As my home-base for my 5 months abroad, Barcelona exceeded my expectations and gave me the experience of a life time. This city truly has it all. Decorated by incredible Gothic architecture, Gauidi's colorful and intricate creations, modernistic buildings, the "trendiest of trendy" spots along Barceloneta Beach coastline on the Mediterranean Sea, and last but not least, an out-of-this-world nightlife, that CANNOT be beat.
----> tips about people, food, culture, lifestyles, transportation
. Bring water everywhere. The concept of a water fountains seems to not exist yet in Europe (weird, I know) and costs money at restaurants. . No public bathrooms. If you really gotta go, just book it through to the back of a restaurant, and DO not make eye contact.
. Attempt to speak Spanish they appreciate it. Just try, maybe you'll make a friend and actually learn something!
. DON'T be the dumb Americans ..... please
. Go down to Barceloneta as much as you can. Go on runs in the evening. AMAZING during the summer time
. Walk around after class every.single.day. GO OUT AND EXPLORE your new home. Las Ramblas, Gothic, Passeig de Gracia, El born: see it all.
. Take as many picture and videos as you can, you'll regret not.
. MJ (Michael Jordan) and Kike Rodriguez are the promotors to get to know!
. Stay out ALL night and watch the sunrise at LEAST once.
. Be very cautious of your belongings, you are in the pick pocketing capital of THE WORLD,
wooohoo. I luckily never got anything stollen from me and I recommend getting a good side
bag and ALWAYS have it zipped.
. Meet new people, everyone that studies abroad in barca is rad. Meet locals too!
. Absolutely must watch the sunset at Park Guell. Duh.
. Go into Gaudi's La Pedrera, La Sagrada familia, Parc Cituadella, hang out in Plaza Catalunya, Tibidabo, Montserratt, Mont Juic!!!
. Drink as much Vina Del Mar as you possibly can, so good so cheap (1.65 euros). It's wine made in Cataluyna so you kinda just have to.
. Get mojitos on the beach, haggle the Pakistani dudes to get them to lower the price, theyll do it. The proceed to ask them to pour make it stronger…. they'll do it.. History lesson: Barcelona is part of CATALUNYA, most people dont know this before they get there but they are VERY proud of this and as they have been trying to secede from Spain for years.... learn more about it's really interesting.
.Walk around the city and get lost, youll find so much and fall in love even more.
. You dont have to tip!!! woooo!!! Awesome!! Just means theres no such thing as customer service but whatevaaaaaah
FOOD:
Local Grub:
-Mercadona- best grocery store. youll find a lot here and for cheap -La Boqueria- The big outdoor fresh market. Love the place called “Organico Orgasmico” at the far back right which had paella, stuffed peppers, bunch of other yummy stuff. Empanadas, nachos, tacos place far back right too, went there ALL THE TIME, get your mexican fix. Get as many fresh juices as you can get here, theres nothing else like it. Theres little markets with peanut butter and stuff you can't normally find easily in Europe, like american, asian, mexican products.
-Bo d b- obviously a MUST. heaven heaven heaven. Had it for my last 3 meals in a row
-Bar lobo- really cool trendy sit down restaurant, off Las Ramblas
-Ceveceria Catalan- great tapas !!! MUST GO HERE and experience it. Always super busy so call ahead if you can. In passeig de gracia
-100 montaditos- 1 euro everything on the menu on wed+sun. Goooo
-El Rey del Gamba- Paella
Just Like Home:
-Maka maka- Great environment and vibe, both outside and inside. Burgers, good veggie burger, really great drinks. Have have have to go. Near Barceloneta.
-Guakamole- new place, saw this last day as I was leaving. By Barceloneta, close to Maka
-Froyosi- Frozen yogurt tucked away in the Gothic
-Fres Co- This place is like Souplantation. You can get salads pasta pizza, can’t find many places like this!
-Wok to wok- There is one location that is basically inside La Boqueria. Its Asian wok and people loved it, thought it was way too salty but whatever
-Maoz- yummy little vegetarian/vegan spot. In the Gothic.
La Taguera- Arepas! (Venezuelan food so of course I was excited) really great nonetheless
-Wok buffet- Right by the Arc de Triumph, like 13 euros for all you can eat sushi, asian foods, chicken, meat and other stuff. Heard it was good.
-Doner (la quila) - “kebab” best hang over cure, good chicken curry too. Be prepared to see indian/ Doner/ Durum on literally every corner in Barcelona and Europe in general
-Wrap it- healthier option. Really good wraps, sandwiches and juices. Right off Barceloneta. Became one of my go-to places. Eat it on the beach!
-Brunch and cake- Great breakfast, awesome salads, and amaaazing cake. Reminds you of cool trendy places from home. Gotta go.
-Teicaway- gooood Mexican. Not cheap but closest thing to home.. Don't bother going to Rosa Negra its too expensive for a little amount of not great food. By Passeig de Gracia
-Pim Pam- supaaa good burgers
Entertainment:
Clubs
-Jamboree- more local, right off las rambles. Sooo fun, smaller, great music
-Cdlc- on Tuesdays !!!!!! Everyone became obsessed with this like half way through, good music, AWESOME vibe and Mediterranean theme. Amazing during the day too.
-RazzMatazz- Saturdays are the best because you can stay out as late as you want. theres a cover but if u screen shot the discount on your phone u get it for like 12 instead of 17. Worth every penny every time.
- Opium: Mondays and Fridays ! About to have the best night of your life here. Right on the beach. Say Kikes name at the door. Cool during the day for lunch too.
- Shoko: Next to opium, go here before. Say MJs name here
- Sutton: Fun on Wednesdays
- Bling: Wednesdays. Not as huge/ well known but its awesome, smaller but so much fun. MJ and Kike usually promote it
- Club at the W. Go at least once, its cool, amazing view, just gets hot and sometimes interesting crowd. Usually promoted on Sunday Nights.
Bars
-Ovella negra for EVERY barca game. this place is massive.
-George Payne for kareoke on Sundays , good food too
-Chupitos- shot bar with 100 options like Harry Potter, GirlScout, Tutti Frutti, Ferrari, Nemo and much more. Its really fun but just expect a lot of sugary shots=Chupitos.
-Must go bar hopping in the Gothic and in Gracia. doooo it
-Pippermints- Great place where you get massive drinks you put like 15 straws in. A lot more inland so we'd normally go before Sutton or Otto Zutz.
Places/ Must-see’s
-Gaudi's La Pedrera
-La Sagrada Familia
-La Boqueria
-Parc Cituadella
-Plaza Catalunya
-Tibidabo
-Montserratt
-Mont Juic
-Xocolat Museum
-if you go during the Spring, make sure to go to Sitges, a beach town an hour away, for Carnival for the night. book through: http://stoketravel.com, bus to and from. Such a blast
-if you go during the Spring, make sure to go to Sitges, a beach town an hour away, for Carnival for the night. book through: http://stoketravel.com, bus to and from. Such a blast
BO D B 
Sagrada Familia
Tapas
Gauidi's La Pedrera
Opium Club
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….survival tips here!