Over my head!

[dllocals]

Google Maps in Europe is amazing, it shows bus routes, train lines and so much more.

If you’ve never used Google Maps, teach yourself or have someone you know help you. There’s much more to it than just mapping. You can plan your entire trip with it! Also, the Free Now app is like Uber, we have never had any problems with it.

 

[Flossbolna]

Anyone scared of pickpockets: I really like the bags from a company called pacsafe. They are nice enough to be used in regular life, but have excellent safety features.

The biggest rule is to not leave stuff unattended. On our cruise in 2023 some people from the cruise group had their luggage stolen when they went for breakfast at the hotel and left their luggage in the hotel lobby. I never figured out why they didn’t jus leave it in their locked hotel room.

 

[RedHead0186]

Anyone scared of pickpockets: I really like the bags from a company called pacsafe. They are nice enough to be used in regular life, but have excellent safety features.

The biggest rule is to not leave stuff unattended. On our cruise in 2023 some people from the cruise group had their luggage stolen when they went for breakfast at the hotel and left their luggage in the hotel lobby. I never figured out why they didn’t jus leave it in their locked hotel room.

Loooooove my Pacsafe bags! I second this recommendation!

 

[msmama]

Barcelona is the one place I actually used the Disney suggested hotel (Renaissance Hotel) because for some reason booking through Disney ended up cheaper than booking on my own (I think it was a fluke). We used the Disney transport and it couldn't have been easier. I think there was even a dedicated Disney spot in the hotel on embark/debark day. That said, I often ask the hotel to call me a taxi when I travel and I've never had an issue.
It was a great location because it was about 2 blocks from a main road (and Casa Batllo which stands out so is easy to find) with busses and a Hop on/Hop off bus stop. I think hop on/hop off busses are the best way to get a feel for a city, I don't care if they're lame and touristy. I've learned a lot on hop on/hop off busses!!
Barcelona has some areas in a grid pattern so it's easy to get around, and then some areas that are not and the grid parts, I swear every city block looks the same.
The only MUST DO we had for us was Sagrada Familia (which is I think a must do for anyone) so we did some strolling around various places, and if we had more time we probably would've done some things we learned about on the hop on/hop off bus but our extra time was at the end of our trip (it was EBTA then Med b2b) so we were happy just chilling a bit. We did find a really cool Lego Store. Beware, it's Spain so hours of things can be not what we in the US expect - many stores were closed on Sundays.

 

[Donna3271]

While I agree Barcelona has a pick pocket problem, in my opinion this is scaremongering and overkill.

It is ALWAYS better to book hotels direct and not through a third party or travel agent. The third party will own the booking not you the guest and if there are issues or you need to cancel or extend a stay, the hotel will not be able to that much for you. Whereas booking direct with the hotel you will not only get a better rate but the hotel will be much more easy to deal with if there are issues and they may also have perks or something extra not available if you book through a third party or travel agent.

There is absolutely no need to use a car service called by the hotel. Barcelona like most European cities has a very efficient, safe and regular public transport system, which is used by the vast majority of locals and visitors to the city. If you really have to use a taxi, use the FREE NOW App to call a metered taxi. Getting the hotel to call you a car service is tourist trap and you will end up paying a lot more than just getting a regular metered taxi.

Thank you for this. We are doing the 9 night Med out of Barcelona this summer, and was panicking after I read the OP. I feel so much better now!

 

[RedHead0186]

Barcelona is the one place I actually used the Disney suggested hotel (Renaissance Hotel) because for some reason booking through Disney ended up cheaper than booking on my own (I think it was a fluke). We used the Disney transport and it couldn't have been easier. I think there was even a dedicated Disney spot in the hotel on embark/debark day. That said, I often ask the hotel to call me a taxi when I travel and I've never had an issue.
It was a great location because it was about 2 blocks from a main road (and Casa Batllo which stands out so is easy to find) with busses and a Hop on/Hop off bus stop. I think hop on/hop off busses are the best way to get a feel for a city, I don't care if they're lame and touristy. I've learned a lot on hop on/hop off busses!!
Barcelona has some areas in a grid pattern so it's easy to get around, and then some areas that are not and the grid parts, I swear every city block looks the same.
The only MUST DO we had for us was Sagrada Familia (which is I think a must do for anyone) so we did some strolling around various places, and if we had more time we probably would've done some things we learned about on the hop on/hop off bus but our extra time was at the end of our trip (it was EBTA then Med b2b) so we were happy just chilling a bit. We did find a really cool Lego Store. Beware, it's Spain so hours of things can be not what we in the US expect - many stores were closed on Sundays.

I agree, I love the Hop On Hop Off buses and think they're a great way to see a good chunk of a city. I've done them in several cities (including the Barcelona one a couple of times).

And yes, Sagrada Familia is a must do-it's incredible! Montserrat is also amazing, though that requires at least a half-day.