As the weather warms up, consider a hotel near the beach. La Barceloneta is Barcelona’s closest and most popular beach, not too far from El Born and the Gothic Quarter. It’s a fun area to have lunch in, and while many do swim along La Barceloneta, it is not as clean as other beaches in the city.

And as an important note, whenever you’re on a Barcelona beach, watch your valuables. (Read my previous posts on Barcelona’s best beaches.)

Park Hotel

Avenida Marques de Argentera, 11
La Ribera
Doubles from: $112 to $203

The large, three-star Park Hotel offers 91 rooms and a fresh, contemporary style. In addition to being near myriad cafés and restaurants, the Park is located just a few blocks from the port and beach, making it ideal in the summer months.

Hostal Orleans

Avenida Marqués de la Argentera, 13
La Ribera
Doubles from: $66 to $92

A stay at the two-star Hostal Orleáns is like a visit to a friendly aunt’s house. In this case, the aunt would be Fina Ibañez, proprietor of the comfortable, family-run abode, where the price is right and the “frills” are found in pink lacy bedspreads and a simple television lounge. It’s a 10-minute walk to the beach and a 5-minute walk to the port from here.

Planning your day is as easy as grabbing a bike and hitting the boardwalk if you’re staying at these hotels.

Hotel del Mar

Pla de Palau, 19
La Ribera
Doubles from: $99 to $152

Situated between the Gothic Quarter and the beach, the 72-room, two-star Hotel Del Mar is a primo spot for seeing the best of both Barcelona worlds: history and seaside.

Hostal Nuevo Colon

Avenida Marqués de Argentera, 19
La Ribera
Doubles from: $55

The one-star Hostal Nuevo Colón, which has been run by the Tobella family for 80 years, is a welcoming, no-frills establishment with some of the best rates we’ve seen in Barcelona. There’s not a lot of flair here, but the effortless, fun location—within walking distance of the beach, boardwalk, Maritime Museum and La Barceloneta—makes the Nuevo Colón a smart budget pick.

Want more? Check out our full listings of Barcelona hotels.  And don’t forget to leave any questions or comments in the box below.

The post Best Barcelona hotels for the beach appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

As the summer approaches the city streets will swell a bit more each month with visitors, tourists, cruise-ship goers and backpackers. This means longer lines at the MACBA and CasaBatllo, cramped buses and hordes of people wandering along La Rambla. Sound like fun?

I do not like crowds, and like them less with each passing year. Maybe I am aging, or maybe I’ve just been elbowed one too many times on the Metro. Either way, I avoid the throngs of tourists in Barcelona whenever possible.

If you too, prefer the road less traveled, take heed and consider these expert tips:

1. Avoid La Rambla

I know, I know, La Rambla is very famous and very central, making it a very easy way to get around the Gothic Quarter. It’s also filled with interesting people doing tricks, selling ice cream and painting portraits. So fascinating, but so filled with people 24/7.

Check out La Rambla quickly and then avoid it the rest of your stay. Take the side-streets, which is what the locals do. This way you will see more “residential” Barcelona and lessen your chances of getting pick-pocketed on La Rambla! It’s a win-win!

2. Come in August

What? But isn’t that when everyone else in Europe is on vacation and therefore on holiday in Barcelona? Yes. But this is also when all Catalans go on vacation and many businesses close for the month.

There are a lot less people in Barcelona in August, and those who are here are either visiting, too broke to travel, or somehow got stuck working while the rest of the city took the month off. Actually, I like Barcelona in August because it is so much quieter.

3. Hit the big sights early

I am not an early riser and fully understand the merits of sleeping in while on vacation. However, if you do not want to stand in line under the blazing Spanish sun to see La Sagrada Familia, then be one of the first in line when it opens.

Another good time to visit popular sights is at lunch, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., but check ahead to make sure they will not be closed.

4. Get a map… a really GOOD map

With a detailed map of Barcelona you will be able to navigate the side-streets and alleyways of the Gothic Quarter, Raval, Barceloneta and Eixample with no problem. Wander off the beaten path.

If you are on a street that has lots of signs for “Real Spanish Sangria $25.00!!!” then you are in a touristy place, you could even be on Carrer Ferran. Just take a right! Or a left and walk on to avoid the crowds. You’ll see some fabulous, tranquil streets this way and go around the masses.

5. Stay in El Eixample

I recently updated EuroCheapo’s Barcelona hotel reviews. Touring Barcelona’s many hotels and hostels I was reminded that La Rambla is by far the worst place to stay when it comes to crowds and El Eixample (either side) is the best place to avoid crowds. Stay in a B&B like Fashion House and experience Barcelona like a local.

6. Avoid the beaches at La Barceloneta

I love La Barceloneta, the city’s closest beach, but this is not where to go for swimming and sunbathing unless you like listening to other people’s conversations, music, arguments, children crying… etc.

Go much further down the Barcelona shoreline to Marbella or other beaches found around the Bogatell stops (requires some walking). You could also rent a bike and take off from La Barceloneta down the boardwalk along the seaside. After a good 15 minutes of riding you will note that the crowds on the beaches thin out quite a bit.

Always remember to watch your belongings on the beach. (Read my previous post about Barcelona’s best beaches.)

Your advice?

Have any advice to add about avoiding crowds in Barcelona? Please share your thoughts in our comments section.

The post Barcelona: 6 ways to avoid crowds during high season appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

For most of the year, the Barcelones and tourists visiting the city block out the fact that Barcelona is a beach city. Barcelona’s sands are empty in the winter months, save the one crazy Señor whose aim in life is to swim in the sea every single morning, no matter how cold the water may be.

La Barceloneta

Barcelona’s beach-side barrio, La Barceloneta, is within easy walking distance from the old Gothic center of the city. This is by far the city’s most popular stretch of shore. As soon as May and June roll around, people start to remember the Mediterranean Sea is nearby, and flock in droves to Barceloneta Beach.

Cooling off at Barcelona’s beach-side bars

However, there is more to La Barceloneta than swimming and tanning, and for those who prefer to observe the sea from a shaded terrace with a cold drink in one hand and a tapa in the other, this authentic barrio has a lot to offer.

Here are my favorite beach-side bars in Barcelona:

El Filferro
Calle Sant Carlos, 29
Tel: 93 221 9836
Entrees from €11 to €20

You can’t see the Mediterranean from here, but the outdoor terrace set in a small Barceloneta Square is charming. El Filferro is usually less crowded than other bars because it is not right on the beach, though it is literally one block from the seaside. The menu boasts non-cooked tapas, a great wine list and an ample selection of teas. It has a bohemian vibe and a staff of hipster waiters.

Foc Bar
Joan de Borbo 66
Tel: 932 41 153
Drinks from €5 to €13
Web site

Located on the Port, the Foc Bar has a small terrace out front perfect for people watching. The place is very popular with the young foreign crowd and people living on their boats docked at the port. I like it for the selection of cocktails. Foc also shows most sporting events on a large-screen TV inside.

Jai-ca
C/ Ginebra, 13
Tel: 93 319 50 02
Entrees from €9

Best tapas in La Barceloneta? Maybe. If you want to feel true frustration, try to get a table here on a weekend. Ha! Not going to happen. Go early during the week and sit outside on the sidewalk table area. Jai-ca serves beer, wine and some mixed drinks, plus fabulous “Tigre Tapas”.

Princesa 23
Carrer de la Princesa, 23
Tel: 932 688 618
Entrees from €18
Web site

This may not be my favorite place, but you can’t beat the location. It’s overpriced for the quality of the food and drinks, but the Princesa gets away with it because if you fall off your bar stool you will land on the sand. Indeed, it is a fun place to grab a glass of wine around 7 or 8 p.m. as the day is coming to an end. The place is popular with foreigners, and you should keep an eye on your bag.

Santa Marta
Carrer de Grau i Torras, 59
Tel: 34691236801
Drinks from €3.50 to €10

Santa Marta may have the nicest terrace seating of all the bars in La Barceloneta. The view is extensive and looks right out onto the sand and the sea. I like this place for coffee (the Italian coffee is great) and beers in the afternoon. Stop by to work on your tan while reading the paper.

The post Barcelona: Beach-side bars in La Barceloneta appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.