Barcelona Advice needed

[DUH CAR]

Will land in Madrid but then will rent a car to go to Barcelona (and beyond afterwards). I did look into taking the train, but it costs as much for two people as a two day car rental (63 euros each) plus a few transfers etc.

So can anyone give me some advice on the best area to stay in for a few days to see Barcelona. I read about Barcelonetta or Barrio Gotic. With a car I really don't need to be central as I imagine I could drive in to an outlying metro station and park there.

Thanks, John.

[Greg]

Hi John,

Yes, you're right, as long as you're reasonably close to a metro stop, you don't actually need to be right in the center of the Barri Gòtic or the Born. It's important to remember, though, that the metro only runs until midnight or 1am, so if you're planning on staying out past then, that could be a drawback. Also, you'll need to find parking once you're in the city...there are plenty of garages, but it's an extra expense to take into account. Depending on what your plans are after Barcelona, you might want to consider a Madrid-Barcelona flight on Vueling, Easyjet, or one of the other low-cost airlines. (Spanair has been offering good national fares lately too.)

As far as neighborhoods go, the closer you are to the usual tourist areas (the Barri Gòtic, the Born, Barceloneta and the beaches) the more expensive it will be. The Eixample is a good place to look for hotels, since it's a nice neighborhood but not quite as touristy; sometimes you can find good medium-priced hotels near (but not on) Passeig de Gracia. Gracia is another option, although depending on the street you may get a lot of noise at night. Les Corts/Sarria/Sant Gervasi are great neighborhoods, but probably a little too quiet and residential for a short visit. The only area I would really advise avoiding is the Raval, since it's a little rougher than the rest; other than that, almost any neighborhood will be nice and well-connected by metro or bus.

I hope this helps...if you have specific questions, you can PM or email me. Enjoy your visit! :)

[Marbella]

If you want to go up-market in Barcelona at any point you could try the new Hotel Neri (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=415), I've heard it is sexy and retro-Gothic.

Although Barcelona is great, maybe you will also get time to visit Madrid?
It will be a real pity to fly all that way and just see Barajas.

Have a great trip!

[gary]

If you want to go up-market in Barcelona at any point you could try the new Hotel Neri (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=415), I've heard it is sexy and retro-Gothic.


Stop it.....;)

[DUH CAR]

Although Barcelona is great, maybe you will also get time to visit Madrid?
It will be a real pity to fly all that way and just see Barajas.

Have a great trip!

We are in Spain for three weeks, flying in and out of Madrid, so we will be staying in/near Madrid at the end of the trip. Stay tuned for questions on that subject! Barcelona logistics is my first chore.....:D

[Marbella]

We are in Spain for three weeks, flying in and out of Madrid, so we will be staying in/near Madrid at the end of the trip. Stay tuned for questions on that subject! Barcelona logistics is my first chore.....:D

Sounds perfect, have a great time.
Hope you'll let us know how it all goes.

[gary]

We are in Spain for three weeks, flying in and out of Madrid, so we will be staying in/near Madrid at the end of the trip. Stay tuned for questions on that subject! Barcelona logistics is my first chore.....:D

Dont forget to post from Spain when you get there - in Barcelona theres an Easy internet Cafe towards the bottom of las Rambles, its on your right as you face the sea.

When youve posted keep walking towards the sea and sit outside Cava Universal and watch the world go by, its at the very end of the ramblas on the left neat the statue of Christobal Colon.

I also like Bar de Pi which is in Plaza de Pi - great tapas

Lunch is good in Barceloneta ( there are the expensive places by the harbour but we keep going and there are lots of great places for Menu del Dia along the front.

My favourite place to eat is in the Olympic Harbour - towards the end of the run - cant remember the name of the place but the whipper in is calld Mehmet - nice guy & we invariably drop for freebies too!

Dont advertise that youre a tourist by what you wear and watch the pick pockets - especially where thre eastern euroean looking types are playing cards or the three shells game to attract a crowd. Its not a scary place even in Raval but its best to be prudent!!

[Ben]

Dont advertise that youre a tourist by what you wear and watch the pick pockets - especially where thre eastern euroean looking types are playing cards or the three shells game to attract a crowd. Its not a scary place even in Raval but its best to be prudent!!

Very true, no wallet in back pocket or day pack on the back. Keep bags close! It's not dangerous, but there are a lot of pick-pockets in Barca.

[guapo]

Very true, no wallet in back pocket or day pack on the back. Keep bags close! It's not dangerous, but there are a lot of pick-pockets in Barca.

Had an attempt at a world cup related scam while I was in Barcelona this week (just got back today :cool:). Leaving a bar just off Las Ramblas area and a guy came up alongside and started asking what team I support and tried to shake my hand. Whilst holding my hand he made a grab for my back pocket in search of a wallet (as Ben says that is definitely a bad place to keep it). I just shoved him away but it gets so annoying that I tend to avoid that area after midnight.

But, don't let it put you off. It is a very safe place and you will have a great time.

[DUH CAR]

Dont advertise that you're a tourist by what you wear and watch the pick pockets - especially where thre eastern euroean looking types are playing cards or the three shells game to attract a crowd. Its not a scary place even in Raval but its best to be prudent!!

I was planning to carry a camera bag with me -- that will definitely mark me as a tourist. :-)
Is it wise then to carry a camera bag? Will they just grab it or would I be okay to carry it around Barcelona?

[gary]

Very true, no wallet in back pocket or day pack on the back. Keep bags close! It's not dangerous, but there are a lot of pick-pockets in Barca.

Not only Barça - when i was younger and less prudent I was walking up Huertas in Madrid, I had just crossed the square at the top and was walking towards PlazaMayor when two 14-15 year ols girls approached me with a map to ask directions. They moved around quite clumsily for ones so delicate and pretty, after i had fended them off i took about 3 steps before I realised i had been 'dipped'. As i turned round one of the girls was running towards me with my wallet in her hand, to give it me - she said I had dropped it. I only had two 10 mil (pesetas) notes in the wallet and one had gone - when i said there should be 20 mil shw calmly turned round, looked behind her said 'ah there it is' picked it up and gave it me back.

I suppose the idea was that if they took a wallet they would be reported and it would shorten their viable time on the street. If they took a sizeable bill out of a wad no one would miss it til later and even then you'd question yourself as to whether you had counted right.

Later that day called in to McDonalds near Attocha Station for a beer and a burger and they were still at it on the busy corner outside. We pointed it out to the security guard (McDonalds needs a bouncer?) and he took it from there.

[gary]

I was planning to carry a camera bag with me -- that will definitely mark me as a tourist. :-)
Is it wise then to carry a camera bag? Will they just grab it or would I be okay to carry it around Barcelona?
Its usually your wallet or purse they're after, I've never seen a mugging as such. Put your wallet in a front pocket. We usually go to Barça in the winter and if we take a stroll up Las Ramblas between 11 am and 4 pm (the time when the tourists are bussed in for the day) Gill will simply carry her shoulder bag under her coat (its only a small one)

If anyone approaches you for any kind of assistance beware and beware also the crowds round the street entertainers - these guys are trying to make an honest buck but the crowds they attract are a happy hunting ground for pick pockets.

Beware when you are sitting at a table - dont put purses or mobile phones on the table - if you are approached by a couple of young women, one invariably carrying a baby they will hold out a map over the table and ask for directions, the fingers under the map scoop up the purse/phone and theyre gone before you miss it.

NEVER hang a hanbag etc on the back of a chair whilst you enjoy refreshment. Fair to say that if you do hang a bag on the back of a chair one of the locals will likely pick you up on it and advise you to keep it safe.


The three card scam from what ive seen in the uk is also to get you to bet - they let you win a couple of times but if you put a chunk on one will shout police, the whole lot is folded up in a split second and they vanish into the ether - with your bet. A fool and his money.....

Madrid and Barcelona are no more or less fraught with danger than Leeds, London or any other big city and you need to have your wits about you, but because you are on holiday you often drop your guard.

I was brought up in a big city and I feel very comfortable in both Barça and Madrid but I have friends who come from more rural towns and villages that sometimes feel intimidated, particularly in Raval - its dark, quite seedy and has a high ethnic population, maiinly asian and north african i guess, and you could get out of your personal comfort zone. Plaza de marques de barbera (also raval)is where the hookers hang out, gill and I once stayed in the Hostal in the square and had to pass the parade of girls (and some boys dressed as girls - this is Barcelona!) to get in and out. It is also quite studenty. If you do go there try Ambar which is at the bottom of Rambla de Raval. It opens at about 10pm and If your craving your after drink kebab you'll get one nearby.

I blogged my last visit to the Raval/Paral-lel area here...

Creatures of Habit (http://gtcc.blogspot.com/2006/02/creatures-of-habit.html)

[Ben]

I was planning to carry a camera bag with me -- that will definitely mark me as a tourist. :-)
Is it wise then to carry a camera bag? Will they just grab it or would I be okay to carry it around Barcelona?

Defintely take your camera, just wear it round the front. It is and isn't as bad as we are making out... there are a lot of pickpockets but if you follow the sage advice above, it won't be a problem at all. And remember, Barcelona and Madrid are extreme cases, and although it pays to be vigilant everywhere, you are not walking into a crime-ridden country!

[celia s]

Hi DUH CAR.
I was very anxious about my trip to Barcelona last year.I had read a lot about violent and petty crime against tourists being on the increase.Infact,last summer 1,000 extra police were called in to deal with the situation.
The problem is largely contained,though not totally eradicated.Despite these concerns,it is a relatively safe city.Be vigilant at all times especially in crowded areas.
I bought disposable cameras but regret this now.It would have been fine.
I would also recommend keeping money in different pockets.( I concealed money in my shoes,though I admit this might be a bit extreme!)
By the way,the scariest place that I have ever been to is Palermo,Sicily.But that is a different story........

[Ben]

I would also recommend keeping money in different pockets.( I concealed money in my shoes,though I admit this might be a bit extreme!)
By the way,the scariest place that I have ever been to is Palermo,Sicily.But that is a different story........

A thin money belt pushed down under the waistline of trousers is always a safe bet for passports and credit cards. Best of all is to leave most of your valuable in the hotel safe. But DO take your camera (and post your pics here when you get back!!!)

[gary]

A thin money belt pushed down under the waistline of trousers is always a safe bet for passports and credit cards. Best of all is to leave most of your valuable in the hotel safe. But DO take your camera (and post your pics here when you get back!!!)

Or a 'bum bag' worn at the front...

Really - its not scary......

[DUH CAR]

Really - its not scary......

Thanks everyone! I was starting to think that it was bad, but it sounds like one needs to take the normal precautions you would take in any big city. Pickpockets seem to be the biggest problem.........

[gary]

Thanks everyone! I was starting to think that it was bad, but it sounds like one needs to take the normal precautions you would take in any big city. Pickpockets seem to be the biggest problem.........


absolutely - have a great trip.....

[Mark]

The only people truly safe are those demonstrating against La Corrida... although I did hear reports of a pair of plastic horns going missing :D