Barcelona Travel Forum

In browsing around I just discovered that the day I arrive in Barcelona - 11/09/2009 - is the National Day of Catalonia.

Is this likely to effect travel or restaurants? I will probably arrive late afternoon, early evening (by train) and want to go first directly to my hotel. Afterward I will want to go out for a walk and to eat something.

Should I expect any problems, like closed venues, reduced public transportation or anything of the sort?

Hi Una.
Don´t you worry. You won´t find big problems, specially arriving during the evening. There will be public transport, and restaurants will be open(maybe some small family-owned ones will close, but not many).

Good luck.

Thanks Miguel!

Hola!
Just to confirm what Miguel already said.

It basically will be like a Sunday: most museums opening only during the morning, slightly reduced schedule in public transport (no worries, this only may mean waiting 10 minutes instead of 5). Business as usual in restaurants (maybe some closed, but you will find 10 open restaurants for every one closed down). Nearly all shops closed.

There will be some festive events (and political demonstrations) but mainly during the morning

as this year it falls on Friday it will be a long weekend here. Many Barcelonins will fly away but many tourists will replace them

Shame I will be not there to have a drink with you!

Thanks for the info Belsaita.

You won't be in Barcelona that week? I am seriouly disappointed!
I was so looking forward to meeting you after all of the help you have given me.

I hope to be at the big VT meeting in Australia... :)

Oh wow! I envy you that one. I loved Australia. Have fun!!!

That is correct the 9th of Nov. is the National Day, however the demostration will be held about early lunch time and you are expected to arrive late afternoon, so, you will not encounter any problem upon your arrival in Catalunya. It is best that you have your meals along in larger restaurants, we would strongly suggests our most favourite bar/restaurant which is called "CERVESERIA CATALANA" located corner of Calle Mallorca and Catalunya. As you sound like these will be your first time in Barcelona and of-course we wish you to have the best meals of all local restaurant/bars! Just be sure not to be careless about your personal belongings as anywhere you go in Barcelona you more likely will cross a professional pickpocketer, so, just super careful as pickpocketing in Barcelona is done in groups of either two people/male or female or both and of groups of three people all of which pretends to be tourists....HAVE A GREAT TIME AND HAPPY MEMORABLE TIME IN BARCELONA!

Thanks for the tip. Also just read your Barcelona page. Some really great tips there.

Hola,
Thank you for visiting our Barcelona homepage. It is our pleasure to fill in with local activities, local on going, delicious affordable local tapas making you almost a local visitor even if you don't speak Catalan, the National language here, if you can say "Hola, Gracias, Adios", you will make us smile and happy that at least tourists making effort to swing in with the locals. Incidentally, we also forgot to mention to you, look into our homepage - Barcelona - subject would be transporation (as it will explain to you more details), it is with regards the metro/and bus tickets which are combined, meaning you use both tickets for both public transportation. Also buy the T-10 which you can share it at the same time, same day with 9 other friends or passenger all at the same very moment, just be sure that all you ten people enters the same metro station or bus and exit at the same exit at the same time...this is very legal here in Barcelona. Have a great memorable time but again please beware of those fast pickpocketers who try to act like tourists...they work in small groups to distract you and your companions so they can steal your personal belongings...Just have a great time but be very careful specially walking in dark alleys which you must avoid specially downtown...Happy Holidays in Barcelona!

Thanks again A & M -
Is the T10 worthwhile for a solo traveller?

Hola UnaS,

Your enquiry if the T-10 is worthwhile for solo traveller. The answer is YES, YES, YES! The reason why we explained to you that you are allowed and is llegal for you to take 9 other passengers is because it's one way to save money on transportation, just the same using a T-10 by yourself you are only being charge about 0.70 per ride, whereas if you were to purchase single ride it would costs you 1.20Euros per ride..
In addition to the above, say for instance you take the metro from these point to another end and still you have not reach your destination, you are allowed to make a bus transfer meaning you need not pay your bus fare. All you need to do is slide in your metro T-10 ticket on that red box and the machine will recognize it's a metro transfer - or vice versa... (those are little things that many tourists are not aware off), so, the more awareness of these thing you would be it would help you enjoy the beautiful and lovely city of Barcelona! By the way, do you know that we are the European Futball Champs! Ole! Ole! Ole! F.C. Barcelona!

Is the T10 worthwhile for a solo traveller?

and you can use the T-10 for trips from/to the airport if you use the train or the regular (slow) buses, but not for the Aerobus

Depending on where you staying, train may be a better option that bus anyway, provided you don't carry tons of luggage ;)

You will walk a lot but you will use some public transport at some point, even if just for reaching Park Güell (better reach by bus #24), the attractions in Montjuic mountain (bus #50) or the metro to move around. So, a T-10 is definitely worth it even for a solo traveler

The only I don't agree (or partially agree) with listenandlearn above is regarding better using large restaurants. I do find small mom & pop holes in the wall much better value, and usually a nicer and more local experience than chain or large places. And there are so many around to choose!

FORÇA BARÇA!!!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Thanks for all that info on the traveling with metro,bus and the T10.

Yes, I do tend to prefer small restaurants that locals use, not the large touristy places and not the expensive places even if they are for locals :)