5 essential tips that will prepare you for Barcelona

Just booked a trip to the famous Catalan city? Whether you are visiting Barcelona as a traveler, for work or to study, we have you covered with some essential tips! This way you’ll be prepared for a unforgettable experience in this charming city. 

#1 Get used to the tourists! 

Barcelona offers many famous and spectacular attractions, as well as the beach and some sun. This makes the city a very touristy destination all year round. Because of this, some locations might be crowded and busy. Especially the Ramblas, Barceloneta Beach, La Boqueria Market, the Gothic Quarter and Passeig De Gracia. Be aware of pickpockets in those areas and prepare yourself!

Having many tourists in a city isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This means that you can meet people from all over the world, as well as local people. Next to that, it means that they wil understand English, which can be in problem in Spain. 

Barcelona has a lot to offer, if you want to do something calmer. You can always visit some of the secret spots in Barcelona.

#2 Watch out for traps! 

People in Barcelona sometimes take advantage of the many travellers in the city. You should avoid over-the-top expensive restaurants and cafes. You can recognise them by the big posters displayed and the menu comes often in five different languages.

Those kind of companies will most likely be catering to a tourist crowd, which means the prices will be really high compared to the quality of the food. They are especially located in La Ramblas and near Barceloneta Beach. You should also be attentive to the 24h shops that are located, near La Rambla. In some cases, they will charge you more than the actual price, just because you are a tourist. 

When finding accommodation, watch out for scammers. Make sure to receive a real contract in case you are renting and rent from a secure platform. It also helps for someone to check the accommodation out before you send them money. We will let you know more about how to find accommodation in Barcelona here.

#3 You are entering Catalonia, not Spain!

As you might know, Catalonia has declared independence from the rest of Spain. The Catalans also view their culture as unique to the rest of Spain. One of these differences is the language. Catalan is not a dialect of Spanish, but it as a totally different language. Some of Catalan’s other pride include their food, art, and the work ethic. In general, you should be careful with talking about nationality and language issues when in Barcelona.

#4 Be aware of a different timetable!

You do not have to rush, being punctual is not a number one priority here. You cannot always count on the scheduled time, one example would be the transport (especially the bus), restaurants or companies in general. If a place says it will open at 9 a.m., do not always expect it to be ready for you at 9 a.m. sharp. Next to that, get used to having very late dinners, not going out partying before 1 or 2 a.m. and having the siesta as well. Additionally, many companies are closed on Sundays (especially supermarkets) so find time to buy necessary things on Saturday. It will be possible to find open restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops near the touristy areas though.

#5 Partying does not have to be expensive!

You do not have to spend all your money on partying, you can save money from your budget and use it for food or clothing instead, what’s not to like? The city is full of budget friendly-bars, the beer is cheap and you can get in for free at Barcelona’s best nightclubs such as Opium, Pacha, and Eclipse by saying you are on the ‘Shaz guest list’ in the club entrance. You can also attend special events such as free dinners before the party, or have birthday celebrations. For all information about partying, go to the Erasmus Barcelona Facebook page. Let the party begin!

Stay tuned for our upcoming events on our website and Facebook page, we hope to meet you soon at one of our events!