About me
Hello, I’m Senem.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably planning a trip to Spain. Or maybe you’re already here and simply spending a few minutes browsing, trying to figure out what to do next.
I grew up in Istanbul and studied tourism. In my twenties, I spent several years working on a cruise ship, traveling constantly for work and getting used to waking up in different countries as part of everyday life. Seeing places that way teaches you something early on: cities are not just sights, they are daily habits, rhythms, and people.
After returning to Istanbul, I realized that out of all the places I had seen, Barcelona stayed with me in a different way. About fifteen years ago, I decided to move here.
Like many visitors, I had been to Barcelona before. Living here, however, showed me how much more there was to understand beyond first impressions.
I arrived speaking Spanish and assumed I was prepared. That confidence didn’t last long. Everyday life has a way of humbling you. Markets, paperwork, quick exchanges on the street. I remember realizing that strawberries weren’t called fresa here, but maduixa. It sounds like a small detail, but as I traveled more around Spain and later chose to work as a professional tour guide, it became clear that Spain isn’t one single place. It’s many different ones, and Catalonia is very much its own.
Today, I live in Barcelona, work here, speak the language, pay rent, and guide visitors professionally through the city and its history.
WHY BARCELONA INSIDER
Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe, yet it’s often reduced to quick lists and surface level recommendations. At the same time, the city is deeply shaped by its history, its Catalan identity, and the people who live here.
Most people who travel do so for a reason. They step away from busy lives, work schedules, and daily responsibilities to give themselves time that actually matters. Vacations are not just about seeing places. They are about rest, curiosity, and feeling present somewhere else for a while. That’s something I take seriously.
Barcelona is also a very cosmopolitan place. Its international population gives it a global energy that exists alongside local traditions. Sometimes these move at different speeds, shaped by different dynamics, but they share the same streets, routines, and daily life.
This site exists because understanding Barcelona requires more than just knowing where to go. It helps to know why places matter, why certain neighborhoods feel the way they do, and why some experiences are worth your time while others depend on timing, context, or expectations.
As someone who lives here and works as a professional tour guide, my goal is not to strip the city of its highlights, nor to romanticize only the local side. Barcelona works precisely because both exist together.
WHAT YOU’LL FIND HERE
In this space, you’ll find writing about Barcelona’s culture, history, food, and everyday life, seen through both a local and professional lens.
There will be highlights. Famous architecture, well known places, and experiences that are part of what makes Barcelona what it is. They matter, and they belong in any well spent visit.
You’ll also find local experiences that add context. Why certain dishes are eaten in certain places, why some neighborhoods feel quieter than expected, and how history, migration, and daily life shape what you see today.
Everything here is written with respect for travelers and for the time they choose to spend here. The aim is simple: to help your time in Barcelona feel informed, balanced, and genuinely rewarding.