Posts by author Regina W Bryan
Even though you'll surely be spending most of your time at the beach, finding the right hotel can make your summer stay in Barcelona even better.
Summer in Barcelona means long dinners on breezy plazas, a hearty paella at the beach after a morning of sunbathing, festivals, white wine and holiday season. It also means heat. While this spring has been unusually cold and rainy, summers are normally hot and humid in the city. Keep the weather in mind while you’re » Read more
The Park Güell will start charging admission in October 2013. Photo by Regina W Bryan
Remember the good old days when Spain didn’t have 27% unemployment and social and cultural services were free and easy? Yeah, well those days are gone. Welcome to the new Barcelona, where two of our favorite freebies have decided to start charging entrance fees. The first is Caixa Forum. This is a museum run by » Read more
Get a good bottle of wine at the grocery store for less than €5. Photo by Regina W Bryan
As a visitor to Barcelona, you’re counting out your euros, dollars, pesos, or whatever currency you earn in, and wondering: how far is this going to get me in Barcelona? Good question. For one thing, it depends if you buy your food, snacks, coffee, beer, etc. in a cafe, hotel mini-bar or supermarket. While I’ve mentioned » Read more
In a city so vibrant, it would be a waste to stay somewhere bland! All photos by EuroCheapo
Even in a city as vibrant as Barcelona, staying in a ho-hum hotel can make a grand vacation bland. Your stay will be much more enjoyable if you can find accommodation that feels as alive as the city itself. Truth be told, though, most of the hotels and hostals featured on EuroCheapo’s Barcelona page have » Read more
With Roman ruins just steps away from Mediterranean shores, Tarragona makes for an enchanting day trip.
If you just have a week in Barcelona, then it’s best to stay put and just see the city, which is large and packed with entertainment, distractions and foodie bliss. However, if you have a bit more time in Catalonia, or just have a yearning to get out of Dodge, then consider these easy day » Read more
Still hesitating about whether or not to visit Barcelona? Read on! Above, a closeup of the Sagrada Familia's text-heavy facade. All Photos by Regina W Bryan
Do you still need to be sold on visiting Barcelona? From its fascinating history to mind-blowing Gaudi architecture, the city offers so much for those in search of a rich cultural experience. Meanwhile, its affordable restaurants, bars and tapas spots make it a top destination for culinary tourists. Even those into more active vacations will » Read more
La Vinya del Senyor carries more than 400 wines in a fab setting. Photo: Regina W Bryan
When I meet someone new in Barcelona, I prepare myself for the “Three Questions”: Them: “How long have you lived here?” Me: “Almost 8 years.” Them: “Do you like it?” Me: “Yes.” Them: “Why did you move to Barcelona?” Depending on my mood, I give some long-winded story about adventure and heartbreak, blah, blah, blah, » Read more
Look closely. Is that a TV in the bathroom of the Hotel Lleo? You betcha! Photos: EuroCheapo and Booking.com
The WC, loo, bathroom, restroom, toilet or in Spanish, servicios. How important is the loo to you when you travel? Personally, it’s a pretty important feature and can make or break my hotel experience. When looking for cheap hotels in Barcelona (and all over Europe) you will come across many hostals and pensions which offer » Read more
What’s for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Barcelona? (Not to mention tapas…) While we’ve gone on and on in other posts about recommended cheap eats, great lunch spots, and tips for saving on dining in Barcelona, sometimes a picture or two says it all. Here’s some photo inspiration of tasty bites and spots to dine » Read more
Save by sticking to the "Menu del Dia" offered at most restaurants in Barcelona. Photo: Papalars
Since 2008, some aspects of life in Barcelona have become more affordable. Renting an apartment, for example, is much cheaper now than it was when I arrived in 2005. Basics though, like coffee and wine (those are staples, right?) are pretty much the same price as always, and perhaps more expensive these days thanks to » Read more
Barcelona's "Rabajas", or sales, run through January and even into February at some stores. Photo: Felix Burnet
If you still have some spare euros left over from the holidays, then Barcelona is the spot to spend it these days. Deep sales (called “rebajas”) happen just twice a year; in January after the Epiphany and July right before everyone goes on vacation. So we’re right in the middle of prime sales time now. » Read more
The Hotel Astoria offers well-priced rooms near the Casa Batlló & La Pedrera. Photos by Regina W Bryan
The psychedelic works of Antoni Gaudí draw thousands of visitors to Barcelona each year. If you’re an architecture fan, you’ll want to see a few of Gaudí’s buildings, scattered throughout Barcelona and Catalonia. Book close to Gaudí sights at the following hotels and hostals. Casa Batlló & La Pedrera: Astoria Hotel Doubles from €70 This » Read more
The Pension Mari-Luz, above, is situated near bars and music clubs in the Gothic Quarter. Photos: Regina Bryan
The Spanish are good at partying. Dinner at 10 p.m. and off to the clubs by 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. is a normal sequence of events in Barcelona and throughout Spain. While it is said that Madrid has better “marcha” (a party scene) than Barcelona, trust me, you will not be bored or lack » Read more
Ramble around safely when visiting Barcelona. Photo: Txapulin
Ideally, I would not need to write this post. After all, when was the last time you saw a travel article titled “Tips for Solo Male Travelers”? Never. But when it comes to being a lady on the road on her own, well, things get a bit more tricky. Back story When I came to » Read more
The two-star Gat Xino is minimal, chic and affordable. Photos by Regina W. Bryan
Many times, “style” and “inexpensive” seem incompatible. While a budget hotel in Barcelona may have the right location and low rate, on many occasions these places leave something to be desired when it comes to color, furnishings, art and decor in general. There are a few hotels and hostals in Barcelona that rise above the » Read more
A toro prepares to charge at a bullfighter in Madrid. George M. Groutas
There are a few “hot topics” sure to stir the pot at any dinner party in Madrid: language (Castilian vs Basque, Catalan, etc), football (Barça vs Real Madrid) and bullfighting. While many defend bullfighting as an art and tradition important to Spanish culture, others think of it as barbaric and archaic. Where do you stand? » Read more
The Reina Sofia is free to all weekdays (7 pm - 9 pm) and weekend afternoons. Photo: T. Meyers
It’s always interesting to see who among my visitors is a “Museum Geek.” Some friends come and get a museum pass to see all of Madrid’s museums at a discount, while others could care less where Picasso’s Guernica is located, and skip museums opting for city strolling and shopping. If you are a “Museum Geek,” » Read more
Medieval buildings at sunset in La Garriga, a short trip from Barcelona. Photo: Jesus Cano Sanchez
I live in Barcelona, and mostly I love the city. Sometimes, however, I want to see trees, blossoms, birds that aren’t pigeons… and that’s when the day trip comes in. Although I do have access to a car, I often take day trips by train, and La Garriga, located about a 40-minutes ride north of Barcelona, is » Read more
The Caixa Forum is free to visit. Photo: Robert Ostmann
I wish this list was easier to compile, but Barcelona is not the “land of the free.” In fact, many locals believe that we pay more here for just about everything than they do in other parts of Spain. Road-trip? You’ll pay loads in tolls in Catalonia. Bread and olives with dinner? That’s another €2 » Read more
Itaca Hostel -- the most welcoming hostel in Barcelona. Photos by Regina W Bryan
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
How much would you pay for that cafe con leche at the Cafe Comercial? Photo: Tnarik
When you’re just getting to know a city it can be hard to determine if you’re paying “local” prices or “tourist” prices. Chances are if you’re in a very popular, central area of the city and the menu is translated into 20 languages, you’re paying a premium. While rates and prices vary, here’s what I » Read more
Bring home some saffron from a Barcelona market. Photo: Marco
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 attempt at paella or tapas? Grab » Read more
Beware the green parking signs in Barcelona! Photo: Eric Fischer
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
The AVE train. Photo:
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 often the second choice for those » Read more
Save time and money by eating lunch at the bar in Barcelona. Photo: Longster47
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
