Questions about traveling to Spain

I am taking my three teenage boys to Spain in April. I haven’t been to Spain, or Europe at all since 2000. Anything I should know now as a tourist? Other than possible Covid restrictions, are there any major changes I should take into account? We will be taking the train from Madrid to Barcelona as part of the trip. My previous experience with the high speed trains was excellent.

I have my travel itinerary planned and hotel rooms booked. I don’t need that kind of help. Just trying to cover my bases. Thanks!

I’ve been to Spain within the last few weeks (Madrid + walking the Camino Ingles from Ferrol to Santiago), and it all seemed very normal, except for the requirement to wear masks on public transportation (they were not used much elsewhere). There was also a requirement to provide proof of vaccination when I flew there on September 25, but I think it may actually have been lifted since then. However, I’d keep your vaccine cards handy, regardless.

Thanks!

We visited in July, and it was similar back then. Masks on public transport (and actually enforced) and the time there was an app for your vaccine card. They’ve since dropped the app requirement.

Hijack: Did you enjoy the Ingles? /hijack

Alright, but I strongly recommend buying one of the city passes available online. Not only do you save a TON of money, you save a TON of time not standing in line.

Barcelona is a fantastic city! I’m excited for you!

-Pete

Small shops are often closed from around 2 to 5 pm.
Lots of restaurants are closed from around 4 to 8 pm.
Many places are closed on Sunday.

Don’t bother eating along La Rambles, go elsewhere. Litteraly anywhere else is better.

I didn’t run into either of those for the most part. I did notice a lot of places didn’t open until noon.

Many of the clubs don’t get up and hopping until close to midnight and go until early morning.

Thank you. We will have skip-the-line tickets for Park Guell and Sagrada Familia.

I recall stopping for a glass of wine and tapas along La Ramblas when I was there many moons ago. I didn’t really have anything to compare against then. Any specific recommendations?

Food is much better and cheaper a block away from Las Ramblas. I don’t have specific recommendations, but it’s not hard to find good food. Tapas abounds, try multiple places in an evening.

Yeah, it was great! With the caveat that it would be challenging for someone who doesn’t speak Spanish at all (and I think I would have enjoyed it more if my Spanish were up to “fluent casual conversation” level rather than “I can introduce myself and do touristy stuff”). I woudl say that about 80% of the pilgrims are from Spain and the other 20% from elsewhere in Europe.

We also got to visit Palau Guell, a Gaudi house downtown just off la Rambla. Very interesting.
Monserrat is a hilltop monastery about half an hour by train (and then cable car) from Barcelona.

If you are lucky and it is sunny when you visit Sagrada Familia it’s absolutely amazing. My only disappointment with Barcelona was that it would have been my first opportunity to try my Spanish, and the locals seem to delight in their not-Spanish local Catalan language (which I presume is even more so since the problems a few years ago). But, like most of Europe it’s fairly easy to get by in English.

Yes, we are signed up for a tour that includes a trip to Montserrat. We will also have two other days to wander on our own to see more Gaudi buildings and other sites.

How much time do you have in Madrid?
Asking, since the city has as much stuff to offer as Barcelona, but stuff less well known.

We are doing 4 nights in Madrid (including a day trip to Toledo) and 3 nights in Barcelona.

It’s their language, regardless of the political situation. Regional languages are common in many areas of Europe, and it’s not just an issue of the locals sticking it to the Castilian Spanish. There are several other regional languages in Spain (Basque, Galacian, Asturian, Aragonese) as well.

Monserrat is a great day trip. We had a lovely hike while up there. Take in a Flamenco show. Go to the beach. We enjoyed a guided tapas tour and a lunchtime cooking class with a trip the market for supplies.

The last time I was in Spain was in 2000, on my honeymoon. My (then) wife’s family was from Galicia, and she spoke fluent Castilian. She still had some trouble speaking with people in Barcelona, Sevilla and Cordoba. We got by, but the dialects are definitely different.

If you are hiring a car, be prepared for the high cost of diesel. Currently not far short of €2 a litre. ($7.5 per gallon)