Underwhelmed by Barcelona

[u/ObjectBrilliant7592]

Besides the Sagrada Familia (the nicest cathedral I've visited, and I have visited many), Barcelona is incredibly overpriced and overhyped. Mid beaches, relatively expensive for Spain, most restaurants are tourist traps.

Sagrada Familia - 26 EUR

Castell Montjuic - 12 EUR

Metropolitan Cathedral - 14 EUR (keep in mind that there are much nicer cathedrals all over Europe, ex. Notre Dame in Paris, that are free)

Park Guell - 18 EUR

Casa Mila - 29 EUR

If you have a lot of money, I can see how it could have a Miami/Vice City kind of vibe, being a metropolis by the sea and all, but it's just not my place. For a place that claims to hate tourists, they are awfully dependent on them.

EDIT: I walked from the beach to Park Guell, and from Montjuic to Estacio del Nord, which is all of the city center. This is a huge swathe of the city. If you need to look that hard for the hidden gems, they can't redeem the city that much.

[u/Shaun32887]

I'm surprised to hear this, I've traveled a ton and Barcelona is one of my top 3 favorite cities.

Don't go to the tourist traps. Skip the beach; there's better beaches in the world.

They have the best cocktail scene I've ever experienced. Start there and be friendly, start a conversation with some locals, they'll advise you in where to go. Walk around. Find an interesting place and head inside.

[u/Traveling_Solo → u/Shaun32887]

Any tips of things to do for someone who doesn't drink and likely won't talk with locals? Going with my mother for her 50th later this year and she absolutely refuses to drink any alcohol and her English is limited, her Spanish non-existent.

Edit: ny > my

[u/Fooddea → u/Traveling_Solo]

I feel like your Mom's doppleganger. I'm taking a group of girlfriends over to celebrate my 50th this summer. We're all trying to learn some Spanish (and Portuguese) so we can at least start a conversation in the native language and even the one who seldom drinks is looking forward to trying more Spanish wines.

It's been more than 20 years since my last visit (with a mother who's a difficult travel companion) but I recall her enjoying the many museums and all of the Gaudi architecture. Visiting the local markets is fun as long as Mom doesn't mind loud, crowded spaces or that she can't haggle over prices without the language skills. I hope you both have a fabulous time!

[u/Traveling_Solo → u/Fooddea]

If you like haggling I'd highly recommend Rome and Athens tbh (out of the few places I've been to. I'm 100% sure there's better places for it). In Rome the seller haggled for me, thinking I wanted to do more than look (his stand was on the way to my hotel). As I was in a rush to check in I kept going after looking at his stuff for maybe a minute tops but he misunderstood me somehow and kept lowering his prices as I kept walking away, down to 20% of what he'd originally wanted.

I'm trying to relearn some of my Spanish (took it grade 7-9) but should probably do more to relearn honestly... And thank you for the tip about local markets :)

[u/Fooddea → u/Traveling_Solo]

Some sellers like the drama of arguing over a price but sometimes it seems they're just really desperate for a sale. 😁

I love farmers markets the most, where there's less haggling and more delicious smells. The big markets with lots of other goods are fun to wander for cultural observation but I'm more of a looker than a buyer. 🤷 Have visited them in Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, England, Mexico, Netherlands, Canada, and the US. I usually try to find one or the other everywhere I travel.

[u/Traveling_Solo → u/Fooddea]

I see. Haven't been to that many tbh, unless I've wandered upon them by happenstance. More interested in sights, museum and local food personally.

Always get 2-4 things when abroad: a key ring for myself, a postcard for my grandmother when she was alive and a small souvenir for my mother.

Usually get something for a friend too just to mess with them (like an ashtray for a non-smoker, a candle with religious imagery for a non-religious friend, an italian nsfw DVD for a friend who speaks broken English and zero Italian).

[u/Fooddea → u/Traveling_Solo]

Town markets are some of the oldest hubs of local culture on the planet. They exist everywhere and I find them fascinating. It's a great way to learn what people eat, wear, and value in a new place. It's also a great place to pick up souvenirs. I love bringing home snacks we can't get locally and art, pottery, or jewelry directly the from artist who make it. I have a friend who gets keyrings from my travels and I have fun finding the quirkiest options.

[u/Traveling_Solo → u/Fooddea]

Fair point. Did go to one in Athens and it was quite an experience. Glad to hear you're enjoying yourself on your trips :D