PalenQ

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

One noticeable difference in pronouncing Barcelona - Cats do the c like a th - Barthelona - locals may now more than ever use that?

Nikki

I believe Pal has it backwards. My understanding is that the "th" sound is not Catalan, it is Castilian, which is the form of Spanish that is spoken in most of Spain. In Catalan, the pronunciation of Barcelona is the same as English. So locals are less likely to say "Barthelona" now than they were when Castilian was imposed upon them during the Franco regime.

StCirq

The s is a real s in Catalan, not a th, as far as I know. The th sound is Castilian, from what I know.

girlonthego

Hi
First I agree that the th is Castillian in my opinion. Catalan is very different from Spanish and sounds more French to me. Everyone can speak Spanish and almost everyone can speak English. So that is not a problem. We are American and most everyone liked us despite Donald Trump.
Every local did speak of the pending vote (We were there in mid to late September). All wanted the vote that I spoke with. Most want the break from Spain.
I found the people very friendly and passionate about their area of Catalonia.

We thought La Sagrada Familia was quite beautiful. Any religion could appreciate Gaudi's work. It is so unique. We did the hop on hop off bus to see the city and the ease of getting on and off. My husband really enjoyed touring the FC Barcelona stadium and I have to admit, there was a lot of interesting history there.
We loved our wine and tapas tour at Taste Barcelona with Paul.
We really enjoyed our bike tour which took us down to the beach and around town, and did that with Fat Bike Tours.

You can walk all over and enjoy the city. Hide your money and leave everything you can in a hotel safe. Just take what you need for the day. Do not ride public transit with all of your personal money and passports. Only take what you need for the day. Taxi if you have all your stuff. I was worried about getting robbed since so many I knew have been, but we had no problems and look very much like tourists. Have your wits about you when you are in a crowd and you will be fine!

2016adventurer

It is so strange that the Catalan referendum thread got censored out. On the other hand, I don't even know why I come here anymore.

BigRuss

<<We are American and most everyone liked us despite Donald Trump.>>

This is a stupid statement. Europeans generally don't evaluate tourists based on their political leaders. Just like Americans don't disdain European tourists just because their soccer stadiums are filled with racists (two words: monkey chants), fascists and communists. I don't know of any American who has disliked a Russian tourist and said "I don't like Putin so therefore you suck."

And considering the US's contributions to European peace and prosperity for the last 72 years, if any European didn't like you because you're an American, it'd be his problem, not yours.

Bedar

@2016adventurer - Yes, it was very strange that the Catalan Referendum thread disappeared. I made a quite innocuous remark about the Lounge (where there was another thread on the subject), and I guess someone didn't like it. Whoever was monitoring certainly didn't pay much attention. We should start another thread on that subject. Maybe when I get back from shopping downtown !

danon

We are in Madrid right now watching demonstrations in Barcelona, Girona,
Tarragona on TV
it is a peaceful protest against the arrest of leaders of two
groups of separatists. Thousands of people.
Another big demonstration is scheduled for Saturday....
There might be problems with road closures..
The situation seems tense but no violence ,so far.
If we planed to go to Barcelona, we would still go..but I am glad we are not.

WeisserTee

I am in Barcelona now. Our plans have not had to change despite the demonstrations. We did have a spectacular thunderstorm tonight that meant no dining outside...

2016adventurer

How about now? How is it going after the declaration of independence?

Bedar

Seems conferences, cruise ships, and cheap flights are being pulled out of Barcelona because of the unrest.

Fishnlines29

This is the OP. We've been keeping a close eye on the news, since the demonstrations continue, we decided to visit Barcelona another time when there is less unrest. We are heading to Rome instead. I appreciate the advice here and look forward to planning another (longer) trip to Spain in the future.

Rhea58

Just returned. Saw the demonstrations.

I can recommend Hotel Jazz which is 2 blocks from La
Ramblas. Have a gelato at Amerino on Ramblas.

Must sees: La Sagrada Familia & 2 designed Gaudi houses.

lbecker24

we just came back October 16th. I would say go and don't worry. Spanish National Day happened while we were there and we just worked around it.

I speak a little Spanish and zero Catalan. My little Spanish helped here and there.

My favorite thing was walking around the gothic quarter. Walking tours of the area leave from Placa Catalunya at 11 and 11:30, maybe more.

I wish I went to the museum with the roman ruins!