Barcelona - 10 Things That Shock Tourists about Barcelona, Spain
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- čas přidán 17. 05. 2024
- Heading to Barcelona and not sure what to expect? Well here we go through some of the typical tourists surprises that travelers and tourists bump into when they visit the European Beach capital Barcelona. From pickpockets, to cava, to parties, and more. The best fun tourists information you can use to enjoy Barcelona.
Filmed in Barcelona, Spain
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Went to Barcelona back in July and it was the most incredible place I have ever been to.
Agree. going back in a week.
have you visited italy?😅
We spent Christmas last year (2021) in Barcelona. If you are not looking for hot, beach weather; it's a wonderful time to go. There were relatively few tourists; and the evening we went to the Gothic Quarter, it was almost vacant. It felt so ancient and imposing when we found ourselves alone in a square or on a street there. One day, we walked from La Sagrada Familia to Parc Guell (be aware, it is mostly uphill), and loved passing locals - old couples walking hand-in-hand, friends sitting outside a coffe shop, and families out and about. Christmas day was very comfortable (16 or 17 C), and we spent the afternoon at the beach eating paella and walking around. We had great hotel accommodations at a reasonable price and relied on public transportation to get around. I am so grateful we got the real flavor of Barcelona without the tourist hordes and highly recommend it.
Went to Barcelona several years back and you are spot on about the laid back, no hurry mentality. As an American, that will really test you. But I could get used to it pretty quickly. Also, be prepared to be completely overwhelmed with the Sagrada Familia. It’s beyond breathtaking! I stood in the main atrium area and wept, literally wept because it was so beautiful.
I fell victim to a pickpocket in Madrid some years ago. They operated as a pair but I managed to grab one of them by the collar. I yelled for help and contrary to your account of police indifference in Barcelona, the police in Madrid actually came to my aid. I guess they were surprised that I actually did their job of arresting a criminal. People gathered around us cheered as the pickpocket was forced to the ground by the cops and handcuffed.
Anywhere there are a lot of tourists.... you will find a lot of pickpockets... and I don't think the police in Barcelona is as indifferent as the guy in the video is saying... If a police laughed at me when telling him about a crime, I would sue him...
Most beautiful city in the world 🥰
Glad to see an updated version of this!
Thanks for another great video mark! I'm Part Mexican and know Spanish perfectly so Spain has always been on my bucket list so maybe I'll go 2024 🙌🏻
Just came back from my recent first time visit. My impression, very cool and chill City. A big city like London but less cut throat mentality, and more laid back.
Surprised how clean and efficient the underground tubes are (comparing it to paris, which is yuck).
People are friendly and chill. For translation I used Apple translate, specially conversation feature, try it out it’s pretty good)
Hotel I stayed was SB diagonal, it’s a nice hotel.
Place is as expensive if not less than London.
Thank God didn’t face any pick pockets, but still always be careful specially in touristy big cities.
Yes and a lot of tourist.
As a local guy born in Barcelona, regarding the Sangria and cava thing, i think our best beverage is wine. Catalunya has lots of wine fabrics and it can be very cheap too.
On the beaches side, I would recommend taking the trains in Sants and go to beaches around barcelona like Castelldefels or El Masnou to find less people.
Hope that helps, glad you enjoy my city :)
I was just there in October for the first time and enjoyed it so much! I did not feel I needed to know Spanish/Catalan to have an easy experience. One "shock" for me was the kitchen hours at restaurants. Our stomachs were off the Spanish clock, for sure. Many kitchens don't open until 7pm or later (open for drinks, tho. Meaning, you won't be eating dinner until 8pm. The local crowds come at 10pm. Also, the stores stay open later and there are night markets!
I loved the international vibe. Like one commenter said, it is like San Francisco, people-wise, but with better weather and architecture.
Yeah, if you want dinner "American time," go to a fast food restaurant or a tapas bar
Nice meeting you today in Andorra! Thanks for the pics
Awesome video
While the Segrada Familia and Casa Batlló are not to be missed many fail to visit the Palau Güell which is just as interesting.
Your Video came out the day after we got back from Spain! I wish we’d seen it before. I guess we got lucky with our hotel, the K+K Picasso, the staff was all fluent in English & very helpful getting tickets & other things. I had boned up on my Spanish though. Love your videos, just wish we had this one a few weeks ago!
I went to Barcelona and wanted to practice my Spanish, but came back home with better English.
Never been in Spain. It is definitely on my bucket list. Meanwhile I enjoy it through your videos. You just got a new subscriber!!!!
Great content, thank you.
Just got back from a 10-day stay in Barcelona and loved it! It's my new favorite city! Loved the tapas and enjoyed walking everywhere and enjoyed Mercat de Boqueria..just wow! I didn't care for cava or ? Vermuth... I'm definitely a sangria person.
It was our first time to Spain so did everything touristy and was fun. I was shocked at how claustrophobic I felt at Sagrada Familia but loved touring La Pedrera.
Tip:. Have some coins/cash on you because we paid to use bathroom at Mercat de Boqueria. Also, wear your crossbody bags and put your hand on top of it in the Metro and city busses and you'll be fine. Loved Barcelona!
You missed the "Sangría cava"... it's a sangria which instead of wine uses cava as main... really delicious... In Catalunya we are not really great fans of red wine sangria...
As a resident of Barcelona I have to disagree with the idea that you need to know Spanish to have a good experience here. I think Barcelona is the most “English-friendly” city in southern Europe. Definitely way more than Rome, my hometown.
What i think he means is that when US\UK people who can't speak anything else comes to spain it's a bit difficulty for them sometimes not that spanish people can't understand them more like they will mix up english and spanish and that can be a bit tricky (i know on the islands english is really bad were i lived a couple of years tho i think that's what he means).
Yeah I didn’t have much trouble in Barcelona. But then I also speak some French, and grew up in the American southwest and absorbed some Spanish by osmosis.
I am going in January how busy is it in that month and how is the temperature ?
Lisbon is even more, but Barcelona is pretty English friendly too.
That is true. Everyone I met spoke English there. I do speak Spanish but my wife doesn't, and that was no issue
I love Barcelona so much
great stuff, professor! i wouldnt be surprised if you posted a video from the Antartic within 24 hrs. Wormholes, anyone? 👍😁
"Have your wallet in your front pocket"
It actually surprises me how many men keep their wallet in their back pocket. I'm a lifelong front-pocket guy, and I never had the natural compulsion to put my wallet in my back pocket. I forced myself to try it out a few times, and it felt physically uncomfortable. I don't get why this is so common.
Same here. It hurts my back when I sit on my wallet
Agree, it’s just not an option for me.
Now I know I'm not alone!!
Even in your front pocket, a pickpocket will take it and you won't notice... they are real artists of the craft. I recommend you to have your wallet somewhere you can close with a zip, and if you're wearing a jacket, a zipped pocket in the inside part.
Just got back. Wear comfortable shoes! Explore all the back allies in the Gothic quarter, felt very safe in daytime. Taxis seemed reasonable. Stay hydrated, many convent markets.
This is the land of Cava and wine. Catalan wine is really good.
Vermouth also, very traditional
Mi Barcelona....best city on earth
You should go back to Gdańsk and do a video. I just got back from a 3 week trip and it’s my most favorite European city. I planned on going to Spain next year.
Summing up all video: Barcelona is a crazy city :D
“Pack a lot of patience” is a classic Mark phrase. Lol
I was shocked with all the graffiti. But I tell you I enjoyed Barcelona it had great food, friendly people, and the sites I seen are beautiful. Definitely would recommend it.
A shock you can get without visiting: did you know The Alan Parsons Project made an album called Gaudi in 1987? Barcelona is definitely on bucket list for the Gaudi architecture, hope to get there next year. Last I heard La Sagrada Familia was scheduled for completion in 2026 though I wouldn't be surprised if Covid set that back. Thanks Mark!
❤❤❤❤❤
Barcelona is my favourite City. I love the place. You're absoliutely correct about the crime aspect, but you just need to be street wise about it. Take heed of all of the advice about your belongings and don't freek out about it. Enjoy your stay... The atmosphere there is fantastic. I don't agree about the comment about the language. I only speak English and have never had a problem with communication there. I've been about 7 or 8 times. Looking forward to going back.
I live in Barcelona for 56 years now... never got pickpocketed... I guess it's a combination of self-awareness we all have knowing the place, and that pickpockets will always target tourists as an easy prey.
Been there a few weeks ago without speaking spanish and it wasn’t really a problem, I’m french ans also speak a bit of italian so yes i can understand a bit of spanish but a lot of people were speaking English or doing there best to be understand by tourists.
(Oh and if you’re going to « el raval » by night, just remember the 2 first shocks of the video, especially if you’re a woman and/or you “look like a tourist”)
But beside that great city.
Calling Gaudí a Spanish architect sounds so wrong 😅. He was a Catalan nationalist and was even arrested for refusing to speak Spanish once.
Now some things i feel are missing. First of all is about spots like Palau de la Música Catalana which is impressive or the Hospital de Sant Pau modernistic building easily reachable by foot from Sagrada Família by Avinguda Gaudí. Plus t'he Búnkers del Carmel
Now about Sangria and Cava yes both you can drink no problem but we have WINE! And olive oil. Try those !
I don't think people will fancy a cup of olive oil... but I get the idea .. haha
Pickpockets are a big problem nowadays in Barcelona, specially in the city center and El Raval neighbourhood. Also the streets are quite dirty and poorly preserved. Most of those who live here agree that the last six to seven years the city has been plummeting 😢
that is sad to read... :(
That's what tourism brings normally... more tourists... more criminals... it's something that has to be dealt with, but nothing new on any touristic city
Was planning a barcelona trip in the next weeks but I think I have changed my mind after this video. Having to fight off pick pockets seems like a stressful time
I have been here for the past 4 months and never I have ever been pick pocketed or came close to it. If you are no flashing your phone you will be fine
How is the safety in hostels? Is there a way to travel cheap there while being safe? Sorry for all the questions
You don’t exactly have to fight it, but always stay alert. Don’t get distracted by mustard or petitions. Keep your head up and eyes open. Don’t put valuables down like your phone on a table. If you take a backpack off to tie your shoe, keep arm through one of the straps. Some people wear backpacks on their front instead of back. Use locks or even twist ties on your backpack zippers. It’s not always about being Fort Knox. It’s just about being harder to get than the next person. Ladies should keep purses on their laps at restaurants and never on back of chair. Most of this isn’t difficult stuff but requires new thinking and habits. Mark has other videos with tips about protecting yourself that you can search. Again, stay alert. Enjoy whatever travel you do.
@@korneliusparker536 there is no fight at all.. .just a little self awareness... pickpockets will always go for distracted people... just be aware of your belingings at all time when you walk through a crowded place like Les Rambles. Put your backpack in front and don't have valuables in your pockets (they're really artists, you won't notice)... but don't worry about any kind of violence or confrontation... they will run away if they try to pickpocket you and see you've noticed.
I watched your video and are reconsidering going to Barcelona. Crowds, pickpockets, lack of English being spoken. If we go there what is the shortest time necessary to really see the Gaudi church and house. We are going in March so maybe what you reported in not likely.
Trust me don’t bother going eveything that’s lovely about it is ruined by the racism, and constant PICKPOCKETS absolutely shocking
So Barcelona is basically the Paris of Spain...
Catalan Art Nouveau architecture might even match it
@@nicholasphelps3872 match it? Barcelona overpasses Paris in architecture ... been in both places
Fab city
The "manana" pace is something you find all over Mexico and Latin America as well. It drove me nuts while living in Mexico.
In fact, I think that living life a little more layed off is much better... In the US you get to a restaurant and all they care about is to serve quick, get the money quick and kick your arse out as soon as possible to get another customer... In Spain, you can take all the time you need in a restaurant.. nobody is gonna push you to finish, pay and leave... for me it's much much better
A great hotel in Barcelona is Cool Rooms Barcelona. Great price and great location. Kinda of hidden away in Gothic Quarter, good value, great staff, and nice rooms for about $120 per night. For restaurants, a fun place was El National. Huge food court, but not fast food at all. about 5 nice restaurants to choose from. I lived about 100 miles away and when my family would visit, we'd go to Sagrada Familia, but went to Sunday morning mass, so it's free. Spent a lot of time in the city when I was young and into nightlife. Can't be beat. Watch out if you don't look Spanish and don't speak the language. Luckily I'm Mediterranean looking and speak Spanish. Spanish people ask me for directions! LOL So. Cal. Native.
El Nacional is a very very very touristic place... not bad at all, but really expensive compared with other places with similar quality but not that touristic. Also, the placement in Passeig de Gracia makes it even more expensive ;)
Hmm...doesn't seem like my kind of place, though I'm sure I'd love the history and architecture. I prefer laid-back, less crowds, friendly and calm.
Just visit in low season, like for example february ...
Yep they all speak english in Barcelona. The only issue that really bother me is pickpocketing that happens everyday anywhere in the city, mostly by the young people, teen kids
I was shocked at how incredibly hot it was in summer. Miserable actually.
Yep... one of Barcelona's dark secrets... humidity!! haha.. people talks about Andalucia with their 45c, but 35c in Barcelona with our humidity can be even worse... this year we hitted 39c in the city center, but the sensation temperature was over 45c
Barcelona is definitely much cooler than Madrid, which I also enjoyed, but there are sooo many tourists it’s crazy. I’m here in the off season it’s still packed. Madrid had tourists but probably 1/4 of Barcelona. Couldn’t imagine in the summer.
The two Gaudi house museums are awesome and worth seeing, BUT what will shock you is how much they charge for admission!!! Amazingly expensive.
Actually there are three. One is in a different, more conspicuous neighborhood and they charge about half of what the ones in Paseo de Gracia do
@@ebarteldes I must have missed the third, then. But I’m certainly glad I did the other two.
@@StamfordBridge Yeah its kind in a middle of nowhere neighborhood. Good, cheap restaurants nearby tho
@@ebarteldes I did walk around quite a lot of Barcelona so it’s possible I was near it at one point. Which neighborhood?
@@StamfordBridge Its called Casa Vicens, in the Gracia neighborhood but not on the main avenue. Carrer de les Carolines, 20-26,
Great place.. had a great time but there was a strange smell .. maybe the sewers were blocked
Being a coastal city, and specially in the old, narrow streets of Ciutat Vella, when it rains there it can smell bad there.
Drunk tourists peeing don't help either...
Pickpockets are NOT exclusive to Barcelona. In all big cities one has to be aware of what can happen.
Someone in London tried to steal the watch off my wrist. I got mugged in Dublin, Robbed in Rome, my Aunt had her handbag pulled from her hands in Rome.
Number 11 that will shock you: how cheap the local beer, Estrella Damm, is in every mercat in the city. It's like .65 cents per or like 4 EU/6pack. Really delicious and smooth beer and you may pay up to 8 EU per beer if you're buying them in the club, but there's even always dudes with coolers selling them for 1 EU each so that's what we'd do in between new places.
If you get out of the most touristic areas, at a normal bar in a local neighborhood will cost you around 1.5€ for a cold frozen estrella dorada bottle. In the city center they are much more expensive .. about 2 or 3€ depending on the place .. or as you say as much as 8€ in a club.
Pickpockets are a serious problem not just in Barcelona, but all over Spain. Be especially careful on busses and public transportation
Pickpockets are a problem not only in Spain, but in any touristic city... go to Prague and you will see...
you lived in Argentina and yet still shocked about "mañana"? Barcelona feels like NYC compared to Buenos Aires lol. But yeah, apart from that I agree with everything else. Enjoy my city!
When I was in the US navy in the 1970s, we were in Barcelona for two weeks. Franciso Franco was still running the country and every young man was in a uniform of some type, some with Wehrmact style helmets. The following year, Franco was gone and there were riots on the Ramblas, cops were shooting hard rubber balls at people, water cannons and tear gas. The next time, things had quieted down with the new king, Juan Carlos now in charge. The last time I was there in 1979 it had become a very liberal place in comparison to 1975.
In his book, Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell, he called the Sagrada Familia the ugliest building he had ever seen. I have very fond memories of Barcelona and in the 1970s it sure wasn't over run with tourists like it is now.
All scams start the same way someone comes up to you. Never and I mean never take advise or help from sone one who comes up to you. You don't have to be mean just say no thank you or if lost tell them you are waiting for someone. You CAN go up to someone and ask for help and someone who is working is your best choice. After I learned this one rule I've never been scammed again.
Thank you very much for this wonderful explanation and introducing of this crazy city. I like your videos👍 and your American English accent is very nice🌹and understandable🙂. You have a good speechsound and you make it good with travelling things✨. I appreciate your work on it👌. See you next time again🙋! With best✌️ and lovely wishes 💕 stay all the time healthy🍀and happily😁because the life is really short to live🤔🙄. Bye for now 🤗🕊️
Name: Sami ( means; highly respected personality ) a male name
Family name: Kara ( means; 1. Black, 2. Darkness )
From: Simav ( KÜTAHYA )🏞️
Country: Turkey 🇹🇷
I am not muslim !!! I am Christian and I LOVE JESUS CHRIST FOREVER !!!💘💖🌠🌌
Sorry to bother, but guitar ans flamenco as background is Not from Catalonia, are from South Spain, ir maybe Madrid, there are more flamenco in Madrid than Catalonia, is better to use , light rock, or other, one , besides that, very accurate, I been in Uruguay and Barcelona, and agree, with your experience and advices
It's not GAudi, but GaudÍ, with the accent in the I, not the A.
You can get your pocket picked pretty much anywhere.
I got my wallet stolen on the sidewalk of Brompton Road in front of Harrods in London.
I was wearing a suit and a guy bumped into me and stole my wallet.
Luckily I had left most of my £££ in our rental flat and I was able to cancel my cards without any problems.
this music is for sevilla or madrid or whatever, but most definetly not barcelona...
A few years ago we spent three days in Barcelona. Found it uninteresting, no desire to go back. Like most cities in Europe - just visit it once and cross it off the list.
Lots of English speakers catering to tourists though. They don’t speak Spanish either, they speak Catalan which was strange.
I found a hotel for under 100 US dollars a night - booked quite early, I must say (This was October 2022). Bare bones: crappy wi-fi, no refrigerator, decent but overpriced breakfast. No cable TV either (same in Malaga in 2018) - if I wanted to watch a Barcelona FC game on TV, I had to go to a bar. It was in a decent enough neighborhood close to a school and a public swimming pool.
Watching games in bars is x10 fun!
Who carries their passport around with them all the time whilst on holiday/vacation?
You shouldn't
I hate when foreign people talks about that "mañana" attitude and the time it takes in bars and restaurants... I've never waited more in a restaurant than the times I went to another country... I guess it depends a lot on the place, but not the country...
You cannot talk enough about the scam artists on La Rambla! Esp the American gal with the suitcase telling you she needs cab fare to the airport.
Back in the day (early 90s) my mate and I got stuck in one of the towers of the Sagrada Familia when the staff went on siesta and shut the power off the to elevators. Rather than panic we just went out on one of the bridges, made ourselves comfortable, and smoked a joint. A couple hours later we heard a guy calling up to us, telling us he had forgotten we were up there, apologized profusely and then walked us down through tourist-forbidden zones of the building. Probably one the coolest things that has happened to me on a trip.
Speak Catalan, not Spanish and drinks, food, everything comes a lot faster. Regardless your mangling of Catalan, wait staff (heck, everyone) will show their appreciation for your efforts.
I once described Barcelona as being like San Francisco - but on acid. It's a city that should not be missed.
First
bah... i 'll get you yet... :)
I’m Irish from Dublin and I live in Barcelona, I totally disagree with lots of these comments. I’ve lived in London , Milan and I feel very much at home in Barcelona. Beautiful city people very friendly. But my only criticism is , sometimes when I ask a local a question in Spanish they respond in Catalan . I don’t speak Catalan .
Normal, Catalonia ( and Basque Country) have a independentist movement (90% no problem but 5-10% don´t want speak spanish, only Catalan)
I would speak to you in English. I’m a Catalan.
Quant portes aquí?
When I was in Barcelona, I was shocked how rude the people were, the food was terrible and the beaches were dirty, the sand was horrible and not nice to walk on. Coming from a small Baltic country, I thought that such a famous place like Barcelona would something great, but no. The only thing worth seeing there is the Gaudi architecture. But if you want a nice time, I always opt for Rome instead.
LOL... Rome is dirtier than Barcelona for a long shot!!! never visited the beach at Rome, so I can't tell /sarcasm off
@ i never said it was cleaner
@@Roberteeteawell you were saying Barcelona is dirty, then said you prefer Rome ... so, there's the comparison
@ I said, the beaches were dirty. They expect people to walk with no shoes on that?
@@Roberteetea the city beach is not the best... locals normally move to South or North some kilometers where the beaches are much cleaner and nice...
Visited back in May and my shocks:
1. The city is one of the most overrated cities.
2. The food is not good.
3. Prices are low.
4. Agree on the lack of English.
How many days do you think I should stay there since I am going in January ?
@@southcoastinventors6583 3 days will be more than enough.
Totally agree with you on numbers 1 and 2
Definitely don’t need Spanish or anything in Barcelona, people speaking Dutch, German, French everywhere
I was shocked by the fact that all women at the beach were topless!
I mean… did you end up in the nude beach? Definitely not “all women” are topless on the regular beach.
Bring empty wallets and put fake money it. Let them steal it.
Doesn't seem very nice to me...
stop puting spanish guitar music with Barcelona. It has nothing to do with us.
You are a tourist
Please not with flamenco music.That is not catalan tradicional music at all!
It ez like to put sardanas in Sevilla!
Unfortunately such a beautiful city, but the worst place on earth for pickpockets. Skip this tourist trap. Go to Madrid, Valencia, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Alicante, Murcia. AVOID Barcelona. It's so ruined by tourism that the locals can't even afford to live in the city anymore because of the air bnb infestation. Again, beautiful city, ruined by tourism.
Good to know. I hope to get to Barcelona and all of these. And Toledo.
You pay taxes in Catalonia? You pay the cop's salary? No? They don't work for you
Actually, if you buy anything in Catalunya you are paying VAT and other taxes like city taxes, hotel taxes, etc. So... even tourists help boost the tax base
#11 it is incredibly boring. I’ve been 4 times -unwillingly- and it is boring after the first time.
He's really not very complimentary about Barcelona. Rethinking our visit.