I moved from Los Angeles to Barcelona. Here are 11 things that surprised me most.

• About six years ago, I moved from Los Angeles to Barcelona and began building a life in Spain.
• Barcelona is beautiful, and I’ve been surprised by some of the local holiday traditions.
• I also wasn’t expecting some eating customs, like sandwiches for breakfast and 9 p.m. dinners.

The afternoon siesta is a real thing, and you have to plan accordingly.

This story was originally published in May of 2022 and most recently updated on September 18, 2026.