As you plan your trip to the beautiful city of Barcelona, you’ll conduct plenty of research on what to see and do while you’re there (and I have my versions coming soon!). But this blog post addresses what not to do instead. You’ll see a lot of advice (in good faith) from travel blogs and influencers, and while a lot of advice on this list (and those lists) is common sense, a few may stand out for you. Barcelona was incredible, so much so, that I’m already planning my second trip back, and this time, my trip will go even smoother. Here are some of the most common mistakes travelers make in Barcelona, and how to avoid them:
Not Getting a Metro Card
My number one piece of advice in Barcelona is to NOT forget to get a Metro card designed specifically for tourists. While Barcelona is an incredibly walkable city (more on that below), the Metro system is very easy to navigate and the best way to get around the city and its surrounding suburbs. Public transportation can be daunting, but I had no trouble at all in Barcelona, and it’s so convenient. Plus, you can stay in a less expensive area of the city near a Metro station and still get to wherever you need to go. But don’t forget to validate your Metro ticket every time you travel; there are hefty fines involved if you do.
Not Wearing Comfortable Shoes
As I mentioned above, Barcelona is a very walkable city. But wherever you travel, especially in Europe, you need to bring comfortable walking shoes or sneakers. You don’t want to ruin your trip by creating unnecessary friction or blisters that make it hard to walk or get around. I don’t have a recommendation at the moment (I recently bought a pair of Allbirds that I like, but haven’t tested), but there are plenty of opinions and reviews on the Internet.
Taking Expensive Rideshares Around The City
If you’re going beyond walking or Metro distance, you might be tempted to hail an Uber or Lyft in Barcelona. However, I would suggest either finding a bus that takes you to your destination, or for something like a trip to the airport, you can call a local taxi cab through an app like Cabify or FreeNow. I exclusively used Cabify when in Barcelona when we had to go back and forth from the airport, and the process was so easy to navigate. I have more information on getting around Barcelona here.
Overpacking Your Itinerary
Whether you’re in Barcelona for three days, a week, or a month, you should not overpack your itinerary. This piece of advice feels like common sense for anywhere you travel, but even more so here. You might be visiting Barcelona as part of a greater trip to Spain, so you may only have 48 hours in the city, and you’ll be tempted to fit in everything you can. Now, I’m not saying it’s not possible, but it’s not ideal. My friend and I spent a week in Barcelona, and we still felt it wasn’t enough time. I have a list of things that I want to do on a return trip. Plan your itinerary with room to breathe and time to explore. Don’t map out every single second, and leave room for whimsy and chaos.
Not Traveling Light
Another common tip for trips to Europe is not to overpack your suitcase. If you can forego a suitcase, that’s definitely recommended. Because I was there for a week, I packed a medium-sized suitcase and managed just fine (I also knew I was bringing more things back, including a pair of vegan Doc Martens, eventually). A lot of people take just backpacks or duffel bags, but you definitely shouldn’t bring anything larger than a medium-sized suitcase. Anything bigger will make it harder to get around.
Expecting Dinner Before 8PM
Mealtimes across Spain might be different than what you’re accustomed to. If you’re coming from the United States or a country will similar mealtimes, Spain will be a bit jarring if you aren’t prepared. Stores and restaurants generally open later. There’s typically an early breakfast, a second breakfast (Lord of the Rings fans, anyone?), a late lunch during mid-to-late afternoon, and dinner after 8 or 9PM, but no earlier. We made this mistake on our first night, where we went to a pizzeria right when they opened at 7PM, and they were shocked. They also weren’t ready for us quite yet. Plenty of places may still serve you, but you may want to adjust accordingly.
Forgetting Siesta Hours
Following the note above, most people in Barcelona will take a siesta, or an extended rest, at some point in the afternoon, typically between 2 and 5PM. It can be used as an escape from the hottest part of the day, or for an extended lunch break, or just a chance to go home and do some chores, or run errands. You may go out in the afternoon, and realize that a lot of shops or restaurants have shut down. Bigger name stores and chains, cafes, etc. will likely still be open, but smaller, family-owned businesses will almost certainly be closed. Plan your days accordingly!
Expecting Stores and Restaurants to Be Open on Sundays
Similar to the tip just above, Sundays are days for rest. We arrived in Barcelona on a Sunday morning, and while many restaurants and shops in the peak tourist areas were open, most outside those areas were closed. If you’re going to be in Barcelona on a Sunday, plan your itinerary accordingly, or explore as locally as possible (or you could also get some rest).
Assuming Everyone Speaks English
This is a BIG one. Unless you know you’re going to an English-speaking country like Australia or England (and even then), you should NOT assume that everyone can speak English. It’s incredibly self-centered and privileged. You should learn basic Spanish before you go, and don’t forget to learn a few Catalan words as well. Catalan is primarily spoken, but they will likely understand Spanish as well. If you stick to the tourist areas, you will also have no trouble speaking in English, but I enjoyed speaking in Spanish. No one had any trouble understanding me, and vice versa. So many also assumed I spoke Spanish, which was a pleasant surprise. Catalan isn’t easy, but even knowing “Bon dia!” goes a longer way than you might expect it to. The locals will appreciate it. Barcelona has been anti-tourism lately, so don’t make it worse. Be kind and as respectful as possible.
Showing Up to Popular Tourist Attractions Without a Ticket
Barcelona is a very crowded city, especially during peak tourist season in the summer months. You should avoid peak travel time as it is, but you definitely should not show up to major tourist attractions without a booking or a ticket. You will get turned away, and you won’t be able to book anything for weeks out. My advice: as soon as your trip dates are confirmed, start booking the activities you know you want to do, and plan everything else around them.
Eating At Fast Food Chains
This may come across as a privileged take, and I apologize; that is not my intention at all. But Barcelona (and Spain, in general) has such an incredible, diverse food culture. Why would you eat at fast-food places? My only exception to this rule of thumb is that sometimes fast-food places abroad offer menu items you can’t find anywhere else. In that case, knock yourself out. Or, it’s a great place to eat at when you’re at the airport. Even as a vegan with a plant-based diet, I had no trouble finding food that didn’t put me in debt. I truly had a blast, and you will too with a little bit of research. If you can avoid fast food, you should.
Not Taking Precautions Against Pickpockets
As in some other European countries, Barcelona is unfortunately notorious for pickpocketing. I do believe that some of the noise is baseless fearmongering, because I never once felt unsafe in Barcelona. Even as a female traveler, even as a foreigner, even when I was on the Metro at night, I never felt in danger. Of course, I didn’t dress flashily or wear expensive jewelry, and I tried to speak Spanish and avoid doing anything to draw attention. I didn’t walk with my nose buried in my phone, and I was always aware of my surroundings. Don’t carry large or loose bags if you don’t feel comfortable. I used common sense. I do this in New York City, too, when I go in for work. As long as you’re not making yourself a target, you’ll be fine.
Is there another common mistake while visiting Barcelona that I missed? Or did you make one of these mistakes that you regret? Let me know what it is in the comments below!
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