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10 Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain

5/1/2020

5 Comments

 
Ah Spain - gorgeous historic sites, delicious paella, endless sangria, and that shimmering Mediterranean - it's a tourist's dream! And, of course, like any worthwhile tourist destination, it's also crowded with other tourists and the common ails that befall them!
Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain
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What do I need to know before I go to Spain?

Tourist Mistakes in Spain
As I'm always saying, tourists flock to certain spots, not necessarily because "everyone else is doing it" (sometimes, that is the case), but because these places are incredible. And Spain certainly is that. It's is the second-most-visited country in Europe, and unfortunately home to the worst pickpocketing in Europe.

If you're planning a trip to Spain, there are a few things you need to know before you go! What are the most common mistakes tourists make in Spain? Let's get to it!

Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain:
Not packing the right clothes

Many first-time tourists are surprised by the weather in Spain - it's brutally hot in the summer (hence the siesta) and really quite pleasantly warm even in winter, at least to this American! Obviously, owing to its prime location on the Mediterranean, the weather in Spain is markedly different from most of the rest of Europe.

Be sure to do some quick weather research before you go, to be sure you have the right clothes in that suitcase, and remember - that Spanish sun is hotter than you'd expect, regardless of season. Here's my guide on What to Wear in Spain in Winter.
Tourist Mistakes in Spain
For all of my Europe Travel Essentials, check out the full post!

Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain:
​Not taking pickpockets seriously

Picture
Before and during your trip to Spain, everyone you meet will tell you to be careful because of the pickpocket problem in Spain, especially in Barcelona. You'll casually shrug, say of course you're always careful, and go on about your day.

Then, you'll arrive in Barcelona, expecting a "normal" European experience (I mean, you should always beware of pickpockets), and get taken into your hotel room and told by the concierge that it's a serious problem.

It is. I personally know people who have been pickpocketed in Barcelona. And it can happen to anyone. While unfortunately you can't 100% protect yourself, you can at least be thoughtful and take precautions.

So, keep these tips in mind to evade pickpockets in Barcelona:
  • Carry only essential items on your person during the day. Keep your passport, most of your cash, and anything of actual value in your hotel safe while you're out and about. 
  • Keep valuables in your front pocket. AND keep your hand on them.
  • Carry a sensible bag. Don't carry a backpack. If for some reason you simply must carry a backpack, you really should weirdly wear it on your front. You'll see mostly cross-body bags (men and ladies). Buy one that closes completely, preferably with multiple barriers between your valuables and thieves. For a few suggestions, and more about packing for Europe, check out my Europe Travel Essentials.
  • Do not take your purse off. Not even in a nice restaurant. Just leave it on.
  • Do not talk to strangers. As my favorite travel guru Rick Steves says, assume any commotion is a ruse to distract you while accomplices pickpocket you.
  • Be vigilant. No one should be getting weirdly close to you. Ever. Just walk away.
Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain
The ever-present cross-body purse in Barcelona

Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain:
​Not sampling Spanish ham

Spain loves ham ("jamón"). There are just so many incredible variations - try it out. The Spanish take incredible pride in their ham, and with good reason - ask them to tell you about it. And, it's not even that expensive! Spain, in general, can be much cheaper for tourists than a lot of other countries in Europe - enjoy!

Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain:
​Thinking you can eat dinner at 5 PM

Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain
"Afternoon" tapas in Barcelona!
5 PM is basically still lunchtime in Spain. Having traveled extensively in Europe, I assumed, wrongly, like many travelers that "some places" could get me a proper dinner nice and early, as I eat at those times certainly in the US and also in France, the U.K., etc. It may not be the most glamorous time to eat, but well there you are.

In Spain, this is not the case. While you'll be able to grab some tapas (read: heavy appetizers), actual "dinner" aka waiters and normal meals, genuinely doesn't even start to be served until around 9 PM.

While we maintained grandiose notions of staying up that late, when we're walking 20,000 steps a day, sadly that just wasn't in the cards. Tapas snacking it was - and you know what, it was great. So snack on some tapas - just don't go to an icky tourist place and end up with the worst meal of your life, just to eat at 5 PM.

Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain:
​Not learning the world una "jarra"

One of the more interesting things I learned in Spain, gastronomically at least, was how the Spanish love tiny beers and beers without alcohol (gasp!!). If you just order "beer," you'll almost always receive a caña - a small beer of about 10 ounces, sometimes less. So, if you're interested in doing any drinking in Spain, check out How to Order a Beer in Spain.

Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain:
Not using the high-speed train

Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain
Madrid's Atocha Station
Day trips from Madrid and Barcelona are incredibly easy, thanks to Spain's high-speed trains. We visited Toledo (from Madrid) and Girona (from Barcelona) and both trips were only about 35 minutes on the high-speed train. Definitely the easiest day trips we've taken in Europe!

Interestingly, it's worth noting that Spanish train stations are different from some I've experienced in other countries, especially the UK. You will have to go through slightly less stringent airport-style security, and you'll have an assigned seat, even for those short jaunts. Don't plan to arrive 3 minutes early and hop right on a train!
Girona, Spain. Tourist Travel Mistakes in Spain
Girona, Spain
For more on train travel in Europe, check out the full post!

Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain:
​Not buying tickets in advance

Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain
Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
Been dreaming of visiting Sagrada Familia on your trip to Barcelona? What about the Picasso Museum? Or Park Guell?

Buy those tickets in advance. I cannot stress this enough. I have friends (one of whom is...me...) who have missed out on each of the aforementioned top tourist spots in Barcelona because they didn't buy their tickets in advance. These in-demand sites sell a maximum number of tickets per day, including via their online sales, and even during "down" times of year, the tickets regularly sell out. Because I know you're wondering, for us, it was the Picasso Museum - we just weren't "sure" we were going to go, so we figured we'd buy tickets on a random day during our visit. Nope! We stopped by, only to find the dreaded "sold out" sign on the door. Got some lovely tapas nearby as consolation, but the reality is it could be many years before we're able to make it back! Plan ahead!

Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain:
Just skimming the surface

Toledo Cathedral. Tourist Mistakes in Spain
Toldeo Cathedral
Spain is a large country, with a very rich history and a lot of tourists. Oh, and did I mention it can get wildly hot? Don't try to see too much. Actually take time to dig into the places you visit. And be reasonable with your schedule and remember to account for tourist exhaustion, large crowds, deviations from the plan, and that toasty weather. For more on how to plan a trip to Europe, check out the full post!

Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain:
​Not learning about Catalan Independence

Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain
Yellow independence flags in Girona
It's worth spending some time reading about Catalan Independence before your trip, and especially if you'll be spending time in the region. Here's a quick summary for you. In Barcelona, the capital of the region, and myriad cities throughout Catalunya, you'll see people sporting little yellow ribbons and flying independence banners from balconies. Keep an eye out for demonstrations - though generally not a cause for concern, if you see a "parade" in Barcelona (and it's not Christmas), maybe just pop one street over, in accordance with the US government's Travel Advisory for Spain.
Wondering where to stay in Barcelona? Check out my review of the Mercer Barcelona

Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain:
Not researching Spain's bank holidays

Barcelona Cathedral. Tourist Mistakes in Spain
Barcelona Cathedral
Like all European countries, Spain has more public holidays (what the English call "bank holidays," so the Spanish often use that term when speaking to English speakers) than the United States. Depending on the day, a "bank holiday" may not affect tourists too much, as many restaurants, public transit etc., are still open (unless it's Christmas), but be sure to check in advance.

​For example, New Year's Eve in Spain is very unlike NYE in the U.S. Everything is closed during the evening, so that staff can either attend to private parties or return home for dinner with their families. Many places open up (so I'm told) at and after midnight, but we were well asleep by then. Additionally, the Spanish exchange gifts on Epiphany (aka January 6), which is like second Christmas. Surprise! Check out the list of Spanish Bank Holidays for 2020.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tourist Mistakes in Spain
I hope you learned some info that will help you plan your trip to Spain! Enjoy! xx

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Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain
Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Spain
5 Comments
Jackie link
1/16/2020 09:05:50 pm

Loved this! I almost got pickpocketed in Barcelona on the Metro, and I always warn folks about it too. Some lady got her bag stolen from our 4-star hotel elevator! So, your advice is very appropriate! Love your tips about tapas and dinner time. Now I’m wondering what high speed trains we can take next time we are there!!!🤩

Reply
Julianne | Pints, Pounds, & Pate link
1/17/2020 07:41:48 am

Thank you!! And wow - that is *scary*!! I had a friend get her phone stolen out of her backpack (it was in the back pocket, so she didn't even notice - someone yelled as it was happening), so I'm trying to beat the no-backpack drum! Girona and Toledo were both *amazing* - looking forward to exploring further on our next trip!!

Thanks for stopping by! xx

Reply
Kathy | Tasty Itinerary link
1/22/2020 05:40:52 pm

This is all so very true. During our visit to Barcelona and Girona, we learned so much about dining and the jamon. The first time I sat to eat "lunch" I didn't understand why the meals were so heavy. We also learned all about the different jamons and tasted so many kinds, even the gold standard of jamons, the Joselito. It was all very interested.

And omg, the advance tickets or skip-the-lines, is a must when visiting some of these big tourist spots.

I was so sad to hear from our guide when we visited La Sagrada Familia that most people actually visit and never go inside. They just want to take pics outside of it. Saddening because it's so beautiful inside.

This is a great list! The pickpocketing one of the most important. Everyone was constantly warning us. I kept thinking, "it can't be worse than Paris," but they assured me it is.

Reply
Julianne | Pints, Pounds, & Pate link
1/23/2020 08:25:42 pm

Aww thank you so much!! I'm so sad to hear that people don't go inside Sagrada!! The inside is *so incredible.* I saw that you and I both felt the same way about Girona Cathedral, as well! Hopefully this isn't the beginning of yet another trend...

I have to admit that I've been craving some delicious jamon this week ;)

xx

Reply
Terri
11/9/2022 11:58:18 am

I'm taking my first ever foreign vacation in January and traveling to Spain! I live in a cold winter state in the US so January in Spain should be wonderful. Thanks for the tips!

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