What you should avoid doing in Barcelona

How many guidebooks have you read about Barcelona? The main monuments of Barcelona, things you must see, places you have to visit, but do any of them warn you about what not to do? 

That's what we're here for, to prevent you from committing some of the biggest sins you can do when you visit Barcelona. Things that you might not even think about, but that keep you from having the perfect visit to the Catalan capital. 

Join us in this guide to the things you should avoid doing when you start your Barcelona getaway, here we go.

What you should avoid doing in Barcelona

Barcelona is a very touristy city, one of the most visited in Europe, and as such, you're going to find many people wanting to go, do and visit the same things you do. But the big difference is that you'll do better than them, because you'll follow our guide of mistakes to avoid.

Live Barcelona

First and perhaps most importantly, live, see, smell, taste and feel Barcelona. So, with all your senses and all your attention. The reason seems as obvious as the advice itself; Barcelona is hidden in every corner of the city, from a small square to the Sagrada Familia.

With this we want to tell you to live in first person the experience of visiting a city as amazing as Barcelona. Don't make the mistake of living it through your photos, your videos or what you upload to Instagram. Leave your mobile phone to call home from time to time to say you're fine, take some photos, but don't live through it.

And while we're on the subject of sightseeing, be aware of what you want to see and how much time you have. Don't make the mistake of thinking you'll have time for everything. Make a realistic route or itinerary, taking into account time to enjoy the place or monuments, stops to eat and rest.

Live Barcelona like a local

This means don't shout from the rooftops that you're a tourist. You don't need to let everyone know you're visiting, so try to blend in with the locals.

This will help you have a more real experience, from sightseeing to eating. For example, you don't need to carry half of all your belongings with you at all times. Relax, go light and enjoy the tour.

Another tip, go to eat avoiding the big crowds of tourists, don't go where everyone else goes, go where a local would go to eat. And if we're talking about food, forget the food of your city or country, immerse yourself in the local food, let yourself go and enjoy new flavours and dishes.

Getting around Barcelona

As we have already said, experience Barcelona, and the best way to do so is on foot, mingling with its people, monuments and narrow streets. So forget the taxi, you don't need to take one for every journey.

If you think you can save time by using one mode of transport, then use the metro. Barcelona has a fantastic metro and bus network, punctual and well communicated, so make use of it.  We don't need to remind you to wear comfortable shoes, do we? You come here to walk.

Don't let the heat win the battle

No matter how hot you are, don't do it. Don't let yourself win. Keep your shirt on. Don't make me sound like your parents, but it's true. Avoid the hottest hours, using them to rest or to be on the beach, but not to walk the streets of Barcelona. 

We're not just saying this because you can get sunburnt, but also because of the fine you'll be fined for walking around the city without a T-shirt on.

Monuments of Barcelona

If we combine the words monuments and Barcelona, the first thing that might cross your mind is the Sagrada Família. No objection, it's an obligatory stop. What is not so obligatory is queuing up to buy tickets. We recommend you book them online.

And, by the way, don't make the mistake of visiting only the most famous and touristy sights. Barcelona is a great work of art on display in the street, available to anyone who wants to enjoy it. As well as looking for the great buildings and big names of the city, remember that there is much more.

Casa de les Punxes, Casa Amatller, the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau are just some of the buildings with unique architecture and history that you should see.

Watch out for your purchases

Although this tip could have been added to the ‘behaving like a local’, we wanted to highlight it by creating a section of its own. If you don't do what the other tourists do, if you don't eat where the tourists eat, why shop where all the tourists shop?

La Rambla offers a myriad of shops and places to buy souvenirs and souvenirs, but of course, you're also paying for the location of the shop. If you walk around, you'll find that there are more shops nearby, a little further away with a similar product and a lower price.

Avoid staying in the best accommodation in Barcelona

Avoid spending your getaway in Latroupe Poblenou if you don't want to sleep in the trendiest neighbourhood with the best facilities in the city and feel at home with the best international atmosphere.

Poblenou is the trendiest neighbourhood, the coolest, the trendiest and the one with the best accommodation in Barcelona. This avant-garde neighbourhood is the safest, with a very dynamic life, fantastic communications with the city centre, lots of things to discover and the best beaches in the area.