I just got back to Barcelona after spending two months in the United States and Canada. It’s normal to have a little culture shock when going in-between countries, and one of the aspects of life back in North America that always confuses upon return is tipping. In Barcelona, and all over Spain, it’s not usual » Read more
Planning for Barcelona: Budget Travel Guide
By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— I came to Barcelona in 2005, and my goodness there was a lot I didn’t know! An ex-pat friend and I often joke that if we had known what it would take to establish ourselves in this sunny metropolis by the sea, we never would have come. Yes, it » Read more
By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— I’ve lived all over Barcelona, from the upper Eixample by the Sagrada Familia, to the ancient heart of the city in the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter). I now live near the sea, which suits me best. Which barri is right for your trip or move to Barcelona? That depends » Read more
July in Barcelona means humid days on the beach, lots of visitors in the city, tons of cool music and cinema festivals and the second best sale of the year. Sales are held in Barcelona twice a year, in January and in July. Of course, these are the times of the year when locals are » Read more
Suddenly flip-flops, sunglasses, reddened skin and the smell of coconut suntan lotion are filling the air. This can only mean one thing in Barcelona: spring, and high-season, are here. As the summer approaches the city streets will swell a bit more each month with visitors, tourists, cruise-ship goers and backpackers. This means longer lines at » Read more
Barcelona on €20 a day? It is not easy, but let me tell you, it can be done! Here’s the Cheapo guide how to go super shoestring in the Catalan Capital city. 1. Sleep super cheap. Unless you have friends in Barcelona, you are going to have to pay for somewhere to sleep, which could » Read more
By Regina W Bryan in Barcelona— The good news for music lovers is that there is music every night somewhere in Barcelona. The bad news is that tickets can be spendy! But fear not. Here are a few ways to enjoy great music in Barcelona a Cheapo’s budget: Atrapalo Web site The absolute first place » Read more
By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona—Barcelona‘s main international airport, El Prat, is one of the cushiest I have ever been in. It has elegant Spanish and Catalan shops, tasty cafes serving up strong espresso and sweet croissants, and an openness to it that makes wandering around or running to catch a connecting flight fairly easy. » Read more
As I said last week, it took me a while to figure out Barcelona‘s transport system, especially the buses. Now that you’ve learned (and I have too) how to see the sights of Barcelona on the public transport system, it’s time for some of the finer points. Here are seven useful bus tips for locals and » Read more
We know how it is, Cheapos. You get into a new city, and you want to know what is going on while you’re in town. Maybe there is some info at your hostel or hotel, but most of the time the fliers will be a bit on the touristy side. Luckily, plenty of other local » Read more
Today I thought I’d throw out a “double tip” for saving some euros in Barcelona. These are sure to come in handy to anyone visiting museums or taking public transportation during their visit. In other words — just about everyone. Museum Tip: The Articket If you love museums and only have a few days in » Read more
Visitors to Barcelona (especially those who stop by the tourist office) will no doubt learn about the Barcelona Card for museum and transportation discounts. A couple years ago, we were not sure if the Barcelona Card really packed enough bang for the buck. In fact, our conclusion was simple: the Barcelona Card? Not for us. » Read more
When people think about Catalan Culture, they think Gaudi, Modernista Architecture, and laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle. They should, however, also think music. Barcelona loves music. While jazz and classical are perhaps the most popular genres in the city, all music is embraced with open arms in Barcelona. This love of music means that there are concerts » Read more
Barcelona is small enough that you can walk most places, but big enough that you will probably want to hop on the Metro or grab a ride at some point. Here’s the scoop on how to navigate Barcelona on a budget. Metro The Metro is the fastest way to get from point A to point » Read more
No trip to Barcelona is complete without picking up a little free (or almost-free) reminder of Gaudí, the city’s favorite architect. Happily, Barcelona is teeming with arty Gaudí souvenirs, ranging from the refined to the (you guessed it) gaudy. Take home some cheapo Gaudí Regarded as tasteless in his own time, Antoni Gaudí’s unique art nouveau ideas » Read more
When it comes to our list of travel essentials, iPods and MP3 players are right up there with good city maps and sun block. And, if we hit a bump in the road or happen to meet with a European transit strike, there’s no better way to while away the hours than with a few portable » Read more
A reader asks: “In Barcelona, we’re thinking of staying in the Gothic Quarter to be close to everything, but we’re worried that it’s not safe. Is this area sketchy at night?” Regina WB responds: Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter has the Cathedral, Plaza del Rey and many other fabulous sites that most visitors want to ‘oohh and » Read more
Tourist discount cards can provide great value and a major convenience. But, they can also create a major headache when trying to evaluate their value. Today, we turn to Barcelona… The Barcelona Card The city-run Barcelona Turisme office issues the Barcelona Card as a two-day pass (€25), three-day pass (€30), four-day pass (€34), and five-day » Read more
