Ok, wait, do get me started... Barcelona is super-fun-- where to start!

For "quirky" bars you have to check out the wax museum bar off the bottom of Les Rambles. It's got several different rooms- one fairy grotto where you sit on toad stools in a dimly-lit wax forest full of tiny wax creatures, another made up as an up-side- down doll house complete with furniture and people on the ceiling...

For a great, cheap, meal, it's hard to beat buying picnic fixings at Boqueria Food Market in (Raval and then heading up to Park Guell or down to the waterfront to eat.

The cheapest thing to do is, of course, walk around and look at buildings. You can pay to go into some of them, but you might be better off just wandering around taking it all in. There's lots of "architectural walks" ... don't bother with a guide or bus.

For places to sleep, the Kabul hostel is right-smack in the middle of things in Plazza Rial (my favorite spot for a cheap beer and tapas too...)

I know other folks will have suggestions of stuff outside Ciutat Vella, but if it's your first trip, don't miss it!

I'm sure I'll think of more... be sure to post a trip report and photos when you get back. I want to hear all about it!