A quiet walk in search of a coffee and suddenly the street turns again and you find yourself engulfed in the next cloud of unfamiliar food smells, as ornate balconies tower at either side of you and above the hum of voices calling, you hear a rich, and inviting laughter. 

THIS is Barcelona!

One of the joys of travel is somehow knowing where you are, and not QUITE knowing where you are at exactly the same. New streets, new things to eat, new buildings and surroundings, all with a story as rich and beautiful  and complex as your own…

This is partly why we travel, right? To experience the new and take home parts of the experience to share with our loved ones and keep some of that adventure with us. 

But what happens when the place you call home now IS one of those unfamiliar streets? 

Moving countries, or cities, can be a huge transition, one as daunting as it is exciting! The level of unfamiliar and unknown can sometimes feel TOO much and we don’t feel connected to the new city we are living in. And guess what? That makes perfect sense!

Barcelona is known for its incredible architecture, bustling international community and diverse food and drinks scene. The streets are littered with great stories through decorative street art, monuments, buildings and churches, yet this can feel almost more isolating than inclusive if we don’t have any context to the beautiful things around us.

So, that’s where support can play a VITAL role… Therapy, community building, connection and confidence on the streets of your new city. So, that’s where we step in!

Making sense of the city – going beyond Barcelona surface level!

Founded in 2019, UnCommon Tourist leads tours of the city, on both foot or bike, and our primary driver is connection. We want you to FEEL connected with Barcelona, the different barrios (neighbourhoods) and all of the bright (and dark!) colourful stories the city holds. 

As two international expats ourselves, from Scotland and the USA, we know exactly what it’s like trying to figure out the meaning of the decoration and details on the MANY buildings and monuments, what’s the best way to move through the gothic quarter, or make sense of the metro and bus routes (A little tip: V buses take vertical routes, H buses take horizontal ones through the city!)

And while the level of beautiful, decorative buildings is incredible to live near, it can also feel a bit daunting to look up information about everything you are seeing, whilst filling out registration forms, organising new bank accounts, possibly looking at school systems or registering with the CAP!

After years of living in the city, learning the winding routes of the gothic quarter, El Born and raval and researching some of the cities most beautiful, as well as it’s lesser known, hot spots, we realised that offering a welcome tour for internationals was a valuable as sharing our stories and knowledge with tourists.

Oh, and did we mention we LOVE fun facts, laughter and coffee?! Expect to be integrated into the city with all of these at the forefront of your experience! 

Shifting from lost to local in Barcelona!

Imagine how cool it is to know where to get some of the best coffee in town, and also know the story behind the streets that lead you there? 

In our tours we offer a general orientation to the city, edu-taining you about the culture, the history and how and why those things are important today! 

AND It’s awesome when friends and family come to visit because it allows you to explain some of the city with pride and take a bit of ownership of your new home! 

• Like, why is there a large fountain in the middle of the parc?
• What, and where, is the block of discord?
• I love banana bread, but all I find in this city is croissants! Help!
• Who is the woman on the front of La Palau de La Musica Catalana?
• What’s the deal with graffiti here? 
• How do I get into a museum for free?
• Is every building with colour on it a Gaudi?!

We love helping make sense of the streets, the traditions, the uncertainty and the possibility of moving to Barcelona and helping individuals and families build new connections and ground some roots here in Barcelona is an absolute privilege for us. 

Dad-jokes are included as a complimentary part of your tour also, so please prepare yourself for a pun-derful time…

(sorry)

Begin to Belong

Like any journey, moving to a new city requires tools to assist you… guide maps, places to check in and make sure that you are headed in YOUR right direction. 

Therapy in Barcelona provides a stable, supportive space where individuals and families can create balance and recharge as you begin the adventure of life in Barcelona. Therapy can help you connect the dots between where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re going. 

With UnCommon Tourist Relocation Tours, we’ll make sure you have all the insider tips to navigate the unknown and feel right at home in your new city!   

About the Authors

With Angie and Alvaro’s UnCommon Tourist guides, your Barcelona experiences will be unforgettable levels of awesome!

Together, we’ll unpack the unique stories, explore the darker history of the city & embrace the bright colour of Barcelona life, whether you are here for one week, one month, or beginning one whole new life adventure!

With our walking, biking, hiking & self-guided podcast tours, as well as a free podcast about what’s going on in Barcelona, you will be empowered with knowledge of the city and her cool history but also be engaged in the progressive, modern life of the city and your role within it.

Don’t just travel to a city, become part of it. We’re here to guide you, one awesome tour and podcast at a time. Check out our Facebook and instagram too #LiveLikeALocalTravelLikeALegend