We all know how to look like a tourist; carry a camera, map, wear tennis shoes and white socks. But how to you fit into a culture? There are a few things I observed about the locals in Barcelona and with these tips, you can fit in too.
Table of Contents
Carry a fan
One of my favorite things about Spanish culture is the fact that everyone carries a fan. I used to think those fans were just for show – but not at all. I saw them being used on the subway, in the market, walking down the street, by women, by men, and by all ages. I even bought my own.
Stay in an apartment in a local neighborhood
I found that staying in an apartment in Barcelona was a great way to learn more about the locals and see how to fit in better. After all, by staying in a local neighborhood instead of a tourist hotel, I was forced to get out to the grocery store, meet neighbors, and see the day-to-day life in Barcelona.
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Stay up late
This culture is all about late nights. People don’t go to eat here until around 10 PM, which means on a weekend, they go to the bars at midnight and clubs not before 3 AM. All ages seem to be out late – kids, grandparents, and, of course, teenagers. Granted – I don’t think everyone goes clubbing, but they do enjoy the late nights and being outside.
Take a nap
The Spanish really do have the right idea – you are never too old for a nap. If you are going to stay up late, then you better make sure you get your siesta from 2 to 5 PM. Prior to siesta, everyone goes to the market, gets what they need, goes home, makes lunch, and then promptly takes a nap. Granted – not everyone does this, but they should!
Shop with wheels
The sidewalks are littered with bags on wheels. Since Barcelona is traditional European city, there are no real big ‘super-stores’, instead the locals simply walk to their neighborhood market and get what they need on a frequent basis. Since everyone walks, they all pull a little bag with wheels to put all of their shopping purchases in and then wheel them back home. In grocery stores they even have a little ‘parking’ area for these carts so you can store your wheelie bag while you shop.
Eat Small
It’s all about tapas – small bites with wine. I have yet to see many restaurants where you sit down and have a big meal. Instead, people tend to eat small amounts and eat frequently. My neighborhood was full of little tapa restaurants where the locals would sit, eat, drink, and gossip.
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When you travel to Barcelona, make sure you wander out of the touristy Las Ramblas and see how the locals live when in Barcelona!
What other suggestions do you have to fit in like a local in Barcelona? Please share in the comments!
Disclosure: Oh Barcelona Apartments hosted my accommodation in Barcelona. However, all of the opinions expressed here though are my own – as you know how I love to speak my mind!
By Tom Bartel November 29, 2011 - 7:43 am
I’ve lived in Barcelona and I concur on all your suggestions. Eating tapas and taking a nap are fundamental. I’d also suggest learning a few words of Catalan, buying your food at the Boqueria or local market in your neighborhood, and eating paella in Barceloneta on Sunday.
By Micamyx|Senyorita November 29, 2011 - 10:22 am
Now i know why my pseudo-boyfriend bought me a fan as a present when he arrived from Barcelona 😀 I am planning to visit Barcelona with my mom come February. Keeping my fingers crossed it will push through 😀
By 50+ and on the Run November 29, 2011 - 10:32 am
Never been to Barcelona, but live in San Antonio, and always carry a fan in the summertime. Thanks for the tips.
By Ian Pinchen November 29, 2011 - 11:10 am
Another way to fit is to have a brother who lives there! Beautiful, beautiful city with a slightly sad civil war history but architecturally stunning (not just Gaudi), vibrant and welcoming.
Learn a bit of the language, the locals are fiercely patriotic – Barceloa was built as a capitol with independence from the rest of Spain in mind. The locals speak Catalan and expect visiting Spanish to do the same (or at least try) but they are very pleased if foreign visitors attempt ordinary Spanish – a few words go a long way.
Go to the local bakery/patisserie for fresh bread and pastries in the morning for breakfast – fabulous.
Go off the beaten tourist tracks to find restaurants, bars and cafes used by the locals – much cheaper.
Don’t go wearing a Real Madrid football shirt! It’s Barca or nothing. And, like everyone else promanade and eat in the evening. But, do beware pick pockets and handbag snatchers – I’ve encountered them (not personally) every time I’ve been there. Take normal precautions and enjoy a fabulous city – one of the best in Europe.
By Chris November 29, 2011 - 11:34 am
Hi, I have been in Barcellona many times and my best friends live there. To fit in like a local remember to buy a copy of the newspaper and take it everywhere with you. You will became Spanish 🙂
By Sophia November 30, 2011 - 7:25 pm
Loved reading this. We are headed there in February. I am all for naps … will have to get used to staying up later, that’s for sure.
By Kiera December 1, 2011 - 2:43 am
I visited Barcelona for the second time in September and fell in love with the city all over again. Taking a nap anywhere in Spain is key – it’s hard to do if you’re sightseeing all day, but to really live like the locals, the siesta is key. I didn’t notice Barcelona closing up as much as other places – some of the smaller cities everything closed and the streets were deserted from 2 – 5 pm.
Just reading about Barcelona and tips for being there makes me smile – so thank you for your post!
By Andrew December 2, 2011 - 7:36 pm
My husband is Catalan from there and tapes, originating from Andalusia, are not part of the traditional Catalan meal regime. When I first went to Barcelona and spent time with him, I expected to try lots of tapes. But we never once had any. Maybe once or twice we had Basque Pintxos or what Catalans refer to as a snack (berenar). But Catalan meals are typically 3 courses, lunch and dinner.
By Rebekah December 5, 2011 - 8:47 pm
Hi Sherry, While I was in Cadaques having a pizza, a super friendly local struck up a conversation with us. His take on the siesta was that it’s all about nurturing your relationship! The picture I had painted in my mind was the entire population of Barcelona shagging between 2 and 5! What’s not to love about a country with that sort of attitude!
By Dayna December 15, 2011 - 3:18 pm
Loved these!! When I was in Barcelona I couldn’t get enough of the tapas, and the siesta was my absolute favorite cultural ritual to involve myself in. 🙂
By Linda December 19, 2011 - 4:45 am
Awesome! And all very true. I live in Catalunya about 40 minutes outside of Barcelona. I think something else that is really critical about understanding Catalunya, the City of Barcelona and the Catalan people and culture is to understand their feelings, history and the current events between Spain and Catalunya. Although my husband is Catalan, I did not grasp the full extent of the severity of this issue until living here. The way in which the Catalan’s are treated politically and socially in Spain is, in my opinion, one of the world’s best kept secrets in regards to human rights violations. There are a few great (and short) documentaries that anyone with interest in Barcelona / Catalunya should really see before they come here. It will prevent you from offending people and / or sticking your foot in your mouth (as I have). Two good ones to check out — https://youtube.com/watch?v=taCH_jMLNEU or https://youtube.com/watch?v=B3Y7QgIYhMQ&feature=related. Your knowledge of this topic and of what the Catalan’s are living everyday will win you many, many points and is really critical in your true understanding of the area.
By Carles October 24, 2013 - 7:24 am
Do you really think people in Barcelona take a siesta everyday? It’s amazing how you can stay in a place and be totaly in your own world apart.
A barcelonian, from generations and generations.
By Sherry October 24, 2013 - 9:59 am
Thanks for your input. No I certainly don’t think everyone takes a siesta – but certainly more than in my culture. I just know that in the neighborhood I stayed in all businesses shut down for a few hours over lunch and then reopened. I don’t know that people actually took a nap – but the businesses took a rest. I’m sure it’s different in different industries too – these were just little neighborhood stores and grocery stores.
By Marta October 26, 2013 - 3:49 am
Hi Sherry, I can explain that! People are eating from 2 to 3, and until kids finish school at 5pm, moms stay at home doing things they won’t be able to do when kids come back (and many people work until 5pm, anyway!). As a result, no one is out shopping until then. If you own a small family owned shop and don’t want to work for more than 8 hours a day (which is quite reasonable), you rather close during the low business hours and then stay open until late.
Also, tapas are a new trend in the city, but they are definitely not a traditional part of our culture even if we’ve been good at adapting our culinary recipes and food style to the smaller tapas portions.
And I have a fan for the summer because I spend a lot of time outdoors, but most people don’t use it. It might be more usual than in the US, but it’s definitely not a must have in a lady handbag…
I suspect most of this post recommendations would work best for Sevilla than for Barcelona…
Cheers!
Marta
– A proud Barcelona local and city tourguide
By Maria@ Barcelona tours June 24, 2014 - 8:37 am
It is true!!! every country has its culture, and the best way to discover it is introduce in it´s ciulture and avoid the tourist sites.
In Barcelona is much more that the famous Ramblas, Gaudi, the real life in Barcelona is very different what is typically at tourist sites, for example we like to enjoy the street, we love the bar terraces in summer, it is very typical that after work to stay with friends for a drink, because as your comets usually dine very late, about 22:00H, , we also love the night life here in Barcelona everything begins about 24:00H, and what I can say about the food…..
we love the gastronomy and enjoy a tapas with a cold beer and the company of our friends.
Barcelona is very cheerful, I personally would not change Barcelona from anywhere, is a special city, full of history, gastronomy and nightlife and is a city that you can visit both in summer and in the winter because fortunately we have very good weather.
By Cristina August 4, 2014 - 10:49 am
Hi, as a local, let me explain you a litle bit:
-Live in a local neighborhood. Very true.
-Shop with wheels: in the supermarket and in the market, so true and very typical, and comfortable.
-People usually eat later than in northern Europe, but definitely not at 10 pm in labour days. People begin to work at 8am, so they usually have dinner between 8.30-9.30 pm.
-Naps are not typical at all, because people have to work. Maybe there are for some people who are unemployed, but even for these, it is not a widespread habit.
-And it is common to have 3 meals, being lunch the biggest, but with normal food, not tapas or small apperitifs. At the same time, tapas can be normal, but when going out with friends. Bar culture is not typically Catalan after dinner, but there is people who do that, usually natives from other parts of Spain.
-Fans are not a typical item to carry, but very useful in summer, and more common than in other countries, maybe, but not typical. Old ladies usually carry them. (old=wise)
-It is normal to stay up late in the weekends, specially in summer, and night clubs open earlier than 3am, but it is true that people usually go there at late hours.