A week before a Journee mystery trip, the traveler receives a sealed envelope in the mail.
21.07.2023 - 07:38 / roughguides.com / Federico García Lorca
Barcelona – Spain’s second city – sets the template for urban style, hip design and sheer non-stop energy. Where others tinker at the edges, time and again Barcelona has reinvented itself. And as you'd expect for somewhere this vibrant, there's plenty of choice when deciding where to stay in Barcelona.
The information in this article is inspired by Pocket Rough Guide Barcelona , your essential guide for visiting Barcelona .
The buzzing cultural capital of three million people, a thriving port and prosperous commercial centre, the city is almost impossible to exhaust. Visit for the first time or the fiftieth, Barcelona never fails to surprise, and even a lengthy visit will likely only scrape the surface. You'll find some of the best places to stay in Spain here, too.
The city’s popularity means finding a hotel vacancy at any time of year can be difficult: wherever you stay, it’s always best to book in advance. There’s a wide range of options, though, from youth hostels to glam five-star-plus hotels. You can find accommodation housed in medieval mansions and Modernista masterpieces alike.
Note that while rooms with balconies may be the brightest, traffic can be a constant presence. In a city where people get ready to go out at 10pm, you can expect a fair amount of pedestrian noise. This is particularly the case when staying in the old town.
Explore the capital of Spain Madrid and the second-largest city of Spain, Barcelona with our tailor-made 7-day trip to the tale of two cities: Madrid and Barcelona.
No day in the city seems complete without a stroll down the Ramblas. For Spanish poet Federico García Lorca, it was “the only street in the world which I wish would never end”. Lined with cafés, restaurants, souvenir shops and flower stalls, it is at the heart of Barcelona’s life and self-image.
If you hanker after a Ramblas view, you’ll pay for the privilege. Generally speaking, there are much better deals to be had. Try looking either side of the famous boulevard, often just a minute’s walk away.
Spain’s most famous thoroughfare, however, has its attractions. It is sprinkled with cafés and restaurants, thronged by tourists and performance artists, and home to the acclaimed Boqueria food cafés.
Find more accomodation options in Las Ramblas
Once in Barcelona, explore our list of things to do in Barcelona for free.
La Rambla — best area to stay in Barcelona for a busy city life experience © Shutterstock
The Barri Gòtic, or Gothic Quarter, which spreads east from the Ramblas, forms the very heart of the old town. You'll find some of the best areas to stay in Barcelona here: with buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries, most of the district is picture-perfect. The area is full of shops, bars, restaurants,
A week before a Journee mystery trip, the traveler receives a sealed envelope in the mail.
Late last year, I was itching to leave my hometown of Los Angeles and booked a short trip to the East Coast. But, as soon as I boarded my return flight, I realized I couldn't wait to get back home.
One of the oldest cities in Italy, Naples has many amazing museums and a wonderful local food culture. It is, after all, where pizza was invented. But while Naples has been a tourist attraction for centuries, it has also gained a reputation as a slightly seedy and possibly dangerous place. Here’s what to watch out for. [viator_tour destination
Routinely voted one of the most beautiful cities in America, Savannah is one place that calls to mind southern elegance and charm. Travelers will find a city of lovely mansions and carefully laid out squares right by the water. However, even this jewel of a city may have some hidden dangers that you must bear in mind during your stay. [viator_tour destination=”
Travel website, Trippy, has put together an awesome infographic showing prices for food, beer, taxis, and hotels in the most and least expensive countries. And the best part is that it updates daily, so you can see the average price of something when you’re planning a trip or once you’re in the destination.
If you love old southern charm, then there is no place like Charleston, South Carolina, with its antebellum homes and Spanish moss. Of course, even a place this beautiful has warnings and dangers you need to know to stay safe. [viator_tour destination=”4
Getting old has few benefits, but the occasional senior travel discount is one of them. Senior travelers can enjoy a wide range of discounts, but both availability and value vary substantially among different travel sectors and in different parts of the globe.
If you’re looking to find the least expensive accommodations in a destination regardless of what kind of accommodation it is, you might be surprised to learn that Airbnb isn’t always the cheapest. A new study from Compare the Market shows that hotels can sometimes beat Airbnb prices. The study covered the average Airbnb vs. hotel rates (per night) in 52 important destinations around the world.
Seen from the outside, Red Jane, a new bakery in the center of Chania, a Greek port city on the island of Crete, looks like a Berlin nightclub, with no obvious sign and a concrete facade covered in graffiti. Inside, it might pass for a New York boutique: There are Italian tiles on the floor and an exposed-brick ceiling and on a long red marble counter, lit by minimalist pendant lamps, pastries are laid out like jewels in a glass vitrine. Owned by Nikos Tsepetis, the hotelier behind the nearby beach resort Ammos (a favorite of the art and design crowd), the space is the first fully realized interiors project overseen by the London-based lighting and furniture designer Michael Anastassiades. Eyal Schwartz, the former head baker and co-owner of London’s E5 Bakehouse, created the menu. On its opening day this month, Red Jane sold out of its chocolate-filled croissants, koulouri (Greek sesame-topped bagels) and baklava swirls by noon. Locals lingered for an hour after, despite the fact that Tsepetis and Anastassiades designed the space without tables.
Hey tourists — have you ever wandered into a shop to look around and take a picture?
Seville, the sun-drenched capital of Andalusia in southern Spain, is a city packed with cobbled alleys, terraza bars that spill into plazas filled with orange trees, and live flamenco. Known for its magnificent architecture, Seville is home to a stunning array of historical landmarks. The centerpiece is undoubtedly the Seville Cathedral, the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, standing in the heart of the city. Seville’s culinary scene is a delightful journey through hole-in-the-wall tapas bars. At local tavernas like El Rinconcillo, the city’s oldest bar, you can savor traditional tapas such as espinacas con garbanzos (spinach with chickpeas) or solomillo al whisky (pork in whisky sauce), paired perfectly with a glass of crisp, local sherry or vermouth. Choosing where to base yourself in the city is depends what style you’re into. The old centre is a tangle of narrow medieval streets, while the neighbourhood of Triana, one of the birthplaces of flamenco, has become the city’s hippest hangout. To help you out, here’s a selection of top-rated hotels famed for their level of service, design aesthetic, and location close to must-see attractions.
The vibrant capital of Chile is among the most diverse cities in South America. Immersive yourself in Santiago‘s street art and galleries, visit museums, and innovative design stores. Discover Santiago’s enticing food and drink pallet with restaurants, cafes, and bars. No matter your plans for adventure, you’ll be right there in the heart of Santiago, Bellavista, Providencia, and other popular hotspots while staying at these Airbnb Santiago rentals.