What you should and should not do in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the most popular destinations for city trips in Europe. Not without reason: the Catalan capital with its approximately 1.6 million inhabitants is a real gem. Here are ten things you should know when traveling to Barcelona.

1. Take public transportation: Like any big city, Barcelona has to deal with a lot of car traffic. Even on the way from the airport to the city, you can be stuck in traffic jams with a cab or rental car. The fastest and most relaxed way to explore the city is by local trains, subways, and buses. The network is a bit confusing for visitors at first. But with a route planning app like Google Maps, you can quickly find the right connections.
2. Buy a Public transport ticket at the airport: The Hola Barcelona card for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days allows you to use all of Barcelona’s public transport as often as you like. For most tourists, this should be much cheaper than buying individual tickets over and over again. And you can also use it to get from the airport to the city center.
3. Just look at the Sagrada Família: Barcelona is Antoni Gaudí’s city. The Sagrada Família Cathedral is the architect’s great masterpiece and a must-see for visitors to the city. All the other Gaudi sights you don’t necessarily have to see, especially not from the inside. Entrance fees are typically very high and the queues are long. Use your time in Barcelona more wisely.
4. You want to go to the Barri Gòtic: The most beautiful district of Barcelona is the Barri Gòtic. The narrow, winding streets between the beautiful old houses invite you to stroll and explore. On one of the small squares, you can wonderfully enjoy an espresso or even a cold beer. And highlights like the gothic cathedral are just around the corner. As well as some famous art museums.
5. Moco and Miro instead of Picasso: Art fans will also be happy in Barcelona. The Picasso Museum is particularly well known. However, the scope of the exhibition is manageable and not every work on display is really impressive. I recommend going to the Moco Museum right next door, where you can see works by artists such as Banksy, Basquiat, Keith Haring or Damien Hirst. The Miro Museum at Parc de Montjuïc is also recommended.
6. Parc de Montjuïc instead of Park Güell: Park Güell by Antoni Gaudí is considered a major sight in Barcelona. Yet it is actually not much more than a beautifully landscaped park with some architectural highlights. Masses of tourists flock there. Save yourself the entrance fee and rather visit the public Parc de Montjuïc. This beautiful park on a mountain in the southeast of the city offers some highlights, quiet places to relax as well as impressive views over whole Barcelona. The best way to get to the park is with the funicular and your local transport ticket.
7. Nova Mar Bella instead of Barceloneta: If you are in Barcelona, you also want to spend time at the beach. Barceloneta, right next to the marina, is one of the most famous beaches, but it’s also pretty crowded. You should rather go to one of the beaches further north like Nova Icaria, Nova Mar Bella or Llevant. Also, a trip with the local train to Badalona can be worthwhile. The beaches there are really beautiful.
8. Book tickets online beforehand: In order to safely enter museums and other attractions at a specific time and to avoid long waits, you should buy tickets online before your planned visit. It’s best to do this a few days in advance, so tickets aren’t already sold out that day.
9. Eat well and cheaply: Compared to other major European cities, prices in many restaurants in Barcelona are still reasonable. It is best to inform yourself about surrounding restaurants, the offer, and the prices via Google Maps. If you want to save money, buy delicious empanadas for a few euros or go to one of the larger supermarkets. There you can find sandwiches and salads as well as hot take-away food like burgers or pizza.
10. Always take good care of your belongings: There are many pickpockets in Barcelona, especially targeting unwary tourists. Passports, plane tickets and cash are best left in the hotel safe or in a safe place in your room. When exploring, always take only what you need and keep it safe in a pocket on your body. Hold your cell phone in your hand instead of carrying it in an open pants or jacket pocket.

I hope my tips will help you have a great time in Barcelona. For me, it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.