When it comes to all things that have to do with European travel, there tends to be a certain fantastical element that surrounds it. Europe has a certain romantic, suave, and sophisticated aesthetic that’s unique to the rest of the world—but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Barcelona, for instance, is the kind of city backpackers dream about visiting, but there’s one important thing to remember about Barcelona before visiting.
It’s Not All Exotic
When you imagine visiting a city such as Barcelona, you imagine sprawling hills, enchanting villas, and gorgeous architecture with the smell of tapas in the air. While Barcelona definitely has all of those things, it’s not exactly everywhere you go. You have to seek out those specific areas that have unique architecture—while the rest is pretty basic.
Urban Grid
Indeed, if you’re not careful, you may be in for a bit of a wake-up call when arriving in Barcelona. In many areas, it has a very urban, grid-like big city feel to it, not unlike that of New York City. There’s nothing wrong with that, but many view Barcelona as a place filled with cobblestone roads and sweet music in the air—while the truth is a bit more grounded in contemporary reality.
