![By javirunner (Flickr: Barcelona - Arco del Triunfo (08019/1053)) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/www.europediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/1012px-arc_de_triomf_barcelona_-_3.jpg?fit=1012%2C768&ssl=1)
10 unexpected things that happened with me in Barcelona
Barcelona, being the city of sun,sand,food and culture that it is, might be on the wishlist of many. It certainly was on mine too, and I was thrilled to plan a quick trip last summer.However, travel and mishaps are often synonymous in my case.And sometimes, it’s best to brace yourself for the unexpected and still make use of the opportunities you have.
Now, for the longest time, I have been wanting to share some stories and tips about Barcelona. But,when Falcon Holidays approached me to partner up and I saw all their exciting holiday deals to places including Spain, I thought, why not give you all an insight into things that did not go right when I visited Spain, or just things that turned out to be great! You never know what your next trip can get you into, right? So, let’s just dive into it!For starters…
1.I was pick-pocketed, on a metro, right on the day I arrived in Barcelona..
Arc de Triumf, Barcelona.Image by javirunner (Flickr) That’s the metro stop where i was pickpocketed!
…lost my wallet but had one debit card with me, thanks to my phone case with card slots!
And I got to see the Magic Fountain show by chance,right after filing a report at the Police station at Placa Espanya(which took very long,incase you are wondering).
The Magic Fountain show near Placa Espanya,Barcelona
![By javirunner (Flickr: Barcelona - Arco del Triunfo (08019/1053)) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/www.europediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/1012px-arc_de_triomf_barcelona_-_3.jpg?ssl=1)
2.This, by the way, was after an exciting morning of scuba diving for the first time in Costa Brava, just outside Barcelona.
Tip:There are several beautiful beaches and hidden gems around Barcelona.Try exploring Costa Brava or Costa Daurada and relax in ways you prefer: sun bathing,adventure sports, theme parks,or delving into culture/history/delicious cuisines!Feel free to check out some last minute holiday ideas too!
3.I realized that finding vegetarian paella would be difficult, but not impossible…
Vegetarian Paella at Siempreviva,Barcelona
but at the time of payment, the only debit card that remained with me refused to work!
Thanks to the restaurant manager who understood our situation and let us go!We withdrew cash the next day(the card miraculously worked at another machine) and went back to pay up. #forevergrateful
4.I could not enter and explore the Sagrada Familia!
Sagrada Familia, the unfinished masterpiece of Gaudi
The queues were unbelievable and I missed out on my pre-booked tour, thanks to the aftermath of the pickpocket incident.
5.But at least I got to sail a yacht!
I really did! You can read all about it in my post here.
6. And devoured a whole lot of delicious vegetarian food apart from Paella.
7.Oh, and I fell in love with THIS Romesco Sauce!
The awesome Romesco Sauce!I want it..now!
Somebody send me a whole carton, please.Thanks.
8.And found out that pre-lunch (about 1 pm) is a great time to sit down for a glass of Vermouth.
9.By the way, I couchsurfed with a lovely couple in the city for a night..connected them with my artsy friend in Basel and met them at a Swiss exhibition after half a year!
Was so glad to see my Couchsurfing hosts exhibiting at the Guck mal Gunther,Kunst exhibition at Lenzburg,Switzerland.
10. Plus,I met a shower loving cat….
..who did not want to leave the washroom..even if you were ON the toilet.
So, I had my first experience in talking to a cat to get him out of the tub , in order to shower!
Here are a few more things I found out about the city:
- That the most popular beach of the city was just over-hyped,and at times, even felt artificial.
- That Barcelona is fondly known as Barna (not Barca). Plus, the people neither are attached to Flamenco dancing or bull-fighting.
- The region of Catalonia(of which Barcelona is the capital) has its own history,heritage and Catalan is not the same as Spanish!
I’m really glad I made that trip and got to know quite a bit of the culture and traditions, the thoughts and ideologies of the people of Catalonia,and was able to dispel some myths. I’m also glad that I decided to not buy any bull fight or flamenco souvenirs from the city, as I just wouldn’t want to get something that the locals do not associate with.
If you liked this post, you might also want to check out other Myths,legends and folklore from Spain. You could also read about the excellent sailing experience I had in the city, and check out the cool beach hostel I stayed at! If you don’t prefer hostels though, I could really recommend Hotel Silken Diagonal near the Agbar Torres.Fantastic rooms and service they had!
And here’s a great post by Probe around the world regarding costs of visiting Barcelona for a weekend.
Here’s a pin friendly image for you:)Please share this post if you like it.Thanks a bunch! And do let me know in the comments below if you have also had any unexpected experiences (good or bad) while travelling!
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Prerana
Hey! Lovely post!
Julie Marcus
So the beaches felt artificial because the ones in the city are. They were built when the city hosted the 1992 Olympics. Before that the area of the beaches was more fishing villages. We lived there for almost 5 years (and miss it!) and I was pickpocketed twice and our baby stroller was stolen right out of the lobby of our apartment building (who steals a stroller???). The good news is my kids are now much more city saavy and now in the Netherlands they are always telling me to make sure I’m holding on to my purse so I don’t get pickpocketed!
reflectiveponderer
Ooh I did not know that about the beaches. And stealing a stroller ! seriously! Seems like pickpocketing is quite common in many cities in Spain.On the plus side, I am also more aware of my belongings now..kudos to your kids!
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Jeanette
I used to live in Barcelona a couple of years back and it was insane how skilled the thieves are. It happened to me once in 5 months so it could have been worse. See this summer on Tbex:)
Jey Jetter
Hahaha, great post, especially your cat-encounter! Unexpected things are the best, apart from the pick-poket-part…that sucks!
Sabine
Love this article 🙂 I lived in Spain and it’s true, you really have to be careful with pickpockets. And vegetarian food in Spain can be a challenge as well, they are meat and fish lovers. Oh, and I also love the pretime lunch with the lovely ‘vermouth del grifo’…from the tap 🙂
whereisnoodles
You’re so right, you have to take the rough with the smooth! Sounds like you still tried to make it an overall positive experience though!
Matthew and Heather
I have heard the pickpocketers are ruthless in Barcelona. I used a double zipper handbag because of it. Glad the rest worked itself out. The water cat is pretty funny.
reflectiveponderer
That was a good idea..should use something like that too..the car was damn cute!
fittwotravel
Sounds like you had more things going on than intended! Sorry it happened in Barcelona, as we loved Barcelona, but didn’t have nearly enough time to do as much as we’d like.
Taylor
Oh god the lines at Sagrada Familia are terrible. When I was there I was told it would be a 4 hour wait. Needless to say I did not go in.
sellallyourstuff
Sorry to hear about the pick pocketing incident but it seems you were able to make the best of it anyway! Love the cat in the shower 🙂
Rob Taylor
What a wonderful collection of moments, good and bad. And I’d be so happy to encounter a shower cat while traveling… as I have two shower cats and life without them, even for a short time, makes me sad whenever I take a shower. 🙂
reflectiveponderer
I didn’t know you have cats!!and they like to shower? How cool!
journalofnomads
Although you had some misfortune, it brought you a lot of fortunate things too! Loved it how positively you wrote this post! There is always something good waiting around the corner! Sailing on a yacht sounds fantastic!!
reflectiveponderer
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your thoughts here:) Sailing was indeed a fabulous experience!
reflectiveponderer
Thanks so much,Esther!
Esther
I’m glad you enjoyed my city although being pickpocket as a lot of tourists… sadly 🙁
And I’m happy you also visited Costa Brava, since it’s beautiful and Catalunya is more than Barcelona!! <3 Love and travel! Esther
reflectiveponderer
Thanks so much,Esther!
Patricia - Ze Wandering Frogs
What a trip you had! Only spent a couple of days in Barcelona for work years ago and barely no time to city sightsee but really liked what I saw. And the food, gosh, tapas galore whenever we could!
Wander Mum
Sorry to hear you got pickpocketed – that really sucks…glad you had one card to keep you going! Sounds like a very mixed trip- the sailing sounds good though. Like a lot of places Barcelona has its good and bad sides…thanks for your honesty – and for linking to #citytripping
Keri from Baby Globetrotters
Greta reflection post – love the style! And great tip to keep one card separate from your wallet, will definitely be doing this from now on! #citytripping
kateonthinice2012
How very refreshing to read a travel post that is a little warts and all rather than just PR rubbish. Really enjoyed reading and am a little in love with the cat
Clare Thomson
Sometimes things just don’t go according to plan, do they? Shame you missed out on the Sagrada Familia – it really is amazing!
Clare Thomson
Sometimes things just don’t go according to plan, do they? Shame you missed out on the Sagrada Familia – it really is amazing!
reflectiveponderer
Oh..falling ill while travelling is a bummer.And you stayed at Mount Tibidabo?That must have been wonderful!When I went sailing, it was strangely very foggy and not the best of weather too..but definitely want to get back to the city sometime:)
MummyTravels
My trip to Barcelona was an eventful one too, although for different reasons – thankfully I didn’t get pickpocketed but my husband was ill and stayed in bed for the whole trip, and it rained so much our view from Mount Tibidabo was of cloud! I’m still glad I went and would love to go back. Glad yours has plenty of good too. #citytripping
reflectiveponderer
Oh..falling ill while travelling is a bummer.And you stayed at Mount Tibidabo?That must have been wonderful!When I went sailing, it was strangely very foggy and not the best of weather too..but definitely want to get back to the city sometime:)
reflectiveponderer
He might just be the first of his kind! 😛 Thanks:)
Packing my Suitcase
So sorry about the pickpocket thing, I hate that 🙁
Nice that you got to see the positive side of things.
The cat part was the best… is he the first of his specie to like water? ahaha sooo cute 😀
Thank you for linking up with #MondayEscapes
reflectiveponderer
He might just be the first of his kind! 😛 Thanks:)
Heather Ditmars
SO on board with the “pre lunch.” Barcelona is one of my favorite cities!!
reflectiveponderer
I think pre booking is the best..even buying a ticket has long queues
Kaley
The bit about the church makes me sad! Do you think going early would make a difference?????
reflectiveponderer
I think pre booking is the best..even buying a ticket has long queues
Arnie
Wow! You know we have been so lucky! I don’t know that I would have been in any state to enjoy a stay if our pockets had been picked. And, then missing your tour! Glad you ended up having a good time though.
reflectiveponderer
Yes!thankfully I wasn’t carrying all my important cards and documents together..just limited stuff and had a debit card in my phone case which was a life saver
Arnie
Wow! You know we have been so lucky! I don’t know that I would have been in any state to enjoy a stay if our pockets had been picked. And, then missing your tour! Glad you ended up having a good time though.
reflectiveponderer
Yes!thankfully I wasn’t carrying all my important cards and documents together..just limited stuff and had a debit card in my phone case which was a life saver
merewoman
Barcelona boasts the unfortunate title of “Pickpocketing Capital of the World.” Not only pockets – our friend has his customised bicycle stolen within an hour of arriving in the city.
The vegetarian paella looks delicious.
It sounds as if your bad experience was well out-weighed by all the good ones. 🙂
reflectiveponderer
Oh..that must have been terrible!For us too,it happened within the first fee minutes..we had all out luggage with us at that point!but yes,a lot of interesting things also happened and i was super alert ALL the time after that!
reflectiveponderer
Cycling is a great idea indeed.Pity that I am out of practice for several years now 🙁 I had no idea of the feria! Need to go back this year and stay there for a few days:)
kylieuk
Oh dear! I was aware on the metro that people kept eyeing up mine and my sister’s bags, I had my hand firming clamped over the zip at all times (glad I had a cross the body bag!). I did have an experience on the metro though where someone shoved me with their suitcase and managed to get through the ticket barrier behind me using my pass. Was kinda annoying because I really liked the rest of Barcelona!
reflectiveponderer
I also had a sling bag..one used for cameras actually…couldn’t believe how it happened right there and I didn;t even notice!was just a matter of 5 seconds when the doors opened! Thanks for stopping by though:)
kylieuk
They are so sneaky!!
probearoundtheglobe
I discovered that cyling around town is so much better for your feet! took me 5 days to came to that conclusion! hahaha. I also found that every weekend, there is a feria of some sort somewhere in the city!
Anna
This seems almost over-eventful! I have somehow managed to not get pick-pocketed in Barcelona – from what I understand, I am in a absolute tiny minority!