Barcelona in February for a month?

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FFC1964

Recycles dryer sheets
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We are considering traveling with a company called "The Good Life Abroad". Very interesting concept. They find an apartment for you for a month in various cities and provide a manager for support as well as activities throughout the month. The activities are with the other group members. 10-15 is an average number of people. We are considering Barcelona in February. I used to like to travel mostly independent but after my recent travel experience where I was injured from a fall requiring emergency surgery, I am a bit nervous. I think I would like to have a big of hand holding until I get my courage back. We want to travel in Feb due to my husband's work schedule and the city with availability is Barcelona.
Thoughts?
 
Interesting! I’m curious as to how it works out for you.

So many great things to explore from Barcelona. Plus the food is fabulous.
 
We were there in Feb. the year before Covid. For a city vacation, the weather was perfect. We stayed in the Sant Andreu area, took long walks on the ramblas, ate tapas, and spent a lot of time visiting museums. I could easily spend a month there and still not have time to see all the museums in Barcelona, or get full of tapas (or doner).
 
First, I love the concept -- very much matches my travel style. I also think it's good you're going during low season, because Barcelona suffers greatly from overtourism at other times.

As you've probably heard, Barcelona is trying to eliminate short-term rental apartments, so this might be one of your last chances to do this.

I see the Barcelona stay is about $7,000 for one person ($5,000 if sharing a two-bedroom apartment with someone else) and $8,000 for two people in a one-bedroom apartment. I'd say it's a little pricey, but hey, you only live once.
 
Focus said:
As you've probably heard, Barcelona is trying to eliminate short-term rental apartments, so this might be one of your last chances to do this.

I see the Barcelona stay is about $7,000 for one person ($5,000 if sharing a two-bedroom apartment with someone else) and $8,000 for two people in a one-bedroom apartment. I'd say it's a little pricey, but hey, you only live once.
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Low season would be good. Barcelona is such a great city to "slow travel" in, there is so much to do and you can do it all at a slower pace. We stayed for 2 months during peak tourist season about a decade ago and really enjoyed it, although I would not stay smack dab in the heart of the Gothic Quarter for that long again as the tourist crowds were a little overwhelming day-in and day-out. I can understand the locals wanting a bit of control over the tourism in their city. It was a constant press of people all the time. February would surely be a much more pleasant time to go.

I'm not sure how the recent anti-tourism protests have affected longer-term rentals (30 days to 3months) in Barcelona but I will say that those are pretty high prices for The Good Life Abroad compared to what we paid per month (and more than double what you would see right now if you look for a 30-day rental on Airbnb in Feb 2025). But it might be worth it for the handholding, and especially the medical assistance if needed. If you like hanging out with other like-minded tourists and want more curated activities I imagine it could be a good fit too, although in a city like Barcelona there is so much on offer that it isn't hard to find experiences and day tours on your own.

Please update the thread when you go as it sounds like a great trip whether you go with this company or not! Enjoy your travels!
 
Sounds great for some, but as a solo traveler, I love a hotel vs an apartment, or house. Go for it..it looks great
 
We drove over from the Atlantic side of France through the Pyrenees in Feb 2015 and so glad we did. Very chill and food was great. Great walking tours and markets in/around Gothic Quarters.

I'd do it again.
 
We spent 10 days in Barcelona a few years ago. We travelled independently with one other couple and we rented a two bedroom apartment. We could have stayed longer. There is so much to see and do.

I understand and sympathize with Barcelona’s concerns about short term rentals and over tourism. It is such a beautiful place.
 
OddGuy said:
Great hospitals and doctors in Barcelona, just in case.
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That would be helpful! I am a bit leary due to my recent fracture, surgery and hospital stay in London. Still have PTSD from that experience.
 
We took the trip!! Barcelona in February was amazing. Weather acceptable. Not overcrowded, the food was amazing and the architecture out of this world. The Good Life Abroad company was fantastic. Worth every penny in my opinion. We will be booking another trip with them soon. Wanting to get out of Iowa next February as well.
 
Thanks for the update. Can you elaborate on the apartment, location and activities? Is the kitchen usable for preparing meals yourself?

After our visit to Lisbon a couple of years ago, we had wanted to return for a month & rent an apartment and pretend that we live there. For Lisbon, it is a bit pricey at $300+/day for a couple, but may be worth it to remove the uncertainty that accompanies a airbnb/vrbo rental - and the other services.
 
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Interesting idea for those wanting some built in social network and group activities.

But it's pricier than DIY... We're spending 10 weeks in Florence starting in September, in a 2 bedroom apartment (friends will be visiting) not far from where A Good Life Abroad has their apartments. Full kitchen, Wi-Fi, washer, etc. But we don't get the weekly happy hours and lunches, and have to organize our own excursions. And we don't get weekly cleaning. But looking at the prices it's about $10k cheaper for two of us.

But then again, my trip is not purely vacation, I'll be doing a language school which will offset a portion of the savings in lodging vs. A Good Life Abroad . But school will also add the social and cultural opportunities.

I can totally see a solo traveler like my sister enjoying something like this.

Did you feel like you were living like a local by the end? I love Barcelona, such a vibrant city.

Thanks for sharing your experience.
 
Thank you sharing all that, @FFC1964, and @rodi, that Florence trip sounds wonderful. It is one place in Italy that really calls to me. I don't want to add to the crush in Venice and Rome.
 
walkinwood said:
Thanks for the update. Can you elaborate on the apartment, location and activities? Is the kitchen usable for preparing meals yourself?

After our visit to Lisbon a couple of years ago, we had wanted to return for a month & rent an apartment and pretend that we live there. For Lisbon, it is a bit pricey at $300+/day for a couple, but may be worth it to remove the uncertainty that accompanies a airbnb/vrbo rental - and the other services.
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The apartment was in a newer building and was right by the Arc De Triomphe so a great location. There were many restaurants, small groceries, the subway, pharmacies, etc within the block. Our apartment was a one bedroom, one bath. We had a washing machine, dishwasher, microwave and cook top with two burners. Large television and couch as well as a outdoor area with a table and chair.
The activities were all great. Paella cooking class, mosaic class, wine tasting evening, guided tours to Montserratt, the Olympic area and the Old Town. There were 14 planned activities in all. They were mostly on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays. We felt all activities were very nicely done and more than we actually expected. We were free to explore on our own the other days. Our Community Director and also our Tour Guide were outstanding. Two people in the group were pick pocketed and the Community Director went with them to the police station. One woman had many problems with her E-Sim and the Community Director went with her to the store to figure it out. The 12 of us also got together for Sundown on the roof top terrace of our building. Having a group of people to explore with was also very nice, if you wanted. Several in our group were single women. Definitely more expensive to have a built in support system but we loved it.
We definitely felt like we knew our way around Barcelona and were very comfortable on our own by the end of the month. I still miss it.
 
I did 3 months alone in Barcelona while taking language classes in 2018. As with Rodi, many social activities were taken care of by the school, like trips, cooking classes etc. But the average age was "early university" so it was tough to find like minded folks. My average cost per day including lodging, class, etc was about $75 per day. What a great city and a great experience.
 
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