Barcelona Travel Tips

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Barcelona is a buzzing cultural district in Spain, and first became a popular tourist destination in the early 1990s after hosting the Olympic Games.  The city is known for its colorful markets, unique historic attractions and array of cultural sites. You'll find a wealth of tourist attractions and local sites to enjoy any time of year, but there are some important things to keep in mind before heading to this beautiful city.  Here are some important travel tips when you're visiting Barcelona, Spain:

1. Travel during the off-season to enjoy cooler temperatures.  January and February are the perfect time to enjoy a winter getaway and head to Barcelona for its comfortable climate and sunny weather.  The possibility of rain is relatively low during these months, and you can enjoy a number of celebrations and festivals during these late winter/early spring months.

2. Avoid traveling to Barcelona in August.  Most stores, restaurants and local marketplaces close completely from mid-August to early September because they go on their own vacation!  The city becomes a ghost town during this time, so avoid it if you can.

3.  Tour the city on the Bus Turistic. If you want to see several sites in one day, hop aboard the Bus Turistic where you can enjoy a two hour trip to key sights and attractions in one afternoon.  Some of the buses have two levels where you can sit on the top level to enjoy the fresh air and great views of the city.

4. Learn to differentiate between Catalan and Spanish.  Barcelona's official languages are Catalan and Spanish, and Catalan sounds like a mix of Italian and French.  It can be hard to understand it at first, but you'll need to catch the nuances and key words for translation.  Still, most people address foreigners in Spanish.

5. Buy cheap food at the outdoor food market. La Boqueria is the largest public market in the city and is the best place to buy cheap eats when you're on the go.  You'll find it in Ciutat Vella, and it's the place where vendors from around the city offer fresh produce, baked goods, fried snacks and other classic Spanish foods.