Heading to Barcelona? Arm yourself with information! Whether you’re coming for business or pleasure, read up on ten essential things to know before traveling to Barcelona!<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"Find](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/10-things-to-know-before-1.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1. Barcelona is the Capital of Catalonia<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The first thing to know before traveling to Barcelona is that it’s the capital of Catalonia, one of Spain’s 17 different autonomous communities. The word Catalonia has a lot of weight in Spain right now. Beyond being a very proud region with a deep-rooted culture that differs in many ways to the rest of Spain, there is also an important movement for the independence of Catalonia, as many Catalans simply don’t consider this region, or Barcelona, to be part of Spain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Dig deeper: <\/strong>Join us on our Tapas, Taverns & History of Barcelona tour<\/a> to dive deep into Barcelona and Catalonia’s history, and how the independence movement came about.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2. There are Two Co-Official Languages in Barcelona<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
In Barcelona, you will see and hear everything in two different languages, Spanish and Catalan. Catalan is similar to Spanish in that it shares the same roots, yet it is an entirely different language much like French or Italian. Locals speak Catalan in their daily lives, and children learn the language at school. That said, everyone is bilingual so if you speak some Spanish, people will still understand you!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Local’s Tip: <\/strong>Are you curious about Catalan? Saying hello and goodbye is enough to put a smile on any local’s face! Take a crash course in Catalan with our short and sweet blog post on the topic.<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"Learn](\"http:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Oliver-sherry.jpg\")
The Catalan language is everywhere in Barcelona!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n3. It’s Not Bar\u00e7a<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
If you hear people talking about Barna,<\/em> you didn’t mishear them! Barna is the nickname for Barcelona, and if you refer to the city as Bar\u00e7a<\/em>, you are the one who is mistaken! In actual fact, that is the endearing nickname of the FC Barcelona football team!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"Learn](\"http:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/devour_red_logo-footer-smaller.png\")
The term Bar\u00e7a actually refers to the soccer team, not the city! Photo Credit: Oh-Barcelona.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n4. Pickpocketers are Professionals<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
There are of course, lots of things you should know before traveling to Barcelona, and this is one of the most important! Yes, you’ve probably already heard the rumors. Watch your stuff! Barcelona is a very crowded city, particularly between May and September, and petty thieves are everywhere. That said, it’s easy to avoid unfortunate situations, just always keep an eye on your things!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Pickpocketers](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DSC0306-1.jpg\")
Barcelona is a very safe city, but it’s a good idea to always have a close eye on your things!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n5. This is Not Your Stereotypical Spain<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Barcelona is a far cry from the stereotypical image of fiery flamenco dancers and bullfighters. In fact, bullfighting has been banned in Catalonia<\/a> for years! Though you can see some great flamenco shows around town<\/a>, it’s not as embedded in Catalan culture as in places like Madrid or Seville.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"Come](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/5835951941_9058d45c75_z-1.jpg\")
You won’t see any bullfights in Barcelona. One of Barcelona’s old bullfighting rings, La Monumental, is now a museum! Photo Credit: Tony Hisgett.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n6. The Schedule Might Take Some Getting Used To<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Of all the things to know before traveling to Barcelona, possibly one of the most important is that Spaniards have very specific dining times<\/a>! The schedule in Barcelona and Spain is unlike most other places in Europe. Lunch is usually around 2:30 p.m., and dinner no earlier than 9 p.m. It’s a good thing to keep in mind as if you show up to a restaurant for dinner at 7 p.m., they might not even be open! However, when you do eat\u2014make sure that you eat well. Take a look at our top 5 must-try dishes while in the city!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n1. Barcelona is the Capital of Catalonia<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The first thing to know before traveling to Barcelona is that it’s the capital of Catalonia, one of Spain’s 17 different autonomous communities. The word Catalonia has a lot of weight in Spain right now. Beyond being a very proud region with a deep-rooted culture that differs in many ways to the rest of Spain, there is also an important movement for the independence of Catalonia, as many Catalans simply don’t consider this region, or Barcelona, to be part of Spain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Dig deeper: <\/strong>Join us on our Tapas, Taverns & History of Barcelona tour<\/a> to dive deep into Barcelona and Catalonia’s history, and how the independence movement came about.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In Barcelona, you will see and hear everything in two different languages, Spanish and Catalan. Catalan is similar to Spanish in that it shares the same roots, yet it is an entirely different language much like French or Italian. Locals speak Catalan in their daily lives, and children learn the language at school. That said, everyone is bilingual so if you speak some Spanish, people will still understand you!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Local’s Tip: <\/strong>Are you curious about Catalan? Saying hello and goodbye is enough to put a smile on any local’s face! Take a crash course in Catalan with our short and sweet blog post on the topic.<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you hear people talking about Barna,<\/em> you didn’t mishear them! Barna is the nickname for Barcelona, and if you refer to the city as Bar\u00e7a<\/em>, you are the one who is mistaken! In actual fact, that is the endearing nickname of the FC Barcelona football team!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n There are of course, lots of things you should know before traveling to Barcelona, and this is one of the most important! Yes, you’ve probably already heard the rumors. Watch your stuff! Barcelona is a very crowded city, particularly between May and September, and petty thieves are everywhere. That said, it’s easy to avoid unfortunate situations, just always keep an eye on your things!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Barcelona is a far cry from the stereotypical image of fiery flamenco dancers and bullfighters. In fact, bullfighting has been banned in Catalonia<\/a> for years! Though you can see some great flamenco shows around town<\/a>, it’s not as embedded in Catalan culture as in places like Madrid or Seville.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Of all the things to know before traveling to Barcelona, possibly one of the most important is that Spaniards have very specific dining times<\/a>! The schedule in Barcelona and Spain is unlike most other places in Europe. Lunch is usually around 2:30 p.m., and dinner no earlier than 9 p.m. It’s a good thing to keep in mind as if you show up to a restaurant for dinner at 7 p.m., they might not even be open! However, when you do eat\u2014make sure that you eat well. Take a look at our top 5 must-try dishes while in the city!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n2. There are Two Co-Official Languages in Barcelona<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
3. It’s Not Bar\u00e7a<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
4. Pickpocketers are Professionals<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
5. This is Not Your Stereotypical Spain<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
6. The Schedule Might Take Some Getting Used To<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n