Living in Barcelona these past 3 years has been a true blessing. There truly seem to be endless benefits of living in Antoni Gaudi’s city and there are specifically 10 fantastic reasons why I love living in Barcelona.
With this post, I will highlight all of the city’s most prominent cultural highlights, and hopefully to answer your doubts in case you are wondering if it is worth it going to Barcelona. However, I am pretty sure that after reading this you will love Barcelona even more than I already do.
1. WEATHER
Be it summer or winter, Barcelona seems to have the ultimate year-round perfect weather.
With its winter reaching temperatures averaging 12 C (around 54 F), and summer around 32 C (90 F), it is no wonder so many people are attracted to going to Barcelona any time of the year.
Ah, and to add a cherry on top of that cake, Barcelona’s skies are almost always blue (yes, even in winter). How can anyone not absolutely LOVE that?
2. THEY HAVE WEIRD TRADITIONS
Speaking of winter, if you’re ever around Barcelona during Christmas time then you are in for a big surprise. Even after living here for 3 years, I still can’t get y heard around Catalunya’s weirdest tradition, a little guy called Caga Tio, which literally translates into something called ‘’poop uncle’’.
If this is already getting strange to you, then take a seat now my friend.
The Caga Tio is the Catalan version of Santa Clause. But unlike our friendly white-bearded, red-clothed friend, the Caga Tio is not human, but a log.
Yes you read it correctly, it is a tree log, where they draw eyes and a mouth. Then they cover it with a blanket the weeks before Christmas and children are supposed to feed them with lemon and orange zests to make it ‘’get fat’’ (the fatter it gets, the more presents children get).
Are you seeing where I am going with this?
When Christmas day arrives, children gather around and sing a song while hitting the Caga Tio with a stick. By the end of the song, it will ‘’poop out’’ the presents.
The funny thing is that I SWEAR I am not making this up.
I’ve written a full post with other 3 fun and weird Catalan traditions. Read it here if you dare.
(at least they kept the Santa hat)
3. THE PEOPLE
It is no news that people in Spain are friendly, loud, and warm. Even though Catalans don’t consider themselves Spanish, the basis of their culture is quite connected.
Expect friendly waiters and helpful locals. Ah, and it doesn’t hurt knowing some words in Catalan before coming, as they appreciate people who understand the nuances of being in Catalonia
(Catalan and Spanish languages are quite different from each other, so if you speak Spanish and believe you will communicate well in Catalan because of that, guess again)
Curious to know other mistakes people always make when visiting Barcelona? Well, then read this popular post that went viral in my Pinterest feed. I’ve even inserted basic and useful Catalan words that will take you a long way while traveling in Barcelona.
4. THERE IS A BEACH (PS- IT IS ARTIFICIAL)
Yes, there is a beach. Yes, it was not put there by nature.
In fact, the sand was brought back in 1992, when the government heavily invested in developing Barcelona for the ‘92 Olympics.
Nowadays, Barcelona boasts of seven beautiful beaches with a 4.5 km coastline. Around this area, you will be sure to go crazy deciding which restaurant or bar to try out.
Ah, and if that is your thing, going topless is totally acceptable in the beaches here.
5. IT IS RELATIVELY CHEAP
If eating well at good prices is something that attracts you, then come to Barcelona right away!
I can’t tell you enough the amount of extremely amazing restaurants that are spread out all around the city: From traditional tapas to paellas, sushi, burgers, ramens…
A good dinner here with wine would be in average 30 eur per person.
Of course, this estimate largely depends on the restaurant you pick to eat. As you can imagine, some can be cheaper (and other much more expensive). But I find that usually when I go out (to eat well and have some drinks with my food), the price is usually an average of 30 euros.
If you want to know my favorite places to eat in this city, read this post.
Aaah, and if you want any recommendation, in particular, write to me in the comments section below, or DM me on my Instagram account.
6. THE CITY IS REALLY LIKE AN OPEN-AIR MUSEUM
I feel like a broken record sometimes when I talk about why I love Barcelona so much, but this is a point that has to always be brought up: Barcelona is like an open-air museum.
Antoni Gaudi, the architect who made Barcelona what it is today, made sure to leave quite the legacy after his death.
If names like Sagrada Familia and Park Guell ring a bell to you, then you’ll also be happy to know that Gaudi has left his mark in the most unexpected places of the city (such as random houses and even benches).
I’m not kidding, guys. The city is stunning!! It is not uncommon to stumble upon groups of people who are occasionally all looking up at something with cameras at their hands.
So be sure to keep your eyes open at all times!
Want to know about the top attractions to see in Barcelona? Then read this post. I was sure to include super helpful tips for each of them, so don’t miss it!
7. YOU CAN GET ANYWHERE IN THE CITY BY FOOT
To me, one of the top things about living in Barcelona is just how walkable the city is.
Be it because the weather is amazing, or because people are helpful, or simply because the architecture is stunning, there are thousands that you will love
The city is also pretty flat, so you don’t get easily tired. Another good reason to walk around is that chances of you finding an amazing restaurant are very HIGH (just please, do yourself a favor and DO NOT eat at The Ramblas).
8. TAPAS
What is best than ordering food that is cheap, delicious and made to be shared?
Tapas are small portions of different styles of food (usually fried) that are ordered by the bunch and shared among friends.
What I love about it is that you can try many different varieties, since you are sharing it with others.
Usually, what I do with my friends, is that each person chooses 2 tapas from the menu of their liking, and then everyone tries a bit of each.
Ah, and in case you are like Joey Tribbiani and don’t like sharing your food, then you’ll be happy to know that the price of a tapa is on average of 3 euros. So if there was anything you ordered that people ate all of it and that you’d like to have more of it, well, why not order it again?
9. THE LAIDBACK LIFESTYLE
Don’t expect people to be on time or the lifestyle in Barcelona to be in any way rushed. Just as the Spanish, Catalans have a laid-back way of functioning.
However, I am certain that you won’t take long to start enjoying this carefree lifestyle. Further on, being as Barcelona is a relatively big city, it’s a nice change of settings to be in a laid back city that is filled with people. No one seems ever to be stressed, and people are more often than not in a good mood.
It is honestly fantastic to live in such a nonchalant city.
10. BEING CALLED ”BEAUTIFUL” IS NORMAL
Don’t get me wrong, people here are not perverts that will be harassing you while you walk around the city on foot.
Quite the contrary. Being called ‘
Are you in love with Barcelona yet? Don’t miss more from the Barcelona Series:
- 11 common mistakes visitors always make when coming to Barcelona
- 9 Terrible mistakes to avoid at the Sagrada Familia
- All of Barcelona’s must-see attractions
- My top recommendations of places to eat in Barcelona?
- 2 Days Self Walking Tour
- Barcelona Complete City Guide
- 30 photos to inspire you to visit Barcelona
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