Job Discussion Forums

blewismaltz · Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 11

The wife and I just moved to Barcelona to teach English. Our first month, while we look for a flat, we rented a room that happens to be right off Las Ramblas.

Please tell me there is more to this city than Las Ramblas.

The tourist-atraption level is just too high for our blood, and we're starting to fear Madrid might have been a better choice for long term life in Spain. There seems to be more tourists here than locals. Again, have not managed to get out of LAs Ramblas yet.

Anyone able to confirm there are more authentic, less tourist-infested neighborhoods/areas? Somewhere with just normal restaruants and bars?

Any confirmation of the above, or just kind words of the city would help soothe our troubled hearts.

Thanks, as always, in advance.

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

I can't say I'm a big fan of Barcelona for exactly the reasons you said, but don't lose heart: it's summer so half of Spain is at the beach/in their pueblos so the tourist-local ratio changes dramatically. Here in Madrid you can sometimes feel like you're the last person here apart from a handful of tourists walking around wondering why half the cafes and shops are shut.

Come September the locals will all be back it'll feel a bit more authentic.

FemaleNomad · Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 58 Location: Poland

i just moved to barcelona a few days ago to and i'm right off of ramblas as well! it's crazy!! thankfully, i'm only here for the month to do my celta and then i'd like to teach somewhere else. talking to teachers at my school they've said that the entire city is packed with tourists at this time so there's no escaping them. but, if you walk through the side streets and back alleys.. i specifically live in raval, which many say is not the safest.... but you'll find lots of tourist free places to shop and eat and generally walk around in.

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

I was more than surprised by the OPs question. I've only been to Barcelona 3 or 4 times but was very impressed, although I do prefer Madrid.
Barcelona is usually described as one of Europe's most vibrant cities and a great place to live!
Maybe some of the Barcelona folk could go into more detail?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I don't think the August Blues are confined to Barcelona. Remember, Europeans are ON HOLIDAY. The whole month!! And they're joined by people from everywhere... everything worth seeing appears packed this month.

Everywhere I've lived looked like a tourist nightmare in the month of August. Prague, for sure. But even our small town in Netherlands, Luxembourg, and here I am in a very small town in the Czech countryside and couldn't get into my fave restaurant yesterday for a HUGE group of Americans... how in the heck they found this place, when it's not in any tour book, I've no idea.

Really, September will look better.

Not that there aren't places in cities like Barca or Prague or Amsterdam where the tourist traffic isn't non-stop, but you should be easily able to find peace in the city outside of August.

QatarChic · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar

There certainly IS more to Barcelona than Las Ramblas!

I think you're just unlucky because it's August and as many people have mentioned most people tend to leave the big cities and go elsewhere, hence leaving the city to tourists.

Have you spent much time exploring the city? Try spending time in Ciutat Vella, Gracia or El Barrio Gotico. I used to spend most of my weekends outside Barcelona in Tarragona or Reus, as I had friends there. It was also a nice escape from the city....

Many people have said to me that you either prefer Madrid or Barcelona- I had a blast in Barcelona and often go back, however it's not for everyone...but still, why not give it a chance? If things still don't work out, then perhaps a move to Madrid in the New Year would be wise, after having had some experience in bcn

Good luck with it all.

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

When I think of Las Ramblas I think of those water holes in Africa with the crocs lying in wait under the water. It's not a question of whether you will have stuff stolen, it's a question of how long until they hit you again.

I kept my stuff in a storage locker out at the Zona Franca, that was a real working class neighborhood, and I would look around there if I was back in Barcelona looking for a place. Otherwise I would just get out of the old city all together.

The school put me up in a nice flat out on the Canyelles line next to the soccer stadium. It was a nice neighborhood - much nicer than Las Ramblas - except for when the home team was playing when it could get a tab loud in the streets.

You might also look around Plaza del Sol, that was a kind of funky neighborhood, that didn't seem to have such a risk from theives.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

In some parts of the world tourist levels have risen so much that they can only be seen as a form of pollution.

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

I am getting Deja Vu all over again. The neighborhood around La Sagrada Familia seemed very nice. You can watch them playing Petanque in the park.

QatarChic · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar

CharlesTESOL · Joined: 06 Jul 2004 Posts: 81 Location: Barcelona, Spain

I have lived here for years and go to Las Ramblas relatively little, even though I don't live very far from it. (I live in Barceloneta.) So, I can say, yes, there is much more to BCN than that crowded little stretch. If you want to check out non-touristy, thief scarce parts of Barcelona you should include some of the other ramblas in the city. There are at least two or three other ones that will give you more of a feel for Barcelona. My favorite is Ramblas Poble Nou. I imagine this ramblas is more similar to what Las Ramblas was once like -- local people (e.g., familes, children, retirees) strolling to and from the sea, stopping to say hello, having a snack or a drink or a meal along the way. Another interesting one is Rambla del Prim, although it's in a relatively modern area. You can get to both of these on the Yellow Line of the metro. For Rambla Poble Nou get out at Poble Nou. For Ramblas del Prim, get out at Marisme Forum. Also, have you walked around Barceloneta? (And I don't mean only along Passeig de Joan de Borb� to get to the beach.) Have you walked up to the hills around Barcelona? There are some lovely neighborhoods with great views and nice parks out that way. (And I'm not talking only about Tibodabo -- look up -- there are several hills -- pick one and walk towards it.) Barcelona's actually a city with a lot of variety once you get out of the tourist/expat ghetto. One of the things I enjoy about living here is discovering new neighborhoods. Just head out on the metro or pick a random bus, then pick a stop and get out and walk. If you don't like where you find yourself, hop back on the metro or bus and head out another stop or two. It's amazing what gems you can find this way. Suerte,

blewismaltz · Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 11

Thanks for the replies and suggestions about places to check out!

Living near ramblas, so far this entire place looks like one giant tourist trap. Everyone here is a tourist, the prices are inflated and I have yet to see any quality food or drink. Everyone is just an obnoxious backpacker or tourist. It's real scuzzy.

Wife and I were getting real depressed and worried we made a mistake coming here. We'll try and check out some of these places this week.

jonniboy · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:18 pm Post subject:

There's tonnes more to Barsa than LaRambla! Just do as Charles suggests, catch a random metro and explore a bit on your own. I'd originally considered working in Barsa when I started teaching four years back but I found Valencia to be smaller, less touristy and offering much of the same things that Barsa had. You could consider cities like that if you're looking for a less touristy experience.

tabbicat · Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 12

Not easy I admit, but possible. I live in Raval, just 10 mins. walk from the Ramblas and although you see a few tourists who have strayed off the beaten path, mostly it's just a normal barrio, with both Catalan people and quite a lot of immigrants. I never go near Las Ramblas if I can help it in summer.

If you're looking for a quieter area to rent a flat, check out neighbourhoods such as Guinardo, Horta, Sants, or Parallel. These areas are also slightly less expensive and with many more local people. You can get an idea of what there is on the website www.idealista.com or www.loquo.com. Be warned though, Barcelona is no longer cheap. Not quite London prices, but not so far off.

Saludos

forest1979 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 507 Location: SE Asia

Barcelona is probably one of the most actiopn packaged and culturally filled cities in the world given its relatively small size. To say the city is just La Ramblas is an affront to its depth of character. As many posters to the board have said, once you get any knowledge of the city the Ramblas are the last places to go to in the city. However, don't say that all Ramblas are the same as in Barcelona as there are some gems in towns outside of Barcelona. For a day out I recommend a trip on the Renfe to Manresa or even a short ride out to Sant Cugat.