This is a most estimable establishment--one that serves up the entire repertoire of Catalonian…read morecomfort with a kind of unceremonious brilliance. Albóndigas con sepia that flirt with the sea while clinging dearly to the farm, pie de cerdo that reminds one why decadence is always best served braised, and canelones de setas y pularda that might have been penned by a poet in béchamel. And then, of course, the escalivada--like all great dishes, it pretends simplicity while staging quiet revolution on the plate. The kitchen performs with astonishing velocity--so swift, one wonders whether the food was summoned by incantation rather than stove. As for the service: it is not precisely warm, but neither is it offensive. The staff, much like certain uncles at family gatherings, may seem indifferent to one's presence, but do, in fact, keep everything from falling apart. The setting is curious. Granollers is not, I must confess, the Paris of the Vallès Oriental. But its pedestrian heart is charming, and if you squint slightly, some of the modernist façades will reward your imagination. The interior of the restaurant itself is--well--adequate. Some recent decisions in decor suggest a battle between good taste and enthusiasm, the outcome of which is inconclusive. Still, it holds together, like a suit that no longer fits but still flatters. If you are driving to Barcelona and require sustenance before confronting the metropolis, this place makes for a splendid interlude. One leaves satisfied, mildly amused, and faintly unsure whether the entire experience was designed with affection or irony. But then--what worthwhile experience isn't?

This was the meeting point for our Tour Bus to Montserrat. We took a taxi and it was about 10…read moreminutes from the Sagrada Familia area. The station is located close to the L1 metro and Arc de Triomf. This is the station for domestic travel. Over 30 platforms and somewhat busy on a Friday morning around 8:30. The information booth/waiting area with bus arrival/departure times information as well as small cafe are located close to Platform 17. Helpful people at the information booth as we had some questions about our tour meeting point which ended up changing to a different platform. Looks solid for travel by bus options.

popular destinations during peak season may require pre-purchase online or at the station...summer…read morevisit and finding no issues...traveling to tossa de mar from barcelona which is a popular destination during the summer...while the immediate bus wasn't available, was able to buy tickets for the next bus which wasn't a long wait...once at the station, look at the departure schedule for various bus companies...destination and bus schedule monitors are located throughout the station...go to the specific window for that bus company displayed on the monitor and buy your tickets...u.s. credit cards accepted...large luggage can be stored under the bus...when you arrive at your destination, you can pre-purchase your return tickets if needed...if you need to leave earlier or later, you can easily exchange your tickets for a different time if seats are available...

Parc de Montjuic is a public park that overlooks the city of Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea…read more It was an example of town planning and architecture for the 1929 International Exhibition. Today it contains museums, the Olympic Ring from the 1992 Olympic Games, a castle, gardens, a fountain, cable car, and more. A tour guide drove my husband and me to this park. We enjoyed the panoramic views of the city buildings and the sea. Our tour guide explained that a Jewish cemetery was built into the hill. Overall, I would not call Parc de Montjuic a must-see, but it was nice to see.

So Montjuic park has this cable car lift. Let's gooooo! Want to hover above the Barcelona like an…read moreeagle? Step right into this glass pod of mild vertigo and great views. This is the cable car you have to take to get up to Montjuic Castle. This is a must do for the views.

The room we stayed in was absolutely perfect! Also, the staff was such a joy to be around. Very…read moreexperienced and friendly. The breakfast was much better than most that I've seen at other hostels and they even provide free tours and other activities throughout the day.

For you Rick Steves fans this is the Un Coaxe Meynes mentioned in Rick's Spain book. A little hard…read moreto find near the Santa Maria del Mar. Great people that will get you going on the best Barcelona experience. A quick exit onto a square and your off. We headed down the beach to see the beautiful Mediterranean and Barcelona beaches. We saw the Frank Gary fish that was incredible with its shimmering gold scales glistening in the morning sun. Bike riding is such a joy even for us neophytes for everything is totally flat and you can ride along at your pace soaking in the beauty of your surroundings. So if you are in the El born area just see these folks and get your two wheels and go.

The no rules boat…read more The wife and I took a 90-minute boat tour with Las Golondrinas. The tour gave us a view of the Barcelona harbor, city skyline along the coast, and the shipping port. There was no audio accompaniment, so we had to guess/research what different landmarks were. No directions or safety announcements were given, either. They trust you to have enough sense to not fall overboard. You have a choice between being on the upper deck (better view) or lower deck (protected from the elements). Want to stand at the front or back of the boat? Not a problem. Want to eat or drink? Cheers. On the lower deck you can purchase snacks and drinks (including alcohol), but the staff probably doesn't care if you bring your own. They are so chill. The cost for the 90-minute tour was €15.20 for adults and less for seniors, students and children. There are better ways to spend your money in Barcelona, but we did this tour because it was included in our Barcelona Pass. Can't say it was the most memorable, but it certainly was relaxing!

Took the ride around the harbor. It was about 45 minutes and offered a nice view of the harbor, the…read moreships, private boats etc. Boat was comfortable and offered the downstairs and upstairs areas depending on your choice of the sun or shade.... The cruise was fun and we got a great perspective on Barcelona and the landscape. One of the areas which could have helped is having some sort of audio to go with the cruise. We discovered what every site was by looking it up and going on line but a little guidance would have made this a better experience.