Barcelona Recommendations

Andy_W said:
From what I can remember, from memory (influenced by booze):

La Rambla is one of the main tourist spots, but the restaurants and bars which line it are not all that great, and quite expensive, but you don't have to walk far from it to get better/ cheaper etc. Beware of pickpockets around this area mind, or anywhere in Barcelona for that matter, if you stand out as a tourist. each time I've been in a big group (about 5 times), at least one of the group has been pickpocketed, although it's never happened to me. Just keep wallets and phones in front pockets, and secure bags and you should be ok though.

Sagrada Familia is worth a visit, even if you just look at it from outside. Nou Camp is a must for a football fan, a tour is great but a game and a tour even better.
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Got ***ed with a mate and My Mrs and wandered off La Ramblas and ended up fighting off (proper toe to toe) muggers who pulled knives.
 
Pembroke said:
Got ***ed with a mate and My Mrs and wandered off La Ramblas and ended up fighting off (proper toe to toe) muggers who pulled knives.
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Also got mugged a couple of years back. Very scary. Make sure you stay on the well trodden track and back at your accommodation by 11pm.
I'll never go again.
My policy of keeping a small amount of cash in my pockets and no wallets / CCs etc for just such an incident Just to make them not lose face and feel they won as they ran off.
On the way in from the airport I was wondering why there was heavy police presence on the train. Well that's why.
 
joeychicago said:
Now then all. Seen some really good travel recommendations on here recently, so hoping I can pick up some myself!

We've just booked flights to go to Barcelona towards the end of April. Not booked the hotel yet, but it's looking like we'll be staying at the Occidental 1929, if that will influence any recommendations. Location looks pretty good.

We've both never been before, so are open to any recommendations on things to do/see, places to eat/drink etc. Only thing we're both not too keen on food wise is seafood, anything other than we're all good.

All recommendations greatly appreciated (y)
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Harlem jazz club and bar pastis are well worth a visit. If you want good food try morelia - best steak I’ve ever had,
 
I have been many times and stayed for extended periods. It's a city with its fair share of poverty and, if you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time, getting mugged is a risk. Tourists are easy game. Be hyper aware of your surroundings, especially late on, as Hundred Roomn says, after 11. Even the Ramblas gets a bit lary .... you will likely be approached by sex workers, with their unpleasant minders not far away. The Raval (the area due south of Ramblas) used to be very sketchy. It's much better now, but still has quieter streets that are risky. Over the years I have been tailed twice ....being measured up ...on both occassions I turned and walked straight into and through them, which did the trick. The time I had a pickpocket attempt was when the annual Barceloneta street festival was in full flow. Mrs 259 were just walking away from a bit of street dancing with loud drums and whistles and high spirits all around. A group of 5 or 6 guys looking like they were heading to the party came our way, one approached me and put his arm around me and started to attempt some weird dance moves .... I felt his leg wrap around the back of mine. Ordinarily, I would have just thought "he's ***ed up, having a laugh", but I had very recently watched a youtube video where a pickpocket performed exactly the same manouevre on a tourist, so alarm bells rang and I put him on the deck. Fortunately, there were other people about, otherwise we may have been in trouble.
So yes, the pickpocket and bag snatch risk is probably higher than in most places. As long as you are alert to it, you should be fine.

EDIT. It seems that the weird dance ruse is international and still being used.
 
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Some great recommendations and advice here, so big thanks to all!

First thing everybody has mentioned when the word Barcelona has been mentioned is the pickpockets. Scum! My missus' dad actually got pickpocketed on the Metro there a few years back, but thankfully sussed it and managed to get his wallet back after getting the lad on the deck. Hopefully we'll be alright!
 
borolad259 said:
I have been many times and stayed for extended periods. It's a city with its fair share of poverty and, if you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time, getting mugged is a risk. Tourists are easy game. Be hyper aware of your surroundings, especially late on, as Hundred Roomn says, after 11. Even the Ramblas gets a bit lary .... you will likely be approached by sex workers, with their unpleasant minders not far away. The Raval (the area due south of Ramblas) used to be very sketchy. It's much better now, but still has quieter streets that are risky. Over the years I have been tailed twice ....being measured up ...on both occassions I turned and walked straight into and through them, which did the trick. The time I had a pickpocket attempt was when the annual Barceloneta street festival was in full flow. Mrs 259 were just walking away from a bit of street dancing with loud drums and whistles and high spirits all around. A group of 5 or 6 guys looking like they were heading to the party came our way, one approached me and put his arm around me and started to attempt some weird dance moves .... I felt his leg wrap around the back of mine. Ordinarily, I would have just thought "he's ***ed up, having a laugh", but I had very recently watched a youtube video where a pickpocket performed exactly the same manouevre on a tourist, so alarm bells rang and I put him on the deck. Fortunately, there were other people about, otherwise we may have been in trouble.
So yes, the pickpocket and bag snatch risk is probably higher than in most places. As long as you are alert to it, you should be fine.

EDIT. It seems that the weird dance ruse is international and still being used.
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Thats exactly how I got done - even looks like the same bloke

Fortunately I don't go around wearing 9K watches
 
joeychicago said:
Some great recommendations and advice here, so big thanks to all!

First thing everybody has mentioned when the word Barcelona has been mentioned is the pickpockets. Scum! My missus' dad actually got pickpocketed on the Metro there a few years back, but thankfully sussed it and managed to get his wallet back after getting the lad on the deck. Hopefully we'll be alright!
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Yeah, you need to be conscious of it but not let it affect your enjoyment. It's an amazing city and outside if Europe there are far more dangerous cities for a foreinger that you can still enjoy.

Barcelona is pretty much the perfect size. Big enough to have lots of important sites and small enough to explore all of.
 
HundredRoom said:
Thats exactly how I got done - even looks like the same bloke

Fortunately I don't go around wearing 9K watches
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9K watches arent the problem. Last time I was there I was wearing a very expensive watch, my friends had apple watches on. We were all told they were the ones at risk not me. With theft, desirebality and cost are seperate things
 
SmallTown said:
9K watches arent the problem. Last time I was there I was wearing a very expensive watch, my friends had apple watches on. We were all told they were the ones at risk not me. With theft, desirebality and cost are seperate things
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Thought I was on your ignore list
Probably couldn't resist the call of wealth signalling

I've heard it said when assessing the value of the watch they assess the person wearing it :)
 
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HundredRoom said:
Thought I was on your ignore list
Probably couldn't resist the call of wealth signalling

I've heard it said when assessing the value of the watch they assess the person wearing it :)
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Ah, ignoring the actual advice and going straight to personal insults.

You stay classy now
 
We stayed in the Best Western Hotel Dante.
Very clean, cracking breakfast buffet.
Away from Las Ramblas and there are enough bars and restaurants close by.
We did a lot of public transport and you can get to and up Mount Tibidado quite easy using it. We also took in a game at Espanyol. Super stadium. We had a few beers in a Vietnamese bar in the housing estate near the ground and were made really welcome by the locals, who are football mad. We never felt threatened at all, however, we were well aware of the dangers of Las Ramblas and the like and planned our days accordingly. If you are a biker, there is a decent Harley shop with a good cafe attached. Enjoy!
 
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