has anyone been to barcelona before? if so whats it like?

Answer 1

Barcelona is one of the loveliest cities in the world...
It has plenty of things to see...
From Gaudi's architectural wonders, such as the Sagrada Familia church... still under construction, to the modern buildings made around the port area for the '92 Olympics. And those made for the Forum a couple of years ago.
There is also the Barrio Gotico, or old part of town with its Gothic Cathedral and City Hall building.
The Ramblas, fantastic for a walk, especially after sunset when the day starts to cool off and people go out for a stroll in the evening.
The Poble Espanyol, The Liceo Opera House, the museums, everything is worth seeing....

The food is delicious, everything from Tapas to typical catalonian dishes. If you have time visit the small towns nearby, such as Sitges...lovely beaches and quaint streets, or Figueres (a bit further north) where Dali's museum is...

I'm sure once you'll have been there you will want to return.
I go back whenever possible (but then again, I live in Spain...so it is easier for me !)

Answer 2

Barcelona is fantastic- it is the only foreign city I have visited twice, and I took my girlfriend there to propose to her, in the park behind the Sagrada Famillia- it was excellent (and she said yes!)
It has suce a mixture of stuff- all Gaudi's buildings including the Sagrada Familla and Park Guell are fantastic.
There is a cable car running from Mountjuic to near Las Ramblas, which was still being worked on both times I was there.
Also the Magic Fountains were absolutley fantastic, where they use water, lights and music to create a fantastic show- it even makes brilliant photos.
If you are into history it is also a great city, especailly when visiting places of signifigance during the Civil War.
Bit of advice- if you are going to be there more than a couple of days pick up a Barcelona card at any Tourist Information kiosk or office. It means that you can use it on all public transport, rather than have to queue for tickets all the time, particulary on the underground, and you alsoo get discounts on bus fares and a wide range of shops, resturants and attractions- it is really worth the money.
Enjoy your time there.

Answer 3

Barcelona is a great city. Barcelona offers an opportunity for the tourist on foot to walk from Roman remains to the medieval city and then to the modern city with its open thoroughfares and grid-iron street pattern. The historic city center is fairly flat, while the modern city fans out towards the surrounding hills, bordered by steep streets.


La Rambla near the waterfrontA notable feature is La Rambla, a boulevard that runs from the city centre to the waterfront, thronged with crowds until late at night and lined by florists, bird sellers in the higher part, craft sellers in the lowest, street entertainers, cafeterias and restaurants. Walking along La Rambla one can see the world-famous opera house El Liceu, the food market of La Boqueria and the Plaça Reial (literally Royal Square), with its arches and palm trees, amongst other interesting buildings. There is also a Wax Museum near the end. It is also worth keeping an eye out for pickpockets, for whom the boulevard is a favourite haunt.

La Rambla ends at the old harbour, where a statue of Christopher Columbus points eastwards across the Mediterranean Sea toward his hometown of Genoa.

Next to it is the Museu Marítim (naval museum), which chronicles the history of life on the Mediterranean, including a full-scale model of a galley. The museum is housed in the medieval Drassanes (shipyards), where the ships that made Catalonia a great sea power in the Mediterranean were built.

The old harbour offers all kinds of other amenities, including the second largest aquarium in the Mediterranean area and an IMAX cinema

You can find more information on:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona

Answer 4

Brilliant. Once you walk down the Ramblas towards the harbour you get an excitable feeling. Watch the mime artists and see the human statues along the Ramblas.
Away from Barca, just 30 minutes is Universals' Port Aventura, a theme park about twice the size of Disneyworld(Paris), and the admision fee is very reasonable

Answer 5

I echo comments made by terence b

there is a hop on hop off bus with 3 routes that is great for getting an overview of the city and locating points of interest.
The tube is good trains run on time - try a trip to montsarrat.

A great mix of city old and new with parkland and beech and waterside venues the olympic site worth a visit to ad interest to a walk in the park

Answer 6

Yes i have as i have a friend who lives & works there.Its a beautiful city.Incredably cosmopolitan,modern,although not in a bad way as it nestles in with the old side of Barcelona well!.Good transport system & i found it pretty easy to get around.There are plenty of interesting & quirky buildings,interesting Art Galleries & Museums & they are child friendly as well.
Like any big city though be sensible about your own safety & security.

Answer 7

Depends which parts you see. Some of it is beautiful, other parts are the pits. What I saw of it, (just passing through), it has an endless amount of building sites. And never ever use a sat nav in there, it will just take you round in circles, trust me this I know from painful experience. The roads can be very confusing so watch out!

Answer 8

Yes many times. The Ramblas,Plaza Catalunia , Columbus monument , the port,the beachs. Plaza real, Fun place to see

Answer 9

Some of the previous answers have covered this really well, but seeing as I've been there too, i'd just like to say that it is one of my fave cities in the world. Well worth a visit.

Answer 10

This may not earn me 10 points, but described in one word? BEAUTIFUL. Everything is beautiful. The people, the buildings (Gaudi), the location, the food. I would live there if I could.