Brit living in Barcelona shares five things you 'must not do' on holiday there

Tourists walking on La Rambla in Barcelona (file)
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


A British woman who relocated to Barcelona has shared five things tourists must while holidaying there.

Anna, who posts to the @annainbarcelona TikTok account, has amassed more than 22,000 followers on the social network where she posts everything from travel tips to Spanish language advice.

In one video, which has amassed a staggering 816,000 views, Anna listed a series of "things you shouldn't do if you’re visiting Barcelona" – and her advice might just come in handy for those of us planning a trip to the city.

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"First of all, don't pack the heels," Anna said. "Leave the heels at home girl, you're not going to use them." The city has plenty of cobblestone and tiled, often uneven, streets - making heels a bit of a nightmare. A native writes on Solo Female Travellers: "Stilettos and very high heels are uncommon in Barcelona (we like to walk a lot and the signature pavement tiles of the city are uneven)."

Secondly, she recommended not to eat or drink on La Rambla. It is Barcelona's most famous street, and is bustling with shops, restaurants and bars. But Anna recommends you find somewhere else to enjoy a meal.

She said: "La Rambla is an iconic street. Go for a walk down there. But please, don't eat or drink on La Rambla. You're going to pay twice as much for something half as good [...] And also, you're probably going to get pickpocketed while you're there."

Thirdly, you should be careful about where you put your phone. Barcelona is one of the most infamous cities for pickpockets in the world, meaning extra care must be taken when you're out and about. "Don't put your phone in a pocket," Anna advised. "Please, just bring a bum bag. Just bring it. I don't care if it looks ugly, if it's not fashionable for you, just do it!"

If you're looking to enjoy some local cuisine, you should also plan where you want to eat – especially during the busy summer season. Anna explained Barcelona gets "really, really busy" in June, July and August, meaning you will likely end up waiting an age for a table if you leave your hotel without a restaurant reservation. "You probably will end up waiting hours for a table, and not being able to get in where you want to go," she said.

Finally, don't bother with taxis. According to Anna, Barcelona's metro and bus services are "so, so good". She explained: "Friday nights, the metro runs until 2am. And all through Saturday night it runs until Sunday, so it's a constant service through to Sunday night."