Barcelona is a picturesque city that attracts tourists from around the world with its beautiful beaches, stunning architecture, delicious cuisine, and vibrant culture. However, Barcelona has not always been a huge tourist destination. Before the 1992 Olympics, Barcelona was not a well-known location for many tourists. City planners made a big effort to revitalize the city and spur tourism, which has succeeded to an even greater extent than was originally envisioned. Many parts of the city are still undergoing major adjustment to tourism, and many tourists falsely believe Barcelona is like other cities in Spain. To best prepare for the unique city of Barcelona, here’s what you need to know before you arrive.
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Culture and language differences
Many tourists in Barcelona are understandably not aware of the political climate in Spain, but it is especially important in Barcelona. Barcelona is the capital of Catalunya, one of several Spanish regions where a language other than Spanish is spoken. Most people in Barcelona understand Spanish, but much of what you see written throughout the city will not be in Spanish. Even if you are well studied in Spanish, if you do not know Catalan it is worth downloading Catalan on Google Translate. Beyond the language, pro-independence ideology in Catalunya is very common, and you will see flags supporting Catalan independence instead of Spanish national flags. These cultural differences are very meaningful to many of Barcelona’s citizens, and they’re significant to keep in mind before arrival.
Public transportation
Are you only visiting Barcelona for a couple of days, but don’t want to spend a fortune on cabs to get to all the places you want to see? Well, the city’s public transportation system has much cheaper deals than you’d expect! For example, individual passes with 10 total trips can be purchased for 11 Euros, which will be far easier than using taxis for a few days. Metro passes have varying options depending on your length of stay as well. You also won’t need to worry about only having access to the metro or buses, Barcelona’s metro passes will work on any public transportation (with a few exceptions in specific locations). The public transport is very extensive, so you won’t need to worry about long walks out of the metro.
Food and etiquette
As an American, Barcelona’s emphasis on fresh foods was very surprising when I first arrived. Fruits and vegetables are going to be much fresher than what you are likely used to. I recommend going out of your way to get tomatoes and olives, which are both regional produce of high quality in Catalunya. Bread is also going to have much fewer preservatives than in America. Restaurants also operate differently than in America. Tips and taxes are generally priced into the original price, so no extra calculations needed! However, water will not be automatically served at restaurants like it would be in America.
Safety
Barcelona does not have the same gun violence problems that America has. However, there are still some safety concerns you should be aware of. Because Barcelona is such a big tourist destination, conventional tourist scams and pickpocketing take place somewhat frequently. In busy tourist locations like Las Ramblas, be aware of your surroundings and don’t absent-mindedly leave your phone in your back pocket. People offering free things on the streets mostly will not actually give them away for free.