I left the dreary conditions of Berlin for sunny Barcelona. It was much warmer and the weather lifted my spirits before we even touched down on the tarmac. I had five fabulous days to explore Barcelona and I could have easily stayed longer. It’s such a beautiful city. My next few posts will cover the specific destinations and activities I took part in, but I thought I’d go ahead and share a few travel tips for Barcelona:
Flight: From Berlin to Barcelona, I flew EasyJet. I think my flight was only 32 Euros plus I paid another 10 Euros for baggage. Not bad, though I looked up this very same flight for the next month and it looks like the price has gone up quite a bit.
Hostel: I was really concerned because I waited until the last minute to book my hostel, and most of the popular and economically priced ones were booked. I managed to get a bed at helloBCN While it wasn’t fancy, I absolutely loved it! Instead of a key, you wear a bracelet (it looks like a sports watch without the face) that will get you into the hostel, into your room, and also into your locker. Security was good, but I can’t say enough good things about the staff. They suggested activities (because I came without any plans except to see Gaudi’s works) including a soccer match and a visit to Montserrat. They helped me purchase tickets, looked up ATM info… they answered a ton of questions for me. My first night, I was in an 8-bed room with, as luck would have it, seven guys. I think they try to put guys together and girls together but I think I really did get one of the last open beds. Luckily, all of my roommates were great. I also went out with the hostel one evening to a club (they take you to a different club every night) and had a blast.
Transportation: If you’re going to be hanging around Barcelona for a few days, buy a T10 pass. I did so at the recommendation of my hostel. It gives you 10 trips on the train, metro, and bus system for 7.70 Euros. You can get from the airport to the hostel by just using two of those trips.
So, in upcoming posts you can expect to hear about Montserrat, Mercat de la Boqueria (a market on Las Ramblas), and my favorite Gaudi structures, including La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, and my first…second, and yes, third visit to Park Guell :)
Barcelona has always attracted me for its architecture… it’s just stunning. But I do believe the experience is different when you’re not a spaniard (it’s much more welcoming to international tourists)…
I hope you enjoy, and I’m looking forward to the pictures!
Katherina,
I think that’s so interesting that you think Barcelona is more welcoming to int’l tourists than to Spaniards… if anything you’d think it would be the opposite. Yes, the architecture in Barcelona is beautiful.
Cant wait to here more about Barcelona. I have always wanted to visit there. I can only imagine the difference you are experiencing going from Berlin to Barcelona. How long is your visit there?
Kirk, I stayed in Barcelona for about 5 days. Would love to go back.
I usually hate bracelets but if it got me into everywhere I’d love it.
It’s so much easier than keeping up with a room key. Even if you just want to go down to the lounge in the hostel, your room key will be with you.
Looking forward to reading about your Barcelona adventure!
Looking foward to ur up coming posts. I would love to see more of Barcelona! photos. A city I never been to yet.
I loved Barcelona! I can’t wait to hear all about you adventures! I’m glad you found a good hostel, I remember seeing that one when I booked and ended up booking into a different one that was not so good (but not all bad either). I’ll keep it in mind for next time!
I loved Barcelona! I can’t wait to hear all about you adventures! I’m glad you found a good hostel, I remember seeing that one when I booked and ended up booking into a different one that was not so good (but not all bad either). I’ll keep it in mind for next time!
This is probably will be my next city I will visit in Europe.
Hi Laura,
We’ve been to Madrid last year also on May. We had a blast! We wanted to continue for a few more days in Barcelona but unfortunately it didn’t work out with the flight tickets…anyway, I really wanna go there this year so I’m waiting for your upcoming posts :)
Thanks!
sounds good… seems like you have a great time there.. i want too :)
cleaning for a reason
I absolutely love Barcellona! One of my favourite cities in the world. Sounds like that hostel had it down pat with helping out and a great security system. What an inventive way that you don’t lose your keys, ever. Can’t wait to eventually get back to the pulsing European city!
It makes me super sad that I didn’t get the opportunity to see Barcelona while we were in Spain last. Architecture is my thing. I really dig that key system.
wow! so happy for you… im sure you have lots of beautiful photos too! Barcelona is amaizing….
Yay for helloBCN! I remember looking for hostels in Barcelona and it was one of the most difficult travel planning tasks I’ve had to date! They were all so expensive (even with loads of beds in the room) unless you were staying way outside of the city. Of the two Nicole and I chose, one was ok (but had its rough moments) and the other was the WORST one I’ve ever stayed in. Once I finish writing about Oz, I’ll start writing about my previous travels…that nasty hostel will be mentioned for sure.
Looking forward to the rest of the series — Barcelona was one of my most challenging trips yet as I went back and forth between really liking it and not connecting with it.
I can recommended you to buy the T10 in the metro
and go to the Gloria market,
this is a local market and you will get there nice
thing in good price.
the market is in the weekend