Every tourist makes a few mistakes when traveling to a new city. Barcelona is no different. While most blunders are easily overlooked or forgiven, there are a few that can ruin your trip. To help you enjoy all that Barcelona offers, we’ve compiled a list of the most common mistakes people make when visiting the Catalan capital.
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Expecting to see all of the city in a few days
Barcelona is a big city, with lots of sights to see. But don’t expect to see all of it in just a few days. It’s better to make a list of the things you know you want to do and do those well, rather than attempting to see everything at once (and possibly missing out on your favorite activities).
There are many great attractions in Barcelona: Gaudi architecture, modernist buildings, museums, and art galleries—the list goes on! To make sure that you get the most out of your trip without spending hours traveling between places or stressing about how much time there is left before the next tour starts, consider planning ahead so that your day has structure. For example, plan activities for the morning and evening (when museums are often less busy), then go for lunch somewhere close by so that you can take it easy for an hour or two before resuming sightseeing in the afternoon. Or take advantage of having some downtime by taking an excursion outside the city limits; many travelers recommend visiting Montserrat Monastery as an effective way to break up their stay in Barcelona while still getting plenty done during their visit!
Going to the beach late in the day
It’s true that in the afternoon, the beach is full of people and you may feel like there isn’t enough room for you. However, this is the perfect time to go! The beaches are empty before noon and will remain so until about 4:00 p.m., when everyone goes back home for siesta time (the Spanish equivalent of taking a nap). You can enjoy your leisurely lunch without feeling rushed or like someone’s going to steal your spot on the sand. Plus, if you do want to get a tan before sunset, then daytime is best—the sun won’t burn as much at this hour because it’s lower in the sky.
Not Using Luggage Storage
This tip is intended for people traveling to Barcelona with more than they can fit in their suitcases. If this sounds like you, it’s probably time to start looking into luggage storage Barcelona options.
Luggage storage has become a popular option for those who don’t want to take their bags along with them on the trip or cannot carry them throughout their journey without any hassle. The facilities offer safe and secure services at reasonable rates, making them the ideal solution for anyone who wants an easy way out of carrying around heavy items without having too much weight on their shoulders (or, in this case, under their arms).
Many travelers choose these options when planning their trips because they’re easy and convenient; however, there are also many others who opt not to use these facilities because they simply aren’t aware that they exist!
Sticking to tourist traps for dining and drinking
This is an easy mistake to make and one that can be easily remedied. Just ask a local for advice about where to go for dinner or lunch. You’ll usually find that the best places are within walking distance from the tourist hotspots, but not in them.
For example, if you’re looking for a great Spanish restaurant, try searching online or asking your hotel concierge—if they’re good at their jobs, they’ll have some recommendations ready for you when you arrive in Barcelona. If not, no worries; just ask someone on the street (or at least someone who looks like they might speak English). It’s as easy as asking: “Where should I eat?” The locals will know all of these places by heart—and oftentimes, they’ll recommend the place that isn’t so crowded with tourists!
In addition to finding top-notch restaurants away from tourist traps (which tend to overcharge), it’s important not to be afraid of trying new things when traveling abroad! Some of the best dishes are those that you least expect to be delicious.
Only visiting the famous landmarks
This a common mistake that tourists make when traveling to Barcelona is only visiting the famous landmarks, such as the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and Casa Batllo. While these are important sites you should definitely see, they’re not the only places worth visiting in Barcelona. In fact, if you strictly stick to visiting these landmarks during your trip, it will feel like you missed out on all of what makes Barcelona so great!
To get a more well-rounded experience of this beautiful city and its people, don’t neglect the rest of your time there. Get lost in the streets; let yourself get distracted by fascinating sights along your path that may have nothing whatsoever to do with what other tourists consider “must-see” spots; stop for some tapas at any little bar down an alleyway; take lots of photos from different angles—by trying something new every day and taking time out from sightseeing for local experiences, you’ll meet more locals (and find yourself enjoying them even more) than if all you do is visit monuments alone all day long!
Don’t make these common mistakes while visiting Barcelona
Hopefully, you won’t make these same mistakes while traveling to Barcelona. If you can avoid them, you’ll have a much more enjoyable and authentic experience in this wonderful city!
