Barcelona - Safety/Language/Trip Ideas
 

I've never been to Barcelona and booked a trip for the first week of November.

1) The US just put a warning out (link below) so I guess my first question is, how concerned would you be? My thought is to continue on with my trip and if we happen to see a demonstration brewing, just get away from it.

https://es.usembassy.gov/message-u-s...ober-3rd-2017/

2) It appears (as I read up on the city) that Catalan is the primary language, not Spanish, so I guess my second question is - if you have visited, did you find that to be an issue or were you also able to speak Spanish in the city? (My daughter was looking forward to practicing Spanish but perhaps this is not the trip for that.)

3) What was your absolute favorite "must see" or favorite activity?

4) Did anyone try a food/tapas and walking tour they found worthwhile, (focusing more on food & fun neighborhood - not mostly wine) and specifically - one that was vegetarian?

Thank you!

Safety in Barcelona extends way beyond its current at times violent protests to the city's habitual problem with street crime -especially pickpockets and scammers. There are have been several threads on this here - don't become too intimidated but be very careful in crowded touristed areas like the Ramblas.

Leave the family jewels at home and carry valuables in a secure money belt or similar security device that goes under your clothes IMO and carry nothing of value in a day pack that can easily be unzipped by deft pickpockets - not unique to Barcelona but lots of tourist meccas - just be cautious and not intimidated. Knowing there is a problem negates the problem pretty much. Carry a wallet in a back pocket in crowded areas and it may well sooner or later be deftly removed.

Be aware of anyone coming up to you -especially in tandem with the old distraction method.

The following tips from a Barcelona organization points out that overall Barcelona is one of the very safest cities in the EU BUT that pickpockets are still a big problem -follow their tips and you'll have no problem.

http://www.barcelonayellow.com/bcn-t...ps-pickpockets

One of my favorite sites in Barcelona was the Museum of the History of Barcelona. This gives access to the underground ruins of the Roman city, which are fascinating.

The Maritime Museum in the medieval royal shipyards was also quite interesting.

Spanish is widely understood in Barcelona.

3) What was your absolute favorite "must see" or favorite activity?>

How long do you have there?

If more than a few days I really liked a short day trip to Montserrat, a popular pilgrimage mecca not far by suburban train from Barcelona -on a remote mountain top:

https://www.barcelona-tourist-guide....rat-spain.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=mont...w=1745&bih=863

In Barcelona my favorite places were Park Guell - a gaudy Gaudi fantasy land:

https://www.google.com/search?q=park...w=1745&bih=863

And Gaudi's Sagrada Familia church:

https://www.google.com/search?q=sagr...w=1745&bih=863

I found English widely spoken in Barcelona. That said, I always learn at least a few civilities in the local language, and I found my bumbling attempts to speak a bit of Catalan much appreciated.

I had so many favorites I can barely list them, but would include the Sagrada Familia, various other buildings by Gaudi, buildings by Domènech i Montaner, the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, exploring the Gothic Quarter and cathedral, flamenco at the Tablao de Carmen....

Just go and don't worry. There is so much to see and do that will keep you busy without worrying about all the possible bad things that could happen. English is spoken everywhere although it is strange that Spanish is not the primary language. When I was in San Sebastian in northern Spain, the lady selling hats only spoke Basque, which I found interesting as I found few who spoke Spanish. The food in Barcelona is fabulous, the environment warm and the sights, such as La Sagrata Familia, the Gothic area and La Boqueria are a great experience. Don't be dissuaded by recent news, the visit will be worthwhile.

IMO, nothing strange about speaking one's native language -- Catalan in Catalunya, Basque in Euskal Herria, Asturian in Asturia, etc. Spain was not always a unified country, and as recent developments reveal, many people who were prevented from using their native languages in public during Franco's rule have been happy to be able honor their heritage again.

What is amazing to me is that so many people speak English, as it is, for many people in northeastern Spain, a 4th language (behind their native tongue, Spanish, and French).

The usual rules for being tourists in crowded international cities apply -- crossbody bag held close, men's wallet in front pocket (at least that's what DH does) -- if we are nervous we use the neck or waste pouch but generally don't feel they're needed, but then we are pretty alert, no jewelry but for small earrings/wedding ring, and pack important docs in room safe.

Be mindful of areas like train stations and transfers/other times when you are distracted.

That said, we loved Barcelona and felt just fine there (we've only been robbed in Brussels, where we least expected it, perhaps foolishly). Ours was mostly a Gaudi tour of the highlights; we did walk las Ramblas, do the on and off bus, etc. Gorgeous city--architecture, art--lovely people--I know some are kind of down on tourism these days and there's the political issues, but I would hate to miss the city.

Keep up with the news and alerts, but I hope you will be able to go. A woman I know on FB just had this dilemma--2 days after a cruise--and ended up going; she was glad she did and would have been sorry to miss it.

I would go, following your own guidelines and the cautions above.

In my limited experience in Barcelona, English was fairly widel spoken and Spanish was universal, though locals spoke Catalan to each other.

Staying away from large gatherings is a good idea, but if . . . .

Learn to assess quickly an escape route from every place you enter, indoors or out. City dwellers do this naturally, others not so much.

Wear shoes in which you can run if need be, even on rough pavement or cobbles; clothes that cover most of your skin but don't get in your way; a scarf or bandanna that you can dampen from you water bottle if there is tear gas.

Never, ever set down a camera, a bag, or a pack, even in a restaurant or museum.

But seriously, you will enjoy yourself.

Vegetarian tapas: well, sure. Vegetarian tapas places: maybe. It will be easier if you are lacto-ovo, very easy if you are pescatarian.

@palenq Thank you and I think this is sound advice for travel in any city. I usually try to read up on the 'local known scams' in the places I travel to. I've been mulling over going to Montserrat - I would love to - we have 3 full days in Barcelona (and a half day upon arrival). There is so much to see and do in the city it's hard to narrow it down and I think maybe it's too little time for the day trip. If we had a week, maybe. Your 3 items are high up on my list and thanks for the links, very helpful!

@nikki Thank you for these suggestions! I had not come across either of these yet... I particularly think my daughter would enjoy the underground ruins, she really enjoys seeing things like that.

@kja, thanks that makes sense about the language... I have my eye on your favorites... I've been eyeing up the flamenco places, I've also been trying to figure out if there are any festivals we might catch some locals in the Sardana.

@boolanger & @annw, thanks for the votes of confidence! :)

@Ackislander I've got most of those tips in my brain except the one about tear gas - good one. My daughter is vegetarian - yes dairy, no fish. I've found some great restaurants we can go to but still searching for some kind of foodie - gothic walking tour.

You can read the following from Maribel regarding veggie dining in Spain:

http://tinyurl.com/y8f9ersa

1) Everything is calm in Barcelona, but today the government president will speak about the independence and we will se what happens... before that what's going to happen is unclear.

2) Spanish and catalan are both primary languages. You will find signs... in catalan but you can 100% for sure use spanish for everything.

3) For me is Parc Guell, Sagrada Familia, Plaça Espanya.

4) The vegetarian options are still not that popular here but you wil find some tapas that are vegetarian... not as easy with vegan ones. I suggest you one app called Yumm! that helps you find restaurants around you and on where you can find all the dishes and their information in your language. Also you can check if the restaurant has vegetarian options or not :)

Hospital de Sant Pau (aka Sant Pau Recinte Modernista…Modernist Complex). This Domènech i Montaner architectural gem became our favorite sight in all of Barcelona.

Here's our visit there with photos...(we started the day at Casa Milá (La Pedrera) and ended at the Picasso Museum)

<B>http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/chapter-three-a-wonderful-hospital-experience/</B>

((H))

It's really hard to answer your question until we hear from Carles Puigdemont today. It depends on what's happening with the Catalunya's independence declaration. It could be martial law or it could be peaceful in November. There will likely be demonstrations, but you can probably avoid them or take great photos, whichever suits you better.

If I didn't have children, I would go to see it myself. I have dear friends in Barcelona and they are in the middle, don't want independence but also not ardent Spain nationalists. They are literally packing their bags to figure out what's happening and whether they should weather this storm elsewhere.

Check out this thread: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m#last-comment

It looks like Spain is not splitting for now: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41574172

<<2) It appears (as I read up on the city) that Catalan is the primary language, not Spanish, so I guess my second question is - if you have visited, did you find that to be an issue or were you also able to speak Spanish in the city? (My daughter was looking forward to practicing Spanish but perhaps this is not the trip for that.)>>

Barcelonans speak Spanish. They also speak Catalan, which is pretty close. Catalunya (Catalan) and CataluÑa (Spanish) sound the same.

And the second language in all of Europe (where it's not the official or unofficial-official language) is English.

Good advice given so far. We have eaten at Tapeo tapas restaurant twice and they have great veggie Tapas. Especially try the Aubergene tapas. It is located a few doors down from the Picasso museum. A frequent poster, kimhe recommended it initially.
We are in Barcelona now. As a tourist there is nothing to be concerned about.
We were at the govt building in the Gothic quarter with news media awaiting to hear from the Catalonian president yesterday when nothing was really decided.
There was a small demonstration in front of the building blaming the Jews who were " running the Catalonian govt" for the independence movement. So except for a few idiots we haven't seen anything amiss.

Street smarts and a good under your shirt money pouch should get you safely through Barcelona. Sagrada Familia was my favorite site but I also enjoyed the Santa del Mar cathedral. You can still see the soot stains on the roof where the leftists tried to burn the Cathedral down. A poignant reminder that when it came to the Civil War, the left was not just the victims that most books make them out to be but committed many atrocities of their own. I also enjoyed a walking tour focused on the Spanish Civil War. If you have any interest in that subject, just Google it and you'll certainly find the name of the tour I used. It was led by an English gentleman as I recall.

I leave Saturday for a week in Barcelona, biz-leisure combo. There was a lot of discussion about whether to cancel the business meeting. But we're going forward, should be an interesting week...