What area in Barcelona is best for seeing sights on foot? We will be there for two full days and prefer to walk - suggestions? Also, suggestions for hotels that are 4 or 5 star?
Restaurant suggestions?
We will then be traveling by train to Beziers France for a canal barge trip.
Try to be close to Placa Catalunya, between pedestrian Ramblas and majestic boulevard Passeig de Gracia.
http://www.casacamper.com/barcelona/default-en.html
www.h10hotels.com/en/barcelona-hotels/h10-cubik
www.h10hotels.com/en/barcelona-hotels/h10-metropolitan
http://www.oliviaplazahotel.es/
http://www.hotelpulitzer.es/en/
Noise can be a consideration in this central area, so better for a location slightly off the square or busy surrounding streets.
Sights are a little spread out. The metro is fast and easy. Use it, surface traffic is often excruciatingly slow. Dinner in Spain doesn't start before 9 p.m., often later. You can get tapas anytime.
We just came back from Barcelona - 4 full days were barely enough. Having said that, if you have 2 full days this is what I'd do. Day 1 - do Rick Steves' Las Ramblas/Barri Gothic/El Born walks, lunch at Dolca Herminia (close to the Palace of Catalan Music) or Les Quinze Nits (in Placa real) - both are Andilana restaurants. Dinner at Ziryab in El Born, which is a good area to end your walks anyway. As an alternative you can see the Palace of Catalan Music in the morning instead of Las Ramblas, and walk Las Ramblas in the evening of the second day. Day 2 - do the Gaudi sights: La Sagrada Familia in the morning (take the metro), then go to L'Example by metro, have lunch at La Rita, and then see Casa Batlo and/or La Pedrera. Walk Las Ramblas in the evening (if you haven't on the 1st day). Dinner at Viana (not to be missed - best tuna tartare ever). You will need reservations for Ziryab and Viana - they are small and very popular.
My favorite Tapas place was:
Xampanyet
Carrer de Montcada, 22, 08003 Barcelona
I felt it was the most local, authentic, best priced place I visited in Barcelona. Most of the guide recommended Tapas places are chains and others are pricey upscale bars that serve Tapas as an expensive hors d'oeuvre.
I'm not a 4 or 5 star person, so can't help you there. I agree with staying close to Placa Catalunya - it's central to everything.
I highly recommend the Sandeman Gaudi and Modernisme walking tour as an intro and then going back on the other day to tour La Sagrada Família, and then Casa Battló orCasa Milà (La Pedrera). Parc Guell also amazing. Get tickets to everything ahead.
