Hi fellow travelers,
My friend and I (two women in our 70s) will be in Barcelona for just one night before boarding the MSC Orchestra Thursday August 21, 2025. Arriving 11 am in airport on August 20 before cruise. Would love recommendations for:
Hotel Recommendations
We’d like a safe, centrally located and comfortable hotel with:
• Two separate beds
• A/C and elevator
• Clean and Quite rooms
• Either includes breakfast or near good cafes
• Easy access to Gaudí sites or good walking areas
• Good location for getting a taxi to the cruise port the next day
So far we’ve considered
• Hotel Continental Palacete-great location and charm
• Alexandra Barcelona (DoubleTree Hilton) – modern and solid brand
• Casa Sagnier (lovely, but maybe too expensive)
• Also considering Hotel Gaudí and NH Eixample and Hotel Denit
We’d appreciate thoughts on these or similar hotels in the Eixaple, Passeig de Gracia or Placa de Catalunya areas – ideally not too far from cruise port.
What to Do in an Afternoon
We’d like to see Gaudí site (Sagrada Família? Casa Batlló?) and have a nice authentic dinner nearby or tapas. Any tips on what’s walkable or what’s best to book in advance?
What to do next morning, ship leaves looking at 7 pm on 21st
Thanks
Posted by
11995 posts
Try to get tickets for Sagrada Familia! A don’t miss..
Posted by
NC
525 posts
Agree with @Suki. Book tickets for Sagrada Familia ASAP!
A great day for us was Sagrada Familia first thing in AM, walk to and visit Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau, lunch nearby, bus to Parc Guell.
Also, highly recommend Hotel Praktik Rambla. The building is a lovely, restored 19th century “palace” with stylish, modern rooms. Location is convenient to everything - sights, restaurants and transportation. Staff are charming and super helpful. Coffee and croissants are available in the morning. It is a wonderful place to stay.
Posted by
Massachusetts
1387 posts
I have stayed at Hotel Denit. The location is great. However, you need to know that the bathrooms are enclosed in frosted glass (not an actual wall). While not technically see-through, you see the outline of the person in the bathroom/shower. This may be a deal-breaker for some.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2180 posts
Some years ago we enjoyed our stay at the Hotel Continental…not the one you mention but another very close (just minutes walk) to Plaça Catalunya. La Rambla, 138, Ciutat Vella, 08002. It wasn’t posh but very well located with a nice breakfast in a pleasant room and 24 hour buffet including snacks, beer and wine. Major perk for us! We had a balcony room which was fun for evening sipping and people watching and morning coffee. Also a rooftop patio. It wasn’t noisy. The rooms pictured on booking dot com seem to have been decorated and updated since our stay. A major memory that colors my impression of this hotel….as I was walking to breakfast one morning the desk clerk saw my Rick Steves tour book in my hand and stopped me to let me know there was a 10% discount for Ricksters he would apply when we checked out. I was impressed and think it reflected the kindness and helpfulness of the staff as I recalled it. We walked everywhere, the Gothic Quarter, La Sagrada, up and down the Rambla, Picasso museum… some were pretty good walks. One caveat…we arrived in Barcelona on a cruise and with my rather passable Spanish and the address written out the cab driver assured us there’d be no problem. Until he got several blocks from the hotel when he informed us that he didn’t have the credentials to drive us all the way and we were deposited on the curb and walked the rest of the way with luggage in tow. I’d ascertain transportation possibilities directly from the hotel first. Safe travels and Good luck.