September 2021 • Barcelona, Spain

After three peaceful days surrounded by the countryside of Girona, arriving in Barcelona felt like stepping into a completely different world.

The roads became busier.

The streets became louder.

And suddenly, we were surrounded by one of Europe’s most famous cities.

The Best Way to See Barcelona

Like many cities, Barcelona can easily tempt you into rushing from one attraction to another.

We did the opposite.

We walked.

A lot.

Sometimes we’d have a destination in mind.

Other times we’d simply pick a street and see where it led us.

Street in Barcelona

One of my favourite things about Barcelona was how every neighbourhood felt different.

Some streets were lined with elegant apartment buildings.

Others opened into lively squares filled with cafés, musicians and locals enjoying the afternoon.

Barcelona street intersection

There was always something happening.

Shopping… and More Shopping

If you’ve travelled with family, you’ll know exactly how this part goes.

“We’re only going in for five minutes.”

Famous last words.

Barcelona turned out to be just as good for shopping as it was for sightseeing.

There were visits to Zara and other shops, lots of browsing through souvenir shops and, somehow, more shopping bags appeared every single day.

By the end of the trip, we’d collected gifts for family and friends back home, along with a few things that somehow found their way into our own suitcases too.

No regrets.

A Close Call I’ll Never Forget

Barcelona has an incredible atmosphere.

It’s also famous for something far less enjoyable.

Pickpockets.

I’d read the warnings before travelling, but it wasn’t until one afternoon that I truly understood why people keep talking about them.

My mum and aunt had gone into Zara while I stayed outside on a bench looking after all of our shopping bags.

A man walked directly towards me and started pointing above my head towards the tree I was sitting beneath, clearly trying to get me to look away.

I didn’t.

Instead, I tightened my grip on every shopping bag and kept watching him.

Within seconds, he realized I wasn’t taking the bait and casually walked away.

Later, it all made sense.

These groups often work together.

One person distracts you.

Another grabs your belongings.

Sometimes a third positions themselves nearby, making the whole situation appear completely innocent while limiting your ability to react.

Thankfully, nothing happened.

But it reinforced something worth remembering.

Stay aware.

Especially around busy shopping streets, public transport and tourist attractions.

Don’t let it stop you visiting Barcelona.

Just don’t make yourself an easy target.

Looking Back

Barcelona was everything I’d expected.

Beautiful architecture.

Busy streets.

Great shopping.

Fantastic food.

And plenty of walking.

It was the perfect way to finish our Spanish holiday.

If I return to Spain one day, I’d love to explore somewhere completely different.

Madrid, Seville, Granada and the Basque Country all appeal to me.

But I’m glad my first visit introduced me to two places that couldn’t have been more different.

One was peaceful.

One was energetic.

Together, they gave me a wonderful first impression of Spain.