Barcelona: Spanish travel guide

Spanish greetings

• ¡Hola, buenos días!Hello, good morning!Say it: OH-lah, BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs
• ¿Habla castellano?Do you speak Spanish?Say it: AH-blah kahs-teh-YAH-nohIn Catalonia, Spanish is often called castellano.
• Vale, graciasOK, thanksSay it: BAH-leh, GRAH-thyahs

A little Catalan

Catalan is the local language, and signs and menus often use it. Locals love it when visitors try a word or two.

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  Bon diaGood morningSay it: bohn DEE-ahCatalan
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  Si us plauPleaseSay it: see oos PLOWCatalan
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  GràciesThank youSay it: GRAH-see-uhsCatalan
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  AdéuGoodbyeSay it: ah-DEH-ooCatalan

Money and tipping

• Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere.
• Tipping isn't expected. Round up, or leave 5–10% for excellent service.

Five useful words

• el menú del díathe set lunch menuSay it: ehl meh-NOO dehl DEE-ah
• el bocadillosandwich on crusty breadSay it: ehl boh-kah-DEE-yoh
• la playathe beachSay it: lah PLAH-yah
• el carteristapickpocketSay it: ehl kahr-teh-REES-tah
• ¡Cuidado!Careful!Say it: kwee-DAH-doh

Good to know

• Pickpockets work the busiest spots: Las Ramblas, the metro and the beach. Keep your phone and wallet zipped away.
• Book big sights such as the Sagrada Família online ahead of time.
• Like Madrid, meals are late: lunch 2–4 pm, dinner from about 9 pm.