With the beach, beautiful weather, & incredible night life; what more could you want? Barcelona is an ideal European destination for many.
Barcelona is VERY different from “typical Spain”. I consider this city to be its’ own unique breed due to the fact that majority of the locals refer to themselves as “Catalan” (rather than Spanish), resulting in a difference of cultural ideologies in comparison to the rest of Spain.
(A little history on Barcelona: Barcelona is found in the region of Catalonia. The Catalan people are currently fighting for their independence from Spain.)
My sophomore year in high school, I had an incredible opportunity to participate in a Student Exchange program with a school from Barcelona. I spent two weeks living, learning, exploring, walking, and eating my way through this whimsical city. My host family was so warm and welcoming & I still keep in touch with my pen pal to this very day. I sure am glad I have a friend half way across the world because I know I’ll be making a trip back to Barcelona in the very near future.
Here are 10 things every traveller should know before visiting Barcelona:
SPANISH IS NOT THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE IN BARCELONA, IT’S CATALAN…
But don’t panic! There are many similarities between the two & it’s quite easy to pick up if you listen closely.
GREAT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Barcelona is a walking city! The metro and bus systems are so easy to navigate & may I say, EFFICIENT; no wonder the city is known to have one of the best public transportation systems in the world. Even taxis are reasonably priced if walking is so NOT your thing.
WATCH YOUR BELONGINGS
Unfortunately, Barcelona is a HAVEN for pickpocketers. When you’re in crowded areas (especially the metro), please remember to keep your belongings in front of you & close to your body. Pay attention to your surroundings, especially in touristy areas like Las Ramblas & DON’T flash your expensive purses, jewelry, belts, etc.
LAS RAMBLAS IS OVERHYPED
Maybe it’s because of the Cheetah Girls movies? Whatever the case is, Las Ramblas is simply a main pedestrian street in the city. The popular La Boqueria Market is located here, but so are lots of tourist traps like roadside stands. There’s not much to see, so don’t expect to be spending too much time here.
SUNDAY SHUTDOWN
Everything (except museums) is CLOSED on Sunday, so plan accordingly.
FREE MUSEUM SUNDAYS
Museums such as the Picasso Museum & the Barcelona City History Museum are free from 3pm to 8pm on Sundays. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!!
…if you love museums, then you’ll love the GOTHIC QUARTER
The architecture of the Gothic Quarter dates back to roughly 2,000 years; making it the oldest part of the city. Wandering the streets of the Gothic Quarter is like walking through a museum of Roman history. It’s the PERFECT place to just get lost for a while.
EXPLORE THE STREET ART
The art scene in Barcelona (just like Madrid) is EXCEPTIONAL. Make sure you don’t miss the various street art dispersed throughout the city.
BUNKERS DEL CARMEL
If you want a great panoramic view of Barcelona, make sure you take the time to climb to the top of Bunkers del Carmel. It’s a bit of a hike, but THE VIEW IS WORTH IT.
*A lot of locals & visitors sit up there for a while, so make sure to bring some snacks & a blanket! (this just might be the perfect activity to save for a Sunday when everything is closed *hint hint*)
HAVE A DRINK AT BAR MARSELLA
I was underage when I went to Barcelona for my student exchange program, but make sure to have a drink at BAR MARSELLA. This bar is the oldest bar in the city & was once frequented by famous figures like Ernest Hemingway, Antoni Gaudi, & Salvador Dali. I’ll be sure to make a stop here my next trip back, HAH!
Hope this guide helps you when planning your trip to Barcelona! My Madrid guide will be up very soon.
