The city’s most famous drag, La Rambla, divides the Gothic Quarter and El Raval. If you stand at the top of La Rambla and look down towards the sea, the Gothic Quarter is on your left and El Raval is on your right.

Because it’s so popular with tourists, the Gothic Quarter (known locally as “Barri Gòtic”) can be a challenge to explore on a budget. Fortunately, we have some tips below to keep your spending in check!

Get around on foot

The only way to really explore the Gothic Quarter is by walking. Though the Metro stops Jaume I, Pl. Catalunya, Liceu and Urquinaona will put you at the perimeter of the neighborhood, much of the Gothic Quarter is closed to car traffic, making it a haven for pedestrians who are ogling the cathedral’s gargoyles or stopping to window shop.

Make sure to get a good, detailed map of the area as it can be very confusing to find your way from point to point without any direction. But that’s part of the fun! While the Eixample is laid out in a simple grid pattern, the Gothic Quarter is a mess of winding alleyways and dead ends. Getting lost in the Gothic Quarter is common even for the locals, so don’t worry too much if you get turned around.

Barcelona Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter dates back to the 1300s. Photo: Catalan Art

What to see

While the neighborhood demands to simply be wandered, there are a number of sights you shouldn’t miss. These include:

• The Barcelona Cathedral and the plaza just in front of it are both required visits. You will have to pay a small fee (€3) to enter the cathedral unless you go for mass, but it’s also fascinating to walk around its huge outside perimeter and admire the architecture.

• Seek out Pl. Sant Felip Neri near the cathedral for a respite from the Gothic Quarter’s bustle. The plaza has a sad history (look for evidence of the bombing during the civil war on the plaza’s walls) but it’s currently one of the prettiest spots in the city to have a coffee or just sit and listen to the trickling fountain.

• Roman sites: Visiting the numerous Roman sites scattered throughout the Gothic Quarter is free and interesting. Get information and a map showing where each site is located from the tourist information office in Pl. Catalunya.

• More ancient history: If you want to dive deeper into Barcelona’s Roman era then seek out the MUHBA (Barcelona City History Museum) on Plaça del Rei, which holds artifacts from the 1st century BC to the early Middle Ages (€7).

• La Rambla: Of course, you should take a stroll along La Rambla, which lines the western edge of the Gothic Quarter all the way down to the port. Check out the flower stands, human statues, and opera house as you walk. (Related: Is the Rambla a tourist trap? Not necessarily.)

• Plaça Reial is also a lively square worth your time, surrounded by restaurants, bars and once-glamorous apartments. Some good jazz clubs and live music venues are found around Plaça Reial, too.

• Organized tour: If you feel like splurging, book the Secrets and Legends Tour with Ciempies. This is the best tour I’ve been on in Barcelona, and maybe in my entire life. The tour focuses on the history of the Gothic area as well as local tales passed down from generation to generation.

• Nightlife savings: You can also save money on shows when buying tickets in advance. Jamboree sells tickets online for slightly less than at the door. Atrapalo also has daily deals on concerts, shows, food, tours, and classes in the city.

Finding affordable food & drink

Because the Gothic Quarter is so popular with tourists, some restauranteurs feel they can charge more and serve substandard eats. Skip these places. You’ll know them by the photos of their dishes taped up next to a menu that has been translated into 10 languages.

Luckily, there are still some wonderful, old-timey bars and traditional restaurants sit near the more touristy places. These include:

• For cheap breakfast or lunch options, try El Mos (Carrer Comtal, 12), a cafe serving a wide array of pastries, plus sandwiches and simple daily specials. You can eat a meal at El Mos for about €6.

• Another inexpensive choice is Buenas Migas, which serves salads, focaccia, pastries, cakes and breakfast items such as freshly-squeezed OJ and yogurt with granola.

• For beers and cocktails try Ginger (Carrer de la Palma de Sant Just, 1) or Polaroid (Carrer dels Còdols, 29) which draws a young crowd.

Related: 4 local dishes to try when visiting Barcelona | Favorite bars (including Gothic Quarter)

Supermarket savings: You can cut down on what you spend on food by buying some of your meals at the supermarket. Carrefour and El Corte Inglés have large selections of pre-made dishes (pasta salad, roasted chicken, sandwiches) plus all the snack and drink options you’d expect from a European supermarket. Try getting breakfast and lunch from Carrefour and then going out for dinner and drinks. (Here are some picnic tips for Barcelona.)

More restaurant advice: We have much more to say on the subject of saving on Barcelona’s restaurant and bars. Check out these articles for more tips.

Best budget hotels in the Gothic Quarter

If you choose to stay in the Gothic Quarter, you’ll save bucks on transportation, as you’ll be within walking distance from just about everything, including the beach, Gaudí sights, shopping, restaurants and the major train and bus stations. Cheapos will love the convenient location.

Check out all of our accommodations in Barri Gòtic, and take note of this stand out:

Hostal Levante: This friendly stay offers an unbeatable location at great prices. All of the accommodations are spic-and-span, and a few rooms have balconies overlooking the cobblestoned streets. Doubles from under $100.

The post Cheapo Guide: Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

However, there is no denying that La Rambla is a popular landmark in Barcelona with a central location that makes it a useful street to get you from Plaça Catalunya to the Gothic Quarter. Plus, the old city center is a maze of baffling cobblestone streets where it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll get lost (at least once), and La Rambla helps many to get their bearings and stay on course.

As you can tell, I have mixed feelings about La Rambla. Here are a few honest, and hopefully useful, tips on how to survive along Barcelona’s swarming promenade.

Related: Cheapo Guide to the Gothic Quarter | Cheap hotels near Las Ramblas

1. Walking along La Rambla

Truth be told, there are prettier central squares in Spain and Europe than Plaça Catalunya, a humdrum hub with more pigeons than trees. Nevertheless, let the plaza be your starting point for a wander down La Rambla.

There are a couple of reasons to begin your route here, and not down by the water. From Plaça Catalunya, it’s all downhill walking, and once you’ve tromped to the end of the road, you can keep going along the port working up an appetite for tapas in La Barceloneta by the beach. Depending on how fast you walk (and you will not be able to stroll too quickly, as La Rambla is always choked with people), you should make it from Plaça Catalunya to the very end of La Rambla in about 40 minutes to an hour.

2. La Boqueria: Foodie destination

If you love food, La Boqueria, Barcelona’s legendary market on La Rambla, is worth a look. As a local, La Boqueria presents for me the same issues as La Rambla. It teems with tourists, and many of the traditional stalls have given up whatever they did in the past, and now focus their efforts in selling sliced fruit and souvenirs to visitors.

However, there are a few places where life goes on within La Boqueria as it always has. I know the market to be a good spot for an early (and I mean early, like 10 AM) breakfast at its bars and cafes. I also love the modest stands that are set up just beside the covered market, staffed by deeply-tan farmers with vegetables layered in fresh earth. There is something wholesome about dirty, right-from-the-ground veggies.

If time allows, see La Boqueria, but also drop by another Barcelona market to compare and get a more local feel for how people eat and shop in the city. For my money, Santa Caterina Market near the cathedral is an impressive option.

Related: Top 10 attractions in Barcelona

3. Impressive human statues

A friend once told me that he worked for a spell as a human statue on La Rambla. He said he made up to €200 a day dressed in white and silver, pretending to be a marble Roman statue. Some are cheesy, some are brilliant and all these unique ‘actors’ want tips. The human statues speak to what a tourist trap La Rambla is, but I can’t help but smile when I see them. Throw a euro in their hat, and snap a selfie with them for a cute Instagram post.

4. Watch out for pickpockets, swindlers and sex workers

While the human statues make me grin, there is plenty to make me furrow my brow, too. Some nine years back, upon arrival in Barcelona, my telephone was stolen on La Rambla. Pickpockets go where the tourists are, and this is the place in the city where you are most likely to get robbed. Because these guys are so good, you probably won’t even realize your wallet/passport/phone is missing until some time later.

Carry your wallet in your front pocket, keep your purse in front of you instead of to your back, and leave anything you don’t absolutely need back at the hotel in the safe. Follow these precautions, and you’ll be just fine. (More info on pickpockets in Barcelona and spotting scams here.

There are also numerous bands of ‘gamers’ who work a gambling scam along La Rambla. You’ll see a group of people trying to guess where the bean is, as a man rapidly works three cups back and forth. It looks easy enough to win at this game, but rest assured that you never will. Also, most of the people in the group are actually in on the scam. The rule of thumb is to avoid any and all gambling on La Rambla.

Related: 8 misconceptions about visiting Barcelona

Finally, after dark sex workers of all stripes appear on La Rambla. Everyone has a different opinion about how and if sex work should be legal, and that’s not the issue I have to share. Rather, my warning to late-night Rambla ramblers, especially the inebriated, is to watch your wallet and expect the unexpected. If two women approach you, one with her arm around your waist and the other with her hand down your pants (yes, down your pants!)…they are robbing you. You might be so surprised (in a good or bad way) that you miss the fact that they have just handed your wallet off to their buddy. Not all sex workers have this strategy, but I’ve seen it too many times not to mention it. Even my husband, while walking with me, was approached. Unfortunately, when he told them to get lost, the women turned aggressive. Hold your own and keep walking.

5. Finding an affordable and tasty place to eat and drink

With extremely few exceptions, La Rambla is not a good place to have a meal. Cut off La Rambla on the many side streets that stem from it and find a restaurant or bar down the cobblestone lanes. These will almost always be better than anything you find along the main strip. That giant goblet of sangria for €15? It’s not going to do much for you apart from give you a terrible sugar hangover the following morning. Also make sure to avoid the neon-yellow, frozen paella served by the boatload along La Rambla.

It can be trying to find a decent, and moderately priced, restaurant in the city center, but it’s not impossible. Biocenter is just a couple blocks off La Rambla and has healthy vegetarian food. If you’re tired of snacking on oily tapas, it’s a good choice for greens and freshly-squeezed juice. In fact, there are many darling cafes and bars in El Raval, more so even than the Gothic Quarter.

A walk down Carrer dels Tallers, which is near the top of La Rambla and Plaça Catalunya, will take you past a diverse assortment of bars and restaurants. For something a bit more high end, I like La Cucina, a locavore eatery inside Hotel DO. For what it’s worth, I also wrote a book about where to dine (inexpensively) like a local in Barcelona called Eat Guides, which offers up a few more tips on where to go in downtown, and indeed all over the city.

Conclusion

Despite my misgivings, I do think La Rambla is a key part of the Barcelona experience, as much so as La Sagrada Família or day at the beach. The street is a mixed-bag of grimy buildings, five-star hotels, two-star pensions, souvenir shops selling cheap plastic junk and a few old-school boutiques that have been there since the early 1900s. If you really want a real taste of Barcelona, hike it, see it, then steer clear of it as much as possible for the rest of your visit.

The post Is La Rambla a Tourist Trap? 5 tips for strolling like a local appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge fan of sleeping in a dorm room unless there’s no other alternative. Those days of communal snoring are pretty much a thing of the past for me, and yet here I am, crushing on Ítaca Hostel in Barcelona.

Of all the hostels I’ve visited in Barcelona (and I mean hostel like youth hostel, not hostal) Ítaca stands out in my mind as being the most welcoming. Plus, its location is unbeatable.

Cristina and Nuria own the hostel and have created a cool, communal vibe while offering lots of perks to guests. I can see how it would be easy to meet other travelers at Ítaca over free coffee and tea in the downstairs lounge area or upstairs in the ample communal kitchen. I also like the arty flair at Ítaca, its walls adorned with colorful murals.

Finally, a communal bathroom without any ick! factor.

Tidy points

One of the reasons I tend not to like hostels is the grime factor (and the lack of privacy). I’m not into a messy communal bathroom – no gracias! So Ítaca gets points from me for being tidy, plus having separate bathrooms for ladies and gentlemen.

Hang-out room at the Itaca.

If you’re not into hostels in any way, shape or form, Ítaca also has a few apartments for holiday lettings in another building. While these are more expensive, they are of course private and have kitchens, which could save you bucks in the long run.

Location, location…

Ítaca is about a block from one of the top tapas bars in all of Barcelona. I kid you not, the patatas bravas at Cala del Vermut are some of the best in town. And I’m not the only one who thinks so – inside you’ll see photos lining the walls of random famous people who have come to drink a beer here and munch a brava or two. Better yet, get a Vermut here, which is a liquor drink served on ice with a orange slice that happens to be all-the-rage and go well with tapas.

As if Cala del Vermut was not a good enough reason to book at Ítaca (and it is), the Cathedral is also right around the corner, as are many Roman ruins, great shopping, the Santa Caterina Market, and El Born neighborhood. Just up the street a bit on Via Laietana you’ll find the impressive Palau de la Música, and going the opposite direction on the same street you’ll get to the Port and beach.

A breakfast room that’s spic-and-span.

Yes, Ítaca is in the middle of it all, and yet removed on a little side-street that few venture down (meaning quiet nights).

Perfect for budget travelers

I’ve recommended this hostel many times over the years to shoe-string travelers. There are tons of hostels in Barcelona but few can check off as many boxes as Ítaca.

The only other hostel that I’ve seen come anywhere close to Ítaca is Hello BCN Hostel, and it’s on the other side of town without Ítaca’s top-notch location. For the time being, I’ve only got eyes for Ítaca.

Also in our guide: Our editors have inspected and reviewed budget hotels all over central Barcelona. Read more in our guide to cheap hotels in Barcelona.

The post Barcelona Crush: Ítaca Hostel in the Gothic Quarter appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Not all hotels in Barcelona are created equal when it comes to location. While it’s true that some of the cheapest rooms can be found outside of Barcelona’s city center, this isn’t always the case. There are some great hotel deals to be had right in the center of the action.

Here are my “Top 5 hotels with amazing locations,” in no particular order:

1. Hostal Galeria Malda
Del Pi 5 1/1
Doubles: €20
Read review

I’m partial to Malda because I lived right across the street from it for a year on C/ del Pi. This area is about five minutes by foot from Pl. Catalunya, which is where you’re going to come in from the airport if you take the airport bus or train/metro combo. So it’s convenient.

However, I don’t recommend hotels that are right on Pl. Catalunya because they are noisy, pricy, and surrounded by touristy restaurants and bars. At Malda you get the close proximity to the center, but also Gothic Quarter charm and plenty of good eateries.

I also dig the fact that Malda is in an old palace (ask the owners to tell you all about it) and that there’s an original version cinema in the same building (Cines Malda).

There are many wonderful shops in this area, and lots of bars and restaurants. Explore the side-streets to find non-touristy cafes. I recommend the tapas bar and bakery on C/ del Pi (you’ll see them, they’re the only ones) which have fair prices and are popular with locals. I also love Cala de Vermut, nearby the Cathedral, around the corner from Malda for tapas. It’s excellent, albeit tiny!

Relax near the beach on Hotel del Mar’s terrace.

2. Hotel del Mar
Plaza Palacio, 19
Doubles: €75-115
Read review

As the name suggests, Hotel del Mar is near the beach. This is the place to book from May to October when it’s still possible to swim in the Mediterranean or lounge on the sand. Staying at Hotel del Mar you’ve got easy access to all of the seafood restaurants and tapas joints in La Barceloneta, but at the same time you’re close to the Born neighborhood and its vibrant nightlife scene. The Born or La Ribera also has a lot to offer in restaurants, cafes and bars. I recommend Set del Born (Esparteria, 7 ) and Paco Pizza (Allada Vermell, 11.).

This area is also where you’ll find Santa Maria de Mar church, a worship place built by the people for the people (read “Cathedral of the Sea,” Ildefonso Falcones, a book about the church). Nearby Santa Maria del Mar is the extremely popular Picasso Museum as well as the Chocolate and Textile Museums.

3. Hosteria Grau
Ramelleres, 27
Doubles: €50-80
Read review

One of my preferred hotels, Grau also has a fun location, though it could be noisy if you have a street-facing room. Located on C/Tallers, Grau is just off Pl. Catalunya, but not on it and therefore out of the hubbub.

Grau is in El Raval, but not deep in, which is good. As much as I like to go out in El Raval, as unique bars and clubs in this area are plentiful, I really can’t recommend the area in my top 5. Why? Because way too many folks get robbed there. So, although Grau is sort of in El Raval, it’s on a very busy street that is well-lit most of the night. It seems pretty safe.

On the same block as Grau find breakfast at one of the bakeries lining C/Tallers, or lunch at Tallers 76 (on Tallers, 76), which offers a delicious set menu Mon-Fri. There’s a kebab shop right next to Tallers 76 which does awesome falafel for about $4, a shoestring traveler’s dream.

The Itaca Hostel puts you right in the center of the city.

4.Ítaca Hostel
Ripoll, 21
Doubles: €60
Read review

First of all, this hostel rocks. The staff there are friendly and have made a super comfortable environment for travelers. Second, their location is “da bomb.” They’re on a little side-street off the plaza in front of Barcelona’s  main Cathedral, meaning it’s quiet but also right in the center of the city.

A few doors down from Ítaca you’ll find Cala de Vermut, which has some of the metropolis’ top tapas. There are also several fine boutiques selling clothing created by local designers on C/Ripoll, a juice bar and a wine bar. Since this side-street is sort of hidden, these spots are less frequented by tourists than all of the bars one street over by the Cathedral or in the other direction on Via Laietana.

What else? Crossing over Via Laietana from Ítaca, you’ll get to Palau de la Musica Catalana in about three minutes. This is one of my favorite Barcelona sights! Don’t miss it! Venturing further in, behind Palau de la Musica and down the Sant Pere streets (there are a few of them, “Baix,” “Mitja,” etc) you’ll come across local bars and inexpensive eateries.

P.S. Santa Caterina, one of Barcelona’s most lovely markets, is also just around the corner from Ítaca!

Enjoy the leafy and chic Eixample at the Hotel Astoria.

5. Hotel Astoria
París, 203
Doubles: From €70
Read review

All of the hotels I’ve listed above are in the old center of the city, which is where many of Barcelona’s main sites are located. However, there’s more to Barcelona than the Gothic which is why I’m listing Hotel Astoria as my number 5. It’s way up on Ave. Diagonal, in the high-rent district of town. Staying here will give you a whole different perspective of the city, which is more “local,” more residential. The hotel is also close by the Gaudí buildings on Pssg. de Gracia as well as the posh shopping options on the same strip (check out Vinçon for a fun souvenir).

From Astoria you can graze along the chic bars and restaurants on C/ d’Enric Granados or head up to Gracia (take the green line on the metro to “Fontana”) for a night out in one of the city’s most happening “barris.”  While this location is not that easy to get to from the airport, it’s worth the effort.

Also in our guide: These five hotels have all been reviewed by Regina in our guide to Barcelona’s best hotels. If you’re heading to Barcelona, you should definitely check out all of our reviews, plus information on neighborhoods and budget travel articles.

The post Barcelona: 5 hotels with amazing locations appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

In fact, being drunk and rowdy in the streets of this city is frowned upon, and seen as something only irresponsible tourists do. So a word to the wise, if you are visiting BARcelona: Stick to some of the great bars listed below and stay off La Rambla.

As a local here in BARcelona, I have my favorite spots in each area of the city. Here are a few not to be missed:

Gothic Quarter:

Andu
C/Correu Vell, 3,  Barcelona (near Post Office)
(+34)646553930

This bar is laid-back and cozy, with a great wine selection, simple tapas, and good people watching. Andu has a friendly owner and wait staff.  It’s a good place for chatting and having some laughs with friends.

Bar Polaroid
website

This place is 80’s-themed in a good way. Bar Polaroid is fun and creative, but not annoying and pretentious, which is hard to pull off. The soundtrack is 1980’s Latin music. Expect cocktails, beer, wine and a young crowd. Some simple appetizers are available.

El Raval:

Casa Almirall Bar
C/ Joaquín Costa, 33
93 318 99 17

You will not want to miss this bar if you love Modernista style. Plus, it’s right in the middle of the action. The gorgeous bar at Almirall is made of carved wood, and is pretty extraordinary. But beware: The waiters are absent-minded and impolite. Do not expect service, as you will need to order at the bar, but maybe that’s OK, because it will give you another chance to ogle the fine craftsmanship and fine wooden carved flowers. This place has been around for quite some time and is popular with all ages, though 30-somethings abound. Drinks only.

Gracia:

Casa Portuguesa
Carrer de Verdi, 58
93 368 35 28
website

As the name implies, this is a Portuguese place. I love their cheese platter and wine selection. This bar more than almost any other I have listed brings together a diverse array of people from all different nationalities, ages, and economic levels. Great for an after- movie drink, to begin the night, or just for hanging out.

Barceloneta:

Bar Leo
Carrer de Sant Carles 34, Barceloneta

Be warned, if you hate flamenco music, then Bar Leo will be your idea of hell. There’s a jukebox where people make requests, and it seems to be stocked with only flamenco and salsa. People dance, sing, clap, yell, smoke, and drink very cheap beer. The beer and jukebox must be the reasons Bar Leo is so popular, because goodness knows it is not the ambiance that brings them in. Thursdays and Sundays are especially busy in the afternoons. This is a truly local place with a rough-around-the-edges and student crowd. Near the beach.

Some extra tips

If you’re out enjoying the bars, avoid singing your national anthem at 3 AM (the neighbors don’t enjoy this, no matter how nice a voice you’ve got).

When the bars close, if you want to party on, head straight to a club: Chatting in the alleyways of the Gothic Quarter could put a damper on the evening (e.g.: a neighbor may throw water on you to shut you up, then shout insults at you in Catalan, I have seen it done more than once).

The post Barcelona: 5 bars for Cheapos not to be missed appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

“In Barcelona, we’re thinking of staying in the Gothic Quarter to be close to everything, but we’re worried that it’s not safe. Is this area sketchy at night?”

Regina WB responds:

Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter has the Cathedral, Plaza del Rey and many other fabulous sites that most visitors want to ‘oohh and ahh’ over. And therein lies the problem, while St Juame’s Square is lovely, and the craved gargoyles frightfully fantastic, is it safe? Yes and no.

Petty theft in Barcelona is rampant. For the most part it is safe to walk the streets of the city center at any time of night, because there are always people out in Barcelona. Violent crime is not a problem. But, you’ve got to watch your bag, your camera, your wallet, your cell phone and maybe even that gold chain around your neck (less someone rip it from your being on the subway!). Small theft is not punished (really) in Spain, and thieves are well aware of this. The problem is HUGE.

A friend of mine visited for a month from the United States. During her visit she experienced three robbery attempts. My friend is no novice, having traveled to over 50 countries in her time. But thieves in Barcelona are good, and they are everywhere the tourists are, and tourists are usually in the Gothic Barrio.

I do recommend staying in the Gothic because it’s really the heart of what’s happening in the city. Just be aware, and stay clear of the following places: La Rambla, (a.k.a. La Rob-la), the Metro (one of the places I’ve seen the most robberies, averaging one sighting a week), Calle Ferran (filled with drunk tourists) Irish bars (obviously). To play it safe, get a bag with multiple zippers and be alert. Never set your bag on the floor or casually on a chair. Don’t be the guy with the camera hanging on his neck.

Finally, don’t be afraid of Barcelona’s Gothic area, just be a ninja!

Regina WB lives in Barcelona and wrote EuroCheapo’s guide to Barcelona hotels. Additional writing by Regina can be found on her website www.regwb.com and on PlanetEye.com.

Have a question for EuroCheapo? Ask us!

The post Barcelona Q&A: Is it safe to stay in the Gothic Quarter? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.