After 8 years, I Explain 5 Things I love About Barcelona, And 5 Things I don't 2024.
5 Things I Love About Barcelona, and 5 Things I Don’t 2024:
My partner got a job offer in Barcelona in 2016. It was the kind of job offer you don’t turn down. So we arrived in 2016, without ever visiting Spain. Bold choice. I spoke some Spanish having grown up in Arizona, so that was a plus. And though me and my partner split up, and she left the country, I decided to stay, and I will tell you why:
(1) 300+ Days of Sunshine in Barcelona
I have lived in many different climates throughout my life, and through this experience, I have come to realize that I am happiest when I am surrounded by warm, sunny weather. There is just something about the feeling of the sun on my skin that makes me feel alive.
In addition to the sunshine, 10 months of year have almost perfect Mediterranean weather. But in January, it gets down to 40F, (4C). Which is not cold if you live somewhere where it snows, but it feels colder to me for some reason. On the other side you have August, where it gets into the upper 80’s (28C) but it is the humidity that gets you. It is like a hot wet blanket envelops you every time you go outside. Many locals take the month off and go somewhere cooler, like the mountains.
(2) The Proximity to the Sea
I had the ‘privilege’ of growing up in the vast expanse of Arizona’s Sonoran desert, where water was a precious and scarce commodity (Excluding waterparks, golf courses and swimming pools). As a result, I have always loved lakes, rivers, oceans and seas. And now, living in the picturesque city of Barcelona, which is nestled between the mountains and the sea, I feel particularly blessed.
The city’s unique location means that no matter where you are, you’re only a stone’s throw from the beach. Moreover, the refreshing sea breeze blows across the city all day long, pleasant and rejuvenating. I don’t visit as often as I’d like, but just knowing I could is cool.
(3) The Food
Barcelona is a known foodie city, but finding good food is actually a bit tricky. As it is also a touristy city that fills up in the summer, there are a lot of restaurants that literally make NO effort. They just serve frozen paella. So I realized that I was going to the wrong places. The first year, almost every meal I ate out was garbage, but then I learned what my problem was. I wasn’t eating where the locals ate. I was using Google reviews to look for restaurants. I figured that using Google reviews was a good way to find restaurants, MISTAKE.
Most of the reviews are left by tourists, who have no idea what “good” food is. Pro Tip: If you want to have good meal, find out where the locals get excited about. So I started asking locals for their recommendations, and my dining experiences completely changed. I started trying regional dishes that I never would have discovered on my own. Catalan Escalivida, Galician Mussels with a spicy tomato sauce and Andalusian Gazpacho, freshly prepared. I began to truly appreciate the diverse and delicious cuisine that Spain has to offer.
A sure sign of Shit food. OK Paella - Straight from the freezer. I promise it is not OK.
5 Things I Love About Barcelona, and 5 Things I Don’t 2024
(4) The Ciutat Vella or Old City
Comprised of Gothic Quarter, El Born, El Ravel, and La Barceloneta. The Gothic quarter being where it all started in Barcelona some 2000 years ago. There is still part of a wall built by Rome there. Walking through those medieval streets is like walking into a time machine. I don’t visit as often during the tourist season, but I love it off-season when the streets are a bit quieter, and you can truly take your time to explore and appreciate the history that fills every corner of this beautiful city
The weekend of September 24 is the biggest party of the year. It is “THE PARTY” in Barcelona. Celebrating one of the two patron saints of Barcelona there are things going on all over the place for the 3 day weekend. There are too many things going on to list them all, but make sure you check out ‘The Human Tower’ aka Castellers, The Giants and Dwarfs Parade aka, Gegants i Nans, and my favorite The Fire Run aka the Correfoc – not for the weak at heart.
And 5 Things I Don't Love
(-1) Tourist Season
Barcelona like many cities has a love-hate relationship with tourists. They create a lot of jobs, and tax revenue, which is great, but it comes at a great sacrifice. The quality of life is diminished when the zombie hordes of tourists descend from June until school starts again in September. Please do visit the city, but I promise you will have a better experience if you don’t visit in the summer.
(-2) The Ambulance Sirens
In most big cities, ambulance drivers flick on the sirens when they need to get through an intersection, or overtake a vehicle. In Barcelona they run the sirens from pickup all the way to the hospital at 110% volume. It is a preventable problem.
(-3) There is a lack of Affordable housing inside the city.
As investors continue to flock to Barcelona, most locals cannot afford to live in the city, and have to do long commutes to get to work. I think the government should build a few large high-rises with affordable prices that are subsidized by the government, and only rented to natives. The free market will never solve this issue, and it gets worse every year.
(-4) Shopping Can Be Challenging
In many countries shops are open 7 days a week, from morning until night. Not Spain. To start almost everything is closed on Sunday, malls, grocery stores, and a lot more. Then, you have the 15 public holidays, where many shops will close for the whole weekend. And, lastly the siesta, where many shops close in the afternoon. And lets not not forget January, and August, when the many people take their holidays, and business shut down for the month. It adds up.
(-5) I wish there were more parks in the heart of the city
Barcelona proper has a lot of parks, but very few in the city center. Lots of nice green trees lining the streets, but not many place to go play Frisbee.
Discover More
Beyond the popular tourist spots, Barcelona has a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be explored. From secret rooftop bars with panoramic views of the city to tucked-away art galleries showcasing local talent, there's no shortage of unique experiences to be had. Our team at Barcelona Home Hunter has curated a list of lesser-known spots that are sure to capture your heart and show you the authentic charm of this vibrant city. Let us be your guide to discovering the secret side of Barcelona.
Can Pizza Sagrada Família
This place has won awards, and will win more. It is Itallian thin crust pizza, and authentic.
The Museum of Prohibited Art
Museu de l'Art Prohibit: Worth checking out. An interesting collection of art. Ranging from thought provoking, to why? And a little bit of lewd, I get it.
My Favorite Rooftop Bar
Discover a hidden rooftop bar with stunning views of the city. Enjoy a cocktail while taking in the breathtaking scenery.
