Air travel has made the world so much more accessible. From New York City, you can travel to hundreds of destinations around the world, including London, Dubai, Sydney, Shanghai, and Reykjavik. But one country that continues to be popular amongst American travelers is Spain; in particular, Barcelona. If you’ve been before but want to return and experience the real Barcelona away from the hustle and bustle of tourists, this guide should help you…
Learn some Spanish
Okay, so let’s start with the obvious one. The more of the language you know, the easier you’ll find it to navigate the city without relying on help – or your smartphone. Before you next book a trip to Barcelona, take some Spanish classes or download a language app to pick up the basics, and challenge yourself when you’re there by heading to the La Boqueria Market to stock up on food for your dinner. It’s crazy how quickly you pick things up when you try.
Stay with friends
If you’ve got friends living or studying in Barcelona, consider spending some time with them. Not only will you enjoy free accommodation, but you’ll have helpers on hand to teach you the basics of Spanish and give you some pointers on the best places to visit for food and drink. Of course, you should offer them some money or pay for their meals to say thanks for their hospitality, but it sure beats staying in a hotel and gives you some more flexibility on travel.
Hire a guide
Another way to experience the city is to hire the best private guide Barcelona has to offer. It can be tough to separate the wheat from the chaff, so we recommend researching online before you travel and booking any tours, excursions, and experiences in advance. Not only will this guarantee a high-quality tour when you get there, but it means you can plan your itinerary beforehand and make the most of every minute you have in the city. Nonstop fun!
Stalk social media
If you’re obsessed with Instagram, then use it to your advantage when planning your next visit to the city, and be sure to save your favorite snaps for inspiration. Sagrada Familia is naturally one of the most pictured spots in the city, but there are hidden gems such as La Pedrera, whilst Sant Pau Recinte Modernista is perfect for some authentic Spanish selfies.
Move there for a month
If you’re lucky enough to work for yourself or are studying, consider moving to Barcelona for a month and immersing yourself in the culture. It might be overwhelming at first, especially if you’re used to getting your groceries from Walmart and sitting in front of the TV every night, but you’ll soon step out of your comfort zone and can start trying out new foods, meeting new people and becoming a real Catalan! Who knows, you might decide not to go home!?
Whatever you’ve got planned for your visit to Barcelona, we wish you the very best of luck. Say “yes” to every opportunity and make memories that will last a lifetime. Save travels.
