I’m a Brit living in Spain – here’s where tourists are still welcomed… and the local-loved holiday hotspots
DESPITE the highly documented protests that have been taking place across parts of Spain, the Brit-loved country remains a great place to visit.
My husband and I moved to Spain one year ago, and we’re always greeted with friendly waves from neighbours and locals alike.
Friends and family back home have asked me multiple times if I’ve faced any hostility in Barcelona, where the bulk of the protests have been taking place, and the answer is no.
Shopping in the Mercat De Sants, I am often handed free sausages from the butcher, a punnet of prawns from the fishmonger and juicy, delicious, tomatoes from the green grocers.
Our neighbours are a mixture of Spanish locals and other expats from Greece, Albania and France.
One of our neighbours, Christina Peres, late 70s, says that she loves that her neighbourhood attracts new and varied individuals.
Likewise when we go out to dinner, my children will often by roped into filling up water balloons at an outside fountain with other Spanish kids.
I’ve found that it often doesn’t matter where we’re from because it’s all about the children having fun.
Other people have been equally as welcoming, including my friend Hugo, who was born in Catalan.
He said: “After spending 10 years as an expat in Australia, I moved back here two years ago for the weather, beaches, and lifestyle,
and I believe Barcelona is the greatest place to bring up a family.
“We stick to the local neighbourhoods more than the centre of the city, as there is so much to offer from great restaurants to playparks to shops, and when we go to the beach, we go out of the city, so we don’t really come across that many tourists.
“Our friends are a mix of locals and expats, and it doesn’t matter to me where they are from as long as they enjoy a cold beer and can play me at Padel“.
Meanwhile, British-born Warren Crawford, 53 from Preston moved to
Barcelona earlier this year, and lives in the very centre of the city in El Raval, close to where some of the protests were.
Despite the protests, he said: “I’ve been made to feel really
welcome in the city, especially when locals realise, I speak Spanish.
“As long you make an effort, I don’t think people care where you are from.
“I love visiting local bodegas and cafes, eating with the locals, shopping with the locals and just enjoying the Spanish way of life”.
In my experience, most Spanish nationals like the Brits, and are very welcoming towards them; however, like anywhere, if people are disrespectful to the area or the culture there will be negativity.
I’ve been made to feel really
welcome in the city
If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona and want to be welcomed by locals, make sure to add the following onto your itinerary:
- Mercat de la Boqueria – one of the most famous food markets in the world is situated right in the heart of Barcelona where tourists are welcomed with open arms.
- Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc – an incredible pool created for the 1992 Olympics. The pool is open to the public for two months of the year. It costs less than a tenner to enter year and has the best views of the city.
- El Born – although in the heart of the city, this district is a must visit to any tourist, teaming with incredible bars and restaurants, ice cream shops and wonderful independent shops that sell everything from Spanish ceramics to trainers.
- Ciutadella Park – a beautiful open space featuring green areas, playparks and a rooftop swimming pool.
- Time Out Market, Port Vell – a brand-new indoor food hall with 14 amazing food stalls
Most Spanish locals flee Barcelona in August because it’s too hot and too busy.
If you want to make like a local, then here are the other places I’ve recommend visiting in Spain:
- Sitges – a wonderful seaside town one hour from Barcelona where history, culture and nightlife exist in perfect harmony’ and people from all walks of life visit for the
- Tamariu – a beautiful small town in the heart of Costa Brava where the majority of tourists are French and welcomed with open arms.
- Cadaques, the home of Dali is a large town close to France on the Costa Brava with a breath-taking coastline, wonderful beaches and some of the best seafood in Spain.
- Salou, near Tarragona, is a great holiday destination with a large number of hotels, great beaches and a brilliant water park.
- San Sebastian – the foodie capital of Spain is still a must visit for any holidaymaker with an appetite. Pincho bars line the cobbled streets and it has two large beaches and an aquarium.
For me, shop owner Anna Santes, who lives in Cadaques but is originally from Barcelona, summed up the attitude towards Brit holidaymakers perfectly.
She said: “I love meeting people from all walks of life, whether they are Spanish or Hungarian, it doesn’t matter to me.
“Plus, tourists make this town tick and keep me in business!”
The tourist mistakes that are costing you money
Travel writer Lee Bell recently revealed how holidaymakers heading to Barcelona can make their trip a whole lot cheaper from transport tips to dinners out.
First off, Lee recommended swapping the airport taxi for a local bus, which will save solo travellers around €20.
He added: “Dodge the pricey cocktails before a night out and instead head down to Can Paixano – or what the locals call “La Xampanyeria” (champagne bar) where you’ll find a “copa de cava” for just €1 a pop.
“Ask for a ‘clara’ – essentially a Spanish shandy made with Fanta Limón – at practically any bar. It’s not only cheaper but it’s a tasty, more refreshing option for when the temperatures soar.”
Read more of Lee’s money-saving tips, here.
You can even read all about my life in Barcelona where wine is cheaper than Coca Cola.
Meanwhile, another British expat who lives Cadiz in Andalusia has revealed the three big mistakes tourists make while they’re on holiday.