We arrived in Barcelona at 10AM (2 ½ hours late). It was OK since it let us sleep at a good time. We picked up some Euros at the airport.
Travel tip: I recommend you go to the ATM in airport for Euros; it is a cheaper rate than Banks in USA.
Travel tip: A taxi from the airport to a downtown hotel should only be 25-30 Euros (including bag) and they should not charge for each person. We got ripped off the first time when we paid 60 Euros for the two of us.
Our hotel was the Universal Barcelona Hotel and was very close to the port. This hotel was rated at 3 ½ stars, but was just fine. The room was clean and had plenty of room for us. It also has a small pool on the roof with a really neat view of the city. There are also some good cafe's nearby (I recommend these rather than the hotel restaurant, which was over-priced and not that good).
My husband and I took a walk down to the marina where they had a regatta going on with what seemed like hundreds of sailboats! Take your camera - this part of the city is beautiful with great buildings and statues. The monument to Christopher Columbus near the marina is incredible!
Our first night in Barcelona
I can't imagine going to Spain and not attending a traditional Flamenco show! We went to the Palacio del Flamenco at Carrer de Balmes 139. I highly recommend the Paella dinner combo - it's 45 Euros per person (dinner, sangria, and the show). The food was great and the show was very entertaining, with a series of skits featuring extraordinarily talented dancers.
The next week was spent on the cruise (that's a separate blog). However, we spent two more days in Barcelona, so read on!
A new hotel
We changed hotels for the post-cruise time in Barcelona so we could be closer to the center of the city. This time we stayed at the Avenida Palace on De Les Corts Catalanes. This is a four-star hotel with a lobby to die for. Very spacious rooms and wonderfully appointed.
More things to do
Ride the Bus Turistic - this sightseeing bus is one of the best bargains around. The buses run three routes, one on the north of the city (red line) and one on the south (blue line) and green (East of city). The two routes connect at the Placa de Catalunya at the end of La Rambla furthest from the harbor. One ticket allows you to ride on three routes all day long, exiting the bus whenever you like to explore.They offer free ear phones and you hop off and on anytime. The one day ticket is 20 euros and two-day tickets are 26 euros. They also include good discount coupons for other transportation around the city and to some tourist attractions. Tickets are sold by the bus driver and in hotels and they run about every 20 minutes. It takes half a day to ride the entire route - if you don't get off to see the sights!
No trip to Barcelona is complete without a look at some of Gaudi's works, especially La Sagrada Familia. This cathedral has to be one of the most interesting buildings in the world and is still being finished. It cost 8 Euros to get in and another 2 Euros for the elevator to the top. Get there early and miss the crowd and bus tours. Go to the elevator first because the line gets long.
Spain won the soccer World Cup on our last day in Barcelona. That night, we walked a couple of blocks to the Rambla and got to see a great celebration. There must have been thousands of people there to celebrate their victory.
Travel tip: Walk the Rambla and find shops and cafes galore.
Montserrat
We took a bus tour from Barcelona to Santa Maria de Montserrat, a beautiful monastery built high in the mountains. This magnificent structure has to been seen first-hand to be believed. I can't imagine how they built this as it was founded almost one thousand years ago! It will take several hours for the tour, but it's something you shouldn't miss.
Travel tip: One word of caution - like many large cities, Barcelona has its share of pickpockets. I've heard horror stories from tourists whose cruise vacations were spoiled by pickpockets in hotels and on crowded streets. Watch your valuables wherever you travel! Even with this potential threat, I will still visit Barcelona again and again. It's a wonderful city on the Mediterranean. Lots to do - you need at least a week to sight-see.
