Planning a trip to Barcelona and worried you’ll look like a clumsy tourist? It’s natural, of course. But don’t linger too long on that: you visit the city and admire its greatest sights. You are authorized to look like a tourist!
As a traveler in a new culture, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to look “local”, so why not just be comfortable and go with the flow? (However, this does not mean walking down La Rambla with three cameras strapped around your neck, wearing socks and sandals – there are limits!)
Acting as a tourist is a different subject. We’re here to help you overcome some common mistakes tourists make when visiting Barcelona, like spending too much time on La Rambla or trying to eat at 6 p.m.
Related:
• How to navigate Barcelona’s most popular attractions
• 10 Best Cheap Hotels in Barcelona
25 things to do in Barcelona and what to avoid
Follow our lead and you’ll be acting (and eating) like a local in no time!
Barcelona Basics
1. Try to learn a few words in Spanish and Catalan.
Please, THANKS And Have a good day go far.
2. Try to respect local customs and schedules.
Remember that Spaniards eat late and many shops will be closed at midday and on Sundays.
3. Don’t be too political.
It’s fine to ask locals their opinions on Catalan independence, but be careful if you express very pro-Catalan or pro-Spanish opinions. You might end up offending those around you and find yourself in a heated debate or fight.
A late dinner means more time to snack on tapas in advance! Photo: Craig Nelson
Eat and drink in Barcelona
4. Don’t eat on La Rambla if you can avoid it.
We’ve touched on this topic many times before, but it’s worth mentioning again.
5. Visit the wine bars of Barcelona.
Head to these places to sip reds and whites from all over Spain.
6. Don’t tip 20% on your restaurant bill.
Tipping is not common in Spain. If you want to leave something, leave your change or a few euros.
7. Take a cooking class.
Learn how to prepare Catalan dishes and Spanish classics like paella.
8. Don’t try to go to dinner at 6 p.m.
Any respectable restaurant won’t even open its doors until 8 p.m. (Here are 18 tips for eating like a local in Barcelona.)
9. Eat delicious tapas.
Tapas will get you over the 6 p.m. mark and tide you over until your late Spanish dinner.
10. Visit the famous Boqueria Market, but…
Also visit Barcelona’s lesser-known markets, all of which will be less crowded. Santa Caterina is a good option.
11. Don’t order paella for dinner.
It is a lunch dish considered too heavy for a late meal.
A store selling Spanish ham at the Boqueria market. Photo: Jessica Spengler
Purchases
12. Do not take photos in shops or at market stalls without asking permission.
Fortunately, most of the time, sellers will say yes.
13. Shop for Exquisite Spanish Shoes and Clothing.
Looking for Zara, Mango, etc.? Head to the Gothic Quarter around Portal de l’Àngel and Carrer Comtal.
14. Get big discounts during the citywide semi-annual sales.
They take place in Barcelona in January/February and July/August.
15. Don’t buy souvenirs on La Rambla.
Look for locally made treats to take away on the side streets of La Rambla.
16. Visit museum stores.
They have a great selection of books about Barcelona and artistic souvenirs made in Barcelona.
The spectacular Park Güell designed by Gaudí. Photo: Jorge Franganillo on Flickr
Sightseeing
17. Pay the entrance fee to see La Sagrada Família.
It’s the most important site in Barcelona and there’s a reason for that: it’s breathtaking! Pay the entrance fee and spend a few hours inside, gaping at Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece. (And buy tickets online and skip the wait. Read all our tips for visiting the Sagrada Familia.)
18. Don’t go to Park Güell if you’re short on time.
It’s a bit of a walk to reach Park Güell which can easily take most of the day. Stick to the Gaudí sights in the city center if you only have a few days.
19. Rent a bike.
Walk Barcelona’s seaside promenade, from La Barceloneta to Llevant Beach. Stop along the way for lunch at a seaside restaurant.
20. Don’t spend all your time on La Rambla.
It’s tempting to spend too much time with the human statues, cheesy vendors, and crowds of tourists. But walk down La Rambla at least once and stop to see the La Boqueria market.
21. Take a tour of the Gothic Quarter.
Get an in-depth look at what Barcelona was like in Roman times.
22. Don’t limit yourself to the city limits of Barcelona.
Consider a day trip to Girona to wander its medieval streets, to Figueres to see the Salvador Dalí Museum, or to the Penedès region for wine tasting.
Hostal Fernando offers a central location and rooms to suit all budgets. Photo: EuroCheapo
Hotels in Barcelona
23. Don’t try to save money by staying in an out-of-the-way hotel.
It’s worth spending a little extra to be central. You’ll save time and money getting to popular tourist spots and it will be easier to walk home in the evening. Check out these affordable hotels near Barcelona’s most popular attractions.
24. Make sure your hotel has a safe in the room or at the front desk.
Leave your passport, extra cash and credit cards, and any other valuables you won’t need with you in the safe. Here are 10 tips for staying safe in Barcelona.
25. Don’t pay for an expensive breakfast at your hotel.
Instead, head to the nearest coffee shop and have breakfast like a local for around $5-6 (a coffee and a small sandwich or pastry).
Finally, TO DO come to Barcelona with an open mind and a flexible itinerary.
Traveling is tricky and things might not go the way you planned. It could rain, a museum could be closed for renovations or taxi drivers could go on strike.
However, good things can also arise, and it is rewarding to be able to spot these opportunities when they present themselves and seize them. A restaurant owner offers you something not on the menu, and it turns out to be the best meal of your life. A local invites you to his apartment for coffee and you make a new friend. A wrong turn takes you into a winding alley lined with unique bars and shops.
The unexpected can often be the best part of traveling – embrace it!
