https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=178xvHzPYgY

8/28/2014 3:04:29 PM

ppl in Barcelona don't really speak Spanish, just FYI if your looking to practice your tongue.

8/28/2014 4:14:44 PM

You're*

Sure they do.

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/shopping/barcelona-basic-facts.html#languages

Quote :

"The two languages spoken in Barcelona are Spanish and Catalan. Barcelona is the capital of Catalunya and therefore Catalan is widely spoken by the people of Barcelona. However both Spanish and Catalan are widely spoken interchangeably. In the tourist areas you will have people who speak English as well as Spanish however more off the beaten track most people will only speak Spanish or Catalan."

8/28/2014 4:27:45 PM

yeah, good luck with that. When they refuse to speak with you, make sure that you point out that webpage.

8/29/2014 12:53:24 PM

I've been there twice with native Spanish speakers. They speak Spanish and English to tourists. Saying "they don't really speak Spanish" is wrong. Almost everyone who speaks Catalan speaks Spanish as well. Sure you could argue that a portion may "refuse" to speak Spanish but that doesn't mean they don't speak it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Catalonia

Quote :

"According to the government of Catalonia, Spanish, locally known as Castilian, is currently the most spoken language in Catalonia (45.9% daily users of Spanish vs. 35.6% daily users of Catalan vs. 11% daily users of both Spanish and Catalan) and especially in the Barcelona metropolitan area, as well as native language and usual language of many Catalan citizens. This language is widely prevalent in the press, cinema and in daily life. Spanish is the language that Catalan citizens can read and write the most, due to the fact that until the 1980s it was the only language used in school and in all official communications."

It's a myth people in Barcelona "don't speak Spanish". Probably perpetuated by people who've never been there.

Just ask around or do some research. Almost all travel forums suggest trying to speak Spanish if you can. They certainly won't fault you if you can't speak Catalan. My Spanish is pretty poor and usually whoever I'm talking to can speak better English than I can attempt Spanish. Everywhere we went in Spain (especially Barcelona) they were very welcoming whether I was trying to speak Spanish or not.

8/29/2014 1:03:15 PM

I used my broken Spanish while in Barcelona and it worked pretty damn well. I was surprised...yet pleased.

8/29/2014 1:13:25 PM

Quote :

"It's a myth people in Barcelona "don't speak Spanish". Probably perpetuated by people who've never been there. "

I think that is more of a case of them refusing to speak it with you, but who really gives a shit. Clearly if all you want to do is to practice your Spanish, you would prolly go to a different city. But, if you are in Barcelona and the ppl there will speak with you in Spanish, then it is an added bonus.

Regarding this query, I have had the experience of people refusing to stay in Spanish and then just switching to English because they preferred Catalan over Spanish. Or, even more common, switching to Catalan because they were with their friends and did not want to speak in English or Spanish. The point is that it is going to be more difficult to speak in Spanish than if you were in Cartagena or Madrid something. Of course there will be cases where people will not speak in Spanish because it is not there mother language and they prefer to just communicate in Catalan.

For example, it is like when I go to Holland. Keep in mind that Dutch and German are related to each other like Spanish and Catalan. A bunch of the Dutch can speak German fluently, and will speak it with you, but as soon as another Dutch person walks in or joins the conversation, they switch languages to their mother tongue. This can be a bummer because then you are missing out on hearing other fluent speakers communicate with each other, which means that you are basically just kicked out of the conversation. And, more than likely, they will not switch back to your language of choice just because you asked them to.

anyways, it all depends on what you want. I for one would prefer a different city, but that is just my preference.

8/29/2014 1:36:08 PM

It's not really a myth. I speak pretty decent Spanish (with a Mexican American accent) and everyone I would engage in Spanish with would reply back to me in English. If you look like a gringo from the States, they'll speak to you in English. When I was in Majorca and nobody spoke English, trying to communicate in Spanish wasn't as easy as I thought. I started speaking/reading/writing Spanish when I was 6 years old, so it's not like I took it in some bullshit honors high school Spanish class and underestimated my Spanish speaking skills either...

[Edited on August 29, 2014 at 2:14 PM. Reason : .]

8/29/2014 2:10:31 PM

Just speak American and they'll understand.

Don't think any of this really matters. Barcelona is a cool city regardless of what language people speak.

8/29/2014 3:21:28 PM

Oh definitely. Everybody I met in Barcelona was super friendly, helpful, and polite. I just think people should realize that Spanish isn't the language spoken in Cataluyna (it's Catalan), and the vast majority of people there speak very good English.

[Edited on August 29, 2014 at 6:15 PM. Reason : .]

8/29/2014 6:12:52 PM

i wouldn't say the vast majority. Especially when you get away from the center areas of tourism. That being said I didn't encounter language barriers that weren't able to be crossed with a little understanding between both parties and the willingness to try. My broken spanish worked everywhere and the locals were very pleased that I had at least somewhat of a base knowledge of the language.

what an amazing trip. Loved every bit of it. I could live in Seville and be happy forever.

9/12/2014 10:03:31 AM

Bump.

I leave for Spain next Saturday for 2 weeks. 2 days in Madrid, 10 in Andalusia, and 2 in Barcelona. Any specific recommendations for Restaurants/Bars in Madrid, Malaga, Seville, Cadiz, or Barcelona? I've been to Barcelona before and really enjoyed it, but the rest is all new territory... Thnx

12/18/2014 12:48:01 PM

Posted this a while ago on the first page:

Quote :

"This. Do some research and talk to people. I found some really cool spots meandering in the streets off Las Ramblas. Obviously don't stay on the main street...but it is the central location. And definitely hit up this spot: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d940427-Reviews-Can_Paixano_La_Xampanyeria-Barcelona_Catalonia.html There is a short window (there version of Happy Hour believe)...where you can get bottles of Cava for a couple Euros and half off all Tapas. It's kind of a madhouse...but the food is delicious and the bubbly is cheap!"

12/18/2014 2:40:49 PM

Madrid the best tapas place that we loved was : http://www.tripadvisor.es/Restaurant_Review-g187514-d2174399-Reviews-La_Tercera_Taberna-Madrid.html

There were no tourist, it's a cute little shop full of amazing tapas and canas(small beers) near the plaza de Santa Ana, which is where we stayed. Great area to walk around and do the paseo.

Also would recommend Algarabia, a little hole in the wall restaurant run by two sisters, best authentic Spanish food I had, lots of locals:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187514-d991733-Reviews-Algarabia-Madrid.html#photos

We really enjoyed a lunch at the Plaza de Oriente, overlooking the park near the palace, and had lunch at Café Oriente right there. Was pricey, but the location is amazing.

For Seville, I'd recommend the http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187443-d1442916-Reviews-Vineria_San_Telmo-Seville_Province_of_Seville_Andalucia.html#photos

Awesome little place in Seville, but there were many good tapas places and vineterias in Seville.

12/19/2014 12:17:12 PM

Oh, and you're going to Andalucía and you're not going to Granada and the Alhambra?

12/19/2014 12:19:26 PM

Great suggestions everyone- exactly the type of recommendations I was looking for.

Already bought tickets to the Alhambra- figured it was a given. Considering Gibraltar, but I also booked a day trip with a guide to Morocco, so not sure if it's a must-see.

Going to Cordoba and Ronda as well, since I'm renting a car the whole time I am there.



[Edited on December 19, 2014 at 12:31 PM. Reason : .]

12/19/2014 12:30:22 PM

Eat some Andalusian Meatballs, marcona almonds, manchego cheese, serrano ham...and drink shit tons of Spanish wine.

12/19/2014 12:45:02 PM

are you staying in hotels?

12/19/2014 2:29:05 PM

yep already booked everything.

a side note: I'll be in London for 2 nights on my way back to SF, so suggestions there are welcomed too

12/19/2014 2:35:03 PM

Oh, you didn't say Granada, Cordoba, Ronda. All great places. I went to Madrid, Cordoba, Sevilla, Ronda, Granada, then flew to Barcelona. I'd recommend driving from Seville to Granada through the White Hill towns, was the highlight of my trip for me.

I'll have recommendations for Granada, Cordoba, and Ronda Monday while I'm at work.

If you need hotel recommendations I have those as well.

12/19/2014 7:27:08 PM

Bump. Leave tomorrow at 10:00 PM

12/26/2014 6:51:48 PM