If you're looking for a good free map of Barcelona, don't use the one the tourist office gives you for the Bus Turistic. Instead, ask them for a brochure from City Tour by ALSAtouring. This brochure includes a map that actually details all of Barcelona's streets, especially the confusing ones in Barri Gotic and Ribera. This is essential to finding your way around.
It's an amazing city, one of the most interesting I've ever been to. It's not nearly as bad as people say -- especially La Rambla. Our apartment was on a side street right off La Rambla and we had no problems at all. Of course if you go there looking for a nice, peaceful evening, that's not gonna happen, and I wouldn't wander the side streets alone late at night, but all in all I didn't feel in danger at any point. Barcelona reminded me a lot of Rome -- there's just too much to see in a short time span, and it gives the appearance of being dangerous when it really isn't. I'll be going back.
Please watch your bags and personal belongings. We were warned but my friend set her bag down at an internet cafe, right next to her foot, and it was stolen within a couple minutes. I've heard dozens of theft stories from other Barcelona visitors. Please never put your things down and be aware! Have fun... oh yeah, and Dino's Gelato is amazing!
I would not go back to Barcelona. The whole city seems to have a sewerage smell about it which is very unpleasant. The back streets also don't feel very safe. It seems like a fairly poor city. It also takes a lot of walking around to get from one sight to another. Having said all that, the old palace (now an art gallery) is utterly magnificent and provides a commanding view of the city. Gaudi's cathedral is also an impressive spectacle of engineering. Some of the more busy streets become beautiful and very pleasant at night, but plain by day. The city is worth stopping by if you're in or near the region but I wouldn't plan a holiday specially to Barcelona.
Party at Danzatoria in Tibidabo and eat at Quinze Nits just off La Rambla in Placa Reial! Barcelona is an amazing city!!!
It took me 5 minutes to fall in love with Barcelona! There is so much to see and do, and the nightlife is amazing. Great shopping, great dining, and beautiful beaches. Perhaps the best thing about this city is the people ... they have a real lust for life.
I just got back from a five-day trip to Barcelona. I must say it was overall a huge disappointment. First the good. There are many things to see there during the day into the early evening hours. The metro system is fairly good overall so it does not take long to get to where you want to go. Taxi cabs fares are also fairly cheap compared to any other place I have been to and should be taken advantage of when you are pressed for time. At night many of the places that were closed or seemed shut down open up and several neighborhoods become lively.
Now for the bad. The city has a horrendous stench that actually gets worse when you are not in a heavy tourist area. I have found that locals take their dogs for walks and allow them to pee and poop right on the sidewalk. I have also seen locals and tourists doing the same, including vomitting. So if you are wondering where the stench was coming from, now you know. In the tourist areas the Catalan people are mixed in how they treat you…
I have been studying in Barcelona for 6 months now and it´s going to be very hard to leave! It is a bustling city with so much to do. I would give yourself AT LEAST 3-5 days in Barcelona if you want to explore. Some things that you don't want to miss: Sagrada Familia, Montjuic, Casa Mila, Picsso Museum, Tibidabo, Parc Guell, the Boqeria (open air market), Jardins de Labrinth, the port, beaches, and take a day trip take the metro up to Montsterat, a 1000 year old monestary on top of a cliff, lots of hiking up there too. YES, the city is smelly, people can be pushy, and I have gotten my bag stolen...but try to look beyond that and appreciate what the city has to offer. If you are smart and don´t carry your passport or credit cards with you when you are on Las Ramblas especially, you´ll be fine.
Barcelona was really just a big city. It has some really amazing sites and a very pretty beach but it isn't a beautiful coastal city like those in France at all. The streets do not feel safe and the men were absolutely awful. From what I heard traveling it has a lot to do with blonde hair, but when in Las Ramblas and the surrounding area strangers and especially the shop owners harrassed me. They would literally not leave me alone and would follow me out of the stores trying to make me say I would date them and they would offer me huge discounts but not my friend. It was so bad we ended up leaving the area and going back to the hostel.
VEGETARIANS BEWARE ... you very well might go hungry in Barcelona! Not a lot of veggie food in Catalonia. Be prepared for lots of omelettes and fries. I got sick from being there for 12 days because there was nothing substantial for me to eat there. There appear to be 5 food types ham, potatoes, tomatoes, eggs and cheese, bread, and cakes. If you are vegan, forget about it! The worst thing is no hostels have kitchens, so you can't even cook your own veggie food. Being constantly hungry ruined my trip here... and it only gets worse when you venture outside Barcelona. Pizza hut and Burger king and Subway will be happy sights for vegetarians in Catalonia!
Paella and wine is the best thing ever. Barcelona is awesome. Sangreia is cool. After you are done here, go to San Sebastian. It's even better.
I just returned to New York from a my first European vacation and Barcelona was my favorite part. I loved the energy of this intense city. I do not speak Spanish but managed to meet some really amazing people. I think Barcelona is the kind of place that you either love or you hate. I loved it and hope to return one day.
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