Headed to Barcelona and Andorra toward the end of July. Any travel tips or must sees from those of you familiar with either place?

[Edited 6/29/14 7:55am]

Some places to see in Barcelona:
Gaudi's works: Casa Batllo and Casa Mila are the important ones. His cathedral- Temple de la Sagrada is a landmark but not as amazing inside as the previous two places. And of course, his Park Guell is very pleasant in the arvo. You get there by taking Bus 24 which passes outside Casa Battlo.

Now I can't remember the name of the big food market that's on the main street La Rambla, but it's closer to the docks and a good place for breakfast of lunch.

In the evening, wander around the "old city." Looking on a map, it's east of the main La Rambla streets. I don't recommend venturing around the west side at night. It looked quite dodgy to me and I didn't see anything glamorous.

There's also the Picasso museum and on the opposite side of the street where you wait to go into that museum is a "palace" that put on a decent flamenco show for 20€.

The beaches are nice but not brilliant. And you have to be prepared to see a few older folks showing off a bit more skin than they do on most other beaches in the world

And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is my 800th post on the org!

united1878 said:

From what I heard Barcelona is absolutely breathtaking, from the shores of the Mediterranean to the fine shops and museums and awesome restaurants. Andorra, I'm afraid, I don't know much about other than it being up in the Pyrenees between France and Spain.

i went to barcelona couple of months ago & don't mind sharing my highlights.

i know of course the touristy stuff has to be done, but i have to say that it was all a little too commercial & busy for my liking.. especially 'la sagrada familia' .. the queue was ridiculous & scaffolding up made it all rather disappointing so we didnt bother looking inside.

pick pocketing is rife everywhere, so be really careful!

sorry, i can't seem to copy/paste here so can't offer links

imo absolute must dos..

the gothic quarter - explore the area, the old buildings, alleyway, shops, squares & cafes/bars.

the boqueria market - fantastic fresh produce.

la pallaresa - an authentic cafe that does churros y choclate to die for.

la plata - a small authentic bar near the seafront that does really wonderful unfussy tapas & serves amazing wine straight from barrels.

santa caterina market was an interesting place. it is built on top of ancient city ruins which can be viewed free of change.

my favourite find in barcelona was a very small jazz club, called JAZZSI CLUB. we saw flamenco but not advertised to tourists so very authentic & only 10euros entry which gets a drink as well. brilliant little place.. seriously cool!

have a great time.. i'll be up the road in Nice in july!..

Thanks, all!

I would advise you to walk the Avinguda Diaona / The Diagonal (the widest boulavard) in Barcelona, start at the begining, North and head South. The Dianona has an amazing mix of shopping, unique architecture, bakeries, Tapas and its great for people watching. If it seems strang that I said just walk south, that's what we did... to the end. Close to the end you should walk into the area for which the architecture (if my memory serves me right) dates back to the gothicl times.... the streets get very narrower. At one point we thought we were lost but we ended up right back at our hotel... so I guess we did a full square. I'd also suggest making use of the hop on hop off buses, we rode them the first day in the city. It gives you a great overview of the city and maybe gives you other ideas on other parts of the Barcelona you would like to explore on foot.

excited is right, beware of pick-pockets! My husband gave up wearingg his cargo pants and vest after day two. It bought unwanted attention, some folks felt the need to put their hands in his pockets. They were really brazen....

Andorra is a mountanous landlocked microstate with a single city so, in just one day (that's from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, aprox) you will have seen everything; Andorra is like two hours away from Barcelona if you take the RIGHT freeways...

Barcelona is complicated; by that I mean that if you want to FULLY enjoy the city you should need at the very least 8-10 days; I've been there already three times (last time in 2010) and the city never disappointed me, especially considering all the adjacent areas and smaller yet cool cities of the Barcelona county (like Sitges)

if this is your first trip, I basically recommend the basics (lol), like

-shopping: Passeig de Gracia, Diagonal, Portal de l'Angel

-Architecture: Museu Miro, Museu Dali (smaller version of the one in northern Catalonia), Museu Gaudi, la Sagrada Familia, la Pedrera, Parc Guell, la Catedral, '92 Summer Olympic ring+stadium, Camp Nou stadium (FC Barcelona)

-vantage points: mountains of Tibidabo and Montjuic

-gastronomy: the market called la Boqueria, Raco del Mariner (seafood), Tickets (tapas, Ferran Adria), Dos Palillos and Moments (oriental), Bosc de les Fades

-dancing: Luz de Gas, Bikini, Shoko, Sala Apolo (general), Razzmatazz (funk)

-walking: Passeig de la Barceloneta

Las Ramblas (which go from Catalunya square to Monument a Colón)

Port Vell

Arc de Triomf + Parc de la Ciutadella

-beaches: Barceloneta

adjacent cities with important beaches (Mataro, Sitges)

oh, the city is safe/harmless as a little kid, but, as in every major city, expect pickpockets, especially if you look like this

[Edited 6/28/14 5:06am]

Awesome tips!

Lammastide said:

Awesome tips!

it's the least I could do considering the lame ass tips you had gotten before MY post

JoeTyler said:

Lammastide said:

Awesome tips!

it's the least I could do considering the lame ass tips you had gotten before MY post

Las Ramblas is pretty cool, just be alert for pick pockets and hookers. There are nice shopping centers around there and a nice park that's just off Las Ramblas. Be prepared for the "Catalan" attitude that some of the locals have, but if you don't venture much off the beaten bath it's not a big deal.

You shouldn't skip Madrid. Beautiful city and surprisingly friendly people there too. People in Barcelona say their city is better because they have the beach and Madrid doesn't BUT Madrid is pretty awesome in many other ways.

Happy travels!

SeventeenDayze said:

Las Ramblas is pretty cool, just be alert for pick pockets and hookers. There are nice shopping centers around there and a nice park that's just off Las Ramblas. Be prepared for the "Catalan" attitude that some of the locals have, but if you don't venture much off the beaten bath it's not a big deal.

You shouldn't skip Madrid. Beautiful city and surprisingly friendly people there too. People in Barcelona say their city is better because they have the beach and Madrid doesn't BUT Madrid is pretty awesome in many other ways.

Happy travels!

what a load of horseshit (sorry mods)

the last thing I expected HERE (at the org) was a Madrid vs Barcelona post (and, for that matter, a Spain vs Catalonia post)

both cities are awesome, so stop downplaying Barcelona just because, obviously, you prefer Madrid for some reason(s); I have MANY friends in Barcelona, so I am prob biased as well, but I'd never write a post like yours, downplaying the city AND its population: what you mean as "Catalan" attitude is perhaps (surely) related to the fact that Catalonia is a lot closer, culturally and socially speaking, to France than to the rest of Spain; are you implying that the french are assholes?

and there haven't been "hookers" in las Ramblas since the mid-'00s, after the "boom" of the illegal immigration in Spain ended

[Edited 6/28/14 12:41pm]

JoeTyler said:

SeventeenDayze said:

Las Ramblas is pretty cool, just be alert for pick pockets and hookers. There are nice shopping centers around there and a nice park that's just off Las Ramblas. Be prepared for the "Catalan" attitude that some of the locals have, but if you don't venture much off the beaten bath it's not a big deal.

You shouldn't skip Madrid. Beautiful city and surprisingly friendly people there too. People in Barcelona say their city is better because they have the beach and Madrid doesn't BUT Madrid is pretty awesome in many other ways.

Happy travels!

what a load of horseshit (sorry mods)

the last thing I expected HERE (at the org) was a Madrid vs Barcelona post (and, for that matter, a Spain vs Catalonia post)

both cities are awesome, so stop downplaying Barcelona just because, obviously, you prefer Madrid for some reason(s); I have MANY friends in Barcelona, so I am prob biased as well, but I'd never write a post like yours, downplaying the city AND its population: what you mean as "Catalan" attitude is perhaps (surely) related to the fact that Catalonia is a lot closer, culturally and socially speaking, to France than to the rest of Spain; are you implying that the french are assholes?

and there haven't been "hookers" in las Ramblas since the mid-'00s, after the "boom" of the illegal immigration in Spain ended

[Edited 6/28/14 12:41pm]

SeventeenDayze said:

JoeTyler said:

what a load of horseshit (sorry mods)

the last thing I expected HERE (at the org) was a Madrid vs Barcelona post (and, for that matter, a Spain vs Catalonia post)

both cities are awesome, so stop downplaying Barcelona just because, obviously, you prefer Madrid for some reason(s); I have MANY friends in Barcelona, so I am prob biased as well, but I'd never write a post like yours, downplaying the city AND its population: what you mean as "Catalan" attitude is perhaps (surely) related to the fact that Catalonia is a lot closer, culturally and socially speaking, to France than to the rest of Spain; are you implying that the french are assholes?

and there haven't been "hookers" in las Ramblas since the mid-'00s, after the "boom" of the illegal immigration in Spain ended

[Edited 6/28/14 12:41pm]

amazing, meaty, constructive reply

Thank you.

JoeTyler said:

SeventeenDayze said:

Las Ramblas is pretty cool, just be alert for pick pockets and hookers. There are nice shopping centers around there and a nice park that's just off Las Ramblas. Be prepared for the "Catalan" attitude that some of the locals have, but if you don't venture much off the beaten bath it's not a big deal.

You shouldn't skip Madrid. Beautiful city and surprisingly friendly people there too. People in Barcelona say their city is better because they have the beach and Madrid doesn't BUT Madrid is pretty awesome in many other ways.

Happy travels!

what a load of horseshit (sorry mods)

the last thing I expected HERE (at the org) was a Madrid vs Barcelona post (and, for that matter, a Spain vs Catalonia post)

both cities are awesome, so stop downplaying Barcelona just because, obviously, you prefer Madrid for some reason(s); I have MANY friends in Barcelona, so I am prob biased as well, but I'd never write a post like yours, downplaying the city AND its population: what you mean as "Catalan" attitude is perhaps (surely) related to the fact that Catalonia is a lot closer, culturally and socially speaking, to France than to the rest of Spain; are you implying that the french are assholes?

and there haven't been "hookers" in las Ramblas since the mid-'00s, after the "boom" of the illegal immigration in Spain ended

[Edited 6/28/14 12:41pm]

Not for nothing, but my neighbour, a Parisian former flight attendant, told me that Madrilenans are more personable -- or at least less snobbish and "artificial" -- than Barcelonians. I had no grounds on which to argue the point, but she's French, so when she calls out snobbery, I listen.

Lammastide said:

JoeTyler said:

what a load of horseshit (sorry mods)

the last thing I expected HERE (at the org) was a Madrid vs Barcelona post (and, for that matter, a Spain vs Catalonia post)

both cities are awesome, so stop downplaying Barcelona just because, obviously, you prefer Madrid for some reason(s); I have MANY friends in Barcelona, so I am prob biased as well, but I'd never write a post like yours, downplaying the city AND its population: what you mean as "Catalan" attitude is perhaps (surely) related to the fact that Catalonia is a lot closer, culturally and socially speaking, to France than to the rest of Spain; are you implying that the french are assholes?

and there haven't been "hookers" in las Ramblas since the mid-'00s, after the "boom" of the illegal immigration in Spain ended

[Edited 6/28/14 12:41pm]

Not for nothing, but my neighbour, a Parisian former flight attendant, told me that Madrilenans are more personable -- or at least less snobbish and "artificial" -- than Barcelonians. I had no grounds on which to argue the point, but she's French, so when she calls out snobbery, I listen.

and we americans are fat, racist and culturally laughable, right? and londoners are all uptight, posh and racist, and germans are racist, scary, arrogant blah blah blah

lol, expect the expected, I mean, you'll probably meet some assholes in Barcelona, because assholes are everywhere

my opinion? just get there to find your own opinion

JoeTyler said:

Lammastide said:

Not for nothing, but my neighbour, a Parisian former flight attendant, told me that Madrilenans are more personable -- or at least less snobbish and "artificial" -- than Barcelonians. I had no grounds on which to argue the point, but she's French, so when she calls out snobbery, I listen.

and we americans are fat, racist and culturally laughable, right? and londoners are all uptight, posh and racist, and germans are racist, scary, arrogant blah blah blah

lol, expect the expected, I mean, you'll probably meet some assholes in Barcelona, because assholes are everywhere

my opinion? just get there to find your own opinion

But... all of those national charaqcteristics are... true. Aren't they?

I'm kidding.

You're right, of course. I really look forward to getting to know both Barcelona and its people..

Lammastide said:

JoeTyler said:

what a load of horseshit (sorry mods)

the last thing I expected HERE (at the org) was a Madrid vs Barcelona post (and, for that matter, a Spain vs Catalonia post)

both cities are awesome, so stop downplaying Barcelona just because, obviously, you prefer Madrid for some reason(s); I have MANY friends in Barcelona, so I am prob biased as well, but I'd never write a post like yours, downplaying the city AND its population: what you mean as "Catalan" attitude is perhaps (surely) related to the fact that Catalonia is a lot closer, culturally and socially speaking, to France than to the rest of Spain; are you implying that the french are assholes?

and there haven't been "hookers" in las Ramblas since the mid-'00s, after the "boom" of the illegal immigration in Spain ended

[Edited 6/28/14 12:41pm]

Not for nothing, but my neighbour, a Parisian former flight attendant, told me that Madrilenans are more personable -- or at least less snobbish and "artificial" -- than Barcelonians. I had no grounds on which to argue the point, but she's French, so when she calls out snobbery, I listen.

I agree!

CynicKill said:

interesting video; in Barcelona there are these two (antagonistic) groups of people, one claiming that the city should remain true to its mediterranean roots and to the neighbours, and the other (which is, I think, more realistic) pushing to increase the international potential of the city, an strategy that began right after the '92 summer olympics...

CynicKill said:

I saw this documentary about a month back. I admit it always appeals to my sense of irony -- at least as much as to my sympathies -- when those in locales most benefitted by the world's foremost colonial campaigns sing the blues of unwanted insurgents.

That said, I do think it's important that those with the privilege to travel realize the impact of their presence in other parts of the world. It's always been a paradoxical pursuit. And I agree with what I believe is the point of most of the documentary's subjects: that imposing oneself should be undertaken with a certain respect for the hosting economy and culture, with a critical mind for the footprint one leaves proportionate to the positive contribution one makes. I feel the same way for permanent transplants to a place.

[Edited 6/29/14 15:14pm]