A destination of culture and endless festivals, a cosmopolitan hub for expats, a city where the sea meets the mountains — Barcelona is a lot of things. As I’ve been calling Barcelona home for nearly four years, I’ve gotten a lot of inquiries and assumptions about living in Barcelona as an expat. I’ve realized the general public has a picture painted of Barcelona in their heads that doesn’t actually exist in reality, especially when you have lived here for so long. Whether you just want to visit or are curious about living in Barcelona, here are 6 misconceptions people have about Barcelona.
It’s in Spain, so it’s always warm.
This one couldn’t be farther from the truth. I actually think it’s colder here more months of the year than it is warm. We locals break out our puffer coats in October and we don’t usually take them off until the beginning of May. That means we essentially have four hot months and eight mild, chilly, and cold months.
I was traveling in Costa Rica chatting with a group of Germans. I was telling them I was looking forward to going back to Spain soon so I could wear puffer coats and turtlenecks again. They were so taken back! “But it’s not cold in Barcelona? It’s Barcelona!”
Even as I sit writing this, it’s the end of April and I’m wearing a thin turtleneck, a pullover sweater, and I have a puffer coat resting on the chair of this Gothic Quarter café.
Barcelona doesn’t need heating because flats don’t get cold.
Every Mediterranean local just shivered at the thought. To be honest, we don’t need heating. Living in Barcelona, I tend to get by without it most of the year and only use space heaters when it becomes too much.
However, I’m often wearing my jacket indoors during the eight months of the year that aren’t constantly hot. I don’t fully understand why they are so cold. I suppose it’s a combination of the coastal humidity and the lack of insulation in the walls.
Here’s a quote from Sur In English, “When winter arrives and the temperatures drop many residents feel uncomfortably chilly at home, especially those who live on the coast. The humidity and minimum regulations regarding insulation in residential properties are two reasons people are shivering indoors.”
It’s a beach city.
Well, technically Barcelona has a beach and therefore I guess it could be called a “beach city,” but it is not the type of beach city you might be imagining. Barcelona is not some tropical Caribbean town with palm tree huts, coconut vendors, and sun-tanned beach babes catching waves on Barceloneta Beach.
Fun fact: Barcelona didn’t even have a beach until 1992 when it was the host of the Summer Olympics.
Barcelona is not the type of city that has locals strutting around the city in swimwear and flip-flops. You simply won’t see that here, unless it’s tourists. That’s why I would say Barcelona is not a beach city. It is rather a city with a beach.
It’s always sunny.
During many months of the year, Barcelona is surprisingly greeted with quite rainy and gloomy weather. Autumn and spring can experience wind and consecutive days of rainy weather, but there’s an equal chance of sunshine. The weather in Barcelona during the off-season can be a hit or miss. As a result, it can make packing for Barcelona and even knowing what to wear as a local a bit difficult. The key to Barcelona outside of summer is layers.
There are definitely some sunny and vibrant days, of course! In winter, Barcelona does boast some of the most sunny days compared to other European cities. However, it is not a perpetually sunny city by any means. You’d want to head further south for more maximum sunny weather.
Learn more about Barcelona’s climate.
The local language in Barcelona is Spanish.
A lot of people don’t realize that Spain boasts several other languages depending on which province you are in. In Catalonia, the province of Barcelona, native citizens speak Catalan. This is an entirely different language from Spanish, though it has many similarities to the language.
When you visit Barcelona, you might see many signs and menus written in Catalan, especially when you hop off the traditional tourist path. Though Barcelona locals will also speak Spanish, Catalan comes most naturally for many.
Brush up on some essential Catalan words and phrases.
La Rambla is the place to be.
La Rambla, a long and pedestrian-friendly street in the center of Barcelona’s Old City is often believed to be the heart of the city and a must-see place in Barcelona. However, it’s widely avoided by locals due to pickpocketing (read up on my secrets to avoiding pickpockets) and people constantly bothering you to buy weed or go check out some nightclub.
La Rambla is not authentic Barcelona. If you want to experience a more authentic side of Barcelona, wander along other bustling ramblas like Rambla de Catalunya for shopping and cafes; Rambla del Raval for a quirky cat sculpture, cafes, and restaurants; and Rambla de Poblenou for a blend of traditional and modern architecture along with cafes, ice cream, and more.
Curious to know more about pros and cons of living in Barcelona as an expat? Follow along for more tips, guides, and unique insights to life in Barcelona.
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