‘I’m a British expat – don’t do these 5 things when visiting major Spanish city’ | Europe | Travel
A British woman living in Barcelona has shared valuable advice for anyone looking to visit the the popular Spanish city.
Anna, who runs TikTok account @annainbarcelona, has been living in the Barcelona long enough to know its tips and tricks, and regularly shares insider information on life as an expat, slang terms, and the biggest differences between the two countries’ lifestyles.
Barcelona, which attracted over 15 million visitors just last year, has recently seen a surge in anti-tourist protests and long-held complaints of petty theft and pickpocketing.
In a recent video, Anna shared her don’ts when visiting Barcelona to her nearly 23,000 followers. Her first bit of advice concerns footwear; mainly, that bringing heels is unnecessary and a waste of space in your luggage.
Anna recommends packing comfortable shoes instead, as the city lends itself to lots of walking.
Secondly, while La Rambla might seem like an ideal spot to eat or drink, the TikTok creator has warned against settling for refreshments on Barcelona’s most iconic street.
While it’s a great pedestrian walkway, the food and drink are usually “twice as much for something half as good”, and attracts many pickpockets due to the sheer amount of unsuspecting tourists.
Speaking of pickpockets, Anna recommends not putting your phone in your pocket, but rather in a bum bag that’s less accessible for anyone trying to steal your belongings.
Another tip for anyone visiting Barcelona is to make sure and book restaurants ahead of time, as the millions of tourists descending upon the city might make securing a table on the spot difficult.
Lastly, Anna highly recommends making full use of the extensive public transport system in Barcelona rather than relying on the more expensive taxis.
Metros run until 2am on Fridays and throughout the night on Saturdays, making it a reliable way of getting home after a late outing. Bus services are also available overnight.
A 10-ticket metro pass, the T-Casual, costs as little as €12 (roughly £10) and offers freedom of travel on any public transportation.