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The Barcelona Expert

Hi! I'm Claire and I adore Barcelona! I'm here to share my experiences and travel tips from 5 years of living in this special city in Spain to help you plan your best Barcelona trip ever - without having a negative impact on the local community. Subscribe to my weekly Barcelona newsletter and I'll send you my top 21 ESSENTIAL BARCELONA TRAVEL TIPS right away!

☀️ Want to Get Free Accommodation in Barcelona?

Hi Reader! Accommodation prices in Barcelona are some of the most expensive in Spain, especially as we come into the summer season. If you're hoping to visit Barcelona on a budget but are struggling to find good value hotels, I might have the perfect answer for you! Let's be clear, though, there is no magic wand to get something for nothing - but see if any of these might help you to have a fantastic trip to Barcelona (or anywhere else in the world) without breaking the bank! Volunteering in...

🍽️ How to Find the Best Places to Eat in Barcelona

Hi Reader! Well, April flew by so quickly I honestly don't know where the time goes. And here we are almost a week into May already! I've been busy sorting my life out here in Barcelona, now I am a full-time resident here, from registering as a sole trader to sorting out a library card - and discovering the joys of the Spanish tax system. It is quite nice not to have to worry about planning travel, but I've got more than enough on my plate to stay busy here! Thinking about plates, one of my...

❗What You Need to Book Before Arriving in Barcelona

Hey there Reader! If you're in the middle of planning a trip to Barcelona, you might be wondering whether you need to book activities in advance or whether you can wing it and see how things go when you're here. I usually prefer a mixture of the two, if you plan too much then you don't have any room for spontaneous activities or unforeseen delays. You might miss out on something you amazing you just found out about! But, if you don't book anything then you might not be able to see or do what...

🥘22 Delicious Things to Eat in Barcelona (That Aren't Paella!)

Hi Reader! I love to eat. I'm not one of those "food is fuel" types, for me, food is something to be savoured and enjoyed. And food in Barcelona is DELICIOUS! You have probably heard of paella, the most famous Spanish rice dish, but Catalan cuisine has some unique and even tastier dishes for you to try in Barcelona. You can read the full article here, or read on to get a taster! Pa amb Tomàquet – Bread with Tomato One of the most commonly eaten foods in Barcelona, pa amb tomàquet (or pan con...

🌺 Spring is Coming to Barcelona - Here's Why It's a Great Time to Visit!

Hi Reader! Spring is my absolute favourite season and considered one of the best times to visit Barcelona! Spring gives me so much joy and hope. And in my new apartment I've been busy buying plants for my terrace - I can't wait for the weather to be good enough to make the most of it! The weather is getting warmer (although you might get some rain in early spring like the past few weeks!), and you can enjoy outdoor activities without the extreme heat of summer. Spring also brings colourful...

⚠️ Don't Get Pickpocketed in Barcelona - Read These Tips!

Hi Reader! It's one of the worst things about Barcelona and what so many people tell me they're worried about: PICKPOCKETS! Barcelona is generally a very safe city, but pickpockets are a major problem and can sadly ruin a trip to Barcelona if you get targeted by them. Pickpocketing in Barcelona has caused a lot of issues for tourists and locals alike, but I want to do everything I can to help you avoid being pickpocketed in Barcelona! Speaking from personal experience, I know how quickly it...

💰 Save Money in Barcelona with These Free Activities

Hi Reader, Are you excited about visiting Barcelona but concerned about how expensive it is? I don't blame you, it's a wonderful city but prices can be crazy, especially in the peak summer season. So, I've chosen my favourite free things to do in Barcelona so you can have a fabulous time here without breaking the bank! This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through the links in this email and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from...

⚡Act Fast to Save 30% on TrustedHousesitters Membership (Only Until 19th February!)

Hi Reader, Don't you just love finding ways to travel on a budget? Getting free accommodation is a great way to save big bucks as even cheap hotels and Airbnbs can cost over $100 per night, so imagine how much you can save over a year if you didn't have to pay any accommodation costs! Have You Tried Housesitting? Housesitting means that you stay in someone else's home and look after the house (and in most cases their pets) while they are away on holiday, for work, or for other reasons. If you...

Reasons to Visit Barcelona in 2025

Hi Reader, Are you planning to visit Barcelona this year? I'd love to know what you have planned so hit reply and let me know when you are coming (or planning to come) and how long you'll be here for. That will help me create the most useful content for you. If you're not sure when to plan your trip, check out my recommendations for the best time to visit Barcelona, or my month-by-month breakdown of what to expect. And if you don't have any plans to come to Barcelona this year, this email...

Grab These Free Travel Planning Resources Before They Disappear!

Hi Reader! The D.I.Y. Trip Summit kicked off today, and if you don't already have a ticket then Thursday is the last day you can sign up! I don’t want you to miss out on any of the free travel planning resources, including my presentation about Work Exchanges, so if you’re interested in learning how to get free accommodation while travelling and lots of other tips to plan an epic trip to Europe, be sure to catch it before the free viewing window ends. You can watch any of the summit sessions...

Hi! I'm Claire and I adore Barcelona! I'm here to share my experiences and travel tips from 5 years of living in this special city in Spain to help you plan your best Barcelona trip ever - without having a negative impact on the local community. Subscribe to my weekly Barcelona newsletter and I'll send you my top 21 ESSENTIAL BARCELONA TRAVEL TIPS right away!