Spending a week in Barcelona?

Question

I will be spending a week in Barcelona. I am solo traveler, single woman, the whole deal.

While I am not a timid person, I do want to stay somewhere safe. SOmewhere off Las Ramblas, maybe near the Gothic Quarter so that I can walk anywhere.

I am willing to spend some $$$ on a good hotel, so that I can have them watch out for me and feel just a bit safer going around the city by myself.

Any insight is great.

FYI: I have already checked out the Duquesa de Cardona, like it. Just want to check out other options.

Thank you!!!

Answer 1

Hotel Regencia Colon is a great price in a great location.  In it's the Gotic Quarter but it's right on the big square where the Cathedral is, so it's well-lit and not isolated at night.  No dark alleys to walk down or anything.  You can book it on Expedia for about $137 per night (double room).  I stayed there twice and it's the only place I would stay if I returned to Barcelona.  The staff are real professionals- very friendly and willing to go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable.  Skip the breakfasts though- they're grossly overpriced and there's a great churro place nearby on Via Laietana.

Answer 2

Good for you!  I've been to Barcelona twice and both time alone (i'm female) and both times for an entire week.  The first time I was 19 and the second time I was 24; I stayed in the same hostel both times off Las Ramblas called Hostel Kabul.  They have heavy duty lockers and my stuff was always safe.  You seem above my pricepoint though...;)

I am blond and blue eyed and never had a problem but I am a seasoned traveller and speak fluent spain spanish.  I was, oddly enough, with a girl one night in a group of people and she got robbed.  But I walked alone down allies in the dark at night and nothing happened to me.  Luck?  Maybe, but just don't act scared or worried.   I mean, i was testing my luck for sure but nothing happened.

I HIGHLY recommend you get the Lonely Planet Barcelona book no matter what your age (even good for families).  It will help you locate exactly what you need in your price range. It will also give you TONS of info on the city, places to eat, day trips etc.    

Not only does that Lonely Planet guide list out hotels by prices and give a description, but it also lists them by neighborhood (barrio).  You can even get it from the library but try to get a recent version.  Seriously check it out.

Answer 3

Most visitors stay in or near the Ramblas or in the Gothic Quarter just to the east. This is a good base from where you can explore the city's sights by day including Gaudi's masterpiece, the unfinished Sagrada Família Cathedral, and Parc Güell in the north. See http://www.spain4uk.co.uk/places/barcelo... for more information on Barcelona and map and reviews of hotels.

Answer 4

Enjoy your time there.  I go to BCN atleast 2 times a year for pleasure sometime more..

Best web site I have found for hotels is

http://www.booking.com

Enter the destination and date, for Barcelona are three choices pick Barcelona city

There is a city map so you can get a place around where you want, without looking at a hotel then try to find it's location.

Also there are reviews from past travelers.

For New Years I stayed at Hotel Bel Art and a buddy at Hotel Medic.  These are just 3 blocks above Cathedral La Sagrada Familia, and only 1 block from the subway.  

Get a day pass or week pass on public transportation.  Clean, safe and cheap!!!

If you get a chance take the train to "Monistrol De Montserrat". Just before this town is the stop "Pont De L'Aeri"

From here you can take the cable gondola up to the monistary Montserrat.   All I can say is breath taking and amazing!!  Try to go on a day with good visibility.  

Places to eat:

On the beach prominade walking from Port Olympic North, just past the Mc Donalds you will see "Escriba"  great for big meals.

Tapas.. near the intersection of Rambla de Catalunya and Carrier De Mallorca  find Cervezaria Catalanya, best tapas in BCN.  If you get there after 8 expect to wait 1-2 hours for a table, reservations not taken.

Have fun.

Answer 5

Molt be! (be sounds like bay in Catalon) I lived in Catalunya for 2 years and LOVED EVERY MINUTE of it! There is so much you can do! I will also add that Barcelona is a very safe city to be out in! Go down to the Port de Olimpic! It is one good party there. You will meet tons of people from other countries in that area. Make some friends and jump on the train up to the mountains! You can stop in Ribas de Freser (where I lived right up the road from in a village called Ventola great little restuarant there to!) and you can take another train up to Vall de Nuria from the town it is a beautiful ride up the mountian! After you get back go up to Puigcerda farther up the line it is a small city that boarders France and has some cool stuff to see not of the normal touristy itinerary! If you can get up to Andorra it is only about an hour drive from there and is loaded with stores and a great place to relax Caldea Spa! it is cheap and you will love it! Now I don't know how long you will be there but you can also head north up the coast and hit the beautiful beachs there (always the top ranked beachs of Europe!) Lloret Del Mar (it is a bit touristy but nice and there is many more more secluded beachs up the coast! If you like Salvador Dali you can go to Cadaques where he was from and has a great museum of his work there plus you can go and have some wine on his property and even camp there if they still let you! LOL But that area is second to none in Europe and even the Europeans will tell you Barcelona is the best city over there! Have a Blast I wish I was still there! Bon Dia! (Catalon for good day!)