I visit Spain's top holiday spot every month – here's how I avoid the tourist traps and look like a local | The Sun
BARCELONA might be recognised as Spain’s “second city” but it’s still the country's most popular destination.
More than 30 million tourists visit a year – so you can expect some crowds during the busy summer season.
I visit Barcelona every month or so and have done for the past few years.
Along the way, I've learned from my own experience, as well as from friends that live there, how to do things like a local.
Here are the big mistakes I see many tourists making when visiting the city, especially for the first time, and how you can dodge the crowds and do what the locals do.
Sticking to the city beaches
I see so many visitors parking themselves on Barceloneta Beach when they go to Barcelona and not moving.
Read more on Spain
I go to Spain 8 times a year – the mistakes you’re making that cost you money
All holidaymakers can travel around Spain for free this summer – here’s how
But consider visiting beaches further out of the city and you’ll be rewarded by quieter, more beautiful stretches of coast with way fewer tourists.
Badalona is a great option just 15 minutes away from the centre on the Metro, or Castelldefels, which you can reach by train from any of Barcelona's main train stations (Sants, Passeig de Gràcia or Estación de Francia) in about 30 minutes.
Eating dinner at 7pm – and ordering paella
Culturally, the Spanish eat dinner much later than other countries -you’ll never see locals dining in a restaurant before 9pm – so eat much later to blend in.
Another surefire way to look like a tourist is by ordering paella.
Most read in News Travel
CAPITAL BOOZER
Watch as video reveals the secret beach round the back of a London pub
PLANE DIRTY
Man slams flight crew after wife is made to clean mess – but people are divided
SEA YOU THERE
Beautiful UK seaside town is compared to a Greek island
TAKE FLIGHT
UK airport with plans for 15-minute flights to France is an hour from London
Revealed: The best winter holidays to book right now, from a £294 Christmas market break to a £977 Caribbean cruise...
We and our partners use cookies on this site to improve our service, perform analytics, personalize advertising, measure advertising performance, and remember website preferences.Ok