When visiting the vibrant cities in Catalonia, such as Barcelona and Girona, immersing yourself in the local language can deeply enhance your experience. Catalan, a Romance language spoken by over 9 million people, is not to be mistaken for a dialect of Spanish—it’s a distinct language with its own rich history and cultural expressions. Here’s a selection of essential words and phrases in Catalan that will help you navigate urban landscapes and connect with the locals.

Ciutat
Meaning “city,” ciutat is a word you will encounter frequently. It’s central to finding your way to urban areas or asking about city-specific information.
Quina és la millor ciutat per visitar a Catalunya?

Barri
This word means “neighborhood” and is especially useful when exploring the different areas of a city, or when you’re looking for a particular spot that’s not in the tourist guides.
M’encanta passejar pels barris antics de la ciutat.

Plaça
Plaça translates to “square,” as in a town square. You’ll find that plaças are social hubs where people gather, markets are held, and events take place.
La plaça principal està plena de gent els diumenges al matí.

Carrer
Catalan for “street,” carrer will be one of your most-used terms for navigation. It’s essential for getting directions and understanding addresses.
El meu hotel està al carrer que està molt a prop de la catedral.

Avinguda
Equivalent to “avenue,” this word denotes a broader, more significant street, often lined with important buildings or shops.
L’avinguda principal està plena de botigues i restaurants.

Turista
Meaning “tourist,” this term is helpful to describe yourself when seeking assistance or engaging in conversation with the locals.
Sóc turista i m’agradaria saber quins llocs he de visitar.

Mapa
Easy to remember, mapa means “map” and is indispensable when planning your day or trying to locate landmarks.
Podries passar-me el mapa de la ciutat, si us plau?

Transport públic
This phrase translates to “public transport” and includes buses, metros, and trams that run throughout the city.
És millor prendre el transport públic per evitar les aglomeracions de trànsit.

Horari
Horari means “schedule” or “timetable,” useful when figuring out the operating hours of the public transport, museums, or attractions.
Pots consultar l’horari dels trens en l’estació o en línia.

Bitllet
The Catalan word for “ticket,” bitllet is essential when purchasing transport fares, museum entries, or event passes.
On puc comprar un bitllet per al concert de demà a la nit?

Restaurant
Restaurant retains its form in Catalan and is key to enjoying the local culinary delights.
Hi ha un restaurant de cuina catalana que no és molt lluny d’aquí.

Menú
Much like in English, menú in Catalan refers to the list of dishes available in a restaurant.
Podem veure el menú abans de decidir si ens quedem a dinar?

Monument
A word you will use often while sightseeing, monument means “monument” and refers to structures or statues of historical significance.
Aquest monument commemora un esdeveniment molt important en la història de la ciutat.

Museu
Quite straightforward, museu means “museum” and is a word you’ll find helpful when indulging in the local art and history.
A quina hora tanca el museu avui?

Guia
Meaning “guide,” guia is used for both guidebooks and tour guides.
La guia del museu va explicar tots els detalls de l’exposició amb molta claritat.

Mercat
This term translates to “market” and is essential for those who want to explore local food markets or flea markets.
El mercat dels dissabtes està sempre ple de productes frescos i locals.

Farmàcia
Knowing the word farmàcia, which means “pharmacy,” is helpful in case you need medical supplies or advice.
Hi ha una farmàcia en aquest barri que està oberta les 24 hores?

Embracing these words and phrases in your travels through the Catalan-speaking regions will undoubtedly lead to richer interactions and a deeper appreciation of the local culture. The effort to learn and use even simple Catalan terms is often met with appreciation by the locals, adding warmth and authenticity to your urban exploration. Bon viatge!