I'm going there from March 24th-31st.

I want to stay in Barcelona for a few nights and I want to see my favorite soccer team play, Valencia F.C. Only time that they are playing during those dates is on the 25th at Getafe (suburb of Madrid).

That's all I got so far. What else?

1/19/2012 6:05:41 PM

you got a hostel to stay in yet? there's one within walking distance of barcelona sants train station that's the tits.

1/19/2012 6:43:36 PM

I'm going with the lady friend so I've got to stay in something a lil more classy. Otherwise I wouldn't care about staying in hostels

1/19/2012 7:00:29 PM

Stay away from the plain, as precipitation often occurs there.

1/19/2012 7:00:59 PM

Hop a train to Alicante.

[Edited on January 19, 2012 at 7:03 PM. Reason : j]

1/19/2012 7:03:05 PM

visit sites near the pyrenees where various spaghetti westerns were filmed-

1/19/2012 7:11:07 PM

Don't worry, the Spanish guys aren't all flamers; it's just that there, the "z" and the "soft c" have the sound of our soft "th"

1/20/2012 12:57:24 AM

yeah everyone in Barthelona talks with a lisp

1/20/2012 8:17:15 AM

I've only done Barcelona, so...

Go to the market, it's ridiculous (it's closed on Sunday).

Eat lots of tapas and drink lots of cheap Spanish wine.

See all of Gaudi's shit...it's pretty impressive.

1/20/2012 8:38:15 AM

Quote :

"Go to the market, it's ridiculous (it's closed on Sunday). Eat lots of tapas and drink lots of cheap Spanish wine. "

Whereabouts is the market? I would love to see that.

I love spanish wine and I'm glad to hear it's cheap there I guess I just assume that everything in Spain will cost $Texas even if it was made there.

Anyone been to Valencia?

[Edited on January 20, 2012 at 1:23 PM. Reason : yo]

1/20/2012 1:22:48 PM

^ It's called "Market of la Boqueria" and it's on the main drag of Las Ramblas.

I mean...you can buy expensive wine...but do some research and find the hole in the wall places. I wish I could remember the place (I've tried to find it), but I was buying bottles of Cava one day for like 2 or 3 euros. There is a lot of cheap sangria everywhere as well.

1/20/2012 1:33:51 PM

I used to live in Barcelona, right of La Rambla and across the street from The London Bar.

There are lots of Markets in the City, but maybe jbrick is referring to the one off La Rambla.

That's pretty much the busiest pedestrian area and you can drink and people watch all day long. There's also a ton of street performers there too.

If you get the chance, try and take a trip up Mount Tibidabo (it overlooks the city, and has spectacular views)

And the Gaudi Park / Segrada Familia are beautiful/bizarre.

1/20/2012 1:36:18 PM

We were only in Barcelona for one night before our cruise, but we stayed at Hotel Vilamari:

http://www.hotels.com/hotel/details.html?pa=1&pn=1&ps=1&tab=description&destinationId=1644687&hotelId=213414&rooms[0].numberOfAdults=2&roomno=1&validate=false&previousDateful=false&reviewOrder=date_newest_first

It was pretty inexpensive, but a nice, modern place. They also have free bottles of water, Coke, and Fanta in the mini-fridges. The room was somewhat small, but I would say it's comparable to most European hotel rooms. The front desk was really helpful and told us the best (and cheapest) way to get to certain places. There was a close metro stop to the hotel and it was a very short ride to La Rambla and all of that area.

I would also recommend doing the Hop-on, Hop-off bus tour. After our cruise came back to Barcelona, we had a solid 12 hours to spend before going to the airport so we just toured around on the bus (listened to the english translation with headphones) and got off whenever we wanted to see something. It helped because I really didn't know much about Barcelona before going. Oh yeah, and be prepared to say "graTHias" a lot.

[Edited on January 20, 2012 at 1:41 PM. Reason : .]

1/20/2012 1:40:44 PM

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d697464-Reviews-Can_Paixano-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

This was one of the coolest places I ate when I was backpacking Europe. It was the place I previously mentioned where I found bottles of Cava for 3 Euros. Standing room only (during the happy hour with the cheap Cava)...well actually, no seats in the whole place but I think the walls were lined with a bar where you could set your food down and eat. But I went with a girl from my hostel and we were scrunched up in there trying to chug Cava and stuff the delicious meats and cheese down our throat.

1/20/2012 4:56:40 PM

I stayed in Barcelona for a week about six or seven years ago. So nice. My favorite part of that trip, though, was staying a few nights in Cadaques, which is a kind of small coastal town pretty far north of the city near the France border. If you get a chance to explore then I highly recommend the Costa Brava north of Barca.

And by the way, I'm extremely jealous you're going to see a La Liga game. My girlfrienda at the time had no interest to "waste time" at a sporting event...

1/20/2012 5:31:16 PM

^I'm bummed it's not going to be at Estadio Mestalla but it should be fun nonetheless. That just means I'll have to go back in a couple years when Nou Mestalla is finished

1/21/2012 8:18:29 AM

Don't drink the water in Barcelona

1/21/2012 9:29:47 AM

Here's the initial itinerary

March 24th - Arrive in Madrid at 3:50 pm.
March 25th - Soccer game in Getafe (suburb of Madrid)
March 26th - Train to Valencia.
March 27th - Valencia
March 28th - Train to Barcelona
March 29th - Barcelona
March 30th - Barcelona
March 31th - Leave Barcelona at 9:20pm

I'd like to check out some towns on my way from Valencia to Barcelona. Any suggestions?

1/23/2012 9:18:37 AM

Albufera is a natural park south of Valencia and is the birthplace of Paella. Great place to take the lady-friend.

Museums in Valencia are architectural masterpieces. Its worth a walk around that area if you have the time.

Check out Valencia's beach. The restaurants are directly on the beach and the atmosphere reminds me of the USA's "left coast."

ValenciBici is the bike rental system they have around town. Rent a bike and ride it down the river bed. The river bed has been dried up for many years and is sort of like a park through the middle of the city. Reminds me of Central Park.

Haven't been to Barca, but I've heard its wonderful. Enjoy!

1/23/2012 4:28:45 PM

So I'm in Madrid for 2 weeks for work and my girlfriend just flew in for a week and two weekends. We're going to Barcelona this coming weekend. We'll only be there for 2 partial days but will check out all the spots mentioned ITT.

Gaudi park, Mount Tibidabo, Segrada Familia, etc.

Any other suggestions? Areas to stay in? Probably staying at the Hotel Arts. It's right on the beach and the building looks sweet.

10/21/2013 12:43:46 PM

if you are in Europe, might as well go to either London or Paris for a day or two.

10/21/2013 4:36:08 PM

^^ the Boqueria market... heaven for food lovers

10/21/2013 10:50:06 PM

^^No time. I've already been to Paris and London a few times each. Hoping to get to a city I haven't been yet (Barcelona).

10/22/2013 3:51:22 AM