Ferran was a great host. He met us at the apartment when we arrived, even though it was 11pm! He showed us round the apartment, gave us maps and tourist information brochures and also some places to eat nearby, the Metro station and the pharmacy. All the essentials for your first morning in Barcelona! Ferran also checked in with us a couple of times during the week to see that we had everything we needed.

The apartment is in a great location. Only 10mins walk to La Ramblas and right at the foot of Montjuic. The views up there are spectacular and its a lovely climb up the hill! The Metro station at Av. Para-lel is a 2 minute walk away although we barely used it. Only to get to places further away (such as Camp Nou) or after dark. If you like to walk, you can walk pretty much everywhere in the city from here. And you get to soak in the sights or stop off for tapas on the way!

The apartment itself is clean, comfortable and functional. The shower is good and the coffee was great! It had everything we needed for a weeks stay (although we never cooked in the apartment - Spanish food is too good!). The building itself also feels safe and secure, as does the surrounding area.

Here are some of the things I learned from my stay in Barcelona:
1) Buy a T10 metro ticket (which can also be used on the bus/tram). Its €10.50 for 10 journeys - where a single is over €2.
2) Walk everywhere you can. Barcelona amazed me by its surprises around every corner. But bring a map, its easy to lose your bearings on the windy streets!
3) Don't let the threat of pickpockets put you off. I was worried before I went, but I live in Dublin and I felt 100 times safer walking around in Barcelona.
4) Go to the Eclipse bar in Hotel W for the most spectacular views of the city and harbour. Cocktails are €15 though so maybe just stay for the one!
5) Do the bus tour (we did Barcelona Turistic). Worth every cent for seeing the whole of the city.

We had a great stay here and wouldn't hesitate to contact Ferran again should we return to Barcelona (which I definitely will!)