Barcelona

**sligoman** · 23/11/2006, 9:53 PM

Following on from the other thread on Copenhagen...

Theirs at least 15 of us heading to Barca in mid January, mainly for a **** up but can anyone recommend something worthwhile going to? Barcelona are playing away in their local derby the same weekend, hoping to get to that if it's possible to get tickets.

**Superhoops** · 23/11/2006, 11:49 PM

A good way to have a look around Barcelona is to use the Barcelona Tour Bus. There are two routes, Red and Blue, (there is a third but I think the Green route only runs in the summer) and there are 30 odd stops where you can get on and off. Takes just over an hour to go around each without getitng off.

By doing the two routes you will see all the major places of interest. The Red Route takes in the Sagrada Familia cathedral and the Nou Camp. The Blue Route takes in the Olympic Stadium, the World Trade Centre, the Colombus monument, the port, the Olympic water front and the zoo.

You can pick the bus up at any of the stops, but if you start and finish at the Placa de Catalunya in the centre of town you can change from one route to the other. Can't remember the cost but I think a one day ticket, that you can use as many times as you like, cost about 15 to 20 euro and a two day ticket is only about 5 euro extra. I thought it was excellent value.

**dfx-** · 24/11/2006, 1:44 AM

Originally Posted by Superhoops

A good way to have a look around Barcelona is to use the Barcelona Tour Bus. There are two routes, Red and Blue, (there is a third but I think the Green route only runs in the summer) and there are 30 odd stops where you can get on and off. Takes just over an hour to go around each without getitng off.

This individual hath speaketh the truth.

**Dodge** · 24/11/2006, 5:23 AM

Mightn't be a place for 15 lads to go see but the best place to see in Barcelona (bar the Nou Canp) is Parc Guell. Crazy park designed by gaudi. If its sunny just walk around it and marvel...

The posher/hipper clubs are north of Placa Catalunya while the more relaxed places are in Port Olimpico were most tourists end up in Baja Beach Club (Beside the casino). Eat seafood, walk down las Ramblas during the day (but not at night), keep your hands in your pockets and do the Nou camp tour...

**BohsPartisan** · 24/11/2006, 8:12 AM

Get a T-10 Metro ticket if you are planning a lot of toing and froing.
I was there mid January this year and it was lovely and sunny, warm enough during the day to. Stay away from Las Ramblas, its cr@p, full of pickpockets and people trying to drag you into bad restaurants.
The aquarium is worth a visit. Just make sure there are no school tours going in at the same time as you. They have a great Shark tank with a glass tunnel so you can walk through it.

**SligoBrewer** · 25/11/2006, 4:58 PM

Originally Posted by BohsPartisan

Get a T-10 Metro ticket if you are planning a lot of toing and froing.
I was there mid January this year and it was lovely and sunny, warm enough during the day to. Stay away from Las Ramblas, its cr@p, full of pickpockets and people trying to drag you into bad restaurants.
The aquarium is worth a visit. Just make sure there are no school tours going in at the same time as you. They have a great Shark tank with a glass tunnel so you can walk through it.

aquarium is fantastic. well woorth a visit.

**Conor H** · 25/11/2006, 6:08 PM

Ya Aquarium is sureal....definitely worth visting.I'd also go have a look at the fountain display in the City.Whether you go to a match there or not you must visit the Nou camp.

**SligoBrewer** · 26/11/2006, 9:11 PM

Originally Posted by Conor H

.I'd also go have a look at the fountain display in the City..

forgot about the fountain...its so cool!

but one thing go to the toilet before you go.
only one portakabin in the place and its usually packed

**Red&White Rover** · 26/11/2006, 9:17 PM

;las ramblas is spectacular...watching the waiters zig in and out of traffic

**Paddyfield** · 26/11/2006, 9:52 PM

If you are going with Ryanair, prepare for long bus journey from the Airport. If you are with Aer Lingus etc, then you will fly into a nearby Airport.

The Olympic Port is beautiful; it is at the bottom of the Ramblas (toursity street). Check put the Aquarium (2nd biggest in Europe after the one in Hull

). Check out the yachts and liners beside the Olympic Port. Ollie Byrne usually ties his yacht on the corner of the marina.

The city is buzzing in the early hours so pace yourself. There is an Irish Pub called the Michael Collins which is great for a lash at the beer. Give the bartender a good tip at the start of the night and he/she will give you great service for the night.

The first time I went to Barcelona, we went to the Nou Camp on the day before a game for the tour. We got tickets handy enough. Malaga won 2 - 1

Taxis are plentiful and cheap but ask for a ballpark price first. Show him your hotel room key so that the driver knows the exact hotel that you are going to.

Enjoy!

**BohsPartisan** · 26/11/2006, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by Paddyfield

There is an Irish Pub called the Michael Collins which is great for a lash at the beer.

Better off going to one of the Café Bars the locals frequent. Booze half the price.

**Dodge** · 27/11/2006, 12:32 AM

Originally Posted by Paddyfield

The Olympic Port is beautiful; it is at the bottom of the Ramblas (toursity street).

Port Olimpico is about 10 minutes from the bottom of las ramblas in a taxi. Its basically just bars and food outlets. Ther pier you're talking about is different

**Paddyfield** · 27/11/2006, 4:05 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Port Olimpico is about 10 minutes from the bottom of las ramblas in a taxi. Its basically just bars and food outlets. Ther pier you're talking about is different

I stand corrected Dodge. I always thought "the pier" is the Olympic Port.

**monkey magic** · 28/11/2006, 5:10 PM

super hoops is right the tour bus is yer best option - the official barcelona one is called the bus touristic, id stick to that one, there were other tours going about at the time we were there but this is deffo the best, costs something like 18 euros and you get concessions for almost all the stops on the tour.

**sligoman** · 28/11/2006, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Theirs at least 15 of us heading to Barca in mid January

Theirs at least 28 of us going now

.

**John83** · 30/11/2006, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by Superhoops

A good way to have a look around Barcelona is to use the Barcelona Tour Bus. There are two routes, Red and Blue, (there is a third but I think the Green route only runs in the summer) and there are 30 odd stops where you can get on and off. Takes just over an hour to go around each without getitng off.

By doing the two routes you will see all the major places of interest. The Red Route takes in the Sagrada Familia cathedral and the Nou Camp. The Blue Route takes in the Olympic Stadium, the World Trade Centre, the Colombus monument, the port, the Olympic water front and the zoo.

You can pick the bus up at any of the stops, but if you start and finish at the Placa de Catalunya in the centre of town you can change from one route to the other. Can't remember the cost but I think a one day ticket, that you can use as many times as you like, cost about 15 to 20 euro and a two day ticket is only about 5 euro extra. I thought it was excellent value.

Thing is, you can see all of this stuff on foot, baring the Camp Nou and la Sagrada, which are beside metro/tram lines, and the public transport is cheap as dirt and good. Walking around the city is very enjoyable too.

**Dodge** · 30/11/2006, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by John83

Thing is, you can see all of this stuff on foot, baring the Camp Nou and la Sagrada, which are beside metro/tram lines, and the public transport is cheap as dirt and good. Walking around the city is very enjoyable too.

Tour buses are good if there's an English speaking guide (and not one off tape...) but generally I'd avoid. Barcelona is a pretty small city (with only Nou Camp, Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia) not within 10 minutes walk of Placa Catalunya. I'd get the metro ticket for these. Far more enjoyable to walk around a find out things for yourself.

**wws** · 30/11/2006, 11:29 AM

THE PLACE URE ON ABOUT ABove is the Rambla del Mar - which translates as teh ramblas bit that stickes out into the sea and is basically a pile of old sticks

poto olimpico is five mins to the right as you walk down it sea wise

**John83** · 30/11/2006, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Tour buses are good if there's an English speaking guide (and not one off tape...) but generally I'd avoid. Barcelona is a pretty small city (with only Nou Camp, Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia) not within 10 minutes walk of Placa Catalunya. I'd get the metro ticket for these. Far more enjoyable to walk around a find out things for yourself.

I forgot about Parc Guell. That's the only one that's at all tough to get to, and even it is only about a mile from the nearest metro stop.