Spain and Andorra
Barcelona
- Menú del día = 3 courses + bread + full beer/wine for ~€12. Weekday lunchtimes only, ends 3:30pm sharp. Find where locals in work clothes are eating and follow them
- Tipping not expected. 5% is generous
- Skip La Rambla restaurants - walk one street back, prices halve
- Bunkers del Carmel = best view in Barcelona, free, zero tourists. Better than Park Güell
- Sagrada Família + Park Güell MUST be pre-booked - you cannot walk up
- Best beach: skip Barceloneta, go to Bogatell or Mar Bella - same metro line, fraction of the crowds
- Say "Bon dia" not "Hola" - you're in Catalonia, locals appreciate it
- Metro runs 24h Friday–Saturday nights
- Pickpockets work in teams on La Rambla and metro - wallet & phone in front pocket only
Andorra
- VAT 4.5% vs 21% in Spain - alcohol, tobacco and perfumes are genuinely cheap. Electronics and clothes are NOT cheaper, don't bother
- Customs allowance per person back into Spain: 1.5L spirits + 5L wine + 300 cigarettes + €900 other goods - keep receipts
- Fill up petrol before crossing back into Spain - cheaper in Andorra
- Envalira Tunnel = €5.70 each way, saves serious time vs mountain pass road
- Caldea thermal spa = perfect recovery day after hard ferratas
- Weekdays only - weekends are chaotic with day-trippers
- All ferratas free access, no booking needed
- Bring your passport
Via Ferrata
- Cala del Molí (only ferrata over the sea in the world) = must book in advance, max 8 per slot
- Never go within 24–48hrs of rain - wet rock is serious danger
Money
- Revolut for all payments - zero fees
- Carry €20–50 cash each for mountain car parks and small villages
- Use Splitwise - add expenses as you go, settle at end via Revolut
Emergency
- Spain: 112 (all) | 061 (medical)
- Andorra: 110
- Mountain rescue: 112 everywhere
- Before leaving: find out which hospital to go to as a foreigner in the area you're staying - don't figure this out in an emergency
- At Spanish hospital say "asistencia sanitaria publica" or you get billed as private
- If special travel insurance, always call your insurer before going to hospital and keep all treatment bills and paperwork
Personal Safety
- Always carry a Wise or Revolut card loaded with ~€200 - separate from your main card, for emergencies
- Keep a cheap travel phone with you with only one money app (Wise or Revolut) - if your main phone gets stolen, you still have access to funds
- Only carry your driver's license as ID on you - leave your passport and ID card locked at the hotel
- Keep €300 spare cash at the hotel, ideally in the room safe along with your other valuables
- Memorise your hotel's address and name - if your phone dies or gets stolen you need to be able to get back