Barcelona

Catalan cooking draws on the sea, the mountains and the farmland around the city. Bread rubbed with tomato, olive oil, cured meats, seafood, rice dishes and seasonal vegetables all feature prominently. Sauces such as romesco, allioli and sofregit underpin many traditional dishes.

Meal times run later than in northern Europe. Lunch is often the main meal in the early afternoon and many people eat dinner after 9 pm. Many restaurants offer a fixed-price weekday lunch menu, and sharing small plates is common. Neighborhood markets remain a real source of daily food shopping as well as a place to eat.

Cava, the local sparkling wine, is produced in the wider region, and Catalan wine regions supply many reds and whites. Vermouth on a weekend afternoon is a much-loved habit.

Barcelona's origins go back to a small Roman settlement often called Barcino, founded around the end of the 1st century BC on a low hill near the present Gothic Quarter. Fragments of Roman walls and streets can still be seen in the old center. After the Roman period the town passed through Visigothic rule and, briefly, Muslim control, before being taken by the Franks around 801.

In the medieval period Barcelona became the seat of the Counts of Barcelona and a major power in the Crown of Aragon, with a merchant fleet trading across the Mediterranean. Much of the Gothic architecture of the old city dates from this era. Political changes in the early modern period, especially after the War of the Spanish Succession that ended in 1714, brought the loss of many Catalan institutions and rights.

The 19th century brought industrialization, the demolition of the old city walls and the expansion into the Eixample. Exhibitions in 1888 and 1929 reshaped parts of the city, and the Modernista movement flourished. The Spanish Civil War and the Franco era suppressed Catalan language and institutions, which returned after the transition to democracy. The 1992 Olympic Games spurred a major transformation of the waterfront and infrastructure.

Catalan and Spanish are both official languages, and you will hear both on the street. A few words of greeting in Catalan, such as bon dia for good morning and gràcies for thank you, are appreciated. Catalan identity is a sensitive and important topic, so approach political discussions with listening rather than assumptions.

Social life is lively and centered on food, conversation and public space. Greetings between acquaintances often involve two kisses on the cheek. Tipping is modest compared with some countries, and rounding up or leaving small change is common. In busy areas, dress respectfully when entering churches and avoid walking around in swimwear away from the beach.

Major celebrations include La Mercè in late September, Sant Jordi in April when books and roses are exchanged, and the summer festa de Gràcia. Traditions such as castells, human towers, and the sardana dance are part of Catalan cultural heritage. Petty theft, especially pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas and on public transport, is a known issue, so keep valuables secure.