Essential things to know before arriving in Barcelona

What to know before arriving in Barcelona?

‍Remember to check the weather, be careful with pickpockets, buy tickets for attractions in advance, and look for public transport cards.

‍

Is Barcelona worth visiting? Of course, it is! If it is your first time in Barcelona, we can proudly tell you that Barcelona is a vibrant city that perfectly merges Ancient with Art Nouveau.  With a rich history, culture, and arts, the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona, is renowned for its gorgeous architecture, beautiful Mediterranean coastlines, and the FC Barcelona⚽️. Barcelona will give you an unforgettable experience that you won’t regret.

So if you plan to travel to Barcelona, don’t miss this blog where Mate App will provide you with the essential things to know about Barcelona.

‍

What is Needed to Enter Barcelona

Before traveling to Barcelona, it’s important to ensure that you have all the necessary documents and necessities. If you plan to stay for a long period, then the Spanish NIE will be required. Moreover, no matter how much time you spend in Spain, ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in Spain. Moreover, Spain belongs to the Schengen Agreement, allowing visa-free travel for up to 90 days for those countries who signed the agreement. And for countries that didn’t sign the agreement a Visa will be required, remember to apply earlier as it might take some time.

Weather of Barcelona

If you’re wondering when to go to Barcelona, the weather is an important factor. Barcelona enjoys a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters. During summer, Barcelona’s temperature can soar up to 30ºC or higher, if you visit Barcelona during these times, then the beach is a very popular destination. During winter, the temperatures rarely go below 5ºC, so it won’t be freezing cold. Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather and are ideal for exploring the city. But as we can see, Barcelona has quite good weather all over the year so it's worth visiting during the whole year.

‍

Languages at Barcelona

Do people speak English in Barcelona? The answer is that the majority of people can communicate in English as Barcelona is an international hub but, the official languages in Barcelona are mainly Catalan and Spanish. When visiting Barcelona you’ll notice that street signs, menus, and public information are often in Catalan, Spanish, and many times in French and English. While many locals speak English, learning a few phrases in Catalan and Spanish can enhance your experience. Some easy words that you can use while visiting Barcelona are:

• Hello: Hola (Spanish and Catalan)
• Thank you: Gracias (Spanish)
• Goodbye: Adéu (Catalan)

‍

Mind pickpockets

A common question that many of you might have: Is Barcelona safe to travel? Like many other major tourist destinations, Barcelona’s pickpocketing occurs on a regular basis. I remember once I was looking at the metro map and a thief tried to steal from me even though they failed. So if you’re going to visit Barcelona, especially crowded areas such as La Rambla and popular tourist sites then be careful with your belongings. It doesn’t mean that you’ll be robbed, but is always good to be more cautious, so to avoid pickpocketing we recommend you put your bag in front and be mindful of your surroundings.

‍

Buy tickets in advance

When having vacations in Barcelona you’ll probably want to visit some of the most famous architecture there, such as the Sagrada Familia or the Park Guell. But these attractions often have long queues, especially during peak tourist seasons. Therefore, a very useful Barcelona travel tip that we have for you is to book tickets in advance through their official websites. Moreover, here are some must-see where booking is highly recommended:

1. Sagrada Familia: Gaudí’s masterpiece, the iconic basilica is a must-visit if you’re visiting Barcelona. Still under construction but still breathtaking with its beauty and details.
2. Park Güell: The Park Gúell is another of Gaudíes creations. This park is full of colorful mosaics and incredible views of the city, following Gaudí’s unique style.
3. Casa Batlló: Designed by Gaudí, and located at Paseo de Gracia, is a modernistic building famous for its dragon-like roof and whimsical design.
4. La Pedrera: La Pedrera or Casa Milà known for its forms inspired by nature, is also an iconic work by Gaudí in his modernist phase.
5. Picasso Museum: If you’re a Picasso lover, then you must visit the Picasso Museum, home to one of the most extensive collections of artworks of Pablo Picasso.
6. Camp Nou Experience: For football fans, when traveling to Barcelona, visiting FC Barcelona’s stadium is a must.

Barcelona’s beaches

A must-go when visiting Barcelona is obviously the beaches from there. The most famous beach in Barcelona is La Barceloneta, other beaches are the San Sebastià beach and the Bogatell Beach. But at Mate App, we would like to recommend Gavà Beach, 17.4 km away from the city center. With stunning views, clear water, and good equipment, is one of the favorite beaches for locals, you’ll love it if you go there!

‍

Eating time

When visiting Barcelona is important to know the hours when people eat launch and dinner. A fact about Barcelona is that meals are typically enjoyed later than in many other countries. Lunch is usually served between 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, while dinner often starts around 9 PM or later. But as Barcelona is a major tourist destination, many restaurants have adopted a more diverse timeframe so you won’t need to be very worried about eating when traveling around Barcelona. Therefore don’t miss trying out some traditional local foods such as paella, fideuà, Crema Catalana, and seafood dishes.

Public transport card

Most of the famous must-visit places in Barcelona are located at the center or nearby, by some are not that near, therefore choosing Barcelona’s public transport is one of the most efficient ways to visit Barcelona. If you’re planning to stay for more than one day, you can buy the Hola BCN! card, which offers you unlimited travel on the metro, bus, tram, and trains within the city. Or buy a 10-ride card at the metro station.

‍

Getaways near Barcelona

If you’re planning to visit more places around Spain after visiting Barcelona then it is really a good idea as you can easily reach other popular Spanish destinations by rain or any transport you prefer. Here are some popular surrounding destinations:

• Costa Brava (around 150 km from Barcelona): Must-visit if you’re a fan of beautiful coastlines, picturesque beaches, medieval villages, and delicious Mediterranean cuisine.
• La Cerdaña (around 150 km from Barcelona): If you like hiking, skiing, and cycling, then visit Cerdaña and see its breathtaking mountain landscapes located between Spain and France
• La Comunidad Valenciana (around 350 km from Barcelona): The autonomous community that includes the provinces of Valencia, Alicante, and Castellón has a lot to visit. Valencia is actually the third-largest city in Spain and is renowned for the famous Fallas festivals and for being the birthplace of the traditional Spanish dish, Paella.

At Mate App, we hope that you can have a pleasant journey when visiting Barcelona and enjoy the most with these travel tips for Barcelona. And if you want to meet locals in Barcelona, read our blog about “How to Meet Locals in Barcelona”