EuroCheapo's Barcelona Articles

Itaca Hostel -- the most welcoming hostel in Barcelona. Photos by Regina W Bryan
Itaca Hostel -- the most welcoming hostel in Barcelona. Photos by Regina W Bryan

Barcelona Crush: Ítaca Hostel in the Gothic Quarter

By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge fan of sleeping in a dorm room unless there’s no other alternative. Those days of communal snoring are pretty much a thing of the past for me, and yet here I am, crushing on Ítaca Hostel in Barcelona. Of all the hostels » Read more

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Posted in Barcelona, Hostels, Hotels, Spain
Barcelona: Not-your-typical souvenirs from Barcelona

Barcelona: Not-your-typical souvenirs from Barcelona

By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— You want to take something home to ma and pa from your amazing trip to Barcelona. But what? Here are some ideas to replace the shot glass, refrigerator magnet and cheesy t-shirt. 1. For foodies Dad loves to cook? How about some Spanish spices to go in his next » Read more

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Posted in Barcelona, Shops, Spain
The Train in Spain: Essential information about trains and fares

The Train in Spain: Essential information about trains and fares

Regina Bryan’s interesting article here on EuroCheapo last month sparked a discussion on rail fares in Spain. So we thought a few thoughts on Spanish rail travel might be in order. The hop-on-at-will culture that prevails in many European countries when it comes to long-distance rail travel simply does not apply in Spain. All long-distance » Read more

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Posted in Barcelona, hidden europe, Seville, Spain, Train, transportation, Trip Planning, Valencia
Madrid: Inexpensive and tasty restaurants in Chueca

Madrid: Inexpensive and tasty restaurants in Chueca

By Regina W Bryan— There’s a rivalry between Spain’s two largest cities, Barcelona and Madrid. From soccer—Real Madrid vs. Barça—to which city has better nightlife, there have been many a heated debate between locals from both sides. I live in Barcelona and love it here, but I have to admit: Madrid is pretty cool! Every » Read more

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Posted in Barcelona, Food, Restaurants, Spain
Parking in Barcelona: Green and blue zones, and parking garages

Parking in Barcelona: Green and blue zones, and parking garages

By Regina W Bryan in Barcelona— Driving in Barcelona is about as fun as a root canal. There’s traffic. There’s no right on red and pedestrians jump out at every turn, sprinting across the road. And of course, scooter riders weave between cars with an insane amount of confidence. One must remain calm to drive » Read more

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Posted in Barcelona, cars, Spain, transportation
The AVE Train from Barcelona to Madrid: Better than flying?

The AVE Train from Barcelona to Madrid: Better than flying?

By Regina W Bryan in Barcelona— AVE is Spain’s fastest, slickest and most modern train. Those who want to travel in style and comfort take Ave and pay, for the most part, a pretty penny to do so. With so many cheapo flights around Europe these days (Vueling, Ryanair, easyJet, etc.) normal train travel is » Read more

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Posted in Barcelona, Budget Air Travel, Madrid, Spain, Train
Barcelona: 6 ways to save time when visiting

Barcelona: 6 ways to save time when visiting

By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— I’ve learned two important lessons about travel in Barcelona and Spain in general: 1) It will cost more than you think, and 2) It will take longer than you planned. With these golden rules in mind, I offer some tips for saving minutes while visiting Barcelona. 1. Know your » Read more

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Posted in Ask the Cheapos, Barcelona, Practical Info, Spain, Trip Planning
Barcelona: Best burgers and diners in town

Barcelona: Best burgers and diners in town

By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— Vintage clothes, cupcakes, brunch and now burgers. These trends have swept over Barcelona leaving people well-fed and questionably clothed. Unlike vintage, which doesn’t get me going, burger shacks are a welcomed addition to the Barcelona food scene. Here are a few top diners for a double with cheese. Betty » Read more

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Posted in Barcelona, Food, Restaurants, Spain
Barcelona: 5 tourist traps to avoid!

Barcelona: 5 tourist traps to avoid!

By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— Like any major tourist destination, Barcelona has its share of attractions that promise too much, but deliver too little… while usually draining your budget. These, my friends, are called “tourist traps.” They’re usually easy to spot (just look for crowds of tourists with nary a local in sight), but » Read more

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Posted in Ask the Cheapos, Barcelona, Practical Info, Spain, Travel Smarts
Eurolines Coach Passes: Are they right for your trip?

Eurolines Coach Passes: Are they right for your trip?

Okay, chances are you know quite a bit about the fabulous range of rail passes which are available for exploring Europe. From Eurail and InterRail to BritRail and a great range of locally sold passes within individual countries, those keen to roam the rails are spoilt for choice. But for bus fiends, devotees of road » Read more

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Posted in Alternative Transportation, Barcelona, Bus, Edinburgh, France, hidden europe, London, Spain, transportation, Travel Smarts, United Kingdom