First time solo cruiser to Barcelona - help :)

I'm beginning to look for my hotel precruise in Barcelona. Just staying one night, but would like to be in a safe area for walking since I won't have a car. (And yes, I work in downtown Chicago so already do the general keep an eye out, be aware of your surroundings, etc. etc. :)) Close to the port would be nice and Las Ramblas if that's possible? Would like to keep it under $200.

I have seen some with a package with airport and cruise port shuttle - is that necessary or easier/cheaper to just catch a cab?

Any tips in general for a first timer will be welcomed ~ restaurants, good wine, shopping....TIA

Can't wait! :wine-glass:(y):cool:

"since I won't have car"... boy, be thankful for that, finding a spot for parking in Barcelona is harder than in Chi-Town... and it's never free, you can't park anywhere in the city for free -not in downtown anyway.

For staying, I personally would choose somewhere in L'Eixample, it's a pretty nice area (see Barcelona's neighbourhoods: http://monbarcino.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/barris_bcn.jpg ) or if you prefer something more historical, but also a bit more rowdy, somewhere in El Gòtic or in La Ribera.

There's this absurd notion to stay "close" to the port (or to the airport), which is the dumbest thing to do... there's nothing much near those two sites and even if it's for a night, you surely won't spend all the time in your room, right?

I don't want to queer anyone's pitch but Les Rambles is no longer what it had been for decades, if not centuries, when was one of the main places in the city. Barcelonians of all walks of life mingled to get their fresh food in the markets, attended its opera and the theatres, strolled to see and be seen, etc.... but that's now pretty much over.

For the past say, 20 years, Les Rambles has degraded to an overcrowded boulevard flooded by zillions of tourists, full of tacky souvenir shops selling cheap Chinese-imported crap and bars with terraces offering unpalatable food and even worst booze at outrageous prices. Some of the most iconic stalls and shops in the boulevard are now almost all gone. Take for example the florists, there was a time in which dozens of stalls filled Les Rambles with a beautiful multi-colored landscape and a magnificent fragrance. They populated La Rambla for nearly two centuries, ie https://cloud10.todocoleccion.online/postales-cataluna/tc/2014/12/23/20/46911159.jpg or https://i2.wp.com/secretolivo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Sobre-las-Ramblas-de-Barcelona.jpg There's a reason why one of the stretches of Les Rambles was called "La Rambla de les Flors" (Catalan for the "boulevard of the flowers") but now only a few of them survive. In its place, stalls selling unrelated stuff, that should be in a shopping mall instead, have taken the boulevard.

Yet, yes.... it's *a must* to pass by and stroll, it still has a bit of a flair indeed... but just to tick it off your list or if you're going to somewhere in that area. Don't keep your hopes too high.

As per shuttles, as I've mentioned in other posts, there are very few companies offering them and hardly any hotel use these services because mobility in Barcelona is excellently served by a modern, clean, safe, cheap and efficient network of public transportation of buses/metro/tramway. Pss, our network is far (far!) better than the Metra! :) We also have a large fleet of taxis, bigger than NY's (13000 serving 8 million residents vs 11000 for 1.6 million residents in Barcelona) and they are pretty inexpensive.

There are no unsafe areas in Barcelona -none that you or I'd be going anyway. Having said that, there are some less 'savoury' than others, of course (ie the lower part of El Raval, where the Red Light District is located). Despite we do have crime --it's a city, after all-- I hate to remind this, but we don't have guns or gangs here -you know what I mean!- thus most of the crime is "minor" so to speak.

Check out www.timeout.com/barcelona ... it's pretty handy for going out.

And don't forget to browse these as well: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/ - http://www.infocatalonia.eu/ - http://lameva.barcelona.cat/en - http://www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat/en/inici

Enjoy!

"since I won't have car"... boy, be thankful for that, finding a spot for parking in Barcelona is harder than in Chi-Town... and it's never free, you can't park anywhere in the city for free -not in downtown anyway.

 

For staying, I personally would choose somewhere in L'Eixample, it's a pretty nice area (see Barcelona's neighbourhoods: http://monbarcino.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/barris_bcn.jpg ) or if you prefer something more historical, but also a bit more rowdy, somewhere in El Gòtic or in La Ribera.

 

There's this absurd notion to stay "close" to the port (or to the airport), which is the dumbest thing to do... there's nothing much near those two sites and even if it's for a night, you surely won't spend all the time in your room, right?

 

I don't want to queer anyone's pitch but Les Rambles is no longer what it had been for decades, if not centuries, when was one of the main places in the city. Barcelonians of all walks of life mingled to get their fresh food in the markets, attended its opera and the theatres, strolled to see and be seen, etc.... but that's now pretty much over.

 

For the past say, 20 years, Les Rambles has degraded to an overcrowded boulevard flooded by zillions of tourists, full of tacky souvenir shops selling cheap Chinese-imported crap and bars with terraces offering unpalatable food and even worst booze at outrageous prices. Some of the most iconic stalls and shops in the boulevard are now almost all gone. Take for example the florists, there was a time in which dozens of stalls filled Les Rambles with a beautiful multi-colored landscape and a magnificent fragrance. They populated La Rambla for nearly two centuries, ie https://cloud10.todocoleccion.online/postales-cataluna/tc/2014/12/23/20/46911159.jpg or https://i2.wp.com/secretolivo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Sobre-las-Ramblas-de-Barcelona.jpg There's a reason why one of the stretches of Les Rambles was called "La Rambla de les Flors" (Catalan for the "boulevard of the flowers") but now only a few of them survive. In its place, stalls selling unrelated stuff, that should be in a shopping mall instead, have taken the boulevard.

 

Yet, yes.... it's *a must* to pass by and stroll, it still has a bit of a flair indeed... but just to tick it off your list or if you're going to somewhere in that area. Don't keep your hopes too high.

 

As per shuttles, as I've mentioned in other posts, there are very few companies offering them and hardly any hotel use these services because mobility in Barcelona is excellently served by a modern, clean, safe, cheap and efficient network of public transportation of buses/metro/tramway. Pss, our network is far (far!) better than the Metra! :) We also have a large fleet of taxis, bigger than NY's (13000 serving 8 million residents vs 11000 for 1.6 million residents in Barcelona) and they are pretty inexpensive.

 

There are no unsafe areas in Barcelona -none that you or I'd be going anyway. Having said that, there are some less 'savoury' than others, of course (ie the lower part of El Raval, where the Red Light District is located). Despite we do have crime --it's a city, after all-- I hate to remind this, but we don't have guns or gangs here -you know what I mean!- thus most of the crime is "minor" so to speak.

 

Check out www.timeout.com/barcelona ... it's pretty handy for going out.

 

And don't forget to browse these as well: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/ - http://www.infocatalonia.eu/ - http://lameva.barcelona.cat/en - http://www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat/en/inici

 

Enjoy!

EnricM - thank you so much for your very informative posts! I am also traveling to Barcelona (next summer) and have found many of your posts sprinkled throughout these port message boards very helpful. I appreciate you sharing your insights and local wisdom - thank you!

From another "solo" cruiser/visitor to Barcelona :D

With pleasure :)

We have visited Barcelona about 6 times and stayed before or after cruises in past 20 years, plus a few times on cruises in transit.

Barcelona is one of my favorite cities. We have stayed at the airport and in the financial district and out at the Convention center area. I usually start looking for hotel options 9-6 months in advance, we are long range planners. I search on line at Hilton, Marriott, Crown Plaza for rates.. We have stayed at the two Hiltons (financial district and convention area); Marriott out at the airport, the Ritz Carlton once. I actually booked a Crown Plaza Fira Center which is a good area, not right by the port but near enough. You might check it out a little more than $200 price range but still reasonable. My favorite place to stay is the Hilton Diagonal Mar... at the Convention Center area... right on the Mediterranean... away from the main tourist area. I booked this hotel initially even though I thought the rate was high, then monitored it, when the rate dropped 100 euros, called Hilton and got the cheaper rate. I always book a flexible rate, not advance pay. YOu can get cheaper rates if you pay in advance.

Hope you enjoy your stay in Barcelona.

I agree with Eric to stay away from Le Rambles... over crowded with tourist... I would rather explore neighborhoods where folks live and work in Barcelona... more interesting.

Oh no, no... one *must* visit Les Rambles... it's an intrinsic part of the city that's key to understand the character of Barcelona... what I said is that it's no longer what it used to be and that I prefer not to stay there, as in having the hotel there, yet a stroll there even if a short one is nearly mandatory. But again, that's only my opinion.

Btw, I am curious to know what is "the financial district" :)

Oh no, no... one *must* visit Les Rambles... it's an intrinsic part of the city that's key to understand the character of Barcelona... what I said is that it's no longer what it used to be and that I prefer not to stay there, as in having the hotel there, yet a stroll there even if a short one is nearly mandatory. But again, that's only my opinion.

 

Btw, I am curious to know what is "the financial district" :)

Sorry Eric, did not mean to miss quote you, we have been there Les Rambles many times.... last two times so crowded not enjoyable at all for us. The St Joseph market was wall to wall people... have found similar markets in other parts of Barcelona, we always enjoy checking out local markets through out Europe. Barcelona is not exception... we once had some fresh fish at the St Joseph market lunch counter very good. Now look elsewhere.

"since I won't have car"... boy, be thankful for that, finding a spot for parking in Barcelona is harder than in Chi-Town... and it's never free, you can't park anywhere in the city for free -not in downtown anyway.

 

For staying, I personally would choose somewhere in L'Eixample, it's a pretty nice area (see Barcelona's neighbourhoods: http://monbarcino.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/barris_bcn.jpg ) or if you prefer something more historical, but also a bit more rowdy, somewhere in El Gòtic or in La Ribera.

 

There's this absurd notion to stay "close" to the port (or to the airport), which is the dumbest thing to do... there's nothing much near those two sites and even if it's for a night, you surely won't spend all the time in your room, right?

 

I don't want to queer anyone's pitch but Les Rambles is no longer what it had been for decades, if not centuries, when was one of the main places in the city. Barcelonians of all walks of life mingled to get their fresh food in the markets, attended its opera and the theatres, strolled to see and be seen, etc.... but that's now pretty much over.

 

For the past say, 20 years, Les Rambles has degraded to an overcrowded boulevard flooded by zillions of tourists, full of tacky souvenir shops selling cheap Chinese-imported crap and bars with terraces offering unpalatable food and even worst booze at outrageous prices. Some of the most iconic stalls and shops in the boulevard are now almost all gone. Take for example the florists, there was a time in which dozens of stalls filled Les Rambles with a beautiful multi-colored landscape and a magnificent fragrance. They populated La Rambla for nearly two centuries, ie https://cloud10.todocoleccion.online/postales-cataluna/tc/2014/12/23/20/46911159.jpg or https://i2.wp.com/secretolivo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Sobre-las-Ramblas-de-Barcelona.jpg There's a reason why one of the stretches of Les Rambles was called "La Rambla de les Flors" (Catalan for the "boulevard of the flowers") but now only a few of them survive. In its place, stalls selling unrelated stuff, that should be in a shopping mall instead, have taken the boulevard.

 

Yet, yes.... it's *a must* to pass by and stroll, it still has a bit of a flair indeed... but just to tick it off your list or if you're going to somewhere in that area. Don't keep your hopes too high.

 

As per shuttles, as I've mentioned in other posts, there are very few companies offering them and hardly any hotel use these services because mobility in Barcelona is excellently served by a modern, clean, safe, cheap and efficient network of public transportation of buses/metro/tramway. Pss, our network is far (far!) better than the Metra! :) We also have a large fleet of taxis, bigger than NY's (13000 serving 8 million residents vs 11000 for 1.6 million residents in Barcelona) and they are pretty inexpensive.

 

There are no unsafe areas in Barcelona -none that you or I'd be going anyway. Having said that, there are some less 'savoury' than others, of course (ie the lower part of El Raval, where the Red Light District is located). Despite we do have crime --it's a city, after all-- I hate to remind this, but we don't have guns or gangs here -you know what I mean!- thus most of the crime is "minor" so to speak.

 

Check out www.timeout.com/barcelona ... it's pretty handy for going out.

 

And don't forget to browse these as well: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/ - http://www.infocatalonia.eu/ - http://lameva.barcelona.cat/en - http://www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat/en/inici

 

Enjoy!

Thank you so much for your excellant information on Barcelona. I wish I had only seen it earlier as we will be in Barcelona for two days before our cruise in October and already have made arrangements for a couple of tours, but it still is very informative and I plan on using some of the information

... use these as well:

http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/

http://www.infocatalonia.eu/

http://www.timeout.com/barcelona

http://lameva.barcelona.cat/en

http://www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat/en/inici

http://patrimoni.gencat.cat/en/discover/search

EnricM -

thanks for all the great info! A friend suggested Hotel Ciutat Vella; it looked good location wise - walkable to Les Rambles and the Cathedral. Any other good sights in the area to check out?

... that's the part of the city with most things to do/see... that'd be endless to list, better check the links above and also this one: http://meet.barcelona.cat/en/discover-barcelona/districts/ciutat-vella

(y)(y)

We've been happy at the Jazz - Good sized rooms, friendly staff - has the basics covered in a good location

http://www.hoteljazz.com/en/ Pictures are pretty accurate

After just finishing my 3rd night here before we board the ship I find everything that EnricM says is 100% spot on. Taxis here are very plentiful and very clean and cheap. I am a "car service" type of guy and have done nothing but taxis. From the airport, around town, and to the port tomorrow.

No need to stay near the port or airport. We are staying in the Parq Urquinaona area and it's great. Right near everything. I've been walking a lot today and seen so much. And have Achilles tendinitis right now!

Please give this lovely city two or three full days before you board the ship. You will find so many wonderful things to do.

Last January we stayed at the Hotel Europark. We are going back this December and already have our rooms reserved back at Hotel Europark. An excellent hotel and well situated. Google them as they have their own website. Best rates are to book directly with them.

Paul

hi EnricM,

quick question - are most things open on Sunday? I'm thinking of flying in a few days early since I have a weekend I could add on, and would arrive early Sunday morning. :)

Thanks.

What things would you *need* to be open? attractions, art galleries and museums? these are open, restaurants? are too, parks and gardens are also open, public transportation? is open every day in the year, churches? same.... shops? kiosks, convenience stores, pharmacies, even souvenir shops are open on Sunday morning. Clothes and fashion?... try the mall at Maremagnum in the marina at the Port Vell (Old Port). Everything else is closed on Sunday.

ha - perfect answer. I was kind of vague wasn't I? :D :D ;p Thanks!

I was in Barcelona for the first time last month:)..........I stayed at "Hotel Pulitzer" and highly recommend it. As for

Las Ramblas, I very much enjoyed walking it.......lots of shops/restaurants/kiosks.......my hotel was not right on it but

around the corner.

I thought the hotel was clean, good sized rooms and the staff was very helpful. Also had a lovely buffet breakfast included in my price.

As for cars? Definitely don't need one. I decided to book a car service through my hotel and a driver was waiting for me

with my name on sign at the airport. He was courteous and I would do that again:)

I loved my visit......hope you do too:)

It's "Las Ramblas" not "Les Rambles" in case you're trying to find it on a map.

.... it's LES RAMBLES... there is no "-as" in plural in Catalan but "-es".

We are sailing from Barcelona on 13th July 2018 on MSC Seaview and plan to stay pre cruise in Barcelona. It would seem there is a big music festival taking place around that time and already lots of hotels are fully booked and where there are vacancies the prices are sky high. We have therefore opted for a three bedroomed apartment near the Sagrada Familia which worked out so much cheaper than three double hotel rooms and we get to have the freedom of a spacious apartment with all facilities. Flights to Barcelona have been booked using Air Miles for London Heathrow with British Airways - more savings this way so travel arrangements and accommodation now sorted.

Suron (Bristol, UK)

I prefer to stay near the top of las Ramblas near Placa Catalunya. I've stayed at both Hotel Continental and Hotel Lloret. You can take the Aerobus from the airport and a axi to the port.

I'd stay at both hotels again.

Enjoy! Barcelona is a great city.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I am traveling to Barcelona next July and am also traveling solo. Based on reviews and comments on these boards and reviews on TripAdvisor I think I've narrowed down my hotel options to: Hotel Vueling BCN, Hotel Ciutat Vella, Hotel Catalognia Sagrada Familia, and U232 Hotel. I'd like to keep costs on the lower end, but also want to feel comfortable walking from the hotel to attractions and restaurants so would welcome any advice from those familiar with any of these options. A couple of them seem to be right in the middle of the "touristy" area and the other two are more removed, but in opposite directions. Help please!!??!! :)

Last January we stayed at the Hotel Europark. We are going back this December and already have our rooms reserved back at Hotel Europark. An excellent hotel and well situated. Google them as they have their own website. Best rates are to book directly with them.

 

Paul

We have booked this hotel on our upcoming cruise next April we included the breakfast with our stay did you have it, also it seems close to all the tourist attractions, what did you like about staying there.