BCN - General Trip Report

Since I have used it in the past for travel planning, in an effort to be a good netizen I posted the following general consumption trip report on frommers.com...

Because BCN is such a heavily-visited destination, I figured to merely provide bullet-point style notes as opposed to a more formal, expository type travel report arising from my recent visit.

I used the Time Off book and Streetwise laminated map – both are highly recommended.

Chic & Basic Hotel in Born. Great location. Very modern, trendy design. Clear plastic enclosed shower in the middle of the room is cool. Kind of small room, not much space to spread stuff out. The rooms are not soundproof. Lounge area with comfortable couches, small fridge with water, plus tea pot and high end espresso machine. Computer with internet available as well.

Conspicuously large amount of tourists (mostly Europeans), to the point of being overwhelming at times. Makes it more difficult to find truly authentic experiences. Accordingly, I would advise skipping La Rambla entirely. Nary a trace of authenticity and, though I did not have any problems, an alleged hotspot for pickpockets.

If you plan on checking out some museums, it is worth it to get an ArtTicket for €20 (covers admission to Fundacio Miro – MACBA – MNAC – La Pedrera – Fundacio Tapies – CCCB – Museo Picasso). Crucially, the ArtTicket obviates the need to wait in lines. Just flash your card to the person at the entrance and you will be whisked in VIP style.

Beyond the tapas, the olives, cheeses and wine were all particularly good.

Budget saving tip: the fixed-price lunch. Many restaurants will have a fixed lunch menu (with several choices) consisting of a drink, appetizer/soup, entrée and dessert. At €10-12 it is a good deal and substantially less than ordering off the menu (where a single entrée will cost you that much). These menus are not meant to showcase the chef’s greatest hits but rather are to provide folks with a reasonably priced dining option. Quality of the various components of these menus can vary; if everything is good then you have chosen well. Also, picking up a bocadillo (basically a sandwich consisting solely of your choice of meat) is a good budget option as well; these run about €3-4, and are a great option for taking with you during the day and consuming in a park or scenic spot.

Verdict as of today: BCN is expensive for dollar-earners. It is not a good choice if you seek a true get-away escape to a foreign country due to the hordes of camera neck-strap wearing, oversized map carrying tourists. It remains a great town for walking around and checking out the architecture and sights, which were my primary goals in undertaking this journey.