Though it has been a few months since I was in Barcelona last, I thought I would write about some tips and tricks I have found while traveling to this city—you might find that it’s unlike any other major city that you will really visit in Western Europe, and one of the best parts? It’s relatively cheap for what you can get.
Beware of Pickpockets
There’s a rule I learned that the deeper you delve into the Latin countries, the more you have to worry about pickpockets and gypsies, especially on the metro. Purchasing a wallet or a money carrier that you can wear close to your body can help a lot when you are worried about whether or not someone will steal your hard-earned cash. Try not to hold out any of your money or make it obvious that you have some, otherwise you might find yourself a victim of theft.
Take a Tour
I’m always a little hesitant about tours because you never really know whether or not they are feeding you the correct information or what they want you to hear! However, Barcelona has some interesting history and little bits of Gaudi’s architecture that are hidden throughout the city and can be hard to find on your own. By having someone take you around, you are more likely to discover these little quirks and works of art that make the city its own.
Tapas!
Let’s be real—one of the reasons you wanted to go to Barcelona in the first places was for the food. As a Generation Y traveler, it’s also one of the places where you will get some of the best deals in Europe. Think about ordering several plates of tapas, or appetizers. Not only will you get a great variety for about 5 euro each, but they are also manageable portions so you won’t leave a whole bunch leftover on your plate that you can’t take with you.
Lost in Translation
One thing you will immediately notice when you arrive is that many of the residents of Barcelona don’t speak “Spanish” per se. Barcelona has always been a harbor of many different languages and cultures, and so they have created their own dialect. Though you can definitely get by on your high school Spanish, reading signs and anything of length might be difficult because it is printed in Catalan. You’ll see influences from French, Italian, and even some Arabic. The good news is that even if you are confused, many Barcelonans speak English, so you should be able to find someone to translate.
There’s a lot more than these tips cover when traveling to Barcelona. Do you have any tips?