November 15, 2023 | View Online | Sign Up
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Ancient yet modern. Simple yet complex. Always exhilarating. The Catalonian capital is as wildly varied as the artists inspired by it.
Built on the bones of the Roman city of Barcino, Barcelona is now one of Europe’s most spectacular cities and a permanent fixture on every bucket list.
Its towering gothic cathedrals, modernist masterpieces, and millennia-spanning quarters make it worth the visit alone, but architecture is only the facade. Underneath is a flourishing cultural paradise where fine art, music, food, and, of course, alcohol can thrive.
Grab your Cava.
Welcome to Barcelona.
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| EAT, SLEEP, DO
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Your Guide to the Best of Barcelona
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⛪ What to do
How much time have you got? Barcelona boasts boundless opportunities for intrepid travelers. From the coolest beachfront in Europe to the eclectic array of art and music on show, the city has so much to offer. It’s likely you won’t have enough time to scratch the surface, but this list of the best things to do will at least get you started.
🦐 What to eat
Paella, croquettes, jamon iberico, gazpacho, Cava, fideua, chorizo…If we listed every type of food you needed to try in Barcelona, we’d need another three newsletters. We’ll condense it by saying this–come hungry; your tastebuds are about to go on an adventure. Here are all the dishes you need to try in Barcelona.
🛌🏽 Where to stay
If you’re maximizing your time in the city, you’ll need a good night’s sleep. Thankfully, Barcelona’s hotel scene is world-beating. Equipped with everything from high-end luxury sanctuaries to high-value-bare-bones hideaways, you’re spoiled for choice. Here are some of the coolest accommodations in Barcelona.
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| MONEY MOVES
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Save on Every Trip With a DFC Perks Membership
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We usually offer you some ideas for flying to Barcelona for pennies on the dollar using credit cards. While you can definitely do that with Smart Points: The Course, today we’re offering a unique way to save some money on your next Spain adventure.
We’ve just launched Perks, a one-time membership that saves you $5,000 with renowned travel brands.
Want to travel in style and comfort? Grab 50% off a Priority Pass membership and a free TSAPreCheck membership.
Need a new travel wardrobe? Take advantage of 25% off Huckberry.
There are deals with Rosetta Stone, Harvest Hosts, Unbound Merino, Matador, Viator, AllTrails, and a steadily growing list of brands tapping into every facet of travel.
Intrigued? Find out more here.
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| PICTURE PERFECT
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Capture Timeless Memories on Your Next Getaway
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Whether you’re traveling with loved ones or finally taking that solo trip, Smiler is here to make sure you can capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments.
By connecting you with vetted professional photographers around the world, Smiler ensures that memorable experiences get the high-quality attention they deserve.
Smiler is already live in 50+ cities around the world, with new locations and photoshoot experiences added every week. Browse by city or popular landmarks and with instant confirmation, you can book a photoshoot at a time that works for you.
The best part? Your high-quality edited photos are delivered to your online gallery link within 48 hours of your photoshoot.
Get Barcelona's most talented local photographers to capture your best memories against the city's iconic backdrops. Book your photo experience today.
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| BARCELONA FAST FACTS
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💪🏽 A strong name: Legend has it Barcelona’s name stems from one of Hercules’ adventures with Jason and the Argonauts. A great storm separated their fleet, and Hercules found the last ship days later in what is now Barcelona. It was the ninth ship–Barca Nona.
🏖️ Fresh sand: Barcelona had no beaches until the 1992 Olympics. Until then, it was said the city “had its back to the sea.”
⛪ A long time coming: The Sagrada Familia Cathedral is arguably Barcelona’s most iconic building..but it’s not finished. Designed by Barcelona’s most famous architect, Antoni Gaudi, the church broke ground in 1882. It’s expected to be completed in 2026 when the final tower is erected.
⚽ Football is life: The city has over 55 stunning museums, but one reigns supreme over all the others: the Barcelona FC museum. It draws millions of visitors every year.
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| KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
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Eyes on Your Purse, Not Your Paella
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Barcelona is extremely safe. The likelihood of you finding yourself in danger is extremely low. But the city has a reputation for playing host to skilled pickpockets. La Rambla, the sprawling pedestrian avenue in the middle of the city, is prime territory for swift fingers, so take extra care in this area.
You already know the basics. Don’t make yourself stand out, don’t dangle your camera off your shoulder, keep those handbag and purse straps shorter, and keep a healthy dose of skepticism if a local has an unsolicited burst of pleasantries for you.
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Don’t Be A Catalan-tagonist
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Barcelona is geographically and politically in Spain, but its province, Catalonia, is fiercely independent, and it’s not hard to feel the cultural difference. The province has tried multiple times to gain independence from Spain.
The most obvious difference is the language. The province names Catalan and Spanish as its two official tongues. Don’t worry about not knowing Catalan; the locals don’t expect visitors to know the language and will respond in Spanish or even English. But learning a few Catalonian phrases goes a long way, as you’re not only respecting their language but acknowledging their unique culture.
And don’t call it a dialect. Catalan is not derived from Spanish. It actually shares more linguistic roots with French.
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Barna, not Barca
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You might hear the word Barna thrown around when listening to locals or some tourists showing off their newfound knowledge. You didn’t mishear.
Despite what would make sense to us, Barna is the city’s nickname. It’s not completely clear why, but the general assumption is that it’s a contraction. BAR-celo-NA =<> Barna.
Barca, on the other hand, only refers to the football (soccer) team. It’s an easy mistake to make, especially if you’re a soccer fan, but noticing the difference might be appreciated by the locals.
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| WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN BARCELONA
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*This link is sponsored.
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