Barcelona, the sunny Catalan capital along the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea is truly cosmopolitan and much more than their insanely famous football club. Whether it is unique architecture, vibrant nightlife, beach vibes, or gastronomic delight, Barcelona has them all. And, if you are planning to visit Barcelona, then these Barcelona travel tips are just meant for you.
Barcelona is considered one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe for the right reasons. To make the most of your trip and prepare for Barcelona, these Dos and Don’ts will set you up for a memorable time in this charming city in Spain.
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Barcelona is Europe’s one of the most Instagrammed cities! Hop on to Barcelona Instagram Quotes to caption your photos from the city.
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A) Essential Barcelona Travel Tips
Let me start with what you should not do in Barcelona.
a) Barcelona Travel Tips: The Don’t’s
1) DO NOT Club too many Antoni Gaudi attractions in 1 day
It is hard to be in Barcelona and not visit one or more Gaudi attractions. The Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi is well known for his distinct nature-inspired, quirky, and curvy architectural gems. And there are many of them throughout Barcelona. Most of them are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Travelers who visit Barcelona for 1 Day ensure that they stay at at least one of Gaudi’s architectural sites. In most cases, this turns out to be Sagrada Familia.
But there are more! Park Guell, Casa Batlló, to name a few.
It takes time to explore and understand the background of each one of these, and the architectural pieces deserve your time for that. Hence, clubbing too many of them in one day will be sheer overwhelming and must be avoided under all circumstances.
Do yourself a favor and stick to a maximum of 2 Gaudi attractions in one day.
Related post : Tips for visiting Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
2) DO NOT get into any conversation regarding Barcelona’s political atmosphere.
Ahh! The Great Catalonia Debate. This topic is a sensitive one and must be avoided under all circumstances.
Political protests in Catalonia are pretty much standard these days.
However, It is unlikely you will land up amidst any political protests.
Also, it makes sense not to talk about the political atmosphere while speaking to locals.
3) DO NOT call Barcelona ‘Barca.’
Barca is the short form of FC Barcelona, the football club. It is not a short form of Barcelona city.
So. Be aware and mindful, and don’t be that traveler who uses ‘Barca’ interchangeably.
4) DO NOT drink Sangria only
You read that right.
It is a fact that Sangria, the fruit-infused red wine, is one of the most well-known Spanish drinks and arguably the most ordered one when in Barcelona.
But then, don’t restrict yourself only to Sangria. There’s also Cava to try out while in Barcelona
What is CAVA?
Cava is a traditional method Spanish sparkling wine produced mainly in the Penedès region of Catalonia. It can be either white or rosé.
5) DO NOT spend too much time at the beaches in Barcelona
Barcelona has a 4.5 KM long Mediterranean coastline and has several good beaches. But it is not the typical beach destination.
The Catalan capital has so much to offer that’s unique to the city that spending a long duration on the beach doesn’t make much sense unless you plan to spend at least 7-8 days here.
Also, avoid La Barceloneta beach, although it is closest to the city center. It is an artificial beach created during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and we found heaps of trash which was not a cool sight at all!
6) DO NOT spend too much time at La Rambla unless in the morning
La Rambla in Barcelona is one of those famous streets globally that has celebrity status.
And for the right reason!
This 1.2 KM long street going from Plaça de Catalunya to the Port Vell marina of Barcelona exudes a multicultural vibe that is just so appealing.
The area is also well-known for street performers, being one of the entry points to the well-known public market of
La Boqueria, the monument of Columbus, and even a Wax museum!
You can feel the true and unique vibe of Barcelona here.
But, owing to its immense popularity, the street and the surrounding area are heavily overcrowded. There are chances you may bump upon ten different people from 10 different nationalities.
The best time to visit La Rambla is morning before the crowd starts pouring in.
7) DO NOT go for First Sundays
Many people suggest visiting some of the well-known attractions on first Sundays.
But I have a different opinion.
Freebie Sundays have their pros and cons.
If the travel budget is really tight, then this might be an option to save some money.
But it is overly crowded and something you must avoid in these exceptional times.
The choice is yours!
b) Barcelona Travel Tips: The Dos
8) Plan your trip keeping the holiday calendar in mind
So, Barcelona has summer holidays, bank holidays, Easter holidays, and several other holidays like any other country in the world.
While one or two holidays will always be part of the overall travel planning, it is going to save you a lot of time (and unpleasant surprises) if planned rightly in advance.
For Eg: Every visitor to Barcelona wants to take a peek at the La Boqueria market. But it is closed on Sundays.
9) But tickets online in advance
Gone are those days when people used to stand in queues to grab a ticket for the attraction.
Nowadays, online tickets are available, and it is recommended to get the tickets booked online.
Moreover, tickets for some of the most popular attractions get booked by at least two months in advance. An advance booking of tickets will ensure a lesser wait time at the site.
To make sure you’re fully prepared for your visit to Sagrada Familia, check out my post on tips to visit Sagrada Familia
10) Explore the neighborhoods of Gothic Quarter and Gracia
My favorite amongst all travel tips for Barcelona!
As much as Barcelona is well-known for football, Gaudi architecture, beach-side vibe, and is an amazing cultural hub, the spirit of Barcelona is best enjoyed while walking the streets of some of its neighborhoods.
It would take several days and months to explore all the neighborhoods of the city, but if you are short on time, then Gothic Quarter and Gracia are the must-visit places.
If you are staying in one of these neighborhoods (there are several AirBnBs for that authentic local feeling), it is an added advantage because a portion of your daytime or evening time can be well spent here without travel.
Gothic Quarter is the historic center of old Barcelona and is best explored on foot. It is well-known for tall architectural buildings standing tall donning the narrow streets.
Barcelona Cathedral is located here, which is a significant tourist attraction. The area is also known for trendy bars and some of the best restaurants in Barcelona.
Gracia neighborhood is the home to Park Guell, one of Gaudi’s architectural gems. It is a great place to stay and experience Barcelona. The area is quiet, can be explored on foot, is home to several theatres & art houses, is close to most of the Gaudi sites, and is a great place to experience local food.
If you are looking for an excellent place to stay in Barcelona, Gracia should be topping the list.
The neighborhood also has its festival called La Festa Major de Gracia – this 7-day festival in August is an open-air festival on the streets of Gracia neighborhood. The roads adorn festive-look with ornate decorations, music performances, and more.
11) Do watch a Flamenco Dance show
Watching a Flamenco Dance show in person is often a Bucket list item for many.
Flamenco dance is an integral part of Spanish culture characterized by Spanish dance, flamenco guitar playing, singing, and colorful costumes. It has years of history attached to it, and there are several theories behind its actual origin. Some say it originated from the Andalusia region of Spain and mixture several different cultures and lifestyles.
Flamenco performances are full of emotion and explore human feelings like love, pain, passion, joy, and much more.
Watching a Flamenco show in Barcelona is a great way to deep dive and get a slice of Spanish culture.
Note: One of the locals advised that Flamenco shows in Barcelona are not that authentic given that it is more of Andalusian origin as opposed to Catalan origin.
We had a short trip to Seville in the Andalusian region but didn’t have enough time to watch a Flamenco show there.
Our experience with the Flamenco dance was good in Barcelona!
There are several guided tours available for Flamenco shows in Barcelona.
12) Do Visit Barcelona Aquarium if Traveling with kids
A visit to Barcelona Aquarium is a must if traveling with kids.
Barcelona Aquarium is one of the largest and educational aquariums in Europe and also the wealthiest aquarium in the world for Mediterranean fish. It has an 87-yard-long underwater tunnel where you can see the sharks from the right, top and left side, which is a fantastic view.
There is also a small water body right at the exit to feed small fish in feeding bottles. This is one of the cutest activities that kids are surely going to love.
The aquarium has an amazing souvenir shop where the souvenirs are themed based on marine life.
When we last visited Barcelona, it was Easter time. So the aquarium authorities designed an Easter-themed treasure hunt where we followed a route to discover the Easter eggs. The clues led us to some of the most notable marine lives within the aquarium. It was lots of fun!
13) If possible, club your visit with one of the festivals in Barcelona.
Barcelona’s festival calendar is always full! The city knows how to celebrate its culture, and clubbing your visit with a festival will ensure you experience the festive spirit ranging from music shows to carnivals.
Some of the well-known festivals in Barcelona are:
Barcelona Carnival: Celebrated between February and March. It typically includes events like parades, floats, dancers in elaborate costumes, street parties, and so on.
Check out the website for more details on the Barcelona Carnival.
Música als Parcs : Love outdoor music concerts? Música als Parcs provides you the same. Hear free jazz, blues, and classical music in city parks
When: June to August
La Festa Major de Gracia – A 7-day festival in Gracia district where streets of the neighborhood set up festive decorations and celebrate the heritage and history of the neighborhood. The neighborhood also hosts music shows, art exhibitions, parades along with food stalls.
Check out more details on La Festa Major de Gracia
When: August
14) Use the Barcelona Metro and T-casual ticket
Barcelona’s metro system is reliable and frequent.
Grab T-casual tickets applicable for metro, bus, and tram.
The T-casual is a public transportation ticket that is valid for ten rides.
Note: There is no UBER in Barcelona.
15) Go for a day trip
One of my ‘must’ Barcelona travel tips will be to take a day trip from the city.
Catalonia region has the perfect blend of natural beauty, architectural gems, and culture that are ever-inspiring to get a flavor of this Spanish region beyond Barcelona. From medieval villages to mountains and beaches, there is something for everyone in this region.
If you are staying in Barcelona for more than two days, then a Day Trip from Barcelona must be added to the itinerary.
Three of the most accessible day trips from Barcelona are:
i) Montserrat
Montserrat boasts of unique natural beauty with a chain of natural rock formations soaring through the sky and providing spectacular views of natural surroundings. The monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat is located on this mountain.
Montserrat will attract you whether you are a nature lover or a curious pilgrim.
ii) Girona
The historic walled city of Girona in the north of Catalonia recently rose to fame for being the location of several scenes from Game of Thrones.
Girona also has one of the best-preserved Jewish Quarters in entire Europe.
Most of the attractions in Girona are centered in the Old City, and that portion of the city is vehicle-free, making it a very comfortable experience for travelers.
It is the most accessible day trip to take from Barcelona (35-min high-speed train journey)
The best way to explore Girona is to go for a guided tour from Barcelona.
These tours are always led by knowledgeable tour guides. Also, if you have planned the entire Barcelona trip by yourself (like we did), it would be a breather to leave this part of the trip to some experts and take care of your transit and tour 😊.
iii) Madrid
The Spanish capital can be explored from Barcelona cruising on a high-speed train. It takes 3 hours to reach Madrid by train.
Go for a city tour of Madrid for some of the major attractions like the Prado Museum, Bernabeu Stadium, and more.
It is best to go for guided tours to make the most of your time in the city.
Visiting Madrid from Barcelona will consume an entire day. Hence, opt for it only if you are in Barcelona for four days or more.
16) Take a food tour
Let’s move on from Paella and Sangria and make an effort to get to know a little bit more about Other Spanish food (and drinks).
(Btw, Paella became our comfort food while in Barcelona. We found it similar to a non-vegetarian version of Khichdi from India)
A food tour takes care of this, and you get to sample delicious food and drink from across Spain with a knowledgeable local guide.
The best part of a food tour with a local guide is that you get to taste food from family-run businesses as you get to hear the history & tradition behind the dishes and fascinating stories around them.
Most of the tours are also designed to get to taste the food while also walking through and getting to know more about the historic center of Barcelona.
It is an amazing experience and must be on your list of things to do in Barcelona.
We went for a 3.5-hour food tour, and that became one of the highlights of our stay in Barcelona.
17) Try Tapas
A Tapa is a snack or appetizer in Spanish cuisine, and Tapas is a collection of savory dishes in small portions.
Tapas are an integral part of Spanish cuisine and culture and are usually served alongside alcoholic beverages.
Trying out Tapas while in Barcelona is a way to explore the local gastronomic scene.
The best tapas are often served to stand in a crowded and smoky bar. Make your way through and let the bar staff know what you want. In many tapas bars, the options on offer are displayed inside glass cabinets, which helps select the ones.
It is a mind-boggling task to select which Tapa to order. In such cases, ask for help from the waiter/waitress.
We were part of a food tour and hence were observing the scene 😊
18) Go for a free walking tour
One of the best ways to explore Barcelona is to take a free walking tour. Barcelona is a city teeming with history and hence several old backstreets and areas are inaccessible by vehicle. It is best explored on foot. A walking tour ensures that you get more context about the surroundings.
Well, a free walking tour is not entirely free.
You have to pay a nominal booking amount (3 euros) and book your tour in advance.
19) Be aware of pickpockets
Cases of pickpockets are rampant in Barcelona. So, be aware and mindful of your surroundings and belongings.
We had a very unfortunate (and scary) experience in Barcelona.
This incident was something that had taken us back! I, my husband, and my son were coming out of a restaurant. My husband was checking Google Maps on his cell phone while walking, and suddenly a young man came up and started talking about where we are from, if we love Messi, etc. And even before we could react, he snatched the gold chain from my hubby’s neck and ran away!
20) Adjust meal timings
Food is an essential part of life in Barcelona (and Spain too), and a local culinary experience is a must.
The major meals of the day are a bit late compared to many parts of the world – Breakfast timings range between 8 AM and 11:30 AM, Lunch between 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, and dinner between 9:30 PM to 11:30 PM.
In India, we have a similar meal timing. So, it didn’t make any difference to us.
However, if you are from a part of the world where meals are served earlier, you will need to reset the time.
Given the repertoire of unique food experiences awaiting in Barcelona, it would not be a difficult thing to do!
21) Enjoy musical performances at Palau de Musica Catalana or admire its stunning architecture.
Palau de Musica Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a fantastic piece of architecture. The craftsmanship, colors, and details are no less than extraordinary.
If you are a music enthusiast, attending a concert can be a memorable experience. This stunning concert hall hosts some of the most talented musicians from Spain and beyond. You can also watch Flamenco dancers, singers, and musicians.
Even if you do not attend a music show, a simple tour of this facility will be something memorable. There are guided tours available that can be booked directly from their website.
B) FAQs – Barcelona Travel Tips
Barcelona is generally considered a safe destination for travelers. However, there are rampant pickpocket and snatching incidents that the city is known for too!
Exercise caution and be mindful while making the most of your time in this charming city.
Choices are plenty. Gracia is a good district to stay. It is quiet and provides a peek into the local life. It is also in proximity to several Gaudi attractions.
The next option is to stay near Placa Catalunya.
Some prefer to stay near Sagrada Familia, and that’s a good option as well. There are several friendly hotels in this area, and it is well-connected via metro to other parts of the city.
A minimum of 3 days will be required in the city. The more, the merrier!
Public transport (metro, bus, FGC) is the most convenient way to travel in Barcelona. There are several travel cards available that make the life of travelers easy. Barcelona is a very walkable city, and sometimes bikes also are comfortable city exploration partners.
C) Wrap up: Barcelona Travel Tips
It doesn’t matter if it is your first or tenth time in Barcelona. The city is ever-inspiring, and a little bit of preparation beforehand goes a long way for a memorable travel experience. I hope these tips for traveling in Barcelona will set you up for.
