btw if i disappear, please don't look for me.
― La Lechera, Tuesday, 24 January 2012 20:44 (twelve years ago) link
this was the best tapas place we tried in barcelona. one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. cleaner and brighter than many, not too expensive. two long bars laden w/amazing jamon seafood etc. in the eixample area near ave diagonal, passeig de gracia and some cool gaudi buildings.
Cervecería CatalanaC/ MALLORCA, 235, 08013 Barcelona, Spain+34 932 16 03 68
http://w.cdn-tonight.eu/214469.jpg
― demolition with discretion (m coleman), Tuesday, 24 January 2012 20:59 (twelve years ago) link
some of the tapas places were a little greasy/heavy; not here
http://w.cdn-tonight.eu/214370.jpg
― demolition with discretion (m coleman), Tuesday, 24 January 2012 21:01 (twelve years ago) link
please try to get yourself to san sebastianthat is my #1 suggestion
― La Lechera, Tuesday, January 24, 2012 2:24 PM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
YESSSSS
I wound up there sort of by accident and only for a day during a trip to France and it was amazingly lovely. I really want to go back. I have no other advice about Spain because S Sebastian is actually the only place I've ever been to there. LL otm though. If you can go there definitely try to.
― ENBB, Tuesday, 24 January 2012 21:02 (twelve years ago) link
now i really want to go to san sebastien but it seems on the opposite end of the country from where i need to end up (murcia)!
― bene_gesserit, Tuesday, January 24, 2012 3:43 PM (22 minutes ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
Oh shit, only just saw that now. Bummer. I'm sure the rest of it is great too though.
― ENBB, Tuesday, 24 January 2012 21:06 (twelve years ago) link
well i can recommend cartagena as a beautiful town, heavy roman influence still v apparent, they're currently doing up the amphiteatre and the harbour area is spectacular
― teaky frigger (darraghmac), Tuesday, 24 January 2012 21:14 (twelve years ago) link
i live in madrid and know galicia, castilla y leon, extremadura, and andalucia pretty well, but nothing of the basque country or catalonia. how long are you going to be in spain, bene?
― craigorio, Tuesday, 24 January 2012 21:15 (twelve years ago) link
about 9-10 days! i'm definitely spending some time in madrid, and flying in/out of there, so madrid recommendations are welcome!
― bene_gesserit, Tuesday, 24 January 2012 21:26 (twelve years ago) link
No-one repping for Lanzarote? It's great.
I don't know the eastern side of the country at all, but if you head south-then-east you can visit some superb towns - Toledo, Cordoba and Granada are all excellent, and places like Seville and Malaga would be just about within reach too. Gibraltar's really interesting and spectacular.
Stay in a ye olde parador if you can afford it. They're converted historic buildings and some of them are really amazing. Jaen (east of Granada) is a castle perched on a crag above the town.
I loved driving in Spain because it's big and empty, like a mini-America. This may be less impressive to an American, granted.
― Ismael Klata, Tuesday, 24 January 2012 21:29 (twelve years ago) link
Gibraltar's really interesting and spectacular.
really? my parents have an apartment about an hour from malaga and a trip to gibraltar is always an option when i go with friends, but all i've heard about it is that it's one of the worst shitholes in the universe.
― When a German communicates, you listen (LocalGarda), Tuesday, 24 January 2012 21:33 (twelve years ago) link
The bay and the rock and the view of Africa are incredible. Historically and politically it's pretty interesting. There are apes. No doubt it's full of tat - but I didn't really notice tbh.
― Ismael Klata, Tuesday, 24 January 2012 21:37 (twelve years ago) link
God, yes, Gibraltar is awful. We hare down there, pick up cheap fags and booze and get the hell back out. The caves and that are ok, I guess, but I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to visit it.
― ailsa, Tuesday, 24 January 2012 21:42 (twelve years ago) link
my tip is: avoid Gibraltar
― Ismael Klata, Tuesday, 24 January 2012 21:56 (twelve years ago) link
go to the rock, get out
― teaky frigger (darraghmac), Tuesday, 24 January 2012 22:07 (twelve years ago) link
a few days in and around madrid then visiting a couple cities in andalucia (i second cordoba and granada!) before ending up in murcia sounds awesome. not sure renting a car would be much cheaper or worthwhile though. you're going to have to pay for gas and parking and will be driving around half the length of the iberian peninsula. you don't necessarily have to take the ave everywhere--if you like seeing the countryside then the avant trains are a lot cheaper and go through random towns. and there's always the bus. you could also just rent the car in granada and drive to murcia. cabo de gata natural park is between them (on the coast) and a car would be handy there.
in madrid i highly recommend you visit goya's tomb.
― craigorio, Tuesday, 24 January 2012 23:04 (twelve years ago) link
i went to goya's tomb, it was cool
― mizzell, Tuesday, 24 January 2012 23:25 (twelve years ago) link
rip
― teaky frigger (darraghmac), Wednesday, 25 January 2012 00:54 (twelve years ago) link
thanks craigorio that is all really helpful! i'll look into costs of train/bus from madrid to granada. cabo de gata looks lovely!
― bene_gesserit, Wednesday, 25 January 2012 18:05 (twelve years ago) link
alsa will be the bus line you want. it's about 20 euros, 5 hrs across la mancha, and there will be a bus leaving pretty much every hour all day long from madrid.
― craigorio, Wednesday, 25 January 2012 21:13 (twelve years ago) link
ok, i've just worked out some of the details, and i think we are going to take the bus to granada as you recommended! is there a specific town on the coast between granada and murcia that you would recommend spending a night in? we definitely want to spend some time in cabo de gato and take are time going up the coast.
― bene_gesserit, Saturday, 28 January 2012 20:39 (twelve years ago) link
alright - i've fully booked all my hotels so i could use some itinerary specific advice:
days 1-3 madrid - staying at a pension in the the universidad neighborhood, i definitely want to visit the prado but otherwise i could use advice on what to see/eat!
day 4 granada - staying in the downtown area but closer to the alhambra. definitely want to visit the alhambra but not sure what else. planning on renting a car here for the rest of the trip.
days 5-6 - cheaping out everywhere else on hotels, but splurged a little and booked two nights at parador de mojacar (http://spainparador.com/parador-mojacar.htm) which was still not all that expensive (came out to ~$70 per person per night) this is close to cabo de gata but could use advice on other towns to explore in the area)
days 7-8 - murcia - we will probably be at the music fesitival (watching PULP) most of the time
day 9 - need to find a budget accommodation near the madrid airport for an early flight home
― bene_gesserit, Friday, 10 February 2012 23:09 (twelve years ago) link
Jely
― Aerosol, Friday, 10 February 2012 23:32 (twelve years ago) link
I'm considering going for a week in March. I was going to do Madrid and Barcelona, but my friend is trying to convince me to concentrate on one city, and not try to do too much. Thoughts? I am leaning toward Madrid. Also, is it an okay place to travel alone in?
― Virginia Plain, Friday, 24 February 2012 04:42 (twelve years ago) link
you should come in march instead and hang out with me!
― bene_gesserit, Friday, 24 February 2012 14:26 (twelve years ago) link
i mean may
I wish I could; your trip sounds amazing.
― Virginia Plain, Sunday, 26 February 2012 15:58 (twelve years ago) link
xpost if you have a week that should be sufficient for two cities... but I say that as someone who's generally happy with a few days per city when I travel, guess it depends on your own travel style!
Personally Barcelona was far more memorable for me than Madrid but either of them will be okay for solo travel.
― salsa shark, Sunday, 26 February 2012 17:45 (twelve years ago) link
It takes 8 hours to get from Madrid to Barcelona by bus
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 26 February 2012 19:13 (twelve years ago) link
my travel advice is eats lots of food because it will be delicious
― a life ___________ (Lamp), Sunday, 26 February 2012 20:17 (twelve years ago) link
my advice is take the train.
― nickn, Monday, 27 February 2012 03:36 (twelve years ago) link
I have never been to madrid but I suggest you don't miss barcelona
― iatee, Monday, 27 February 2012 03:47 (twelve years ago) link
it is cool
Thanks for the advice. I just jumped the gun and went for both Madrid and Barcelona, with a high-speed rail connection in-between. I'm going to start fasting now so that I can eat way through.
^^although San Sebastian sounds like my cup of tea
― Virginia Plain, Monday, 27 February 2012 04:12 (twelve years ago) link
I was underwhelmed by Madrid (and never made it to Barcelona)
― curmudgeon, Monday, 27 February 2012 04:35 (twelve years ago) link
Flying out this week for a 2-week sojourn that will include Madrid, Rioja, Barcelona and points between. Happy for any/all recommendations. We won't make it to San Sebastian or Bilbao sadly, the itinerary just won't stretch that far
― something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Sunday, 18 March 2012 16:23 (twelve years ago) link
Important advice: book in advance to go to the Alhambra, otherwise you won't get in.
The Reina Sofia art gallery in Madrid is well worth a visit, particularly the civil war section.
Lots of things close on Mondays, museums an ting.
― PJ Miller, Monday, 19 March 2012 11:22 (twelve years ago) link
how far in advance do you need to buy alhambra tix?
― bene_gesserit, Monday, 19 March 2012 14:47 (twelve years ago) link
i think really far in advance? like months iirc?
― Laura Lucy Lynn (La Lechera), Monday, 19 March 2012 14:48 (twelve years ago) link
The Prado is pretty amazing, too.
I also highly recommend this museum:
http://obrasocial.lacaixa.es/nuestroscentros/caixaforummadrid/caixaforummadrid_es.html
― L'ennui, cette maladie de tous les (Michael White), Monday, 19 March 2012 14:51 (twelve years ago) link
I ate here a couple of times:
http://www.mercadodelareina.es/ENG/index.html
― L'ennui, cette maladie de tous les (Michael White), Monday, 19 March 2012 14:52 (twelve years ago) link
ASAP for the Alhambra tickets.
― PJ Miller, Tuesday, 20 March 2012 18:43 (twelve years ago) link
Estamos practicando el espanol? Dejo este sabado.
― Virginia Plain, Wednesday, 21 March 2012 02:35 (twelve years ago) link
i'm leaving friday!! beyond excited. any recommendations for 1) cheapish eats in madrid (specifically near universidad neighborhood)?
― bene_gesserit, Monday, 23 April 2012 16:57 (twelve years ago) link
2) translator apps for iphone?
― bene_gesserit, Monday, 23 April 2012 16:59 (twelve years ago) link
1) Underground chino (Chinese restaurant) in Plaza de España is incredibly cheap and tasty and pretty close to the Universidad. Just go down the stairs next to Calle Princesa/Gran Via. As for actual Spanish food, I'll get back to you when my friend reminds me the name of this one amazing spot.
2) Haven't tried this one, but looks pretty useful: http://lifehacker.com/5903847/sayhi-translate-turns-your-iphone-into-a-multi+lingual-universal-translator
― Charles de Gaul (Whitey on the Moon), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 00:11 (twelve years ago) link
Here's that great Spanish restaurant: El Lacón Not exactly cheap but wonderful and a good value. I would recommend going for the tablas (platters of a wide variety of fish, seafood, veggies, etc) if you'll be with several people. 2 tablas and the complimentary bread was more than enough food for 4.
― Charles de Gaul (Whitey on the Moon), Tuesday, 24 April 2012 21:37 (twelve years ago) link
Boy you werent kidding bout alhambra tix huh
― bob_sleigher (darraghmac), Tuesday, 4 June 2013 02:12 (eleven years ago) link
I can't wait to see that thing. I've booked a ticket for next month.
Does anyone have tips on other stuff to do in Granada? I have two days. It looks like some of the Alhambra grounds don't require tickets, so maybe there'll be more than enough to see once my hours there are up.
http://dickschmitt.com/travels/spain/granada_province/granada/images/2008_09_23_Spain_Granada_Alhambra_sala-de-las-dos-hermanas-cupola-of-mocarabes.jpg
― jmm, Friday, 24 October 2014 01:58 (nine years ago) link
Hotel I'm staying in is pretty cool, I guess:
http://i.imgur.com/o4OmD33.jpg
Had a terrific two days in Madrid and was sorry to leave. The Prado is a delight and going early on a Monday morning meant I had the best part of an hour with a dozen Raphaels and Goya's black paintings to myself. Also really loved the Reina Sofia, which seemed like a model of how a challenging contemporary art gallery should be curated - much more engaged politically than the Punta Della Dogana or the Centre Pompidou, which are amazing in their own way but feel more like a repository of stuff most of the time.
Idk why I have been to Moldova and Venezuela but it has taken this long to come to Spain.
― Wristy Hurlington (ShariVari), Tuesday, 27 January 2015 22:43 (nine years ago) link
In May and June I will be residing in San Sebastián as a writer in residence. I'm beyond stoked, and ever since the news got out I've been given plenty of tips about what to see, what to do. According to the Lonely Planet of Bilbao/SanSeb there are 17 (SEVENTEEN!) Michelin starred restaurants in San Sebastián alone. That's just crazy, and impossible to choose between.
I won't be traveling outside of the Basque Country a lot (I need my time there to write) but please give me some tips on things outside the obvious, to see, do, or where to eat. Looking at LG and LL especially since you both know the turf. (I've been to Spain loads - Catalunia, Almeria, Costa Del Sol etc) but never to Basque Country. Hit me up!
― Le Bateau Ivre, Monday, 27 March 2017 19:41 (seven years ago) link
Fizzles OTM - Cadiz definitely worth a visit, Seville is one of my favourite places in the world.
Visits to Andalucía were always a total delight but have become even more pleasurable since I developed a taste for sherry.
― Tim, Wednesday, 23 October 2019 14:23 (four years ago) link
My wife's family are Catalans that have been in the city for generations so i have a pretty deep appreciation for the town and territory. They are very understanding of the importance of tourism and even though they live in the center of the city it's not too hard to avoid the more insane places .
― (•̪●) (carne asada), Wednesday, 23 October 2019 14:27 (four years ago) link
sorry for being bolshy about Barcelona etc. I dunno what's going on with me. Barcelona is a nice place to visit. Put that on TripAdvisor.
― What a ridiculous clusterfuck of totally uncool jokers (jed_), Wednesday, 23 October 2019 23:09 (four years ago) link
sorry if i came across wide yesterday, jed
― Seany's too Dyche to mention (jim in vancouver), Wednesday, 23 October 2019 23:10 (four years ago) link
No problem Jim! I do know what's wrong with me, tbh, in spite of what I just said. It's alcoholism...
― What a ridiculous clusterfuck of totally uncool jokers (jed_), Wednesday, 23 October 2019 23:30 (four years ago) link
happens to the best of us!
― Seany's too Dyche to mention (jim in vancouver), Wednesday, 23 October 2019 23:31 (four years ago) link
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
― What a ridiculous clusterfuck of totally uncool jokers (jed_), Wednesday, 23 October 2019 23:34 (four years ago) link
alhambra is good
― ntcham is antifa (||||||||), Tuesday, 12 November 2019 15:30 (four years ago) link
YASSSS
― Heavy Messages (jed_), Tuesday, 12 November 2019 15:53 (four years ago) link
All I can say is that we spent one night in Merida on our way back from Portugal and it was a total delight. Merida has it all: A Roman aqueduct and stone walking bridge, multiple archeological sites, a Roman amphitheater, a coliseum, army barracks, a pre-Roman fort with an unforgettable subterranean well, and a fancy hotel that's a converted Moorish palace, with a rooftop pool right on the utterly charming main square. Where you can sit at your choice of cafes and watch the storks perched on the peaks of the town hall and the cathedral, nests silhouetted against the sky.
The hotel had a small fenced courtyard off the plaza, so I took my wine and my book and read late into the night. It probably doesn't need more than 2 days to see the sights but I could have stayed at that hotel forever.
― There's more Italy than necessary. (in orbit), Tuesday, 12 November 2019 17:39 (four years ago) link
don’t half ply you with food in granada
― ||||||||, Thursday, 14 November 2019 16:44 (four years ago) link
had a nice conversation with a taxi driver in french today tho so that was a highlight 👍🏻
― ||||||||, Thursday, 14 November 2019 18:33 (four years ago) link
Ronda is killing me, my god. Hard to get your head around the fact that it actually really exists.
― Heavy Messages (jed_), Wednesday, 13 October 2021 17:58 (two years ago) link
You should get a load of Setenil de las Bodegas!
― chap, Wednesday, 13 October 2021 20:09 (two years ago) link
Wowee! It's only 15 minutes away by bus...
― Heavy Messages (jed_), Thursday, 14 October 2021 10:23 (two years ago) link
Madrid then, what nice areas would you recommend for air bnb/staying at?
― xyzzzz__, Monday, 15 July 2024 19:25 (two months ago) link
We stayed in the Lavapiés neighborhood. It was a good location, close to the Prado, Reina Sofia, Retiro Park and Atocha train stationWe walked nearly everywhere from there -- covered ~70 miles over five days -- and it never felt far from what we wanted to see.
We're going back in late October. Thought this thread bump would be about this article: Locals in Spain, Tired of Booming Tourism, Say ‘Stay Away’
― j.o.h.n. in evanston (john. a resident of chicago.), Monday, 15 July 2024 21:24 (two months ago) link
Catalans aren’t your average Spaniards
― (•̪●) (carne asada), Monday, 15 July 2024 21:41 (two months ago) link
Thanks looking at Lavapies now
― xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 17 July 2024 19:42 (two months ago) link
seems like kind of a first world problem to be asking for advice about traveling in spain?
― budo jeru, Wednesday, 17 July 2024 19:50 (two months ago) link
we stayed at the hotel Principe Pio - it was clean, centrally located, but there was a loud nightclub out our window that stayed open basically all night
― Andy the Grasshopper, Wednesday, 17 July 2024 19:57 (two months ago) link
― budo jeru, Wednesday, 17 July 2024 bookmarkflaglink
Just asked about Paris too. A lot of 1st world problems tonight
― xyzzzz__, Wednesday, 17 July 2024 20:02 (two months ago) link
jelly ;)
― budo jeru, Wednesday, 17 July 2024 20:04 (two months ago) link
I painfully threw my back out in Barcelona and had to learn how to say "No homeopatico! No homeopatico, por favor!" because the pharmacies kept trying to pawn that shit off on my
― Andy the Grasshopper, Wednesday, 17 July 2024 20:08 (two months ago) link
We caught a terrific deal at the Hotel Europa next to Puerta del Sol Square. It's a big old retrofitted pile of a building, but good enough if you're going to be there for a few days and just need a place to crash while you're sightseeing.
― Elvis Telecom, Friday, 9 August 2024 19:44 (one month ago) link