Stay
We stayed at “The Kabul” hostel perfectly located on Place Rheal. They didn’t take credit cards though, which was a big pain. Check before hand, since many of the budget accommodations are cash only. Credit cards aside, the hostel offered FREE dinner and had a a really fun bar.
Try to get as close to Place Rheal as possible, we LOVED IT!
Hanging out in Place Rheal
Learn
… a little Spanish before you go, and really work on the pronunciation. We thought a mixture of French and a few Spanish words would take us further than it did (which was no where). How ignorant of us! When we switched to English, we were briskly told “this is Spain, we do not speak English here” (although he did manage to say this in English). Thanks a lot Mr. Train-ticket-salesman… I really hope you need my help one day.
Research
… some great restaurants before you go, and ask around for some recommendations. Having heard amazing reviews about the food in Spain, we naively expected to walk into any restaurant and be served the best meal of our lives. This wasn’t the case and we ruined what could have been an amazing foodie holiday.
Being a non-Spanish speaking vegetarian in Barcelona? Mission Impossible (p.s: I hope my friend doesn’t hate me for posting this photo)
Party
Clubs only get going around 2:00am and the fun goes on until the sun starts to shine! Do not, and I repeat DO NOT, enjoy too much wine, get tired, and fizzle about by 1:30am. A little afternoon nap and paced wine drinking will let you experience the real nightlife of Barcelona (only rivaled by that of Lisbon!)
See
… an Opera and Flamenco Show. I know it’s very touristy, but it was just so beautiful! At the time, the evening cost 25 euros and mixed excerpts from opera legend Bizet mixed with “gypsy” style singing and flamenco dancing.
We loved
Ten years ago I set a goal to visit 30 countries by my 30th birthday. With no plan or country list to fulfill this goal, I decided to let life take me where it wished.
“See Simi Travel Blog | Adventures of a travel snob“, is just that. The account of an ex-20-something year old exploring the world, usually solo, and on a very limited budget.
Every other week I try to tell you a story about the friends, food, fun and fails I’ve had along the way.
Hi, I have been living in Barcelona for 2 months and completly agree with what you have said although I have found the level of English very good here and as long as you cna speak very basic, polite Spanish such as por favor, gracias, etc then you are fine espcially near Las Ramblas and the Sagrada Familia. In Gracia for example, it is more difficult but in tourist areas the level of English is good.