Preparation file

Preparing for Barcelona

Barcelona is squeezed between the sea and the hills, laid out on a grid and easy to walk. Three things help before you arrive: how the metro is paid for, that meal times are later than you are used to, and where and how to carry your bag.

Last updated: 2026-08

Audio summaryA spoken run-through of the intro and section summaries

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Meal times

All of Spain

In Spain lunch moves into the afternoon and dinner into the night. Kitchens close in between, so walking into a restaurant at the hour you are used to may get you a drink and nothing else.

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Everyday etiquette

All of Spain

Greetings matter and you are expected to greet people as you walk into a shop. In the middle of the afternoon small shops may close for a few hours; plan your shopping around it.

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Getting around

The metro reaches everywhere and is the most practical option for a visitor. Most of the center is walkable, and the Eixample grid makes it hard to lose your bearings. El Prat Airport is linked to the city by metro, train and airport bus.

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Weather and clothing

A Mediterranean climate: hot and humid in summer, mild but windy in winter. The sun is strong for most of the year. You will walk a great deal, so shoes matter more than clothes.

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Money and cards

All of Spain

The currency is the euro and cards work almost everywhere. In small bars and markets a little cash is still practical. Tipping is not obligatory.

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Practical notes

All of Spain

Sockets are type C/F at 230 V, so no adapter is needed. Tap water is drinkable though hard-tasting in some cities. Pharmacies are marked with a green cross.

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Staying safe

Violent crime is low, but pickpocketing is well above the European average. What people lose is mostly phones and passports, and the precautions are simple and effective.

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In an emergency

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Emergency call: 112One number for police, ambulance and fire. It is the same across Europe, so there is nothing to look up on arrival.
Reporting a theft: A denuncia at a police stationInsurance and passport procedures do not move without this formal document. Stations that help visitors are in the city center; ask your tour leader.
Pharmacy: Farmacia — green crossThe out-of-hours rota is listed on the door. Bring your prescription medicine with you.
Lost passport: Your country's missionFile the denuncia with the police first, then apply to your mission. On a group tour, tell your tour leader immediately.

Checklists

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Phrases worth knowing

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