Be a “Bon Guiri” — 5 Must-Know Barcelona Travel Tips, From a Catalan Speaker
If you’re going to Barcelona, I’ll tell you what you need to know to truly understand the city’s culture and not just be another tourist who they hate.
When I was 18, I went on exchange to Barcelona for the summer. I learned to speak Castilian Spanish and Catalan.
Since then I’ve visited almost every year, and the city is like a second home to me.
In this article, I want to share how to be a respectful guest and have a way better Barcelona experience than the average tourist
In this article, you will not hear from me on which restaurants or hotels are the best. There is plenty of that info available on the Internet.
Few places on earth have had as much tension between locals and tourists.
Why the Barcelona Locals Hate Tourists (”Guiris”)
Before you set foot in Barcelona, you must understand the word “guiri.”
This term, used in both Castilian Spanish and Catalan, refers to tourists, particularly those who stand out as obvious tourists.
While the exact definition is debated among locals, what’s not debated is the growing tension between Barcelona residents and the influx of tourists
The relationship between locals and tourists has deteriorated over the years for several legitimate reasons:
Housing Crisis Made Worse By Tourism: Barcelona faces a severe housing shortage, with locals increasingly priced out of their own neighborhoods.
Short-term vacation rentals have converted what were once family apartments into tourist accommodations, driving up rents and pushing residents to the outskirts. Many people can’t afford to live in the city where they grew up.
Neighborhood Transformation: Historic areas like the Barri Gòtic and Barceloneta have been fundamentally altered by tourism. The Gothic Quarter—once a residential area filled with local shops and community spaces—now overflows with souvenir stores, expensive restaurants, and visitors wandering with selfie sticks. Barceloneta, a traditional fishing neighborhood, has become so tourist-dominated that residents have hung banners from their windows, pleading for respect and quiet.
Disruptive Behavior: Late-night partying, public drunkenness, and noise pollution have become commonplace in central neighborhoods. Residents trying to sleep before work are kept awake by revelers returning from clubs at 4 AM.
Environmental Strain: Barcelona currently faces a serious drought. In recent months they’ve had water restrictions for locals. Yet tourists in hotels take long showers and expect swimming pools to be filled. The city’s infrastructure and natural resources are stretched thin by the millions of annual visitors who rarely understand these local challenges.
Loss of Authentic Cultural Identity: Many traditional businesses have been replaced by tourst stuff.
Local markets are tourist attractions that now sell more souvenirs than groceries.
Catalan cuisine is increasingly hard to find amid restaurants offering photogenic but mediocre paella to tourists.
In recent years, this frustration has boiled over into protests.
You’ll see graffiti signs all over certain parts of the city that say “tourists go home.”
They don’t hate you personally, but they are in a fight to preserve their city’s character and livability in the face of unsustainable tourism.
As a visitor, you can’t solve these systemic issues. But understanding them is the first step toward being what I call a “bon guiri,” a respectful guest who contributes positively to the city rather than adding to its burdens.
the “Bon Guiri” Mindset
When I first arrived in Barcelona as an 18-year-old (I came and stayed with a family), I was quickly labeled a “guiri” by my local friends. But as my Spanish and Catalan improved and I came to understand Barcelona’s rhythms and customs, they began calling me a “bon guiri,” which means “good guiri” in Catalan. I was still a tourist, but I approached their city with respect and curiosity.
This mindset separates travelers who enrich Barcelona from those who only consume it.
A bon guiri understands they are a guest in someone else’s home.
The bon guiri doesn’t expect Barcelona to bend to their expectations.
When locals don’t speak English, the bon guiri sees this not as a failing of the locals but as an opportunity to stretch themselves. When dinner doesn’t start until 9 PM, they adapt rather than complain about “inconvenient” hours.
Most importantly, the bon guiri ventures beyond the tourist façade to understand what makes Barcelona truly special.
They seek connection with locals and appreciate Barcelona’s unique cultural identity as both Catalan and Spanish.
Adopting this mindset transforms your experience from superficial tourism to meaningful travel. It opens doors to authentic experiences that most visitors never discover—hidden plazas where locals gather, family-run restaurants with no English menus, neighborhood festivals that don’t appear in guidebooks.
Your presence in Barcelona will inevitably have an impact. The question is whether that impact will be positive or negative.
By approaching Barcelona as a bon guiri, you show respect for a city that has welcomed millions.
Let me share five specific ways to put this mindset into practice during your visit.
1) Go in The Off-season
If you truly want to experience Barcelona at its best while minimizing your impact on the city, time your visit for the off-season.
Barcelona suffers from severe over-tourism during the summer months.
There are a lot of benefits to this. You’re going at a time when seasonal housing is more likely available, so you’re not contributing to a housing crisis.
The summer is when water resources tend to get most scarce too. By visiting during the off-season, you’re coming when the water system is under less pressure.
It’s a Better Value and Experience
I like going in quieter times. I hate walking around certain neighborhoods that are packed with tourists. It kills it for me.
I prefer to be able to walk with some peace. Outside of summer, locals will have more patience too.
It’s also way cheaper. I once got an offseason (May) flight for $106 direct. (You can learn how in my guide to LEVEL airlines.)
Still Great Weather
Contrary to what many believe, I believe the best times to enjoy Catalonia’s beaches aren’t July and August when they’re packed shoulder-to-shoulder.
Instead, aim for May or late September when the Mediterranean is still warm enough for swimming, but you can actually find space to spread your towel.
The sun is softer, the crowds thinner, and the experience infinitely more pleasant.
If you prefer skiing and mountains, then the winter is great too.
2) Learn Some Basic Catalan and Use It
You don’t need to learn Catalan, of course, but locals get extremely frustrated that tourists don’t seem to even realize that the native language of Barcelona’s streets is NOT Spanish. Maybe you’re just learning this.
Barcelona is a completely bilingual city. If you greet people in Catalan, you’ll have instant respect.
I’ve spent years learning this language, so I’m not saying you need to be pro, but you can learn the greetings in a few minutes. Use them as your default.
Bon día = Good morning
Adèu = Bye
Moltes gràcies = Thank you
I’ve made positive impressions on countless locals in Barcelona by doing my best to speak in Catalan, even before I could speak it well.
Once you’ve tried your best for a moment, it’s okay to switch to your best Spanish or even English. If you need some tips here, check out my article on how to learn Spanish as an adult.
And if you need to learn some Castilian Spanish, you can check out this guide.
No matter how little you know or how bad you pronounce, Catalans will appreciate your best efforts to use even two words in Catalan. It goes a long way.
3) Sit Outside and Chat (Among Other Cultural Customs)
A fundamental Barcelona experience that tourists miss in their rush to check attractions off their list is sitting outside with a coffee, a beer, or a “menú” lunch and just chilling.
If you see a cafe with crappy tables and lightweight chairs, that’s a green light to hang out.
Order a cortado (espresso with a dash of milk) or a clara (beer mixed with lemon Fanta) and simply sit. Chat.
In Barcelona, life happens in these public spaces, where generations mix, friendships form, and the rhythm of the city reveals itself.
I give this as an example of adapting to cultural customs. They won’t serve lunch until 1pm. And don’t try to get dinner before 8 pm.
4) Tourist Traps to Avoid
DO NOT Eat Paella At Las Ramblas
It might be the most photographed dish in Barcelona, but the paella served along Las Ramblas is not it.
These restaurants cater exclusively to tourists, serving frozen, microwaved versions of what should be a fresh, carefully prepared rice dish.
Real paella takes hours to prepare properly and uses fresh seafood or traditional Valencian ingredients.
It should have a crispy bottom layer called “socarrat” and you should be able to see the big paella dish they made it on.
If you see pictures of bright yellow rice dishes outside a restaurant or “Paella for One” options, walk away.
For authentic paella, head to restaurants in Barceloneta away from the beach front. Or better yet, save your paella experience for a trip to Valencia, where the dish originated, or at least for the beach towns outside Barcelona.
DO NOT Spend a Day at Barceloneta
When I was 18, I found Barceloneta quite the sight to see. But let’s tell the truth about it: this tiny triangle of sand is one of the most overcrowded beaches in Europe.
During summer, it’s packed with tourists and persistent vendors walking by every few minutes selling everything from mojitos to offering to block the sun for you with a blanket.
The water quality, while generally safe, isn’t nearly as pristine as other nearby beaches.
If you want to see it, take a nice walk along the boardwalk past the iconic W Hotel and to the end of the pier. But don’t dedicate a precious vacation day to fighting for space on this beach.
For better beaches, take a bus or train to the Costa Brava. (More on this later.)
The Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell Are Worth It, But Not Required
These are the city’s two most famous attractions, and for good reason. They’re jaw dropping to see.
But they’re also extremely crowded and expensive (entry to Sagrada Familia starts at €26, and Parc Güell’s monument area costs €10).
If architecture interests you, they’re absolutely worth visiting. Book tickets well in advance and go early in the morning.
But if crowds stress you out or Gothic architecture isn’t your passion, don’t feel obligated.
If Clubbing is Your Thing, Go For It — But With Respect
Barcelona’s nightlife is legendary, with clubs like Opium, Razzmatazz, and Sala Apolo. If dancing until sunrise appeals to you, by all means, enjoy these venues. I’ve had some great nights at Razzmatazz myself.
The clubs themselves are not the problem for locals; it’s what happens before and after. The narrow streets of residential neighborhoods like the Gothic Quarter and El Born become nighttime thoroughfares for intoxicated tourists shouting and singing American songs.
If you’re going out:
- Keep noise to a minimum when walking through residential areas
- Respect public property and clean up after yourself
- Don’t buy drinks from illegal street vendors
- Remember that locals have to work in the morning, even if you’re on vacation
The bon guiri understands that their right to party ends where others’ right to peace begins.
5) Leave The City on the Weekend
Leaving Barcelona on the weekends is another cultural tradition in the cit.
The weekend exodus is so ingrained in Barcelona culture that the Catalans have a specific word for Barcelona residents who leave the city on weekends: “pixapins.”
The term comes from “pixar” (slang for peeing) and “pins” (pine trees). Catalans from outside Barcelona use it to make fun of people from Barcelona who leave on the weekends, looking for nature.
The region’s geography makes leaving an easy choice. Barcelona is perfectly situated between mountains and sea, offering endless weekend escape options:
- The Costa Brava’s crystal blue waters and hidden coves are just 1-2 hours north by train or bus. Sarfa and Moventis are the two big bus companies with regular trips to various Costa Brava twows.
- The Pyrenees mountains offer hiking in summer and skiing in winter
- The high-speed rail network connects you to cities from Girona to Madrid in a few hours.
These weekend excursions reveal the true rhythm of Barcelona life and help you understand why Catalans are so passionate about their entire region, not just their capital city.
Final Thoughts: The Bon Guiri’s Reward
The true magic of Barcelona isn’t found in checking off TripAdvisor’s top 10 list. To me, it’s in the spontaneous conversations with locals, the neighborhood festivals you stumble upon, the family restaurant with the traditional Catalan food, the sitting outside and talking with friends, the weekend beach trips, and the feeling of connection to a place and its people.
Barcelona rewards the bon guiri with experiences that can’t be purchased or planned. In return for your thoughtfulness, you’ll carry home memories not just of a beautiful city but of genuine human connections that reveal Barcelona’s true soul.
Staying In Barcelona For Longer?
Each time I come, I usually stay for at least a month, and I’m lucky to get to work virtually. If this sounds like you, check out my guide on Barcelona digital nomad tips.
If you’re flying from the U.S. and you haven’t bought your tickets yet, the cheapest airline is usually an airline called LEVEL. I’ve written a whole review of it.
4 Comments