Barcelona is a fantastic city and one that easily belongs on any hotspot hitlist for Spanish destinations. It’s a city of culture, history, retail, and fervent love of sport, meaning it has something for everyone. However, that makes it extremely popular with tourists who may not know how to best use their time in the city. If you’re visiting Barcelona, whether for a short time or a few days, here are a few tips to help you fall in love with Barcelona.
Get your walk on
If you want to explore Barcelona as much as possible (and as cost-effectively as possible) then don’t worry about hiring a car or using public transport. It is by far one of the most walkable cities in the world. The streets are very well laid out in a grid that’s easy to explore with the right map. This applies to more modern builds, too, not just the historic city centre. What’s more, places like the Gothic Quarter can easily be missed by those who are only trying to travel by road.
Bring a water bottle with you
Barcelona gets hot. Therefore, as a result, you are going to need a fresh, cool drink of water with you at all times. The locals knew this well, which is why they have a whole host of drinking fountains around the city. The majority of these fountains are safe to drink from. If you don’t feel comfortable about drinking from a public water source, then tap water in the city is also safe to drink at the time of writing. Be sure to check any health warnings from your local foreign office to get updates to this before you go, though.
Check what you need to book ahead
Barcelona is a massively popular destination for both Spaniards and international travellers. As such, some of the most popular sites are going to see more traffic than you can expect. Some of them, like the La Sagrada Familia, will need to be booked in advance. Research and see which spots in Barcelona you want to see most. You can then look to see if you have to book a ticket to see them. Avoid the frustration of getting turned away at the front door because you didn’t check ahead of time.
Don’t miss the Gaudi
Antoni Gaudi is one of those few architects whose designs have become very much part of a city’s identity, much like Robert Moses for New York (but in a much more flattering light.) As such, when you’re taking the time to walk around, then take the time to look up. Many of the most famous buildings, such as the La Sagrada Familia, the Casa Mila, and the Park Guell are all designed by him. Experimental shapes, combinations of modernist and classical, even ancient touches, all give the city a wholly unique feeling, largely down to the designs of one man. They are bound to make you fall in love with Barcelona.
Check what music festivals are on
Barcelona is a city of artistic passion with one of the most vibrant music scenes in all of Europe. As such, you can be pretty sure that there’s going to be some kind of music festival or event happening during your visit. Whether it’s a DJ set, a classic symphony, or the fantastic Barcelona Jazz Festival, take your time to see what music events are happening lined up with your trip. Missing out on the musical side of the city is an all-too-common and entirely preventable mistake. There are plenty of sites that show which festivals are happening at what time.
Find a place for your bags
Barcelona might be a mostly flat city, especially for the northern region that gets closer to the Collserola HIlls. However, due to the heat and the walkability of the city, you will quickly find that dragging your bags behind you can get very tiring. If you don’t have a hotel or are waiting for it to open, there are plenty of spots for luggage storage in Barcelona. You can drop your bags off in these spots for a small fee, explore the city and then pick them up when you’re ready to move on or to go to your accommodation.
Know there are a multitude of beaches
When you go on a beach holiday, your first inclination may be to find the nearest beach with all of the beachside bar and watersport luxuries and to simply soak up the sun as the day goes by. However, one main reason to fall in love with Barcelona is that it has a lot of beaches. If Barcelona beach is too packed, then Platja de la Mar Bella (a nudist beach) and Playa de Bogetell might also be options worth exploring. Don’t rush through the beaches, they are there to be enjoyed.
Don’t talk politics
Barcelona is a unique city in Spain for the reason that it has become the central seat of an independence dispute. The city is the capital of the region known as Catalonia, which has recently seen a lot of support towards independence. While this might be a fascinating topic, it’s a very heated one for those who are actually living through it. Try to be mindful of the politics of the city and, when in doubt, don’t discuss them at all.
Pickpockets are an issue
This is hardly a problem that’s unique to Barcelona or Spanish cities. Tourist hotspots, especially cities, also see a lot of people who are willing to try and profit off of those tourist’s sense of wonder in less than savoury ways. Be sure to protect against pickpockets by having your money and possessions secured, such as by having your wallet on a chain. Beware of this especially in public transport. If someone brushes against you, move away and be sure to secure your belongings with your hands as soon as possible.
Before you visit any major tourist attraction or city, it’s always wise to get to know a little about the city before you go. Otherwise, you can waste more of your time trying to navigate than you spend actually enjoying the place. We hope this post helps you prepare for your trip and we hope you fall in love with Barcelona.
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