FAQs
Question
Should we stay in a hotel or a condo/airbnb?
Answer
It is completely up to you! You will find a condo/airbnb is a cost saving option if you want to stay with friends or family. Madison lived in a condo during a summer and family members have rented condos for a few days at a time. Both are great options!
Question
Do we need to rent a car?
Answer
Barcelona’s transportation system is phenomenal. Metro stations are easy to navigate. Buses are plentiful. A well-organized train system takes you to surrounding communities and cities. Another advantage to the public transportation system is that one metro ticket can get you a ride on the metro, the bus, the regional train, the national train and the funicular that takes you to Montjuic and to Tibidabo. Metro signs are written in Catalan, English and Spanish and the public transportation system (TMB) has an app that gives you up minute-by-minute wait times for all the city’s bus stops and metro stations. You can get 1, 2 or 3 day tourist passes. Or the most popular is to get a T10, which is 10 individual journeys for 11€
Question
What is the weather in Barcelona in September?
Answer
September is truly a beautiful time of year in Barcelona as temperatures are cooling down from the summer heat. The sea and air are still warm, there is a fun atmosphere but it’s not overly crowded. Average high in Barcelona in September is 80°F and the low is 69°F.
Question
Is Barcelona safe?
Answer
Barcelona is generally considered a safe city for tourists, both during the day and at night. However, as with any popular tourist destination, it's essential to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit. Pickpocketing and petty theft: Barcelona, like many other tourist destinations, has experienced incidents of pickpocketing and petty theft. It's advisable to keep your belongings secure, be wary of your surroundings in crowded areas, avoid displaying expensive items, and use bags or backpacks that are difficult to access By staying vigilant, using common sense, and taking necessary precautions, you can have a safe and enjoyable experience while visiting Barcelona!
Question
Will my cell phone work?!
Answer
Yes. Be sure to look into your cellular carrier rules of your cell phone plan before arriving. Some require to add an international notice. There is free city wide WiFi in a lot of places that you can easily connect to. We highly recommend downloading "WhatsApp." It is a free texting and calling when connected to WiFi.
Question
Do I need to book tickets in advance for Sagrada Familia?
Answer
Yes it is essential to buy tickets in advance for La Sagrada Familia. Also, bring your own headphones and download the app BEFORE you go.
Question
Do I need to book tickets in advance for Park Guell?
Answer
Yes, only 400 people are allowed in to Park Guell every hour, so you will need to book tickets in advance. However, you can walk around the Gaudi park, but not actually in it, free of charge at any time of day.
Question
Do you need to book restaurants in advance in Barcelona?
Answer
Although most tapas bars wont accept reservations, if there is a particular restaurant you want to go to it is definitely best to book
Question
What is currency in Spain?
Answer
The currency in Spain is the Euro. Currently, 1 euro = $1.09.
Question
Do I need to carry cash?
Answer
You can pay by card most places, even taxis. Some places do not accept card payments for very small transactions (under €10) so it is advisable to carry some cash around. Small businesses have credit/debit card minimums, especially at markets like La Boquería. ATM's are a local sight in the city. When asked if you would like to pay in Euros or Dollars, select Euros. And be sure to alert your bank or card company that you are traveling! Some offer no international fees so just be sure to look into it before you leave.
Question
What is the tipping culture at restaurants?
Answer
It's possible to leave tips if you've experienced excellent service. However, tipping is not customary and the maximum percentage you'd want to leave is 10%. Before you tip, be sure to check your bill to see whether a service charge has already been added Tips are usually left in cash. But it's important to remember that Spain does not have the same tipping culture as the USA and other countries, where tipping is commonplace and expected.
Question
Is dinner really at 9:00pm?!
Answer
Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, and many restaurants open the kitchen between 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. But Spaniards love a good aperitif in Barcelona! Also known as a pre-dinner snack, which usually includes cava and wine, most will enjoy this after their workday. This means dinner doesn't typically begin until about 9pm, though most restaurants do cater to the tourist dinner time. One of the most beautiful things about eating in Barcelona is the pace at which locals do it. There is no rush, and time is always found to sit down and enjoy even a cup of coffee. Waiters never rush and locals tend to camp out at the table for long after they’ve finished—a cultural phenomenon known as sobremesa.
Question
What is Cava?
Answer
Cava is a type of Spanish sparkling wine produced in the same method as Champagne but with different varieties of grapes. Cava is usually a white sparkling wine but can also be rosé, and is chiefly produced in the Penedès region of Catalonia. Cava has more citrus notes and hints of pear or quince, but more savory, mineral flavors and less fruity sweetness. It is one of Madison's favorites!
Question
What is Paella?
Answer
Paella is a rice dish originally from the Valencian Community. Paella is regarded as one of the community's identifying symbols. It is one of the best-known dishes in Spanish cuisine. We highly recommend ordering Paella! At least once! But stay away from Las Ramblas if you’re looking for an authentic paella, as those restaurants tend to focus more on tourists.
Question
What kind of electric plugs are used in Barcelona?
Answer
The main voltage in Barcelona, as in the whole of Europe, is 230 volts AC. You can buy adapters on Amazon!
Question
Do I need to learn to speak Spanish?
Answer
Most people in Barcelona are bilingual and speak Catalan, which is regarded as the native and first language language of Catalonia. While Catalan and Spanish are closely related languages, they're not identical. You will find that most restaurants have menus in various languages.
Question
Do I need a passport?
Answer
YES. And it must be valid for up to 3 months after your departure date. Processing times for new and renewed passports is about 6 to 8 weeks right now, but we recommend taking care of it sooner rather than later.
Question
Is there Tax Free shopping in Barcelona?
Answer
Many shops in the tourist areas of Barcelona offer tax-free shopping. Only if you live outside the EU can you you can enjoy tax-free shopping. Tax-free shopping means that you pay the 21% IVA when you make the purchase, but then you can claim back the tax, if they purchased goods are of a value greater than EUR 90. Remember to ask for the Tax Free Form at the time of purchase. When you leave Barcelona or Spain you must arrive early at the airpot and present the tax refund form at the customs booth to get your Tax Free Form stamped.
Question
There’s a soccer team here, right?
Answer
Indeed there is. FC Barcelona is one of the world’s most successful football clubs and a perennial powerhouse in the Spanish First Division. For the past five year’s, they’ve been arguably the best soccer team in the world. Their stadium, Camp Nou, is the epicenter of the city’s support of the team. A collection of chairs in one section of the stadium are painted to spell out “Mes que un club,” which is Catalan for “More than a club.” *Camp Nou is currently under renovation and the team is playing at the olympic stadium.*
Question
I want to visit all the museums, but how?!
Answer
The Articket Pass gets you into Barcelona’s six greatest Art Museums for half the price! Plus, with the pass, you can skip the lines. https://articketbcn.org