Trip Guide

Here's our custom guide for your trip to Barce, whether you're coming to Spain for just our wedding, or part of a longer vacation to explore the area!

Before your trip

Visa Requirements

Currently, U.S. travelers don't need a visa, but it's expected to be required starting mid-2025 😔 As our wedding is in May, it may not apply yet... but check closer to your travel date (and we will update here too). From what we've heard, it'll be €7 and is valid for 3 years.

eSIM

For data during your trip, we recommend setting up an eSIM with Holafly (our fav), Orange or Vodafone before you leave. Data packages cost ~€10 - 30. This will be much cheaper than using U.S. carriers, and makes life easier to have data while you're there.

Time difference

Barcelona is 6 hours ahead of EST, and 9 hours ahead of PST. Try to adjust your schedule prior to your travel to make for a smoother transition. We always try to sleep on our flight there and power through the first day to adjust faster (lots of espresso helps ☕️)

Packing essentials

Passport
Outlet converters (note: if you have a Dyson it will NOT work in Spain!)
Outfits for wedding events
Outfits for regular touristy stuff
Toiletries / Make up
Vibes ~

Once you're there!

While May is historically a shoulder season, its been quite busy the past few years. A few things to note:

⚠️ BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETING ⚠️ Whenever you leave the hotel, bring only the absolute essentials, use a secure bag, and keep your eyes/hands on your stuff at all times!

It will be crowded! Book early for your favorite restaurants and tours

Metros are a fast, cheap way to get around (it's very similar to NYC subways) - however they don't have TAP to pay yet, so get to the station a few minutes early to pay for a pass at the booths. Tip: A family pass could save you money

Water is not free at restaurants

Important Spanish phrases:
- Hablas ingles? - Do you speak English?
- Yo soy vegetariano/a - I am vegetarian.
- Sin carne y pescado - Without meat and fish.
- Donde esta el baño? - Where is the bathroom?
- Vale - Let's go, sounds good, okay (pronounced VA-lay)

Our favorite things in Barcelona

Free Walking Tours

We love doing free walking tours when we get to a new city! We've used Guruwalk in Barcelona but feel free to Google others.

Guruwalk tours

Tapas (small bites) & Wine

Spain is famous for tapas and their wine country.

🌱 Our fav veg tapas: Patatas bravas, pan con tomate, mushroom (cep) croquetas

🥩 John's fav meat tapas: Iberico ham, meat croquetas, chorizo

Learn More

All things Gaudi

● Park Guell

● Sagrada (Sign up for our tour here!)

● Casa Batlló (5 min walk from the hotel)

● La Pedrera (5 min walk from the hotel)

Gaudi bio

Bar del Pla

Introduced by Heena's cousins, Manan & Chris, this tapas bar is always the highlight of our trip. Get the wasabi mushrooms, patata bravas, & beet salad - as well as a bottle of "funky" local wine (just trust us). Email them for a res!

Reservations

Bo de B

Amazing sandwich shop. Go when they open / close for a shorter wait

🌱 Heena's veg order: Falafel, all the veggies & all the sauces

🥩 John's meat order: beef, all the veggies & sauces

Google maps

Dr. Stravinsky's Cocktail Bar

Top 50 bars of the world. Walk in only, but we've normally had luck going at off hours / right when it opens.

Check out their constellation menu!

Honorable mentions:

● Sips

● Paradiso

Google Maps

Fresh OJ at grocery stores

Random - but grocery stores here have a machine that squeezes fresh OJ... and its amazing.

It's not just us

General bopping around

There's so many museums, rooftops, cocktails, and shopping to be explored!

Museums: Picasso Museum, Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Palau de la Música Catalana

Areas to walk around: Montjuic, El Born, Gothic quarter, Eixample, Ramblas (all the shopping), the beach

Day trips from Barcelona | Monserrat

A 1 hour train ride away, this day trip is amazing! It has a historic monastery to tour, and amazing hikes. You can book an organized tour RT from Barcelona, or do what we did and plan it yourself.

After your trip

VAT Refunds

If you're planning on luxury shopping (or just shopping in general) ask shops for the tax free receipt! Once you're flying out from BCN, go to the back left corner at the airport to process your refund. It takes about an hour so plan accordingly!

BCN Airport

It's typically a 30 min ride, but factor in ~2-3 hours to process your VAT, check bags, get through security, and go through passport control. It's better to be cautious. FYI: the passport control is after security, in a separate area (we almost missed our flight a few times).