Your Quick Guide to Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona. The very name causes so many images to spring to mind: the dramatic and looming Sagrada Familia, with construction spanning hundreds of years; the whimsical, colorful, playground-like park that is Parc Guell; and let’s not forget La Boqueria, the one-stop-shop for all the culinary delights that Barcelona has to offer.

With a lot to see and do in Barcelona, it is difficult to know where to start. It’s a good idea to grab a hotel near the city center, either close to the very touristic Las Ramblas or just a few streets away in the trendy Born district.

Barcelona is a delight for all the senses, and you will run out of time before you run out of things to see, eat, or do. Here’s a few favorites to get you started, but one of the best things to do in Barna (heads up: the locals never call it Barca) is just wander in the charming alleyways, which always lead to a plaza.

Image Miak Flickr

Learn the (Right) Language

You’re going to have a better time in Barcelona (and this is true of every place in the world) if you can learn a bit of the language. While most of Spain speaks Castellano — their dialect of Spanish — the main dialect in Barcelona is Catalan, though you might also find information in Castellano. Yes, there is a difference, and you might be a bit surprised when you first land in the city and expect to find everything only in Spanish. Even if you’ve heard a lot of Spanish in your life, you will note a drastic difference. Use this resource to tune your ear and practice a few phrases. It will dramatically change the way locals treat and view you!

Catch a Free Audio Visual Performance Nightly

A one of a kind experience is available each week at the Magical Fountain of Montjuïc. Enjoy the spectacular water fountain display, timed to light up and truly dance in time with the music. This is something enjoyed by both tourists and locals alike — try to count the number of languages you hear around you. It’s a full sensory experience, but take note that it does not operate on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, as it must indulge in the traditional siesta.

Do Like the Locals, Eat on the Street

There’s no shame in being budget conscious, especially in a country that is being hit hard by a recession. Instead of dining at spendy restaurants for lunch you will often find families sunning themselves in every possible corner of the city gathered together eating their entrepà (or bocadillo in Castellano).

Entrepàs are sandwiches eaten on a baguette, usually with pernil i formatge (jamon y queso in Castellano) — ham and cheese — or truita de patata (tortilla de patata in Castellano) — an egg and potato omelette, and a food staple in Spain.

No matter what you choose to eat, or where you stay in Barcelona, you are sure to have a memorable time in one of the most beautiful and diverse cities in Spain.

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