Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
Overpriced eatery, La Rambla
Right
Traffic jam
Things to Avoid
!
Dangerous Areas
wallet. Also to be avoided
are the gypsies who try
to sell you flowers and
often pick your pocket at
the same time!
$
Overpriced Eats
valuable jewellery. When
consulting a guidebook
or map, keep a vigilant
eye on your belongings.
Beware of under-
populated alleys and
streets in the old town
after dark, particularly in
the Barri Gòtic and El
Raval. These attract
thieves who tend to
operate in groups. Prime
pickpocketing times are
between 9pm and
midnight, when most
locals are eating dinner
and only visitors are out
on the streets. The early
hours (3-6am), after the
bars and clubs close, are
also popular with thieves.
*
Traffic
Avoid city traffic con-
gestion by driving around
late morning (10am-1pm)
or late afternoon (5-7pm).
Most office workers have
a lunch break between
2pm and 4pm, which
means that the roads
are packed during this
period. Similarly, avoid
leaving town on Friday
evenings, particularly
during the summer. The
best time to head out of
the city is mid- to late-
morning after 10am.
Rip-off, touristy
terrace restaurants line La
Rambla. Most of these
paella and tapas eateries
cater solely to tourists,
charging sky-high prices
for mediocre meals. The
side streets off La Rambla
offer better food at more
reasonable prices.
%
Crowds
@
Overpriced
Miss the crowds and
interminably long queues
at the city's most popular
sights by visiting first
thing in the morning
when the sights open or
towards the end of the
day, an hour or two
before closing time. To
avoid the hordes on the
beaches in summer go
on weekday afternoons.
^
Money Exchange
Leather Shops
Avoid the pricey leather
shops clustered on and
around La Rambla. The
leather is often poor
quality and prices are
high. Stop off at the
tourist office for a list of
approved leather shops,
or head for established
stores
(see pp50-51)
.
£
La Rambla Scams
(
August
During the month of
August, many Barcelona
establishments shut
down altogether, the
locals disappear on
holiday and the city fills
with visitors. With so
many restaurants, bars,
shops and even some
sights closed, not to
mention the distinct lack
of local life, August in
Barcelona has its draw-
backs. Always call first to
check on opening times
during this period.
Don't get sidetracked
by the raucous “find the
hidden ball” games on La
Rambla. Usually played
on makeshift tables,
presided over by a skilled,
nimble-fingered trickster,
it appears at first glance
to be a lively game of
chance. In reality, it's a
confidence trick. The lively
folk who cheer you on
are all accomplices who
are in on the act. Though
you may win the first few
rounds, you'll soon start
to lose, and you'll walk
away with a much lighter
Steer clear of the
bureaux de change on La
Rambla, Plaça de Cata-
lunya and near major tou-
rist sights. They usually
charge much higher com-
mission than banks. If
they advertise no com-
mission, exchange rates
are generally poor.
&
Looking Like a
)
Monday
Sightseeing
Many of the top
museums are closed on
Mondays, including the
Museu Picasso
(see
pp24-5)
and the MNAC
(see pp18-19)
. So always
double-check opening
times on this day.
Tourist
Avoid attracting attention
to yourself as a tourist.
Keep cameras hidden,
try not to display large
banknotes and don't wear
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