A Barcelona survival guide for newcomers
As you know, we are huge fans of our city, but that doesn’t mean we don’t see the not-so-cool stuff it has. Our aim with this blog post is to get you away from it so you can avoid tourist traps and end up going to places you should just definitely give a pass to.
That said, grab a pen and write these 12 commandments down:
First.
We know eating a paella for the first time might be a big thing. If that is the case, make an unforgettable memory by eating a delicious one. In order to do that, please, do not eat the first overpriced frozen paella that comes your way. There’s a rule of thumb for buying paella in Barcelona: if you see a paella stock photo being advertised in a restaurant, you gotta run and don’t look back!
When fancying a paella, we recommend you to go to any of the following places in Barcelona. This is not advertising, just personal preferences. We went, we ate, we recommend them to you:
Give them a try and let us know!
Second.
Walking down in Ramblas can be nice (sometimes), but eating there is definitely not. Be ready for expensive food, low quality, too crowded and way too many pick pocketers. Paying a visit to La Boqueria market is a must if you have never been there, but if you want to eat out, there is a little place we love nearby which is called Centric Bar and it is a good choice if you want to try tasty and affordable Catalan food.
Third.
Let’s stay with Ramblas a little longer. Our third advice for you is that you save some money and don’t buy souvenirs there. Generally, souvenirs there are lousy, bad quality and stereotypical. Also, and at the risk of sounding too obvious, know that since Spain and Mexico are two different countries, you should not, under any circumstances, buy a Mexican sombrero as a souvenir from Barcelona.
In case you feel like buying cool and original stuff for friends, family and for that lover you have overseas, here are the places we have picked:
Fourth.
If you are into swimming in the sea or just suntanning, you can find a good beach outside Barcelona. Even though our beloved city has a beach, truth is there is plenty of beautiful ones in Catalonia which are cleaner and less crowded. In case you don’t have time to go to Costa Brava, you can just take the train and within less than an hour you will find cozy beaches and a much more relaxed ambiance. Gavà, Garraf and Ocata can be good choices for you.
Fifth.
Sardanes, and not Flamenco, is the local dance in Catalonia. We are sure there are interesting flamenco shows in Barcelona, but you will find better ones in the south of Spain, which is where Flamenco is from. Any city or town in Andalucia will do. When in Barcelona, stick to Sardanes. You can go see this typical dance on Plaça de la Catedral. Also, don’t miss the chance to see a Castellers show.
Sixth.
Sangria or Cava? Ah, decisions… Good news is you can have both in Barcelona. However, truth be told, many of the sangrias you will be offered in Barcelona can be hungover-producing ones, since the alcohol used is normally quite cheap. So, if your motto is “when in Barcelona, do as locals”, you should give a try to Cava, the Catalan version of champagne. Nevertheless, if the tourist in you is screaming for a sangria, you can have a cava sangria, which is a win-win option. Don’t say we don’t make your life easier.
Seventh.
Don’t expect everyone to speak English. Learning survival phrases in Spanish will be of a great help in case you cannot find anyone who speaks English in Barcelona (which might happen with older people).
Eighth.
Sagrada Familia is even more crowded than you imagine. Don’t make a rookie mistake by not booking the tickets before sightseeing. Having the tickets in advance will help you organize your trip better so you don’t lose your precious time waiting in a cue. Save that time to drink a glass of wine in Born.
Nineth.
Not leaving Barceloneta – La Rambla – Gothic Quarter is a big mistake. Barcelona is a diverse city in which you will find very different neighborhoods and ambiences. If you want to see how locals go about their daily life, you will need to go further out from the city center. Visit Poble Sec, Eixample, Gràcia, Sarrià…and you will see the real Barcelona.
Tenth.
Bearing in mind that you are not in a Baywatch episode, at the exact moment that your feet don’t touch the sand in Barceloneta, you shall dress appropriately, which implies putting a shirt or some plants on. This practice comes with a triple positive effect: you will not be fined; you will not be so easily targeted by pick-pocketers and you will not suffer from third-degree burns.
Eleventh.
Don’t support illegal tourist flats. Don’t rent any illegal tourist flat because you might have some problems at your check-in. Just so you know, in Barcelona it is illegal to rent your flat to tourists without the required license from the local authorities. For that reason, if you rent a flat, always check if they are operating within the law using this tool. In case they aren’t, look for another one or rent a room in a hotel.
Twelfth.
Finally, and as our 12th commandment: do not leave your belongings unattended. Barcelona has an increasing robbery rate and it is highly recommendable that you take special care in terms of protecting your valuable items. We don’t want to scare you, but as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
We hope our pieces of advice will be of help for you and you have the best time in Barcelona. Feel free to ask us anything you want and send us your comments. We will be happy to hear from you.
Your friends. Also, your lawyers.