Last month, I found myself comfortably slumped on a not-so-high-speed train plodding through the mountainous landscape. I had missed the required seat reservations, so there I was taking the slow train that would eventually halt in Barcelona. I had been forced to slow down when my inner child couldn’t wait to leap around the flamboyant city.

Yet as I arrived in town, a 23-year-old me had to take control. Why does my hostel smell like a swimming pool? Why are plastic penises the favourite ‘art’ to sell? Why are they serving four pint beers? Once I had left this little area, all was good. But amid the recent protests, I still didn’t want to be an a**hole.

My previous post discussed what’s been behind the protests. But clearly, it didn’t stop me from visiting. So instead, I’ll highlight what you should know before visiting- for yourself and to travel more responsibly.

What you should know before visiting Barcelona:

Research and Book your Accommodation in Advance:

Soon, you may not be able to stay in an Airbnb. I’d still avoid them because they have been significant contributors to rising rent costs. There are plenty of options for sustainable accommodation, as well as locally owned hotels and hostels.

But what about the ‘swimming pool’? I initially booked a hostel that appeared to be locally owned and affordable. It wasn’t at all sociable. More annoyingly, I’d paid a reasonable amount, it felt a little run-down, and I didn’t feel 100% safe, and safety has to be a personal priority.

It had been highly rated on the platform where I’d found it, yet later I noticed more mixed reviews elsewhere. I could also see that there were just a couple of travellers staying there, which is odd, considering that most places I’ve found have dozens. Either way, I will know to research more thoroughly in the future. Also, many places had been booked up, and that was in February. So definitely book in advance.

There is a tourism tax:

Barcelona has a tourism tax. As do many places. Judging from some of the reviews I’d read, not everyone was expecting to be charged on arrival. I understand that there are pros and cons. Yet given the number of tourists in Barcelona, I can understand why it’s in place. Just bear this in mind when booking.

The party culture is huge:

Individual experiences may vary, but if you are staying in a hostel, you will soon realise that Barcelona is a huge party city. Most of the hostel activities were party-oriented, and although I am used to this, the ‘vibe’ in Barcelona seemed more hardcore. In the second hostel I stayed at (which was overall very good), I was approached twice for free shots.

Consider this if you are visiting, though it’s still easy to meet people interested in other activities. There was definitely a party atmosphere in the second hostel I stayed in, yet it was quiet after around 11 or 12pm, and I didn’t have any trouble sleeping.

How to party in Barcelona:

In recent years, some visitors have been ‘discovering’ places that locals had primarily known about. Visit during the day but avoid crashing there for a cheap night out, given that many of these places are near people’s homes. I’d choose to stay in the hostel or the town centre instead of heading to one of the bars in the city or along the beach.

It’s quite a big city, although it’s very densely populated:

The main town in Barcelona is quite compact, although some attractions, including Parc Güell and La Sagrada Familia, are further away. Public transport can get crowded, affecting both residents and tourists. I took the metro to Parc Güell and La Sagrada Familia, got an Uber in the dark, and walked the rest of the time. In areas like Parc Güell, many residents rely on local bus services, so I personally think it’s better to take the metro and then walk if you can.

Also, just because you’re on holiday, it doesn’t mean everyone is. Many passing through the city will be commuting to work, picking up their children, or running other errands. Sometimes I get confused when navigating public transport abroad, making me a bit slow. But before you stop to take photos/videos in the metro, or elsewhere, ask whether you are likely to be getting in someone else’s way.

Visit the places you want to visit:

Travelling is more fun when you visit places you actually want to see, rather than aiming to ‘tick’ everything off. If you are interested in art and architecture, Parc Güell and La Sagrada Familia are popular, and there’s plenty more. I’ll be highlighting some of these in my next post. There’s also plenty of other things to do in Barcelona, so regardless of what you’re interested in, you won’t be bored.

Plus, if we aren’t all heading to the same attractions, some areas might be a little less crowded.

Make time (and money) for the attractions you want to see:

Unless you just want to see the outside, you need to pay for most of the ‘sites’ in Barcelona. To allow yourself to take it all in, set aside plenty of time for each attraction. There are sightseeing passes you can get that help you save money.

I understand that in some places you can find more free things to do, and there are still plenty in Barcelona. But some experiences are just worth the money, particularly if they cost you less than an item of clothing or a couple of drinks. Also, much of what you pay will be supporting the place’s staff and maintenance.

How to travel responsibly in Barcelona:

If you find a ‘hidden gem’ or a ‘freeby’, tell your friends, not the world:

There are so many wonderful areas around Barcelona that make for the perfect day trip, or a calmer couple of hours. By reading blogs/articles, asking around, or checking out Google Maps, you can easily find places. As it happens, I managed to find some wonderful viewing areas by merely wandering around- and I didn’t need to venture that far.

Being from Dorset, a county that’s popular with tourists,  I don’t mind a few visitors scattered around places that are less well-known. However, if hundreds started huddling around the same tight spot, the story would rapidly change. Unfortunately, this has been occurring in Barcelona. If you want to visit a ‘hidden gem’, find one for yourself. But half of ‘travel TikTok’ don’t need to know about it.

Stay in locally owned Accommodation:

I’ve said this before, and I will say it again. Avoid rentals, and if you can, stay in locally owned accommodation. Usually, a little research will indicate whether the accommodation is part of a chain. The second Hostel I stayed in was Hello BCN. I am 95% sure it’s independently owned, and it was affordable, clean, and sociable. Aside from their free shots, they had free sangria and pasta, which were much more welcome.

Pay attention to laptop policies:

You will see many people working on laptops in Barcelona, likely because it has attracted lots of digital nomads in recent years. If you’re studying, working, or are a ‘content creator’, then working in a cafe is more appealing than working in your accommodation.

Many of the cafes ask people to stop using laptops after a certain time. Just because the world of work has changed, most of us would still like cafes to be social spaces, not offices.

Fill up your water bottle:

Weighted against what’s been occurring in Barcelona, this may seem a little trivial. Although I thought it might be good to know that there are plenty of places around the city where you can fill up your water bottle. So no need for buying new plastic ones all the time.

Enjoy locally owned businesses:

​My last post highlighted that many locally run businesses have been closing in recent years. Thankfully, there are still plenty left. Checking their website or asking in person can help determine whether they are locally owned. And the products you see in local gift shops will usually differ quite a bit from the usual touristy gifts.

Consider taking an ‘alternative tour’:

There are tours that go beyond the classical ‘city walking tour’ and instead offer a different perspective on the city. Some of these operate as social enterprises, simultaneously raising funds for community members. I would recommend taking a tour led by someone who’s experienced homelessness, with proceeds supporting local jobs.

Have you visited Barcelona before? If so, which of these points resonates most with you? I would be interested to know in the comments.

My next post will highlight things to do in Barcelona. These include visiting ‘socially responsible’ activities as well as some of my favourite activities, just because they were good. To ensure you don’t miss the next post, and for more itineraries, sustainable travel content, and my own thoughts, please make sure to subscribe.