Local Tips to Exploring Barcelona

This month Travel Massive launches in Barcelona Spain! We’re excited to dive into the charm and culture of this old city. To introduce us to Barcelona and everything it has to offer we went to Barcelona locals and new chapter leaders Dalia and Edwina for tips on what to do and why their city is worth exploring.

1.     What makes your city unique?

Edwina: Barcelona has everything – beach, city, nightlife, great food, lots of cultural traditions and events going on, and of course great weather. It’s big enough to never become boring and at the same time small enough to still have a community feeling to it.

Dalia: It’s  also a stylish city with a fascinating mix of Spanish and Catalan cultures.

2.     What surprises people most about Barcelona?

Dalia: I think a lot of people are surprised by how much there is to learn about Catalan culture. From the castellers to correfocs and calçotadas, You can discover new traditions all the time.

3.     Any myths or misconceptions about culture in Barcelona?

Edwina: People seem to think everyone takes a 2-3 hour lunch break here to go home and take a siesta. Sadly, none of the companies I’ve worked for here has given me a 2 hour lunch break.

4.     Is there a social, political or environmental issue at the heart of Barcelona which people want to drive change to?

Dalia: Action around Catalan independence is ongoing, but recently tourism has become Barcelona’s hot topic. The new mayor is cracking down on hotel construction and other accommodation for tourists.

5.     What is the best travel tip for visiting your city?

Dalia: Buy tickets in advance whenever you can, including Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, the Picasso Museum, the Palo Alto market or a movie screening, it’s a good idea so you can skip the queues and make sure you get in.

6.     Best local food or restaurant?

Edwina: Can Recasens (Rambla de Poblenou 102) has an awesome menu focused on traditional catalan charcuterie & cheeses. It’s basic food, but very high quality and the place is usually packed with locals. If I fancy tapas, I’ll go to El 58 (Rambla de Poblenou 58), who offer the classics with a bit of a modern twist and fresh, seasonal produce. My favorite Catalan food tradition is the Calçotada though, a massive barbecue event with the highlight being grilled calçots, a type of sweet spring onion with a red pepper & almond based dip.

Dalia: Edwina is queen of Poblenou! I live in Sant Antoni, so in my neighbourhood I recommend Rekons (Comte de Urgell, 32) for vermut and empanadas. If you can get invited to a calçotada, that’s definitely an experience.

7.     Best local drink or bar?

Dalia: I’m still deciding on my favourite bar – there are lots I have yet to go to. My most recent favourites are Robadors 23 (on Robadors, 23) and Gypsy Lou piano bar (Calle de Ferlandina, 55) for their live music.

Edwina: This may sound weird but Vermouth is becoming really popular again here. It’s a Sunday lunchtime tradition, and you can find Vermouth in pretty much any neighborhood corner bar. My local go-to vermouth place is Esperit de Vi (Calle de Joncar, 3).

8.     Best local neighbourhood to explore and why?

Edwina: Born is full of history, shops that have been there forever (check out the chocolate and pastry shops!) and nice bars & restaurants.

Dalia: I really like Raval, which is much cleaner and less dangerous than it used to be. It’s edgy with just the right amount of grime and graffiti.

9.  Best local festival people should experience?

Edwina: La Merce is coming up, a week long festival celebrating the patron saint of Barcelona. There’s everything from Correfocs (firework runs) and human tower contests to free concerts with well known bands.

10.  Best cultural tradition?

Edwina: I’m a huge fan of the Castellers, human tower building groups. It’s a community event where everyone gets together and build a human tower or pyramid, in the middle of the street.

11.  Best spot to get off the beaten track?

Dalia: Sant Antoni, where I live, is becoming trendier by the day but is not yet as well known as Gracia or Raval. It used to be where the factories were but now it’s residential and neighbourly with a lot of new bars and cafés to discover. It has a book market on Sundays and a ton of brunch places.

Edwina: I live in Poblenou, and absolutely adore my neighborhood. It’s not as flashy as Borne, but has more of a local feel to it and the Rambla de Poblenou with its many terraces is the best place in Barcelona for a Sunday lunch with friends or family.

12.  Best time of year to visit and why?

Edwina: Avoid August or late July. June and September are the best times.

13.  Are their any helpful words or lingo in the local language we should know?

Dalia: Some Catalan phrases: Merci! (Thank you) Adéu (Goodbye) Tot bé? (All well?) Això no pot ser! (That cannot be!)

14.  What is your favourite go-to travel website or blog about your city?

Edwina: Barcelona Metropolitan, especially their weekly newsletter with event listings.

Dalia: When you live in Barcelona. Not the most useful site, but it’s funny.

15.  Any favourite travel apps for travelling your city?

Dalia: Wallapop for buying and selling second-hand items or event tickets.

16. Anything we should know?

E and D: Yes! Come join us at our inaugural Travel Massive Barcelona event on September 30th!

In the City is a monthly series that profiles a unique Travel Massive city around the world. Connect with Dalia and Edwina on Travel Massive or join the new Barcelona chapter for updates on their upcoming event.