Mediterranean Cruise - Barcelona, Spain - Hilton Diagonal Mar - likes, dislikes, and what is in walking distance...?

[wideeyedwonder]

Has anyone stayed at the Hilton Diagonal Mar, in Barcelona, Spain, prior or after a DCL Mediterranean cruise? What were your impressions, and what is within walking distance? We will be in Barcelona for 2 nights before the cruise in late May 2022.

 

[SublimeCruisers]

I think that your hotel is outside of the walking area of Barcelona. It's an hour walk to the Columbus monument at the base of Las Ramblas. 50 minutes to Sagrada Familia. So to get to the tourist places you will need some sort of transportation. I don't know if the Tourist bus goes out to the area where your hotel is or if there's a subway stop nearby.

Since you will be in BCN for a couple of days you might consider taking the Tourist bus around the town. Many Many years ago we did this and it was and enjoyable day. We got off at several stops to walk around and take a look at things.

 

[Marc D]

I’ve haven’t stayed there, but that hotel is way out of the way of the places you want to visit in BCN. I wouldn’t stay passed the Sagrada Familia, and prefer staying close to the Eixample or Plaça de Catalunya, both being just north of the Barrio Gothic while not as crowded. You can easily access all three lines of the Bus Turistic from there, which is the best way to get around the city.

To answer PP‘s comment, the Bus Turistic lines does not go further than Port Olympic, which is 50 minutes away from the Hilton by foot.

 

[auntlynne]

I did stay at the Hilton Diagonal Mar in 2011 before the WBTA. I arrived from Paris, probably took a taxi to the hotel (pre-rideshare days). I met up with two cruise friends; we were all 50+. Not necessarily in the greatest shape.

We took the subway to the Magic Fountain in Montjuïc in the evening, followed by dinner in a tapas restaurant near that; then a taxi back to the hotel.

Across the road / street from the hotel was a shopping center with a supermarket and a McD’s (loved getting gazpacho at a fast food place).

We walked to the Mediterranean Sea and had great views of it from the hotel.

Taxi to the port was about 5 minutes (so my memory goes).

I will say my opinion of the hotel is prejudiced positively, as I had the loyalty status to be on the executive floor with its top-floor lounge.

I have also stayed at the AC by Marriott and another Hilton.

In 2010 and 2011, I found Barcelona to be easy to navigate. And I am not big on spending lots of money for taxis.

We did the hop on/off bus at the end of the EBTA in 2010, when we actually had an overnight stay before disembarkation. And I was on crutches.

Just remember the rules of Barcelona: be aware of pickpockets.

 

[auntlynne]

View of Barcelona from the elevator lobby at the Hilton Diagonal:



They say the Sagrada Familia May never be finished.

 

[auntlynne]

Just checked - now there’s a Five Guys in the shopping mall, also. In case you get tired of tapas. Or just need a burger fix.

 

[mama&me]

We stayed at the Hilton Diagonal Mar before our Mediterranean cruise in 2019. We had a great room on the executive floor with a fantastic view. It is far from the tourist spots but there are plenty of taxis. This May we are planning to stay at the other Hilton after the EBTA. I’m hoping it will be just as nice.