How To Be A Tourist In Barcelona

So you think it would do you some good to visitwith enough of the historical to please your
Barcelona, the city-queen of Spain and of all thingsphotographic tendencies, but also with a goodly
Spanish on this Earth. But can you take it? Fornumber of places where you can relax and have
Barcelona is a city unlike any other. It's exotic andfun. It's not really an antique part of town, the
fast-paced, as you're likely to find out if you goplace became a fully-fledged "hood" in the 19th
for a walk on one of its crowded, noisy, livelycentury. Nowadays, its residents are a tutti frutti
boulevards. Yet Barcelona is also a place ofof artists and students and some "average"
solemn gravity, soberness and tranquility - all youpersons which results in a relaxed, down-to-earth
have to do is step in the shadow of one of itsatmosphere, a thing that the classical grand
ancient cathedrals, churches and palaces and it'stouristic attractions, like the Sagrada Familia or the
like stepping into another world.Aquarium area, are lacking. It's not that they're
Intrigued? Then let me tell you more about whattoo crowded and stressful, their main
to do and where to go in Barcelona so that yourdisadvantage is that they're somewhat fake and
visit should be more than just a simple tourist'sartificial (tourist make-up) and you have to make
expedition.an effort to look beyond the facade.
The right time for "Barceloning"Once, the Gràcia was a village, separate of
Barcelona is blessed with a Mediterranean climate,the big city, and at the end of the 1890's, they
warm and sweet, with a soft breeze which you'restill had poor roads, no street lighting and no
sure to miss once you're back home, maybe in asewers. Tough, huh? Don't worry, they caught up
drab and gray metropolis. There is no such thingjust fine. In the 1960's and 70's it was the
as winter here, at least not as you know it;meeting place for rebel-like figures, all sorts of
Barcelona's winter-time is like a cool, day-longbohemians and radicals. That kind of flavor is still
spring morning. But you must like it really hot iffashionable today, especially in the cafes and bars,
you dare those months of feverish heat which goof which you'll find aplenty, and many of them are
by the name of summer down here in Barcelona.quite picturesque, in the hip sense of the word. If
Yet this is the time when the true spirit of theyou really can't just wander about and you just
city comes out to play.have to have a specific place to go and
Anyway, if you're dead set on visiting the Spanishphotograph, try the Plaça del Sol - it's a nice
capital, be sure to book in advance, because lotsplace to be, with beautiful 19th architecture and
of people come here, for business or pleasure,it's practically surrounded by cafes. Give it a try.
and hotels are busy for most of the year. Try toIt's all about the money (even in Barcelona)
schedule your stay for spring and early summer,A piece of advice: you're a tourist, you have
because the weather is still pleasant at that timemoney and you're in a unfamiliar place. Which
of year and there aren't too much touristsmeans that you can get in some trouble, even in
gawking around in the streets (not that you doa charming place such as Barcelona. You would
that, far from it). High summer (which awakens inavoid many uncomfortable (to put it mildly)
mid-July and goes back to sleep in late August) issituations by simply using a card. ATM's are
a bit on the asphyxiating side, but, like I said, it's allpractically around any corner and most money
part of the atmosphere. In fact, many locals (whospending places take major credit cards.
are already used to the exotic hot-latinoAnother often encountered difficulty of the tourist
atmosphere) have the good sense of bailing outis tipping. A small thing which can lead to other
of town at this time of year. Things quiet down a"uncomfortable" misunderstandings. In Barcelona,
bit in September, even if the weather can playthere is no ground rule about tipping, you are not
several nasty tricks on the unsuspecting tourist. Ifalways expected to tip on top of restaurant
you have a strange and disquieting craving forservices; still, it is rather customary to leave
rain, choose October for your stay. Winter isn'tsome small amount (especially if you intend to
very harsh, but you should still look for a roomcome back and receive a bit of special attention,
with heating.you know the drill.)
Attractions? How about just going for a walk?Delightfully foreign
Even if you're for the first time in Barcelona, andAs you may have noticed, the information above,
even if you plan on staying for only a few days,despite its practicality, is not necessarily meant for
you shouldn't rush in and enter a state ofclassical tourists, addicted to sightseeing and
sight-seeing frenzy and run around the city, blitzadmiring all that other people have admired and
a-blazing. Take your time, savor the uniquefound to be exactly the same. When you travel,
Spanish aroma, with all its foreign spices. Foryou should do so in order to experience a
example, just go for a walk and look around, youdifferent kind of atmosphere, something beyond
don't necessarily have to hunt for thethe routine feel of your home. And Barcelona is
"attractions" you read about on some touristperfect from this point of view, because this city
guide.has so many faces that any visitor, no matter his
A good place for such an experience is theor hers place of origin, will feel this place to be
Gràcia, a very pleasant suburb of Barcelona,delightfully foreign.