Barcelona Dos and Don'ts: 10 Tips to Not Look Like a Tourist

If you're a fan of the news you've probably seen Barcelona locals spraying terrace-dwelling tourists over the summer. While that was a unique occurrence, it's no secret that Catalans are getting fed up with visitors coming to their city and disrespecting the culture. Barcelona thrives on tourism, and they love tourists who come to the city to learn, not just to have a good time. In this guide to Barcelona dos and don'ts we'll let you in on the secrets to save yourself from getting soaked by angry locals, and get welcomed with open arms instead. Here are our top Barcelona tips to not look like a tourist.

Barcelona dos and don'ts: DO

Learn a bit of Spanish—and Catalan!

Although Barcelona is an international city you shouldn’t assume that everyone speaks English. 

No matter where you’re going, you should always make an attempt to learn a few words of the local language and in Barcelona, a little goes a long way. It’s not like other places where the locals might get annoyed if you don’t speak their language perfectly (cough cough *France*). The Spanish tend to appreciate the effort you make to speak in their mother tongue and that is doubly true for Catalans.

The biggest way to win a Catalan’s heart is to show them that you know their language exists because it’s often mistaken for a dialect. A simple “bon dia” gives them the assurance that you’ve done your research before stepping off the plane, and that you’re interested in their culture, not just Spanish culture. 

Of course, you can get by with just English, but why would you want to? Sprinkle in a few words and phrases in both languages and don’t worry if you can’t tell which is which—many locals mix Spanish and Catalan when they speak. Here are some simple phrases to get you started:

“Hello”---Hola

“Thank you”---GraciasGràcies/Merci

“Please”---Por favorSi us plau

“Good morning”---Buenos díasBon dia

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes

While Barcelona is highly walkable and well connected by public transport, you’ll find yourself walking a lot, and sometimes that requires a bit of uphill. Make sure to wear good, comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather. No matter the time of year, it’s always best to dress with layers.

Many people like to think of Barcelona as a sunny wonderland but that doesn’t mean it’s always warm! It can get pretty cold especially at night, and the sharp drop in temperature after sunset always comes as a shock to tourists. In winter bring a good coat and a hat to combat the fierce winds and in summer be sure to wear a sunhat and have something to cover your shoulders. The biggest giveaway that you’re a tourist is a sunburn and a cover up will also be necessary if you want to enter famous attractions such as La Sagrada Familia. 

Buy tickets for popular attractions in advance

Speaking of La Sagrada Familia, you can’t come to Barcelona and not see inside its most iconic attraction. It’s always best to buy entry tickets before your trip. Sometimes it sells out months before, so it’s safest to go online and snag tickets long before you plan to visit.

Other Gaudi creations like Parc Güell, Casa Batllo, and La Pedrera aren’t as likely to sell out that far into the future, but if you want first dibs on a time slot then it doesn’t hurt to book before. The same is true for a tour; our walking tours, food tours, and pub crawls have quickly become a must-do in the city so book them in advance to ensure you get the exact day and time you’re looking for!

Use public transport

Sure, it’s hard to beat the comfort of a taxi but if you truly want to explore Barcelona like a local, consider taking public transport. The Catalan capital is compact and well-connected to outskirts and small towns, making the need for a car practically nonexistent. It’s super simple to navigate buses, trains, metros, and trams; the best part is that you can use the same ticket for all modes of transport.

Explore areas beyond the tourist spots

Sure, Barcelona is chock full of Insta-worthy sights and brunch spots that are trending on Tik Tok, but it's so much more than what you see on your favourite influencer's feed. It might be tempting to only see the famous modernist masterpieces on Passeig d' Gràcia or stick to strolling through the Gothic Quarter or El Born, but there are other beautiful neighbourhoods to explore. Have a vermouth in one of Gràcia's open squares, enjoy small town vibes in Poblenou, or go to a gay bar in Eixample.

Barcelona dos and don'ts: DON'T

Don’t be careless with your belongings

You’ve probably heard that Barcelona is one of the pickpocketing capitals of Europe and unfortunately, the rumours are true. And thieves have gotten smarter too, with new and more elaborate schemes to take your belongings from you.

Someone approaches you with a map? Send them to a shop to ask for directions. Someone brushes a little too close to you? It’s true that in Spain there’s no personal space but if you can smell patatas bravas on their breath, it’s best to edge away. Someone is simply being a weirdo? That might just be Barcelona, but still, if your gut tells you someone is acting strange, they might be trying to distract you so that someone else can come from behind and swipe your stuff. 

It’s always better to overreact than to assume people are being overly friendly, and hold onto your phone for dear life because even if it’s in your hand and not your pocket, people on bicycles and scooters might try to snatch it and zoom off. This is not to scare you, it’s just to make you aware that these things do happen. Fortunately, thieves are more likely to go after easy targets like drunk lads on a stag, so just be vigilant and you’ll be fine.

Don’t wear a bathing suit in public when you’re not at the beach

You might as well wear a giant sign on your head that says “I’m a tourist!” if you strut bikini-clad into the city. Yes, Barcelona has a beach, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a beach town, and it certainly doesn’t mean that you can head into a souvenir shop in El Born with your shirt off.

You can actually be fined by the police for public indecency if you’re not properly dressed within a certain mile radius from the beach. If you’re wondering how far is too far before you have to put on some pants, here's our rule of thumb: if you can’t see the sea and the sand in front of you it’s time to cover up.

Don’t eat on Las Ramblas

For the love of everything that is good in the world do not, I repeat DO NOT eat on Las Ramblas. Barcelona is full of good food; from Michelin star restaurants to tasty tapas bars, prime cuisine is everywhere—just not on the city’s most famous street.

Las Ramblas is a beautiful, slender avenue serving as the partition between the Gothic Quarter and El Raval and although it’s nice to have a stroll, avoid eating there at all costs, unless it's at La Boqueria Market of course. There will be several waiters with signs that will try to entice you but pro tip: if they have to stand outside and shout at you to eat at their restaurant, the food probably isn’t very good.

Don’t drink alcohol on the street (and yes, that includes the beach!)

It’s a common misconception that you can drink alcohol in the street but unlike other cities such as Rome, it’s forbidden in Barcelona, and can incur a hefty fine if you get caught. Now of course, Spanish police are notorious for turning the other cheek when it comes to some illegal activity because they hate the paperwork, but you never know when they could decide to lay down the law. Why drink outside anyway when Barcelona has so many incredible bars to discover? Check out world-famous bars like Sips and Paradiso instead.

Don't be overly loud and obnoxious in the streets

We know that Barcelona has a reputation as a hotspot for some of the best nightlife in Europe, but that doesn't mean that the locals should have to suffer because you want to have a good time. Keep in mind that people actually live in the place that you're visiting and that they have work in the morning or sometimes, just want to get a good night's sleep without you staggering drunk and screaming in the streets. Unless you want to get a pot of water or an egg thrown on your head, we suggest respecting the locals who live in the city before they meet you in the middle and start retaliating. Stay dry!