Spain/Portugal/Gibraltar - 3 days in Barcelona as a couple, what to do?

My girl friend and I are headed to Barcelona April 9th to 12th and looking for some interesting things to do while we're there. We have currently found "The Barcelona Taste" tour and the "Gran Gala de Flamenco" as well as the recommendation to go to the Cathedral in the Bari Gothic on Sunday for some dancing.

For people familiar with Barcelona, what else would be some fun adventures for a couple? Are there other tours that are worthwhile? Any places or experiences that we should explore on our own?

Also, any recommendations on how to get from the airport to the W Barcelona and back?

Thanks in advance!

Dine in the old city. Adjust yourself to eating late and enjoy walking around after dinner. Visit the produce market near Las Ramblas.

Taxis are cheap in Spain. I always take a taxi from the airport if I don't have my own car.

To be frank ...... to me everything revolves around food ... so I'd factor in a tapas bar crawl or two. That's great fun. Drink Cava or a dry sherry and nibble away.

Simply google best tapas bar barcelona and try and keep a few blocks away each side from the Ramblas where it becomes a touch less touristy and more authentic.

If you are a real foody then consider staying in a serviced suite where you have a kitchenette or something because as Stimpy indicated the market off of Ramblas Boqueria (http://www.boqueria.info/) is in my view one of the very best fresh food markets in the world and the seafood (http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&xhr=t&q=boqueria+seafood+bar&cp=12&rlz=1R2ADFA_enGB408&wrapid=tljp1299751830228022&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1259&bih=609) and cold hams are wonderful. Buying a few bags of stuff, some salad, some bread some expensive cava and taking it back will beat anything from a restaurant - but I understand may not be everyone's idea of a holiday - but there are a few places in the market will plate it for you so you could eat it there instead! Revellers also get their early morning coffees and churros (http://www.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&rlz=1R2ADFA_enGB408&biw=1259&bih=609&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=churros&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=) here.

I think Barcelona, like Paris, is one of those cities where it is good just to be, if that makes sense, so factor in plenty of "down time" for wandering round and drinking in the sights and just plain enjoying being there.

The Barceloneta area is very good for an early evening stroll, and you might find yourself attracted to one of the restaurants on the waterfront there. The fish is often very good.

A stroll round parts of the Eixample district to admire the architecture is also worthwhile.

And you must visit the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's famous cathedral. The inside is now completed. It costs something like €11.50 to get in, and it's worth every cent. I am not exaggerating when I say that when we walked in we could hear sudden intakes of breath from just about everyone near us as the extent and idiosyncratic beauty of what they were seeing became apparent to them.

Maybe take a train up to Figueres and go see the Dali museum? Spend some time on the beach? Definitely go on food excursions :D

I'll be there Apr 20!

I agree that everything food is a must - but so is the architecture.

As an art lover, I found the Miro Foundation to be worthy - best collection of Miro's in one place anywhere and the alternate exhibits have always been worthy. The Picasso Museum is also worthwhile.

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/attractions/art-galleries-barcelona.html#miromuseum

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/attractions/art-galleries-barcelona.html#picassomuseum

Park Guell is a must -
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/gaudi/park-guell.html

and I don't think a visit would not be complete without a visit to Gaudi's Casa Batlló

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/gaudi/casa-batllo.html

or to the Apartments.

Sounds hokey but we also found the hop on hop off tourist bus to be a great value as it went all the places we wanted to, the open top was fun, the narration was informative, and it made it really easy to get all over town. We also did a combination of the tourist bus and also public transport to cut diagonally across the circuitous route of the tourist bus.

I was totally unprepared as to how smitten I would be with Barcelona. It is a great city, easy to navigate, friendly people, great food. The comparison to Paris is spot on - it is a great place "just to be".

Agree to just cab it to your hotel. Not worth buses and transfers to me, especially if on holiday with more than one person and luggage.

Not to put a downer on this message but be mindful of pickpockets -(they are in every city) but tend to prey on tourists especially along Las Ramblas. Just don't make yourself a target and take precautions in advance (as any traveler should) should you become a victim.

2nd the Miro Museum suggestion. In addition to the amazing art the view overlooking Barcelona is very cool. Cab ride up the mountain was around $7 or you can do public bus. Stops right in front of it. First time in Barcelona we also did the hop on hop off bus and enjoyed it.

Barcelona has good museums and interesting architecture. Another vote for Fundacio (?) Miro, but do not go on a Sunday. It will be packed. If you enjoy art also go to the National Museu of Catalonian Art for the Romanesque frescoes. The City Museum and the Museum of Catalan History and the Picasso Museum are also worth visiting. And you must visit at least one Gaudi building and Parc Guell. And then there are the markets. Visit at least two. Depending upon your interests, go to a concert at the Palau de Music (spelling?). Watch out for pick pockets. But spend some time just wandering the streets.

Taxis aren't that cheap in Barcelona. Like in every other major European city, the public transport is a fast, cheap, safe and efficient means of transportation.

Just get on the Aerobus to Placa Catalunya, then take line 17 or 39 to Passeig Joan de Borbo. From there it is a 90 yards walk to the W Barcelona.

............ as many do ......mikelat has gone ..... never to return!

Taxis aren't that cheap in Barcelona.

I guess you've never been to London? Or Amsterdam? Or most any other major European city. An airport taxi in Barca is about 3-4 times cheaper than London. I'n not trying to talk anyone out of public transport, but it doesn't work for everyone or every situation. It's good to know that if you need a taxi, it's relatively cheap in this town.

I guess you've never been to London? Or Amsterdam? Or most any other major European city. An airport taxi in Barca is about 3-4 times cheaper than London.
That's mostly because the airport is nearer to the city center than say LHR is to London city center.

That's mostly because the airport is nearer to the city center than say LHR is to London city center.

No, not really. That's only a small part of it. It's mostly because the taxis in London are vastly more expensive than Barça.

I'm in town now. Been here since Thursday. We're departing this Thursday, and wish we had 3 more days. Report to follow over the weekend.

Taxi's are moderate $$ vs NYC.

Tapas ^

People ^

You could try eating at Els Quatre Gats. A few of the old time big shots ate there (Picasso, Dali). If you collect lladros or know someone that does and you need gifts, the factory is near there (I think... it was a blazing trip). If I remember right architecture was unlike most other places. Didn't think much of the beach, but I'm spoiled even with the BP spill. Nothing else really stands out in my mind.

............ as many do ......mikelat has gone ..... never to return!

Not gone, just off for a while with other things :)

My lodging has now changed due to my Starwood friend not being able to come through with a F&F rate. Oh well. We're now staying at the Hilton Diagonal Mar instead.

Appreciate all the suggestions, especially the ones around food. We have a couple things planned, about one each day, and left other time for just relaxing and exploring. I really enjoyed just wandering around in Paris and am looking forward to the same in Barcelona.

headed to Barcelona April 9th to 12th and looking for some interesting things to do while we're there.

Also, any recommendations on how to get from the airport to the W Barcelona and back?

Thanks in advance!

Looks like mikelat and I are on a similar path, except he'll have a woman with him at the W, I'll be with a buddy at either the Le'Meridien (Ramblas) or the Eurostar Grand Marina. We arrive Sunday 4/10 in the am and leave Tues 4/12 1pm. Not much more than a 2-night MR to a great place (got the IB nonstop for $475 ai pp, + AA miles promo).

So my grand plan is to use public transport as much as possible. Get the Aerobus to Pl. Catalunya and from there I can walk to Le'Meridien or ? to the Eurostar, is there a train/tram nearby?

We're planning to try La Boqueria Sunday afternoon, nap a bit, perhaps a Tapas Crawl Sunday night, head up to Montserrat on Monday midday, wander/stagger las Ramblas in the evening. Our flight is at 1pm Tues. but I doubt well be able to do much, just allows us to stay out Monday night!

Any suggestions for great seafood on Las Ramblas near either hotel? Any other suggestions regarding these hotels--considering we're two forty-something guys--or any other must do's that we can hit in 48 hrs?

Thanks

I highly recommend Pla. You may want to check out this thread. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxury-hotels/1036951-barcelona-mandarin-oriental.html

We're hoping to do a similar trip to Barcelona in a couple of weeks' time. First timers there. So looking for recommendations from scratch.

Hotels - specific ones, or general area. Short trip so we'd like somewhere convenient for to/from airport transfers, good for main tourist attractions (walkable if possible) and also the metro.

Now, bizarrely you might think, we'd also like to go to the beach.

All comments gratefully received. Thank you.

Hotels - specific ones, or general area. Short trip so we'd like somewhere convenient for to/from airport transfers, good for main tourist attractions (walkable if possible) and also the metro.

Price range? There's lots of good hotels in Barça. I prefer the Mandarin Oriental, which is very well placed for walking around, but there are several other very nice hotels.

Just wanted to 'close the loop' here. Unfortunately, due to an illness, we had to cancel our trip to Barcelona. Thankfully travel insurance was purchased so everything was covered. Just have to find another time to go visit and take advantage of all the recommendations here.