Barcelona is a vibrant and culturally rich city that attracts millions of tourists each year. For North American visitors, it is essential to be aware of cultural and behavioral differences to ensure a respectful and enriching experience. Below are ten actions to avoid and their recommended alternatives. Discover how to enjoy Barcelona while respecting its culture and avoiding common mistakes.

See Why visit Barcelona. 9 important reasons

1º Don’t wear inappropriate clothing to religious sites

If you are going to visit religious monuments such as the Sagrada Familia or the Cathedral of Barcelona, it is important to wear appropriate clothing to avoid problems at the entrance. Avoid wearing clothes that expose the shoulders and very short skirts or skorts. Instead, opt for clothing that covers these areas as a sign of respect.

Alternative: Carry a shawl or scarf to cover yourself in case their attire is not appropriate.

2º Avoid eating at tourist restaurants on La Rambla.

Although La Rambla is one of Barcelona’s most emblematic streets, restaurants in this area are usually expensive. If you go a little further away from La Rambla you can enjoy a more authentic dining experience.

Alternative: In a city with more than twenty Michelin-starred restaurants, you have a very large gastronomic offer and all the Catalan cuisine to discover. For lunch or dinner go to neighborhoods like El Born or Gràcia, where you will find restaurants with all kinds of cuisine and more reasonable prices.

3ºDon’t neglect your personal belongings

Barcelona is a safe city for visitors, but being a tourist destination, petty theft and attempted scams can occur, especially in the more touristy areas of the city.

Alternative: Use zippered bags and keep them in sight at all times. Avoid carrying unnecessary valuables and be on the lookout for pickpockets in crowded places, such as the subway.

4º Don’t assume everyone speaks English

Although many Barcelonans speak English, it is not universal. Assuming that everyone must speak your language can be perceived as arrogant by Barcelonans.

Alternative: Learn some basic phrases in Spanish and Catalan. Barcelona locals are very appreciative of the effort and you will find the treatment is much better.

5º Forget Anglo-Saxon meal times.

In Spain, meals are taken later than in Europe or the United States. Lunch at 12 pm or dinner at 6 pm can mean that many restaurants are closed or empty.

Alternative: Adapt your schedule and enjoy lunch around 2 pm and dinner after 9 pm and you will enjoy the local atmosphere in a more authentic way.

6º Do not forget to validate your public transport ticket.

In Barcelona, it is mandatory to validate your ticket when using public transportation. Failure to do so can result in fines of 100 euros.

Alternative: Be sure to validate your ticket at the designated machines before boarding the metro or bus. Travel cards are available for 2,3,4 and 5 days which allow you to use all public transport very cheaply.

More info travel cards

7º Do not buy offensive or tasteless souvenirs.

Some souvenirs may be considered in bad taste or even offensive. Mexican hats, bulls, Andalusian dancers, wine boots …. are not typical items from Barcelona, even though some tourist stores insist on selling them.

Alternative: Opt for handmade souvenirs or local products that reflect the culture and tradition of the city, such as a souvenir of Gaudí, some nougat, T-shirts, ….

8º Taking cabs to get around the city

Barcelona is a very accessible and pleasant city to visit on foot and you have a fast public transport network that takes you to all points of interest.

Alternative: Walk through its beautiful streets and enjoy the good weather, use the metro which is fast and economical.

9º Avoid noisy and annoying behavior

Barcelonans, like most of us, value courtesy and respect in public spaces. Being excessively loud or disruptive can be frowned upon.

Alternative: Keep a moderate tone of voice, especially in enclosed places or at night, and be aware of your surroundings.

10º Don’t walk down the street shirtless

Barcelona is a city with mild temperatures all year round, but in summer the temperature and humidity due to being close to the sea are higher. It is forbidden and fined to go without a shirt on the street, even if you come or go to the beach.

Alternative: Wear cotton t-shirts and shorts during the day, it is also good to wear hats and sunglasses to protect you from the sun.

11º Don’t underestimate the distances when walking.

Barcelona is a big city and some places of interest may be further away than they appear on the map.

Alternative: Wear comfortable shoes and plan your routes in advance, as we have seen above you have a wide network of public transport with very cheap fares.

12º Think that there are few tourists and you will be able to see as much as you want.

Barcelona is a city with a lot of history and spectacular architecture that attracts millions of tourists every year who want to visit large churches like La Sagrada Familia or the Cathedral, modernist buildings like La Pedrera and other works of the great architect Antonio Gaudi, stroll along avenues like Paseo de Gracia or La Rambla, …. all this causes the need to buy tickets, queues and waiting, having to go in a hurry, etc. especially in summer.

Alternative: You can hire a small group or private tour accompanied by a crazy experienced guide that will allow you to know in depth all the secrets behind these fantastic monuments, without queuing, in the company of a small group of people to enjoy Parc Güell, a walk through Ciutat Vella or Gracia enjoying the best wines and tapas.

Hire tours in Barcelona

Things to avoid in Barcelona

As you have seen there are a number of things and behaviors to avoid during your stay in Barcelona and there are alternatives that will help you to enjoy your vacation in this wonderful city.

Wear inappropriate clothing in religious places
Avoid eating in tourist restaurants
Don’t leave your personal belongings unattended
Don’t assume everyone speaks English
Forget Anglo-Saxon meal times
Don’t forget to validate your public transportation tickets
Don’t buy offensive or tasteless souvenirs.
Take cabs to move around the city
Avoid noisy and annoying behavior
Do not walk in the street without a shirt on
Do not underestimate walking distances.
Think that there are few tourists and you will be able to see everything you want.

What tourists say about Barcelona

The average overall rating of the municipalities visited was 8.73 out of 10. The highest rated aspects this month were the character and friendliness of the people (8.53) and the accommodation (8.50). It is worth noting that while in Barcelona city public transport (8.75) and restaurants (8.61) were the items most highly rated by tourists, in Barcelona region it was the character and friendliness of the people (8.74), accommodation (8.70), personal safety (8.63) and the natural environment (8.62).

As you can see, Barcelona is a wonderful destination to enjoy a few days of vacation visiting great monuments, discovering the Catalan modernism, strolling through shopping avenues or charming streets in Ciutat Vella or Gràcia, tasting delicious food and wines recognized worldwide for their quality.

From Barcelona Local Experiences we encourage you to visit this fantastic city and if you want to know it a little more in depth you can join one of our tours in Barcelona or, if you want a different experience, take a half or full day excursion to Montserrat, to know one of the most beautiful natural sites and all the spirituality that surrounds its monastery and its virgin, La Moreneta.

Since 2015 we organize guided tours in Barcelona, in small groups and private tours to visit without queues or waste of time the most important places in Barcelona.

Day Tours Barcelona

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We can also help you plan your vacation or trip to Barcelona so you can enjoy the city to the fullest. Our concierge service in Barcelona allows you not only to plan your stay, we can take care of booking all the services and shows you can enjoy in this wonderful city.