boqueria- The covered market just off La Rambla. Have a browse around for fresh cheap produce. Cheeses and chorizo's to bring home with you can be had here at great prices.

Bosc De Les Fades- A bar attached to the Wax Museum at the end of La Rambla. Really funky and surreal inside with surprising decor. You feel like you are inside a forest, very cool :)

Do the Camp Nou tour. The missus will actually probably really enjoy it, the size of the stadium is just immense. If she doesn't fancy it, there is a cafe outside that she can sit in while you do it.
 
Thanks for the advice chaps.. So you don't think I'll have a problem getting to the City from Girona Airport after 10pm?

Do the Camp Nou tour. The missus will actually probably really enjoy it, the size of the stadium is just immense. If she doesn't fancy it, there is a cafe outside that she can sit in while you do it.
Click to expand...

haha.. and finally on this tour, exit through the divorce lawyer suit :D
 
Admiral Huddy said:
Thanks for the advice chaps.. So you don't think I'll have a problem getting to the City from Girona Airport after 10pm?
Click to expand...

if its anything like the main one, it should be CRAWLING with taxis outside.

remember, the official jobbies are the black and yellow ones.

just get in one and point and stuff :D
 
Admiral Huddy said:
Thanks for the advice chaps.. So you don't think I'll have a problem getting to the City from Girona Airport after 10pm?
Click to expand...

You're going to one of the largest cities in Europe not the middle of nowhere :p. You will get a cab or the Barcelona Bus no problem.

However, pack some cash as a cab is likely to be 100+ Euros :eek:

The bus is around 12 Euros each way. Give them a call on the number below to confirm if you want peace of mind :)

Barcelona Bus Information Tel: (0034) 93 593 1300

DO NOT miss out on bravas at Bar Tomas.

For some very decent tapas this place gets my vote too

http://www.tallerdetapas.com/eng/comtal/localizacion.html

Enjoy your trip!

/edit- am surprised the last train has gone too. Have you been on the renfe website and checked the timetable...
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom