Barcelona - places to visit, things to see, photos, top tips and chat
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Johnny Canuck3
Well-Known Member
I have an apartment in Spain a bit further down the coast and in the next couple of years I would like to sell that and buy somewhere on the outskirts of Valencia, with a little bit of land and an olive tree, an orange tree, a lemon tree and a lime tree and a tiny pool. Then I shall be truly happy!
dessiato
🇪🇸 españa te quiero
Come to Andalucia. I moved to Ecija(about half way between Cordova and Sevilla) late last year and, so far, am loving it. The police seem friendly and helpful. the food is good, and the weather is usually good. In six months we've made more friends, and have a better social life than in the six years we lived in Portugal, which I love.
Galiza is great too, but the weather is a bit too rainy and cold for my taste. Again, fantastic food and some beautiful places to visit. the people are friendly, I even saw Stanley there once, although I didn't know who he was at the time.
Galiza is great too, but the weather is a bit too rainy and cold for my taste. Again, fantastic food and some beautiful places to visit. the people are friendly, I even saw Stanley there once, although I didn't know who he was at the time.
I bet there's Spanish people reading this thread, rolling their eyes and thinking, 'fuck off, brit'
Because the Spanish are famous for leaping to the defence of Catalans and vice versa.
Valencia has the same policing attitude as Barcelona. I can't get permission to work there and some police see artists as illegal street vendors/beggars. They cracked down on a very lively squat culture a few years ago and tried to 'clean the streets' of unwanted riffraff. However, these days they allow pretty much anything after 9pm which makes for a fun, vibrant nighttime atmosphere. It is also the most brightly lit city in Spain - very brightly lit.
It is known as 'little Barcelona' because it has some similar architecture and a beach away from the city centre. Squat living remains popular a short distance out of town, you will still see many 'unwanted' around. The beach is much better than Barceloneta in Barcelona.
Generally, it has a more sophisticated vibe to it than Barcelona. Less street crime, but it still exists. The historic centre is beautiful. Fabulous river side walks. Plenty of high and low culture. Nice big, traditional market hall full of fresh local produce.
A certain British politician once described it as Europe's most corrupt city. I tend to agree.
I spent 3 weeks there a few years ago and return occasionally. Much prefer it to Barcelona, but still isn't a patch on Granada and Andalucia. A very different Spain - my preference is for the rough edges of Andalucia rather than the over polished high culture.
cemertyone
Well-Known Member
Yeah the more people i talk to the more of them tell me to stay away from Barcelona..
I`ve been there a few times and liked it..and ive visted Saville (which i loved)...
Ive had enough of Belfast..its cold wet and always dark...
Ive got quite a bit of money coming to me (lucky me i guess) and i just wanted to go away and live in spain for a year and see how things go..i wont have to work or anything.just hang out and see where it all goes...
so im going spend some time checking out whats what before i make any decesion....
AKA pseudonym
Well-Known Member
As you know theres a big spanish crew in Belfast... drink around Kellys Cellars and there's often nights in west belfast? been to some gooduns at conway mill...
I would say they would keep you right too?
cemertyone
Well-Known Member
Yeah im thinking more like going some where like Andulica way...
Get a wee place to myself...read all the books ive always said i would one day
drink cheap wine..bit of puff and write some poetry..(that last bit was a lie...)
and the rents in the Bar area seem quite expensive...
thanks for all the advice folks....
if i manage to get a wee cottage in the countryside or near the sea...
i will extend an invite to urabanites to come by and drink some wine...
stay for a few days rent free rather than pay hotel/hostel fees...
Get a wee place to myself...read all the books ive always said i would one day
drink cheap wine..bit of puff and write some poetry..(that last bit was a lie...
)and the rents in the Bar area seem quite expensive...
thanks for all the advice folks....
if i manage to get a wee cottage in the countryside or near the sea...
i will extend an invite to urabanites to come by and drink some wine...
stay for a few days rent free rather than pay hotel/hostel fees...
Favelado
J'adore South Shore
Yeah im thinking more like going some where like Andulica way...
Get a wee place to myself...read all the books ive always said i would one day
drink cheap wine..bit of puff and write some poetry..(that last bit was a lie...
and the rents in the Bar area seem quite expensive...
thanks for all the advice folks....
if i manage to get a wee cottage in the countryside or near the sea...
i will extend an invite to urabanites to come by and drink some wine...
stay for a few days rent free rather than pay hotel/hostel fees...
Lots of people seem to love Cadiz. You could think about checking that out.
Cadiz and Tarifa are great if you like hippy beach bums, wind and surfing. You really need to love wind.
As an introduction to Spain I would recommend Madrid. Learn the language and make contacts there before exploring other areas. It is a very diverse country.
Riklet
procrastinación
Sounds like you want to rent somewhere in Andalucia near the sea tbh! Good shout on Cadiz or its province, Huelva worth a look too (not the city, the province). Another option might be over in Almeria on the coast there, or there's some really lovely places in Malaga province, especially if you want good access to both mountains and sea within a couple of hours.
Living in Barcelona or Madrid will rinse your money faster, but then it does depend what you want. If it's music, theatre, art and lots of STUFF going on then a big city would be worth it. If you just want to chill, read and eat good food like you suggest, i'd head south...
I'd avoid Tarifa personally, unless you really love windsurfing, as well... it's too windy and bleh. Cadiz is a much more interesting place to hang out or live.
Living in Barcelona or Madrid will rinse your money faster, but then it does depend what you want. If it's music, theatre, art and lots of STUFF going on then a big city would be worth it. If you just want to chill, read and eat good food like you suggest, i'd head south...
I'd avoid Tarifa personally, unless you really love windsurfing, as well... it's too windy and bleh. Cadiz is a much more interesting place to hang out or live.
Ooh, timely thread. I need some tips on Barcelona. I've been many times but not for about 8 years and I used to go for Sonar so it was a completely different experience.
I am going over the Easter weekend to visit friends but with my 3 year old. Firstly, how shut down will Barcelona be over Easter? Will we be able to eat out? Will we be able to get trains up the coast?
Secondly, if any of you would know this, things you recommend doing with a 3 year old in Barcelona. There's the beach and he might like the Gaudi park but that's all my ex-raver knowledge knows of the place.
I am going over the Easter weekend to visit friends but with my 3 year old. Firstly, how shut down will Barcelona be over Easter? Will we be able to eat out? Will we be able to get trains up the coast?
Secondly, if any of you would know this, things you recommend doing with a 3 year old in Barcelona. There's the beach and he might like the Gaudi park but that's all my ex-raver knowledge knows of the place.
Barcelona doesn't really do Semana Santa - business as usual.
As for childrens stuff; I have a friend who does puppet shows. She would know better than me. I'll ask via email now and post the reply.
As for childrens stuff; I have a friend who does puppet shows. She would know better than me. I'll ask via email now and post the reply.
Favelado
J'adore South Shore
It's a holiday so eating out will be a big deal. You shouldn't have a problem with that.
According to this...
http://guia.bcn.cat/festes-estatals...i-locals-a-barcelona-al-2013_99400296263.html
The 29th of March and 1st of April are official holidays in Barcelona so almost all the shops will be shut except for Chinese/Asian convenience shops for basic supplies. I think a lot bars and restaurants will still open on those days though, maybe some only at night time.
These are the local trains for the Barcelona region.
http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/cercanias/barcelona/index.html
These are local trains too. Another system that serves the Barcelona metro area.
http://www.fgc.cat/eng/index.asp
Here is the RENFE website for national trains. If you can get it it to work you'll be doing better than anyone in Spain. The trains are pretty good though.
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html
Kids are welcome everywhere which is going to help you. I haven't got any specific tips really though.
This is worth reading...
http://barcelona.de/en/barcelona-easter-time.html
As a tourist you are very unlikely to be inconvenienced by Easter holidays in Barcelona.
http://barcelona.de/en/barcelona-easter-time.html
As a tourist you are very unlikely to be inconvenienced by Easter holidays in Barcelona.
My friend replied...
Favelado
J'adore South Shore
Those rules apply elsewhere in Spain. It doesn't count as a crime unless it's 500 euros. To be fair to Barcelona, it's not really much worse than the centre of Madrid for pickpockets. I wouldn't say that they're in different leagues in that respect. You shouldn't use your back pocket for anything, store things in the inside pockets of jackets and carry your rucksack the wrong way round in the most touristy areas and you shouldn't get pickpocketed at all.
Isn't that the same from Leicester Square to La Rambla to more or less every where?
The Mossos are the worst police in Spain for treatment of detainees though. Even the Catalans hate them.
Barcelona is far worse than Madrid, or Leicester Square.
WTF was the point in that post?
dessiato
🇪🇸 españa te quiero
If you decide to come to Andalucia you can get a reasonable apartment from about €300 a month, furnished. Of course it depends on where you choose, but even in Malaga there are some very affordable ones. You would need a deposit of one month's rent, the first month's rent and a small fee for the agent. IME there is no minimum period for renting. But avoid the main tourist and holiday home areas for the best value for money.
Favelado
J'adore South Shore
Oh. Plate of rice and a quick wank then.
It's your own choice I guess.
