Things To Know Before Traveling To Barcelona
A few months ago, I shared my experience in Barcelona. Here are some of the things we learned from that trip that could help yours.
TO KEEP IN MIND
Pack comfortable shoes: You will walk a lot.
Do not forget your power adapter.
Use water bottles: stay hydrated. There are many fountains around the city for you to refile your bottle. Download the Water Fountain App here for both iOS and Android.
Buy your tickets ahead of time, whenever possible. It’ll allow you to avoid lines and some extra fees. (We got all our tickets from the official websites).
Watch out for pickpockets: Unfortunately, the city is full of pick-pocketers, so beware of your belongings.
WHERE TO STAY
It’s really easy to get around Barcelona, so it doesn’t really matter if you stay in the center of the city, everything is walking distance from a metro or bus station, of course, the closer to the center, the expensive will be.
Hostels are always the cheapest option, and there are lots of them.
HOW TO GET AROUND
Avoid cabs!
Barcelona is a walkable city and getting around is really simple. You can easily walk to many of Barcelona’s top attractions which is great to help you save some pennies.
Buy metro rides, a single one-way ticket: €2.40. If you are staying for a couple of days, I’d recommend the T10 ticket, which is 10 one-way journeys by bus or metro and cost €11.35, you can split the rides with the people you are traveling and you can even use this ticket to get to and from El Prat airport. You cannot use the metro with this ticket for some rare reason (one ticket could cost €5,15), but you can get the train or the bus. *
Google Maps is your best friend for this trip (there is free WiFi all around the city), times for the bus you are catching are very precise.
Renting a bike is also a good option.
*Prices from May 2020
FOOD AND DRINKS
Even though we used to associate Spain with Paella, and flamenco, the thrust is that paella is originally from Valencia. Nowadays, it’s popular in Spain and you can find good paellas in Barcelona. I’d totally recommend La Vermuteria.
On the other hand, do not spec to see flamenco dancer everywhere as you’d do in Sevilla (where it is originally from), but you can find good flamenco bars.
Catalan food is incredible and one extra reason for visiting and if you want to eat well on a budget, seek Menu del Dia at lunchtime (usually from 14:00 – 16:00). Almost every restaurant in Barcelona serves menu del dia, but note that not many restaurants serve it on weekends, especially not on Sundays. Prices variate between €8 to €15 and it is a three-course meal, including bread and drink, which could be beer or wine (sometimes a bottle). Don’t you love it already?
For a good cocktail, there is an endless list of bars in Barcelona to choose from. Chase for some Happy Hours boards outside bards advertising the offers.
And of course, tapas and pintxos. Small portions of food that are usually laid out on the bar counter for you to choose your own.
TIPPING
Unlike Canada, where the 15%-20% tip is expected. You’re not obligated to leave tips in Barcelona. However, tipping a good service, it’s always appreciated.
LANGUAGE
Catalan is the main language in this city, but everyone speaks Spanish and since this is a tourist city you’ll find that in most places, they’ll great you in English.
Check out my self-guide tour to Barcelona.
