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To truly experience Barcelona like a local, try indulging in the city’s rich food scene by exploring local markets such as La Boqueria. Take a stroll through the Gothic Quarter and visit the neighborhood bars for a taste of local beverages or spend time at the beach like many locals do.
Relax, smile and appreciate moments with your friends. Forget about the rush. Although Barcelona is a big city full of people from all around the world, the locals always have time for morning coffee and a small talk with a neighbour or cashier in a supermarket. When you are in Barcelona you should definitely slow down and simply take the things easy!
Typical Catalan starts his/her weekdays with a light breakfast (desayuno). It’s usually a cup of coffee with milk (cafe con leche) and croissant or another sweet roll. A salty option will be a toasted bread with smashed tomatoes and jamón Serrano.
However, on a weekend, a typical Spanish family will eat kind of a BRUNCH (almuerzo) which contains sausage with beans (Botifarra amb mongetes), eggs or tortilla de patatas.
Suprised that the waiter asked you at 10 pm if you want a coffee after the dinner? To not act like a guiri* you better order it! In Mediterranean culture, it’s normal to drink an espresso or cortado (coffee with a little amount of milk) after finishing a lunch or dinner. It’s good for digestion, helps modulate a blood sugar level and will make you feel more awake after a Spanish gluttony!
During your stay in Barcelona, you need to get used to the specific hours of work, meals and opening hours. Having a siesta is one of the most important steps to be like a local. At first, forget about eating in a restaurant from around 4pm to 8pm. Between these hours almost all of them are closed! Moreover, it doesn’t mean that Catalans will be there at 8pm. They usually start dining at 9pm or later, even with their kids!
Also, work at Spanish companies starts a little bit later, around 10am and ends at 7pm with one hour of a break for employees. Sounds strange? Well, once you try siesta, you won’t want to go back to the “normal” schedule.
The British have their five o’clock tea, the French vine time, and the Spanish have vermut. It’s an afternoon aperitif while people meet and drink sweet, aromatized vine vermouth accompanied with some olives, almonds, anchovies or small sandwiches called montaditos.
Experience the taste of Spain by indulging in a delicious array of tapas and washing them down with glasses of fruity, refreshing sangria. The small and flavorful dishes, ranging from patatas bravas and croquetas to spicy chorizo and marinated olives, are perfect for sharing and sampling different flavors.
Meanwhile, the thirst-quenching, sweet and tangy sangria is the perfect beverage to pair with the bold, rich flavors of the tapas. Immerse yourself in this beloved Spanish tradition and savor the taste of summer all year round.