Unlocking Barcelona: Practical Tips for Travelers
Planning a trip to Barcelona and want to make the most of your time exploring this incredible city? Barcelona, full of magic, history, culture, and a unique atmosphere, attracts tourists from all over the world. From Gaudi’s breathtaking masterpieces to the lively beaches and charming streets, this city has it all. However, to fully enjoy every moment, it’s important to be well-prepared. If you plan to visit Barcelona, make sure to check out the tips we’ve gathered for you. These will make your adventure in this Catalan city even more unforgettable!
Casa Batlló
CULTURE:
What you should know about Barcelona is that it’s not your typical Spain. It’s a city full of a unique spirit shaped by its residents – the Catalans. They have their own distinct identity, rich history, and culture, all of which they take great pride in. Catalonia, with its complex political past, numerous long-standing struggles for autonomy and independence, stands out from the rest of the country. The people of Barcelona are happy to share their history, and their passion and commitment to regional matters are evident at every turn. For tourists, this is a special opportunity to feel part of this fascinating story by delving into the mysteries of the place.
Although Catalan is the dominant regional language in Barcelona, most people also speak Spanish, so you can easily communicate in Spanish. However, learning a few phrases in Catalan can help you fully immerse yourself in the city’s atmosphere.
Greetings:
- Hola – Hello (Spanish) | Hola – Hello (Catalan)
- Buenos días – Good morning (Spanish) | Bon dia – Good morning (Catalan)
- Buenas tardes – Good evening (Spanish) | Bona tarda – Good evening (Catalan)
Goodbyes:
- Adiós – Goodbye (Spanish) | Adéu – Goodbye (Catalan)
- Hasta luego – See you later (Spanish) | Fins aviat – See you soon (Catalan)
- Que tengas un buen día – Have a nice day (Spanish) | Que vagi bé – All the best (Catalan)
TRANSPORT FROM AND TO THE AIRPORT:
When planning your trip to Barcelona, it’s important to know the most convenient and cost-effective transport options. The city offers various quick, comfortable, and easy-to-use transport modes. Here are a few recommendations:
- One of the fastest options from the airport are buses A1 and A2, which serve Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, respectively. These buses are easy to find thanks to clear signs at the airport. Tickets cost around 7 euros and can be purchased from the driver or at a machine at the designated bus stop (make sure you don’t confuse this machine with the one for public transport tickets).
- Our company offers such transports. You can request details through our contact form: https://spanish-trails.com/contact/.
- Taxis from the airport to the city center cost around 30-40 euros. You can also use services like UBER, BOLT, or FREE NOW. Moreover, it is possible to arrange transfers ang have a driver waiting for you.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
To use public transportation in Barcelona, you need a ticket. The city offers various types of tickets tailored to travelers’ needs. These can be purchased via the T-mobilitat app, the website, or at ticket machines at every metro station. (Some cards need to be issued at T-mobilitat centers, like at Barcelona-Sants station.)
Another option is the Barcelona Card, which provides unlimited access to public transport, free entry to over 25 museums, and discounts on attractions, shopping, and restaurants. It also lets you skip the lines at many popular sites. Available for 3, 4, or 5 days, it activates on first use. More info: Barcelona Card
CASH AND CREDIT CARDS:
If you’re wondering how much cash to bring to Barcelona, it’s a good idea to carry some, especially in smaller shops or markets like La Boquería. While most places accept cards, sometimes, especially cards from the US, may be declined abroad, so having cash is helpful. Withdrawing money from ATMs may also incur extra fees. Additionally, for metro or bus tickets, you will need a physical card if contactless payment isn’t available or if you don’t have enough cash.
FOOD:
In Spain, it’s tough to find places open for coffee before 8 AM, and the same applies to grocery stores. Local shops are available, but they may not always offer fresh pastries. Dinner usually starts around 9 or 10 PM, and many bars remain open into the early morning. If you’re in tourist areas like Eixample or Gràcia, it’s easy to stay out late, as the city remains lively.
In Barcelona, there are five main meals of the day. Breakfast (desayuno) is simple, typically coffee or tea with a pastry. Mid-morning, locals enjoy almuerzo, a light snack, often a sandwich. Lunch (comida) is the main meal, starting around 1:30 PM and usually featuring tapas. In the afternoon, a merienda, or snack, keeps people going. Dinner (cena) starts late, around 9 PM, often consisting of tapas at one restaurant. We’d be delighted to take you on a tour of Barcelona, with stops at the city’s best spots for food and wine, so you can savor the authentic flavors of the region!
What to Eat:
Try the Menu del Día (Daily Menu), a great option for lunch. It offers a starter, main course, drink, and dessert or coffee for 11–17 euros, allowing you to sample local dishes. It’s popular in many restaurants and a fantastic way to try traditional Barcelona dishes affordably.
Typical Catalan Dishes:
- Canelons – a traditional dish served after Christmas using leftover meats.
- Escudella i Carn d’Olla – a Catalan meat soup, typically eaten in winter.
- Calçots – grilled spring onions served with romesco sauce, available in spring.
- Fruta de la Passió – a popular summer fruit used in desserts.
- Panellets – sweet cookies, traditionally prepared for All Saints’ Day (November 1st).
- Turrón – Spanish nougat, especially popular at Christmas.
- Fideuà – a noodle-based dish similar to paella, often eaten in summer.
- Crema Catalana – a dessert similar to crème brûlée, ideal for spring or summer.
- Pa amb tomaquet – a Catalan classic of bread rubbed with tomato, garlic, olive oil, and salt, often served as a tapa, especially in summer when tomatoes are in season.
Coffee in Barcelona:
In Catalonia, coffee can be ordered in both Spanish and Catalan. Popular choices include:
-café solo (espresso),
-café con leche (coffee with milk),
-cortado (espresso with milk), and
-carajillo (espresso with alcohol).
Coffee is often served in small cups, and baristas may ask about milk preferences, like “¿Con leche entera o desnatada?” (whole or skimmed milk?). If you want your coffee to-go, say “para llevar.”
Tapas:
Eating tapas in Barcelona is an opportunity to share and sample various flavors. Start with classic tapas but feel free to try something new. Order carefully, don’t take too many at once, as you can always order more. Reservations are often necessary, especially for larger groups, so plan ahead. We also encourage you to book a tour with us, and we’ll guide you through the best tapas spots in the city, pairing them with excellent local wines!
Fresh Fish and Seafood:
Spain is known for fresh fish and seafood, which you should definitely try. Visit local markets like La Boquería in Barcelona to buy fresh products straight from the suppliers. Many of these markets also offer fish and seafood you can take home and prepare yourself.
Tips:
In Barcelona, tipping isn’t mandatory but is appreciated. If you’re satisfied with the service, it’s common to leave a tip of 5-10% of the bill. In places with a service charge, a small extra tip is nice. At bars, no tip is expected for coffee or tapas, but rounding up to the nearest euro is a kind gesture. For certain services, paying in cash ensures that the staff receives the tip directly.
You’ll often find “IVA incluido” (VAT included) on menus. This means that the price already includes VAT (Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido), which is the standard tax in Spain. It’s not a tip. Tips are usually voluntary and can be left separately if you wish to acknowledge the service. Sometimes, a tip may be automatically added, and this will be stated on the menu. However, this is not related to “IVA incluido.”
Photo: https://mestredaixa.net/en/menu/pizzas/ – iva incluido
SIGHTSEEING:
Barcelona is a city best explored over 2-5 days to truly experience its atmosphere and key attractions. Due to its size, it’s not a place you can fully visit in a single day. Often, just a few public transport rides, like to and from the airport, are enough to get around comfortably. With a proper itinerary, you can explore Barcelona leisurely and economically, avoiding unnecessary stress.
• Barcelona is full of festivals like La Mercè (September) and Festa Major de Gràcia (August). These events are great to experience the city’s unique atmosphere and traditions, but they can be crowded, so it’s advisable to book tickets for attractions in advance. We’d love to show you around the city during these festivals, guiding you through the festivities and sharing more insights about their history and traditions!
• The Montjuïc Fountain shows are spectacular performances combining light, music, and water. They take place at the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, located at the foot of Montjuïc Hill near the National Palace, from Thursday to Saturday between 9:30 PM and 11:00 PM. Be sure to check the schedule as times may change with the seasons.
The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
• If you plan to visit churches (e.g., Sagrada Familia), bring something to cover your shoulders, like a scarf.
• If you dream of visiting the Palau de la Música, consider purchasing tickets for one of the concerts held there before you arrive in Barcelona. Not only will you enjoy wonderful music, but you’ll also get to admire one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world. Often, ticket prices for concerts are lower than those for tours, making it an attractive option.
• The beaches in Barcelona can be crowded, but the further you go from the center, the quieter it gets. You might also consider visiting places like Sitges or Costa Brava, which offer beautiful beaches with fewer crowds. They’re easily accessible by public transport, especially by train.
• Barcelona has many museums that sometimes offer free entry. Take advantage of this, especially on the first Sunday of the month.
Regarding the Sagrada Família, there are no free admission visits. However, every Sunday at 9:00 AM, the Basilica holds international services with free entry. After the mass, visitors can stay and tour the church. It is recommended to arrive early as seating is limited. The mass start time can be checked on the official Basilica website to avoid missing it.
Free museums:
- El Born Centre de Cultura y Memoria
- La Virreina Centre de la Imatge
Free museums on Sundays, usually after 3:00 PM:
- Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA)
- Museu Marítim de Barcelona
- Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
- Museu Frederic Marès
- Museu de la Música
- Museu Blau – Natural Science Museum
- Museu del Disseny de Barcelona (Design Museum)
- Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
- Castell de Montjuïc
- El Museu Etnològic i de Cultures del Món
- Jardí Botànic de Barcelona
- Parc del Laberint d’Horta
Free museums on the first Sunday of the month:
- Museu Picasso Barcelona
- Palau Güell
- Museo Olímpico y del Deporte Joan Antoni Samaranch
- Museu d’Història de Catalunya
- Museu de Arqueología de Cataluña MAC
- Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA)
LIFE IN BARCELONA:
• If you’re planning to go clubbing in Barcelona, consider signing up for guest lists like Aashilist. By filling out a form on Instagram, you can get free entry to selected clubs during specific hours. It’s a great way to save money and ensure you get into the best places.
• For fashion or vintage lovers, Barcelona has many regular markets where you can find clothes at very affordable prices, often between 1-5 euros. It’s a great opportunity to buy unique items at exceptional prices.
• In Barcelona, consider downloading apps like Bolt, Uber, or Free Now for easy taxi ordering. These apps often offer discounts, making getting around the city more convenient and cost-effective.
• Another useful app is the Google Maps app. It makes it easy to find restaurants, bars, and other interesting places around the city. You can also check reviews, prices, and even menus of restaurants. The app helps with planning routes and getting around, which will certainly save you time and make your sightseeing experience more convenient.