29 Non Touristy Things to Do in Barcelona by a Local
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Wondering, how do the locals really live in Barcelona? You’re in the right place! I live in Barcelona and decided to spend a few weeks saving my favorite daily routines.
Below, you’ll find all the “non touristy” things to do in Barcelona – away from Sagrada Familia and La Rambla. Because let’s be honest, after doing those once, us locals really don’t need to go back!
If you want to visit like a local, this list is for you. However, if you are visiting for the first time, I’d recommend hitting the top sightseeing spots first, and mixing them in with these not-so-touristy activities. Just because I don’t go sightseeing everyday doesn’t mean the sights aren’t worth seeing – they absolutely are!
So, without further adieu, here are my favorite, day-to-day, things to do in Barcelona as a local.
1. Yoga on the beach
During the day, Barceloneta is packed with tourists. But in the morning, it’s quiet, peaceful, and perfect for yoga on the beach! Whether you’re into yoga or just love starting your morning with the waves crashing nearby, try out a yoga class on the beach. Check out my favorite beach yoga class with Christine.
2. Enjoy a glass of wine at a local shop
In Spain, there’s no such saying as “it’s five o’clock somewhere”. It’s wine time all the time! Stop by a local wine shop for a delicious class of cava or rioja.
It’s the perfect way to wind down after a busy day or relax and chat with a friend over a glass. These are also great places to meet some locals! Try this spot near Gracia or Eixample to get away from the tourist crowds.
3. Picnic at Parc de la Ciutadella
While visiting the park is usually a sightseeing hotspot for tourists, bringing a book and a picnic blanket to hang in the grass for a few hours is a local’s favorite way to spend a sunny afternoon.
You’ll see people reading alone, doing yoga, having lunch with friends, and just basking in the sun.
4. Go for a concert on the Casa Batllo rooftop
Casa Batllo isn’t just a photo opp from the street – there’s a whole world inside! Most evenings, you’ll find live music from local artists on the rooftop, called “Magical Nights”. Trust me, it’s as magical as it sounds. Tickets also include a visit into la casa and a glass of cava – so refreshing on a warm evening under the stars!
5. Visit the flea market
The best way to be local is to shop local! There are a bunch of flea markets around the city. Stop by often and see what souvenirs you can find. Try Els Encant and Two Markets if you have a free hour or so.
6. Take a Spanish or Catalan class
Ready to immerse yourself into local culture? Take a language lesson! I promise you’ll be fine speaking English throughout Barcelona - it took me years to feel confident with small conversations around the city.
But, there’s no reason to not learn to pick up some niceties if you’re interested in new languages! Don’t forget that there are two primary languages in BCN - Spanish and Catalan. They’re similar, but not the same, so don’t get confused.
7. Hike to Tibidabo
Barcelona isn’t all parties and tapas. There are mountains and trails throughout and around the city! Tibidabo is one of our favorites. It sits just north of Barcelona in Collserola National Park, so it’s super accessible to get to.
The hike will take about two hours round trip. At the top, you’ll be treated to some spectacular views of the city. Obviously, it’s best on a clear day. I’d recommend starting early as the sun can make the hike quite strenuous.
8. Dance the night away at CDLC
Carpe Diem Night Club is an all night beach club. Literally - they close at 5:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays! Table service, dance floors, and bottles of cava will make 5:30 a.m. come faster than you realize.
You don’t see too many “late nights out” on this list. This isn’t because there aren’t endless opportunities, but simply because it’s not my style. It’s possible to live in Barcelona and not be partying every night (though it can be tempting).
9. Watch the sunrise at Barceloneta
If you do make it to that 5:30 a.m. closing time at CDLC, you’ll be a quick 5 minute walk to Barceloneta Beach for an epic sunrise. And if you’re like me and prefer to sleep through the nights, hop on the L4 metro to the Barceloneta station to catch one of the best sunrises in the city.
10. Shop at the markets
And I’m not talking about La Boqueria! Locals will get their grocery shopping done at Sant Antoni and La Concepció Market, their local art from Mercadillo de la Plaça de Sant Josep, and fresh fruit from Santa Caterina.
The markets are where I prefer to get my fruit, aged meats, and fresh fish (except Mondays, don’t go searching for fresh fish on Mondays).
11. Hop on the metro or train
Being a local doesn’t mean we spend all of our time in Barcelona. In fact, we do quite the opposite! I get to hop on the metro or the train and head to any village, town, or coastal beach I want to, any day of the week!! You can get to tons of coastal beaches by train for a day trip or cities like Valencia and Madrid for a weekend trip.
12. Hang out with friends on a terrace
Arguably my favorite thing to do in Barcelona, although it will require having a friend with a terrace. When dinner’s over but we’re not ready to go home, we’ll usually migrate from to a friend’s flat with a terrace. Sipping wine, enjoying the city sounds, and spending quality time together.
If you don’t have a friend with a terrace, you can always just find a nice restaurant with a patio and make your own quiet evening over a bottle of wine and pan con tomate.
13. Go for a walk around town
When it's sunny out and I just need some fresh air, I just stroll around town! Appreciating the beauty, architecture, and history of Barcelona never gets old. Bonus points if you find a cute little shop and cafe to spend some time in during your walk.
14. Serra de Collserola Natural Park
It’s easy to escape the city feel in Barcelona. There’s so much green space just a short walk or train ride away. The Collserola Park, however, is the largest green space in Barcelona! So if you’re in the city and missing the fresh air, you’re in for a treat.
15. Sip on an afternoon coffee at a corner shop
When the sun is out and you’ve returned from a busy day out, there’s nothing I love more than grabbing an afternoon coffee on a nearby terrace.
16. Open your laptop at one of the coworking spaces
Barcelona is a huge nomad city. In fact, Spain released a nomad visa not long along ago. There are tons of trendy coworking spaces where you can sip on a double espresso and work the day away with other nomads.
17. Take a siesta
If you love naps, you’ll love the Spaniards. Between the hours of 2-5, the streets clear out, shops close, and everyone goes home for a little mid-day refresh! Even if you don’t like napping (I, myself, am not a napper), I love taking time to go home, rest, and take some time to prepare for the evening.
18. Take a stroll through Gracia
There are a few neighborhoods “off the touristy path” in the city. Gracia is one of them. Gracia’s full of locals walking to and from work, sitting in terraces having afternoon coffee, and delicious restaurants and cafes.
19. Watch the sunset at Bunkers del Carmel
One of my favorite easy trails to take friends with when they get to town. It’s paved the whole way, so it really is more of a walking trail than a hike. My second favorite sunset is on the water on a sunset cruise, which I do about once a year.
20. Hop on a bike to another neighborhood
For residents of Barcelona, “Bicing” is a city-ran bike sharing system. It’s an affordable, annual membership for unlimited use. But, you HAVE to be a resident to use the system. If you’re visiting Barcelona, no worries. Hop on an e-bike tour or rent a bike from a local shop.
Orange Fox offers rentals by hour, day, and even month. I’d definitely suggest a bike rental if you want to go far fast, especially if you’re here for an extended period of time.
21. Go shopping in Passeig de Gracia
People come from all over the world to go shopping in Barcelona. Lucky for me, it’s right in my backyard. Local clothing stores, Zaras on every street, small shoe shops, and designer shops with lines rounding the corners.
During the days, especially the weekends, Passeig de Gracia is filled with locals and tourists filling their bags and suitcases with Barcelona goodies.
22. Meet the locals and make new friends
Head to one of those little wine bars or corner shops and strike up a conversation. There are plenty of friendly locals that love sharing their love of the city. You might even make a new friend.
23. Go bar hopping in El Born
I’m not a fan of night clubs, but El Born has cocktail bars for every type of person. Trendy, crowded, quiet dives, even a top 50 bar in the world. Party safely though, and preferably never alone. The alleys here get dark and can be unsafe late at night.
24. Celebrate the festivals
It feels like there’s a holiday or festival surrounding the streets of Barcelona every week! And I”m not far off - there are over 200 festivals celebrated in the neighborhoods here every year.
25. Try a Catalan restaurant
There’s nothing more cultural than eating Catalan in Catalonia. Try some of my favorite dishes like escalivada, coco, Crema Catalana, or Xocolata amb Xocolata. Pla B and L’ Antic Bocoi del Gotic are two special tapas bars to try when you’re in Gothic Quarter.
26. Go to a bar for a futbol game
If you think Americans love football, wait until you see Europeans watch futbol. The first time I watched Barc v Madrid in a bar with my friends, I was actually quite overwhelmed. Futbol matches are as much a religious experience here as they are on Superbowl Sunday in the states.
27. Visit a museum
There are over 80 museums in Barcelona! From the National Art Museum of Catalunya to the trendy and modern Moco Museum in Gothic Quarter
28. Share late-night tapas with friends
A truly local Barcelona night out - sipping sangria over a spread of tapas with your best friends. If you’re asking me for a fast summary of what I do in Barcelona, the answer is this. Tapas, friends, and wine…all the time. It never gets old.
29. Grab a long lunch at Antic Tapas Ferran
While lots of restaurants close in the middle of the day, Antic Tapas Ferran stays open till late in the evening! For us locals, that means it’s the place to go for a long lunch.
And when I say long, I mean long. Locals around here spend hours over the lunch table starting with patatas bravas, sharing stories over a giant bowl of paella for four, and finishing up with an espresso.
FAQ
What is the least touristy part of Barcelona?
Poblenou, Eixample, and Poble Sec are the least touristy parts of Barcelona. They're well-known for being residential or expat towns.
They're also all filled with great shops and restaurants as well as conveniently located to the central areas of the city.
What are the dos and donts in Barcelona?
Do: be respectful, spend your time exploring as much as you can of the city, try new things, keep your belongings secure.
Don't be rude to restaurant staff, tour operators, and locals. Don't keep your bags open or leave belongings on tables or at the beach.
How do you avoid looking like a tourist in Barcelona?
To avoid looking like a tourist in Barcelona, don't walk around with a large backpack and definitely don't walk around in uncomfortable outfits or shoes. We dress for comfort around here and you'll want to as well.
How do you avoid crowds in Barcelona?
Avoid crowds by spending time in more residential neighborhoods like Poblenou and Eixample. You can also opt to visit in the offseason, like winter or fall. And lastly, try to hit the busiest sites early in the morning.
How do locals get around in Barcelona?
Locals get around in Barcelona by walking and taking the metro, primarily. There are also taxis and busses when necessary.
Final Thoughts: Local Things to Do in Barcelona
There you have it! The best non touristy things to do in Barcelona. If you’re done with the crowds around Sagrada Familia, this list of activities will be a much-needed getaway.
Like I said at the beginning, you should still spend a day or two hitting all those most-visited, “touristy” spots. There’s a reason they get so crowded - because they’re absolutely worth it!
But when you’re done and want to walk the Barcelona talk, pick something on this list and explore a new kind of city that not everyone gets a chance to see.
