Shit you probably haven’t thought of… but should know: Barcelona
Revised March 22, 2025
Around this time last year, I decided to leave the US on a semi-permanent basis and travel the world. The logic was simple, almost anywhere else has a lower cost of living than the States right now, so why not jump on a plane and explore the world while trying to survive in, well, *gestures vaguely all over* this. Since my decision to travel overseas for an undetermined time, like many of my life-changing choices, was made on a whim, I sacrificed several things while preparing for the first leg in Barcelona… like doing any research or recognizance on the city AT ALL. I literally just googled beach towns in Spain, cracked open my laptop to search for the best lodging deals and that was IT.
Well, when all was said and done, I loved my time in the city. However, there were definitely some things I hadn’t expected (or even thought to consider) while I was there. Additionally, it took me almost a month to decompress and come out of the dense fog of burnout that decades of chasing the “American Dream” caused, so I did not explore the city as much as I probably would have under different circumstances.
Regardless, if you’re planning a trip to Barcelona, here are a few things to think about before you go!
My fave from Honest Greens: Falafel plate with extra salad and a side of sourdough…
One thing Barcelona doesn’t lack is delicious desserts. It’s a wonder how I even lost weight lol
Environment & Culture:
Day-to-Day Culture: Barcelona is slllooowww… They’ve mastered work/life balance. I mean, the Starbucks near me didn’t even open until 9 AM! While some people work earlier, life really doesn’t get active until after 11 AM, especially in retail areas. And as for an afternoon siesta? They take their midday breaks SERIOUSLY, with many stores, restaurants, and offices closing for a few hours every afternoon.
Dinner is also late for most Americans, typically starting no earlier than 8 PM. Long story short, prepare for late mornings and even later nights. On this same note, meals are a communal experience, with the culture celebrating sharing good food, conversation, and alcohol with friends and family, especially around dinner time.
Museums: Given the long and rich history of the city, there are museums and historical attractions galore, but with my limited time touristing, I focused on the museums that were within walking distance of my rental. A must-see is obviously the Picasso Museum, home to one of the most extensive collections of Pablo’s early works, offering insight into his formative years and deep connection to the beautiful city. Contemporary and street art enthusiasts (like myself) will appreciate MoCo Museum, which showcases cutting-edge modern artists, including Banksy, Basquiat (my absolute FAVE), and Warhol. For a more immersive experience of Banksy himself, the Banksy Museum (another fave of mine, as well as my son’s) highlights the elusive artist’s most iconic works, bringing his provocative messages to life through several styles of exhibits. Whether you’re drawn to classic masterpieces, bold contemporary statements, or just want some cool souvenirs and gifts, Barcelona’s museums have something for everyone.
Trash & Recycle: Recycling is big in Barcelona, and there are public disposal bins on almost every street (green = glass, blue = paper, yellow = plastic), so there’s really no reason not to participate. Public trash cans are on almost every corner as well. Cleaning your table after you eat, however, even at a fast food joint, is apparently not a thing.
Smoking: If you’re not a smoker, don’t be offended by the amount of people that do partake in Barcelona. It’s tolerated, accepted, and in some ways, still romanticized.
Pets & People: Leashes are just a suggestion. On that note, I only saw a few stray animals during my time in Barcelona, something that, having lived in big cities all over the world, quite surprised me. Stray people, however, were much more common.
Final Days by KAWS welcomes you to Moco Barcelona
Stay Hydrated my Friends…
Food & Groceries:
Take advantage of the produce! It’s cheaper, bigger, fresher, juicier, and lasts much longer than anything sold in the States. Like, the grapes alone were the same size as my air pods case (insert Mind Blown emoji here).
Actually, the food in Barcelona is just better in every way: quality, taste, and overall experience. Because of the EU’s food regulations and just cultural differences in general, several of the chemicals, preservatives, and additives that have become staples in the ultra-processed American Diet are illegal in countries like Spain. Instead, they focus on whole foods and simple preparation and preservation techniques. This single change resulted in me losing over eight pounds during my time there, without even trying, simply because of the food quality and options.
Finally, and super random, but if you know me, you know I loooovveee boba. Well, believe it or not, cream cheese is a common option to top off your boba in Barcelona. If you’re anything like me and DON’T like cream cheese… BEWARE!
"If you're not a smoker, don't be offended by the amount of people that do smoke in Barcelona. It's tolerated, accepted, and in some ways, still romanticized."
El Bano:
Public bathrooms were the biggest issue for me in Barcelona. While I don’t want to make a blanket statement and say all bathrooms in Barcelona are no bueno, of the public restrooms I visited, the majority had long lines, were not clean and often lacked toilet paper (especially at Starbucks). It was also more common than not for toilet paper to be thrown in the garbage can instead of flushed down the toilet. And while I know this is common in many countries, as a spoiled American, it’s just not my favorite practice.
Wellness & Gyms:
No matter your exercise preference or routine, Barcelona has gyms, clubs, and classes for any need.
Now that I’m finally consistent, one must for any city I travel to is regular access to a gym, and let me tell you, there is no shortage of them in Barcelona. Since I was only in the city for two months, I didn’t want to sign a contract or put my card on file, which limited my options. However, Reboot Bruc, a small, boutique gym with just the right amount of equipment and variety, came through for the win. At just under $100 a month, it was well worth the money and only a 2.2 km walk from my condo.
Nutrition/Supplement stores are also scattered throughout the city, making it easy to find any protein powders, pre-workouts, or supplements you may need. Located right around the corner from Reboot, Active Nutrition Barcelona became my go-to shop, both for the selection and the niceness of the staff and owner. 10/10 Highly Recommend 😀
Strolling through the Gothic Quarter…
Siri, play J. Cole: Work Out… and keep your head down!
Transportation:
Barcelona is most definitely a city for pedestrians. In fact, during my time there I walked EVERYWHERE, except to and from the airport. The cobblestone streets are narrow and serve as sidewalks first, and roads second, especially in heavily populated and frequented areas like The Gothic Quarter, el Born, and Barceloneta Beach. The city is also a prime example of how great public transportation can be, with taxis, Uber, bikes, scooters, buses, trains, and even boats, readily available and easily accessible from almost anywhere in the city.
Favorite Restaurants:
No matter where you go in Barcelona you’re going to have a plethora of food choices. From every world cuisine to vegetarian and vegan options to desserts you didn’t even know existed, there truly isn’t a lack of anything in Barcelona. That being said, I included a list of my favorite restaurants as a starting point for your future adventures…
Honest Greens: A great place for healthy, organic, and ethically sourced food, as well as hip-hop and community vibes. With several locations, my go-to was el Born.
Lady Dumpling: Like Honest Greens, multiple locations offer a variety of food and dietary options. Yummy is the only word needed.
La Teverna Del Coure: This was my favorite spot for cocktails, of the few times I did indulge alcohol.
Rangoli: No matter where I visit I have to find Indian Food, and this place was AWESOME.
Vegan Junk Food Bar: This was by far the best vibes coupled with quality food and drinks.
Solo Female Travel:
Should you, like me, enjoy galavanting around the world without the trappings of other people’s decision-making, or lack thereof, then Barcelona is a GREAT option to explore solo dolo. That being said, however, it’s not without its shortcomings. Now, I don’t want to paint a negative picture of the city and culture as a whole, because in general, Barcelona is peaceful, beautiful and pretty much safe. However, in the spirit of full transparency, I ran into two major issues while there:
- I had to be aware at all times to make sure I wasn’t pick-pocketed, or my belongings snatched, even while sitting with them. While many might think this is common practice, for reference, I’ve been able to walk away, in public, from my items for over twenty minutes at any given time in countries like South Korea, Thailand, and Barbados, without the same worry.
- I was followed twice during my time in Barcelona. The first incident happened on my way to the Picasso Museum, where the person even waited outside, hoping to engage me after I left. The second occurred on my way to a nail salon, where the individual followed me for several blocks and lingered for over an hour outside (I thought I lost him before I entered). He even entered the salon, offering me water as an excuse to get my attention and start a conversation. It was ridiculous, to say the least, and had me on edge the rest of my time in the city. I do not offer these stories to scare or talk down on anyone, merely as an example to remain vigilant, observant, and aware, especially as a solo female traveler.
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