Posts by author Regina W Bryan
Hostal Girona is a great sleep off the main tourist beat in the L’Eixample neighborhood. Photo: EuroCheapo
We are always big fans of sleeping as close to the center of the city as possible. Staying in the most central locations in Barcelona can save you plenty of time and even money. But sometimes you just want to get a little bit off-the-beaten-path and out into the city’s excellent neighborhoods where you can » Read more
The attractive Barcelona beaches are still free to enjoy. Photo: Regina W Bryan
Compared to Stockholm, Zurich or London, Barcelona is a relatively inexpensive destination. But when you compare it to a city like Seville in the south of Spain, the prices of everything from restaurants to hotels can feel exorbitant. But it’s our job to help keep your costs low, so you can visit Barcelona no matter » Read more
Quaint beaches like the one in Calella de Palafrugell are only 90 minutes from Barcelona. Photo: Regina W Bryan
May is commonly an exquisite, sunny month in Catalonia—and all over most of Spain. With spring in high gear but high-season not yet in full swing, it’s the perfect time to plan a weekend escape from Barcelona. There are so many options from small towns in the mountains to buzzing beaches, but one of our » Read more
Sant Jordi Festval in Barcelona is all about two things: roses and books. Photo: Stanley Wood
It’s nice to have a love celebration like Valentine’s Day in February, a dreary month in the northern hemisphere to say the least. It gives couples something to look forward to after many cold months, and it can brighten up the long winter and add a touch of romance. However, the timing of the Catalan » Read more
Taste your way through La Cerveteca, a beer library with an ample menu of craft brews from Catalan. Photo: YannigVan de Wouwer
Spring is here and powdery-pink blossoms hang heavy from trees in Barcelona’s parks. Although it won’t be swimming weather (by local standards anyway) until May, March and April bring sunnier skies, warmer nights, shorter sleeves and, most importantly, beer. Yes, beer. The Barcelona Beer Festival, now in its third year, will be held for three » Read more
Hostal Fernando in the Gothic Quarter is one of the best cheapo deals in Barcelona. Photo: Regina W Bryan.
Scan the Internet and you’ll find cheap hotels and hostels in Barcelona with some rockbottom rates. Then look again, and this time pay close attention to the ‘hood the hostel or pension is located in. You may be tempted by these low-priced rooms in areas such as Horta or Besos, but take our advice and » Read more
Becoming part of the culture in Barcelona. Photos by Regina W Bryan
After eight years in Barcelona, I’ve become accustomed to certain aspects of life here that are quite different from how I lived back in Portland, Oregon. Mostly, I don’t notice these differences anymore. My perspective has become more European, more Spanish, more Catalan…this all happened while I wasn’t looking, while I was eating tapas and » Read more
Sip cava with mom on the beautiful roofdeck of Astoria Hotel. Photos by Regina W Bryan.
Traveling with family is not the same dynamic as a jaunt with friends or your partner. I’ve done quite a bit of globetrotting with my mother, and she’s one of my best galavanting companions. We both share a sense of adventure and a love of travel (I probably got it from her!). Depending on what » Read more
A cozy room at Hotel H10 smack dab in the center of the city. Photo: EuroCheapo
If you have just a couple days in Barcelona, then you want to be where the action is and avoid transportation hassles. Usually on EuroCheapo, our advice is to stay away from touristy areas and pick a hotel in a more residential zone. There are a few reasons for this: lower costs, proximity to better » Read more
Spain isn't always a tropical paradise: A snowy park bench in Madrid. Photo: Gonzopowers
Many first-time visitors (myself included) to Spain have this idea that the country is a warm, perhaps semi-tropical land of sunshine, sangria and siestas. It is. And then it is not. Spain is a big country, and yes, many areas are lucky to have great weather year-round (the Canaries), while other regions are cold and rainy » Read more
Barcelona is looking good from every angle in 2014. Photo: josh bis
Do you really need additional motivation to come to Barcelona? Probably not. Barcelona has enough to keep you busy for weeks with Roman archeological sights, beaches, Gaudí creations, the Gothic Quarter, wine bars and creative restaurants, museums stuffed with works by Dalí and Picasso…but just in case, here are nine more excuses for stopping by. » Read more
The beautiful Nuria Valley and the Vall De Nuria hotel along the lake. Photo: Regina W. Bryan
I’m sometimes asked why I chose to live in Barcelona instead of Madrid. A big part of my reasoning was Barcelona’s proximity to things I love: the Mediterranean Sea, France, wine regions and the stunning Pyrenees Mountains on the border of Spain and France. To get out of Dodge (or Barcelona, in this case) and » Read more
A simple but pleasant triple room for a great value at Hostal Ramos. Photo: EuroCheapo
Group travel can create memories to last lifetime. It’s fun to share incredible experiences with friends and family, and Barcelona is a beautiful city for any size crew to explore. If you can somehow manage to coordinate everyone’s schedule and get the plane tickets, that’s a huge step! But now the question is: where should » Read more
Altair is one of the largest travel-focused bookstores in Europe. Photo: Garret Ziegler
Remember the good old-fashioned printed book and the shops that sell them? Before Youtube, Vine, Facebook and smart phones, books were our main form of entertainment and the best way to learn about new places. If you still like the feel of paper between your thumb and fingers, Barcelona’s thriving books’ scene is a great » Read more
Ham, part of the Spanish diet. Photos by Regina W Bryan
We’ve all heard about the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet, but do people in Barcelona actually eat this way? The answer is yes, on average. Here are a few foods that make up the daily diet of most people in Mediterranean Catalonia, which should be on your list of edibles to sample: 1. Ham » Read more
Enjoy local meals with fresh ingredients in Barcelona. Leon Brocard
Yogurt is not for breakfast. Omelets are for dinner. Espresso after meals. Napkins not in your lap… These, and many other customs, have been part of my Spain dining education over the past eight years. I’m still not an expert, but these are a few tips on how to eat like a local when in » Read more
Santa Caterina Market in El Born. Photos by Regina W Bryan
Barcelona has no shortage of neighborhoods to choose from, each providing its own vibe and experiences. Today I’d like you to get to know El Born, one of my favorite ‘hoods in the city, through the photos and tips below. • Also see our complete list of Barcelona neighborhoods in our city guide. Where to » Read more
Montserrat, a day-trip from Barcelona. Photos by Regina W Bryan
Most come to Barcelona for the urban excitement it offers. But what if you’re not much for cities? The crowds, the noise, the pollution… sometimes an escape is needed. Lately, I’ve been feeling burned out on the metropolis’ din and have spent most of the summer’s weekends hiking. Many hiking trails in Catalonia require a » Read more
Sometimes it can be downright frustrating trying to walk down La Rambla if you’ve got somewhere to be. Photos by Regina W Bryan
All those guidebook photos of azure sky, dripping gelato, vast beaches and otherworldly Gaudí architecture may sell an image of “perfect” Barcelona, but this city is far from flawless. Here are four negative aspects of visiting or living in Barcelona, with their (sometimes quite simple) solutions. 1. CROWDS The center of Barcelona is crowded, especially » Read more
Order off a restaurant's "Menu del Dia" to get the best deal. Photos by Regina W. Bryan
You’ve just got to go into La Sagrada Familia so that’s €12, and then you think you might do the bus tour of Barcelona, which is another €30, not to mention the tour fee to see Palau de la Musica for €10. Before you know it you’ve spent €50 and it’s only day two of » Read more
You're gonna want to be as close to this view as possible.
Depending on your concept of “cold,” the Mediterranean that splashes up on Barcelona shores is swimmable from May-October. I’ve rarely swum in May, because I feel the water is still too chilly, even though the sun is shining. For many years, I’ve had my last swim of the season around October 10th. As the weather » Read more
Ready for some gelato? Photos by Regina W Bryan
I mentioned in a previous post that I am trying to lose weight, which means eating less ice cream and going to the gym. Luckily for me, I’ve got nature and the season on my side. Barcelona in the summer is hot. And humid. And though this year has been colder than others, it’s 86°F » Read more
"One man's trash is another man's treasure"... especially at a flea market. Photos by Regina W Bryan
Most of my friends were shocked to hear that in my eight years in Barcelona I’d never “done” the Encants flea market. I assured them that I had wanted to, but had just never found the time, or the urge, to dig through piles of used junk one early Saturday morning. My Encants flea market » Read more
Hanging in Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona is a perfectly pleasant way to spend a day! Photo: Regina W Bryan
My friend Kris is a “freegan.” What’s that? You’ve never heard of a freegan before? It’s like vegan but instead of a strict diet, they are very strict in their belief that they should find and get things for free. This lifestyle can be taken to extreme levels, like dumpster diving and eating expired foods. » Read more
Stay at these hotels and you'll discover hidden corners of Barcelona, rather than the typical tourist attractions.
On one hand, staying in a touristy area of the city makes your trip to Barcelona easier because everything you might need is in close proximity. Need food? Lots of restaurants on La Rambla. Need an ATM? Carrer Ferran is lined with them. Afternoon snack? Gelato shops on every corner in the Gothic Quarter. But » Read more
