Why Go To Barcelona
Barcelona has the authentically historical as well as the strange. From the beautiful pathways of the lively Park Guell to the romantic alleyways that are Barri Gotic and the beachside nightclubs, to the city’s dozens of holy churches and architectural wonders The city that is situated is a seaside town that seems to appeal to all kinds of people such as the adventurous, the couple, the party-goer or the person who loves culture and much more. It’s an array of activities to enjoy. You can stay for a couple of days, however, you’ll likely require a whole week of time to experience the city.
In Barcelona even the beach is a hive of activity however it’s the city’s vibrant city that receives much of the focus. The majority of the action is concentrated around the Las Ramblas which are a set that is a series of narrow roads and alleys full of restaurants, nightclubs and a vibrant pedestrian market. It is also a good idea to explore Antoni Gaudi’s most famous works. Gaudi is the architect behind landmarks such as Casa Mila, Casa Batllo and La Sagrada Familia. Also, don’t forget to take a look on the diverse and exciting retail scene in the area, and its delicious food and wine.
Rankings
It is the World Report travel rankings are based on an analysis of user and expert opinions.
- #1in Best Places to Visit in Spain
- #1in Best Places to Visit in March 2023
- #5in Best Family Vacations in Europe
- #5in Best Places to Visit in Europe
- #6in Best Places to Visit in May 2023
- #12in World’s Best Places to Visit
Barcelona Travel Tips
Best Months to Visit
The ideal time to travel to Barcelona is in May through June when the warm temperatures of the mid to low 70s mix with a myriad of celebrations which celebrate the arrival of summer. In reality, summer is arid with humidity and people depart the city in large numbers to find a refreshing breeze other. They return for autumn when temperatures dip back to 70 degrees. It is a mild winter compared to the other Spanish tourist destinations with temperatures at or near the 50s. Even though visiting in the spring months may be a smart option to avoid crowds, April is a month of frequent showersthat could make a huge impact on your plans to visit (most of Barcelona’s most popular tourist attractions can be enjoyed in the outside). Remember that regardless of the time of year you go to Barcelona, you’ll encounter tourist crowds. Barcelona is the city with the highest number of visitors in Spain.
How to Save Money in Barcelona
- Gorge for lunchIf you have your main lunch at noon You can make a profit to lunchtime savings by purchasing the Lunch Menu del Dia (Menu of the Day) which typically is a cheap and tasty three-course dinner. A similar meal at dinnertime costs much more.
- Avoid eating in tourist areas.Eating areas such as Las Ramblas are notorious for offering mediocre meals for a price that is exorbitant. Avoid the crowded areas to find a better option for less.
- You can stay in an apartmentCut lower food expenses through renting apartments (rather than the hotel) which allows you to shop for groceries and cook your own Catalan food.
Culture & Customs
Barcelona belongs to Barcelona is part of the Spanish Province of Catalonia which makes its culture slightly different from that you’d find at Madrid, Seville or Granada. The main difference you’ll notice is the Spanish language. In Barcelona the city of Barcelona, both Spanish as well as Catalan are officially recognized languages. It is important to understand the fact that Catalan is not an indigenous language that is a dialect Spanish. The language originated of Latin during the reign of the Romans some tens of thousands of years in the past. In Barcelona you’ll find street and road signs that are both Catalan and Spanish and also on menus for restaurants. This is why Barcelona people are bilingual. Don’t be concerned about being lost to two different languages. Visitors don’t need to be able to speak Catalan (the language is used in the Catalonia region, but also the Balearic Islands, Valencia and Spain, the Balearic Islands, the country of Andorra and Alghero in Sardinia, Italy), therefore, if you’re familiar with Spanish and want to improve your Spanish you shouldn’t encounter any issues with the language. But, since Barcelona is among the most popular cities in Europe it is likely that you will encounter English natives in tourist areas and hotels.
It’s also vital to remember the fact that Catalonia is an independent region located in Spain as well, and you could observe that some residents are more as Catalans rather than Spanish (the Catalonia flag can be seen everywhere in Barcelona). The reason that Catalans hold on to the Catalan roots so strongly lies in the ongoing struggle of Catalonia to protect its culture from disappearing. When Spain was first incorporated as a nation, Catalonia, which was integrated, was subject to major cultural changes after Spanish became the official language for both the literary and court. In time Catalonia was able to reinstate Catalan back into the literary world However, at the time of the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s, the nationalist dictator Francisco Franco rose to power and took over democratic Spain and severely restricted what was considered to be Catalonian culture. After Franco passed away, Catalonia was able to revitalize the language (it was prohibited under Franco) and became autonomous again. In the present, there’s an effort within Barcelona (Catalonia’s capital) to create Catalonia independent from Spain however, according to the Spanish constitution, this isn’t feasible.
Barcelona’s official currency is Euro (EUR). Because the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate changes frequently, it is important to verify for the latest exchange rate before you leave. Credit cards with major denominations are accepted at all eateries and stores. As with the other cities in Spain it is not typical in Barcelona. Based on the restaurant you go to there is a possibility that a service fee will be added to the bill. If you do wish to leave a give a tip, 10% is more than enough. Similar to the other regions in Spain, Catalans eat late and dance late. Restaurants typically are open between the hours of 1 to four p.m. as well for meals between 8 and 11 p.m. However, this does not mean all restaurants adhere by these times. Since Barcelona is such a renowned tourist spot, you’re likely to find restaurants that aren’t closed during the afternoon, between dinner and lunch So, you’ll be able to locate a place to eat when you’re hungry. For residents, dinner typically begins around 9 p.m. in the early evening and going out begins at 12:00 a.m. and the bars are open until around 5 to 6 a.m. If you’re with someone who is a Catalan at a gathering or social gathering do not be concerned should they decide and kiss your cheeks. Dos Besos (or two kisses) two kisses, two kisses on each cheek is the equivalent of the handshake or hug you receive when greeting your friends and meeting people for the first time. If you’re not comfortable just reach out your hand to greet people you haven’t met before.
What to Eat
In Barcelona, expect to find a mix of traditional Spanish dishes along with Mediterranean-infused Catalonian classics. When you visit, be sure to try Spanish classics like jamon Iberico, manchego cheese tortilla espanola (potato Omelet), gazpacho (cold soup) and patatas bravas (sauteed potatoes that are typically served with a spicy sauce). Also, since the city is bordered by with the Mediterranean Sea, you should enjoy paella in the same way. However, if you’re visiting Catalonia make sure to take a look at one of the Catalan variations of the paella. There’s the arros catalana which has many of the same ingredients as paella, but doesn’t contain saffron which is an essential ingredient of Spanish paella. Fideua is another dish that is similar to paella that has the addition of a Catalan twist, but instead of rice, you’ll get noodles.
Catalonian cuisine is awash with seafood and meat. While that might be too different from the traditional, meat-heavy food that is found in the rest of Spain However, the main difference is that Catalans are known to mix both within one meal. Mar I muntanyais the name given to this phenomenon ,so don’t be worried if eating at a restaurant, see a dish served that has shrimp and chicken on a platter. If this sounds too heavy for your taste there are plenty of lighter choices that are distinctly Catalan. Grilled vegetables are huge for a city that is devoted to pork. (Sausage is another popular item in this area. Instead of being a fan of chorizo, opt to the regional botifarras sausage). One of the most popular Catalan dishes is Escalivada that is cooked red and eggplant mingled with garlic and olive oil (sometimes mixed with anchovies) served with bread. It also includes the vegetarian-friendly and most loved pa amb tomaquetsnack that is bread filled with a mixture of garlic, olive oil along with crushed tomatoes. If you’re in town between December and the beginning of May, look for an event that cooks calcots. Calcots are a kind of spring onions that are native to the province. it’s an important Catalan activity to cook the calcots on a grill and dip them into Romesco sauce. Another pastime? wearing bibs (often covered with the calcots) and dining outside and eating calcots that have been grilled. are spread across newspapers. (If this sounds familiar that’s because it’s similar to how seafood is eaten throughout America. USA.)
Whatever you choose to eat in Barcelona Make sure you have some room for dessert. Crema catalana can be described as the Catalan version of the creme of brulee. Cheese is also served as a dessert. Mel i Matois an ice cream made of goat, drizzled with honey warm and with walnuts. Cava as well as Catalan sparkling wine is well with these as well.
Safety
Barcelona is an important tourist popular destination and pickpockets are aware of that. Be aware of your surroundings particularly when you visit the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Barcelona has a low amount of traditional crime, and tourist hot spots and metros are frequently the most targeted areas. Men must keep their wallets in their pockets in front and keep backpacks on their backs while traveling by metro. Women should also ensure that they have their purses zipped or secured as tight as they can.
Also, you should be aware of your body. A scrumptious meal and a lot of wine may make travellers sick, so be certain to control your food habits. Also, be prepared for plenty of sunshine and heat, particularly during summertime. Be sure to apply sunscreen on a regular basis and drink plenty of water.
Getting Around Barcelona
The most convenient way to travel around Barcelona is to use the Metro. There are a few colored lines that are numbered and colored weave across the city, making stops at the city’s most well-known tourist attractions and the airport of Barcelona-El Prat (BCN). City buses are another option to travel around the city, however, be aware that the ever-present traffic jams can make traveling in this manner a lengthy process. Taxis can be rented from the street, but in order to shed some calories take your trip on your own or via bicycle. It is not advised to drive.
Entry & Exit Requirements
The passport must be valid to be able to enter to Spain. It must be valid for three months after the date of departure. Tourists coming from America United States can stay for as long as 90 days without having a visa for tourism.