Barcelona travel tips - GLOBOsapiens

Rustico Real apartment in Barcelona
My friends are back in Barcelona to visit and for the festivals, staying in this apartment. It's got a great location, on Plaza Reial, but not overlooking the square which gets very noisy at night. I enjoy hanging out at theirs as its got a lot more space and character than most Barcelona vacation apartments. It's really chilled, exotic and airy, with vintage stuff like the Victorian bathtub. Plaza Reial is an amazing location, near all the great bars and of course Las Ramblas, as long as you aren't near street level to the noisy-but-fun tourists and locals who hang out late. Then again if you can't beat them.. more

Cocoon Barcelona
I recommend that agency as I stayed twice times in one of their apartments that were fantastic. One was located directly in the Plaza Real of the 19th century with palm trees a fantastic view from my balcony. The apartments are well located and fine selected. The interieur is very cosy as well. Moreover the prices are from budget to luxury. I highly recommend this agency because they have a friendly service and offer a variety of apartments. more

Freestanza Apartments Barcelona
I found renting an apartment is a good-value option for a Barcelona city break. You pay about the same per night as for a standard double room in the cheaper hotels and get the benefits of self-catering facilities and more space. We rented a self-contained apartment just off the marina through Freestanza: clean, designer chic and about 70 euros per night. The beach, Gothic quarter, Ramblas and Borne all walkable. We felt we were living in Barcelona. more

Hotel Arts
Built for the Olympic games in 1992, this is now a wonderful 5* hotel. Located on the Marina it has the perfect location, with many restaurants available in the area. If you want some modern luxury this is a great hotel to stay. more

CDLC
The quasi-Dutch Carpe Diem Lounge Club enriched the Barcelona nightlife with it's stunning decor, good dj's and is a real magnet for good looking people... [photo taken from www.barcelonanocturna.com] more

Hotel Banys Orientals
Nice design hotel (double room: € 102) in the hip barrio of El Born, near the cathedral. Good location, in between the Ramblas, Gaudi's Casa Battló and the Beach. [picture taken by Hotel Banys] more

Hotel Lloret
If you are a light sleeper ask for a room at the back, but otherwise enjoy the show from your balcony overlooking Las Ramblas and Placa Catalunya. Price range is between budget and mid range and excellent value for the location. Rooms are basic but clean, bathrooms are en suite and towels get changed every day. All the staff are very nice. I have been back three times already! more

La Pedrera
Attic museum explains Gaudi's brillance, fantastic roof, and fully furnished period apartment more

Park Guell
Another Gaudi masterpiece, this original and playful park provides a feast for eyes & imagination more

La Sagrada Familia
Be a part of this amazing project -- your admission fee helps construct a masterpiece. more

La Crema Canela
Nice ambiance, cheerful English-friendly service, fresh, interesting, tasty & beautiful cuisine more

El Raco
This restaurant is the worst i have ever tried in Barcelona. It looks bright, clean and it positions itself of providing healthy food. And it is non-smoking...another credit. Unfortunately, there is an open kitchen and I was constantly watching them opening one package after the other and put them into the microwave oven. Then it is served on a plate. Those packages of food are sized like those you eat on the plane. So, you are served with microwave food. How great! Pizzas seem to be different for you can choose the toppings. more

La Llavor dels Origens
An extraordinarily good restaurant in such a price range (budget to mid). There are actually 4 outlets in Barcelona. They have a detail menu thick like a magazine that describes the ingredients and origins of the dishes in 3 languages. By the end, you can take the menu with you. Huge variety of dishes and they taste great! more

Kabul Hostel
I was in this Hostel von 2007-02. The employees are very nice. There ist free Internet Terminals. Lots of young people. It is right next to "Las Ramblas". and last but not least... A very cool Pub crawl is starting there. I guess it's one of the most famous hostels in Barce. more

La Vaca Paca
Argentinean restaurant offering business lunches for only 9.50 euro, including a drink. Saturdays and Sundays the price is 11 euro. It is an “eat as much as you want” formula, with great selection of meats and good desserts. Located at just 5 minutes from Plaza Cataluña. more

clickair
low cost airline connecting munich, berlin, frankfurt with BCN for low as 40 USD - Malaga, Sevilla, Lisboa and Oporto have flights too more

Genial
This is a restaurant self service with a large choice of salads. The second dish consists on paella, several kinds of meats, fish, pizza and soups. Desserts, coffee (as much as you want), and one drink is included in the price of 8.50 euro. more

Baraka
This is a lovely and exotic shop selling all kind of articles about Morocco, from earthenware recipients to prepare cuscus to books and music, green tea, carpets, etc. They also sell tickets to the sacred music concert taking place every year in Fez, Morocco. more

Teremok
This is a shop selling only Russian and ex-Soviet Union countries products such as food, drinks (vodka and beers mainly), musical CD, films, newspapers and souvenirs for the many Russians, Ukrainians, Byelorussians and other nationalities of the disappeared USSR living in Barcelona who feel nostalgia for their dishes and have not yet adapted to our paella and sangria. They open every day and the shop is at a walking distance from the Antonio Gaudi’ Sagrada Familia temple. more

Blue Sunday
Drinks after hours. This club is very convenient if you have had dinner in one of the many restaurants in the area. Ask for the Baja Cocktail, or an especial drink only prepared in Blue Sunday. more

Daps
Food served in square plates, by small portions. Meals are delicious but you need magnifying glasses to see the food in a square plate with a well in the middle. If I say the truth, I prefer a good Spanish potage for 5 or 6 euro than those exotic dishes with an elaborated design which contains you eat it up with two spoonfuls and you pay 20 euro. Be ready to pay about 80 euro per person for a normal dinner, including Rioja wine. more

La Llavor del Isis
If you have lunch in this pleasant restaurant then the entrance to the Pueblo Espanol is free (saving, thus about 7 euro). Lovely situation, in the central Castellana Plaza (The Pueblo Espanol represents all the 17 autonomies of Spain, Andalucia, Aragon, Castilla, Cataluna, Extremadura, etc.). Paellas and seafood are their speciality. Most of the staffs are from Ecuador, being the owner’s wife also from Ecuador. more

Shoko
You can lay, like in a caravanserai, informal and Eastern style where you can remove your shoes and stay on the carpets. It is located by the beach, behind the hotel Arts. It is open every night from 23.30 until 3 AM. more

Catwalk
Club for drinks under melodic and quiet music. Located close to the Hotel Arts. Open as from 24.00 to the last customer. more

Buda Bar
Restaurant and elegant pub at the same time. At the entrance there are tables for non smokers. The first part consists in a pub with drinks, and further on you reach an especial hall where they serve meals and smoking is permitted. All the staffs speak English. Close to the Plaza de Cataluna. more

Xop d’Or
Beers with a beautiful terrace in Plaza Espana Inside the serve combined dishes at moderated prices. more

Tapa Tapa
Even if you do not speak Spanish they show you the menu with pictures in the tablecloth, which in fact is a “tablepaper” with the tapas that you see by yourself how they are prepared. In front of your terrace there is the world famous Casa Batllo, the breathtaking Gaudi masterpiece. more

Gaig
Some people say that this is the most selected restaurant in Barcelona, founded in 1869. His owner and cook, Senor Carlos Gaig, is very well known in Spain and among his friends are presidents and rich people. Gaig restaurant acts at the same time as a hotel, and the bar on the ground floor serves both customers, from the restaurant and from the hotel. Do not go downstairs because the hall there is a little sad and claustrophobic, without windows, while in the first floor (there is a lift) the atmosphere is much pleasant. The day that I was there I was told by the waiters that Spanish Princess Cristina (who lives in Barcelona) had been seated in my table the day earlier! more

Cal Pinxo
In a part of the museum Palau de Mar. Terrace is wonderful and the food is based on fish. They prepare a paella a la marinera with lobster. more

Noti
Small restaurant at a walking distance from Plaza de Cataluna. The night when I was there I noticed that all the customers where foreigners. The waiters speak English, some of them being from an English speaking country. more

Torre de Alta Mar
This is an experience in Barcelona. It is located in the port, up in the tower of the cable car operating from the mountain of Monjuich to the beach, thus dominating the whole of the town. Furthermore, the food is delicious. At the entrance there is a waiter who will request to see your reservation before taking the lift upstairs. more

Red
Restaurant with exotic drinks. A little bit expensive but original. Just one time is enough to eat there. I will no go back again. more

Merendero de la Mari
This pleasant restaurant is very popular in summertime because of its huge terrace. The food inside is based on fish. Ask for rape, you will love it! more

Montjuic el Xalet
Probably the best views of Barcelona. It is located up in the mountain of Monjuic, facing the city. You can get there with the Metro first, and then the funicular. It is considered one of the most expensive restaurants in Barcelona. www.gruptravi.com more

Can Cortada
Very nice and elegant restaurant. Dishes are typical from Catalonian authonomy, that is, escalibada, esqueixada, fideua, monchetas con butifarra, crema catalana, etc. more

Travi Mar
It belongs to the same group of Can Travi Nou restaurant, but it is less expensive. Go the the Maremagnum, first floor, local 110 and you will find it. more

El Pintor
A traditional and cosy restaurant set in the heart of Barcelona old quarter which is famous for its artisans living and selling their works there around. It has two floors and some of the walls are made with old stones from the medieval times. more

Can Travi Nou
A traditional Spanish “masia” house from the XVII century transformed a few decades ago into a first class restaurant. It garden is enormous. Among the pictures in the walls you will see our King of Spain, presidents, football players such as Bulgarian Hristo Stoichkov, etc. On the ground floor there are especial rooms for groups. The decoration in the whole house is typical from a medieval Spanish house with old kitchen gadgets hanging from the walls together with Spanish botijos and porrones. more

Easy Internet
Very cheap, and you can also have a coffee over there. It´s very centric, and huge, so there´s always a spare computer waiting for you. more

Viatgi
The staffs of this centrically located travel agency come from many different countries, Brazil, France, England, Italy, etc., therefore they speak many international languages to deal with foreigners. They sell the cheapest tickets to be found in Barcelona to South America and around the world journeys. The travel agency is always crowded, especially with foreign customers. When you go in you have to take a number and wait. Once is your turn, the person in charge of you will supply you wall the possibilities for your airline ticket or excursion, without hurries. They are good specialist in travelling, being themselves travellers. They really take care of your travel and will look for the best advantageous possibilities. more

Via Nomada
This is a good travel agency that specializes in organizing individual trips to the most remote places in the world, and at very good prices! (I bought them an economic ticket to Pitcairn Island in an interior cabin in a cruise in February 2006). They can also arrange you the visas to any country in the world because the travel agency is at the same time the Consulate of Mongolia. The director is a great traveller and has been in the most exotic and hard reaching places of the world, such as Bhutan, North Korea, Iraq, Robinson Crusoe Island, Socotora Island, the North Pole in a Russian icebreaker… etc. That is why he will give you first hand advice. (I went to Iraq at a very good price in the year 2003 thanks to their travel arrangements). They speak several foreign languages. more

Can Culleretes
This is the oldest restaurant in Barcelona, founded in 1786 (older then Los Caracoles), and the second in Spain after Sobrinos de Botin in Madrid, which is record Guinnness in the world for the oldest continuously open restaurant in the world. Although they will not give you a certificate as in Sobrinos de Botin, having dinner in this restaurant is something to remember for a long time. It is located near the Ramblas, in a lane between Plaza Real and Plaza del Pino. The atmosphere is charming. Please, do not go alone, but bring somebody that you love. Not only the dishes are original and delicious, but the prices are affordable by every pocket. more

Taberna vasca Irati
This is a nice Basque bar close to the Ramblas (near Plaza del Pino) where they will offer you tapas (small portions of Spanish delicatessen) at 1.50 euros per unit. You can choose between Spanish jamon, La Mancha cheese, calamari, Russian salad, etc., presented on a piece of bread is an aesthetic way. Further inside the bar there is a restaurant “a la carte”, but too expensive (anyway, Basque cuisine is very selected and not cheap). Better to try only tapas with some Bilbao wine which is served by glass for about 2 euros. You can find cheaper tapas in Basque style in the street Moncada, next door to the Museo Picasso. more

Delicamon
This is a fish restaurant near the Olympic area of Barcelona where you can order seafood at relatively cheap prices. From Monday to Friday, inclusive, they have a “Menu of the day” for 9 euros including wine. more

Cervecería y tapas Alex
Tapas and beers in the Plaza Real. Good atmosphere in a square that until the middle of the XIX century was a monastery requisitioned to the Church by our then Queen Isabel II. It is located next door to the flamenco show “Los Tarantos”. (The flamenco show “El Cordobes”, in the Ramblas, is much better than “Los Tarantos”). On Sundays, in this square, there are lots of stalls selling coins, stamps and rare items for collectors. Today, there are only beers bars, a youth hostel (too expensive!) and two nice street lamps designed by Antonio Gaudi in 1879. more

Sinagoga Mayor
It is considered the oldest Spanish (and even European) synagogue. Although Barcelona was not important enough in the past and did not belong to the eight Jewish Quarters of Spain (such as Toledo, Segovia, Cordoba, Tudela, Gerona, etc.) the Hebrews came to this city in the VIII century. The Barcelona synagogue is described by the famous Spanish traveller Benjamin de Tudela (when I worked in a kibbutz in Israel I was surprised to learn that they have a song devoted to our Spanish Jew Benjamin, from Tudela, the first European to reach China, in the XI century, much earlier than Marco Polo!). Until recently the entrance was for free, but now they have started to charge tickets for 2 euro. more

Els Quatre Gats
A must in your stay in Barcelona. Els Quatre Gats in catalan, or Los Cuatro Gatos in Spanish, means The Four Cats, and is a Spanish expression meaning “few people”. It was a meeting place of artists in the beginning of the XX century frequented by the Andalusia painter Pablo Ruiz Picasso when he lived for a while in Barcelona, and even designed the menu and presented his first exhibition. In this restaurant Picasso got familiarized with the work and illustrations of Toulouse-Lautrec and Theóphile Steinlen. The decoration of the restaurant is very original, inside a modernist building of Puig y Cadafalch (who worked together with Antonio Gaudi). Els Quatre Gats was the first building that Puig constructed, in 1897. Business lunches are cheap, at about 10 euros, including Spanish wine. Dinner is more expensive. You can also go there for a cup of coffee. It is besides the pedestrian street Puerta del Angel, close to Plaza de Cataluna. more

Museo Picasso
A must in your visit to Barcelona. The museum occupies several gothic palaces which are another wonder of the museum. You can follow Picasso trajectory in this museum, from his first paintings when he was 15 years old to the blue period, the pink period, the proto cubism, surrealism, etc. It is also interesting his collection of the Velazquez “Las Meninas” fragments, (which fabulous painting is in the Museo del Prado, Madrid). Velazquez was a Seville painter of the XVII century whom Picasso admired very much. The museum is open every day except on Mondays and free on the first Sunday of every month. There is another museum devoted to Picasso in Malaga, Andalusia, where he was born. The world famous Guernika painting is in Madrid, inside the Reina Sofia Museum. more

Escandalo
Tapas restaurant in a dormitory village near Barcelona (Sant Boi de Llobregat). It is very conveniently situated, close to the Barcelona airport of El Prat de Llobregat (Sant Boi is not in Globo data). more

Altair
Travel literature, guides and maps. This is a temple for the travellers, the kilometre cero. A unique library devoted entirely to the travels with a great collection of maps. It is even greater then the mythical (and first founded in Europe) Ulysses library in Paris (so named because before there was a library devoted to James Joyce). There is a announcements tableau where people sell tickets or request company to share expenses to cross the Sahara dessert in a land rover, or look for a companion to make an around the world journey. They also sell folkloric music from the five continents. Even if you do not have any intention to buy any book, it is worth to have a look at it if you are a traveller in transit to Barcelona. The travel atmosphere is contagious. They sell books not only in Spanish, but also in French, English and many other European languages. They have a filial in Madrid. more

Taberna del Cura
This is a typical Spanish canteen serving cider (sidra) and tapas. It is very recommendable for those who can not afford the high (but justified) prices oif the next door Botafumeiro restaurant. more

Marina
This restaurant is located close to the beach, next door to the Casino of Barcelona and the 5 stars hotel Arts. They have a beautiful terrace with a magnificent view of the beach. They serve tapas, business lunches and a la carte at reasonable prices. more

Moncho’s Barcelona
Bar and restaurant in the Gracia part of Barcelona. You can just have a beer or a coffee, or if prefer, have a good dinner at competitive prices. They also offer business lunches at affordable prices. more

Botafumeiro
This is, probably (I would say without doubt), the most expensive (but first-class) restaurant in Barcelona, more expensive than Salamanca, even. Botafumerio in Gallego language means the liturgical container that pours incense in the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral during the solemn ceremonies. They serve all the expensive Spanish delicatessen, from Jamon de Jabugo to Manchego cheese, from exotic seafood to the best Spanish wines from Rioja and Valladolid. It is a great experience to have dinner there if you can afford it. (I was only once there, and spent 200 euro per 4 PAX) more

Costa Gallega
This restaurant is located in the main Barcelona street, near Casa Batllo and Casa Mila, two outstanding Antonio Gaudi monuments. They serve mainly fish brought daily by bus from Galicia, north east of Spain.. more

El Chipiron
Chipiron is a sort of seafood (baby squid) very expensive and delicious. The restaurant, located just in front of the Columbus monument, in the area called Maremagnum, has two floors and serves mainly oysters, octopus, lobsters and fresh fish at unrivalled prices. From the first floor you will enjoy of magnificent views over the port and the mountain of Montjuich. more

La Casa del Pescado
This is a restaurant and beer bar serving mainly fresh fish (pescado) from the day, situated in the sea part of Barcelona, within a commercial centre. more

El Chiringuito
This is a restaurant by the beach. They specialize in paellas and fried fish. Located in Playa Nova Icaria more

Asador del Mar
This is a nice restaurant (a little bit expensive) located in the high part of Barcelona. The dishes are “Cuina de l’Emporda”, from Gerona province, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees mountains. This is one of the dozen or so restaurants owned by el Senor Moncho in Barcelona. more

El Tinglado de Monchos
This is an authentic seafood restaurant located in the Olimpia part of Barcelona, where there are about 200 restaurants in a row. The views are magnificent and the dishes and staffs are nice. Prices are not expensive considering the place. For 12 euros you can have authentic good seafood paella with salad, wine and salad. more

Troika
Delicatessen food from Russia. You will find pelmenie from Siberia, beer Baltica 7 from Saint Petersburg, black and red caviar from Astrakhan and Kurils, seliodka from the Baltic Sea and Riga, Kasha Herkules, good wines from Georgia and, of course, good vodka. Staffs hardly speak Spanish and all the information in the shop is supplied only in Russian. Mainly for nostalgic of Russian food and immigrants. more

Santa Monica
Food is served in an excellent terrace viewing the Ramblas. They offer menu of the day and a la carte. Ramblas. Located inside the Centro de Arte Santa Monica Museum and the church of Santa Monica. more

Bracafe
This is a lovely café close to the Plaza Cataluna. Apart from the ground floor and the terrace, they also have an underground hall for groups. The cafeteria was founded in 1929 and serves the best coffee of Barcelona. In the walls you can read many phrases of historical personages who loved coffee, Spanish and foreigners. One of them reads: “I know that coffee is a poison, but it kills slowly and I am not in a hurry to die. I am drinking coffee every day 80 years so far and have not experienced any sickness because of it, so I will continue drinking coffee until the end of my days”. more

Sansi Pedralbes
Located in the upper side of Barcelona, close to the Russian Consulate. You have several buses to take you to Barcelona downtown. more

Sansi Diputacio
It is located in Barcelona downtown. This hotel belongs to the chain Sansi Hotels, but better situated near the metro. more

Mirador del Alcalde
This is a lovely cafeteria and resting place up in the mountain of Montjuich. It consists in a bar and kiosk belonging to Salvador (his mother has a cheap and superb self service restaurant inside the museum, further up in the castle of Montjuich). Salvador sells homemade champagne and sangria with cava, and good sandwiches. You can get easily there by metro and then funicular until the mountain, in front of the Juan Miro museum, and walk up about 5 minutes. The place is called Panorama view of the mayor (alcalde) because the Barcelona mayor himself paid with his money for the construction of the place. The decoration is original with the bottom of the bottles on the floor, the waterfall, the botanical gardens and the best view of Barcelona and its port, one of the greatest in Spain (the greatest Spanish port is Algeciras, the oldest town in Europe, down in Andalucia). more

Plat’s
This is a self service restaurant near to the centrically located Plaza Cataluna, in front of the great store El Corte Ingles. Main dishes include salads, paella and sangria, all typical Spanish. Good prices. more

Els Porxos
This is a cheap restaurant next door to the Sagrada Familia. They serve a la carte and menu of the day. Very conveniently situated if you are visiting this Gaudi masterpiece. more

Thai Gardens
This is a wonderful restaurant based in Madrid with filial in Barcelona, Mexico, Casablanca and Sao Paulo. The decoration is fresh and exuberant! Dishes are not cheap during the night, but in weekdays they offer a business lunch at reasonable prices. Food is exotic, Thai specialities in an amazing atmosphere; you feel yourself in the middle of the jungles of Chiang Mai (but without the elephants running by)! This is a restaurant never to go alone, but with your wife, lover, fiancé, or with somebody that you want to captivate… I can advance you that you will have success! more

Restaurant Salamanca
This is probably (only after the super expensive restaurant Botafumeiro) the best seafood restaurant in Barcelona. It is located in the beach Barceloneta. The appetizers include delicatessen such as Jamon de Jabugo and oysters. Not to be missed if you visit Barcelona and you can afford 40 euros for an unforgettable dinner by the seaside, including good wine from Rioja. Do not go alone, but bring your lover to enjoy the romantic atmosphere. more

Restaurantes Los Caracoles
This is, without doubt, the most charismatic restaurant in Barcelona. It is located in a lane next to the Ramblas and to the Plaza Real, and was inaugurated in 1835, being one of the oldest restaurants in Spain (the oldest restaurant in the world, without interruption, according the Guinness Book of Records, is Sobrinos de Botin, in Madrid, where they will give you a certificate for having had dinner). It has two floors and the main speciality is escargots (caracoles means in Spanish escargots). Prices are not too expensive compared with Botafumeiro restaurant (the most expensive restaurant in Barcelona, serving seafood from Galicia) but meats and fish are delicious (try the Bouillabaisse soup as first dish and Crema Catalana as dessert). In all the rooms of the two floors you will see all popular personages that have had lunch or dinner there, such as the Prince Felipe from Spain, Hollywood actors, toreros, football players, the unavoidable inauspicious politics, etc. more

La taberna Griega
Good greek restaurant with many traditional dishes. Nice atmosphere, clean and tasty. Great choice. Near Sants train station. more

Hotel Cotursa Rossello
My new job is here as a recepcionist. Good 4 stars hotel, well located, new construction, all the facilities. But quite expensive. Anyway it have ... the best recepcionist on earth!!! more

MNAC (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya)
This is an excellent museum in Plaza de España, in Montjuic Mountain, just in front of the Magic Fountains, in a building constructed for the Universal Exposition of 1929. There you will find European and Spanish art from the year 1000 to the 1940s, with an impressive section devoted to the frescoes or mural paintings from the Churches of the Pyrenees Mountains, which have been recently declared UNESCO Patrimony of Humankind. The museum also displays fantastic sets of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo and Modern art, apart from a great gathering of paintings from famous painters such as Mariano Fortuny, Jose Ribera (Spagnoletto) and from the private collection of the family Thyssen Bornemitsa, El Greco, Canaletto, several Impressionists, or posters from Toulouse Lautrec and great masterpieces from the Italian Quattrocento, the great Venetian masters of the Cinquecento and from the Spanish Golden Age. more

Pueblo Español and Van der Rohe
In 1929 we celebrated in the centrically located Plaza Espana of Barcelona an International Fair. In the construction of the pavilions even participated the German (nationalised American) Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. We also erected a magic fountain with light and music of flamenco and the song “Barcelona” by Montserrat Caballe and Freddy Mercury, an arena for bullfighting, two towers imitating the Piazza San Marcos in Venice, a palace called MNAC, or Museo Nacional de Arte de Cataluna, containing an impressive anthology of painting of the private collection of Thyssen Bornemisza, plus frescoes from the Pyrenees Mountains Churches. And just one hundred metres up you reach the Pueblo Espanol (Spanish Village) with 117 reproductions of the most famous buildings in Spain: Mudejar style churches from Teruel, narrow streets of Santa Cruz in Sevilla, steps of the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, etc. Inside there are many shops and restaurants. This visit is pleasant and didactic. more

Camp Nou Museum
This museum is the number one attraction in Barcelona; it is even more visited than the Museum Picasso or the Sagrada Familia (unfortunately sport is beating culture). It is located at the border between Barcelona and Hospitalet, behind the football stadium. Inside you will see the stadium with over 110.000 seats, and sometimes the players making a photographical session, plus all the pictures of the past players in the Barcelona Football Club: Kubala, Johan Cruyff, Maradona, Ronaldo, and a long etcetera. There is also a miniature reproduction of the Champions Cup that the Barcelona won in the past against the Italian Team Parma, films of the most notorious victories, the boots of Bulgarian player Hristo Stoichkov, shops where you can acquire Barcelona T shirts and other souvenirs related with the Barcelona Team, and digital pictures where you appear together with Pujol or Ronaldinho. Metro station to get there: Coll Blanc, or bus number 57 and 56. more

El Rebujito
This is a self service where for about 10 euro you can try any Spanish speciality, from paella to gazpacho (a vegetarian cold soap typical of Andalucia) and you can eat as much as you like. The choice is varied and in the salads sector you will find over 20 different ones. You can eat inside or in the large terrace watching the yachts of the rich people passing by. The restaurant is located by the Villa Olimpica, at 50 metres from the beach, in a well known area with over 200 restaurants offering you shellfish. There is a casino in front, a 5 stars hotel called Arts, and many shops. more

Kasparo
Kasparo is an oasis of peace close to the Ramblas If you are tired walking at the discovery of the historical places of Barcelona, then I suggest you rest for a while and command a beer in the terrace of Kasparo, a cafeteria and restaurant located in a peaceful square with gardens besides the Ramblas and central Plaza Cataluna. In the large terrace they will serve you from fresh beers to Indian and Chinese teas, or Middle Easters dishes salads and sandwiches. It is very frequented by young people. There is no noise in that square, no pollution, no traffic of cars or buses, only a few motorcycles and bicycles. It is also close to the beautiful fruit and seafood market of Saint Joseph, in the Ramblas. more

The cheapest Youth Hostel in downtown
This Youth Hostel besides the famous Ramblas Boulevard is very convenient placed and much cheaper than a similar one in Plaza Real, also near to the Ramblas. The price per night for a bed in a dormitory from four to ten persons, including breakfast, if you are younger than 26 years is 15’40 euro, or 18’80 euro if you are older. The area around Calle Hospital is mainly populated by immigrants speaking such exotic languages (from the Europeans point of view) as Urdu, Arabic, Hausa, Swahili, Pilipino, etc., and few people speak Spanish apart from some popular phrases. In the streets of that Barrio (Quarter) you will find many cheap donner kebaps restaurants, couscous to take away, Indian sweets and lassi, or meat cut following strictly the kosher rules, observed by the Jews and muslims alike (what they copied from the ancient Egyptians). more

Bar Jai-ca
Cheap seafood tapas bar with a cool and quiet terrace in Barceloneta neighbourhood. Don't miss the alcachofas rebozadas (artichokes sautéed in light batter). more

Hipica Vilaller
Hipica Vilaller is the best mountain horse stable I've tried to date. The owner looks and acts like Christopher LLoyd. I went with some friends and he had us dying with laughter half the time, but was also an excellent instructor beg-adv. He only speaks Spanish or Catalan, but managed to sing a rousing "Happy Birthday" to our English friend, and was able to instruct him pretty well even without our translating. For 3 hrs he charged 40€ pp, and for 5 days/nts including horse, hotel, food, and picnics it's 710€ more

Kabul
Great place!!! Friendly and cheap on the famous plaça reial Dont miss the famous 'happy hour' : 3€ for 2 liters of beer! Internet access, snack, breakfast... A must go for the travellers more

Maritime Museum
Although the contents of this museum, particularly the galleon, are impressive, to me it's worth a visit just for the building! It's a medieval dockyard. more

Tast d'Argenteria
Evening prices are mid range, but for lunch it is a real budget find. 11 Euros for three courses of very nicely prepared and presented food. more

Els Fanals
Nice budget restaurant with friendly staff. This place is open 365 days a year. Food is good, so is the Sangria. more

La Pelu del Barri
This is a hairdressers. I had to put it in my guide! I went in after a terrible hair dying accident that left my hair looking like a brilliant lemon and orange swirl sorbet. It took them three hours to do it- but my hair is GORGEOUS, almost an exact match to my rather unusual natural shade of strawberry blond. During those three hours I saw a lot of haircuts happen and Esther is very talented. Young, talented, friendly..what more could you want from a hairdresser? (No English spoken) more

Puku Café
This is a very cool cafe in Grácia, a block from Pl. Diamante. The inside is large and painted in Van Gogh colors. There is a table outside which has lots of local cool happenings like free concerts, film festivals, protests, etc. Inside is relaxed, fun and with great music! more

ART Escudellers
Above there are two shops, one which has more artistic Spanish pieces (pottery, crystal bonsai trees, blown glass) and the other has a lot of typical spanish pottery in bulk.... THE SECRET... is in the the second one. Downstairs, there is a huge old wine cellar where you can order very fine glasses of wine, and sit on very high stools drinking exquisite wine from very large glasses (large to allow the red wine to breathe properly), and eating expensive jamón and cheeses. This is a must-try! more

The Latin
Only open Monday-Friday from 5am -9am, it's an after hours club. The owners, Toni and Pedro, make the best cocktails in Barcelona! They are trying to begin opening on the weekends from 5pm-midnight. It's in a trial state at the moment. Specialties: Mojitos and Coco Solos Pedro is from Cuba, and the Mojitos are done RIGHT! more

Bio Center
For about 4€ you can eat all you want from the salad bar, which is fully vegetarian and loaded with pasta, salads, soup, nuts, olives, and so much more! You can also opt for the full menu of the day, which is about mid-range (price). I've never done this, but it looks great! For vegetarians, it's a Must-Know. It's located off of Las Ramblas. more