I'm heading to Barcelona pretty soon for 3 weeks and would love any recommendations for good record stores, thrift/cool clothing stores, antique stores specializing in mid-century design, restaurants or anything else that's off the beaten path and worth checking out.

Also, my g/f and I are big fans of the movie "It's All Gone Pete Tong" so we're making plans to go to Ibiza for a weekend just to experience that scene (even though we're not into that kind of thing - I just want to see and experience it for myself). Any recommendations for Ibiza?

Thanks in advance!

Well one word of advice here....be careful in Barca. Down Las Ramblas and in the Barri Gotic there are lots of street kids renowned for mugging tourists so hide your cash, avoid taking a wallet out etc. Same deal down by the beach by Hotel Arts and the boulevard there...lots of kids that are expert pick pockets.

In fact avoid Las Rambals altogether it's shit, shit food, tourist tat shops.


But places to visit:

Parc Guell....mind twisting brilliance
Sagrada Famillia - obvious but well worth a look
Montjuic Castle (get the cable car from the other side of the bay)
Montjuic Park including Mies van der Rohe's german pavillion
Top floor restaurant at El Corte Ingles for the view
Garcia district for little shops and bars (near Parc Guell)
Picasso Museum
Nou Camp (if you like soccer)
La Raval
Montserrat, which is about an hour outside Barcelona (get the train from central station) - it's a monestary built into the side of a mountain. You get off the train, get into a cable car to get to the main site. Then you can get a the funicular railway right to the top and on a good day can see the Pyrenees in the distance.

In terms of shops 24 Kilates has a good vibe: http://www.24-kts.com/
They can probably point you in the direction of other places you might like as they're super friendly.

One big problem recently has been the authorities clamp down on street art/graff which has seen previously interesting areas cleaned/buffed of all graffiti and made it a tad generic. But really I've always found the best way to see the city is grab a map and go walking. There's little ridden bars and tapas places everywhere.


As for Ibiza....errr....sorry but I hate the place. Full of wnakers of the highest order. But if seeing very red, sunburnt Brits drunk and fighting is your thing go for it. Actually, so long as you avoid San Antonio like the plague it's a lovely island ruined by drunken Brits looking to sleep with as many people as possible and if not, get drunk on Stella and fight someone else.

You are in luck Space opening weekender with Pete Tong!!
http://www.spaceibiza.com/en/news/35-ne ... iesta-2010

check out a little beach town called Sitges a short train ride outside of Barc. I believe an the antique store still has a sign on the exterior that I painted on tile years ago.

Thanks, everyone - that's really helpful. LAmour if Sitges is north of Barcelona on Costa Brava - we were planning to head up that way. If i see the sign, I'll take a few pics for you and send them when I get back. Do you remember the name of the store? (I actually like going on these sort of treasure hunts when I travel).

Gaudi has also designed many buildings that are open for sightseeing:


Have fun and tweet your impressions!

Ooh! How come Rick Steves doesn't mention it? Anyway, got myself a new must-see target..

Alrighty mr. jim, we must see pics of you all geeked out & shakin' yer booty at the foam parties.

I think I still have a shiny shirt in my closet somewhere................... crap, did I just say that out loud?

This is how I want to make my club entrance - wearing a crown of thorns and a giant diaper:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wni_SPKDUX0